Bus from Cali to Popayan & Cali to Buenaventura

thur says on Mar 2, 2007, 00:18:

Popayán. For the record; I didn't do the bus journey to Popayán, due to lack of time. However, everyone around me (friends in Cali/ Popayán) said it would be ok to go from Cali to Popayán _and_ that it could be done as a day trip (leaving Cali very early in the morning and coming back later in the afternoon).
I've no info on Buenaventura though, but it "seems" ok as there are several bus services a day in that direction.
Greetings,

~ UPDATE ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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matt32 says on Mar 3, 2007, 09:11:

Cali to Popayan Without stats it is impossible to say how safe it is, but I can say I have taken the bus between cali and popayan several times with no problem and feel comfortable doing it again, in fact I will probably be doing it again in a few weeks. The scariest part for me was their driving!

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Gator says on Mar 5, 2007, 18:59:

Confine Your Travel...

to day light travel-route to Cali/Popyan very scenic. Avoid Easter week as it is packed.


Buenaventura, is not by any stretch the most dangerous city in Colombia or even close to it. BUT the road is dangerous as hell. Loaded with big and I mean big trucks hauling from the port inland. City it's self is a typical port city and is not at all scenic and hot as hell. DO NOT make the trip at night and avoid Sunday when people are returning from the weekend.


"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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

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KyleHanky says on Mar 7, 2007, 09:37:

Buenaventura, as I stated, is one of the most violent cities in the country. It may be not most unsafe for tourists, but its murder rate, about 121 of every 1000, is only comparable, as the Colombian press points out, to the most violent days of Medellin and Cali. Saravena in Arauca used to have the most violent city tag, but I don't know if it still does. But thank you for the heads up on the road out there. I should have thought of all the shipping trucks coming through, good call and good info.

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El Santo says on Jul 24, 2007, 22:21:

A bus trip (!) from Cali to Buenaventura or vice versa could be an excited experience but I would
recommend "collectivo", somewhat more comfortable way to travel but more expensive too. It is
very long time I have been around those places but I guess the transportation works as before...
Good luck!

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LA_MONA says on Jul 25, 2007, 11:31:

That brought back memories of going by car Cali-Buenaventura it was terrifying! All the swerving and close shaves with oncoming traffic, I just opted to close my eyes or look to the side....I didn't percieve Buenaventura to be dangerous at the time, mind you I was with about 30 colombians on the way to ladrilleros...

Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin

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vicshere says on Jul 25, 2007, 11:44:

I would stay away from Buenaventura all together...the past few months have been very unsafe for Colombians let alone tourist....I believe there is some kind of turf war going on down there.....I was there at Christmas last year for a whole 2 hours...didn't like it...didn't like the people....very dirty and very hot.....no beaches to visit...the only beaches to see have to be taken by boat...all the boats are controlled by a mafia...and charge 75,000 per head for a round trip...the same boat trip in Santa Marta is 5,000 per head for round trip.....I felt like everyone was after your money....and I am not say gringo money...my wife and sister in law did all the talking at the hotels I stayed out of site.....wanted 120,000 per night ...no thanks and I left

listo

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manINred says on Jul 25, 2007, 13:49:

Cali to Popayan is not far, only about 3 hours or less, maybe more depending on traffic. It is a nice journey. I would personally do it by day, but by night you should be fine too.

It is the Pasto-Popayan route that you definitely want to do by day, make sure of it, it is unsafe at night. Since this route is also very scenic and beautiful, doing it by day is also fairly enjoyable.

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gordonhenderson says on Aug 5, 2007, 16:17:

I lived a year in Buenaventura..witnessed two assinations ...seem the remains of bodies after explosions, I have know doubt that this Town has so many problems that anyone who has contact there will advise you not to go. It is quite at the moment apart from the usual drug dealers assinations. If you are hell bent on going, take a collectivo from Cali terminal(not a bus) the Metro will cost you 14500 pesos , cars up to 21,000 pesos. From the terminal in Buenaventura take a taxi to the Parque (3,000 pesos) this is on the sea front. There are several hotels there , a good one is Titanic, room with ac costs 39,000 pesos. These Hotels at the sea front are secure with Army and police everywhere.Do not stay anywhere else. At night you can wander around the block safely, NOT DO wander anywhere else or the chances are you will be mugged and being mugged is a death sentence as they do not want witnesses. They are some great boat trips from there and the locals in general are polite and good humoured. Having said that , do not trust anyone!!! Sorry about being negative, but those are the facts!

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mermaid says on May 16, 2008, 09:55:

I've done the Cali- Popayan drive a few times. It only takes around 3 hours- heaps to do in and around Popayan...i wouldn't recommend it as a day trip from Cali....safe drive, good road..

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