Question 1

How focused are you on sustainability?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Very! We endeavor to avoid or recycle plastics, and ask residents to help out in that effort. We also ask that people turn off lights when not in use, and to use soaps that are not harmful to the environment.

Question 2

Are there snakes, spiders, and other critters?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Oh, yes. We're in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, and that includes all sorts of wasps, ants, spiders, snakes, and more. You need to exercise reasonable caution when hiking in the region, and wear long hiking pants and even boots. If you have a known allergy to stings (bees, wasps, etc) physicians recommend that you always travel with a dose of epinephrine.

Question 3

How's the weather?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

The weather at ArteSumapaz tends to be temperate all year round, with rainy and dry seasons. It's rather difficult to say whether we'll be in our rainy time or dry time (pretty much the two seasons we tend to have), as for whether global warming or the "el niño/la niña" (https://www.climate.gov/enso .) weather patterns are having play, But what I can say is that our most rainy season, whenever that might be, tends to be pleasant. We'll get gray days, and precipitation for an hour or so, but never so cool as to merit a sweater after the early morning. But it really has been off from those official charts of what we should be expecting.

WEATHER BY MONTH // WEATHER AVERAGES FUSAGASUGÁ

	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Avg. Temperature °C (°F)	18.5 °C(65.4) °F	18.8 °C(65.9) °F	18.8 °C(65.8) °F	18.6 °C(65.4) °F	18.5 °C(65.3) °F	18.3 °C(65) °F	18.3 °C(64.9) °F	18.8 °C(65.8) °F	19.1 °C(66.4) °F	18.6 °C(65.4) °F	18.3 °C(64.9) °F	18.4 °C(65) °F
Min. Temperature °C (°F)	15.6 °C(60) °F	16 °C(60.9) °F	16.3 °C(61.3) °F	16.3 °C(61.3) °F	16.2 °C(61.2) °F	15.8 °C(60.5) °F	15.4 °C(59.8) °F	15.5 °C(59.8) °F	15.7 °C(60.3) °F	15.9 °C(60.6) °F	15.8 °C(60.5) °F	15.6 °C(60.1) °F
Max. Temperature °C (°F)	21.9 °C(71.3) °F	22.2 °C(71.9) °F	22 °C(71.6) °F	21.5 °C(70.6) °F	21.3 °C(70.3) °F	21.3 °C(70.3) °F	21.4 °C(70.6) °F	22.2 °C(72) °F	22.6 °C(72.6) °F	21.7 °C(71) °F	21.2 °C(70.2) °F	21.5 °C(70.6) °F
Precipitation / Rainfall mm (in)	123(4.8)	155(6.1)	221(8.7)	264(10.4)	214(8.4)	89(3.5)	74(2.9)	72(2.8)	111(4.4)	214(8.4)	219(8.6)	140(5.5)
Humidity(%)	80%	79%	82%	85%	85%	82%	79%	75%	74%	82%	86%	83%
Rainy days (d)	13	13	16	17	17	14	14	13	13	16	17	14
avg. Sun hours (hours)	6.1	5.9	5.9	5.7	6.1	6.7	6.9	7.3	7.5	5.9	5.1	5.9

The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 192 mm | 8 inch. The variation in temperatures throughout the year is 0.8 °C | 1.4 °F.

The month with the highest relative humidity is November (85.60 %). The month with the lowest relative humidity is September (74.39 %).

The month with the highest number of rainy days is April (23.10 days). The month with the lowest number of rainy days is January (17.07 days).

Fusagasugá are in the middle and the summers are that easy to define.

Question 4

What about the weather?

Accepted Answer

It isn't a simple matter to speak of the weather at ArteSumapaz. Basically, there are supposedly three seasons; rainy and dry and in-between. When it's rainy, it tends to be more overcast, with about an hour of precipitation every day or night. For the most part, the center being at an elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level, is considered temperate. You might need a sweater or hoodie in the first couple hours of the morning, but by late morning, you might be down to a t shirt.

There are official charts of what to expect in Colombia, but they tend to be inaccurate perhaps because of global warming or the "el niño/la niña" (https://www.climate.gov/enso .) weather patterns. But what I can say is that our most rainy season, whenever that might be, tends to be pleasant.

Question 5

Will I, Can I, Must I speak Spanish?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

The staff at ArteSumapaz is bilingual. Sometimes, residents really want to improve their Spanish, so we tend to focus on speaking spanish at the table or in other settings. At other times, the consensus leans towards English, and the native Colombians get to improve their English. And sometimes it just all devolves into a good old-fashioned "spanglish," as we all discover new ways to express ourselves. So, it's up to each individual; if you want to improve or learn spanish, we can make that happen.

Question 6

How easy is it to get an extension of the 90 day tourist visa, if I need it?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Fairly easy. Most people have been able to extend it online at best, and at worst, have had to make a run into the city to visit migraciones.

Question 7

Are there many other people attending?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

In general, there are six to eight artists in residence in the main residency house at any given time, as well as two to three full-time staff members and several volunteers. Very often, there are eight to twelve people around the dinner table!

Question 8

Do you need any donations?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

IF you look about the house, or with friends, and see any books or DVDs you´re no longer using and would like to find a home for; we are always seeking donations of those things. The same for old electronics - as people here in Colombia can always use those things, as they can be terribly expensive for them to purchase.

Question 9

What's the availability of electrical outlets in my room?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Each room has at least, and often only, one three-pronged outlet. The electrical system is the same as that of the US. If you're coming from a country that has another system, you'll want to bring a converter.

Question 10

How do I get to ArteSumapaz from Bogotá or the airport?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

While there are buses from Bogotá to the nearby town, during this time of Covid we recommend you taking a car from the airport to ArteSumapaz. We can arrange the driver to meet you at the airport. The cost is about $75-80 US. We can pay the driver and you can reimburse us via Paypal if needed.

Also, we've been successful hailing an UBER from Bogotá. If you do so, you'll want to take an Uber Comfort, as smaller cars can have a tough time on some of the roads.

Question 11

Can I buy art supplies there?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Art supplies of decent quality are difficult to purchase here - in general, we advise bringing as much as you think you'll need. There are some shops in Bogotá, but anything of decent quality has been imported, and is thus priced more to cover shipping and taxes. Seriously, bring art supplies.

For the time being, US Amazon has been offering free delivery and without duty on some items. We have an address in Bogotá to which you can safely have things shipped, and then someone can bring it up from the city.

Some of the better shops in Bogotá:

Fabriano - located in the Santa Barbara mall in Usaquen
Belle Chantraine
Panamericana - multiple locations in Bogotá

For paintings, artists generally work on temporary stretchers, and then roll the paintings. Silicone release paper can be handy for lining the paintings.

Question 12

What should I bring?

Ric Dragon · Accepted Answer

Shoes or boots for hiking
A good hat for the sun
Sunscreen
Audiophones: we work really hard to keep all spaces peaceful and quiet so folks can work.
Mosquito net for hat - some people have found these handy while hiking
Rechargeable lantern can come in handy for the occasional power outage.
Any sorts of creams or lotions that you really like - these things can be difficult to get here

Question 13

Do I need a visa?

Accepted Answer

You will be given a 3-month tourist visa upon entering Colombia. You can extend it for another 90 days in the calendar year.

Question 14

I'm not a vegetarian; how can I get my meat fix?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase sandwich meats and keep them in the refrigerator, or tag along on one of our weekly trips into town and partake in one of the famous grilled meat plates of Colombia.

Question 15

Do I need a return ticket?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes there might be someone at the airline, or even at immigration control in Colombia that might insist. Many travelers purchase a refundable return ticket before heading to the airport.

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