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Is it OK to drive from Barranquilla to Bucaramanga?

On the map I see there is the Pan American Highway (from Santa Marta to Bucaramanga) but my wife says it takes 10-12 hours to drive. We have bought our air tickets so we will fly this time, but was wondering - isn't this road Ok to drive? - both for safety and drivability? It sucks that the airfares are pretty high t $350+ per person (Bqla to Bucartamanga and back).
Our tickets to Colombia are cheaper than our tickets to go to Bucaramanga and Medellin - all of a sudden I truly feel "Poor But Not So Happy"! jejeje.

By rjstuff on Sep 19, 2009, 10:49 in Friendly Talkzone.

viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 19, 2009, 11:00:

Check www.easyfly.com.co
Just saw a banner there with a promotion BAQ-Bucaramanga for $30.000

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rjstuff says on Sep 19, 2009, 11:11:

Fake advertising - tried it and its false. The rate is $400 on that one.

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marlydog1812 says on Sep 19, 2009, 11:12:

hi I drove this road twice on my moto the last two months. The road is no problem at all. Nice flat ride most of the way very smooth ride. I felt pretty darn safe the whole time, just dont drive at night. The only issue I had was one night I came in from Bogota and it was hell coming in at rush hour.

MD

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curramberochris says on Sep 19, 2009, 12:01:

Plenty of traffic on that road day and night- it takes 10 hours by bus so in car it sould take you about 8. Enjoy!

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 19, 2009, 12:35:

flat road, it should take you about 8 - 9 hours, better on weekends

watch for dead burros on the road around La Mata, Cesar

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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nueva york bombero says on Sep 19, 2009, 13:26:

Is it scenic at all? Anybody got pics??
Any good stops along the way?
Why so much traffic???

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soylocombiano says on Sep 19, 2009, 20:56:

I'm with MD, Did it on moto, but to answer your question, no. It's hot as hell and dusty with all the freakin trucks and buses. There's 2 minutes of scenery with the snow covered peaks, but IMHO isn't worth the trek. I actually had to stop due to darkness at some little crap hole with only one flop house that cost $2 per night. I only did it once on that route, and prefer the Antioquia route to the coast although the freezing hour or so over the mountains me cuesta mucho.

I never saw antyhing worthy of a photo...

Living well is the best revenge

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