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Help me with a general itinerary

I'm flying into Bogotá in November. That;'s about all I know for sure. Can someone recommend a place to stay there not more than $30 US while I get my wits about me? But a larger concern is a general idea where to go/what to do.

I'm mostly interested in the beach scene since I live in a really cold area and like that laid back kind of atmosphere. I've searched and searched on Lonely Planet and Google, but there's just too much info & I can't get a rough plan worked up. So I;'m looking for a general route, hopefully one that has a bit of adventure to it. My budget en total is $50-$60 US a day. I've got a lot of time for Colombia -- 4-5 months. Thanks for your advice.

By someguy on May 26, 2008, 09:17 in Travel tips.

Peter (Moderator) says on May 26, 2008, 09:21:

If you're into beach scene: head to Taganga. Bogota is party scene, but it's not particularly warm, and it's in the mountains.

Once you're in Taganga, do some diving, hang out, then head to Parque Tayrona for some real beach living.

You have plenty of time of course, so how about this:

- get to Bogota, stay in the Candelaria area.
- talk to other travelers.
- head to the coast via San Gil.
- Do some rafting or stuff in San Gil.
- When you get to the coast, head for Taganga & Tayrona.

You've still only used a few weeks now, so lots of adventures still to be had :) But that's a classic, good start, it'll get you to the beach and you'll be in touch with lotsa travelers for further ideas.

Poor but snappy

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angelcanada says on May 26, 2008, 10:16:

If you live in a cold area then you better of going to Cartagena and Santa Marta, they have beutifull beaches. Don't go to Bogota, is cold a borring...Welcome .

MY NAME IS ANGEL. I AM COLOMBIAN AND LIVED IN CANADA AND THE USA FOR 18 YEARS. I RETURNED TO MEDELLIN AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICES AS INTERPRETER/ ESCORT AND DRIVER. I CAN ALSO HELP IN FINDING SHORT TERM APT. RENTALS.

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rjstuff says on May 26, 2008, 10:24:

I have always enjoyed the beaches in Santa Marta - Playa Blanca, Playa Crystal; also enjoyed Cartagena and the islands around there - but in my experience costs are closer to $100 a day (more likely $180 a day), however, the locals may know of cheaper places. Have Fun

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Jopito says on May 26, 2008, 10:40:

sugestion:

Come to de "eje de cafe" the rural destination nr 1 of Colombia and meet the favorit Colombian people and landscapes ................your budget is no problem at all

go to the website
www.fincahotellacristalina.com

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someguy says on May 26, 2008, 11:20:

Thanks Peter. That'll get me going. Whoa, though.....$100 to $180 a day? I'm in deep you-know-what! That guy in a bum suit panhandling? That's me in 6 months.

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sanandressi says on May 26, 2008, 12:44:

If you like beaches then San Andres Island is where you may want to go. Cartagena's beaches were OK but I would not return there for the beaches. Santa Marta supposedly has good beaches but I have heard San Andres is the best but San Andres is true Western Caribbean.

This Tyrona looks promising...but I don't know it.

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Alma del Norte says on May 26, 2008, 14:43:

Someguy - IMHO to spend $100-180 a day you would have to be living it up big time. I don't know how to spend that kind of money on a consistent basis on the Costa Caribe. OK, some of the costs in the park will be higher than say in Taganga. But as an example, you will pay about $10-12 for your own room in Hostal Moramar and $60-80 will get you a room on the beach at Ballena Azul.

La vida es una rutina

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dwmte7 says on May 27, 2008, 08:20:

there's a place in bogota--yich--that's cheap to stay and owned by a gringo; i forget his name and the direction...the name of the place (was) 'tomo de agua'....maybe a mile from the takendama. ask around. it's safe enough, the area basically sucked but most of bogota sucks. but for $18.00 a night, what do you want. i ran into a few other foreigners there.

dwmte

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b bruce says on May 27, 2008, 12:37:

Get yourself a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide Colombia. I used it for my first trip of many to Santa Marta. There are many nice clean and very inexpensive places to stay in Santa Marta. Plus, the people on the Caribbean coast are very friendly and always helpful.

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Alma del Norte says on May 27, 2008, 13:03:

I'd say the LP is the last guide to Colombia one should buy. Better off with Footprint, especially for 5 months.

La vida es una rutina

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ColombianoGringo says on May 27, 2008, 14:47:

Hey jopito.

Leave a message for MitchAlvarez and Paleolitico. Neither of those two Paisas had ever heard the word "jopito". I was making a comment about "jopitos" on Colombianas and they acted like I was speaking Chinese. Ha Ha.

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Jopito says on May 28, 2008, 19:21:

Jopito is only a nickname for my Colombian Friends in the neigbourhoud

and who is Ma and Paleolitico ?

regards

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