PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Tayrona / Minca / Santa Marta

Hi,
my colombian wife, myself and our two kids (5 and 2) will be around Santa Marta for two weeks in late february/beginning of March. Who has some travel advice for us?

We all haven't been to Colombia for seven years now (so for the kids, it will be the first time). Last time we went we travelled really backbacker-style and except for almost being robbed in front of Iglesia Egipto in Bogota, we always felt quite safe, but alas, with the kids, I'm not that easy-minded...

Now some questions about Santa Marta and surroundings...

- what is the best place to sleep in the Tayrona parque? Is there something more private than hammocs at the beach but cheaper than those ecohabs? I remember that I liked pueblito very much at that time, but I don't remember how long we walked there.. Is this place reachable with kids? (We didn't make it to Ciudad perdida at that time, and would not dream of trying THAT with our kids... Well, possibly I would but certainly not my wife...)

- anyone knows Minca? Is this a good (safe, quite, natural) place for some days?

- where else to go, to see nature, jungle, meet Kogi people... with our little ones in tow?

- personally, I have been dreaming about seeing Mompox for a while. Do you think that there are some things to do there for kids? How long would it take to get there from Santa Marta?

By hieronymus on Jan 6, 2008, 12:14 in Travel tips.

getting better says on Jan 6, 2008, 15:25:

I suggest the ProAves nature reserve at El Dorado above Minca is the best place to combine with a beach holiday. It is very little known by people on here because it is only marketed to birdwatchers but it is the most fantastic place to stay, very safe, beautiful and hospitable and much cooler than those hot beaches. Ordinary tourists are very welcome and the staff speak English. The views are fantastic. This is my favourite place in Colombia and I am taking my Mum there soon, who is terminally ill because I believe she will like it greatly.
You have to book beforehand, as it gets quite full up sometimes.
See www.ecotours.com.co

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 6, 2008, 23:39:

You should also consider Taganga, some great hostels/hotels there. Enjoy!

Poor but snappy

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hieronymus says on Jan 7, 2008, 01:54:

at getting better: Thank you, I very much appreciate that hint. This is the type of thing I'm looking for. I will contact ProAves to find out prices & availability.

at Peter: Thank you too. We visited Taganga in 2000 and found it so-so. More recently, reports talk about it being quite dirty. We'll probably have a new look on it nevertheless.

Who has more ideas on small, rural places in that area? I mean, we all know the Lonely planet guide, but there must be something more.. Beaches are nice but not essential, a river would do, and easy walks and lots of animals - monkeys, birds.. - would be great.

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JSM says on Jan 7, 2008, 13:49:

The hotel by arrecifes in tayrona seemed nice. we hammocked it but they had little cabins. yeah, you can't swim at arrecifes and have to hoof it to at least la piscina but we also went to cabo at the very end and paid as much as the hammocks in the hotel and the facilities were nowhere near as nice. my bf hiked to pueblito and said it was surprisingly difficult (we had just returned from ciudad perdida) so probably not a great idea for kids.

i didn't think taganga was anything more special than just staying in santa marta.

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manINred says on Jan 7, 2008, 15:38:

There is lots of cheap accomodation in Taganga and Santa Marta, you should have no trouble finding a place upon arrival. If staying in Santa Marta be careful past nightfall in some of the quieter lesser-frequented squares, while a beautiful city, it can be dangerous at times.

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