Population - 37 million, Currency – Colombian Peso (COP, symbol: Col$), Flight time - New York to Bogotá takes 5 hours 30 minutes, Madrid to Bogotá takes 12 hours, Cities - Bogotá (capital), Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali, Time Zone - GMT -5 hours, Weather - Tropical along coast, cooler in highlands, Official language - Spanish, Religion - Catholic (95.4%) with small Protestant and Jewish minorities, Electricity - Mostly 110 volts AC, 60Hz, American-style two-pin plugs.

LOCATION: Colombia is located in north west South America, between Panama and Venezuela bordering the Caribbean Sea. With a total area of 439,736 sq mi (1,138,910 sq km), it is the fourth-largest country in South America, and the only one with both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.

With dramatically beautiful rainforests, mountains and beaches, lovely cities and a gracious, enchanting people, Colombia is among the world's most attractive destinations, both from the conventional tourism and medical tourism perspectives.

Colombia is spread over an area of 439,736 square miles and has a population of 37 million. Mountains constitute 30% of the country's land area and the remaining 70% consists of plains.

A geographically diverse country, the Andes mountains, the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the mighty Amazon River give the country varied climates ranging from perpetual snow and temperate climate in the Andean valleys, to hot tropical areas and rainforests in the exotic Amazon jungles.

Colombia’s infrastructure is modern - a number of airports including five international ones, three large seaports and approximately 80 thousand miles of modern highways.

Bogotá: Bogotá, the capital, is the quintessence of all things Colombian: a city that is both modern and traditional, with a vibrant and diverse cultural and intellectual life. Its splendid colonial churches, brilliant museums, modern malls as well as signs of inescapable urban poverty make it quintessentially South American. The Museo del Oro exhibits relics of pre-Columbian history; the Museo Nacional displays a wealth of art exhibits; the colonial barrio of La Candelaria is the oldest quarter in the city; Cerro de Monserrate, a peak flanking the city is famous as a site of many miracles; and the Jardin Botánico José Celestino Mutis is a lovely garden featuring a variety of national flora.

Walking the city's streets and observing the rush, the traffic, the extravagant stores and roadside stalls, is as fascinating as contemplating the serene atmosphere of the city's colonial churches and museums. It's worth hanging out and watching the buskers at the Plaza de Santander, browsing at the Sunday flea market at Mercado de las Pulgas and browsing at the street emerald market at the southwestern corner of Avenida Jiménez and Carrera 7. Bogotá has a lively arts and entertainment scene that features theater and classical musical, discos, and plenty of venues to watch the national pastimes - soccer and bullfighting.

Cartagena & the Caribbean Coast: Cartagena is legendary both for its history and its beauty and is Colombia's most fascinating city. The walled old town of this fortified Spanish colonial port is packed with churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces and noble mansions with overhanging balconies and shady patios. Just wandering through the old town is rewarding, but some of the best sights are the Palacio de la Inquisición; the colonial mansion Casa del Marqués de Valdehoyos; and the lovely old port of Cartagena on the Bahía de las Ánimas. The less touristy Getsemaní, the outer walled town, also has charming pockets but is not so well-preserved. Nearby, there are a handful of impressive Spanish forts, including the 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. The Islas del Rosario, 20miles (30 km) offshore of Cartegena, have magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life, which attract snorkelers and scuba divers.

The L-shaped peninsula south of the old town contains the upmarket holiday resorts of Bocagrande and El Laguito. Most budget travelers stay in Getsemaní; there are mid-range options in the old town.

Other highlights of Colombia's Caribbean coast include the town of Mompós, which is an architectural showcase; the beaches of the Parque Nacional Tayrona; the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the tallest coastal mountain range in the world; the mud volcanoes of Arboletes; and, deep in the jungle, the ancient city of the Tayrona Indians, La Ciudad Perdida, the largest archaeological find in the Americas this century.

The Northwest: The northwest is made up of two large regions: the Chocó department (an extensive stretch of tropical rainforest, sparsely populated, and including the lovely Los Katiós National Park); and the departments of Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío (a mountainous region, predominantly white, and the location of the dynamic industrial and commercial city of Medellín). The oldest town in the northwest is Santa Fe de Antioquia, about 80km (50mi) northwest of Medellín, which still retains much of its colonial architecture and atmosphere.

The Southwest: The two biggest attractions in the southwest are the archaeological sites of San Agustín and Tierradentro, and the colonial city of Popayán. Both San Agustín and Tierradentro are littered with ancient statues, tombs and burial mounds, while Popayán has many churches, museums and streets lined with colonial mansions. Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, is noted more for its laid-back atmosphere than its tourist attractions.

Population - 37 million, Currency – Colombian Peso (COP, symbol: Col$), Flight time - New York to Bogotá takes 5 hours 30 minutes, Madrid to Bogotá takes 12 hours, Cities - Bogotá (capital), Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellín, Cali, Time Zone - GMT -5 hours, Weather - Tropical along coast, cooler in highlands, Official language - Spanish, Religion - Catholic (95.4%) with small Protestant and Jewish minorities, Electricity - Mostly 110 volts AC, 60Hz, American-style two-pin plugs.

Health and medical services in Colombia are on a par with the best in the world. The country offers quality and reliable healthcare at a fraction of what it costs in the US and Europe. Colombian medical institutions have the technological sophistication and infrastructure that citizens from US, Canada and Europe are accustomed to in their own countries. Colombian pharmaceutical products meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Many Colombian surgeons have either trained and/or practiced in other countries such as the US and Europe. Nurses and support staff in Colombia are trained as per international requirements ensuring that their medical skills and knowledge meet the best global standards. Thanks to its proximity to North America, travel to Colombia is very affordable too. Its no wonder then that beauty pageant contestants and famous personalities such as Diego Maradona have made Colombia their preferred destination for cosmetic surgery procedures.

Tthe most popular procedures at Colombian hospitals are plastic surgery, laser eye surgery, hair transplants and dental care. Colombia also provides advanced cardiovascular surgeries, organ transplant surgeries and orthopedic surgeries such as knee replacements and hip replacements using US made, FDA-approved prosthetics.

Pre-Columbian Era

During the pre-Columbian period, Colombia was inhabited by indigenous Indians, mostly primitive hunters or nomadic farmers.

Spanish colonization

Spaniards sailed along the north coast of Colombia in the early 1500s, but the first permanent settlement was not established until 1525. In 1549 a Spanish colony with the capital at Bogota was established. In 1717, Bogota became the capital of the viceroyalty of New Granada and one of the principal administrative centers of the Spaniards in the New World, along with Lima and Mexico City.

Formation of the Republic of Greater Colombia

On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Total independence was proclaimed in 1813, and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed. Simon Bolivar was elected first president and Francisco de Paula Santander vice president. In 1822, the United States became one of the first countries to recognize the new republic and to establish a resident diplomatic mission. Ecuador and Venezuela withdrew from the republic in 1830 and became independent states. Panama remained part of Colombia until 1903.

Colombia is an ethnic mosaic, reflected in its culture, folklore, arts and crafts. The different roots and traditions of the Indians, Spanish and Africans have produced interesting fusions, particularly in crafts, sculpture and music. Pre-Columbian art consists primarily of stone sculpture, pottery and goldwork. Indian basketware, weaving and pottery date back to pre-Columbian times but now fuse modern techniques with traditional designs. Colombian music incorporates both the African rhythms of the Caribbean, Cuban salsa and heavily Spanish-influenced Andean music. Colombia's literary giant is Gabriel García Márquez, whose works mix myths, dreams and reality in a style critics have dubbed 'magic realism'. Spanish is Colombia's official language and, except for some remote Indian tribes, all Colombians speak it. There are also about 75 Indian languages still used in the country. While the education system includes English in its curriculum, it remains little known and rarely spoken.

Catholicism remains the dominant religion. Colombian cuisine consists largely of chicken, pork, potato, rice, beans and soup. Interesting regional dishes include: ajiaco (soup made with chicken and potato which is a Bogotano speciality); hormiga culona (a sophisticated dish, unique to Santander, consisting largely of fried ants); and lechona (whole suckling pig, spit-roasted and stuffed with rice, which is a speciality of Tolima). Colombia is also famous for its aromatic coffee, wine and beer.

The Colombian calendar is full of festivals, carnivals and fairs. Some last a day, others go on for several days. This means that almost every day there is a festival taking place somewhere in Colombia.

Carnival of Blacks and Whites (Spanish: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos) is held from January 4 – 6 in Pasto. Its origins date back to the Spanish rule times when slaves were allowed to celebrate and their masters showed their approval by painting their faces white. The parade is colorful with floats, krewes, musical and dances groups, and people in costumes competing for prizes.

The Flower Fair is held in Medellin between July and August with its flowers parade called Desfile de Silleteros. It’s the largest exhibition of flowers held in Colombia. There are flower arranging competitions, a parade of classic cars, a beauty parade to find the Queen of the Flowers and, like all Colombian gatherings, plenty of live music and dancing.

Cali Fair (Spanish: Feria de Cali), held in Cali from December 25th to New Year's Eve. It is famous for its Salsa marathon concerts attended by renowned Salsa bands. There are horseriding parades (Spanish: cabalgatas), masquerades and dances groups.

Vallenato Legend Festival (Spanish: Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata). This is one of the important festivals in Colombia held in Valledupar, Cesar, in April or May. The festival is a celebration of vallenato music and also a competition to find the best accordionist of the year and to select the Vallenato King (Spanish: Rey Vallenato) among hundreds of participants from all over the country.

Barranquilla's Carnival (Spanish: Carnaval de Barranquilla), with a century long recorded history holds the second largest carnival paradise on earth after Rio de Janeiro’s. Bambuco y Sanjuanero Festivals in Neiva held on June 28th and June 29th for Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's days.

Colombia is not an expensive country. Budget travelers can get by on around US$10 per day; while those staying in more comfortable hotels and eating at restaurants can get by with US$20-30 per day. Bogotá offers accommodation options ranging from comfortable country cottages, Bed & Breakfast options to hotels of varying pedigree.

Hotels

Hotels vary widely in size and quality, from pocket-sized casas de huéspedes (guest houses) in humble homes to luxurious 5-star hotels.

Affordable, safe, fully-furnished apartments with maid service are available for rent at Bogota. These apartments offer personalized services and are a good option for the budget medical tourist.

Credit & debit cards

All major cards are accepted, but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Shopping

Colombia is famous for precious stones, especially Emeralds. Gold jewelry, art, antiques and leather products are also good picks. Other items of interest include local handicrafts, cotton, wood and leather goods, woollen blankets and traveling bags.

Bogotá has numerous large shopping malls as well as several distinct shopping districts. The flea market in the Centro Internacional takes over a parking lot alongside the Museo de Arte Moderno on Sundays. It is a good place to hunt for antiques, handicrafts and other bric-a-brac.

Thea lively arts and entertainment scene in Bogotá features theater and classical musical, discos amplifying sinuous Cuban rhythms in the trendy Zona Rosa, around Carrera 15, plus plenty of venues for watching soccer and bullfighting.