Jairo
Cellular: 3702272095 or 3102272095
Casa: 4081344
Hotel Del Parque
Carrera 5a No. 23-34 Centro International
PBX:336 36 00, FAX:281 16 90
http://www.apps.flights.com
http://www.airsaver.com/search.asp
http://www.poorbuthappy.com
*REMINDER TO CHECK WITH HOTELS ON DISTANCE FROM THE CITY(DOWNTOWN)
http://www.cotelco.org/hoteles/bogota.htm
$55- hostal linden - http://www.skybusiness.com/e-linden/ - linden@colomsat.net.co +57 (1) 287 4239 - 245 3034
$82- http://www.hbacata.com.co/ Tel. (571) 283-8300
south-america-hotels.com
$78 maria isabel bogota ***5min. from embassy,10min. from airport(571) 287 3426 / (571) 285 0417
travelocity
$80+ forte travelodge hotel capital ***5min. from embassy,10min. from airport
$76 four points bogota(57)(1) 2105000
$80 von humboldt grand hotel
(http://www2.planeta.com/mader/ecotravel/south/colombia/colombia1.html)
(terra.com.co)
$77+ howard johnson santa fe bogota
$66+ melia santa fe
*"Discussing Columbia" at Yahoo!
*Zona Rosa or Parque 93, Bogota's principal nightclub/entertainment(place of threat) districts
*Another common scam is an approach to an obvious tourist by an alleged "policeman," who says he wants to "check" the foreigner's money for counterfeit U.S. dollars. The person gives the criminal money, receives a receipt, and the "policeman" disappears.
*Make two photocopies of passport & airline tickets, copy of serial numbers of travelers checks
*Take calling card capable of international operation
Events
The Colombian calendar is awash with festivals, carnival s, fairs and beauty pageants. Some of the biggest events include: Carnaval de Blancos y Negros (Pasto; January); Semana Santa (Holy Week) (most prominent celebrations are in Popayán and Mompós; March or April); Feria de las Flores (Medellín; August); and Reinado del Coco (San Andrés; November).
Attractions
Bogotá
Bogotá, the country's capital, is the quintessence of all things Colombian: a city of futuristic architecture, a vibrant and diverse cultural and intellectual life, splendid colonial churches and brilliant museums. It is also a city of Dickensian waifs, beggars, shantytowns, drug dealers and traffic jams. This amazing mixture of prosperity and poverty, Maseratis and mules, makes it one of the world's most chaotic, fascinating and aggressive metropolises.
Sights to look out for include: Museo del Oro, which contains many relics of pre-Colombian history and is perhaps the most important museum of its kind in the world; Museo Nacional, which contains a wealth of exhibits ranging from pre-Columbian to contemporary art; Iglesia de Santa Clara, with its fresco-lined interior, images and altarpieces; Iglesia de San Ignacio, one of the most richly decorated churches in the country; the colonial barrio of La Candelaria, the oldest quarter in the city; Cerro de Monserrate, a peak flanking the city which is famous as a site of many miracles; and Jardin Botánico José Celestino Mutis, a lovely botanical garden featuring a variety of national flora.
Walking the city's streets and observing the mad to-ing and fro-ing, the avalanches of busetas, the extravagant stores and roadside stalls, is as fascinating as contemplating the serene atmosphere of the city's colonial churches and museums, so give yourself plenty of time for this sort of exploration. It's worth hanging out and watching the buskers at the Plaza de Santander, browsing at the Sunday flea market at Mercado de las Pulgas and looking (but not buying) at the street emerald market at the southwestern corner of Avenida Jiménez and Carrera 7.
There is also a lively arts and entertainment scene that features theater and classical musical, discos amplifying sinuous Cuban rhythms in the trendy Zona Rosa, around Carrera 15, plus plenty of venues for watching soccer and bullfighting. Most budget travelers gravitate to La Candelaria, which has cheap accommodation and food.
Fifty kilometers (31mi) northeast of Bogotá is the colonial town of Guatavita and the famous Laguna de Guatavita, the ritual center and sacred lake of the Musica Indians, and the cradle of the El Dorado myth
Activities
Six-day return treks to the ruins of La Ciudad Perdida are very popular. Guides can arrange transport, food and accommodation (guides are essential because the area is an important marijuana and coca-growing region). The five to seven-day Nabusímake-Pico Colón Trek in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a great way to experience Colombia's mountains.
There is great snorkeling and diving off the Islas del Rosario, 30km (20mi) offshore from Cartagena, and off the the Isla Barú, the peninsula south of Cartagena. The waters around San Andrés and Providencia are ooh-aah pretty-fishy spots of choice delight.
Adventurous jungle tours of the Amazonian interior can be arranged in Leticia. Well-equipped guides are thick on the ground and tours of up to 10 days can be easily arranged. High-speed film - the jungle is often gloomy - and mosquito repellent are a must.
Mexico
Rubys Travel Connection
4-349-8000
Bee's Travel Services
4-629-0652
visitmexico.com
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