THE MEDELLIN PAGE

NESTLED in the stunning Aburra Valley in the mountainous Antioquia terrain lies the magical city of MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA: "The Land of Eternal Spring" and "Capital of The Flowers". Medellin is experiencing an renaissance. See Newsweek Article, July 05, 2004 Issue: Medellin.

For more photos of Medellin, see: LoPaisa.com
For a navigatable map of Medellin, see: MapasLatinos.com
For another excellent navigatable map of Medellin (Type in Colombia, Medellin):
see: Maporama.com

Medellin a proud and modern city of almost three (3) million population, with an area of 362 kilometers squared, and an average temperature of 24 degress Centigrade. It is capital of Antioquia department. It is widely regarded in Colombia as a clean, well-organized and economically vibrant community. Its people are hard-working and industrious. Major industries include coffee and flower export, information technology and hotel services. Medellin has more Internet hook-ups than any other Colombian city. It is also the fashion capital of Colombia. And each year the "Feria de Las Flores" (Flower Festival) attracts visitors from all over South America for parades and conventions. The city's fast and efficient "Metro" is the only public transit subway system in Colombia. And the "Empresas de Pública de Medellin" is widely viewed as the best public utility service in the country. In culinary delights, Medellin is said to have created Colombia's ubiquitous "arepa" - a bread and corn patty stuffed with cheese, and often chicken or beef. Meanwhile, Medellin's historical traditions are evident in Pueblito Viejo, a squared section of town with homes and shops preserved as they were 100 years ago.

The Medellin Lady, affectionately called Paisa, is seen by many as the most beautiful of the Colombian Latinas. A famous Colombian saying goes: "If you want a pretty mistress, go to Cali, but if you want a beautiful wife, go to Medellin."

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:

AIRLINES

The following airlines service Medellin:

1. Aces: Calle 10A Sur, No. 50C-75, Tel (Arrivals/Departures): 562-2925 Tel (General Information): 360-2237

2. Avianca: Calle 53, No. 45-112, Tel (Int'l): 513-5050, Tel (Domestic): 511-5100

3. American Airlines: Cra. 43A, No. 34-95, Local 211, Tel: 381-4546

4. Copa: Cra. 43A, No. 34-95, Local 211, Tel: 381-7277

AIRPORT

The Jose Cordoba International Airport in the near-by town of "Rionegro" serves Medellin. Tel: 562-2828. It is a forty minute ride to the city on a very scenic, clean and well-lit roadway. September 2002: One-Way Taxi Fare is about 30,000 Colombian Pesos, and Airport Departure Tax is $44.00 USD (or equivalent in Pesos) without exemption, or $28.00 USD (or equivalent in Pesos) with exemption.

CURRENCY CONVERSION

Web: www.Oanda.com

MAP OF MEDELLIN

Web: http://www.medellin.gov.co/website/Turismo/viewer.htm

CURRENT WEATHER & FOUR DAY FORECAST IN MEDELLIN

Web: http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/sa/Colombia/MedellinSKMD.html

SUGGESTED HOTELS

Hotel Intercontinental: Calle 16, No. 28-51, Variante Las Palmas, Tel: 266-0608, Fax: 266-1548. Expensive but 5 star luxury. Large swimming pool, mini-golf, tennis court, gym, restaurants, disco. Located in upscale Poblado section. Not close to shopping centers except El Tesoro.

Hotel Belfort: Calle 17, No. 40B 300, Castrophal El Poblado, Tel: 266-7682. Tel: Reservations: 311-9171. Located in upscale Poblado section, but closer to downtown than Inter. Very nice accomodations. About $60.00 to $70.00 USD per night with breakfast. Discounts for longer stays.

Hotel Four Points Sheraton: Cra. 43C, No. 6 Sur -100, Tel: 321-8088, Fax: 321-6806. E-mail: sheraton@epm.net.co Convenient to downtown. Next to Oviedo Shopping Center. About $50.00 to $60.00 USD per night with breakfast.

Hotel Capitolio: Cra. 49, No. 57-24, Tel: 512-0003 Toll Free 9800 914447 Fax: 513-5481 E-mail: capitolio@epm.net.co Downtown location. About $20.00 USD per night. Plain, but not bad for the price. TV, Cable, Minibar, Laundry, Restaurants, Cafe-Bar.

Hotel Internacional: Calle 52 (La Playa), No. 46-56, Tel: 512-8437, 251-5163, 512-8452 Fax: 231-5033. E-mail: hotelinternal@epm.net.co Downtown location next to two banks. Very plain and small rooms but very good security. Small restaurant. Price: About $15.00 USD per night.

BEST SHOPPING MALLS AND PARKS TO VISIT

Shopping Malls: El Tesoro (the newest and largest commerial center, sporting walkways with fantastic views overlooking the city), Camino Real (downtown location, very nice), Unicentro (also very nice), San Diego (the oldest comercial center), Oviedo (next to Hotel Four Points-Sheraton). Also very good: Viscaya and Monterey.
Parks: Parque Lleras (very elegant park setting surrounded by shops and restaurants, very popular with the young and beautiful set). Parque Poblado (similar), Las Palmas (section of town with many restaurants and night discos, very busy on Friday and Saturday nights). Also worth a visit: La Sabaneta.

BEST RESTAURANTS AND DISCOS TO VISIT

Restaurants: Too many to mention. For those who love Italian try: Tramezzini, Calle 9A, No. 37-56, Parque Lleras. Tel: 311-5617.
Discos: Mangos, Metropolis, Temple Antonios.

LOCAL NEWSPAPER

The "El Colombiano", Medellin, Colombia

BANKS

Banco Union Colombiano: Cra. 43A 14-101, Tel: 266-3858

BanColombia: Cra. 52, No. 50-20, Tel: 510-7888 Web: www.bancolombia.com.co

Conavi: Cra. 43A, No. 1A Sur-143. Tel: 510-9000

SAFETY IN MEDELLIN

Safety in Medellin is a much-discussed but often-misunderstood topic. Medellin city is absolutely safe, while the trend in all the major cities and Colombia generally is much improved 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, the upscale Poblado section, the Las Palmas barrio (restaurants and discos), and the El Centro (Downtown Area). There is plenty to see and do, and you will have an enjoyable once-in-a-lifetime experience.

HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Emergency Medellin 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

BEST BEACH RESORT NEAR MEDELLIN

Bahia Solano. Web: http://www.webcolombia.com/travel/Bahia%20Solano.htm

SUGGESTED INFORMATION ON ROMANCE IN MEDELLIN

Latinas offer American gentlemen unique opportunities for courtship and marriage. See "The Latina Advantage", Brazzil, September 2002. As concerns Medellin specifically, because fewer U.S. gentlemen have traveled here historically than to other cities such as Cali or Bogota, this city offers especially bright prospects for courting Paisa ladies for romance and engagement.

BEST ROMANCE AGENCY IN MEDELLIN

Owner has set up a First Class Agency with Outstanding Services, established for Four+ Years
Located in a 6 bedroom Estate and Apartment Rental in one of best areas of city

Services include: Executive Bed and Breakfast, Personal Introductions, Address and E-mail Purchase, Full-time Translators, Tours, Excursions in the city, Parties, Spanish Lessons for the gentlemen or English lessons for the ladies, and a dedicated Full-time Staff.

Web: http://www.lopaisa.com

SELECTED PUBLIC NOTARIES FOR LOCAL MARRIAGE IN MEDELLIN

1. Notaria Septima: Lucia Mejia Zuluaga, Calle 55, No. 46-21, Tel: 231-6080, 513-3018

2. Notaria Trece: Dr. Mario Cesear Acosta, Cq. 5, No. 70-93, Tel: 412-0433, 411-2928 Web: www.Notaria13.cjb.net E-mail: notaria13@epm.net.co

3. Notaria Veinte: Dra. Silvia Eugenia Lopera Upegui, Calle 10, No. 43 E-44 Poblado, Tel: 266-1427 Fax: 266-0651 E-mail: silviapera@epm.net.co

U.S. CONSULATE-APPROVED DOCUMENT TRANSLATORS IN MEDELLIN

1. Maria Isabel Cardenas, Cra. 45, 9S-12, Tel: 321-4420 Fax: 321-8565

2. Carlos E. Gil-Atehortua, Calle 49, #DD 81C-36, Tel: 421-5040, 234-1542

3. Jane S. Losada, Urb. Altamira, Cra. 72A, #79-61, Bloque 37, Apto. 535, AA #60562, Tel: 437-4060

HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR HER SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO THE U.S.

1. www.Path2USA.com

2. www.ForeignBorn.com

IMMIGRATION, VISA & PRENUPTIAL ASSISTANCE