travelling solo in Colombia: looking for tips

edward says on Nov 16, 2004, 12:30:

colombia hello. was in carataghena three and a half months ago and have finally made it as far as popayan....stayed at hotel casa de viena in cartagehna...

ciudad peridida treck was amazing, you can arrange it a miramar hotel in santa marta for 380,000 pesos, 5 nights, 6 days,,,,parque tyrona is a good place to chill out in a hammock for a week or a few days...watch out for the coconuts...

bogota is good fun stay at platypus good place to meet fellow travellers...book in advance.....san augustin and tierradentro were great...horse riding, walking, waterfalls etc etc....casa de francois was good in san augustin....stayed in someones house in tierradentro....you will probably be the only tourist...well I was anyway...no problems for me on buses etc...

coffee region is beautifull....have yet to make it leticia or the mountains but i reckon wherever you go will be great as have yet to be dissapointed with this beautifull country...

any ??? feel free to ask..

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adjustment says on Nov 16, 2004, 13:17:

Sounds like you're bussing the whole trip. Are you traveling by yourself? I do have a few questions, if you don't mind.

So, going to Tierradentro was mellow? How did you arrange to see the site? Find the place to stay? Tour? I really want to go there and San Augustin but a little nervous doing it solo with my terrible Spanish. Plus, I heard mixed things about Tierradentro.

Also, the Coffee Region, how did you get around? I was thinking of doing a tour but not sure how expensive it will be. How did you get around? Was hoping to go there from Bogota. Did you stay there more than a few days?

Thanks for the tips!
Ted

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sydneygirl says on Nov 16, 2004, 13:42:

places around Bogota 3 hrs bus trip from Bogota - Villa De Lavour is so cute a little town where its law that all the people paint their houses white with green trim, the streets are cobbled and its a nice get away for a few days. Theres a big dinosour that you can ride out to on horse back or a star gazing place built a very long time ago that you gaze into a giant pool to see the stars. its cold there but has lots of character and a backpackers and a french bakery owned by a COlombian lady adn her french husband with really yummy treats for breakfast.

In Bogota- the old city "La Cadeleria" the Museums, my favorite is the Gold Museums Contempoary art collection in a gallery opposite the Bogota Libary.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 16, 2004, 13:46:

Sidney girl you mean Villa de Leiva,and go to Raquira very pretty too.Medellin,bogota,pereira,cali and final destination popayan.i did that route and is very pretty specially de eje cafetero.

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adjustment says on Nov 16, 2004, 14:04:

They have it as 'Villa de Leyva' in my guide. Sounds beautiful. So does Raquira. What about Tunja? Any recommendations on places to stay? I've never taken a horse out anywhere. Where do I 'park' them? Excuse me but I was partially raised on the NY subway system.

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Colombia314159 says on Nov 16, 2004, 21:02:

Traveling in Colombia Cartagena and Bogota are relatively safe for travel (though Bogota is a huge city and you really have to be careful!) Check with the locals or someone there regarding where it is safe to go and when). I have also heard Villa de Levya is fine. Don't venture into the mountains or out of any city without getting travel advice. Watch out for unknown taxi drivers, as many are not trustworthy. Read the travel advisories (actually, nevermind on that, if you read them, you'll never go in the first place!)

Maybe the American Embassy can assist (assuming you're from the US). The FARC is definitely around, especially if you drive out of the city, so stay safe! I love Colombia, however, and have been there 4 times. I hope to return soon.

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Chuck says on Nov 16, 2004, 22:03:

Don't forget the jungle... 3 choices...

Amazon - Leticia! Somewhat distant... may be expensive.

Pacific - Nuqui! Search the web for ecotours there, from Medellin

Caribbean - Capurgana My own favorite! Small plane from Medellin

Capurgana is the colombian version of a Caribbean Island... It is not an island but you feel you are in one. You get to know everyone in this carless (no cars at all!) town near the Colombian Panama border.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 16, 2004, 22:06:

edward says on Nov 18, 2004, 07:18:

reply yep am travelling solo but have 3 days alone since I left home 11 months ago. You will always find friends especially if you stay in the main backpackers hostels...just look in any guide for the names and is wise to book ahead in the main cities as they are quite often full...

tierradentro...got a bus from popayan...about 4 hours no problems...just tell them you are going to tierradentro and you get dropped of at a crossroads and you can either hang arond for a colectivo, hitch or walk for 4 kms....there are loads of places to stay near the museums which are at the enterances to the sites (or most of them)....or stay up the road in san andres it is about 15 mins walk to the museums..I stayed with a lovely old lady called Marhta who rents out a couple of rooms and will feed and water you...just ask for abuela martha...the house is 30 metres up from the main shop...if you get stuck ask in the shop she looks after their kid....getting around the site is simple...just follow the paths....

it is understandable to be nervous I was when I arrived...if you go to platypus in bogota you will be sure to hook up with people going to san augustin as loads of people go there and I had no problems getting there....

not sure how crap your spanish is but when I started mine was none existant, hola was about it, but now I can converse without a worry. Lonely planet has a good phrasebook for latin america and helps alot and get a decent dictionary if you have intentions of studying from a book buy it where you are as it is very hard to find good books to learn spanish here...

re buses: I have bussed everywhere mostly at night for the long hauls and have had no problems....but you could do the same and have loads of problems so its your call.

as before any more ?? let me know

suerte

daniel

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litost says on Nov 18, 2004, 15:49:

adjustment, I can help you out on any question regarding the Coffee Region...

I don't think there's a need for a tour, it's pretty easy to get around and there will be plenty of people, it's one of the prefered vacationing areas for colombians in december. I recommend spending a couple of days in Manizales, booking a tour from there to the nearby Parque de los Nevados, going to the town of Santa Rosa de Cabal and its famous thermal baths, visit Pereira for a day or two, going to the town of Salento (go up to the Valle del Cocora), and visiting the Parque Nacional del Cafe in Montenegro, near Armenia.

I will be arriving the first weekend of december in Santa Rosa de Cabal, my hometown, so let me know if you'd like to meet up. If you feel this would be too risky, as some on this board manifest, I'll be glad to just give you some further details from the safe comforting distance of a post or email (robmurillo77 at yahoo.com).

In any case, enjoy!

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litost says on Nov 18, 2004, 15:58:

Another thing, the second week of december will be the Festival de Cine y Video in the colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia, near Medellin. I've heard great things about this sui generis movie festival, in a unique environment and with a really interesting crowd. I'll be going for the first time!

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 18, 2004, 16:08:

FYI http://www.festicineantioquia.com/index.htm

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santarosano7 says on Nov 26, 2004, 15:34:

santa rosa de cabal!!! people say santa rosa de cabal is one of the most safest and peaceful cities ever its BEAUTIFUL lots of hotels and the famous termales please go try Risaralda its wonderful and also i am from santa rosa so if u need any hellp i can hep ya

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