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PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post |
THANK YOU to PBH!
Hola PBH--
I've just returned from Medellin and I wanted to say THANK YOU to the PBH community here. Many of the tips in PETER's Medellin travel guide were fantastic.
Although I couldn't get through much of the list during my short visit there (only 4 days), I did want to highlight two:
1) If you're looking for a driver-- I can't imagine doing any better than Alvaro Torres (316-252-2882). He speaks English, is GREAT fun, and knows Medellin inside and out. He's something of a local "fixer" -- someone who can find whatever it is you may be looking for.
2) Guatapé and Peñol were very nice. The walk up the many, many steps to the top of Peñol is worth the effort because the view is fantastic. Also, the drive there, through the beautiful country-side is a real treat. PLUS, Pablo Escobar had a nice farm / finca nearby which is now in ruins (basically) but I dig on places with a dubious history which allow my imagination to see what it must have been like back when...
And, in the spirit of giving back, here are a few small tips of my own:
1) Originally, I booked a room at Hotel Casa Laureles (Calle 35 #78-66). I left after one night. Don't bother. INSTEAD, I'd recommend the hotel DANN BELFORT-- which was unfortunately full when I got there-- but looked beautiful and, for the price, would have been an excellent choice. After a short struggle with the part of my brain that likes to rationalize spending that much money, I landed at the Dann Carleton. Expensive, but for my short visit, worth it. The entire staff was INCREDIBLY helpful, the hotel operator and front desk staff were hyper-competent and spoke excellent English, and they suffered through my bad Spanish as I was practicing it. The morning breakfast buffet was delicious, their gym is modern, and the rooms were very nice.
2) If you find yourself in Medellin on a SUNDAY, and hope to see some music-- well, good luck my friend! Most places are closed. BUT-- we found a fantastic restaurant in Medellin called ALMA LLANERA. This is outdoor, fire-smoked-meat-eater's PARADISE! Several excellent bands played throughout the night and the vibe was really fun, and the food was FANTASTIC... (although not a place for vegetarians-- you'll starve. So sorry.) I don't have the address, but our taxi driver knew where it was.
3) I also checked out Santa Fe de Antioquia-- about 45 minutes outside Medellin. It's a sweet little rural town. Not much to see or do however. But it had a easy, tranquil vibe. The more interesting experiences I had were after leaving Santa Fe de Antioquia-- when heading back to Medellin, about 10 minutes down the road, there was a road-side Chorizo place (on the right). WOW! Now, good Chorizo is abundant in Medellin, but this joint had the added benefit of a beautiful view of the lush countryside hills. Down the road from the Chorizo joint, you may want to take a right down a long dirt road and explore a little pueblo called PALMITAS. They had great coffee there and the people were very kind.
I can't wait to return to Colombia. Only three or four months until my next vacation!
Ciao,
Marco...
By coomar on Feb 27, 2008, 07:17 in Travel tips.
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morphus says on Feb 27, 2008, 07:28: Only 4 days in Medellin? We were just talking about this :)
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RAAAY says on Feb 27, 2008, 07:30: Yeah..........we were just talking about it.................................another backpacker slumming it in The Dann Charlton......... .........Its useless to argue with ignorance 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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rocinante says on Feb 27, 2008, 07:31: Even the money guys blast outta here quick "World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tlextoo says on Feb 27, 2008, 07:48: What I have noticed in reading posts here for a couple of months.......frequented by a clique of pseudo cultural elitists still trying to put themselves above others by putting others down.
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webmanco says on Feb 27, 2008, 07:52: Yes it is about two hours on the "autopista" that goes to Bogotá. ...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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robi666 says on Feb 27, 2008, 10:31: Alma Llanera is in Sabaneta. Great place. "I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present." 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Mononoke28 says on Feb 27, 2008, 10:33: Alma Llanera is in Sabaneta. Here's the address: Diana 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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tomtom33 says on Feb 27, 2008, 12:33: I stayed at the Hotel Casa Laureles about 2 years ago for a week or so. It was a little pricey but very nice. And their restaurant was very good.
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RUV says on Feb 27, 2008, 13:38: It has not gone downhill. I went about four months ago. Then again it could of gone downhill in four months. You can take the bus there. I forgot the hotel where I stayed, it was in the plaza, in downtown. It was really nice, I think the cost was around 40K for two. I think it was San Ferndado or something like that. Lots of other hotels, high priced hotels. Plenty to choice from. We went during the week and it was dead. It was low season and during the week. The hotel prices double during the high season. Still nice and a place you should check out. Nice clear water, boat rides, horse back rides, and some other stuff. The food was really good.
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PALEOLITICO says on Feb 27, 2008, 14:29: Me alegra mucho que se haya divertido en nuestra ciudad. "ALMA LLANERA", "PALMITAS", "GUATAPÉ", "EL PEÑOL", "SANTAFÉ DE ANTIOQUIA" Todas excelentes elecciones. Usted supo bien como disfrutar al máximo esos 4 dias en Medellin. Su guia turistica lo hizo MUY bien!!. "Si tuvieras la fe del tamaño de una semilla de mostaza y le dijeras a esa montaña - Muévete - la montaña se movería" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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webmanco says on Feb 27, 2008, 14:54: What about Rioclaro, La Pintada ...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ... 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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morphus says on Feb 28, 2008, 07:22: I was in La Pintada which is about 4 hours from Medellin. Just when I thought I was in an "undiscovered" part of Colombia, a bunch of backpackers jump off a bus and start taking pictues :)
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