What should I see in La Guajira

Gomezman5 says on Mar 4, 2005, 20:00:

Lou Malnatis Pizzaria and Carsons Ribs !! I think those are their newest locations.

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dwmte says on Mar 4, 2005, 20:29:

what!!!! no tony romas and macdonalds?

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dwmte says on Mar 4, 2005, 20:34:

you might ask the local police.... if he's seen punto rojo...i'm not sure, but i think it's out there.

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Gomezman5 says on Mar 4, 2005, 20:38:

Tony Romas??? disgusting!!! No match for Carsons

If you are from Chicago, everyone knows about both Lou Malnatis and Carsons.

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carter says on Mar 5, 2005, 08:29:

Safety warning for GIB, I never thought I´d see the day Guajira´s a bit to dangerous for you GIB. If I was you I´d be writing that its to dangerous for gringos and you shouldn't go.

But Im me

I was in Guajira around Christmas time 2003 and had a lovely time.

Cabo de vela (or however you spell it) is the most famous beach in the area. Its very beautiful with christal clear water but you won't have to much to do there. Its worth visiting for the sunrise and sunsets. I spent a good week there but give me a hammock and a few goodbooks and Im happy for months.

Riohacha is nice, the beach is okay and the people are very friendly.

How do you plan on travelling around? this will greatly limit what you can see as the local transport to some of the smaller towns is poor and infrequent. You also need to be careful travelling the more remote roads in this area by car. The locals bloke the roads with ropes and branches and if you want them moved you need to pay or through food out the window. I suggest a supply of cookies, sweets etc.

Now you know I don't tell stories unless they are 100% true. While I was there one car with Bogota number plates travelling behind us had its front windscreen shot out. A man stood in the middle of the road with a gun, when they didn't slow down and tried to drive around him he started shooting. The Police told us this is a regular occurance and that we should only travel in local vehicles, tour buses or on the jeeps that run as public transport.

Im trying to remember the names of other towns Ive visited. I´ll check my map and send you more news.

Watch out for the flamingoes they killed seven tourists in 2002 but they don't target foriegners so you should be fine

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gringoincolombia says on Mar 5, 2005, 09:38:

Thanks for the advice, Carter I think I've caused all kinds of confusion by choosing a user name similar to someone else's (gringoincolombia, not gringoinbogota). I guess that's what I get for registering with the first name that came to mind--not very original.

Anyway, thank you for your helpful advice. I was considering driving around La Guajira in a rented car. Your account of the windshield incident makes me think I'd be better off going to Riohacha by bus and hiring a driver down there.

I'm interested to hear about anything else that is, in your opinion, worth seeing or doing in the area. Thanks again.

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