travel in colombia

Gator says on Aug 29, 2004, 07:54:

Several Questions?? "...entering Colombia from Panama." I assume you mean by air. There are no roads through the Darien Gap. By boat? I guess you could fly to Puerto Obaldia, Panama, and then go by boat to Turbo, Colombia. Not that safe, IMHO, due to the equipment used. Have never made this trip personally but have US friends said they have-but would not do it again.

The most interesting way and the least expensive is by bus. The big drawback is the time-like Bogotá to Santa Marta(Parque Tayrona) is about 600 mikes(1,000km) and at least 20 hours, Bogotá to Neiva about 6 hours.

Safety, much improved over the past two years but always ask LOCAL advice before making a trip. Travel in Colombia is best done during daylight. I do know you budget situation bur air travel is the way of choice due to distance, time and sometimes road conditions. There is no decent rail or water travel available. I would check on air schedules and costs from Panama City to a central location in Colombia like Medellin, Barranquilla or Bogotá and then plan bus travel, if you have time. You also failed to mention you Spanish language skills.

More questions? Just ask and I am sure someone on the board will have additional directions.

A la orden,

Gator

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

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kathyinberea says on Aug 29, 2004, 09:20:

from Santa Marta to Bogota Sounds like I'll have to fly from Panama to Colombia . . . I haven't picked up any generic guidebooks yet, and I guess I was hoping there'd be some way to travel by boat.

There used to be a train that went from the coast to Bogota . . is it no longer running or is it totally unreliable?

My Spanish is okay . . . I've travelled in Colombia before and have driven south via Neiva, Popayan and Pasto on the way to Ecuador. . . but not for 20+ years!

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Gator says on Aug 29, 2004, 12:50:

No Trains I would forget about train travel, what there is left is freight and some tours like from Bogotá to Nemacon and back (Kinda fun to tell the truth but only on weekends/holidays).

Guide book? Footprint Colombia Handbook; Author: Peter Pollard
is much better than the Lonely Planet, IMHO. With halfway decent Spanish you should have no problems.

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

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mzzmerized says on Aug 29, 2004, 13:10:

South American Handbook The best guidebooks, for my money, are the South American Handbook series...very complete and up-to-date information, supplied by travelers themselves...I couldn't have made it through South America without it!!!

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mzzmerized says on Aug 29, 2004, 13:21:

Travel from Panama to Colombia I did it in reverse, in 1981 I travelled from Turbo to Acandi (Colombian side of border) to Puerto Obaldia in Panama. I had several near-death experiences...that I can laugh about now...it was by a smallish boat, the seas were rough, the captain was drunk, the other passengers were all saying their Santa Maria's...only to get turned back in Puerto Obaldia because my papers weren't in order. (I took a small plane from Acandi to Medellin in order not to have to repeat the horrible sea crossing!) The scenery between Acandi and Puerto Obaldia was absolutely fantastic...but from all reports it is now a hotbed of paras and guerrilla...at that time it was smugglers and guerrilla...please post your comments if you go ahead with the trip!!!

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santarosano7 says on Jan 23, 2005, 12:27:

wow i cant believe it my grandmother is from Neiva and my mom and her 8 sisters used to go there alot and i still have family there and manizales

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goosekirk says on Jan 23, 2005, 17:11:

Agreed on the guidebooks I'm sitting here with both the Lonely Planet and Footprint guidebooks... and the Footprint is consistently better. Sometimes significantly better. Be sure to pick this book up before you come!

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