The old city of Cartagena is never more alive when music fills the streets. Set against the backdrop of spectacular colonial buildings, in the streets, in its churches and the beautiful Adolfo Mejia Theatre, the Cartagena International Music Festival fills these venues every January with 20,000 music enthusiasts in a classical music event that involves the community, the public and private sect... »
A Place to Live, Work, and Play by Greg Farrell For the past 10 years, we’ve been looking in Europe, Central, and South America for that ideal retirement community. At first we bought new construction properties in France, thinking the quality of life with food, wine, entertainment, and the arts would be what we wanted. What we learned during the first five years was that the cost outwei... »
Coming from the northern climes, I can recall the appeal that retiring to Florida and Arizona had to the peers of my parents and grandparents. Oh the thrill of spending five or six months playing bridge and shuffleboard and searching for the best deals for a seniors’ breakfast ! At eighteen, I made my first Spring Break visit to Florida and with what I saw, I decided that I certainly had no ... »
The Wanderings of the Lanes. Transitioning from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to Medellin, Colombia by Pat and Lynn Lane While originally thinking we would retire in Florida in our quest to avoid cold weather, we came to Puerto Vallarta Mexico in 1992 simply by chance and really liked it. Both of us had done some work in Mexico and spoke limited Spanish so it was easy to get comfortab... »
It is inconceivable to many people that Colombia is not a third world nation. The world media has tarred and feathered the image of an amazing country and a hardy, friendly race with 50 years of bad press. In fact, Colombia has an advanced medical system and is becoming highly respected as a destination for medical tourism. Just imagine, in 2012, 33,500 visitors entered the country for health tour... »
As with entry to any country, the immigration service has the final call as to who can and can not enter the country. For many years DAS was in charge of managing immigration in Colombia. Their forte was security and as a result perhaps they were a little forceful in the execution of their jobs. Recently DAS has been replaced by Migracion Colombia and although they have a friendlier face, they sti... »
Medellin’s Feria de los Flores is a Festival that You Don’t Want to Miss ! Considering what to do and where to go for your summer vacation ? Why not take time to smell the roses and visit one of the most incredibly beautiful and welcoming cities to be found anywhere. Here you can participate in one of the loveliest and most grand festivals in the world, the annual Flower Festival in M... »
SISBEN In Colombia there are three types of health care. The first does not apply to foreigners living or visiting the country. This system is called SISBEN and it is a free government subsidized package created for very poor Colombians. EPS The second line of health care is called EPS – Entidades Promotoras de Salud. The Superintendent of National Health decides which organizations may qual... »
CO Peso Exchange Rate