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Best way transport from Barranquilla to Cartagena

Hello group.... I am heading to Barranquilla next week and will be staying first night in the Dann Carlton hotel before heading out to Cartagena for a week with my fiance. I have been advised about the bus travel and the frequent stops by the police for paperwork checks... but I have to wonder if the taxi route is really an alternative.
Replies appreciated!

Terry2

By Terry2 on Nov 2, 2006, 20:34 in Friendly Talkzone.

expatriate says on Nov 3, 2006, 03:53:

Private transport car It's not that far, so the bus is OK. There is also a car service that drives directly between the cities. You share with other passengers, and enjoy the air conditioning. Check the yellow pages or the bus station.

Being pulled over for a quick inspection may or may not happen. It's up to the whim of the uniformed men standing there. Our car was pulled over only once for a few minutes between Santa Marta and Cartagena. They wanted to inspect the luggage tied to the roof, but my wife convinced him that it was only dirty clothing, which it was, so we got to leave pretty quickly.

You better take care of me Lord, if you don't you're gonna have me on your hands.

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 3, 2006, 04:11:

Invertours is door to door between your hotels and costs about 25k. There will probably be a few other passengers sharing the car or van.

"this may seem a strange post but it is not...when in colombia men need to be aware that colombia women may try to be seductive and entice a travelling gringo to have sex with them..to be forewarned is to be forearmed..." -- pow wow

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casey says on Nov 3, 2006, 07:18:

Taxi is much better and confortable Bus is Ok but take around 2 to 3 hours. Taxi just take you a hour and a half. If you take the Via al mar is there two stops stops by the police for vehicle paperwork checks. Bus price in la Costeña US 7 to 9 dollars(18.000 pesos), taxi price US 12 dollars (25.000 pesos) per person.

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toneloc24 says on Nov 3, 2006, 07:30:

Quick bus story Tried to do a beach trip from BAQ to CTG and back. For some crazy reason, we decided to try the bus. Got to the BAQ bus station around 11:00. Bought our tickets, but were informed that the next Brasil express bus leaves at 12:10. So we wait, finally pull off at 12:30 or so. Arrive in CTG at.....3:30 pm. Might have been the exception, but never again. I think it might have cost COP10.000 per person.

Took Marsol private van service back to BAQ. COP17.000 each way. Picked up from Hotel Caribe in Bocagrande, dropped off in front of my hotel. Shared ride with 6-8 other people. Not a problem for me.

Have also previously used Inventours. A professional operation. Shared ride with 5-6 other people. COP25.000 each way.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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