What to do when you arrive

Many people have asked questions about what is going to happen when they land on the ground in Cartagena and what they should do. When you arrive you are going to pass through customs. This process will take anywhere from 15-45 minutes depending on the line and how many people are on your flight. You will need to show your US passport and possibly answer a question or two. You will not need to speak Spanish to do this. Once you have entered the airport you should go to baggage claim to retrieve your luggage. It is a small airport and there will be signs in English so it will be easy to find. Along the way there will be several people who ask to help you. Politely shake your head and say "No.". If you do choose to receive help a tip is expected. After claiming your bags you will need to get a little money for your cab fare. I would recommend withdrawing 40-60,000 pesos. Don't be scared by the large denominations. This is equivalent to $20-30 dollars. You can either exchange money at the currency exchange stand in the airport or use one of the ATM machines located near the ticketing area of the airport. It is cheaper and easier to use the ATM. Make sure you have a travel belt that can be worn under your clothing to store your money, credit cards, and passport. Once you have your money you will need to exit the airport and take a cab to the house. You do this the same way you would in the US by simply extending your arm as one passes by or more than likely there will be several already waiting by the curb. The address for the house is:

Casa Conde de Pestagua
Calle Santo Domingo No. 33-29
La Ciudad Vieja

Please have this written down on a piece of paper and simply hand it to your cab driver. He will know exatly where to go. The cost of the cab ride will be about 5000-6000 pesos. You can tip the driver if you like but it is not necessary. When he drops you off at the house just knock on the large wooden door and one of the house employees will let you in. In case of emergency the phone number for the house is 668417.

Passport Information

When you enter Colombia you will be required to show your US passport to pass through customs. If you do not have a US passport we recommend that you apply for one as soon as possible as the process can take four months or more. You can do so at any US post office or county clerk's office. You will need to bring two 2"x2" passport photos which can be obtained at any one hour photo shop or fed-ex kinko's store. For information on obtaining your passport visit the US state department's website. In case of emergency the process can be expedited for an extra fee. If you are renewing your passport you can do so by mail but again we recommend you do so as soon as possible. For more information on renewing a passport, follow this link. You will not need a visa to enter Colombia if you are traveling from the United States. However, guests traveling from other countries other than the United States should check with the Colombian Embassy in your country to confirm if a visitor’s visa is required to enter. Click here to find out more information.

Travel Basics - Things to Bring

• Photocopies of all important documents (passport and travel tickets). Many tickets to Colombia are not E-tickets. Therefore, do not throw away your return ticket when you arrive. You will need it to get back!!!
• List of credit card companies’ customer service numbers
• Your ATM card
• U.S. dollars or local currency for use upon arrival
• Address of accommodations where you will reside during your stay
• Emergency contact numbers in your country of origin
• A secure money belt that can be worn under clothing for carrying valuables, cash, and credit cards.
• No immunizations are necessary for travel to Colombia

Flights and Ground Transportaion

Travel Costs
• Travel to Cartagena from the U.S. typically ranges from $600 - $900 USD. Bargains can be obtained through travel websites, so set your farefinder ASAP! Also to factor in, the airport tax on all international flights is USD $37 (this fee is paid upon departure from Colombia at the airport).

Routes and Carriers
• There is one international flight direct to Cartagena. The carrier is Avianca (Delta/Continental partner) and runs daily from Miami except Thursdays and Saturdays. Copa (Delta/Continental partner) has flights to Cartagena through Panama City. When looking for travel routes or speaking with a travel agent, your destination is Rafael Nunez airport and the airport code is "CTG." Below is a list of carriers that fly to Colombia:

1. Avianca (the official carrier of Colombia) Tel: 800-284-2622 www.avianca.com
2. Delta Airlines Tel: 1-800-221-1212 www.delta.com
3. Copa Airlines 800-359-2672 www.copaair.com
4. American Airlines www.aa.com

Ground Transportation
• You will not need a rental car while in Cartagena. You can walk almost everywhere around the Old City and like many Caribbean or Latin American countries, you will be approached by many eager taxi drivers waiting to take you to your destination. The cost of a ride from the airport to downtown will be approximately 5000 pesos and takes about 15 minutes. Be sure to have the address for the house where you will be staying so you can give it to the driver.

Accommodations

Casa Conde de Pestagua

We recommend that you stay in the Old City. This is not only a beautiful area but it is also where most of the wedding events will take place. Although there are great hotels around the city ( 5-star Hotel Santa Clara, Hotel Santa Teresa/Charleston, and many boutique hotels, you can find them online) we thought it would make it easier (and cheaper) to arrange for accommodations by renting large, beautifully restored colonial private houses that can be shared with family and friends (26 people max.). The cost of the rooms (all with private bathroom) will be US $115 per night per person. Because the houses do not accept credit cards and to prevent you from having to carry a large amount of money in Cartagena we are requesting you to please pay Dave or Gisi for your rooms in advance. If you already confirmed with us about this option please send a check with the total amount of your stay along with your RSVP card before November 24. You are welcome to arrive in Cartagena any day that fits better your own schedule. You will need to take a taxi to your house or hotel from the airport!

Money,Currency Exchange,and Tipping

The current exchange rate in Colombia is approximately $2,000 pesos for 1 US dollar. So for example, a bill for 10,000 pesos is approximately 5 US dollars. If you are intimidated by doing large calculations bring a calculator to help. Cash is the easiest and most widely accepted form of payment in Colombia. You can exchange money at several money exchange stores (casas de cambios) in the city or airport. However THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY to obtain pesos is by using your debit card in an ATM which are widely distributed throughout the city. They are safe and offer the best conversion rate. You should NEVER exchange money on the streets!! Credit cards are accepted in most locations including hotels and restaurants. However there are some locations that will only take cash. Tipping at restaurants is expected and should be 10% of the bill. Be sure to check your bill because sometimes the tip is already included. Tipping of hotel employees is expected but should be no more than 2,000 pesos. Be careful when walking through the streets. If you let anyone perform a service for you they will expect a tip. It is okay to say NO THANK YOU!!

Weather and Clothing

There are no seasons in Colombia. The local climate is tropical along both coasts. In Bogotá, the temperature is a consistent 65 F. If you plan to fly through Bogotá, you may want to bring a sweater or a light jacket as the days can sometimes be a little chilly. Due to Cartagena’s tropical location, the climate changes very little, with an average high of 88 F and an average low of 75 F throughout the year. Most of the time Cartagena is quite humid but January is a breezy month so the weather should be milder. Wear your lightest summer clothing and a hat and sun block to protect yourself from the sun. Also don't forget to bring comfortable walking shoes as we will be doing a lot of walking through the city! Oh, and remember to bring your bathing suit too.