Medellin Travel Guide Portal

The original design concept for Medellin Travel Guide was to make it into a portal, a gateway if you will, to finding information about visiting or traveling to Medellin Colombia.  Inclusive of our rental apartments, penthouses and realestate for sale listings we have with our clients, the portal is now well over 180 pages in length.  Too big and too cumbersome for many surfers although our unique visitors continues to grow at a 20% month over month rate.

We tracked some data points, for the past 4 months, of which topics were of the greatest interest to our site visitors and decided to publish an easier to navigate more user friendly website with short snippets of information and links back to individual pages on MTG is there was interest in more detail on a particular subject.

 

It had a natural selection of about 5 main topics;

Accommodations;

Getting Here;

Realestate;

Things to do;

and, Services

 

From those broad categories, we took the top 33 most frequently visited pages/topics and created www.medellinvisitorsguide.com  In some cases, you will be taken to a specific page on Medellin Travel Guide but will never leave the Medellin Visitors Guide Site.  We used the KISS approach in determining if less intensive information would meet your needs for Medellin Information and just created new pages or whether the information on MTG was succint enough to just link you to that specific topic.

A splash or landing page was created about a month ago and we have been periodically working to complete the site.

 

Today, we have re-launched www.medellinvisitorsguide for your perusal.  We hope it meets your needs for information about traveling to or visiting Medellin Colombia.  You can always find more detail on many more topics on Medellin Travel Guide but you may just find what you need on Medellin Visitors Guide as well.

 

Thanks for visiting and helping to make Medellin Travel Guide the #1 English web site about Medellin Colombia on the internet.

 

Regards,

 

MTG

Medellin Universities

Medellin Universities are considered a center of educational excellence throughout Colombia and the rest of Latin America and many students seek to attend school here. Many degrees are transferable to other countries.

Many Medellin Universities offer undergraduate as well as Masters and PHD programs. In the Public Universities like the University of Antioquia, students pay according to their abilities and family incomes so no one with a desire to attend and meeting the minimum requirements is ever refused entrance. The Private universities like EAFIT are only for the most well to do families.

It is possible for people as young as 15 to enter the public Universities if they have completed their “secondaria” education (equivalent of our HS graduation).

Many of the Universities offer long term Spanish classes for foreigners.

Most schools begin classes at 6:30 AM and extend until 10:00 PM Mon-Sat.!

Medellin Colombia- Trivia- Some fun facts about Medellin

Interested in some Trivia about Medellin and Colombia in general?

Medellin is a rapidly growing city by any standards. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing cities percentage wise in all of Latin America.

CITY OF: INHABITANTS

Medellin 1,980,917Bello 350,516

Itagui 243,069

Envigado 150,945

Sabaneta 35,938

La Estralla 49,902

Caldas 69,955

Copacabana 53,852

Giradota 36,099

Barbosa 37,251

Total 3,008,344

Figures as of June 2000, Annual Population Growth of Greater Medellin

1905 65,547

1938 170,000

1964 410,000

1970 1,000,000

2000 3,008.344 (in 30 years it tripled in size)

Medellín is the 100th most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Is it any wonder with population growth like this why there is such a building boom underway in Medellin.

As of October, 2007, there were 145 high-rises under construction in Medellín, including 29 being approved, and 25 being proposed

There are more high rise construction projects underway and approved in Medellin than NY, Philadelphia and Los Angeles combined;

Medellin Builders pour more concrete and steel into a building than their American counterparts for 2 reasons: 1) labor and materials are cheaper; 2) Builders in Colombia have a direct responsibility for any structural defects or repairs for 5 years after construction is completed. There is no “errors and omissions” insurance available for builders.

Medellin has 2 Guinness Book of World Records: Largest Outdoor Horse Parade; Largest Poetry Festival;

It is not in the book but they also have the largest collection of Botero Sculptures on public display in the world;

Medellin has the only Metro system in Colombia;

Medellin has more Universities per capita than any other Colombian city;

Medellin has the largest number of internet connections of any city in Colombia;

Medellin has the second largest number of casinos for any city with legalized gambling in Colombia;

Air facts:

There are 334 flights per week flying on small aircraft from Medellin, CO.

The largest aircraft flying out of Medellin, CO is a 757 with 170 seats.

The longest flight from Medellin, CO is 2,379 miles.

Over 42,384 passengers can travel out of Medellin, CO every week.

Is the largest Textile manufacturing city in South America;

Pablo Escobar was once a member of the House of Representatives of Colombia.

Colombia is the world’s largest producer of mild washed arabica coffee, and 80% of that is grown on lands between Medellin and Bogota.

Starbucks used to be the largest buyer of Colombian coffee, then they bought the plantations to avoid the middlemen.

70% of the fresh cut flowers imported to the US come from Colombia. 60% of those come from in and around Medellin.

Colombia changed its name 7 times since achieving independence in 1819.

A Venezuelan, Francisco Miranda, designed the Colombian flag in 1806. The yellow (and largest stripe) symbolizes the natural riches of the country; the blue symbolizes the two oceans that border Colombia*; The red symbolizes the blood shed in it’s fight for independence.(* many claim it is the only country in S. America that borders the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Look at the map and decide for yourself!)

Social Security in Colombia only applies to Military personnel.

Feminine beauty is considered very important, and the country celebrates it each November with the crowning of Miss Colombia. Apart from soccer, the Reinado de Belleza is the most popular sports event. Medellin has produced 6 Miss Colombias and 2 Miss Universe Semi Finalists.

Avianca, Colombias National airlines, was the first commercial airline founded in the Américas (in 1919) and second in the world (behind British Airways, also in 1919).

The words to Colombia’s anthem were written by a four time president of the nation. The anthem was first performed on November 11 1887 and was officially adopted on July 4, 1946. Having eleven verses in total. It is played daily at 6:00PM by all local radio stations.

Fernando Botero, the world famous Medellin artists and sculptor had 19 brothers and sisters.

Colombia has the highest bird species count of any country in the World, over 1810. It really is a must for any serious neotropical birder.

Shakira is known for having an IQ of 140.

According to the United World Chart, Shakira is, as of 2007, the fourth most successful artist so far from the 2000’s. She is also the only artist to have two songs in the top ten most successful singles since 1999.

We are Trivia buffs so if you find interesting facts about Medellin and Colombia in general, send them our way and we will update this section of the site.

Medellin-If everything is in Spanish, how do you survive?

You learn some Spanish is the answer!

When foreign people move to the United States, we generally expect them to learn some English.  Why shouldn’t people in a foreign country expect someone living there to learn their language?

Usually, in the US, it is said in a rather rude fashion.  “You are in the US.  Learn English!”  In Medellin, people are very nice and helpful when I get stuck on some word (spaghetti strainer was a good one) and have to revert to charades, sign language, drawings (or grab a nearby dictionary).

If you think you will move to a city like Medellin and suddenly have the entire town start speaking English to you, you will be in for a rude awakening.  Oh, many of the people that can speak English will go out of their way to speak to you and practice, offer assistance or explain local modismos or cultures. For example:  They do not say they are pulling your leg here when they are joking with you.  They say they are pulling your hair! (Yo estoy tomando su pelo)

 It amazes me to see the visitors that come here and think if they speak English slowly, louder, add an “O” to the end of an English word like “Chair-O” that the locals will understand them easier.

I also get a kick out of people that tell me, “I told her I wanted her to meet me at the restaurant at 8:00 PM and she didn’t show”!  I always ask, “what did you say to her”. I usually get an “meeto mio in restauranto at 8:00.  OK?”  I laugh and say, “no wonder she didn’t show.  She didn’t have the slightest idea what you were saying….LOL!

A friend is planning to open a Spanish school here in Dec. or January and is going to be offering a Basic Spanish survival class 2 hours per day for 5 days (geared at the short term visitor).  I think he may have a hit on his hands!

Colombian Student Visas

CONSULADO GENERAL DE COLOMBIA 2400 Augusta Dr. Suite 400 􀁹 Houston, Texas 77057 Telephone: (713) 527-8919 􀁹 Telefax: (713) 529-3395 􀁹 http://www.colhouston.org 1   TEMPORARY STUDENT VISA (TE)

It is issued to individuals who wish to study in Colombia as a regular academic student in an elementary, middle, or high school institution; as a student of an institution for higher education in virtue of an exchange student program, or in any other program at a public or private institution recognized by the National Government of Colombia. This visa allows multiple entrances and it may be issued for up to one year. It may be renewed in Colombia until the completion of the applicant’s studies. This visa does not allow the applicant to work. When the program requires the student to have a labor practice, the visa may state occupation “practicante” previously certified by the educational institution.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

            • Valid Passport with available pages and good at least three (3) months.

            • Two (2) photocopies of the pages of the passport containing information, as well as all previously granted visas.

            • Two (2) originals of the Visa Application Form completely filled out and duly signed.

            • Three (3) color passport-type photographs (1.5”x1.5”).

            • Original of the Admission Certificate from the Colombian Institution. This certificate may be a copy of the registration certificate or a fully certified copy of the agreement between the educational institutions in the case of an exchange student. It must state that the educational institution commits itself to accept the student covered by the agreement. A Colombian Public Notary must notarize it and it must be certified with an APOSTILLE.             • Proof of legal existence of the Educational Institution in Colombia. This is a certificate known as: (Certificado de Personeria Jurídica) in Colombia. A Colombian Public Notary must notarize it and It must be certified with an APOSTILLE

            • Proof of Financial Solvency. Bank statements of the last three months, certificates of income, income tax, or any other financial documents of the applicant, or affidavit of support from the parents or the person paying for the applicant’s studies and related expenses while in Colombia.

            • If a scholarship is financing the studies, a certification from the International Organization, or State, or Private institution stating this fact is required. Likewise a certificate of economic solvency of the student or the parents’ in case that the financial assistance provided by the scholarship is partial.

            • In the case of a minor, authorization to stay in Colombia and assignment of a tutor issued by the minor’s parents is required. This letter must be translated into Spanish if originally issued in a language other than Spanish. Both versions must be notarized and certified with an APOSTILLE.

            • A document in the original certifying that the study program requires labor practice by the student as an academic requirement.

            • A certificate or a document in the original from the corresponding educational institution stating that the weekly class schedule has an intensity of at least ten (10) hours.

CONSULADO GENERAL DE COLOMBIA 2400 Augusta Dr. Suite 400 􀁹 Houston, Texas 77057 Telephone: (713) 527-8919 􀁹 Telefax: (713) 529-3395 􀁹 http://www.colhouston.org 2

US$ 40 in cash or money order only (Cost exempt for citizens of: Bolivia, South Korea, Spain, United States and Japan)

If the visa is issued for more than three (3) months, the visa holder should register it in the Immigration Office of the Administrative Department of Security (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad – DAS -) within fifteen (15) working days from the arrival date.

IMPORTANT NOTES

            • All applicants are required to appear in person at the consulate’s office either when submitting the documentation or when receiving the approved visa. No exceptions.

            • All Documents issued in languages other than Spanish MUST be submitted duly TRANSLATED INTO SPANISH, and both versions should be notarized by a Notary Public. They must be also certified with an APOSTILLE by the Office of the Secretary of State at the State where they were issued.

            • For U.S citizens the study of the visa application form and documents takes three (3) working days; for non-U.S. citizens it may take up to two (2) weeks, and it is subject to the approval of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  

Medellin Travel Guide

This BLOG is going to be dedicated to anything and everything about Medellin Colombia.  A beautiful, modern, upscale city with a wonderul climate, low cost of living, excellent medical facilities, universities, shopping malls and more.

Our website Medellin Travel Guide is under construction and we will be posting on the internet soon.  In the meantime, we will use our Blog to begin introducing world travelers to all the great things about Medellin Colombia.

Welcome and feel free to post or ask questions about any topic.