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Bogota - Medellin Current Driving conditions

The roads from Bogota to Medellin are in great shape. There were 6 peajes on the way to Medellin and 5 peajes heading back to Bogota. This is of course, if you are traveling by car. We normally leave early in the morning, right around 5:00am-5:30am. The toll fee ranges from 6100 pesos to 7200 pesos. This is important, as you don’t want to be on the road, while most of the big rigs and haulers are on the road. There are three points of climb on the way to Medellin. One is Bogota-La Mesa, and the other one is thru Honda, and of course, the last one, is when you finally arrive in Antioquia. For those guys, that are not familiar with driving, with ascending and descending drives, it is not for the faint of heart. Unlike the U.S. and I am talking more about driving in Northern California and Southern California mountains, you have to be an offensive driver. It is nice, if the truckers know, how to give their signals, when the curves are starting, and you have a caravan of 5-6 big rigs you are following. Unfortunately, this will only happen approximately 50% of the time. But, make sure, you give them the thumbs up, if you do get the 50% of the drivers, giving you the right to pass, on the curves. Try to stay as close to the trucks, and big rigs on the right hand side, as they will normally be trying to stay within the edges on the curves at the same time. When you finally get to a 2 lane passes on both sides. I would still recommend on staying on the right hand side, as there are jerks out there, that will be over taking and passing, and will be intruding on on the opposite side of the road, on the opposite side. So, be careful, drink your caffeine, and be alert. The roads you will be traversing, will take you to 4 different departments in Colombia. ( Cundinamarca, Tolima, Caldas, and Antioquia )

to be continued............ For more excerpts and information about this event. Please log into:
http://frederickandnataliaslife.blogspot.com/2008/10/driving-from-bogo...

Freddy

By fullpopfreddy on Oct 8, 2008, 10:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

corporalgator (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 8, 2008, 11:48:

I just made the bus trip Bogota to Medellin yesterday. Normal travel time is 9 hours but it took us 11. It was raining most of the way and there was construction in places, otherwise is was just a normal bus trip.

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Cheers Terry says on Oct 8, 2008, 12:16:

Corporalgator, which bus company did you use? How much was the ticket?

Cheers,
Terry

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corporalgator (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 8, 2008, 12:42:

I used Bolivariano. They only stop at designated spots and don´t try to fill up along the roads if they are short on people. Ticket was 51000 pesos, but I hadn´t slept in 2 days and wanted a more comfortable ride, so I paid a bit more to ride with them.

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