Colombia may very well be South America's best-kept secret. Colombia bears the name of Christopher Columbus and is one of the most spectacular and colorful countries in the region. It is the country of Gabriel García Márquez and his famous novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, a story as magical as the country itself. Many professionals in the industry already see it as the next hot tourist destination in the Western Hemisphere. Only a few years ago, this would have been unthinkable. Although burdened by a reputation for drug trafficking, Colombia has very close ties to the United States, which has invested over $4 billion into “Plan Colombia”. The joint US-Colombia coca antinarcotics plan, beginning in 2000.

Colombia is bordered on the northwest by Panama, on the east by Venezuela and Brazil, and on the southwest by Peru and Ecuador. It is the only country on the continent with both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, it features the Andes at their most dramatic as well as the impressive jungle and Amazon region in the south. The magnificence of the landscape is equaled by some of the most beautiful colonial towns in South America, and among the richest flora and fauna life found in the world. And, of course, you will find some of the world’s best coffee and amazing emeralds at an affordable price.

Currency

Name: Colombian Peso (Peso)
Exchange rate: Go to www.gocurrency.com

Bogotá

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, as well as the largest and by far the most populous city in the country with 6,776,009 inhabitants (2005 census). Bogotá and Soacha, the capital's largest suburb, have an estimated population of 7,881,156. The size of the city is comparable to New York or London. Bogotá is located in the center of the country, on the eastern side of the "sabana de Bogotá", 2640 meters (8661 feet) above sea level. This is very significant as the altitude is noticeable to those who visit.

Originally called Bacatá by the Muiscas, it was the center of their civilization before the Spanish explorers colonized the area, and it sustained a large population. The European settlement was founded in August of 1538, by Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada and was named "Santa Fé de Bacatá" after his birthplace Santa Fé and the local name. "Bacatá" had become the modern "Bogotá" by the time it was made the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada which was then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, and later of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. The city soon became one of the centers of Spanish colonial power and civilization in South America.

In 1956, the municipality was joined to other neighboring municipalities forming a "Special District". With the Constitution of 1991, Bogotá was confirmed as the Capital of Colombia acquiring the name "Santa Fe de Bogotá", and changing the category from Special District to "Capital District". In August 2000, the capital's name was officially changed back from "Santa Fé de Bogotá" to the more usual "Bogotá”.

Bogota combines, in one large space, modernism with its colonial past, culture with infinite options for fun and relaxation; a variety of parks and the natural beauty of the Andes Mountains intertwined with a city of never ending buildings and avenues. Colombia enjoys tranquility and independence while being surrounded by a diverse world.

The city boasts an assortment of cultural and recreational options such as the Eje Cafetero and Panaca coffee plantation tours, the Catedral de Sal de Zipaquera (a must see cathedral built within a salt mine), as well as museums, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, sports complexes, national monuments and unique arts and crafts.

Bogotá's principal airport is El Dorado International Airport. It is located approximately 20 minutes from downtown Bogota. Currently, a major expansion of El Dorado airport is in the planning stage. This stage is planned to be finished by January 2008.

More information when visiting Bogota…

Spanish is the official language of Colombia.

Although Bogota is located close to the equator, the temperatures remain, on average, quite cool due to the altitude. The average temperature on the 'sabana' is 57° F, varying from 17°F to 69ºF. Dry and rainy seasons alternate throughout the year. The driest months are December, January, February and March; the rainiest are April, May, September, October and November. June and July are usually rainy periods and August is sunny with high winds.
Passport is required for entrance from the US.

Premier MedEscape On-Site Representative: Mayerli Ramos Montealegre

Hometown: Espinal Tolima, Colombia Education: Completed Nursing School at FUSDESA (Fundacion de Socorristas y Accion). The team is comprised of professionals in different arenas such as Finance, International Commerce, and experienced Nursing specialized in surgical post-operative care. Languages: Spanish and English Our background and experience: We have at your disposal an ideal team with a lengthy track record in properly caring for patients who have undergone surgery. Our team's performance has allowed us to achieve the highest quality standards of care with personalized attention, resulting in a full and satisfactory recuperation for each of our patients.

Our goal:
To offer each of our clients a comfortable and postive stay by providing them excellent service, professionalism, responsibility and the superior quality that identifies us.

Why I love Colombia:
Our country is characterized by its abundance in plant and wildlife, making it one of the first to produce emeralds, flowers, and quality coffee. Colombia is full of beautiful people and is notorious for their medical care managing patients seeking esthetic surgery, dental care, refractive eye surgery, weight loss surgery, among other specialties.
Above all, we pride ourselves in being hard working, happy and charismatic people. We invite you to come and visit to enjoy a wonderful experience in a peaceful and harmonious country.

I look forward to meeting you on your "MedEscape".

Bogotá Plaza Summit Hotel

A perfect retreat for corporate guests and conventioneers, the Bogota Plaza Summit Hotel in Colombia sits in the upscale El Chico residential area north of the city, where the business district, shopping malls and Embassy Row are just minutes away. Guests are close to museums, palaces, Plaza Bolivar and Bogota-El Dorado International Airport.

The Bogota Plaza Summit Hotel features a business center, broadband and wireless Internet access, and Vista Club Gym and Spa, where guests can exercise with bicycles, treadmills and weights or relax in the Jacuzzi, sauna, steambath, or tanning chamber. They can also request the special services of ”Le Port” Esthetic Center, such as massage, hydration, exfoliation, depilation and other facial and body treatments. Guests can also enjoy complimentary buffet breakfasts, traditional and international cuisine in La Marquesina, and live piano, saxophone, gourmet food and scenic views in the Atrium rooftop restaurant.

The hotel features 186 air- conditioned guestrooms with 24-hour room service, cable television, VCRs, work desks, minibars, refrigerators, minibars, private bathrooms, coffeemakers and Internet access. For families, business guests and others needing extra space, the hotel features 12 business suites.

The Point-Aparthotel

Located in the affluent Santa Barbara Norte area of Bogota, this newly constructed building offers a great location for those who prefer a quiet atmosphere for recovery. The Point is located less than 2 blocks from Fundacion de Santa Fe Hospital and many other amenities. The Point offers a Queen Size bed, Cable TV, Flat Screen TVs, Modern furnishings, Internet Access, Full kitchen, Private bath, 24 hour security and daily housekeeping. On-site laundry is also available.

Fundación Santa Fe

Since its founding in 1972, the Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá has had a corporate purpose and social commitment to offer the absolute best in health care services. You are our reason to exist. Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá is made up of four management units: Health Care, Research, Education and Community Health. The Fundación is well-known for having a team of highly trained and trusted physicians and health professionals, who offer the best service under the highest standards of human resources using world-class leading-edge technology.

Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá is a private, non- profit entity, performing in the area of health care. We are constantly seeking excellence and educating others to contribute in solving the sector's problems and improving the health care of individuals and the community. Our main programs are: University Hospital, Education, Research and Community Health. Our vision is excellence in health care. Our values are honesty, excellence and resolution. Our principles are: Respect, Responsibility, Creativeness, and Commitment.

We are committed to quality and ongoing improvement of health care, education, research and community health. We seek to exceed our clients' expectations and guarantee that services are provided in a safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable and client oriented way, with a team that is experienced and always willing to seek excellence.

Our objectives are to lead the health care sector in all its areas, offer innovative and replicable solutions for the health care sector's problems, gain recognition as a benchmark in the health care sector in: Public policies, education, research, health services and community health care.

CiruLaser

Cirulaser is the aesthetic service location annexed to the Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá. It has four surgery rooms equipped with anesthesia Ohmeda 5-Spire machines that like all the equipment are last technology generation. We have the last technology in aesthetic surgery with equipment like Vaser, Ultrasound, Microaire and Laser. Cirulaser has the endorsement of the Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá in X-rayses, clinic laboratory, Blood donation point and Unit of Intensive Cares.

 

Clínica Del Chicó

The Clinica del Chicó second level of attention, is a joint-stock company which was constituted on January 23, 2003. it is located on Carrera 21 No. 90 - 59, Barrio Chico en Bogotá- Colombia, and it was qualified as part of the Distrital Health Secretariat of Bogotá. in February / 2003, to serve of health in the area of plastic surgery, general and gynecological surgery.

It counts with highly qualified and specialized human resource, last generation technology in the matter of equipment and a physical infrastructure that totally fulfills the standards of quality determined by the effective norms, situation that has allowed it to offer to our users a greater guarantee in the benefit of services of health and to position