Colombian Islands

gorgonabob says on Mar 26, 2006, 18:36:

islands ive been to san andres a few times as well as many other colombian islands..... i like san andres.. i wrote a little report about it... go to this link for colombian travel information

http://blacksheepmedellin.com/colombiantravelinfo.html

there is info about lots of colombian places.. i just had two guys who came back from providencia and could not say enough about the place

kelvin

Pahlke09 says on Mar 27, 2006, 10:43:

Santa Marta I've only heard good things about Santa Marta, maybe thats where i'll go. I definately plan on spending a week or so in Cartagena.

Pahlke

oldbongo says on Mar 27, 2006, 11:14:

pahlke.. the oldgringo can explain.. a little.

providence is uniquely,divinely, backwards.
dey speak english...but you have to listen quick.

the hurricane did blow down rasta house,
... I'm sure on Bills' command.
but the rest of the island is reported green and beautiful.

san andres is ruined.

santa marta is a good colombian experience.
music, food, heat, beach, sun, gold, mona mona mona...

oldbongo says on Mar 27, 2006, 12:23:

easy to get to.... best idea is to take a nice drive on a sunny morning.
first place you hit is rodadero, where the best beach is.
stop there...and day trip.

Pahlke09 says on Mar 27, 2006, 15:39:

Santa Marta The more I research Santa Marta, the better it sounds. Lonely planet makes it sound like paradise thats for sure, and still relatively cheap. Ciudad Perdida is very close, as well as Tayrona. Anyone been to either? I'm very curious about Ciudad Perdida, says its a six day hike, 150$~ US, lost city, sounds amazing?

Pahlke

Atrevido says on Mar 27, 2006, 16:17:

Capurgana For beach, ocean on the Golfo de Uraba right below Panama. There are no cars because there are no roads. I heard of one motorbike in town but never saw it. Beautifull hike on trail over the mountain takes you to Sapsurro, the last Colombian village before Panama. Been there twice. Reccomend you check it out.

adrimm says on Mar 27, 2006, 21:53:

LP has listed Colombia as one of their top-ten destinations and they have a new Colombia guide-book due out in June. That said the LP crowd isn't really the pamper-me Fodors/CondeNast, or even Rick Steves crowd.

FYI There is a general consensus among the backpacker community in Latin America (well among those who have seen other places and ventured into Colombia) that Colombia is one the best places to visit in all of SA. I spoke to quite a few backpackers last time I was there, so it isn't just what one reads on the LP forums (although the sentiment is echoed there too). I don't know what context and expectation most of them enter the country with, but whatever they are seeing once they travel around is impressing them.

I imagine alot of it has to do with other parts of SA becoming increasingly touristy and mainstream.. places that their parents are starting to want to visit too. Relative to these other places, most of Colombia is still rather devoid of travellers or tourists (except for Cartagena, which has been pulling people and cruiseships in for decades, and I guess San Andres, which has numerous package resorts from what I undertand).

I can see how Santa Marta appeals. They've managed to put alot of the tourist stuff (and subsequently the crowds) to the rodadero, so the main town area is less affected by deluges of people than if the resort-area were dead centre. It's cheaper to get to than San Andres, probably has more options than San Andres for stuff to do (since you can go inland or further up the coast), lots of amenities available, the beaches are better than those in Cartagena proper, etc. etc. I'm sure there are better places, but it's a pretty darn good combination of stuff.

kernow62 says on Mar 28, 2006, 06:30:

I think that is what he meant GIB, that it is destroyed (the natural beauty)because of all the tatty buildings etc.

SPECTRASORT says on Mar 28, 2006, 07:54:

TRY Nuqui od Isla Palma I think Admin should pin a Topic about SA as this question seems to pop up every week.

Whereever you go it will not be cheap 70-100 per day All Inclusive.

My advice from a person that has travelled to most beach destinations.

1...Isla Palma(see www.decameron.com) about 70-100 per night all included.
2...Nuqui(see www.elcantil.com or .co) about 65 per night.

Cannot do better then these two places in my mind , some of the Islands around Cartagena are also very nice but private and very expensive.

litost says on Mar 28, 2006, 09:08:

I found Santa Marta itself very disorganized overall, and too touristy around the Rodadero. I think when a lot of people talk about Santa Marta as an ideal place to go and relax among palm trees and clean beaches, they are thinking about Taganga (well, not the main bay but the ones nearby ) and the Parque Tayrona. Those places are awesome... beautiful, authentic, unspoiled, cheap, quiet but with options for nightlife. And then if you're up for some adventure and physical activity, there's the Lost City hike...

Some pics of my trip there at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/litost99

oldbongo says on Mar 28, 2006, 11:10:

sorry, folks.. for the misunderstanding...mea culpa.

san andres is not ruined due to any hurricane,
rather, by migration....unfortunate extended colonialismo.

rodadero is the western suburb of santa marta.
beach...tourists.

carolain11 says on Mar 28, 2006, 14:37:

why don't you try a trip to parque tayrona, from there you can go to islas del rosario, and then the islands in the golfo de morrosquillo? Those are paradisiac places. Or yoiu can go to Nuqui, Bahia malaga, Gorgona and Malpelo in the pacific coast.

mzzmerized says on Mar 28, 2006, 18:18:

San Andres not nice? I have been going to Colombia and San Andres since 1978...of course, in 1978 San Andres was so different than it is now...a true paradise...but I was there a couple of months ago (OK, I did an all-inclusive from Canada but I'm not 22 any more)and it still has fabulous beaches, gorgeous water, friendly people, it is still low-key, a lot of fun, still cheap drugs (did I say that?). PM me and I will give you the name of the residencia I always used to stay at that is still in operation...$5.00 a day...quite basic...I still like it so much I am going back next winter...

Pahlke09 says on Mar 28, 2006, 21:14:

Nuqui or Isla Palma I'm sure there nice places. But basically theres a reason i'm going to Colombia and not Hawaii. I don't really see why i should spend 75-100$ a night for a beach resort when i have the rest of Colombia offering 5-10$ hostels and real people...Santa Marta seems to be the best option as i'm not stuck on an Island, and I have many options in the area. Some have said its a little touristy. I may actually enjoy it a little as I will be alone on my trip, so i wouldn't mind talking to a person or two.

Once again I would like to ask if anyone has ever been to Ciudad Perdida, (the lost city near Santa Marta) As its got me fascinated?

and thanks to everyone who has been offering there opinions and knowledge, it helps!

Pahlke

litost says on Mar 29, 2006, 00:24:

This site doesn't particularly attract the Lost City - type... try the lonely planet forum.

SPECTRASORT says on Mar 29, 2006, 19:33:

65 Per Day a lot.?. For an all inclusive vacation.?. Room and Board and food / Drinks.?.

If your going on vacation enjoy yourself , for 5 bucks a Day you will get nothing and have a miserable time.

Nuqui is a far cry from Hawaii , infact most locals are still tribal , you can whale watch , fish for huge fish , scuba , and just take in the eco environment.

Spectras tip for you.