Sincelejo

Mr. Hollywood says on May 22, 2007, 10:09:

My understanding is that they're paramilitary strongholds, not farclandia. Utopiacowboy has been to both, I believe, and has relatives there. Maybe he'll come out of disguise and comment.

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slehmann says on May 22, 2007, 10:35:

Drove through both Monteria and Sincelejo two weeks ago by ourselves in a rented car. We're both very obvious gringos and had no problems at all. I asked some of the locals and soldiers about the paras, and nobody seemed too concerned.

Sean Lehmann

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Aji1 says on May 22, 2007, 13:00:

Been There I passed through Sincelejo at 4 in the morning. The bus was stopped at a check point on the edge of town, all the men were "invited" to de-board the bus. Everyone was patted down and checked out, except me. I became virtually invisible to them after they saw my little blue passport. I did not even open it up. I can't tell you much about the town other than it was still hot and humid at four in the morning. They were looking for people transporting various "stuff". Then I joined my family on the bus and we continued on to Barranquilla.

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wollersheim says on May 22, 2007, 14:59:

stayed overnight in both cities A few months ago Nancy and I overnighted in Sincelejo on our way from Mompos to Tolu and had a great time as it was Friday night and the beginning of thier annual birthday celebrations. We got to see a Cabalgata (sp), 2500 horses and riders parading through the streets of Sincelejo. A spectacular sight and for 1 hour and 30 minutes they kept coming and coming and coming. A bit more rowdy at the end of the parade than the beginning as the beer and other types of alcohol flowed freely. And the continuing celebration in the park long outlasted us. As to saftey, it was just not an issue. We felt and were perfectly safe at all times.

About a week later we overnighted in Monteria, just to break the trip from Tolu to Medellin. No big celebrations but a most wondeful bus driver who made sure we got our tickets for the next day to Medellin and then took us by the hand and showed us a hotel that was just a few blocks away from the bus station. Once again, saftey was not really an issue.

Enjoy you time in Colombia. It is such a wonderful country to travel in.

Ron Wollersheim

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mapangpang says on May 22, 2007, 15:01:

Also been there many times I have been there many times, last time a view months ago.

See some pictures of Monteria here: http://www.mapangpang.nl/photos.html

Go to the Colombia Section and look for Monteria

Sincelejo is OK, its about a two hours from Cartagena.
And a nother 2 or 3 hours ride to Monteria.

Monteria is also OK.

Like a year ago the road between monteria and Cartagena closed about 19:00 PM. Closing the road is like there is no police or military present to protect the road. They will stop you at there checkpoint to talk you out of your journey, If you exist passing trough, the are likely to let you pass on your own risk. As at night they cannot give any kind of protection. The last time they told me the road is now open again 24/7. This mean its safer now.

The problems there are not in the city's its rural Cordoba the bush bush where the problems are.

Alvaro has a finca there, He likes Monteria a lot and also builded a bridge and now is inviting a lot of country's to invest in the harbour.

It is a 6 hour bus ride from Cartagena to Monteria.

In my eyes Monteria is a much safer place then Cartagena. I'm not talking about politics. I mean... like when I was in Cartagena some never boy's from the hood always go rob someone carrying guns and knifes. And no shit a view hours later the all come back with money???

We had a restaurant in Cartagena, almost every week someone was trying top rob us. They robbed a never and the man just sot his 38 empty on the bandit. last time there was a football thing as we lived close there. some guys where robbing a man, to bad this was a police man he also shot his gun empty on them. they cannot tel now as there very dead.

I was in a big supermarket and some young guy stole something there. As you know there is a vigilante controlling all the exits you have to show your payment slip. So they got this guy, calling the police?
Hell no!! for what?

They just shaved all his hair off and stamped some inkt stamps on his head and face. put him in a truck and make tour in cartagena so everybody can see he is a thief.

Ok in my eyes Monteria is much safer as I never saw things like this.

My tips:
If you go off the beaten track to monteria and Sincelejo do not go via Cartagena. Cartagena has a tourist tax. thats why a plane ticket is much more expensive. Start in Monteria and then go to Cartagena if you like. Use only and only Brasilia as a bus Company as If i may believe, Brasilia is paying plata to the bad guys and the never rob a bus of Brasilia.

The food is excelent in Monteria and carne as the best cow meat comes from Cordoba, try the fish. In the center center of Monteria walk with your hands in your pockets! Please do not laugh, it works fine for me. Nobody has ever pickpocket me while walking with my hands in my pocket.

Is it safe?
YES it is!
(safe is what they call safe in colombia if you know what i mean)

Is it cheap?
Yes it is!
exception for Cartagena where you have to show your cedula to pay the normal fee in a bar or what ever.

How much for a hotel in Monteria?
I have paid like 15.000 two persons a day, private bath and toilet. Fan and television.

Hope this info will help you out a bit.


Mapangpang.nl - alamedadesanjose.emea.nl

Mapangpang.nl - Furnished rooms

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RJQuilla says on May 24, 2007, 15:37:

Well Dude I am so that is the reason I asked. I have been to Barranquilla and Santa Marta only and this is far from both.

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elreydelostrolls says on May 24, 2007, 19:20:

Monteria is the capital city of Paracolombia, a land ruled by the AUC and safe for gringos, cocaine dealers, and Mafia princesses. If you have any opinions that could be described as liberal, keep them to yourself.

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