Globalteer orientation guide

Medellin, Colombia All the tips, information and recommendations you need to get ready for your

upcoming volunteer placement.

Contents

1. Welcome to Medellin!

About Globalteer

Getting out and about

Useful local contacts

2. Getting ready for your placement

Visa and insurance information

Packing guide

Getting to Colombia

3. Volunteering in Colombia

A brief history of Colombia

Climate

Health

Safety

Responsible travel

Expenses

Culture shock

Keeping in touch with home

This Globalteer Medellin information pack will

ensure you arrive fully prepared for your

international volunteering and travel experience.

Travelling to a new country always causes a few

worries and apprehensions, and this guide will

give you all the information you need to turn

those worries into excitement.

You will also receive an additional project

specific information pack before your arrival.

So sit down, have a read, and start getting ready

for your trip of a lifetime!

We also have additional project information on

our website, including FAQs, previous volunteer

stories, photo gallery and further accommodation

information.

If you still have questions after reading this guide,

please contact us by email.

Our team is well travelled and we are able to help

answer anything further you would like to know

about the project, getting prepared for your

placement, and in-country travel!

1 Welcome to

Medellin!

Congratulations on your decision to

volunteer with Globalteer! We are

certain that you will have a fantastic

time and also help out your project in an

amazing way.

This guide is for everyone who will be

coming to Medellin, Colombia, to

volunteer with Globalteer.

About Globalteer Globalteer was founded as a UK non-profit organisation in June 2006. Globalteer is a registered

charity in the UK (registration number 1119706), which means that Globalteer is legally required to

ensure that 100% of all monies received are used to achieve our charitable objectives.

Our Strategies

To work with projects that meet genuine local needs, as identified by the communities they

serve, and that meet our criteria for sustainability and responsibility.

To work closely with our partner projects to ensure that all volunteer placements are of

genuine value to the project and are in keeping with the projects’ short term goals and long term objectives

To place suitably experienced volunteers within approved partner projects on tasks where

there is a local shortage of necessary skills.

To encourage the transfer of volunteer skills to local staff wherever possible.

To help fund the continued development of partner projects.

To help all our partner projects to become fully self-funded and locally managed with

minimal requirement for external support.

To continually assess the needs of the communities with whom we work and identify new

partners and new initiatives as necessary.

“I have already recommended volunteering with Globalteer to people I know. It was a

great experience and I would do it again.”

– Rebecca, Globalteer Colombia volunteer

Getting out and about Medellin has many opportunities for eating out and having fun, and you will never be bored during

your time in this beautiful and interesting city!

This section of the orientation guide will give you more information about what to do in and

around Medellin. Our travel partner can advise if you wish to book excursions before you leave

home and if you do book through them, they will make a small donation to Globalteer. Please

visit our website for details of our travel partners

However, don’t forgot to ask project staff for recommendations once you arrive in Medellin,

especially regarding any local festivals or upcoming events in the area.

Eating and drinking in Medellin

Medellin has opportunities for eating out and having fun on your time off from the project. You can

find a range of restaurants and cafes near the guesthouse, many of which have vegetarian options.

There are also many supermarkets where you can easily buy a range of food, including pre-

packaged sandwiches and salads.

Project staff will be able to provide more information on restaurants, cafes and bars that you

might want to visit whilst in Medellin.

What to do in and around Medellin

One of the best areas for nightlife, Parque Lleras, is only 10 minutes from the guesthouse and has

many restaurants, bars and opportunities to test your dancing skills. Medellin also has all the

activities you would expect a large city to offer and more. There are water parks, horse riding,

museums, parks, galleries, cycling, etc.

Some of the places to visit include:

Museo de Antioquia – the world’s largest collection of works by Fernando Botero.

Parque Bolivar – a beautiful tree filled park in the centre of Medellin.

San Alejo Craft Market – held on the first Saturday of each month in Parque Bolivar.

Pasaje Junin – a pedestrian street with great cafes.

Plaza Botero and Palacio de la Cultura – a surreal sculpture garden in the heart of the city.

Avenida Carabobo – a pleasant pedestrian street with numerous shops in El Hueco.

Barrio Prado Centre – this neighbourhood used to be the elite quarter, and has many

restored colonial houses.

Metroa Cable – a cable car system used for public transport, and comes with stunning views

of the city.

Botanical Garden – the garden has beautiful Orquidorama and butterflies sections, and also

hosts occasional concerts and events.

Parque Arvi – a nature reserve in Santa Elena reachable by cable car.

You may also consider weekend or day trips to the surrounding areas. The coffee region is a

beautiful and unique area with many picturesque towns. Santa Fe is only an hour from Medellin

and has a colonial feel in a much warmer climate.

Rio Claro is also just a couple of hours away and offers a great tranquil break from the city with

activities on the river.

For those wanting to go further, Cartagena is a beautiful colonial town on the north coast. The lost

city of Ciudad Perdida is considered an amazing trek, even more so than the Inca Trail in Peru.

This is just a small idea of the things that you can do and visit in and around Medellin.

The health clinic on this list is only one of the health care options available.

Please check with your travel insurance provider to ensure you are fully covered to access these.

Useful local contacts You will be provided the essential project phone numbers and accommodation information in

your travel confirmation email from Globalteer. Here are some general phone numbers and

addresses for your stay in Medellin.

Taxis

Taxi Coopebomba (444 0000)

Taxi Flota Bernal (444 8882)

Taxi Poblado (335 3535)

easytaxi.com

Health clinics

Clinica Medellin

El Poblado, Calle 7 # 39 - 290

(311 2800)

Includes an emergency department, various

specialists and also a dentist.

While Clinica Medellin is popular amongst

expats due to their English speaking staff

and quality medical facilities, please note

that there are numerous other clinics and

hospitals in Medellin. Please know your

options before choosing a facility if you

require health care during your stay in

Medellin.

Emergency numbers

Police (156)

Ambulance (132)

Fire (119)

Traffic accidents (127)

Immigration

Colombia Immigration Office

Medellin, Calle 19 # 80A-40

(345 5500)

Embassies and consulates

British Honorary Consulate

Carrera 42, No. 53-26

Itagui, Medellin

(57 4 377 9966)

US Embassy

Avenida Calle 26, Bogotá

(571 275 2000)

Canadian Embassy

Ak. 7 #114-33, Bogotá

(57 1 6579800)

Australian Consulate-General

Edificio Tierra Firme

Avenida Carrera 9 No. 115-06/30

Oficina 2002, Bogotá

(57 1 6577801)

For other nationalities, you can find a full list

of embassies in Colombia here.

Post office

Servientrega Poblado Parque,

Carrera 43A # 9-12

(266 4405)

2 Getting ready

for your placement

Now that your placement confirmed, it

is time to start getting prepared for your

trip of a lifetime.

This includes organising flights,

insurance, visas and of course trying to

fit everything in your bag!

Everything in this section will help you

know exactly what you need to do

before coming to the project and

starting your placement.

Visa & insurance

information

Getting your visa

It is the volunteer's responsibility to arrange an

entry visa.

The visa application process is usually very

straightforward, but you should check visa

requirements immediately. Normally volunteers

only need tourist visas when participating in our

projects, but every country has different visa

requirements and the length of stay they grant can

vary.

It is best to tell immigration officials that you are

simply a tourist on vacation. The concept of

volunteering is not always understood in the

countries we operate in, and can be confused with

working, which normally requires a special visa that

is harder to get.

You can read more about getting your visa on our

website.

Travel insurance

Insurance is not included in your volunteer

placement fee.

Travel insurance is only a boring subject if you are

unlucky enough to get sick or injured, or find

yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere on your

big trip. Being uninsured in such situations can

work out much more expensive than the cost of an

insurance premium and can also be dangerous.

In developing countries reliable healthcare and

emergency treatment can be hard to find, and

extremely expensive for foreigners. This is why we

strongly recommend that all our volunteers take

out suitable travel insurance.

You can read more about the importance of travel

insurance and our insurance partner here on our

website.

Packing guide Almost everything you need can be bought in Medellin. Packing clothes is a personal thing as some

people prefer to pack light and others take as many items of clothes as can be fitted in their

backpack! This is only a general guide that should be adjusted to your personal preferences.

Please be aware that the average size of people in Colombia can be smaller, so if you require large

size clothing or shoes then it may be very difficult to find them locally.

Pack your general gear in a backpack and your expensive and important items in a daypack that

stays with you on planes and buses. Shorts and short-sleeved tops are suitable to wear in Colombia and at your project.

Please make sure you have clothes that are okay to get dirty.

Essentials Passport (and some photocopies)

Travel insurance documents

ATM cards (remember to tell your bank you are

going overseas!)

Card listing vaccinations received

Copies of tickets for any onwards travels

US dollars, euro or pounds as back-up cash

Copies of essential project phone numbers

Accessories Camera, memory cards, battery charger

Torch or headlamp

Books

Phone and charger if required

Electrical converter for volunteers from Europe,

Australia and New Zealand (plugs are the same as

North America)

Clothing 1 x sandals for warmer days

1 x walking/running/hiking shoes

light and cool underwear and socks

long trousers or shorts (a pair of trousers that zip

off the legs to make shorts can be handy)

T-shirts that are loose and lightweight

1 x long sleeve shirt for sun protection

1 x warm top

1 x scarf/beanie (if you get cold easily)

1 x hat for sun protection

1 x swim suit (depending on travels)

1 x nightclothes

1 x waterproof jacket/poncho

1 x sunglasses

Health Insect repellent (if visiting the jungle before or

after your placement)

Shampoo/soap

Deodorant

Sunscreen

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Tissue (to take on days out, just in case none

available in toilets.) Note: toilet paper can’t always

be flushed in Colombia

Hairbrush/comb/shaving gel if required

Feminine hygiene products (a wide variety is

available in Medellin)

Personal prescriptions

Painkillers for headaches, etc.

Band-aids/plasters

Glasses or contacts (with a spare set and your

prescription)

Getting to Colombia

You will receive a pre-arrival email from Globalteer before your placement, which will include

your airport or hotel pick-up confirmation, accommodation name and address, local project

staff contact details, and any other relevant arrival information.

This is a guide on how to get to Medellin’s Jose Maria Cordova (MDE) airport. Be aware that

airline schedules and routes are subject to change so please check for up-to-date information.

If you are looking for a one-stop shop for your travel arrangements, Globalteer has travel partners

who could save you both time and money. Read more about booking your travel through our

partners on our website.

If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements

From the USA

Avianca flies to Medellin from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

American airlines flies to Medellin from most US cities via Miami.

Copa Airlines flies to Medellin from Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Spirit airlines flies to Medellin from New York and Fort Lauderdale.

From Europe

There are three options from Europe:

1. Fly to the USA (New York or Miami) and then to Medellin with any of above airlines.

2. Fly to a European hub (London, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam) and then Medellin.

www.iberia.com www.airfrance.com www.avianca.co.uk www.klm.com

3. Fly from Europe to a major South American destination (e.g. Lima, Quito, Buenos Aires,

Santiago, Sao Paulo) and then on to Medellin. Lima, Quito, Caracas and Panama City have direct

flights Medellin.

www.avianca.co.uk www.klm.com www.lan.com

From Australia / New Zealand

1. Fly to Los Angeles or San Francisco and then to Medellin with any of the airlines leaving from

the USA as listed above.

www.qantas.com www.united.com www.airnewzealand.com

2. Fly to a major South American destination (Buenos Aires, Santiago) and then to Medellin (via

Bogota).

www.lan.com www.aerolineas.com.ar

From South America

Overland travel is possible from the following countries:

Ecuador: The only option is the Tulcan/Ipiales route.

Venezuela: San Antonio del Táchir/Cucuta is the best overland option. Be aware the border

to Venezuela is not always safe. Please check your government’s safety advice for the area. Although Colombia borders three other countries they are not viable overland routes. Brazil and

Peru can only be reached by plane or boat as the area is Amazon Rainforest.

3 Volunteering

in Colombia

Colombia is known for its diversity and

beauty, with its rich history, stunning

scenery, and welcoming people.

Here is a snapshot of Colombia so you

can understand more about this

amazing country and people!

A brief history of

Colombia

The land that is now Colombia has been inhabited

for about 11,000 years. The great majority of

Colombia’s population is concentrated either on the Caribbean coast or in the valleys and

mountain basins of the Andes. The llanos and

Amazonian rainforest take up two-thirds of

Colombian territory, but only 2% of the

population live there.

The first Spanish settlement was founded in 1525

on the Caribbean coast. Bogotá was founded in

1538 by a company of Spanish soldiers looking for

El Dorado. ‘New Grenada’, as Colombia was then called, was Spain’s principal source of gold for a time. Emeralds, tobacco and sugar cane were

other sources of wealth.

Independence from Spain was achieved in 1819

with General Simón Bolívar’s victory at the battle of Boyacá. By 1845 two contending parties had

formed and they continue to dominate Colombian

politics: the Conservative and Liberal parties.

Colombia has one of the most violent histories in

the Americas. A civil war (1899–1902) claimed

100,000 lives, and during political unrest in 1948–1962 over 200,000 were killed. Rapid migration

from country to city coincided with a shift from

agriculture to industrial production. This has

intensified the concentration of wealth and led to

political instability, including guerrilla groups who

fought the government. Further destabilisation

comes from the immense economic power of a

few drug czars who dominate world distribution

of cocaine.

Today, Colombia has had an amazing turnaround

in security. There is real reason still to be

optimistic about Colombia’s future. Its people have tasted the feeling of safety and are unlikely

to let the country slip back into its brutal past.

Overseas companies are investing in Colombia at

record rates and hotels are springing up around

the country to accommodate the expected influx

of tourists.

Climate Medellin deserves its nickname as the City of Eternal Spring. With its close proximity to the equator

and an altitude of 1500 metres, the temperature hovers between 18C (64F) and 26C (79F)

throughout the year.

There are no marked seasons, but there tends to be more rainfall from March to May and

September to November.

Health As soon as you have made the decision to travel we recommend that you visit a doctor for your

vaccinations as some vaccines take time to become effective.

The water in the city of Medellin is considered safe to drink from the tap, although you may wish to

drink bottle water just to be on the safe side. We strongly advise you to use bottled water in the

countryside.

There are many pharmacies around town, and also plenty of hospitals that provide international

standard medical services. Pharmacies carry a huge variety of medicines, so should you forget

anything from home, you will most likely be able to find it in Medellin.

Safety

Security in Colombia has vastly improved since 2002 and Medellin is considered one of the safest

cities in Latin America. That said, the country still has its problems and there are regions that are

too dangerous to visit. You will be advised by project staff of these areas.

As with any large city there are areas that are not recommended to visit after dark. Just think of

your local major city and you will know where not to go late at night. There are plenty of safe areas

in Medellin where people walk freely at night, enjoying the amazing nightlife the city has to offer.

You will be given more information upon arrival about health and safety in Colombia, and the

different areas of Medellin that are considered safe.

You can read more about health and safety in Colombia on our website.

Responsible travel

Globalteer is dedicated to a style of travel that is culturally, socially and environmentally

responsible. Please, therefore, read the guidelines below to ensure you act responsibly whilst in

country. The following are also the rules at all of our projects, and if these are not followed you will

be at risk of being asked to leave the project and your placement with Globalteer.

No drinking whilst volunteering, and smoking only in allocated areas.

Volunteers must come to the project during the agreed on hours.

Handing out political or religious materials is forbidden.

Volunteers are required to follow our Globalteer code of conduct.

Body language

Colombians are very friendly and open, particularly in Medellin, and they are also very polite and

courteous. Expect to exchange kisses on the cheek with people you know (opposite sexes and

between women). A hand shake is always exchanged when meeting new people.

Dress code

The Colombians are fairly liberal in their dress sense so your normal clothes will be fine for this

placement.

Toilets

Do not put toilet paper down the toilet if there is a bin in the bathroom as this can block the toilet.

If there is a bin then it is there for all toilet paper.

Time

Here people do not stress over time and it is not uncommon for things to happen later than

arranged. Just go with the flow and forget stress!

Photos

Always ask permission before taking someone’s photograph. Children will be very, very interested to see their image on your digital camera and will rush to see it after the photo is taken.

Beggars and hawkers

Try to be courteous to hawkers selling gifts to tourists. A polite ‘no, thank you’ and a smile is usually all that is needed to be left alone. Don’t forget that they are just trying to make a living. Begging is

an unsustainable activity. People do not wish to be beggars but have been forced into the situation

by poverty. Giving sweets to children who have no access to toothpaste or toothbrushes causes

major problems. Giving money to children makes them spend more time begging and prevents

them from going to school. When they become older and ‘less cute’ they earn less money and have no education or possibility of employment.

Litter

The streets are often dirty as there are limited rubbish bins provided. Please do not throw your

litter in the street or countryside just because it is already dirty.

Expenses

The official currency is the Colombian Peso.

Please check the current exchange rate from Colombian Pesos to the currency of your country.

Local transport

Taxi: 4,500 – 5,000 for a 5 minute journey (minimum price 4,500)

30,000 for a 30 minute journey

Metro: 1,900 per journey

Bus: 1,900 – 2,000 per journey

The cost of transport to and from the project each day is included in your volunteer placement fee.

Food

Meal at a local restaurant: Less than 10,000 COP

Meal in a tourist restaurant: 10,000 – 30,000 COP

Keeping in touch

Internet cafes: 3,000 COP per hour

Telephone calls: Approx 500 COP per minute overseas.

Wifi is available for free at the hostel.

Laundry

Laundry services for 8,000 – 10,000 COP per load

Money

There are plenty of ATMs in town.

Avoid bringing travellers cheques as these are not widely used.

Visa withdrawal can be made at some locations.

Money exchange facilities are also available if you have brought currency from home to

exchange.

Culture shock

Culture shock expresses a lack of direction and the feeling of not knowing how to do things in a new

environment. This feeling generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place where

everything is different. Although culture shock can be difficult to overcome, it is also an opportunity

for learning and acquiring a new perspective!

Symptoms

Sadness, loneliness, melancholy

Preoccupation with health

Aches, pains, and allergies

Insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little

Changes in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless

Anger, irritability, resentment, unwillingness to interact with others

Loss of identity

Unable to solve simple problems

Overeating or loss of appetite

Unexplainable crying

Boredom

Developing stereotypes about the new culture

Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness

Longing for family, extreme homesickness

Feelings of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused

How to fight culture shock

Some ways to combat stress produced by culture shock are:

Develop a hobby, or continue to practice things that you also do at home.

Be patient – the act of acculturating is a process of adaptation to new situations.

Learn to be constructive. If you encounter an unfavourable environment, don't put yourself

in that position again. Be easy on yourself.

Learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine. This will help combat the

sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class, etc.

Relaxation and meditation can be very positive for people who are passing through periods

of stress

Make friends! This will give you a feeling of belonging and you will reduce your feelings of

loneliness and alienation.

Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the language. Volunteer in community

activities that allow you to practice the language that you are learning. This will help you

feel less stress about language and useful at the same time.

Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, friends,

etc.

Accept the new country. Focus your power on getting through the transition.

Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the

future.

Keeping in touch with home

Internet cafes

Internet cafes are numerous around town and some are faster than others. Wifi is also available

free at the hostel.

Telephone

Telephone services are available all over town but can be quite expensive. Consider getting Skype

to communicate with friends and family back home. You can sign up to Skype for free and have free

calls all around the world to another Skype number.

Mobile phone

Medellin is quite expensive for mobile phones when compared to other countries. You can bring

your phone from home and use it in Colombia but please check with your provider at home that

you are set up with international roaming and your phone set is on the same band wave as

Colombia. A cheaper option, as you may well be contacting your friends in Colombia too, is to buy a

SIM card in Medellin. This will give you a Colombian phone number.

Post

Colombia has many options for sending or receiving post. If you have something important to send

or receive then there are several parcel services in town such as DHL. However, although these

services are reliable, they are slow, expensive for the sender, and the receiver also has to pay a tax

when collecting the parcel.

TV

Medellin is fully equipped with cable TV with English language programmes. You can keep up with

world news on BBC World or CNN, watch movies and sitcoms. The Black Sheep Hostel has cable TV.

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