Travel and Accommodation

Housing

SPE has appointed Gema Tours as the travel agency to manage the conference housing block, transportation, and tours info.

Hotels in the block are:

• Hotel Hilton (conference headquarters)
• Caribe
• Almirante
• Capilla del Mar

Please use the PDF form to make your housing and transportation arrangements or contact Gema Tours in Cartagena:

Sandra Angulo
Email: sandraangulo@gematours.com
Phone: 57.55.660.2499
Fax: 57.55.6601624

About Cartagena

Cartagena was fortified by the Spanish to protect it from pirates and corsairs that laid siege to the Caribbean and has become the country’s treasure for events and international relations.

UNESCO took notice of the city and declared it a Cultural and Historical Patrimony of the World.
Cartagena draws tourists from around the world who come to enjoy the history, the sights, the weather, and nightlife. The city offers fascinating contrasts of the colonial period, the modern city, and the fashionable seaside resort of Colombia’s second port. Its colonial charm and the old walled city, the Ciudad Amurallada, beckons visitors to stroll the narrow streets.

Language

The official language of Cartagena is Spanish. However, in most of the hotels, the staff speaks English in order to support its international guests.

Climate

The average temperature is 30 centigrade degrees (86 degrees Fahrenheit), and the water at the beaches remains warm year-round. Due to the climate and water temperature, Cartagena is an excellent tourist destination at any time of the year.

Currency

The official currency is the Colombian peso, which varies in accordance with the American dollar.

Time

The time in Cartagena is 5 hours behind the Greenwich Meridian (-5 MTG)

Electricity

110V, 60Hz

Transportation

By air
The Rafael Nuñez International Airport is just 15 minutes away from the tourist district and 10 minutes from the Walled City. This airport receives direct flights from Madrid, Miami, Bogota, and Medellin, as well as many other international destinations. 

From the airport to conference hotels:

• Private buses: Gema Tours is the official transportation company for The Artificial Lift Conference, offering transportation to and from the airport.
• By cab: If you prefer to take a taxi cab, please use the official taxi cabs provided by the airport. Make sure that the taxi driver is using the meter all the times. If the taxi cab doesn’t have a meter, please hail for another taxi.
• In the city: Use the transportation provided by the conference organizer between the hotel and the convention center. In case you have a different destination, use the taxi cabs provided by your hotel.

Visa and Passport Requirements

Attendees are strongly advised to ensure they fulfill all legal requirements to enter Colombia. Besides a valid passport, an entry visa and invitation letter may also be required. 

SPE offers an official electronic invitation letter to assist you in the visa process upon registration confirmation. Create your visa letter online now, or contact for invitation letter requests.

Visa Information

Attendees from countries that require a Colombian visa for entry are reminded that the process of obtaining a visa may take several months. Create an official SPE invitation letter that you can print and use in obtaining a visa. Please note that this letter does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa, nor does it commit SPE to assist you in obtaining a visa.

Travel Safety Tips

When traveling, as in any major city, take certain precautions whether you are traveling or exploring the city. Here are some general tips to help make the most of your trip:

• Lock up your valuables. Hotels provide safety deposit boxes in their rooms. It’s recommended that jewelry, airline tickets, money, and any important documents be stored in the hotel safe.
• Try not to use mobile telephones in the street and be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep cameras and video recorders out of plain sight. Avoid wearing excessive jewelry, carrying any valuables, or large amounts of cash.
• Use credit cards where possible. Your wallet should contain your ID, credit cards, and a minimum amount of cash.
• Withdraw cash from ATMs that are inside the hotel, banks and commercial centers.
• Notify hotel management as soon as possible in the event of a lost or stolen room key card.
• Travel in a group and plan your itinerary before leaving the hotel to ensure you make your destination smoothly. If you get lost, call a taxi to take you to your destination. Your hotel can recommend a reputable taxi company.
• Keep an eye on your luggage.
• Change currency in Exchange shops or at the hotel’s front desk.
• Pack casual spring and summer clothes.