Welcome Reception at the heart of the historic downtown!
You are invited to celebrate with us immediately after the Opening Ceremony of the 68th World News Media Congress! Enjoy drinks and snacks at the Esplanada de San Francisco, the beautiful plaza right in front of the Cartagena Convention Centre. Soak up the atmosphere on a magical night!
Entertainment: The Folclórica Permanencia (with drums of palenque)!
Sunday, 12. June 6pm - 8pm
Explanada de San Francisco, Convention Center Cartagena de Indias
Gala Dinner in a 17th Century Fortress!
Our Gala Dinner will take place on the night of Monday, 13 June, in one of the most stunning places in Cartagena, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. The view from the fortress is breathtaking and you will have the chance to enjoy the Gala Dinner with a 360° outlook of Cartagena and surroundings. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with the world's most prominent news media professionals.
Enjoy an evening with folkloric shows and lots of surprises!
The Castillo de San Felipe is the greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. It still dominates an entire section of Cartagena's city landscape. The original fort was commissioned in 1630 and was quite small. The construction began in 1657 on top of the 40m-high San Lázaro hill. In 1762 an extensive enlargement was undertaken, which resulted in the entire hill being covered over with this powerful bastion.
It was truly impregnable and was never taken, despite numerous attempts to storm it. A complex system of tunnels connected strategic points of the fortress to distribute provisions and to facilitate evacuation. The tunnels were constructed in such a way that any noise reverberated all the way along them, making it possible to hear the slightest sound of the approaching enemy's feet, and also making it easy for internal communication.
TAKE A TOUR AND DISCOVER THE HEART OF COLOMBIA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS!
Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá, San Andrés and much more!
Colombia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, offering the Caribbean Sea, Whale Watching in the Pacific, World Heritage Sites, deserts, mountains, coffee plantations and the Amazon rainforest.
So don't forget to book your vacation before or after our Congress!
Make the best of your stay in Colombia by taking one of our fascinating pre or post tours below, prepared by our partner travel agency, GEMA TOURS, Colombia's best event and tour operator. Take a tour in and around Cartagena and other magical destinations in Colombia. Register now by clicking here.
Discover the heart of Cartegena de Indias
The Walking Tour takes place within the walled city, a construction that took 194 years to be completed and enabled Cartagena to defend itself from the attacks from pirates.
The Spanish colonial architecture is one of the most impressive and best preserved in South America with its imposing merchant’s houses, narrow streets, flower bedecked balconies, stunning civic buildings and beautiful churches. The city is dotted with many squares and public spaces which are now are home to sidewalk café's and restaurants where Colombians and visitors, relax and enjoy the magic of this amazing city. It includes: transportation service, tickets for the monuments, English speaking guide.
Pricing: 2-4 persons each 59 US$, 16-20 persons each 24.50 US$, private tour 105.50 US$
Welcome to the jungle!
The Mangrove tour: Mangrove trees are vegetations that develop in swamp areas near the ocean and create beautiful sceneries. The tunnels are accessible by using canoes within the vegetation. Departures are from the dock in front of the Hotel Las Americas. The route takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes aprox.
Pricing: 2-4 persons each 48 US$, 16-20 persons each 28.50 US$, private tour 78.50 US$
Discover the secret Cartagena of "Gabo"
Book for Gabo's walking tour and discover the side of Cartagena that has marked the literary work and life of Colombian Nobel Prize in Litterature winner Gabriel García Márquez, or Gabo. You will make a fascinating tour with audio-guide through the places that evokes not only his presence but that of his many characters on the charmed streets of the old city, a place where reality confuses with magic.
During this specially designed tour, passengers will discover the other side of Cartagena's wonders, where each step has a meeting with the history and Literary work of Gabo. It will be like living in the middle of the magical realism that characterised his work. It includes: Audioguide or TGS, Map. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes aprox.
Pricing: 29 US$, per person.
Medellín, the World's Most Innovative City
In 2013, Medellín was named the world's most innovative city, as a result of 20 years of a deep urban transformation. The city is one the world's most fascinating examples of how economic, social, political and urban change is possible at a local scale.
From the mountains that surround the capital of Antioquia you can see how the Medellín River runs parallel to the city's modern subway, which connects various parts of the city. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces where many cultural events take place. Families and generally all visitors find many options for fun and entertainment in Medellin. Sites abound here as museums, libraries and public parks. 3-day tour
For more information about this outstanding success story:
"Colombia's Medellin named most innovative city", BBC News
"Medellín named most innovative city in the world", Global Business, CCTV.
Pricing: starting from 330 US$, per person.
Bogotá, the Athens of South America
Colombia's capital Bogotá has led with honor for many decades the name to be the Athens of South America, because of the culture that permeates this beautiful city of over eight million people, but this is not the only show of this vast metropolis, we must also name its museums, its parks, mega libraries, its modern buildings, catholic churches, universities, and its spectacular classical architecture. 3-day tour.
Pricing: starting from 340 US$, per person.
San Andres & Providencia, beach and diving paradise!
About forty diving sites; beaches of soft white sand; blue sea but also green and lilac. The islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, in the southwestern Caribbean, see travelers come from around the world in search of those perfect cards to check in the breeze in coconut and carefree smiles of its inhabitants live the joy of Colombia. 8-day tour
Pricing: starting from 1190 US$, per person.
And more!
You can also check out the offers of internationally recognised tour operators Tucan Travel, Intrepid Travel and GAdventures, who also offer amazing packages and tours throughout Colombia.