Lomax has left 22 comments

Lomax comments on Marriage between a foreigner and a Colombian in Colombia

No specific visum needed Goye,

No specific visa requirements apply (at least not for European citizens). Although before you were required to obtain a specific marriage-visa, this is no longer applicable. The documents you require depend on whether you would have a catholic or civil marriage. For catholic you need to deliver your baptism certificate and certain other documents (all legalised, apostilled (if your jurisdiction is a party to this treaty) and translated into Spanish). You further have to provide evidence that you are not married. All these documents are being investigated by the relevant authorities. For catholic marriages you will need to follow a mandatory pre-wedding course with your spouse (usual two or three days, but this can also be done in several evening sessions) and you will need to obtain approval of one of the fathers in the district where you would like to marry. Although it all sounds very cumbersome, my experience is that everything is easily manageable as long as you take the time and plan in advance.

Unfortunately I cannot inform you about the (non-)permanent visum. I understand that there is a possibility to obtain a Conyúge visum.

Good luck with all preparations!

Lomax comments on VILLA DE LEYVA....Of interest,...and do not recall hearing another story about this place:

Venezuela? [Quote]
The Plaza Mayor is the largest of its kind in Venezuela
[/Unquote]

Eeeehhhh... yes .... of course ;).
Anyway, definitely worth a visit; you may consider some horse riding.

Lomax comments on out of colombia

Air Madrid Try AirMadrid - Bogota/Cartagena/Madrid v.v. (www.airmadrid.com).

Lomax comments on The best guidebook?

Footprint - for sure! I have bought both the Footprint Colombia and the LonelyPlanet Colombia - the latter mainly due to the fact that it was very recently out at that stage. Must say, the Footprint may have been published in 2001 - it is factually the best! Good options, good lists, good overview, covers every spot that is worth to see. No doubt, footprint rules for Colombia. (I do not have shares or are affiliated to Footprint Publishers, just for the avoidance of doubt).

Lomax comments on Capoeira

Save the Children I know that Save the Children supports a Capoeira group in Bogotá. I think it was called 'Taller de Vida' but focussed on children and practiced to give them a new goal to live for.

Lomax comments on Traveling to Pasto in Southern Narino, Colombia.......Any help?

Been in Pasto during Holy Week GringoDeLouisian,

Have been in Pasto last March, at that time the famous blanco's y negros was taken place and road security was better due to an increased number of soldiers which were visible along the road. At that time, I travelled from Popayan to Pasto (by the way beautiful road, highly recommended by day if the circumstances are okay.

Pasto itself is nice, although I would not stay there for three days or more. Highly recommended to go at least to Ipiales (Las Lajas), very impressive. I did a side trip with my novia to Cumbal. Did not feel myself safe overthere, irrespective of my travel experience (including a lot of trips within Colombia). That fear was on its place, newspapers indicated 8 days later that a whole armement of guerilla was been taken by Colombia special forces. Well, anyway.. the city of Cumbal is not exciting and I would not do it twice.

Although I do not know your travel schedule, please consider in taking an outbound flight from Pasto to Bogota - Avianca flies as well as Satena as I recall correctly. You may also consider driving Pasto - Popayan.

For a hotel in Pasto, I would recommend Don Saul. Please take LionHeart's recommendations in mind. He has a point about safety issues nowadays.

Lomax comments on InterContinental Cali

Company's website Speaks for itself: www.intercontinental.com
Find Hotel... City Cali etc etc. Very easy tough.

Lomax comments on InterContinental Cali

Show up fee will be more expensive Best price via Company's website. Please note that price will increase the longer you wait (and the closer you will be to your date of arrival). This is system Intercontinental uses. Although never tried myself, I have the view that the price on show up will be more expensive. In connection therewith, Intercontinental Cali usually has a lot of reservations and the place is usually filled. I will not stay there anymore since I did not find the service that good and the sheets were really not soft.

Lomax comments on Great Deal on Avianca USA to Colombia this month!

Avianca (International) has been taken over Maybe some adjustments should be made to the various opinions in respect of Avianca's practices. Avianca's (international) routes have been taken over some months ago and management now seems to be more direct/focussed than ever before.

Lomax comments on ski in colombia

Water skiing? Plenty of opportunities to do some water skiing. Next to Cartagena, Barranquilla, Prado, well... in fact possible anywhere where you have a boat and a ski. Also possible in Venezuela. ;)

Cheers,
Lomax

Lomax comments on Article about Andres Carne de Res

This place rocks! Well, do I have to say anything else?
Been there twice now and I can tell you: this place rocks on Saturdays.
Have fun!

Lomax comments on London to Cartagena

London-Bogota by Avianca Last January it was also announced by the new owner of Avianca that the first new international route to be opened by Avianca would be London-Bogota, so it is definitely worth to stay tuned in that respect. As far as I understand, new airline negotiations take place in Cartagena on 28th February, next. Like SantiBOG is saying, AirMadrid has a direct line from Madrid to Cartagena for reasonable prices. Never flew with them. I prefer AirFrance, but that is not the cheapest way to get there.

Lomax comments on BA leaves Colombia

AirFrance already increased its frequency Actually, I just managed to book a flight Bog-Paris for next March on a Monday (this was never possible before). While checking the online schedule, I was surprised by the fact that Air France is apparently already servicing Bogota on a Daily basis. I also read that further negotiations will take place on 28th February, next.

Furthermore there are rumors that Avianca will (re)start a new European service from London directly to Bogota. So those of you desperately waiting for a new service from London will be served instantly.

Cannot wait until the Alitalia route will be operative. Let's see what that will do with the prices. Becomes more competitive now. Did any of you ever travelled to Bogota via the Netherlands Antilles?

Lomax comments on Guajira

Sta Marta - Cabo de la Vella TiaKatia, as far as I could remember we took 5 hours to get in Cabo de la Vella (may also be something more) by car and we left Sta Marta at 4.30 am to avoid the heat during midday. The road to Riohacha is fine (am still surprised by the six lane highway for 2 kms before entering that city, so that the highway could also be used for aeroplanes to land). From Riohacha to Cabo de la Vella is more touch - remember that the roads are not paved overthere, so a 4wd or pickup is recommended).

Renting a car is not recommendable. I have checked this in Sta Marta and the rates were very (and I mean very) expensive as far as I can recollect. We figured out that our taxi trip would be less expensive. Please also note that there will not be any parquerado's in Cabo de la Vella and that the risk of being stolen (out of cars) seems to be a slightly higher than in Sta. Marta (for this reason our driver made very clear (and negotiated) that his car had to stand in front of the police station overnight; please note that this may only be the impression of our driver and not necessarily have to be based on facts).

Buses are departing from Sta. Marta bus terminal, a little bit to the east of the city on the road to Tayrona. Have a lot of fun!

Lomax comments on Guajira

Cabo de la Vella Tiakatia, I have not been there recently; last time was 6 months ago (July 2004) so I cannot inform you about the security situation nowadays.

We went there from Santa Marta by car. Actually it was a cab after we had asked the taxi central to verify with its drivers what there price would be for a two day trip (as far as I can collect, we settled the price at $150,000 for two days). This ended up in my girl friends cellular phone overloaded by calls from taxi drivers issuing their price. We have arranged a private, recommended by some locals, on the side (actually he came from Guajira and was currently living in Santa Marta). Actually the road situation (at that time) was safe and we have not experienced any problems.

We stayed in Cabo de la Vella in some hammocks at a rest house located in front of the police station. From there we have seen the whole area and I can tell you: it is definitely worth a visit. Brilliant area and if you have a chance, please go.

Lomax comments on Malaria Santa Marta

No Malaria As far as I know, Santa Marta itself is not affected by Malaria musquito's (please be aware of Dengue instead, no medicine available). Should you consider doing ciudad perdida, I would recommend to do a check with your travel clinic (at a regular basis, they are being provided with maps showing the areas in which Malaria exists).

The new malaria drug babygirl is refering to, is called Malerone. In order to be protected, this drug should be taken at diner the night before you expect to arrive in Malaria area. While being in the area, you should take one tablet a day (during diner) and continue the cure 7 days after departure from such area. Please note that this is not a medical advice, you should consult your doctor in anyway in order to get those tablets.

Furthermore, please note that there was a huge yellow fever outbreak in Parque Tayrona (1.5 year ago). Should you consider visiting this area (and Santa Marta) it is advisable to be protected.

Lomax comments on BA leaves Colombia

Another option: AirMadrid As mentioned above, Iberia and Avianca are flying from Madrid.

There is also one price fighter active in this field: AirMadrid (www.airmadrid.com). Although it makes a stop in Cartagena, it will finaly arrive in Bogota. Wonder why people does not consider AirMadrid as an alternative. Any input very much appreciated.

Lomax comments on Vonage

Try Skype I did not use Vonage, but would like to recommend Skype (www.skype.com)if you have a broadband internet connection (Skype's website says that it should also work with smallband, but never tried this myself). The tariffs are amazing and very competitive.

If you create a Voice over IP telephone call (two computers on each side) it is FREE, should you call to a regular PSTN-phone (normal phone attached to network of the receivers telecommunications provider), rates are very competitive. I was amazed by the excellent qyuality. Definitely worth a try.

Lomax comments on Cabo de la Vela

Awesome! I have been in Cabo de la Vela on the 29th and the 30rd of June, last. It is not being mentioned extensively in the guide books and I must confess that I like that attitude... keep it out of it! Wonderful place and absolutely recommended. Have done it by car from Santa Marta. Hopefully your friends have a 4x4 since most of the journey - from Uribia - is driving a non-paved road with a lot of stones! We took the following route: SM-Riohacha-road to Maracaibo, but go left before the railway - Uribia - Cabo de la Vela. Not recommended to take the coastal route. Have had a couple of road checks nearby the Sierra Nevada, but did not experience any unsafe situations - except Colombian car traffic ;). Please note that this update is already almost 4 weeks old so verify in Santa Marta and during trip. Have a nice journey! Cheers,

Lomax comments on Accomodation in Islas del Rosario -Cartagena-

Santa Clara Although I do not know what is being considered as 'affordable' by yourself, please check the Santa Clara hotel (Sofitel; 5*) in Cartagena. They have a beautiful place at the Islas and it is definitely nice, clean and not so popular. I have been told that they have sometimes a package deal, staying a couple of days at the islands, and a couple of days in Cartagena. May save you a couple of bucks. I have heard as well that the most nicest diving spot should be nearby the aquarium, but never tried this myself. Have a lot of fun! Cheers.

Lomax comments on who's who

I'm Dutch Living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Lomax comments on Coca leafs

The Fruit Palace If I remember correctly, importing coca leaves was also discussed in 'The Fruit Palace', written by Nicholl but unfortunately out of print. Great stuff to read and in the meantime very informative as we see at this stage: do not try to import coca leaves.