My trip ...opinions?

bufalo says on May 4, 2006, 11:43:

I speak to people on a daily basis who take a boat from Iquitos to Leticia (where I am now). Not speaking spanish isn't a problem at all. I don't know about all, but I met one guy today who showed up and is buying a ticket to go tomorrow, so that doesn't seem to be a problem. Personally, I liked the beaches around Santa Marta better. But I also had tons of friends in El Rodadero and left that area very few times. The beaches I went to in Cartagena sucked in comparison, but there is a lot more night life.

"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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costajunkie says on May 4, 2006, 12:19:

Can't tell you about the boat But I can tell you that my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Leticia. The area has boomed lately, especially with it being in a place where Colombia, Peru, and Brazil meet. The pros are the nature reserves, an area where you can you can take in the flora and fauna of the Amazon. The cons: well, the town is not the prettiest. Many operators offer tours. My wife and I bought a air/hotel/tours package through AeroRepublica.

Cartagena: in short, you go for the history and architecture, but not for the beaches. As far as beaches go they are pretty ugly.

Bufalo's suggestion though is a great one. I actually prefer Santa Marta, el Rodeadero area, for the combination of beaches, hotels and nightlife. Cartagena is huge; el Rodeadero is small and manageable by foot. This is where colombianos come to have fun and vacation. Even at 3:00 A.M., you will see informal/amateur vallenato bands playing on the beach. People will flatten and smooth out a rectangular area in the sand so that they can dance.

My opinion, go to Cartagena if you have never been. However, if beaches and relaxation are the guiding factor, then make it Santa Marta.

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bickerss says on May 5, 2006, 11:50:

Dude i came to Leticia by boat as well. No proeblems with not speakign much spanish and I had no tickets booked etc. I stayed in a hostel (no problems with a rooms) and booked a ticket to Bogota when i was there. I think you have to go via Bogota to get to Cartagena.

When you arrive by boat, you have to go to the airport DAS office to get your stamp, the one in town does not stamp them anymore. you can walk there (i did) but it is a bit of a hike. Ask for more than the usual 30 days. I asked for 60 days which they granted me, and kicked myself for not asking for 60. This oculd save u a long afternoon reknewing your visa at the ever effective DAS office if u stay longer than 1 month.

Beaches in Cartagena are crap but u can catch an easy boa to nice ones. Why not do both Cartagena and Santa Marta. They are only 4 hrs apart by bus. For the first time in Cart i stayed in the old city, but the others I stayed in Bocogrande, which I personally prefer.

If you want awsome beaches, then stay in Taganga near to Santa Marta (recommend casa de felipe). Boats here can take you to other isolated beaches, then as a must see, go to Parke Tayrona either solo or with a hostel group. The beaches here are spectacular, with the rainforest coming down to the beach. I think i have a photo or two of this in this page if u want to see the beach.

Have a good trip.

regards

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bufalo says on May 5, 2006, 12:38:

bickerss, if you have time, please fill out my Leticia survey if possible, thanks and next time your this way, if we are up and running, stop by.

"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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bickerss says on May 7, 2006, 10:08:

I filled it out already. Regards

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dwmte says on May 8, 2006, 12:24:

adamin... can't tell you a thing about santa marta, but personally, i wouldn't go to cartagena for beaches. they're dirty, overcrowded and hustlers abound. go for the old city and like the poster said above, the architecture.

enjoy your trip.

dw

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