PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Driving from Medellin to Cali...

Hello everyone,

Thinking of heading out to Cali for the first time, and interested in taking my first road-trip. Have some friends from Barranquill and Cali arriving for a little fun. Looking to drive, no bus or airplane, direct to Cali from Medellin with no sightseeing along the way.

Any recommendations on the route, and where I can find a good map/directions?

Any thoughts on the current safety of the route, afternoon-to-evening trip?

About how long might the trip take, driving normal in a car?

First-time Domestic road trip for me, any other suggestions? (yeah, yeah...c'mon with the jokes, smart-ass remarks and slams!)

Thanks in advance!

By bradenmiami on Sep 12, 2007, 13:56 in Travel tips.

njtea5 says on Sep 12, 2007, 14:59:

its about an 8 hour drive I did 2 months ago with my friend i dont know the route but its safe as far as i know but suggest just for safety precautions leave in the moring so you are driving all though the day, that should take away most any of the dangers that might happen..

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bradenmiami says on Sep 12, 2007, 16:14:

Checked out the flights and they are running about 350,000 COP right now...maybe that is the way to go. Thinking with the gas and oil changes, running 16 hours of driving, I am going to spend more than that anyway!

Also mapped it out on MSN...is that "25" the whole way or what is the name of the highway? Its a much straighter shot that I thought!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

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wendell13 says on Sep 12, 2007, 18:43:

Don't forget about the tolls. I have driven Cali to Pereira and I think there were 6 or 7 at about 7000 a pop.

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Gator says on Sep 12, 2007, 19:20:

Just stay on Cali Highway 25 about 450Km(275 miles) through Caldas, Pereira, Cartago, Tuluá, Buga, Palmira then Cali. If you want to avoid Pereira then stay to the right in LaFelisa and go down through Supia, Anserrma and pick up road 25 again at Cerritos. It is route "25" I would drive during the day to take full advantage of this beautiful country side.

Very, very beautiful drive through coffee country on a good safe road. About 7/8 hours. Abount 35 km out of Medellin you will start across Alto de Minas at about 2600 meters. If you want the best San Cocho de Gallina in Colombia swing over to Ginebra just south of Buga. BTW Bug has one of the most famous church in Colombia, El Senor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles). Mrs. Gator and I made the trip for Sunday mass there about every two months when we lived in Cali.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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njtea5 says on Sep 13, 2007, 09:47:

Its literally a 1/2 hour flight way easier and totally worth it.

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Gator says on Sep 13, 2007, 13:26:

BUT he SAID he does NOT want to fly! In additionally, the countryside is not nearly as beautiful from 25.000 feet..

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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la campiña says on Sep 13, 2007, 15:33:

lets face it, there is only one direct route, but I would make an exception and stop at Santa rosa de cabal and experience the hot springs and even san vicente the eco termales,

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bradenmiami says on Jun 1, 2008, 15:35:

Thanks everyone....will be making the trip then hopefully heading up to Barranquilla from there!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

0 funny, 0 helpful.