 THE BARRANQUILLA PAGE
Date: April 2008 GUARDING the gates of the mighty Magdalena River lies the tropical and exotic city of BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA, "La Puerta de Oro de Colombia" (Colombia's Golden Gate). Tracing its origins to its days as a settlement in 1629, Barranquilla today is a modern industrial port city, including surrounding barrios, of about 1.7 million residents, with a hot climate but often cooled down by the coastal trade winds. Barranquilla is world-famous for its annual "CARNAVAL", one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the world, and the powerful rhythms of its unique coastal music. Known affectionately by the locals as "Carramba la Bella", Barranquilla has produced exceptional artists and sportstars such as singer Shakira and Atlanta Braves shortstop Edgar Renteria. The beautiful ladies of Barranquilla, as fun and lively as their city, are fondly known as "Las Barranquilleras". For more photos of this magical city, SEE: BARRANQUILLA PHOTO GALLERY YOUR TOURIST VISA
American Citizens are required to only possess a U.S. Passport at the Colombian port or gate of entry to secure a Tourist Visa for thirty (30) days. For more information about visas for Colombia: Click here for a contact list of AIRLINES The following airlines service Barranquilla, either directly or through Bogota: 1. Avianca 3. Copa AIRPORT The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport serves Barranquilla. It is a thirty-five (35) minute ride to the city on a secure roadway. January 2006: One-Way Taxi Fare is about 20,000 Colombian Pesos, and Airport Departure Tax is approximately $35.00 USD (or equivalent in Pesos). CURRENCY CONVERSION Web: www.Oanda.com MAP OF BARRANQUILLA Web: http://www.barranquilla-online.com/BOL/bilder/PLAN.JPG CURRENT WEATHER & FOUR DAY FORECAST IN BARRANQUILLA Web: http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forecast.jsp?locCode=SKBQ SUGGESTED HOTELS Hotel El Prado: Cra. 54, No. 70-10. Tel: 368-0111. Elegant and large with magnificent swimming pool area and waterfalls. Located in the "El Prado" section, the most upscale barrio. Close to downtown and the Villa Country shopping mall. Hotel Royal: Cra. 54, No. 68-124. Tel: 368-0283. Located in the El Prado section, very conveniently located close to many restaurants, shopping malls and stores. Hotel Puerta del Sol: Calle 75, No. 41D-79. Tel: 356-5006. Very modern and elegant hotel with oustanding service. Large swimming pool, and bar lounge. There are many other hotels worth checking out: for example Versaille, Windsor, American Golf, Barranquilla Plaza, and Dann Carlton. Dann Carlton - next to Buena Visa Mall, enjoy magnificent views of the city from a circular revolving restaurant on the top floor (El Giratorio) with elegant ambiance and food. BEST SHOPPING MALLS Shopping Malls: VILLA COUNTRY (popular and large commerial center near downtown), BUENA VISTA (newest and largest of the malls, located in the far North, it will keep you busy for hours with movies, amusement games and many places to eat and shop, even a Casino across the street), LAS AMERICAS (modern shopping stores in a major downtown complex). BEST RESTAURANTS AND OTHER PLACES TO VISIT Restaurants: Relaxing place by day or night, with restaurant and bar, on the beach close to Barranquilla Discos: Frog Legs (hip and trendy night disco). La Quinta (also very popular and hip at night). Barranquilla City Zoo: One of the best in the country and a lot of fun: Calle 77, No. 68-40. Tel: 353-0313. Museum: Museo Romantico: Very nice and covers the history of Barranquilla, with several great pizza places nearby LOCAL NEWSPAPER The "El Heraldo", Barranquilla, Colombia BANKS Banco Union Colombiano: Cra. 57, No. 75-159. Tel: 358-2811. BanColombia: Tel: 361-8800 SAFETY IN BARRANQUILLA Safety in Barranquilla is a much-discussed but often-misunderstood topic. Barranquilla city is absolutely safe, and widely regarded as one of the safest cities in Colombia. Indeed, the trend in all the major cities and Colombia generally is much improved safety, with all the recent efforts of the Uribe government such the Democratic Security plan. SEE: http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/colombia/ SEE: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1831.htm Safe and worthwhile places to visit are the many Tourist Centers and Shopping Malls. Just use simple common sense and caution. There is plenty to see and do, and you will have an enjoyable once-in-a-lifetime experience. HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Emergency Barranquilla Telephone Numbers (Police, Fire): "123" Colombian National Police: Web: www.Policia.gov.co Colombia DAS (Department of Administrative Security): Web: www.DAS.gov.co U.S. State Dept. Help for U.S. Citizens Abroad: Web: http://travel.state.gov/acs.html#emr BEST TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE Travel Insurance: Travel Guard, Web: www.TravelGuard.com Health Insurance: IMG Global, Web: www.imglobal.com SUGGESTED INFORMATION ON ROMANCE IN BARRANQUILLA Latinas offer American gentlemen unique opportunities for courtship and marriage. See "The Latina Advantage", Brazzil, September 2002. SUGGESTED ROMANCE TOUR IN BARRANQUILLA FOR SINGLE U.S. GENTLEMEN
A SPANISH-LANGUAGE WEBSITE ABOUT THINGS BARRANQUILLA FOR A LIST OF PUBLIC NOTARIES FOR LOCAL MARRIAGE IN BARRANQUILLA SEE: Web: www.Notaria13.cjb.net U.S. CONSULATE-APPROVED DOCUMENT TRANSLATOR IN BARRANQUILLA Michael Taboada, Cra. 52, No. 72-114, Local D-48, 2nd Piso. Tel: 360-9864 Web: Mike's Spanish Translations HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR HER SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO THE U.S. IMMIGRATION, VISA & PRENUPTIAL ASSISTANCE WHAT IS A GOOD IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WORTH? E-Mail: garybala@VISA-Attorney.com
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