DebConf12/Bids/Managua

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Welcome to the wiki of the DebConf 12 Managua bid.

Local team

• Please name the main local team and describe their commitment (i.e. connection, work they have done before, how long...) in organizing events and working in Free Software projects. Are they perhaps even known inside Debian?

The Nicaraguan Local Team for the DebConf 12 is conformed by members of the Debian users community, the Ubuntu local team and volunteers from the Central American Free Software Community.

The Local Team was founded formally in 2007, but our origins can be traced back to 1995, with the creation of NicaLUG, the first Nicaraguan GNU/Linux Users Group, founded by local Debian users.

Since 2007 we have organized more than 150 events, (references), wich includes the FLISOL and the SFD in 2007. We were pronounced winners of the best event competition in 2007 and 2008 for the SFD International.

For details of the Nicaraguan Local Team for the DebConf 12, please see Local Team.

• Of these people, which have been present at a previous DebConfs and who have participated as organizers and/or volunteers (the line might be quite blurry at times) of a previous DebConf?

We haven't participed in any previous DebConf. However, we have organized the Debian Day since 2008 and some members of the Local Team organized the MiniDebConf Panama, in 2010. Also, we organized the first Central American Free Software Summit, an initiave to join efforts for the free software in the region, in 2009.

• Are you willing to work on the final report and sponsor bags from DebConf N-1? (This is somewhat satirical, meant to highlight the fact that often the DCN+1 team team finishes these things from DCN even though it technically isn't their job. This item will hopefully also motivate future teams to finish their own report/sponsor bags in a timely manner.)

Yes. We intend to attend DebConf 11 in Bosnia.

Choice of city / town / whatever

• Are you suggesting a city, a town, a village, a spa in the middle of nowhere?

Our choice of venue is Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. See the Managua entry in Wikipedia, ViaNica or WikiTravel.

• • How many people live there?

Managua has a population of ~1.8 million (2005).

• • How easy/convenient is the proposed place to get all strange and regular kinds of hardware?

There are plenty of electronic/electricity/computer stores in Managua. Very strange or unusual hardware may be difficult to obtain.

Usually the shops are open from 8 to 17/5pm (Monday-Saturday) and from 8 to noon on Sundays.

• • • Electronic/electricity shops

One of the best alternatives in Managua is CECA (ugly website, but great shop!). Another option is Telerepuestos with three stores in Managua and Radio Shack (more end user oriented). There are a lot of other smaller electronic shops all over Managua.

• • • Computer stores (A "media market" like end user oriented store doesn't count)

There are plenty. Many of them are a mix of 'professional' computer stores and end user oriented stores. See Páginas Amarillas (yellow pages) for a full list.

• • • Supermarkets, etc.

There are several big supermarket chains in Managua.

Wal-mart owns the Pali and La Unión supermarket chains (18 stores in Managua). La Colonia is a local supermarket chain with 10 stores in Managua. Pricesmart is a membership warehouse shopping club operating in Managua.

• • How easy is to handicapped people move there?

Most of the town is not well suited for handicap people, only new buildings, the debconf venue and the airport, and important exception is the local public transportation.

• Which is the nearest airport?

Managua's airport is the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport.

• • Are there any cheap airlines flying near the chosen city?

Yes. Spirit Airlines (based in the U.S.A.) have flights to Managua, Nicaragua. Their website is over here. For more information about airlines flying to Nicaragua, check out the EAAI website.

If you live in the U.S. west coast, try Delta Airlines, Continental or American Airlines. From Canada to Managua, check out CanJet.

Flights from Europe to Managua starts from $1,300 US dollars for a round trip. Continental and American Airlines are the cheapest alternatives.

You can find cheaper rates flying from southern South America to Managua via Copa Airlines or TACA. From the northern part of South America the cheapest alternative are via Panamá or Costa Rica with Copa Airlines, TACA or LACSA for about $750-1,000.

People from Central America can get to Managua by bus for $45-160 US dollars, depending on the country of origin.

Another cheap alternative is to fly to San José Costa Rica and take a bus to Managua ($45, ~9 hours). Flights to Costa Rica (from the US or Europe) are usually 10-20% cheaper. You can also fly from Costa Rica to Managua with NatureAir (from USD 193 incl. taxes).

A full comparision of prices can be found here

City	Cost USD (A)	Avoiding USA (B)	Comments
New York	438	N/A
Los Angeles	662	N/A
Washington	552	N/A
Toronto	862
Buenos Aires	1152	1152	w/LACSA+TACA via EZE-LIM-SJO-MGA
Paris	1574	1840	option A via CDG-MXP-MIA-MGA, option B w/Iberia via ORY-MAD-PTY-MGA
Frankfurt	1629	1696	option B w/Iberia+Copa+Taca via FRA-MAD-SJO-MGA, return via MGA-PTY-MAD-FRA
Rome	1720	1749	option B w/Iberia+Copa via FCO-MAD-PTY-MGA
Madrid	1485	1723	option B w/Iberia+Copa via MAD-PTY-MGA
London	1330	1593	option B w/Iberia via LHR-MAD-PTY-MGA
Copenhagen	1687	1973	option B w/KLM via CPH-AMS-PTY-MGA
Mumbai	1888		option A via LAX
Tokyo	1916		option A via LAX
Sydney	2219		option A via LAX
Airport codes: AMS Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam - CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy Airport), Paris - CPH Kastrup Airport, Copenhagen - EZE Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza (near Buenos Aires) - FCO Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport, Fiumicino (near Rome) - FRA Frankfurt International Airport, Frankfurt - LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles - LHR - London Heathrow Airport, London - LIM Jorge Chavez International Airport, Callao (near Lima) - MAD Barajas Airport, Madrid - MGA Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Managua - MIA Miami International Airport, Miami - MXP Malpensa International Airport, Milano - ORY Orly International Airport, Paris - PTY Tocumen International Airport, Panamá City - SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José (Costa Rica)

• • How long does the trip from the airport to the venue take?

The airport is located 8 km. (4.97 miles) away of the venue (15-20 min. trip by car). The local DebConf Team will provide bus shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. Taxis from airport to venue may cost 10 dollars with Hotel Mansión Teodolinda Shuttle service.

• How friendly is your country towards foreigners?

Nicaraguans are very friendly towards foreigners. The Nicaraguan, or Nica, is open-minded and very eager to know about other cultures and customs.

• • Visas: Which/how many countries' citizens require getting a visa? How hard (bureaucratic, probable) is it to get it?

Travellers entering Nicaragua must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport. Travellers from most western countries do not need to arrange a visa prior to entry. Tourist cards are granted on arrival for $10 and are good for stays up to 90 days for travel among any of the C-4 countries (Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala). An onward or return air ticket may be required.

For more detailed information, see Visas.

• • • Are there any import regulations, which might affect DebConf? (e.g. a limit to number of notebooks / DVDs / other media you can bring in; hard regulations for money transfers; etc.)

As long as you can prove that the equipment is for personal use, there should be no problem. We will provide a letter signed by the director of the General Customs Bureau for this.

There are import regulations on canned or uncanned meats, leather and dairy products. A license is required for firearms. You are allowed to import 500 grammes of tobacco or 200 cigarettes, 3 liters of alcohol and 3 bottles of perfume.

There are no regulations on money transfers. You must declare if you bring in more than USD 10,000 in cash.

• • Language: Do most people talk English? How hard is it for a foreigner to find their way around?

Many people speak English in Managua, as it is required to learn as a second language in most schools. English is more prevalent in the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, where it holds an official status (next to Spanish and other Indigenous languages).

• • Smoking: What are the local regulations about smoking?

Smoking is permitted outdoors. In some public places in-door smoking is forbidden.

Conference Facilities

• How much does it cost to rent these facilities?

See ConferenceFacilities.

• How far away are the locations from each other? (auditoriums, hacklabs, restaurant, sleeping quarters, info

desk)

Everything is near and in walking distance. In addition, we're going to have a regular bus service between the venue and the hotels (DebConf Bus). See map.

• • What kind of places are available suitable for hacklabs, workshops, BoFs and talks?

There are 17 spaces available at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center with a total capacity of 1,000 to 3,000 people, depending on arrangement. At the Hotel Mansión Teodolinda there are three spaces available for hacklabs and server room.

• • How many people fit in each of them?

From 20 to over 1,000 people.

• • How flexible can that be handled?

• • • ~-Can smaller auditoriums be merged into a bigger one?-~

Yes, the auditoriums we chosen can be merged into a bigger one in less than an hour.

• • • Are tables/chairs fixed, or can we arrange them to fit more people/give more room to the people that we need?

There should be no problem to arrange tables and chairs in order to fit our needs.

• • Is the venue ready for handicapped people? Note: Keep in mind that it's not only motion-handicapped - Is the area safe for people with any kind of handicap? (There are sight and hearing-impaired people, too.) Bonus: What people is it not good for?

There are ramps and elevators for motion-handicapped people.

• • • Access to all areas with ramps and/or elevators? (Note: carrying somebody over some steps is not usually an acceptable option.)

There's full access to both levels with ramps and elevators.

• • • Are there people with experience handling handicapped people, who checked that?

ToDo

• Are blueprints with exact distances available to us (to be kept confidential on request)?

Yes.

• What kind of audio equipment is already present at the auditoriums?

• • Wireless or stationary mics?

• • clip-on kind of mics or cary in your hand mics?

• • How many of them?

• Will the hacklabs be allowed to stay open 24x7? What time schedule do they offer?

Yes. the hacklabs will be open 24x7.

• What kind of security will be there?

The convention center has private security guards. In addition, the local DebConf Team will coordinate with the local police in order to increase their presence in the area during the DebConf.

• Are there any limitations regarding the consumptions of food / alcohol? Where do what limitations apply?

Consumption of food/alcohol at the convention center is not allowed. Outside is ok.

• • How far is it to the nearest convenience stores / all-night restaurants?

3 minutes walking distance from the venue to 24x7 gas station/convenience store. See map. There are several restaurants, a mall with food court and places that sells local popular food in walking distance.

• Please provide pictures of the venue/accommodation.

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Food

• How much are the meals per person per day?

Breakfast is included at the hotels.

Hotel Mansión Teodolinda (see map) offers an economic buffet (with less options) for USD 6.50 and a special buffet for USD 9.00/per person. The cost includes the meal, a non-alcoholic beverage and dessert. The restaurant is open from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Lunch and dinner in restaurants nearby the venue costs USD 5-7 (buffet) or USD 7-15 (service to the table).

At the Food Court in the Plaza Inter Mall (see map) you can buy fast food from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Hamburgers, fried chicken combos (with fries and soda) for USD 4-6. Chinese food for USD 3-5. Nicaraguan and international fast food: USD 4-6. Large pizzas for 2-4 people from USD 10-15.

You can also buy fast food 24/7 from the ESSO Automarket (see map). Similar prices as Plaza Inter.

Eating typical Nicaraguan dishes from street food vendors costs USD 2-4 per person.

Non-alcoholic beverages starts at USD 0.40 (stores) or USD 1.00 (bar/restaurants). Local beers costs USD 0.75 in stores and USD 1.00-1.25 in bars/restaurants. A good quality rum (375ml bottle/12.65fl.oz.) costs USD 3.00-5.00 at stores and USD 8.00-12.00 served at bars and restaurants with ice and soda.

• Is the eating place near the talks place / the hacklabs?

Yes, everything is near (see map).

• What kind of food would be served?

See above.

• • In what fashion? (service to the table, limited buffet, open buffet, etc.)

See above.

• Would food for vegetarian / vegan / lactose-intolerant / gluten-sensitive / religious (of any denomination) people be available?

There are vegetarian options in most of the restaurants mentioned above.

• • How much meals do we need to order to get those kind of "special" meals?

• • Will it cost extra to get those special meals?

No. The price is the same.

• In a two week period, how many more or less equal meals can we expect?

The Hotel Mansión Teodolinda special buffet has 24 different options (economic buffet has only 12). We can choose two different options per day.

Network connectivity

• Is the area already wired with regular network infrastructure? (much preferrably: 100Mbps or 1Gbps switched)

Yes, the area is already wired with 100 Mbps and 1gbps.

• How much does it cost and how difficult is it to get a big internet connection? (10/20 Mbits at least)

20 Mbits will cost us 3,000 USD (see here) and we are planning to have it full sponsored by the ISP.

• How much work does it imply to cover the area with wireless links?

The area is already covered with wireless connection.

• If we use someone else's infrastructure, how easy / flexible can that be handled, regarding routing / firewall / ip-range / public access / other stuff?

It will not be a problem.

• • Do we have restrictions on allowed ports?

No, we do not.

• • Are we traffic-shaped? Or can we set a traffic shaper if we need so?

We have permission to do what we need with the network infrastucture.

• Would it be possible to set up the network before Debcamp? (a day or two, earlier would be nicer, in order to handle problems gracefully. Additional weeks for wireless.)

Yes, it is possible.

Special rooms

Both for server and video rooms:

• General conditions for the rooms

The rooms have been renovated recently and are in perfect conditions. See photos here and here.

• • Size

Small rooms; 20-25 m2. If there's need for bigger rooms, it can be arranged.

• • Have they/do they need air conditioning?

Yes, they have A/C.

• • What electrical load can they handle?

Accomodation

• How much does it cost per person per night?

See Hotels for a detailed list of hotels and prices.

• Is the place where people are going to sleep near the conference facilities?

Hotel	Distance (in mts.)	Walking distance (in mins.)
Hotel Crowne Plaza	50 mts.	~1 min.
Hotel El Conquistador	250 mts.	~3 min.
Hotel Euro	400 mts.	~5 min.
Hotel Mansión Teodolinda	500 mts.	~6 min.
Hotel Maracas Inn	750 mts.	~9 min.
Hotel Montserrat	850 mts.	~11 min.
Hotel Posada del Angel	1,150 mts.	~14 min.

• Is it able to handle a varying number from 200 to 500 people?

See capacity per hotel in Hotels.

• Is it able to handle non-native speaking people? (i.e. do the people at the sleeping facilities speak English?)

Yes. People working at the hotels are bilingual.

• Will there be a need of a "Debconf" info-desk, or would the local (hotel or such) people be able to handle that themselves? (See InfoDesk for details on duties)

It can be arranged if there's a need for an info-desk.

• Will it be possible for couples to stay in their own rooms?

Yes. It is possible.

• How many room keys would be available?

Most hotels keeps only one key that can be claimed by the guests at the hotel frontdesk.

• Are there other hotels around?

Yes. There are other hotels in addition to those listed here, but they're also further away from the venue.

• Are there rooms ready for handicapped people? How many?

Both the Crown Plaza Hotel (2 rooms) and Hotel Mansión Teodolinda (2 rooms) have rooms ready for handicapped people (specifically access for wheelchairs). The other hotels are not handicap-friendly.

Fun and Free time

* What activities can be done during the free time?

Tourism in Managua:

• • Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve

The lagoon has a surface of almost 15 hectares and was formed about 10,000 years ago as a crater lake of a currently extinct volcano. More recently, the hilltop has housed the presidential palace for more than four decades. In addition, there were also prisons and torture rooms present that were used during the dictatorial regime of the Somoza family. The palace and some military installations were destroyed during the earthquake of 1972. After Somoza was ousted the site has served several purposes. A huge statue of General Augusto C. Sandino, which is visible from far, was also constructed.

Nowadays, the park is maintained by city of Managua and protected as a historical and cultural monument. You can walk around on the hilltop and see the ruins of the palace. There are also some historical objects to see (like a tank sent by Benito Mussolini to Anastasio Somoza). Furthermore, you can get a superb view of Managua. The stadium, the lake, shopping malls, and other significant buildings are easily visible as well as the landscape that surrounds Managua.

The Canopy Tour above the Tiscapa Lagoon is an exciting activity in a unique setting. There are three long cables with a total length of almost 1.2 km. As a result of being constructed above the lagoon, you will have some great views of both the lagoon and the center of Managua. The lengthy cables allow you to reach a speed of up to 50 km/hr which will surely boost your adrenaline when flying over the lagoon.

Distance from the venue: 500 mts.to the south. Costs: USD 15.00/canopy. The bars at Loma de Tiscapa offers a variety of food at a low cost.

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• • Managua's Historical Center

After the earthquake of 1972 the former center of Managua was completely destroyed. It was due to this devastating earthquake that Managua nowadays has no real center. The old center, however, is still partially intact. There are several buildings that date from before the earthquake – some used and some unused – and you can easily visit this historical place and stroll around.

* The old Cathedral of Managua. The Catedral de Santiago was not flattened by the earthquake, but it was damaged and abandoned. The cathedral was closed to the public because the government feared collapsing. You can, however, walk around and get an idea of the importance of this remarkable building.

* Casa de los Pueblos. Next to the old cathedral you will find a modern, sparkling building. This was the presidential house for a couple of years (now Casa de los Pueblos, House of the People).

* Palacio Nacional. Opposite to the former presidential house lays an even more impressing building: the National Palace. This building nowadays functions (partially) as a museum, so don’t forget to go in and check out the National Museum.

* Plaza de la Revolución. The Revolution Square, as this place is called, also houses monuments that commemorate Nicaragua’s heroes like Carlos Fonseca Amador and Rubén Darío. You can wander around in the small park where most of the monuments are located.

* Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío. The Rubén Darío National Theater was inaugurated in 1969. The theater has been maintained in its original style, and this impressive building nowadays serves as the most important theater for shows and concerts. The Main Hall is equipped with 1200 seats and a big stage. Here the main concerts and shows take place. The hall has great acoustics and many famous national and international dancers, singers, and actors have enjoyed these facilities.

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• • Port Salvador Allende

Located on the shores of lake Xolotlán, in the city of Managua, where once the very center of the capital city was located. Lake Xolotlán is the second largest water source of Nicaragua and is surrounded by land masses of volcanic origin. You can eat, drink and enjoy the view in one of the various bars and restaurants located in the port, buy some local handicrafts, or take a short boat trip to Isla del Amor (the Love Island) or Momotombito Island, some of the many islets in lake Xolotlán.

Distance from venue: ~2km. (less than 5 minutes by car). Costs: Boat trip: USD 2.25-4.50/person. Food: Starts at USD 2.50/person. Drink: USD 1.00/local beer. Most bars and restaurants are handicap-friendly.

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• • Nightlife

There's a lot of great entertainment in Managua, mainly on Zona Rosa (5 minutes by car from venue). But there's also plenty of cool places within walking distance (max.5 minutes from venue, see map). Some of them are:

* El Caramanchel: A cultural bar with an attractive atmosphere. In addition to beers, rums and entries, the establishment also organizes events such as concerts, theater performances, screening of documentaries and movies, and much more. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 6:30 PM to 2:30 AM. Costs: Beers around USD 1.00. Food USD +4.00.

* Casa de los Mejía: Restaurant and cultural bar. Concerts on weekends. Open Monday-Tuesday (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM), Wednesday to Saturday (8:00 AM to 1:00 AM). A bit more expensive than El Caramanchel (see above).

* Restaurante La Curva: Similar atmosphere to Casa de los Mejía but less popular.

* Bar El Grillito 1 & 2: A local cantina-type establishment with cheap beer and food. Beer aprox. USD 1.75/liter. The bar has a coin-operated jukebox (USD 0.25/song) with plenty of music, mostly romantic baladas and Mexican rancheras, but also some rock and pop.

* Bar Q: Gay-friendly bar. There are two bars inside and a small patio upstairs/outside. This bar also fills up late, around 11-12 PM. There is an entrance fee of around USD 5.00 and drinks cost around USD 2.00. There is a dancefloor and the music is a mix of latin-techno and latin pop.

* What would be a possible Day Trip?

• • Masaya Volcano (distance: ~30 minutes; 27kms/16.8mi) In 1979, Masaya became Nicaragua's first National Park, named Masaya Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya). The National Park has an area of 54 km² includes two volcanoes and five craters, as well as a range of elevations between 100 and 630 meters above sea level. It is the only volcano in the western hemisphere where you are able to drive to the rim. In the park is an underground tunnel which was formed by lava flows, one can find bats and look inside and observe the glowing lava in the dark crater mouth of the volcano.

• • Pochomil and Masachapa Beachs (distance: ~1 hour; 58kms/36mi) Only 60 kilometers from Managua you can find Pochomil and Masachapa. The beaches offer a superb sunset as well as restaurants, hotels, and bars. The sandy beach is wide but not often crowded and provides a great spot for practicing beach sports. There are also horses you can rent.

• • City of Granada: (distance: 45 minutes; 45kms/28mi) Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities both economically and politically. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. It was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba on December 8, 1524. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and layout. Granada is commonly nicknamed the Gran Sultana del Gran Lago (Great Sultan of the Great Lake).

** Is the proposed location ready to receive people with disabilities?

* How expensive would that be?

Local Sponsors

* Do you have a list of prospective sponsors that might be interested in the conference? Money, hardware, connectivity, etc.

See Sponsors.

Timing

* When (and why) would be the best time to host DebConf at your location?

We propose the last two weeks of July or the first two weeks of August (or a combination of both). It's on the beginning of the raining season and usually cooler (average 27° C/81° F at daytime).

August 1st. and 10th are local holidays in the capital city Managua (Saint Dominic: Managua Patron Saint Celebrations). It's a bank holiday and many shops are closed. The horse parade passes barely 100 meters away from the venue, and it's a great opportunity to have a taste of a traditional Nicaraguan celebration. See article in ViaNica.com.

* What is your backup plan if your preferred venue isn't available at that time?

We should have made reservations beforehand. The backup venue could be at Hotel Mansión Teodolinda.

Communication

Spoken languages: Spanish, English

• Mailing list: Debconf12-localteam@lists.debconf.org
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See also

ListaDePruebas

PriorityList (used during the decision meeting)