Valledupar

We drove Friday afternoon from Santa Marta towards Cienaga on 90 and then went south on 45 to 80 and then 80 to Valledupar. At under 4 hours the drive was nice and the highway for the most part was excellent.

In Valluedupar we stayed at the Sonesta Hotel – 5 star all the way – the best bed I’ve slept in since being at the Hyatt Resort on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. The hotel is 215,000 per couple including a pretty darn good breakfast buffet with all kinds of foods – but the coffee was pretty bad. The hotel features direct TV receivers in each room with 42 ”flat screen LGs mounted on the walls with a large king bed with soft coverings, high thread count sheets and lots of large pillows. Free Wifi and the hotel is brand new and built next to a new shopping center which is also beautiful.

We ate very good beef and drank beers at a place called Arabe Pollo- they take credit cards and on Capital One it was like 14.50 US for 2 dinners and 4 beers!! We also were told the place called “La Casa de la Cervezas” had draft beer – but they did not – we hung out there for a while as well. The next day we checked out the town – very nice and old (and hot) with mangos growing everywhere. Then we headed towards the river – which is close to the hotel –this is where the party place is – the water comes from the melting snow in the mountains and the people use it like a lake (in the Midwest) swimming, eating, drinking, etc. We had many beers right next to the river and the view and service was very good. The beers were like 1,500. Last night we at a half a chicken with bojo (corn meal rolled up and boiled (I think) and with 4 beers it was under 9 dollars on Capital One. Then we went to the hotel, my wife wasn’t feeling real well so I venture out looking for some Phenergan or Compazine to give her and I had to go to the pharmacy across from the Exito which is closer to town.

Highly recommended destination Valledupar.

By larryrn on Mar 28, 2010, 08:00 in Friendly Talkzone.

marlydog1812 says on Mar 28, 2010, 09:41:

Larry glad you had a good time. Im sitting in Valledupar right now and loving every minute of it. Ive been at the Sonesta and agree its a great place. For those on the stingy side like me, I highly recommend either theHostel Provincia, which is very peaceful and free of noise and dingy backpackers, 40K single or Hotel Viajamar in El Centro, 90K with great rooms and the best disco in town downstairs. Best thing about Valledupar is you could bring a couple busload of gringos and you still wouldnt notice as there as so few here...also the ladies are gorgeous, total natural the way God intended...:)

Mali es pasion!

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El Vagabundo says on Mar 28, 2010, 10:03:

Hey Dog:

I am headed to Valledupar this week. I am renting a car and taking a road trip with a friend from NY and my son in law. Do you think that this Hotel Viajamar is a good spot for us old farts to be? What about the disco, is there usually nice girls that are looking for a little friendly conversation around? Will you be there, perhaps we can meet. I think my son in law is about your age and he is green as spring time tomato worm. My cell number is 312 628-3311 OK, that is all for now
Martin

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marlydog1812 says on Mar 28, 2010, 10:15:

Martin, Ill be here all week. For sure the Viajamar is great for the oldies, Im not sure what the double rate is.
The disco is high class and all the ladies are most likely with dudes. From my experience here its hard to pick up girls at discos, but the mall and in the El Centro if you got game is like shooting fish in a barrel. Luckily Ive stumbled on an amazing girl and have been low key for awhile...

Mali es pasion!

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Anders says on Mar 28, 2010, 10:24:

I was in Valledupar in January and - as you all say - it´s a great place. The people are real friendly, but doesn´t shout ¨Gringo! ¨ at you as many other places. I found it very safe and - especially - very clean. Very few poor people on the streets - I noticed about 3-4 per day! I stayed in a hotel in the centro named Nutibara (Cll 19, No 9-39 , tel 574 3225), no windows but fan, hot shower, television. Clean and safe. I payed 20.000 pesos per night.

Anders

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excavator59 says on Mar 28, 2010, 11:57:

Anders, remember your English, I paid .I will forgive you though, because you are Swedish and I can't speak Swedish regards Ex.

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

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gimmedub says on Mar 28, 2010, 12:26:

hotel 999 was where I used to stay until mi suegra suggested I just stay at her house... Valledupar is nice, bloody hot during the day ( 36 and higher), and yes tonnes of mangoes everywhere (hoping my tree bears some this year)... we're up in Toronto right now but might be down in a few weeks if anyone is around I'm more than happy to meet up...

Arnold

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marlydog1812 says on Mar 28, 2010, 12:39:

Haha yes hot as hell, only drawback I can find to Valledupar, but the river or ice cream can help cool you down. Gimmie we're always got our vacation a few weeks off. Drop me a line when your back down here...

MD

Mali es pasion!

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