best method of travel between medellin, pereira, ibague

RUV says on Nov 16, 2007, 11:07:

I took the bus from the Medellin to Manizales. I used Empresa Arauca. Cost was 27,000. Here are Empresa Arauca numbers: (In Medellin you need to use Terminal Sur)

Manizales: 8847081 8846695 8848429
Medellin: 3611577 3611727
Cali: 6613725 6689881
SantaFe De Bogota: 2950471 2634107

Here are some suggestions:
1) I think someone on PBH suggested taking a mini bus. Save some time.
2) I got on the 2 PM bus. It was really dark when I got into Manizales. Trip was around 5-6 hours. Pereira, I think is another 1 hour or two.
3) Make sure you use the bathroom before you get on. I had to take a serious piss towards the end.
4) Do not take this trip if you have a hang over. The twist and turns will really get to you. I almost puked.
5) Take some thing to eat and drink. This is a long ride.
6) Landscape is really nice.

There was only 4 of us on the bus. So it was nice to just take a nap. I got allot of info on the bus travel by doing a search. Type in Pereira in the google search.

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ColombianoGringo says on Nov 16, 2007, 11:11:

Thats a pretty long jaunt. I would go by plane. Aires and EasyFly have some pretty good deals going now.


http://www.aires.com.co

http://www.easyfly.com.co/

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viajero says on Nov 16, 2007, 11:35:

Bus rides are not so bad as people say. I have taken buses all over colombia, even as long as 18 hours trip one way. They are comfortable and you get to see nice view of this country in the day time. Take the night bus if you are planning on being on the bus for 10 hours. You sleep and when you wake up, you are there.
Viajero

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durito says on Nov 16, 2007, 13:29:

The buses are fine. It's about 6-8 hours from Medellin to Pereira depending on how long you have to stop for construction (they've been working on the road each time I've made this trip this year). It's a nice trip. There are buses just about every hour from the terminal Sur in Medellin and the terminal in Pereira.

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Gator says on Nov 16, 2007, 13:34:

I also like the bus, especially for that distance-IMHO you would not save that much time if you factor in the hassle at the airports.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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lpdiver says on Nov 16, 2007, 15:41:

I thouroughly enjoyed my trips to Pereira from Medellin. I enjoy travelling in the van (buses) for getting to know people. The big honking buses are less personal and lots more comfortable.

t

"cook some rice!"

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la campiña says on Nov 16, 2007, 16:55:

depends on how much money you have

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RonDubya says on Nov 16, 2007, 17:50:

I have traveled from Pereira to Medellín (and back) twice. It was 5 and a half to six hours. I recommend Flota Occidental - their big buses are Mercedes, very comfortable, and have a toilet (not easy to use what with all the curves - but if you gotta go it's there!).

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

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la campiña says on Nov 16, 2007, 18:03:

Bolivariano is my prefered bus company because when you enter the office the sign on the wall says " no accidents and no deaths ha"

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gogopher says on Nov 16, 2007, 19:40:

Thanks everyone, good stuff.

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RUV says on Nov 16, 2007, 23:07:

La Campina,

I will confirm that tomorrow. There is a chart at the bus terminal that displays all the deaths that occured for each bus line.

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la campiña says on Nov 16, 2007, 23:28:

thanks for thinking of me but that chart and all the charts in the terminal have some kind of reverse effect, why show the stats if your safe, realy, all the bus companies are safe, for me, I have a little bit more money so I choose Boli, even so when your looking down the great expanse and it realy feels like death is only a heart beat away but the view is staggering what the hell, live life

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RUV says on Nov 17, 2007, 05:12:

Actually I was not to worried. I think the numbers mentioned on the charts are for the year and the most any bus line had was 3.

I will look into Boli on my way back.

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Beckenham says on Nov 17, 2007, 15:16:

I travelled from Pereira to Medellin on Occidental buses a couple of weeks ago. It took about 6 hours and was fine. Nice scenery, cheap and generally a pleasant trip.

I'd definitely recommend the bus and Occidental for that leg. We could have flown but I'm glad we didn't.

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Beckenham says on Nov 17, 2007, 15:17:

The driver did try and overtake on bends on a few occasions though!

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miamimike says on Nov 17, 2007, 23:21:

Me, I'd hop on Elmo's Burra,, a ride by day as well as in the night ,,,LOL

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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christobeldawg says on Nov 17, 2007, 23:27:

The bus drivers, compared to in the US, seem to often take extreme risks in passing other vehicles.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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billyb says on Nov 17, 2007, 23:30:

Oh yeah.

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