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Bussing from Bogota to Cartagena - advice wanted

Hey all
We´re a couple traveling through central and south america together and looking for a few pointers.
We spent 5 weeks in Costa Rica and have been in Colombia now for about 2 weeks here in Bogota with Kristi´s (XT) family. We´re spending the holidays here but looking to shoot up to Cartagena for a few days before we leave at the end of January to catch Machu Pichu before the trail closes in February.

This is my (Justin aka- Justo) 1st time in Colombia and my girlfriends third or so. But neither of us have been to Cartagena and have heard amazing things from people here and who took the boat from there to Panama.

We have gotten info on the city from friends and family here but as far as the bussing is concerned, all we have gotten is that it is long--24 hours or so.

HAS ANYONE TAKEN THIS TRIP???

Would love advice from those who know. The round trip plane ticket is a bit pricey for us, but we are thinknig of bussing up and flying back. Money is tight as we have till April traveling through South America.

Thanks,
Justo and XT

By JustoXT on Dec 31, 2007, 10:15 in Travel tips.

Gator says on Dec 31, 2007, 10:45:

Route will be through Bucamaranga, or Medellin it is a longgggggggggggggggg trip though scenic in the daytime-more so through Bucamaranga,

If you have the time no problem with the bus-just take a large express bus It will take about 20 hours. Cost should be about $50 USD. Did this ONCE a few years ago but not again just too long.

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

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thur says on Dec 31, 2007, 11:24:

It's long... if you have the time I would recommend breaking it up and at the same time grab the chance to explore Medellín for a day or so. You've come this far, so it would be a waste to spent the entire trip in a bus (at night), IMHO.
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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JustoXT says on Jan 2, 2008, 11:41:

Thanks for the advice.
Anyone else have any pointers or advice about the SAFETY OF THE TRIP?
We´re thinking this time of year will be even safer due to all the vacationers traveling as well. Although she is part Colombian we BOTH LOOK LIKE GRINGOS...

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travelingirl says on Jan 2, 2008, 22:27:

Do you speak Spanish? It is probably best if others only hear you speak Spanish instead of English but I guess that isn't always possible. Hopefully you'll at least be able to understand what people around you are talking about. This is especially good for cab rides. I just reread your post and see you've already been in Bogota for a while so you probably already know the main things to look out for. I haven't personally been on a bus trip from Bogota to Cartagena but I'd make sure that your valuables (money, credit cards) are always with you and safely secured for when you fall asleep.

Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon...

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bickerss says on Jan 5, 2008, 23:47:

Its fine generally. Recommend you break the trip in San Gil or bucamungara and then Santa Marta. San Gil is an adventure sports area of colombia and there is an aussie there who ownes a backpackers (macondo). You can go rafting etc and there is a cool colonial town nearby which you can do in an arvo called Barichara. Bucamungara is only two hrs away but is wrth it to see Giron. A hotel here was 25,000 pesos from the LP guide (own rooms, a/c - TV hot water).

Santa Marta is great and I recommend a stay at Casa de felipe in Taganga (5 k\m away). A day visit (or longer ) to Park Tayrona is a great trip. From here only 4 hrs to Cartagena. You can take a upmarket minivan taxi or the local bus.

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