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Backpackers in Santa Marta

This end of year, I have seen more backpackers than other years in Santa Marta. Is it just my impression? Is this happenning all over Colombia? Is Christmas the time when most backpackers visit Colombia, or when is it?

By viajero123 on Dec 26, 2008, 09:58 in Travel tips.

Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 10:28:

I have been noticing this. It really is the best are in Colombia for that type of traveler. Many more are going to Colombia in general. Every day at work (here in Canada) I meet someone who has been to Colombia. I know many people dont like the idea but I think its great. In a way they do make it harder for the rest of us, playing up the stereotypes but.
Ive met a lot of cool backpackers in Santa Marta and sometimes its really nice to talk to someone about my trials and tribulations of living in Colombia to someone who can understand my background.

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 13:05:

The amount of travelers has been increasing the past years, see also the crazy amount of new hostels in Bogota and Medellin.

Poor but snappy

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santoblas (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 13:15:

I´m seeing more backpackers as well this year...my comparison though is from 4 years ago

http://www.ntua.gr/lurk/making/warprayer.html

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 13:58:

I saw visibly more in Bogota from early 2006 to late 2007.

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gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 18:51:

maybe you're just more on the lookout for it? :)

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 26, 2008, 20:11:

Maybe I´m more alert now than I used to be. But if everyone seems to confirm it, then I think I am right. Is this a busy time of the year, or when is it?

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Cheers Terry says on Dec 27, 2008, 08:53:

Definitely WAY more backpackers everywhere.

Colombia is now firmly on the list of “cool” places to visit and the number of backpackers is skyrocketing compared to only a few years ago. As Peter mentions, simply look at the number of hostels there are now – it’s like there’s a new one opening up almost every week.

That said, it’s still very easy to get off the beaten path and never see another tourist, but that’s not the case in Santa Marta. Since Tananga is only minutes away (Colombia’s only – so far – stereotypical Lonely Planet backpacker hang-out) and the increasingly popular Tayrona National Park is close by it only makes sense that backpackers are becoming a more common sight in Santa Marta.

The gringo trail is fairly well defined in Colombia... expect to see it get exponentially more busy in the near future, including Santa Marta...

Cheers,
Terry

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RogueOne says on Dec 27, 2008, 12:17:

Hmmm....note to self: Stop telling friends and relatives how great a travel destination Colombia has become. Keep those horror stories coming! : )

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bufalo says on Dec 27, 2008, 17:08:

RogueOne,

That's what I've been doing for years....

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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RogueOne says on Dec 28, 2008, 06:38:

This November and last year I visited both Valledupar and Santa Marta. I didn't note the backpackers. But the main 2-lane road to S.M. was being widened to allow more traffic. My sister-in-law had moved to better quarters for her expanding dentist office. The Valledupar airport had expanded. A new Centro Commercial (not sure name) built w/Carrefour and fine shops. Here and there things looked better.

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bufalo says on Dec 29, 2008, 13:47:

"better" is an opinion. Things are sometimes better left alone, ie. less backpackers, less roads, etc.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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