Colombia for the first time!

kentuckygreg2 says on Dec 18, 2007, 07:01:

Try Medellin and Bogota. Cali nope.

Love and happiness!

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Leeroy says on Dec 18, 2007, 07:43:

Hey Mike

"Where should I go?" is quite an open question - what are you into? As other people here will tell you, you have a lot of options. It depends on what you like - heavy (city) nightlife, rainforest, mountains, beaches, outdoor activities, museums?

As for business ventures, quite a few foreigners run businesses successfully here - although (again, as people on this forum will tell you) it is more difficult and complicated here than it would be in many western countries. I know I'm getting repetitive here, but it depends - do you want to open a hostel? Export things? Open a language school?

To get a broad feel for the country, I guess I would recommend seeing and doing a good mixture of things.

1. See Cartagena, and take photos of the old city (like everyone!)
2. If you can make it to the carnival in Barranquilla then do it.
3. Do the trek to the Ciudad Perdida (Tayrona)
4. Go to Leticia to see the rainforest
5. Party hard in Cali, Medellin and Bogota
6. Visit some smaller towns (Villa la Leyva, for example)
7. Sit on a beach in Providencia for a week, listening to reggae and drinking piña coladas.
8. Make a lady-friend or two

Oh - and the more Spanish you know the better!

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tigredelnorte2 says on Dec 18, 2007, 08:13:

Medellin for business

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jorgegdiaz (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 18, 2007, 08:38:

Gator says on Dec 18, 2007, 08:53:

I would suggest, for the first trip, without reservation Cartagena then Bogotá and Medellin. For business Bogotá and Medellin, include the Zona Cafeteria south of Medellin, bus ride through Boyacá to Villa de Lleva,(outside of Bogotá) and take in the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá a short trip out of Bogotá.

Ah, me! So much to see, so little time.

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

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Strobers says on Dec 18, 2007, 11:09:

My first two times I covered all the areas that Gator suggested, with the exception of Villa de Leyva which I visited recently. It's a great starting point. Once you understand the way things are set up geographically and have a better idea of what areas you should avoid, you can expand your travels a bit. I'm at the point now that every time we go, we visit a different place. It'll take a life time though to see everything. There is a lot to see and do there.

"Life is too serious to be taken seriously"

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 18, 2007, 19:58:

Villavicencio is 2.5 hours south of Bogota. Just another option for a day trip from Bogota. But Villavo is known for it's nightlife, so you might want to stay overnight. If your into easy to semi-difficult hiking, I can tell you about where to go for a great day long hike in the mountains.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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tompower says on Dec 19, 2007, 05:58:

Mike it's a great plan you have for doing colombia. I love cartagena and while your there I'll be there so look me up and if you need any help let me know.

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LilaM says on Dec 19, 2007, 08:50:

A couple of places that you have to visit in Bogotá or close by:
Salt Cathedral Zipaquirá
Botanic garden
Gold Museum
Plaza de Bolivar
Guatavita
Villa de Leyva
Parque la Florida (nice for a picnic)
Parque Sopó
La Candelaria Neighborhood

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

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ElGato007 says on Feb 12, 2008, 09:15:

Thanks for all the comment guys.... I have taken my time traveling down through Central America and should be in Cartagena in a week or so now as I am currently in Bocas Del Toro, Panama... Not sure my plan yet but looking forward to it and now just have to find a captain for the trip through the San Blas... Such a hard life!

Thanks Again!

Mike

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