The Perfect Colombian Vacation

scandalous_33 says on Jun 14, 2007, 10:39:

one more thing I should probably mention we are both males age 23 and in good physical health, so nothing is really out of the question.

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

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podborski says on Jun 14, 2007, 11:13:

Just briefly I would say take a bus one way to Medellin perhaps, but fly from then on, flights are pretty reasonable.

Sounds to me like you might be trying to see too much in 3 weeks? But I'm the type who would rather stay in one or 2 spots and get to know the place, rather than rush through.

Things I think are absolute must sees to 'show off' Colombia:

Andres Carne de Res in Chia
Salt cathedral, Zipaquira
La Candelaria
Villa de Leyva

Just off the top of my head.

I really liked Bucaramanga but not sure I would include it in the trip if you wanted to cut down the distances a bit.

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scandalous_33 says on Jun 14, 2007, 11:40:

You're probably right.... I think it is a lot for three weeks too, but its just that I really like those places :) I've got to go to Bucaramanga for at least a few days, I have a ton of family that would be pissed if I didn't stop by. I've been to a salt cathedral before, is that the one outside of Bogota? And its funny, my mom was actually just talking to me about a house she was interested in thats in Villa de Leyva, before yesterday I'd never heard of the place! Thanks for the tips though, I'll definitely look into them. Do you think the buses are not safe, is that why you recommend flying? Just wondering...

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

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robi666 (Trustee board) says on Jun 14, 2007, 11:45:

Why Bquilla? Go to Santa Marta instead.

what we do in life... echoes in eternity.

"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."

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scandalous_33 says on Jun 14, 2007, 12:06:

I did go to Santa Marta the last time I was there, but I haven't been to B'killa yet. They're pretty close together, I guess it wouldn't be a stretch to see them both...


"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

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podborski says on Jun 14, 2007, 15:06:

if you have family in Bucaramanga then you definitely should go there, that will be a good experience for your friend too.

Buses are fine, just SLOW. So many windy roads and up and down hills that it takes forever to get anywhere.

I'd do at least one bus trip for the experience and to see the countryside, but to save time take a flight back maybe.

(Yes the salt cathedral is just outside Bogotá.)

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Gator says on Jun 14, 2007, 20:16:

Personally.... I agree with your itinerary , with the possible exception of Barranquilla is pretty good. BUT, I would absolutely add a trip to the Zona Cafetera and the cities of Armenia and Pereira (which would be a hidden treasure of a couple of travelers your age. Easy reach of both Bogotá and Medellin and, IMHO, is the most beautiful part of Colombia. If you are flying Avianca call them and ask about the Discover Colombia air pass which you buy before departing for Colombia

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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thur says on Jun 15, 2007, 01:30:

True. You could add one leg by plane to save some time. Starting in Bogotá exploring the city and its immediate surroundings, a bus to San Gil + sidetrip to Barichara or directly to Bucaramanga + sidetrip to Girón (you could also fly to Bucaramanga and save a day). Bus to Santa Marta/ Rodadero + sidetrip to Parque Tayrona and/or Taganga. Bus to Cartagena + Isla de Rosario if you wish. Then fly to Medellín to see the city. Bus to Armenia for the coffee region and bus to Bogotá. If some time is left: a weekend sidetrip to Villa de Leyva (if you skipped Barichara, for example).
Tight: yes, worth it: yes, enough: never and you'll start planning your next trip as soon as you get on the plane home.
Greetings,

~ Sights & Sounds ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- pbase.com/thur

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dwmte7 says on Jun 15, 2007, 09:11:

well, young brother... if you land in medellin and don't get the hell out of town and see the area around llano grande, you wasted a trip...both to medellin and to colombia. llano is the best kept secret.

just a lot of wonderful folks, scenery and it's outta medellin...about 45 min. there's a centro comercio just before you get to the confama theme park, 'tutucan' called, 'gualanday'. from there you can branch out and meet lots of interesting folks and learn about colombia as tourists rarely see. a must. there's all kinds of pueblos close by, ie maranilla, el retiro, san antonio, carmen, etc all of which warrant a peek.

i have lots of friends at gualanday--virtually everyone there--and if you say that douglas martin sent you they'll be more than happy to help you in any way possible...up to and including partying with you. if you go around back to the antique shop (shed) you'll meet mauricio, a very old friend and he'll point the way with a smile. also, in the evenings the pizza parlor in front is second to none as a hang out and place to meet folks. the owners, jorge and deborah are again dear, true, old friends and will make your stay worth while.

san antonio on a friday or saturday night (about a mile from gualanday) is a safe, wild place to party with colombia. another must.

if you make it there, say hello to everyone and give them my love.

dw

dwmte

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elmodefoque says on Jun 15, 2007, 09:41:

My perfect vacation, direct flight from JFK to Barranquilla.
Santa Marta and Cartagena are part of Barranquilla, so close you could get there on a bicycle which I plan to do next time.
My last trip, I was offered by Avianca, free flight to anywhere in Colombia.
I said “San Andres” they said “No can do” which I replied “keep your ticket”

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 15, 2007, 09:59:

Snta Marta I agree about Santa Marta. Specifically, given your description, I'd say stay in the little fishing village of Taganga just outside Santa Marta and take some days to explore the Parque Tayrona.

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elmodefoque says on Jun 15, 2007, 10:06:

Wait, now I remember the entire conversation with the Avianca agent.
“Mr. Modefouque, from barranquilla you‘re welcome to a free ticket anywhere in Colombia” agent
I says “fok it! i’ll gotto San Andres”
he said “no can do!”
I says “cartagena”
he said “don’t be stupid”
then I says “Santa Marta!” that’s when he switch to Spanish and told me “no mames gallo” and hanged up.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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scandalous_33 says on Jun 16, 2007, 08:26:

thanks doug I just might do that.

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

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vladimiro says on Jun 16, 2007, 08:38:

Medellin The look, and culture of Medellin is much different than the other locations on your itinerary. There's a dramatic improvement in the scenery in Medellin, too:) I'd recommend Medellin, and a trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia which was the colonial capital of Antioquia and is a much larger and active colonial village than Cartegana.

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scandalous_33 says on Jun 16, 2007, 09:18:

so then its true.... That the scenery in Medellin is far better than anywhere else?

"Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are."

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dwmte7 says on Jun 16, 2007, 18:36:

im sorry i neglected sante fe de antioquia it's a great, tranquil place. it's where they filmed la casa de los dos palmas. the greatest telenovela ever. ended up friends with the villin (cristobal erizuris) it was written by manuel mejia, the uncle of a really close and dear friend. enrique (kike)mejia.

it's as mentioned above, a colonial pueblo and really charming. there's tons of fincas you can stay at on the road into town...take your pick. i can't recommend a hotel in town.

there's one thing that is a must in el parke. it's a statue of a lady holding an ear of corn that has all the trappings of a brass dildo. a definite must see. quite humorous.

there's one other place worth a peek if your a bit of an adventuror; that's an area along the river, north of barbosa. barbosa is about 40 miles north of medellin, above bello.

along this river--on the side opposite the road--are several old spanish gold mines. too, you can see folks panning for gold in the river. i don'[t know how they'ld take to trying your hand at it. just have to feel it out. folks get a bit attached to their gold, si o no?

as mentioned above, cartagena is a bit the boor after a bit. it's dirty and aside from the murallas (walls) and some old buildings, there's not much there. the beach/ocean is dirty and most of the locals are on the hustle. too, the local marcado is one of the funkiest i've seen outside of africa. a real shit hole. like vlad noted above, for a colonial city/pueblo, sante fe is much nicer, cleaner and more amiable.

good luck on your decisions.

dw

dwmte

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griffbos says on Jun 16, 2007, 18:56:

Skip cartagena then santa marts Barranquilla are good, I was checking out the prices to Fly it is price in country compred to buses. I heading to Barranquilla of the 15 and I need to go to Medellin for a few weeks the ticket price is like 330.00 round trip it is like flying from Boston to NYC so it is pricey to me since I can do the Bos,NYC for about 140.0 roundtrip, I am tld the bus ride is about 9 hours Bogota to Medellin, Bogota to Barranquilla is about 22-23 hours long

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Lexxy says on Jun 16, 2007, 18:58:

A few tips One of the best kept secrets of Colombia, if you ask me, is Capurgana. It is absolutly breathtaking. Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Cartagena are nice but have nothing on Capurgana. While in Medellin I can recommend some amazing places to visit, but it depend on what you are looking for. Are you looking for more of a cultural visit with museums and local flavor or are you looking to just have a fun visit and not really worried about that? I agree that Santa Fe de Antioquia is a must and now thet the tunnel has opened it is really close to Medellin.
If you are going to go to the Salt Cathedral I definately reccomend taking the train from Bogota. It's definately an amazing experience. The train stops in Zipaquira and a bus will take you to the salt cathedral. When you are done seeing the cathedral the bus takes you to Cajica where you can have lunch and relax before the train takes you back to Bogota. The train is about 2800 pesos and the bus 1600 I think (around $22 total) so it might be a little expensive but I would say that it is the one and only way to go if you really want an experience for your friend.
El Eje Cafetero is also a great experience. There are agencies that will sell you a 4 day tour for about $200 each (from Medellin). That includes the bus, hotel stay for 3 nights, breakfast and dinner every day, and all the enterence fees to the parks (Panaca, Parque del Cafe, Salento, and the hot springs in Santa Rosa de Cabales). Considering how much you get, it really is a great price.
That's all I can think of for now but let me know if you need any more information about anything.

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dwmte7 says on Jun 18, 2007, 07:30:

lexxy...i'm curious to hear your recommendations... in and around medellin. please elaborate

dwmte

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Lexxy says on Jun 29, 2007, 14:12:

There are a lot of great places to visit here in Medellin. I posted one comment on the old tourism travel guide page but I can't seem to find it now. Are you looking for historical sights, cultural spots, night life (if so then what type of music), good food, people watching? It all depends on what you are looking for. I could fill up a whole page of places I love and great things to do but it depends on what you are looking for. That way I can give you really specific ideas. Medellin is so amazing and if you get a chance to go to Santa Fe de Antioquia it is amazing as well. I look forward to hearing back from you so that I can help in the best way possible.

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