Trip to Manizales

MacGringo says on Aug 28, 2005, 12:46:

I will be spending two weeks in Manizales in Dec/Jan.
It would be good if you can let me know what you think of Manizales after you return.
I don't know anything about altitude problems though.

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kernow62 says on Aug 28, 2005, 13:31:

It depends entirely on each individual. For example my father-in-law is from Bogotá, but after being away for just a couple of years felt a bit of altitude sickness upon his return. On the other hand I have never been much above 800 feet in my life and on my first visit to Bogotá I felt absolutely no ill-effects. We walked several miles at a brisk pace the first day and I was surprisingly not winded, the second day we went up almost 2000 more feet with no noticable effect.

I do not drink or smoke, I am not sure if this makes any difference. I did notice that I sunburn even in Bogotá because of the thin air and the fact that I am British! So if you are fair of complexion use some lip balm and sunscreen.

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cachacogringo says on Aug 28, 2005, 13:49:

high times I live in Tampa 19 feet above sea level and the first time i visited Bogota 9700 feet above the sea, my nose bled alot ,four times a day though minor i went to doctor because i was scared it was cancer or something ... i was out of breath while making woopie alot ,,, and walking up stairs was tiring , but on my third or forth trip there i was adjusted.. dont take asperine if you dont need to and always carry napkins in case your a bleeder too but most of all, "have FUN"

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2retirensa says on Aug 28, 2005, 13:58:

Google this site There are several discussions, including this one:

www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/11915

I don't think Manizales is to much higher than Armenia and that is no problem. Bogota would concern me a little, but other than there, I can't see a problem unless you have underlying heart/respiratory problems (if you did your therapist/Dr. would have already told you).
Maureen

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Lisa says on Aug 28, 2005, 19:49:

Altitude Problems Hi!
I went from the San Fancisco, CA area to Bogota about a month ago. I am now here in Bogota teaching and will be here for 2 years.
I experienced the same altitude difficulties here that I have experienced when I have gone to Denver, Colorado (5280 above sea level). For me, I was short of breath in activities that I could usually do very easily and I had a horrible headache for about 3 to 4 days.
I agree that it really depends on the individual. My problems stopped quite quickly, but some of the others that arrived at the same time as me are still experiencing difficulty.
Of course, Bogota does have much more pollution than I would figure Manizales does. One trip down Septima and any normal human being SHOULD be very sick :)

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Atrevido says on Aug 28, 2005, 20:13:

Why don't you stay at the Hotel Tama Internacional tel: 8842124/7711 right next to the cathedral and main plaza in the middle of town. It's close to everthing and costs less than $20 US a night (yes has hot water and phone in room). Rarely do people suffer altitude sickness (soroche) below ten thousand feet. Flying in to Manizales is a beautifull trip I think a half an hour from Bogota. I met a woman at that little airport in 1996 and have been back several times since. There is a nice ecological park on the edge of town and further out los termales de Santa Rosa? Don't remember the name exactly but a great destination with a novia. And of course there's the trip up to Nevado De Ruiz where at sixteen thousand feet most people DO suffer soroche.

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Colombiche says on Aug 29, 2005, 07:22:

Manizales is at 2150 mts Much lesser elevation than Bogota, so you shouldn't have any problems. I personally don't have any problems with the elevation in Bogota when I visit (I live at 100 mts above sea level). The only time I actually feel anything is when I am climbing stairs or something of the sort. Other than that, Bogota's altitude doesn't affect me.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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tomtom33 says on Aug 29, 2005, 07:29:

Manizales I had no problems there. I did have problems the previous two days when I stayed in a finca well above Guarne which is near Medellin's Rio Negro airport.

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williamschwind says on Aug 29, 2005, 12:39:

Manizales I live in St Petersburg, FL and had a terrible time in Colorado and will not go back there so I was worried on my first trip there. I smoke, although I bought the patch yesterday and am trying to quit. I'm 50. but I have been there 7 times in the last 4 months and I love it. I am selling my house and moving there in November. I am engaged and am starting a new biz selling real estate and working with the numerous marriage agencies down there to create a lifestyle for men who are sick of american women and want a wonderful woman and a beautiful house for a lot less than you'd think. I have had no problems with the altitude or with security.

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nanis says on Aug 30, 2005, 10:01:

i went to manizales and bogota last May while i was in colombia and let me tell you something! that was my first time to manizales and walking up and down those deep hills was really tiring i went shopping to the city center and i never get tired while i'm shopping so you can imagine how fustrated i felt when i couldn't walk up the hills no more and to add to that i was wearing my high heel boots my legs were shaking and i had to get a taxi back to my hotel! my husband had a real laugh at my expense.... how do those women do it?

i was really tired and it was cold so i wore a thick jacket and then the sun came out and it was burning so much so that my cheeks turned red! i felt out of breath all the time it was really uncomfortable i guess i'm not as fit as i thought after manizales we went to bogota by coach the bus kept going up and up the mountains it was beautiful but really scary there was so much fog i could barely see the road and when we arrive in bogota i felt a bit sick it was a weird feeling.

then we went back to cali and everything was back to normal! :) the weather was hot we went straight to the swimming pool and i didn't have to walk up no hills anymore! i was a happy girl.

p.s I didn't find much to do in Manizales, i felt bored after my second day there although the views were amazing especially looking at the Nevado del Ruiz! and our hotel was lovely.. but i do have one thing good to say! although i felt bored and found nothing much to do while i was there the people made me feel at home i found them really friendly!

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