ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO BOGOTÁ FOR HR25
The Ágora Bogotá Convention Centre is located within the trade fairs, events and congress cluster of Bogotá. It boasts 64,883m2 total area over five floors, more than 18 meeting rooms and a main hall that can seat up to 4,000 people. With stunning views over the city and towards the mountains, you'll always still know where you are.
Full address: Ágora Bogotá Convention Centre, Ac. 24 #38-47, Bogotá, Colombia
Harm Reduction International is dedicated to promoting comprehensive and responsive health services and policies around the world. To this end, Harm Reduction International is committed to ensuring our event provides and facilitates appropriate care for all delegates who may have specific healthcare needs, especially people who use or have used drugs, who are living with HIV, viral hepatitis, or TB. In order to do this, we appoint a Medical Team for each conference, consisting of local and international healthcare professionals and representatives of organisations of people who use drugs.
Information for All Delegates
All conference delegates should arrange their own health and travel insurance in advance of their trip to Colombia and should ensure that they carry it with them whilst at the conference.
All conference delegates who are undergoing any kind of medical treatment should bring their own medication in sufficient quantities to cover their treatment for the duration of their stay in Colombia. Delegates are also advised to bring a copy of prescriptions and any medical records from their doctor, translated into Spanish, specifying their diagnoses and treatment they are receiving.
Drug Use and Harm Reduction Information
Harm Reduction services will be available at the conference directly from the medical room. These services will include NSP, smoking and inhalation equipment, and drug checking. The service will be open, with medical professionals and harm reduction volunteers available throughout the duration of the conference. Naloxone will be available from providers throughout the conference, including at the medical room.
We strongly advise delegates to avail of this free service in the Agora Convention Centre, to avoid unnecessary travel to local harm reduction services and avoid overstretching the services available to the local community.
The possession of drugs, under a minimum dose, in Colombia has been decriminalised since 1994. However, there are drug-related administrative sanctions in the Police Code. Whilst there is no prison sentence for carrying or using drugs, there may be other sanctions such as confiscation of the substance, or fines. We therefore recommend carrying less than the minimum dose (which is defined only for some substances, not all, for example, you can carry 20 grams of cannabis, one gram of cocaine or 'bazuco', or five grams of hashish) and not using in public spaces.
Accessing substances on the streets is very dangerous, especially for foreigners, so do not take risks. Remember that substances in Colombia are low-cost and high-quality; please do not consume alone and always have naloxone to hand. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to consult with the conference team of volunteers at HR25 or contact the team for more information beforehand by email.
If delegates come into contact and have any issues with police in Colombia we recommend they immediately contact marcela.tovar@hri.global and report any incidents of harassment or police violence to the hotline for victims of law enforcement abuse at +57 302 240 6705.
People Travelling to Colombia with OAT
Delegates should come prepared with all medication necessary for the duration of the trip. If you are usually prescribed liquid methadone, please request it be prescribed in tablet form for the period of travel.
Please bring a letter from your prescriber, translated into Spanish, that clearly states:
The period of time you are in Colombia
The drug name, daily dose, number of days supply, and total quantity you have with you
That the medication is prescribed to you
Bring a certified copy of your prescription
When arriving into Colombia by plane:
Carry the medication on your person or in a carry on luggage
Present the medication to customs officers for inspection, only if requested
Up to one month supply of methadone and other medication can be brought into Colombia. If you are carrying medicine other than methadone and buprenorphine - the two OAT options available in Colombia - you will require an exemption to bring this into the country. Please contact medical@hri.global as soon as possible regarding this.
People Unable to Travel with OAT
If, for any reason, you are using OAT but are unable to travel with your medication, we will have an OAT prescriber available on site to provide prescriptions. We have received assurances that both methadone and buprenorphine will be available to delegates requesting a prescription.
To enable us to prepare please contact our Medical Lead as soon as possible, outlining how many days you will require the prescription for, the dates you will be in the country for, and the dose you will require.
Please also bring the following to be presented to the doctor on site:
A copy of your usual script in your home country.
A letter from your doctor, with a copy translated into Spanish, detailing your usual daily dose and the date of your last dose before travelling.
Prescriptions will be filled at the nearest Colsubsidio pharmacy branch and transport between the pharmacy and Agora Convention Centre will be covered by HRI.
If you are unable to provide the above documents please contact us to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible. The above information is subject to change and we strongly advise all delegates to bring prescribed medication and appropriate documentation.
Our friends at the Bogotá Convention Bureau have put together some useful information for your trip to Bogotá.
Bogotá Hotels
Bogotá offers a wide range of hotels that can accommodate different needs, including proximity and budget. Bogotá’s Corferias area houses our conference venue, Ágora Bogotá Convention Centre, and many hotels.
For those who wish to stay in a more vibrant, sightseeing-friendly area, head to La Candelaria (20 minutes from the venue by taxi, depending on traffic). Chapinero (30 minutes) is great for foodies, Zona Rosa (30 minutes) for nightlife and shopping and Teusaquillo (7 minutes) if you're looking for somewhere more family-friendly, with plenty of green spaces.
Hilton Bogotá Corferias - HR25 Special Rate
HRI has negotiated a special rate of USD $155 per night at the Hilton Bogotá Corferias, which is connected by walkway to our venue, the Ágora Bogotá Convention Centre. You can choose a king bed or two queen beds (perfect if you're sharing), and the rate includes breakfast (said by some to be the best in Bogotá)!
The rooms are available from 23 April to 4 May - perfect for those who wish to extend their stay beyond the conference dates (27-30 April).
There are only 200 rooms available, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Hyatt Place Bogotá - HR25 Special Rate
Further rooms are available at a special HR25 rate at the nearby Hyatt Place.
Stays of more than six consecutive nights are available at a rate of USD $90 plus tax.
Stays of less than six consecutive nights are available at a rate of USD $120 plus tax.
These rates include:
Other Accommodation Options
A number of AirBnB units as well as other lodging platforms are available around the Corferias area that can accommodate an average of 2 to 4 people.
AirBnB is an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodations in specific locales. Booking.com is one of the largest online travel agencies. Agoda is one of the world's fastest-growing online travel booking platforms.
While Bogotá is a vibrant and dynamic city, it's important for delegates to exercise general safety precautions during their visit. As with any large city, it's advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas or unfamiliar neighborhoods. It's recommended to avoid displaying valuable items like expensive jewellery or electronics in public, and use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing cabs on the street.
Additionally, it’s best to stay in well-lit areas after dark and avoid walking alone in less populated parts of the city. Delegates should also keep emergency contact numbers handy and know the location of the nearest embassy or consulate. By taking these simple precautions, you can enjoy a safe and enjoyable stay in Bogotá.
Delegates traveling to Bogotá should be aware that the city is located at an altitude of 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level. At this height, some individuals may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, or nausea, especially if they are not accustomed to high altitudes.
To minimize the risk, it is recommended to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and strenuous physical activities for the first 24-48 hours, and allow your body time to adapt to the altitude. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before your trip, particularly if you have any pre-existing health conditions.
HRI is acutely aware of the elitist, racist and exclusive systems surrounding visa applications. Diverse, global participation is critical for a strong global drug policy reform and harm reduction movement. We are committed to helping to mitigate the challenges faced by our delegates applying for visas. If you have issues with your visa application please reach out.
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