Colombia - Where to go, what to do (and eat)

Colombia - Where to go, what to do (and eat)

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22s

Original Poster:

6,337 posts

215 months

Monday 31st August 2015
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Tl;dr: me and three mates are going to Colombia over New Year - what should we do?

Hello everyone!

Had a search but couldn't find much - however, I know PHers are a well-travelled bunch and so I'm looking for ideas for my upcoming trip to Colombia.

I'll be heading out with 3 of the lads (all mid-20s) straight after Christmas and will be back around 10th Jan - all in all around 2 weeks. We fly in and out of Bogota.

I have travelled South America from Brasil all the way up to Ecuador before, but ran out of time before Colombia so I know the continent and language pretty well.

I have Cartagena and Medellin marked off as "must visits" - but apart from that very open to any ideas and recommendations, especially relating to anything a bit dangerous/off the beaten track, and also anything to do with restaurants as we all enjoy dining out (who doesn't!). I know about the Lost City - I'm a bit 'meh' about it after hiking the Inca Trail, but I'm sure we'll end up doing it.

So - over to you guys!

Thanks in advance!

22s

Original Poster:

6,337 posts

215 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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Anybody?

HotJambalaya

2,023 posts

179 months

Thursday 3rd September 2015
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Well I was briefly in Colombia, in Medellin.

It was ok, can't say I was totally blown away, but it was slightly down season. I do remember the colombians we were with kicking up a huge fuss that the taxi drivers were trying to screw us on the fare because we were foreigners so maybe check prices with the hotel before you take them. There was a big street full of bars etc, but they were pretty quiet when I was there, I would assume its fairly lively when its on season

Mishima

63 posts

151 months

Thursday 3rd September 2015
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We went to Cartagena and Bogota 3 years ago; stayed at the Santa Clara in Cartagena, a beautiful hotel in the old town where there are some good restaurants and a really nice atmosphere. It doesn't take long to get into some poor looking areas though, depends how adventurous you are. We did like the old town area and enjoyed the Naval Museum, Cathedral and walking the fortifications.
The Bocagrande area is quite different, high rise smart apartments and more resort type hotels; we went to a buffet event at the Caribe which was good. Beaches seemed to be places for the locals to gather for a drink and smoke in the evenings at shack type bars.
Food varies from International in Bocagrande to real basic stuff in old town; tried various arepas and odd tropical fruits. We liked a friendly Argentinian place in the square next to the Santa Clara and a couple of street places were ok.
Stayed for a few nights in Bogota and the Gold Museum is outstanding, as is the summit of Monserrate, reached by cable car. Walked down through the University area below Monserrate, really lively and friendly with hundreds of stalls etc for freshers week.
Again, the old town area is great, with interesting churches, etc. Ate in hotel (Opera in Candelaria) when we were there, but told it was OK to go out at night in the City with care; also told that of the taxis you see in the streets, about half are not properly licensed ones. Height above sea level needs getting used to and air quality was awful.

Flying Penguin

326 posts

158 months

Friday 4th September 2015
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Visit Cocora Valley from Salento for a guided horse tour (flying into Pereira or Manizales); stunning views and allows you to experience a taste of la Zona Cafetera. Visit Finca Cafetera Las Brisas in Salento (2 hour tour), picking coffee beans and learn more about coffee. Nice Quad tours nearby, too. Stay at El Mirador Del Cocora.

Visit Bahia Solano (Ada airlines)for whale watching and empty Pacific beaches to get a kind of Robinson Crusoe feeling. You cannot get there by road (there isn't one); only accessible by air or sea. Stay a few days at El Almejal Ecolodge. Wonderful place. Alternatively, in the old run- down Escobar hotel.

As you said- Medellin; Bogota less impressive but still worth a day tour. Cartagena very touristic (still nice, though).

Fly to Old Providence island (Isla Providencia) from Medellin via San Andres for a few days; don't bother with San Andres itself. Buy booze at the duty free while waiting for the connecting flight (1,5 liter vodka or rum for 6 quid or so). Nice Caribbean island to chill out; if you're into scuba diving, stay at the Sirius hotel.

You will find 2 weeks are way too short to see this magic country.

Edited by Flying Penguin on Friday 4th September 07:04

leemarkadams

852 posts

214 months

Friday 4th September 2015
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I live in bogota , and have been here a year with another to go with work.

I will get some suggestions down later if that will help.

audidoody

8,597 posts

255 months

Sunday 6th September 2015
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Change your name by deed poll to Paul Escobar before you go. Should be worth a few free drinks and discounts.

22s

Original Poster:

6,337 posts

215 months

Sunday 6th September 2015
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HotJambalaya said:
stuff
Thanks for the info!
Mishima said:
stuff
Loads of useful stuff there, thank you! Gold Museum especially looks great!
Flying Penguin said:
stuff

Edited by Flying Penguin on Friday 4th September 07:04
Again, plenty there to be checking out so thank you. The coffee tour sounds interesting - I don't like coffee but still think it would be a great think to see/do. Is the horse tour a couple of hours too, or is it a multi-day experience?
leemarkadams said:
I live in bogota , and have been here a year with another to go with work.

I will get some suggestions down later if that will help.
Definitely if you get the chance! thank you!

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Sunday 6th September 2015
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The gold museum in Bogota is worth a visit.

Cartagena is full of tourists.

The best looking women are in Cali and Medellin.

The traffic in Bogota is horrendous.

The BBC (bogota beer company) is good for a drink.

Andres Carne de Res is the craziest restaurant in the world.

leemarkadams

852 posts

214 months

Sunday 6th September 2015
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As mentioned here are my thoughts in no real order:

Flights - I prefer to use AVIANCA, as they are direct and you avoid the hassle of a connection, especially if you go via Miami. The AVIANCA flights leave about 2300 form the UK and land about 0330 the next day in Bogota (after the time difference).

BOGOTA:

It will be worth spending a day or 2 in Bogota, as there are some good things to do and see, such as :

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2940...

The Bogota Bike tour is well worthwhile, as you see some of the nitty gritty places in Bogota, normally including a cycle through the red-light area, which is a real eye opener!

Candelaria: This is the original Bogota area and has things such s the gold museum (lots of Inka stuff), the classical coloured houses on the small streets etc

Zona T: this is the bar area and there is a good social night (Tuesday) known as Gringo Tuesdays, and there is a particular club that opens the doors at about 1700 for a language exchange that then turns to a proper club at about 2100.

CARTAGENA:

This is a total contrast to Bogota, in both climate and feel as it is on the coast and a lot warmer and sunnier with some nice beaches, having the old town area where you can find all the hostels etc and some good places to go out for a drink etc.

The main issue with Cartagena is the seller on the beaches, who are relentless! But just tell them no and don't buy anything off them as if you do, then they will all be over you like a rash.

MEDELLIN:

Another major city and the climate is very good, not as hot as Cartagena but hotter than Bogota. There are some good places there, as there is also a large language school In Medellin (EAFIT) and therefore a lot of students in the correct areas.

Parque Lleras is the main place there for drinks and socializing etc.


SAN GIL:

This is a place where people go to conduct adventure sports, such as caving, white water rafting, parascending etc. This place has a very safe feel to it and a lot of hostels etc so again a lot of students and the cost here is a lot less than in Bogota, Medellin or Cartagena.

COFFEE REGION:

This is OK but I feel more for the older people, as it is a nice place but I prefer Caratagena and Bogota.

General points:

Travel: Flights are obviously the easiest way, but most expensive, but a lot of people use the night buses to travel from say San Gil to Cartagena etc

Security: This place is still dangerous, and you need to be aware of that if you go too far off the ´beaten track´, for example only a few months ago there were a few bombs that went off here in Bogota and there is still the risk of kidnapping etc

Taxis: There have been instances of ´millionaires ride´whilst using taxis, where you get in a taxi and then some other people get in and take you to a cashpoint under threat of violence or with a gun, and get people to withdraw as much money as possible before leaving them in the middle of nowhere.

Drugging: Scopolamine can be used here to immobilize a person and then rob them, so just be aware of that. It has been in the UK media recently as ´Devils breath´.


Health: Medical facilities are good, but you pay for it all and there is a really nasty disease in certain parts, called CHIKUNGUNYA http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/ Think malaria on steroids! use insect repellent etc

Overall: As long as you are careful and seek and adhere to the FCO advice you should be fine, as you have travelled to similar places before, but you have to remember that this place is still at war (against the FARC/ELN and also the narcos) and therefore the levels of violence/murder are a lot higher than the UK.