Host City
Barranquilla, Colombia
This dynamic city is the capital of the department of Atlántico and is located on the western bank of the majestic Magdalena River near its mouth to the Caribbean Sea at the point known as Bocas de Ceniza. It possesses a rich cultural heritage and an enviable commercial potential due to its strategic location between Santa Marta and Cartagena, making it a key industrial and commercial center in this region of the country.
Currently, it has a population of 2,000,000 and ranks as the fourth-largest city in Colombia. The temperature in the month of April ranges between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Currency
The Colombian peso (COP) is the official currency of the country, identified by the symbol ($).
The exchange rate to the dollar varies, approximately 1 dollar = 4,100 pesos. Some hotels accept dollars, but with a less favorable exchange rate.
Climate
The average temperature in Barranquilla is around 82°F, reaching up to 86°F in April with rainfall.
The city experiences a warm climate, and establishments such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, clubs, and the Puerta de Oro (Congress venue) are equipped with air conditioning.
Transportation
The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport has both domestic and international connections.
The Transmetro, which operates air-conditioned buses, provides routes. There are taxis and transportation through mobile applications available.
Electricity
Electricity in Colombia is commonly 110V AC, and the frequency is 60 Hz. The plug type used is the American Type A.
Hotels and accommodations provide this information to guests so that they can plan their activities according to the preferences of tourists
Taxes
Hotels charge a 19% value-added tax (IVA), but foreigners with a passport are exempt when they show the entry stamp to Colombia.
In restaurants, an 8% IVA is applied to the food, and a suggested 10% tip is usually added to the bill.
Barranquilla is known as the Golden Gate of Colombia, La Arenosa, and Curramba. It is also recognized as the host of progress, boasting a roster of pioneering companies with continental significance: aviation, radio, the beer industry, textile and tobacco manufacturing, horizontal property, and more. These enterprises, which originated in Barranquilla, have now gained national prominence and served as inspiration for the locals. It is a vibrant metropolis, functioning as a river and seaport. Through this city, a significant portion of the country's progress entered, and it served as the gateway for European and Middle Eastern immigrants who enriched the city's idiosyncrasy, contributing to the creation of a cultural amalgamation evident in every corner of the city.
Our city annually celebrates the most important cultural festival in the country: The Carnival, declared in November 2003 by UNESCO as an oral and intangible heritage of humanity. The entire city participates in this celebration, creating employment opportunities for locals across various sectors, as well as for people from all over the country who visit, bringing their products to sell.
Barranquilla is welcoming, modern, and provides a conducive environment for business tourism (congresses, fairs, symposiums). Its inhabitants are cheerful and outgoing, welcoming visitors with great enthusiasm and generosity.
