
- DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO ENTER COLOMBIA
Before your trip, please check if you are a national of a country required to hold an entry visa to enter Colombia. You will find the list of countries as well as necessary procedures and cost of a visa on : https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites_servicios/visa
Remember that your passport must be valid for at least six months.
Don´t forget that if you are traveling to Colombia, it is always necessary to complete an online form via the page Check-Mig before you travel. The page is available in Spanish, English and French. You should complete the form between 72 hours – 1 hour before your departure. It is likely that the airline will request confirmation that you have completed the form during check-in. To complete the form follow this link: https://apps.migracioncolombia.gov.co/pre-registro/en
- HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Don´t forget to arrange for a proper travel health insurance. A number of very special natural areas are in the surroundings of Santa Marta such as Tayrona, Sierra Nevada or Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta National Parks. To enter these protected areas you will also need to have a yellow fever vaccination being applied at least 20 days in advance of your travel.
During your visit to Santa Marta´s region it is advised not to drink tap water, instead, it’s best to have bottled, mineral, or filtered water that you can readily find at hotels, restaurants and convenience stores. Also avoid eating raw vegetables or fresh food from little street markets.
- PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER
Santa Marta is usually hot and humid in March; Colombia’s Caribbean Coast experiences temperature ranges between 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F) throughout the month. Trade winds are also likely this time of the year and refreshing strong wind may be regularly felt in the afternoons.
We suggest to use cotton clothing in light colors and wear a hat or cap (mostly at midday when the sun is at the most intense) and, comfortable shoes.
Sun is up between 6 AM- 6PM
(Colombia’s time zone is GMT-5)
https://www.gaisma.com/en/location/santa-marta.html
- SECURITY
As is advised for most major cities we recommend that you do not walk outside in the evening by yourself but stay at your hotel or go out in groups. Do not accept drinks from strangers and keep sight of your drink. Do not take out a lot of cash and do not wear expensive jewelry. Ask your hotel about reliable taxis.
- HOTELS
INVEMAR contacted several hotels at nearby areas around the institute´s premises, no price agreements are made:
Not in the old center of Santa Marta:
- Estelar Santamar
Around nine minutes by car between this hotel and the venue.
https://www.hotelesestelar.com
- Hilton Pozos Colorados
Around 13 minutes by car. https://shorturl.at/yXdgk
- Marriot Playa Dormida
At least 15 minutes by car. https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/smrmc-santa-marta-marriott-resort-playa-dormida/overview
- Irotama resort
Around 13 minutes by car. https://www.irotama.com/
- Mercure Santa Marta Emile
Next to the Irotama Resort, 13 minutes from the hotel to the venue. (This hotel is not in front of the beaches). www.mercure.accor.com
- Hotel Zuana Beach Resort
Around 13 minutes by car. https://www.zuana.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Nrf2ur6iQMVKJxaBR0T8ijOEAAYASAAEgLW1fD_BwE
- Terrazas Tayrona Travelers Apartamentos y Suites
5 min walk from INVEMAR. https://terrazastayronaapartamentos.com/
more hotels: https://www.booking.com/
Please check that you have easy access to INVEMAR and restaurants in the area.
- ELECTRICITY
Colombia uses Type A and Type B power plug sockets.
https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ab/
Electrical power in Colombia is 110 V and a frequency of 60 Hz.
If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia), you will need a voltage converter in Colombia or make sure that your appliance (e.g. phone, laptop) can deal with 110V 60 Hz (most can deal with this).
- WIFI
At INVEMAR WiFi will be available in all meeting rooms and surrounding spaces. The password will be made available on the first day of the week and will be displayed.
- ACCESS TO INVEMAR
On the first day you will need to show ID (passport or other photo ID) at the registration desk after which you will receive your badge + lanyard. For security reasons please always wear your badge clearly visible when at INVEMAR. You will not be allowed entry without your badge. In the meeting room please set your phone to silent and keep it stored away from the nearest microphone.
- WORKING LANGUAGES
Interpretation will be made available ( English and Spanish).
- CURRENCY
The Colombian Peso is the official currency of Colombia and no other cash is accepted in the country. However, exchange points may be found in the airports and most of tourist areas with convenient rates. The exchange rate is currently around $1 US dollar = $4.425 Colombian pesos (€1 Euro = approx. $4.678 Colombian pesos). Please check the exchange rate in advance as exchange rates will vary at airports or hotels.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, American Express, and MasterCard, among others) are accepted throughout Colombia. It’s worth noting, however, that you’ll likely only be able to use these at major commercial establishments, such as shopping centers, restaurants, and/or hotels. Otherwise, if you’re looking to buy items from artisanal markets, pay for a local taxi, or eat at a small, typical restaurant, you’ll need cash.
- AIRPORT AND TRANSPORT TO YOUR HOTEL
Simón Bolívar International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar) on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, is an international airport serving the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. The airport is located 9.7 kilometers south of Rodadero and 14 kilometers south of Santa Marta city center.
Some hotels have their own transport from/to the Airport, otherwise please take an official taxi, the rate is fixed to/from Rodadero $29000 COP around 7 USD; to/from Santa Marta $49000 COP around 12 USD. The trip will take approx. 30 minutes, but it will depend on the area of the hotel. The time from the airport depends the hotel that people choose. For example 10 minutes from Airport to Mercure Santa Marta Emile, that is located in “Bello Horizonte”; Airport to Estelar Hotel “Pozos Colorados” and around INVEMAR “Rodadero Norte – Playa Salguero”, the time is between 14 to 18 minutes; Airport to “Rodadero Sur” 25 minutes; Airport to Santa Marta Downtown 30 to 45 minutes depends on the traffic.
Please make sure you arrange for your transport to the airport on the day of your departure and check how many hours in advance you should be at the airport for check-in.
More information can be obtained by emailing conference@iode.org.