FirefoxOSLaunchCamp/LatAm2013/NeedtoKnow/Cartagena
Contents
Important Laws: FYI
Transportation
At Firefox OS launch Camp, all transportation will be arranged by Mozilla. Please do not acquire a taxi or take a bus while in Cartagena. If you have any questions about transportation at Firefox OS Camp, please do not hesitate to reach out to fxoscamp@mozilla.com
Power Outlets
- Primary Socket Types: North American Non-Grounded, North American Grounded
- Voltage: 110-120 Volts (Same as U.S./Canada, most other areas are 220-240 Volts).
- Please note that these may not be identical to U.S./Canadian sockets, and may require an adapter. Multi-voltage appliances (laptops, etc.): Plug adapter.
- Adaptors:
- "Type A" JIS C 8303 / NEMA 1-15 (Non-Grounded, Non-Polarized)
- "Type B" NEMA 5-15 (Grounded, Non-Polarized)
More information about the power outlets (as well as pictures of those utilized in Colombia) can be found here
Time Zone
Time in Colombia is based on Greenwich Mean Time with a difference of five or six hours, depending on the season. When it is 12 noon in Colombia, in London it is 5pm, in Madrid 6pm, in New York 12 noon and in Los Angeles 9am. In summer the difference increases one hour.
Mobile Phones
Making Calls
- The country code for Colombia is + 57 (5)
- International calls: Dial 00 + (9) or (7) + country code + area code + number.
- National calls: Dial 0 + (9) (5) or (7) + city code + number.
- There are three companies that provide mobile telecommunications:
Movistar (www.movistar.com) Comcel (www.comcel.com.co) Tigo (www.tigo.com.co)
How to call from a cell phone (valid for the three cell phone operators):
- From one cell phone to another: ten digits of the cell phone number.
- From a cell phone to a fixed line: 03 + city code + local number.
- From a fixed line to a cell phone: 03 + 10 digits of the cell phone number.
- From a cell phone to a landline abroad: an International Direct Dialing Prefix (005 or 007 or 009) + country code + city code + local number.
- From a fixed line abroad to a cell phone: International Direct Dialing Prefix + 57 + the 10 digits of the cell phone number.
Money
Local currency is the Colombian peso.
Currency exchange
Exchange rates for the Colombian peso are as follows:
- 1 USD=1828 COP
- 1 EUR = 2397.69 COP
The exchange of foreign currency should be made exclusively in hotels, banks and bureaux de change, never on the street. The exchange rate fluctuates from day to day and has the U.S. dollar as the official reference rate, which is also the currency most used in the market. Payment is made on the basis of the official daily rate, after discounting commissions and services, which vary between 2% and 3%.
ATMs/Cash points
The major cities of the country have an extensive network of cash points. The majority are in service 24 hours and provide the option of English language. The transactions generally permitted are: credit/debit balance, withdrawals, transfers and cash advances. Avoid giving your card to strangers or revealing your personal PIN code. Cash points are strategically located, particularly on thoroughfares and in shopping malls. Some, such as Cirrus, Visa and Master Card, permit international debit and credit transactions.
Debit Cards
The larger stores and shops, supermarkets, and higher-class hotels and restaurants accept such cards.
Credit Cards
The majority of hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments accept international credit cards. The most frequent are Visa and Master Card. Only some places accept American Express and Diners Club.
Traveler’s Checks
Before acquiring them in the country of origin, it is advisable to check on the existence of representations or branches in Colombia. The traveler’s checks most used are those of American Express and Citicorp. In the more exclusive hotels you can make payments with them but they are not commonly used in commercial establishments.
Tipping
"In small restaurants, some people tip 1000 pesos or less (about $ .50 US); A few tip 2000 pesos (about $1 US). Most Colombians tip very little or not at all. In the finer restaurants, wealthy people tip more, about 10%." More information about tipping can be found here.
Language
Being able to speak the language in Cartagena makes it much more fun.
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
The main language is Spanish but the locals, or Costeños as they are known, speak quickly and with a thick accent. A few letters - namely the S, R and T - bite the dust on the way making it difficult for even their cousins from the interior to understand. 'Por favor, puedes hablar más despacio,' (Please can you speak slowly) is probably the first thing you should learn how to say.
Fortunately thanks to the amount of tourists that visit the city, many restaurants and markets are equipped with English speaking staff.
A few useful expressions:
- Buenos(as) dias/tardes/noches: Good morning/afternoon/evening
- Gracias: Thank you!
- Por favor: Please
- Con (mucho) gusto: My pleasure
- Adios: bye bye
- Hasta luego/pronto: See you later
Weather
Cartagena has a pleasantly warm climate, temperatures are roughly 28ºC (82ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Here is an overview of what the typical May weather in Cartagena.
Some general tips to handle the warm weather of Cartagena:
- Always use sun-block
- Bring sunglasses and hats
- Apply insect repellent
- Make sure you drink plenty of water over the course of the day
- Bring analgesics and anti-histamines in case of headaches or over-exposure to the sun or insect bites.
Dress
- Take Light, comfortable clothing for hot weather. On a hot day, the temperature may reach 32º C (89º F).
- Take sports shoes for guided tours of the historic center.
- You can buy or rent special water-sports equipment. Consult your hotel or go to a specialized shop.
- Take a thin jumper in case the temperature drops suddenly or the air conditioning is too cold for you (i.e. in airports, the convention center, restaurants etc)
- Remember to bring a set of white clothes for the final day of the event!
A Note on Etiquette
Beach attire is not allowed in stores and restaurants.
Places of interest
There are several "must-sees" in Cartagena. A list of a few of them are included for you below:
- Palace of the Inquisition, Clock Tower, Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, Los Coches Square
- Gold and Archaeological Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Naval Museum
- Casa Bolívar, Las bóvedas (The Arches), Monument to India Catalina, Monument to Zapatos Viejos
- La Popa, Convent of La Candelaria
- Rosario Islands, Barú Island, San Bernardo Island
For additional information on where you should visit in Cartagena, please follow these links!
History of Cartagena
A short briefing of Cartagena's history and it's attractions, please see here
Eating
Drinking Water
Although major cities have excellent running water services, we recommend you to avoid tap water, by exclusively drinking bottled water. This is not because it is of poor quality, but because your stomach is not used to the local bacteria.
Additional Resources
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 112
- Administrative Security Department DAS: 153
- Fire Brigade:
- Emergency Ambulance:
