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.

Cali

Cali, Colombia's third-largest city with roughly two million inhabitants, is noted more for its laid-back atmosphere and its Salsa scene than its tourist attractions. Cali is the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca , one of the most prosperous regions of the country and home of large sugar mills and numerous industries.

Located in the Cauca River Valley, Cali is also known throughout Colombia and the rest of South America for its Salsa music and for having the most beautiful women in the country.

Also well-known as the sky branch, this city is also characterized by the strong presence of foreigners that come to visit for cosmetic surgical intervention that has made it worthy of the title of capital of the health and the beauty of Colombia.

At the end of the year, between December 25 and January 1st, the Feria De Cali (Cali Fair) takes place, with all kinds of street festivities. At this time of year the Bullfighting Festival, the most important event of its kind in the country takes place in the Plaza Monumental de Cañaveralejo.

Cali is served by the Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport, also known as Palmaseca International Airport, located in the City of Palmira. It is Colombia’s second largest airport in terms of volume of passengers.

More information when visiting Cali…

Spanish is the official language of Cali.

The local climate is semi-tropical as the Western Mountain Range screens the flow of humidity from the Pacific coast toward the interior of the country. In the afternoons Cali enjoys a fresh cross breeze that originates in the west and blows east. Because of this variation in altitude, the weather in the northwest portion of the city is drier than in the southwest. The average annual precipitation varies between 900 mm to 1,800 mm depending on the metropolitan zone for a citywide average of approximately 1,000 mm. Cali's average temperature is 24°C (74°F) with an average low temperature of 19°C (66°F) and a high of 30°C (86°F). Due to its proximity to the equator there are no major seasonal variations. However, locals refer to the dry season as the city's "summer" period and call the rainy season "winter." There are typically two rainy seasons: from April to May and from October to November.

Passport is required for entrance from the US.

Cartagena

Cartegena is a large seaport city on the northern coast of Colombia. It is the capital of the “Bolivar Department”, and has a population of 1,240,000 in its Metropolitan Area, and 1,090,000 in the city (2005 Census), being the fifth largest urban area in Colombia. Nowadays, it continues to be the economic hub of the caribbean region. It also has a strong medical presence.

The city is also known as the “Walled City” due to construction of great walls in order to resist attacks. During the 17th century, the Spanish Crown hired the services of prominent European military engineers to carry out the construction of fortresses, which are nowadays one of Cartagena's clearest signs of identity. This construction took 208 years, and ended with some eleven kilometres of walls surrounding the city, the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, named in honor of Spain's King Phillip IV, constructed to repel land attacks, equipped with sentry boxes, buildings for food and weapons storage, underground tunnels; the San Sebastián de Pastelillo Fort, in the neighborhood of Manga; the San Angel battery in Tierra Bomba; the San Fernando fort and the San Jose battery in Bocachica, located strategically at the entrance of the bay to entrench the pirate vessels that attacked the city. In the 18th century, the Vaults were constructed by the Spanish engineer Antonio de Arevalo.

Cartagena faces the Carribean Sea to the west. To the south is the Cartegena Bay, which has two entrances: Bocachica (Small Mouth) in the south, and Bocagrande (Big Mouth) in the north.

Since Cartagena is nearly surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, it is a very popular destination for those who prefer the beaches. Small, coral stone protected beaches can be found only a few meters outside of the ancient Walled City. The larger beach extends around the peninsula of Bocagrande and Laguito, the other popular tourist area of Cartagena. Less than 25 minutes by bus (about 25 cents) from the Walled City, there is another beach: Boquilla. Ten minutes beyond Boquilla Beach, is Manzanillo Beach. The more heavily used beaches are maintained each night, with large tractors, pulling power sand rakes.

Cartagena is served by the Rafael Nunez International Airport, in the neighborhood of Crespo, only ten minutes away from downtown or the old part of the city and fifteen minutes away from the modern district.

More information when visiting Cartagena…

Spanish is the official language of Cartagena.

Due to Cartagena's tropical location, the climate changes little, with an average high of 32 °C (88.6 °F) and an average low of 25 °C (77 °F) throughout the year. Cartagena also averages around 90% humidity, with a rainy season typically in October.

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.

Hotel Charleston

The Charleston Bogota, opened it’s doors in May of 1983 and is now all renovated. The Hotel offers travelers a modern, welcoming ambience in one of the new world’s most dynamic capitals. The Charleston Bogota Luxurious Hotel is located in the heart of the city’s chic entertainment, shopping and restaurant district and is just 20 minutes drive from the El Dorado International Airport. The elegance of the English architecture and the refinement of French style make The Charleston Hotel unique and exclusive. Elegance, refinement and warmth of the Colombian hospitality are three good reasons for staying at Charleston, a luxury Hotel with outstanding service and select cuisine to enjoy.

The eight floor, 64 room hotel includes free parking, a fitness center, dining, and family rooms. The rooms include; A/C, free Newspaper, TV (cable/satellite), fireplace, In-room safe, mini-bars, balconies and kitchenettes.

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