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I am going to Medellin at the end of May for 2 months! In early June I am going to Cartagena for a week! Can anybody tell me if I have to have some special kind of paperwork to fly within Colombia?

My friend is Colombian and may not be able to afford a flight, I know this has been asked before a couple of years back - but is it any safer to travel by bus from Medellin to Cartagena?

I'm coming from London for the first time and would really love to receive any advice you could give me about anything lol - it would be most welcome!

Some questions I have in mind are : does anyone know how much the cost of living is in Medellin ie. a weeks food shopping - clothes (good pair of jeans etc.)?

By dave1967 on Apr 12, 2007, 10:20 in Friendly Talkzone.

Medellin Travel says on Apr 12, 2007, 10:50:

Travelling by air is by far the safest If you want the safest way to travel then fly. Driving is safest during holiday seasons when the roads are heavily patrolled. Medellin is very cheap compared to London (I am Norwegian and used to live there). Your questions are covered on the website listed below but if you want a pair of jeans go to the Centro Internacional de la Moda in Itagui where you can get a decent pair of jeans (they make them here and the quality is excellent) for GBP 14,-. The malls are far more expensive for the same product. If staying at a youth hostel I recommend Casa Kiwi in El POblado http://www.casakiwi.net/index.html. Rates are from US$7 and up. Food. Shop at Exito where for GBP 15 to 20 you will get excellent food for a week that you can make at the youth hostel or your friends place. (Obviously, if you´re getting beer etc., it´ll cost more) Eating out you can get the menu del dia (a three course daily) for lunch that will cost you from GBP 1.6 and up. (Yes, it´s cheap) I live here at the moment and can tell you that you will be safe and have a wonderful time.

www.medellin-travel-guide.com

www.medellin-travel-guide.com

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Apr 12, 2007, 10:56:

FYI If you have not purchased your Medellin - Cartagena tickets, you might want to purchase them in Colombia or have your friend do it for you. You will normally be charged about twice as much if you purchase them from Europe or the US.

For example, I frequently buy tickets from Bogota to Neiva on Avianca. If I was to purchase them over the phone from the US, the price is about $350. If I buy the same exact ticket in Colombia, it cost about half as much.

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nine inch nails says on Apr 12, 2007, 13:39:

I did a fare check and that is correct. I found the link in Avianca for a RT ticket between MDE and Bogota and the fare was like $76 US but sold out for the date I requested. Much cheaper than going thru Orbitz, Travelocity etc.

The Hedge funds have all gone wild on us!

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cali373 says on Apr 12, 2007, 14:07:

the black sheep hostel in Medellin is also a good place to stay on that level of expense.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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dave1967 says on Apr 17, 2007, 14:32:

Thanks very much guys - this
Thanks very much guys - this site is a godsend to me - as this is my first visit to South America I need all the help I can get and I have so many questions to ask!

Thank you for your help and good wishes Medellin Travel! Would it be ok to contact you personally with any other questions I might have?

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getting better says on Apr 17, 2007, 16:49:

Some thoughts on internal flights When you arrive at check-in and are told the flight has closed because the flight time was moved earlier even though they didnt tell you, argue politely but forcibly
When you arrive at check-in and they tell you that you have no reservation even though you have, scream and shout aggresively until they get a superior along
When you are told a flight is fully booked and you really need to get it, be very polite and meek and just take dont take no for an answer, there are spare seats on that flight you can be sure
When you turn up for a flight and it has been cancelled and there are no flights for a day or two, just be patient and persistent and they will put you up in a nice hotel

http://www.ecotours.com.co

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dave1967 says on Apr 17, 2007, 19:55:

Sounds like you've been
Sounds like you've been there before. lol! Thanks for the tips! I'm very preoccupied with getting my flight from London to Medellin booked at the moment - does anybody know the cheapest airfare from Medellin to Cartagena?

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manu1999 says on Apr 17, 2007, 20:27:

'allo there mate. Blimey, Medellin's a great place, you'll have a nice time there.

Now, accomodation, I'd personally stay at Black Sheep hostal, definitely better than casa kiwi, anyway, these two threads are my reasons, maybe you'll find some interesting info there:

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/22161

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/22143

As for buses, have no fear, it's really cheap to get to Cartagena from Medellin, if quid is a problem, take the bus, my white arse has done it many times, no problemo. it's much cheaper and they are comfy.

Anything else you need to know, don't hesitate to ask.

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