Colombia holiday advice

[Greshamst]

Thinking of going to Colombia in May as a birthday trip. The big draw for us at the moment is Tayrona National Park up in the north



We only have 10 nights so the gf is suggesting staying up north the whole time, cartegena, Santa Marta and some islands.

However I'd really like to get down to Medellin and feel that staying in one part of the country isn't making the most of it, but at the same time we don't have loads of time and with the trip from cartegena to the national park taking 4 hours, don't want to spend too much time in transit.

Mostly looking for hiking, nature, breathtaking scenery. And a few nights in a really stunning hotel as there's a big birthday.

Thoughts and ideas from those who have gone?

[HotJambalaya]

I was in Medellin a few years back, can’t say I’d really bother to be honest. Went to a couple of mediocre restaurants, and a few so so bars and clubs, and had every single cab driver try to scam us.

Conversely haven’t been to the areas you’re heading to, but my instinct would be to stay there, or maybe do a night or two Amazon tour if you can

[Greshamst]

Anyone else with experience travelling Colombia?

[captain_cynic]

HotJambalaya said:

I was in Medellin a few years back, can’t say I’d really bother to be honest. Went to a couple of mediocre restaurants, and a few so so bars and clubs, and had every single cab driver try to scam us.

Not sure which Medellin you went to, but we're talking about Medellin, Colombia.

Of any destination I've been too, Medellin had to have the most honest taxi drivers. Rarely charged more than a local. I've been shafted more by Las Vegas and London taxi drivers... and I'd say that is a rare event in itself.

I came back from Colombia in mid December,

Food is mediocre if you're coming from a place with good food like the US, but its far better and far cheaper than the fare you get here. A delicious 300g argentine steak is a tenner (39,000 Colombian Peso, the exch rate at the time was over 4000 to the pound).

There are two major issues with tourism in Colombia.

1. There is a high level of Spanish required for the country. You will find it hard get by with Benidorm or Ibiza levels of Spanish... you definitely will _not_ be able to get by, by shouting everything in English.

2. It is not entirely safe. Its a developing nation that has just seen 50 years of civil strife. The biggest risks for a gringo are still the basic ones like being robbed, getting stabbed by being a hero in a robbery and being scammed. However if you keep your wits about you and don't do silly things its safer than some parts of London. There are a lot of poor people, and a rich gringo flashing their cash about will gather unwanted attention, life is cheap there.

(OK, 2.5, it is primarily visited by Americans, most of whom are nice people if a little brash and unsophisticated but tourist services will be geared to American tastes and temperaments)

But as long as you're a smart, experienced traveller with functional Spanish, you'll be fine.

That being said, Colombia is one of my favourite destinations due to the low prices, friendly people and amazing weather. However considering that you're thinking of going up north (be careful around that region, it gets worse the closer you get to the Venezuelan border, do your research about where you're staying) Medellin isn't the best of destinations. Cartagena and Barranquilla are more tourist oriented cities than Medellin, Medellin is more for ex-pats and frequent visitors who want a few weeks of relaxing and doing nothing. You'll have to go through either Cartagena or Barranquilla anyway for your flights. You'll probably find better hotels there than in Medellin, I usually stay in an apartment in Medellin.

Medellin is working on a tourist industry with the Mayor pushing it heavily (Medellin-JMC airport is the second largest in Colombia after Bogata-El Dorado) but it has a long way to go. If you do go to MDE, you'll likely want to stay in the Poblado area but I'd still recommend Cartagena as it will have more in the way of tourist activities.

[Ranger 6]

Dragging this one up from the archives....

My son went to Ecuador last year to catch up with a friend who was doing a South American 'tour'. The friend's family joined him in Columbia and were extremely please with their time, mainly around Cartagena and the Tayrona park.

Opening up for more info as we're now considering a trip this time next year and just would like to know more about the north of the country. Where to go, hidden gems etc?

[Greshamst]

Oh this was my thread!

Cartagena is really nice. Very safe place, lots of good restaurants, great colonial architecture with some brilliant boutique hotels. And the fort side/museum is very interesting to learn the defence history of the port.

Tayrona is beautiful, I was very much backpacking so stayed overnight in a tent in the National park, but you can day visit if it’s not your kind of thing!

I also really enjoyed Minca in the north, again for me it was a high up in the mountains hippy backpacker kind of place so not sure if that’s what you’re looking for, but some amazing views and waterfall treks etc around minca.

Sierra Nevada Santa Maria area in the north has lots of beautiful scenery and trekking, didn’t get to the big mountains but would have liked to.

We went to bogota, but the opinion of most people I met was that Medellin was the better city, although didn’t have time to visit.

[22s]

Colombia is an amazing country - highly recommend you make the trip. I have visited almost all of South America and it's near the top. Great people, great weather. The food as with a lot of SA is a bit stodgy and not anything to write home about, but you can find decent enough stuff and the rest of the experience makes up for it.

Medellin - beautiful city, amazingly lush and green, fascinating history with connections to drug trade etc, well worth a visit.

Cartagena - just a nice place to be on the Caribbean coast. Fun street parties etc.

Minca - as above quite 'hippy' but lovely chill out spot. It's up in coffee country so if you're into that probably worth a visit. Salento is also coffee central.

Bogota - wasn't as interesting as other cities so would skip through.

I didn't do them, but you can visit the Lost City and also visit Hacienda Nopales (Escobar's old pad) if you're interested - heard good things from others who have done it.

[Ranger 6]

Thanks, just the sort of thing I was looking for

[Adam.]

Resurrecting this please

Just booked a month in Colombia from mid Aug to mid Sept, done some research but always good to get some views from others. For context we have a decent budget and it’s cheap out there so it will stay in 5* hotels or possibly AirBnB or equivalent. We want to see the sites in a very relaxed way.

Currently only booked flights into/out of Bogota and rough plan as follows:

Bogotá - 2 days - have heard it’s not the nicest city and weather less good than other parts. But I figure any capital will have enough to see and do for a few days. 2 days enough? Beat things to see?

Coffee regions - most organised tours include this, a short journey from Bogotá, worth it for for 2 days?

Medellin - looks amazing and heard good things so thinking 4 or 5 days?

Santa Marta - 3 or 4 days including the Tayrona National Park

Cartagena - probably about 10-14 days.

Is Baranquilla worth a stay?
What islands off the coast of Cartagena good?

Anything else we should consider, I wondered about Cali.
Any areas to avoid safety wise? Assume it’s certain districts of the cities

[captain_cynic]

Two weeks is far to long for Cartagena. I'd sped a few more days in Medellin.

Also consider San Andreas island. If you're into dancing, Cali has a huge rumba scene.

[Adam.]

To add, the 2 weeks in Cartagena included Baraquilla and islands