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Is this an aggressive or possible schedule for 8 days?

Hey there all,
I'm a 27 year old male traveling to Colombia next week with my friend, she is 24

We're both laid back people trying to maximize our 8days in Colombia, we know it's short but it's all we've got.
For those of you with experience was wondering if could comment on our plans and whether they are too tight. We'd like to see a lot, but would like it to be enjoyable of course also.

We arrive in Bogota on Saturday 11-July at 6am and want to head directly to San Gil. ( I believe it's a 6 hour bus ride, does anyone know how often or when the buses depart?)

We'll do some activities (water raft, repel, and/or paraglide) and head to Bucaramanga for the evening. (how many activities would be possible in 1 day here before leaving for Buca?)

Day 2 we plan to fly from Buca to Cartagena and spend 2 days there wandering, traveling to Santa Marta for the 2nd evening in Cartagena

Next we'll head into Tayrona National Park for 2 days - we plan on staying in a rented tent there, is Arrecifes the recommended place to do this? (vs. Cabo)

Lastly we'll return to Bogota to close out our 2-3 days left. We'd like to visit Villa de Leyva and/or the salt mine Zipaquira- is it worth it to visit these or is it better to spend all the time in Bogota city?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Thanks!
vb

By vagabond98 on Jul 5, 2009, 21:30 in Travel tips.

geoff71 says on Jul 5, 2009, 21:45:

the only thing i can comment on is bogota. going to the presidents house there is really cool. and the things around it. and also a place there called monserate hopefully i spelled it rite. its a mountain with a church on top. you have to go up it via cable cars.

one day at a time

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juanito_cro says on Jul 6, 2009, 00:40:

The best place for camping in Parque Tayrona is Cabo.
Arrecife is nice place for people who are too lazy to walk some extra 30 minutes.

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nueva york bombero says on Jul 6, 2009, 07:10:

It sounds like you're squeezing too much into a short time.
8 days is barely enough for one place.
You could squeeze the coast into 8 days. 3 or 4 days in Cartagena, then 4 or 5 days in Santa Marta and Tayrona.
Good Luck!

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esanch36 says on Jul 6, 2009, 08:31:

your doing way to much in a short time..focus on one area and really enjoy it.

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bufalo says on Jul 6, 2009, 08:36:

NYB has it right - 8 days to do all that is nuts. I'd hit the coast for 8 days. It isn't Disneyland where you want to hit all the good rides in the morning before everyone else shows up.

For me Bogota sucks ass unless you want to live there and really see it's nooks and crannies. The plaza Bolivar is OK (with Monserrate in the BG). Monserrate may be cool, just never went.

I second the Catherdral being a waste of time. I went and had a good time because it was with family and I was living in Colombia - if I had only 8 days no way in hell would I go there.

"Day 2 we plan to fly from Buca to Cartagena and spend 2 days there wandering, traveling to Santa Marta for the 2nd evening in Cartagena" - WHAT? are you going to end up in Cartagena or SM?

One thing to take in to consideration, you're going to lose MAJOR time in travelling between cities. Even if local flights, how much time is wasted going to, in, out or airports, flight and busses themselves - not even considering if there's a delay or the bus breaks down or whatever.

Me? I'd hit Cartagena and go to the old city and then party for a night. After seeing all the drugged out Israelis with underage prostis for an evening you'll be set to move onto SM by bus. Bum around the beaches, Tayrona, etc, then head back home.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 6, 2009, 10:13:

I agree with several of the comments that you are trying to crowd too much into 8 days. This is not like the states where you can program things efficiently and have a vacation like that. Here you will certainly miss COlombia in spite of being here. If you know what you like to do find a place or maybe two and don't try to do more. Bogota to San Gill is a hard ride, not like a trip in the states. You really won't want to do anything more that day except to sit and chill. I am sure that if you tell us your likes and dislikes many people will give numerous suggestions.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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bufalo says on Jul 6, 2009, 18:19:

I met a lot of backpackers that've done tons of places - I mean the one's that're running all over the place like, bus - sleep - bus to new town, sleep - bus to another town, sleep, - etc.

They never really see anything. One guy went all over south america like that and he didn't really do anything.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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vagabond98 says on Jul 9, 2009, 00:16:

Everyone - thank you for your responses from your experiences. It all makes a lot of sense and I will try to keep it to the Northern Caribbean coast and a few days in Bogota towards the end.

Does anyone suggest Playa Blanca as a place that's worth it? Also is this time of year on the North Coast a touristy one? I'd like to go to nice beaches and secluded private areas if you have any recommendations

Thanks again.

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