Panamericana de viajes
Transcription
Panamericana de viajes
COLOMBIA Conventions, Congress and Incentives P anamericana de Viajes Ltda. is pleased to present to you it’s new congress, conventions and incentive trip manual which has been design to exalted the most complete operational and logistic infrastructure in five of the most important Colombian cities: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, San Andrés and Santa Marta. The experience of our Congress, Conventions and Incentive Department has permitted us to have high knowledge in the management of corporate events and has given us the capacity to specialize in different services that will make of your event a memorable time for each and every of your participants. Some of our services are: • • • • • • • Advisory services in the event development Coordination of inspections trips Pre and post logistic support Variety of destinations according to your needs and budget Aerial and terrestrial support Hotels, restaurants and rooms reservations for the group Organization of special activities such as: welcome dinner, thematic parties, and awards ceremonies. • Permanent assistance during the event • Assistance at the airport Our 25 year of experience is the guarantee for the success and quality of your event, working with you to make it a unique experience is our pleasure. Cordially, Hugo Vélez Lynton President Hugo Vélez Lynton President Index Colombia .............................................................. 4 Bogotá, D.C. .......................................................... 6 Cartagena .......................................................... 16 Medellín ............................................................ 26 Santa Marta ....................................................... 32 San Andres and Providence .................................. 38 Photos cortesy of Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo and/or Viceministerio de Turismo. Photographs by: Santiago Montes, Peter Goodhew, German Montes, Mabel Castro and Luís Fernando Jaramillo. Colombia GENERALITIES: Weather: Due to its geographical location, Colombia has the privilege of enjoying a constant solar radiation throughout the year, days and nights have similar extensions and weather variations are determined by altitude, wind effects, rain and humidity. Surface: 2.070.408 square kilometers (1.141.748 of continental area and 928.660 of maritime areas). Population: 44 million. Official language: Spanish. Religion: Catholic and cult freedom. Currency: Colombian Peso. 4 Panamericana de Viajes WHY COLOMBIA? • Because Colombia is a country filled of contrasts, comprised by 5 regions that have different cultures and traditions. • Because every corner of the Colombian territory offers a beautiful landscape: Caribbean beaches on the north, incredible sunsets on the eastern plains, the maritim richness of the pacific ocean and the green Amazon forests in the south of the country. • Because there are regions that still follow historical traditions in music, food, history, arts which are still passed on from generation to generation. BECAUSE COLOMBIA CAN SATISFY EVERY TASTE: • Agro-tourism: Climatic variety has provided Colombia with a great diversity in products. A great part of the economy is based on agro-tourism. The coffee area offers the most beautiful landscapes, hospitable people with a culture and lifestyle worth exploring. • Sports and adventure: Thanks to its geographical position and topography, Colombia has a perfect environment for the practice of adventure tourism and extreme sports. • History and Culture: Tourists can experience an adventure by approaching the pre-Colombian past, learning all about the colonial period, the history of the missions and the influence of the Spanish Monarchy over the country. Colombia is a cultural destination. With events such as: Bogotá Book Capital of the World 2007, music festivals seasons and the Theater Festival. • Sun and Beach: Colombia is the only country in South America with coasts on two oceans, with exuberant landscapes and beautiful beaches. 5 Panamericana de Viajes Bogotá T he capital city of the Republic of Colombia is modern and cosmopolitan, and because of its strategic location and impressive development throughout the last decade, it has placed itself among the top development, commercial and business centers of the continent. Bogotá is the cultural capital of the northern area of South America and, as witness of its glorious past, it possesses a historical center that shelters numerous colonial and republican buildings, among which you can find: the Gold Museum, one of a kind in the world, with over 36.000 pieces of pre-Columbian gold work, and the National Museum, holder of an important art collection. Bogotá also has an extraordinary public library network, and numerous theaters and art galleries with very interesting proposals. As complement to its varied cultural activity, the city offers comfortable public areas with modern avenues, parks, entertainment zones and institutions dedicated to knowledge. The city has over 20 large malls where people can find high quality products at reasonable prices, and the night life is vibrant too: in numerous restaurants, bars, nightclubs and casinos visitors and locals can enjoy a wide gastronomic and entertainment variety. Throughout its main avenues runs its modern articulated bus system, Transmilenio, which communicates every sector in the city. It also has an extended bicycleroute path network, this particular element and its novelty has granted admiration to Bogotá by European and American cities. 6 Panamericana de Viajes For the organization of congresses and events, besides the 193 rooms that can be found in the city’s high level hotels, Bogotá has a modern Convention Center located in the heart of the International Center – Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada – with a capacity for 2.500 people, and a huge Fair Center – Corferias – comprised of 27 pavilions, 10 free areas and a total surface for 142.000 sq. mt. available for international fairs and expositions. In addition, the Convention Center located in the town of Paipa, at a distance of 3 hours by road, offers an incredible natural surrounding and a capacity of 1,000 people. CONNECTIVITY IN BOGOTÁ The El Dorado International airport is located 11 km. away from the city center, 26 airlines provide their services, 20 of them international. In a week there are more than 260 international 7 Panamericana de Viajes flights and it has daily connections to all the department capital cities of the country. Bogotá is communicated with the rest of the country through an excellent main and secondary road network. The city has broad band Internet service and satellite communications. Some important Awards and recognitions for Bogotá Book Capital of the world 2007 Latin American Cultural Capital 2007 Venue for the World Services Congress 2007 Golden Lion Award in the Venice Biennial Exhibition 2006 BOGOTA, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Bogotá has a high qualification for holding events; the city offers all the necessary facilities for fairs of any size, congresses, shows, seminars, entrepreneurial encounters and incentives. These facilities have the latest technological advances, specialized personnel and when required, simultaneous translations. Furthermore, the broad tourist, cultural and hotel offer in the city is the greatest 8 Panamericana de Viajes perk for those who hold their events in the Colombian capital. GASTRONOMY Bogotá is considered as a gourmet city; it offers multiple national and international food alternatives, with over one hundred tourist quality restaurants and some of the main international fast-food chains such as: Hard Rock Café, Mc. Donald’s, T.G.I.F Fridays, Pizza Hut and KFC. Some of the most important restaurants are: • Andrés Carne de Res. • Claustro de San Agustín (located on the Hill of Monserrate). • El Salto del Angel. • Pajares Salinas. • El Pórtico. ACTIVITIES: In Bogotá you can tailor a wide array of special events that fit your every need. NIGHTLIFE • Private clubs and event rooms where we can offer traditional parties, nightclubs alike the best in the world, theme parties, elegant dinner parties, product launches, anything you might fancy will be available to you. • Hotels also offer event rooms where you can experience a Barranquilla Carnival show, theme parties: Hawaiian, white party, pirate parties. Some of the most attractive places in the Bogotá nightlife are: • Andrés Carne de Res. • Cha-Cha Club Disco (Included as one of the Top Latin 5). • Punto G. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS The city opens its cultural doors through different scenarios, in addition to the historical center, its museums and its churches; the city holds important international events such as the Iberoamerican Theatre Festival, Park Rock and many more. We offer the following city excursions: 9 Panamericana de Viajes EXCURSIONS Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá and the new Guatavita Shopping in Bogotá Bogotá is considered as one of the most important destinations for shopping thanks to the excellent prices. A 6hour tour is available, in which you can choose to visit two of the main malls and the industrial area of the city, where you can find leather factories with products for men, women and children. City Tour It’s the perfect opportunity for a quick tour around the city, with a visit to the Gold Museum and its 30.000 gold piece collection, the Bolivar Square, the National Capitol and Bolivar’s Estate. There’s also an optional visit to the hill of Monserrate, with its display of the Fallen Lord and its magnificent view of the city. Visit to the Divine Child sanctuary The sanctuary is located in the 20 de Julio neighborhood; a place that worships the image of the Divine Child and that usually receives visits from thousands of believers. There is a wide schedule of masses, from 5 am through 7 pm. 10 Panamericana de Viajes A tour through the northern part of the city, one of the most residential sectors of Bogotá; taking the Panamericana Highway, passing typical towns and arriving to Zipaquirá, where the Salt Cathedral is located. Additionally, you can also include a visit to Guatavita, the lovely colonial town re-built in 1968; located near the lake that originated the very famous legend of El Dorado. Coffee Plantations A 6-hour excursion down the Andes Mountain system until reaching the town of Fusagasugá, visits to the orchid gardens and the coffee plantations. Tunja and Villa de Leyva An all-day outing, taking the Panamericana Highway north, with visits to the Boyacá Bridge, the colonial cities of Tunja and Villa de Leyva. Special visit to the Saint Ecce Homo convent, built in 1620. Return to Bogotá. This hotel has a conventions center with all the necessary comforts and amenities to hold any type of event. Bogotá at night A brief tour of the northern area of the city arriving at the Tramonti Restaurant, considered as one of the best restaurants in the city and the one that holds the best panoramic view. HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE Bogotá has a wide array of high level hotels, some of which are part of international hotel chains. High level Hotels: 40. Total Rooms: 4.513. Meeting rooms Total meeting rooms: 193. Capacity: from 15 to 1.300 people. 11 Panamericana de Viajes HOTELS away from El Dorado International Airport. Downtown Crowne Plaza Tequendama Hotel Located in the downtown area, a few steps away from the Convention Center Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada; it’s considered the epicenter of the most exclusive commercial and business activities in Bogotá in the International Center, located 15 minutes away from the El Dorado International Airport. It has 580 rooms, 24- hour room service, satellite TV, voice mail, mini bar, Internet connection, and laundry and Valet parking services. Restaurants and bars for all tastes, gym, steam baths, jacuzzis, saunas, business center with all necessary communication equipments, bilingual secretarial service, fax, photocopier, visual aids and 13 meeting rooms with a capacity of 10 to 1000 people. NORTH OF THE CITY Bogotá Royal Hotel This hotel is located in the northern area, in the World Trade Center, 25 minutes 12 Panamericana de Viajes It has 142 rooms divided in two towers. The first tower has 76 superior rooms, a business suite, a royal suite and a presidential suite. The second tower has 6 superior rooms, 48 business suites, 6 royal suites and 3 imperial suites. 24hour room service, satellite TV, voice mail, mini bar, computer internet connection, laundry and Valet parking services. Restaurants and bars for all kinds of tastes, business center with all state of the art communications equipment, bilingual secretarial service, fax, photocopy machine, visual aids and 12 meeting rooms with a capacity of 10 to 500 people. Bogotá Plaza Hotel This traditional hotel has a presidential suite with 3 environments, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and a jacuzzi; junior and executive suites, for a total 184 rooms. The hotel offers other services such as piano bar, restaurants, cafeteria, laundry, currency Exchange office, 24-hour room service, concierge, parking as well as a workout room, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and massage areas. It offers 14 convention rooms that hold 15 to 400 visitors, and a business center with the support of bilingual staff. La Fontana Hotel This hotel is located in an exclusive residential neighborhood of Bogotá, in front of Unicentro, one of the largest malls in the city. It has 228 rooms: standard, junior suite, Fontana suite, suite, special and work suite. With 24-hour room service, internet connection, safety deposit box and private transportation service. It also has a restaurant, a bar, Fitness center, fully equipped business center and 16 meeting rooms with a capacity of 10 to 200 people. 13 Panamericana de Viajes Cosmos 100 Hotel Radisson Royal Hotel Cosmos 100 is located in the midst of a very active area of malls, business and health centers. Located in the exclusive Teleport Business Park, 35 minutes away form El Dorado international airport. It has 251 soundproof rooms in a modern 14-story tower: superior rooms with internet connection (additional cost), cable TV, safety deposit box, mini bar and newspaper; business suites with the above mentioned services and additionally, 2 bathrooms and 2 independent environments for working and resting; a presidential suite with 105 sq. mt. distributed into a dinning room, bar, studio, jacuzzi and the best view of the city. The hotel offers 269 rooms, superior and junior suites. It also has 2 international cuisine restaurants, coffee shop, bar, pool, sauna, gym, business center and 18 conference rooms with a capacity of 15 to 600 people, fully prepared with visual, high tech equipment and internet access. Dann Carlton Hotel The Hotel is within a modern and essential sector, with easy access to tourist, commercial and business centers. It offers 139 rooms, superior and junior suites with direct national and international telephone connections, fax and satellite TV. The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, massage room, golf course and tennis court on the Pueblo Viejo sports club. It offers a business center and 9 convention meeting rooms with a capacity of 10 to 350 people. 14 Panamericana de Viajes It offers a restaurant, library, spa and 10 event rooms with a capacity of up to 250 people. Nearby cities Paipa Hotel and Convention Center The town of Paipa is located at a driving distance of 3 hours from Bogotá. On the lake shores and introducing all the enchantment of the department of Boyacá, it is one of the most complete hotels for event organization and family rest. Paipa Hotel and Convention Center means enjoyment. It has got one of the most complete and comfortable hotel infrastructures in the country. Located in the lake shore and surrounded by forests, this hotel is the ideal place for vacationing, enjoyment and of course working; it has lots of activities and possibilities. The center offers food services from The Zipa restaurant, which serves international food, the Bachue cafeteria, with typical food and a relaxed environment, as well as the Chaquen snack bar and a night club. The hotel has a convention center, equipped with all the necessary elements for any event. 15 Panamericana de Viajes Cartagena 16 W ithout a doubt, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most beautiful cities of the Caribbean and one of the favorite destination for conventions and congresses, thanks to its agreeable tropical weather, its passionate historical legacy, the happiness and hospitability of its people and its active modern life style, this city provides one of the most complete hotel and service infrastructures in the country. Given its privileged location in a pleasant Caribbean bay, from its origins, the city has been considered as one of the main ports of the continent. The stalking of pirates and buccaneers forced the Spanish crown into building the most spectacular defense system in America, with fortresses and walls still remaining today, along with its squares, streets, temples and large houses with beautiful balconies, all of which have granted the city enough merit to be the recipient of the UNESCO category of Historical and Cultural Patrimony of Humanity. Cartagena has become one of the main gathering locations for artists and intellectuals who, seduced by the old city’s enchantment and joyful nights, spend unforgettable periods in the city. Alongside this colonial jewel, lies a modern and dynamic city with comfortable hotels, shops, restaurants and nightclubs that offer the visitor the best of services. True tropical paradises surround Cartagena, soft beaches with palm trees, such as the island of Barú and an area of small islands filled with mangrove swamps and coral reefs: the Rosario Island Panamericana de Viajes The city is permanently hosting national and international events, because it has one of the top hotel infrastructures in the country, it can hold all kinds of conventions and conferences; the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center has a capacity for 4.000 people, it’s located on the bay next to the walls, and it’s one of the largest and most specialized; to complement the offer, many of the city’s hotels are equipped with large, comfortable rooms and complementary services. Such as the case of the Cartagena Hilton Hotel and Convention Center, with a capacity for 1.500 and Las Americas Beach resort and Convention Center with a capacity for 1.100 people. CONNECTIVITY IN CARTAGENA The Rafael Nuñez international airport has frequent connections to Miami, Panama and Madrid, as well as to the large cities in the country. 17 Panamericana de Viajes The bay is home to an important seaport and a tourist dock. The main Caribbean road connects the city with the rest of Colombia. It offers broad band Internet service and satellite communications. CARTAGENA: THE IDEAL CITY FOR YOUR EVENT Cartagena, besides being the most important tourist centre in the Colombian coast, it is one of the most important business, convention and meeting centers of the Caribbean. It has a complete infrastructure installed in order to cover massive events, an international airport, 3 convention centers (Cartagena de Indias Conventions Centre, Las Americas Hotel Conventions Centre and the Hilton Hotel Conventions Centre) all of them fully equipped with all the easiness of the modern information; this added to an outstanding hotel, food and service availability make Cartagena the ideal place for your event GASTRONOMY: Cartagena’s food is quite assorted, going from the Creole cook to the most exquisite international food available in different first class restaurants with wide experience and high reputation. 18 Panamericana de Viajes Among the exquisite variety of the Cartagena’s cuisine the following traditional dishes –among others- worth the mention: • Diverse fish and seafood dishes accompanied with coconut rice and fried plantains or sweet plantain. • Stew (made with fish, Creole chicken or assortment of meats). • Mondongo soup). soup (Cow intestines • Typical fried food such as egg corn bread, meat pockets, cassava carimañolas, red beans fritters or corn fritters. • Pork rinds with sweet corn buns or dried corn buns. • Liver and plantain soup - higadete. • Fried sticks of cassava with serum. In addition to these, you can experience traditional pastry that you can delight yourself with that in the Sweets Portal, having the following desserts as some of the most outstanding: coconut, pineapple, papaya, guava or sesame seeds candies, cassava pies, panderitos (small pies), tamarind balls or the plantain dried preserves among others. One of the advantages of the city is the possibility of enjoying the massive variety of tropical fruits that the palenqueras sell in the streets and beaches, as the natural juices of multiple flavors, colors, scents and textures to which no taste buds will be able to resist. In Cartagena there is a wide variety of restaurants that satisfy the most demanding customers, some of them are: • • • • • El Santísimo. Club de Pesca. La Vitrola. Restaurante San Pedro. Juan Del Mar. 19 Panamericana de Viajes NIGHTLIFE At sunset, the seductive power of Cartagena captures residents and visitors. The night tour can begin by visiting the pubs of the colonial zone, or visiting the cafes where you will find an environment of different cultures, or if you wish, you can take a tour in horse-pulled carriages where the charm of the night merges with the magic of the walled city; or if you’re up to a very picturesque party, a chiva (traditional bus) will take you all around the city to then drop you off at a spectacular night club. But if you definitively want more intensity, in Getsemaní you can find several options in calle del Arsenal as the nightclubs Mr. Babilla, La Carbonera, Tu Candela, and Joyslava among others that will make your night unforgettable. • • • Cartagena also offers a wide variety of casinos. ACTIVITIES: • For your event we suggest the following activities for you to enjoy in the city: • Dinner at La Popa Convent, here we can offer you a white night with a complete white decoration (tablecloths, chair linings, flowers), the waiters are dressed as monks and the music will • 20 Panamericana de Viajes be played by a saxophonist; all guests must be dressed in white. Dinner at the Castillo de San Felipe, with a decoration made for the occasion. We will have some dancing couples framing the entrance to the castle providing a warm welcome for guests. After dinner we will offer three typical dances of the region. Galeón Bucanero and Club de Pesca: it includes a pirate custom for each participant (with the cap marked with the logo and the name of the event, handkerchief and a pirate patch). You will be welcomed by two models dressed as Catalina Indians at the entrance. Carriage ride with dinner in the restaurant El Santísimo: in this trip you will be surrounded by a setting filled with musical bands that will be strategically placed in the square, playing a spectacular Cartagena serenade for the assistants; one of this bands will welcome you at the restaurant El Santísimo. Dinner at the Aduana square or the bulwark of the city where you will enjoy a typical dinner, a Barranquilla Carnival show and music from an orchestra. All the hotels have rooms where we can offer elegant dinner parties, theme based dinners, typical dinners, dances, orchestras, etc. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY Visiting Cartagena means arriving to the most important historical and tourist centre of Colombia, the magic of its streets, the secrets of each one of its corners, the beauty of its architecture, the majesty of its military designs, its folklore, the exotic contrast between the old and the new surround the charm of a visit to the city; you will be able to fully experience pirate times and see all the buccaneer cannons, vaults, barrels and soldiers. EXCURSIONS City Tour This tour is a guided visit to the main monuments of the colonial city, the San Felipe Castle, Popa Hill, Old city and residential neighborhoods of Bocagrande and Castillo Grande. 21 Panamericana de Viajes Rosario Islands Totumo Volcano A boat trip to the islands, located south of the Cartagena Bay. These islands are regarded as a National Natural Park and have a complex coral reef, populated with a wide animal variety; the perfect opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. This is a spectacular visit with therapeutic purposes. Located 50 minutes away from Cartagena; its crater brings the opportunity to experience a healthy mud bath usually followed with a bath in the Totumo Lagoon. A day in the Island San Pedro de Majagua A visit to this beautiful island administered by the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel where you can enjoy two amazing beaches. Chiva Party A 3-hour Night tour in a traditional bus, called Chiva, around the colonial and modern city. A walk in the old city Guided walk throughout the walled area visiting famous streets, churches, colonial estates with their balconies, Museum House of 5-time president Rafael Nuñez, the Santa Catalina stronghold and the Vaults handcraft center with its many handcraft shops. 22 Panamericana de Viajes Botanic Gardens Excursion These gardens are only 30 minutes away from Cartagena, in the municipality of Turbaco; the perfect place to appreciate the flora and fauna. Tour to Santa Marta A one-day outing to the city of Barranquilla, with a panoramic view tour, and to Santa Marta, with tours to the San Pedro Alejandrino Estate, where liberator Simon Bolivar died, and a tour to the beautiful beaches of Rodadero. Mangrove swamp and Pre-Colombian Archeological Park Expedition to Boquilla, a fisherman’s town located 20 minutes away form the city, where a canoe will take you to Cienaga Virgen, providing you with the opportunity to watch the beautiful landscapes and the important mangrove swamps that oxygenate the waters. The tour continues in the PreColombian Archeological Park and ends with an exquisite lunch in a typical restaurant in Manzanillo del Mar. Carriage ride and Dinner Romantic night tour through the city in horse carriages, the tour ends with a delicious restaurant dinner. HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE High level Hotels: 11 Total rooms: 1.980 Meeting facilities Total rooms: 49 Capacity: from 15 to 750 people 23 Panamericana de Viajes HOTELS Cartagena Hilton Hotel This exclusive Hotel is located in the sector of Laguito (Caribbean Sea peninsula); 15 minutes from the Rafael Nuñez international airport, 10 minutes away from the port, malls and old walled city. ambiances: colonial or republican; all of them with a view to the old walled city, the Caribbean sea or the gorgeous (inner patios), excellently equipped in order to satisfy the most demanding tastes. It has a cafeteria service, restaurant, bar, pool, steam bath, sauna, gym and 6 conference rooms with a capacity from 20 to 300 people. Caribe Hotel The hotel offers 295 rooms , all of them with a balcony and a view to the sea, individual temperature control and mini bar. Its services include a bar, two restaurants, semi-private beach, pool, gym, tennis courts and 16 conference rooms with capacities from 10 to 1.500 people. The Caribe Hotel is located in the exclusive sector of Bocagrande, facing the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by 35.000 sq. mt. of tropical gardens. The Hotel is comprised of 3 buildings with 363 rooms with air conditioning, mini bar, TV, telephone lines for national and international calls, ambience music, safety deposit box and internet access. Santa Clara Hotel The Santa Clara Convent, built in the early 17th century inside the walled city, was used for a while as a charity hospital but today it has been renovated into the exclusive Santa Clara Hotel, the most important in the city. It’s a must see destination, the architectural value is simply incomparable. The Hotel has 162 rooms with internet access, distributed into two different 24 Panamericana de Viajes Its exquisite gastronomy brings variety in local and international food; it offers 8 meeting rooms with capacity from 20 to 250 people, tennis court, olympic-size and children’s pool, gym, sauna, steam bath and jacuzzi. Las Américas Global Resort Hotel Located on the Cielo Mar sector, this Hotel has 250 luxurious rooms with all the comforts of a five-star hotel. All of the rooms have a balcony and a view to the sea; it has 300 mt of tranquil and safeguarded beaches. Its services include a restaurant, cafeteria, 24-hour room service, bar, sauna, steam baths, jacuzzi, pool, gym, putting green, night club, 8 conference rooms with capacity for 20 to 750 people, parking facilities, tennis court, currency exchange office, business center and internet access. Capilla del Mar Hotel This hotel is located in the heart of the tourist and residential center of Bocagrande; it has 202 spacious rooms with view to the city and to the sea. The rooms have mini bar, TV, international and national calls, safety deposit boxes, cafeteria, restaurant, pool and even a rotating bar on the 21st floor. The Hotel also has three conference rooms with a capacity from 10 to 150 people. 25 Panamericana de Viajes Medellín 26 I n the steep Andes Mountains, Medellín is a modern and cheerful capital that has become an industrial and commercial center for the western area of Colombia, it has one of the best infrastructures in the country, provides the service of a metropolitan train, excellent road networks and the best public utilities. This urban marvel with modern buildings that stand alongside colonial and republican constructions enjoys intense cultural activity on its museums, art galleries, theater and public spaces; all of them accented by sculptures, mostly from local artist Fernando Botero. The city’s parks, restaurants and night clubs are always a place to experience memorable moments and the best of the region’s traditions. Medellín is also a major fashion center in Colombia, thanks to its prominent textile industry. Its shops and malls, offer the latest fashion trends and a variety of products of top quality and good prices. The thriving personality and kindness of its people, along with its nice weather are the reasons why this city is also known as “the city of the eternal spring”; this is the ideal location for organizing international business events and meetings. Medellín has several spaces that are specifically designed for servicing congresses, conventions and conferences of any scale, others are found in first class hotels; the most distinguished are the Plaza Mayor International Convention Center and the Exhibits Palace. In this city, business meetings are always successful and socialization activities could not be any better. Panamericana de Viajes CONNECTIVITY IN MEDELLÍN Medellín is connected with the world through its international airport, José Maria Cordoba, with frequent flights to Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali, Barranquilla and other cities. The Olaya Herrera airport, in the center of the city, is used exclusively for domestic flights. MEDELLIN : THE IDEAL CITY FOR YOUR EVENT It has excellent roads that connect the city with the rest of the country, as well as broad band Internet and satellite communications. Medellín, the city of the eternal spring: Medellín is an ideal destination due to its warm people its year round spring weather, its landscapes full of flowers and mountains and a 27 Panamericana de Viajes wide assortment of food, commercial and tourism offer; it is known as the city of the eternal spring and the city of the flowers. As of late it has transformed itself into an ideal city for events and conventions, given its good infrastructure and the helpful spirit of its people; in 2005, Medellín inaugurated its International Conventions Centre. Medellín is also a cultural centre with museums and historical buildings of great value like the Museum of Antioquia where you can find the largest collection of paint and sculpture Master Fernando Botero. Medellín has the only metrosystem in the country, an unprecedented experience in the urban transportation in the World. GASTRONOMY: The cuisine is a supreme ingredient in the paisa identity. The typical dish is based on red beans, which have become its trademark both inside and outside this location. Red beans with pork, served with meat, rice, fried plantains, avocado, eggs, blood sausage, pork rinds and sweet plantain, altogether they 28 Panamericana de Viajes create a wonder of Antioquia’s cuisine called Bandeja Paisa. But in Medellín, besides finding delicious typical food, there are also some excellent specialized national and international restaurants such as: • • • • Hato Viejo Angus Brangus La Fragata El Rancherito NIGHTLIFE In Medellín’s nightlife, along with some rimes and tangos you will be able to share the happiness and warmth of paisa people, sharing some traditional aguardiente (firewater). In Medellín, the customs and folklore have been kept with pride and have gotten stronger from generation to generation. The paisa people have adopted new tendencies in the city’s nightlife which will lead you to an incredibly enjoyable experience. Some of the most important places to enjoy the nightlife in Medellín are: • • • • La Fortaleza De Tacones Arcángel Café Caballo Blanco TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Your event can be accompanied by a series of diverse activities that can be performed at day or night; Medellín can easily adapt to any requirement needed for a specific event. EXCURSIONS City Tours The 3-hour tour through the industrial capital of Colombia, celebrated for its textiles, includes a stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Nutibara Hill and other notorious places. Tour to the eastern area of the department of Antioquia A road trip visiting the eastern area, with a stop in the Hacienda Fizebad, the Religious Art museum in Rionegro, the Tequendamita Falls and other sites. 29 Panamericana de Viajes Hotel Infrastructure Medellín has an excellent hotel capacity in several sectors of the city. High level hotels: 12 Total rooms: 1.389 Meeting rooms Total rooms: 79 Capacity: 15 to 700 people HOTELS Intercontinental Hotel The Intercontinental Hotel is located in the beautiful residential area of El Poblado. It was built on the side of the mountain and it has an incomparable view of the city and the surrounding scenery. The hotel has 249 elegant rooms, superior suites and exclusive rooms belonging to the Intercontinental Club, exquisitely decorated with all comforts and services; 12 meeting rooms and the largest ball room in the city, with a capacity for 2.300 people. The cozy restaurant El Fogón de Piedra is perfect for a fabulous meal in a relaxed 30 Panamericana de Viajes setting. The Brasserie offers a delicious buffet and the Lobby bar is the right place for a drink while enjoying live musical performances. Among the offered entertainment activities are a leisure and health club, sauna and steam baths, beauty parlor, tennis court and golf course in a nearby facility. Poblado Plaza Hotel Strategically located in the exclusive El Poblado area, and right next to the Oviedo Mall, this hotel has the quality assurances and service demands of a top hotel in the world. It has 84 rooms and has been recently certified as a five-star hotel. This incredible hotel also has 7 meeting rooms with capacity of 15 to 200 people, a restaurant, 24-hour room service, jacuzzi, gym, steam bath, business center and internet accessibility. Dann Carlton Hotel This hotel is located in the heart of the Golden Mile, next to the Dann Financial Tower, just a step away from El Poblado Park, from the financial center, the main malls and the most prestigious business and health care clinics in the city. Only 30 minutes away from the José María Córdoba international airport It has 200 rooms with air conditioning and 9 conference rooms with a capacity that ranges from 20 to 700 people. 31 Panamericana de Viajes Santa Marta 32 I n the hill sides of the Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain in the world, at the shore of a beautiful bay lays Santa Marta, the oldest city of Colombia, founded in 1512. In this part of the Colombian Caribbean, with its transparent water inlets and mountains that submerge in the ocean, you can find an ancient city in stone ruins, built by the Tayronas, an indigenous group that reached high levels of development. The beautiful landscapes, exuberant vegetation and kindness of its people have made Santa Marta an ideal destination for those searching for a quiet place away from the city buzz; it’s also an excellent spot for business meetings and congresses that require a special environment. The historical center of the city, recently restored, has beautiful buildings such as the Cathedral and the Customs House, on the outside of the city you can find the famous San Pedro Alejandrino Estate, where Simon Bolivar, the liberator of 5 Andean nations, died. Some of the objects used by him on his last days are still on display. Next to the city and taking advantage of the beautiful natural bays are tourist complexes such as El Rodadero and Pozos Colorados, which offer great hotels, restaurant, night clubs and all the modern needs. The main hotels and convention centers supply meeting rooms with all comforts and necessities for large conventions and events. Panamericana de Viajes CONNECTIVITY IN SANTA MARTA Santa Marta’s Simón Bolivar Airport has national flights and international connections to Bogotá, Cartagena and Barranquilla. A wide central road connects the city with the main cities of the country. Hotels provide broad band internet service and satellite communications. Its port is one of the busiest, most active of the Colombian Caribbean. SANTA MARTA, BEAUTY FOR YOUR EVENT: This gorgeous city, with its impressive nature and its historical and archeological features, invites us to take a glimpse at the past by visiting Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, enjoy its beautiful beaches, walk through the Tayrona Natural Park, taste the exquisite 33 Panamericana de Viajes cuisine and, for the more daring visitors, take part of the extreme sports offering in Mamancana Park. Over the past few years Santa Marta has surged as a destination for Congresses, Incentives and Events. The city is fully equipped with a majestic Conventions Center, conference rooms, hotels and a wide variety of restaurants. GASTRONOMY The Santa Marta Cuisine is not too different from our Caribbean surroundings; this region is filled with marine flavor. The most recommended typical dishes are: differently from our neighbors’) and fried green plantain. • Fish Sancocho (Stew): it is also offered with chicken, ribs and tail. • Seafood stew. • Shrimp Cocktail. • Delicious coconut lemonade to accompany your food. (Exotic flavor). The specialized restaurants are: • La Barra Viva • El Cayeye: Typical Santa Marta breakfast. (Comprise of a Banana or Plantain pudding, margarine or butter, grated costeño cheese or Coastal Serum that can be combined with the typical coastal salsa. • Egg corn bread, meat pockets, and the typical meat or cheese carimañolas. • Fried fish eggs: accompanied by cassava pie. • Donde Chuco • Gran Manuel • Burukuka • Muelle 8 • Panamerican • Valsao NIGHTLIFE: Begin the night by visiting any of the famous and most visited bars of the Historical Center and close it in style in • Fried Snapper: Accompanied by Cononut Rice (our rice is prepared 34 Panamericana de Viajes the Escollera, which still is considered as the place to be in El Rodadero. ACTIVITIES: • White dinner in Quinta de San Pedro (you can choose between La Plaza de Banderas, La Plaza de Armas or the Theatre). All of the primary decoration in white, combined with the colonial colors from the Quinta, livened up by folkloric dance groups from the Magdalena University (Cumbia, Mapalé). • Dinner in Burukuka: Enjoy a beautiful sunset in one of the best and newest locations in the city: located on top of a cliff next to the sea, this restaurant has an incomparable view. The place will have all the characteristics of our Caribbean folklore: waiters and waitresses will dress up in typical outfits. • Romantic dinner: Livened up with saxophone music, guests will dress up in typical guayabera shirts or completely in white. Waiters will have Hawaiian or white outfits. 35 Panamericana de Viajes TOURIST ATTRACTIONS HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE EXCURSIONS High level hotels: 5 Total rooms: 630 City Tour Meeting Rooms A three and a half hour visit through the city, including the San Pedro Alejandrino Estate, the place of death of Simon Bolivar, 1830, the old section of the city and the beautiful bay surrounded by mountains. Tayrona Park Visit to one of the most important natural parks in Colombia, famous for its bays, beaches, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, fish, hills, forests, bushes, over 100 mammal species, 200 bird species, 50 reptile species and archeological ruins that tell the story of the Tayronas, one of the most interesting pre-Hispanic groups. Lost City Six days filled with adventure in the Sierra Nevada Park. An astounding place of pre-Hispanic culture with endless trails, terraces, petroglyphs, channels and stair cases, all built in stone by the Tayronas, under dense tropical forest vegetation. 36 Panamericana de Viajes Total rooms: 14 Capacity: 20 to 400 people HOTELS Irotama Hotel At the heart of the Caribbean and just 5 minutes away from the local airport, this 23-hectare ecological compound exudes nature and tranquility; immerse inside multicolor gardens, tropical vegetation, and along with thousands of birds and exotic animals. It has a beach extension of 1 kilometer, not crowded and peaceful, as well as all the comforts and facilities of a five-star hotel. The Hotel has a spectacular fresh water pool, multiple housing options include cabins, huts, bungalows, suites and penthouses; 7 restaurants which offer a wide range of local and international food, 2 bars, 5 snack bars, water sports, sports and a fabulous gym and spa. No matter how large your event may be, from the small 15 to 20 people room to the Grand Salon for 600 guests, with our organization and consulting services, everything is completely programmed and solved. Zuana Beach Hotel The Zuana is located on the road to Ciénaga. It offers 175 suites equipped as apartments, all with a view to the sea; it has a cafeteria, restaurant, gym, boutique, squash and tennis courts, 9-hole golf course, bowling alley, Children’s Aquatic Park, a 1.500 sq. mt. area with pool, slides and cascades. It also has 2 rooms with capacity for 50 to 500 people, wi-fi system available in the rooms for additional cost. Santamar Hotel Located in the sector Pozos Colorados, right in front of the ocean. It has 56 cabins and 72 rooms, fully equipped, a cafeteria service, two restaurants, bar, two adult pools and one children’s pool. It also has the Pozos Colorados Convention Center. 37 Panamericana de Viajes San Andres and Providence I n the warm, transparent Caribbean waters, 700 km offshore, you can find an archipelago that evokes a past time filled with pirate adventures and a currently filled with stunning beauty. San Andrés is a magical place that awakens the passion of its visitors. It has top tourist services, an active commerce and extensive white sand beaches with palm trees and a peaceful sea to practice all kinds of sports. Providencia, on the contrary, is a remote and secluded island, with beaches and mountains that provide the perfect places for relaxation; its huge coral reef is ideal for practicing scuba diving. The history of the island tells pirate tales, and stories of the English, Spaniard and Dutch colonies, who fought for centuries to defend their territories; proof of those days is the legacy left in today’s lifestyle, and in a language that differs from the one used in the rest of the country. The archipelago of San Andrés and Santa Catalina was catalogued as a 38 Panamericana de Viajes Biosphere Reservoir of the World by the United Nations. Located in the Caribbean Sea, the island is known for its seven color waters and the warmth of its people. SAN ANDRÉS FOR YOUR EVENT With its beautiful beaches and its seven-color sea, it invites us to visit the Haynes Kay and Johnny Kay keys. Its hotels, restaurants and night-clubs make San Andres a fabulous destination for your events. GASTRONOMY The island has flavors and senses originated from a community that has been in contact with the Caribbean and Europe and has recomposed and created their own dishes and sense of identity. Island food is a magical ritual that mixes centuries of history 39 Panamericana de Viajes experimenting with sea and land foods. You can always find at your table a fine fish (Red Snapper between others), snails, salted pig, bread tree which was brought to this land from India, among others. The classic dish of the island natives is the rundown, which is a sort of fish, snails salted pig, cassava, yam, green plantain, bread tree fruit and dumplings stew combined with wheat flour, baking powder and salt rolls mixed with butter and water. All of this typical cuisine, as well as the best national and international cuisine can be found in this beautiful island. In addition to the excellent restaurants found in the hotels, you can visit: variety of places for unforgettable nights: Bars, restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, all of them filled with San Andrés magic. In tourism seasons, popular concerts are organized in the beaches where local groups play native music. The most important night-clubs are: • • • • • Deep Blue Extasis Cocos Mangos Macondo, Discoclub TOURIST ATTRACTIONS EXCURSIONS Island Tours • • • • • La Regatta El Paraíso Donde Francesca El Rincón de la Langosta Coral View NIGHTLIFE: San Andrés offers a delightful nightlife, famous for its Calypso, Reggae and Socca music and its rum and coconut cocktails; this provide visitors with a beautiful nightlife unparallel to anything outside the island, which also provides a broad 40 Panamericana de Viajes Enjoy the beautiful sea landscapes and most interesting sites on the island, such as: Morgan’s Cave, The Blowing Hole, South Bay Beach and San Luis. Excursion to Haynes Kay (Aquarium) and Johnny Kay Boat ride to the natural aquarium of Haynes Kay, where you can admire all sorts of ornamental fish. Then visit Johnny Kay and enjoy its natural crystal waters. Bay Cruise on a sailing boat A tour around the island, while enjoying a beautiful sunset in the sailing boat. Sunset Cruise on the Fiesta yacht Take pleasure from a party in the sea while touring the San Andres bay and watching the sunset and view of the island. “El Galeón” Bay Cruise at night A spectacular journey through the bay in “El Galeón”, under the stars and with the company of music; experience an unforgettable night trip in the company of pirates and dancers, live music and entertainment. 41 Panamericana de Viajes “Manati” o submarine ride “Nautilius” Semi- A fun adventure of 90 minutes along a magical coral reef path. The ship takes the channel towards the reef mountain, coral reef and marine species. Excursion to Providence Island A one day outing to the island of Providence, located only 20 minutes away. Have a panoramic ride on the boat and go sight seeing in Morgan’s Head, Crab Key and the Manzanillo beaches. HOTELS Hotel Sunrise Beach This Hotel is located on the east coast and has a spectacular view of Cotton Key, the port, the Aquarium and Haynnes Key. It has 5 blocks of rooms, for a total 40 family suites and 200 standard rooms. It offers restaurant and bar services, as well as a natural pool, gym, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, tennis courts and a conference room with capacity for 600 people, which can be divided into 6 rooms for 100 people each. Casablanca Hotel Located in the central area of the island, over the beach. It offers 52 rooms, 12 of 42 Panamericana de Viajes which are cabins (duplex, with a master bedroom and a full size bed, a bathroom, dinning room and living room area, bathroom and room for 4 people) with air conditioning, cable TV, refrigerator, among other services. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, pool and one conference room with a capacity for 70 people. Sol Caribe Campo hotel Located in the area of San Luis, in the midst of a natural habitat on the top of a hill, from where the guest can fully appreciate the island. The hotel is surrounded by large green areas, tracking and jogging trails, native flowers and a beautiful ecological path, which leads directly to the Beach Club, for guests only. Located 25 minutes away from the airport and 20 minutes away from the commercial area; 5 minutes away from the Blowing Hole and Morgan’s cave. It has 218 cabin rooms with traditional island architecture, private balconies and views to the sea or the inner gardens; three pools: one with hydro-massages and jacuzzi, another one for activities and the last one for kid’s recreation. It also has 4 restaurants, bars, and a tennis court in the Beach Club. 43 Panamericana de Viajes 44 Panamericana de Viajes San Andres and Providence Santa Marta Cartagena Medellín Bogotá, D.C. Principal: Carrera 11A No. 93 A - 80 oficina 104 Teléfono: 650 0400 • Fax: 650 0400 Ext. 145 Página Web: www.panamericanaviajes.com • E-mail: panamer@panamericanaviajes.com • Bogotá, D.C. Sucursales: Bogotá: Calle 125 No. 20 - 59 oficina 101 • Teléfono: (57-1) 214 2044 San Andrés: Centro Comercial New Point Av. Providencia No. 1 - 35 Local 209 • Teléfono: (57-8) 512 8532 Cartagena: Centro Ejecutivo Carrera 3 No. 8 - 129 Bocagrande oficina 701 • Teléfono: (57-5) 665 7151