Wow. What a Place. I really enjoyed my trip to Colombia. I noticed there was a distinct lack of North Americans in the country. Most of the travelers I came across were European or from another South American countries. I can’t help but wonder if the old stories of drug cartels ruling the country are still stuck in people’s minds. These days, the big cities are safe to explore. There are still problems in the countryside but that shouldn’t deter you from making a visit. If price is a concern, try flying to a closer country and then going to Colombia from there. Plane tickets are high from the US but not from other Latin American countries.
I visited a few places During the week that I was there. A week-long trip makes for a quick pace if you want to go to several areas of the country. I visited Bogota, Cali and Cartagena, flying between each one. I will make 2-3 posts to tell you about the things I saw and did there.
It was really tempting to enter Colombia by trekking through the Darien Gap. I’m sure it would have been a breeze. However, I chose to start my trip by flying into Bogota from Panama City, Panama. I went with Viva Colombia. It’s a budget airline that flies in and around Colombia. Round trip flights to Bogota can be as cheap as $120 from Panama. Being a budget airline, there are no frills and bag weight limits. The flights leave Panama from a smaller less well known airport. It is possible to get there but it’s a pricey taxi ride from the Albrook terminal as there is no direct bus. For the adventurous or the poor, you have another option. If you get a knowledgeable taxi driver, he can help you piece together a trip to the airport that will only cost you about $5. It has a lot of moving parts which include rides in a taxi, collective buseta, Diablo Rojo, and another taxi. Be careful as you save money this way. If starting in Panama, you can spend a little bit more by flying Avianca which offers some convenience. Avianca flies out of the main airport and gives a free drink on international and some domestic flights.
Bogota is a big city. It has a population that’s similar to that of New York City. Don’t be afraid to strike out on your own though. When you leave the airport, there will be plenty of people offering to drive you to where you need to go. Just beyond those people are the public buses. Pick up a free Bogota map and ask for directions from one of the attendants at the tourism desk inside the airport. Many who will spend a night in Bogota stay in Barrio La Candelaria.
Barrio La Candelaria. It’s easy to get to via public transportation. This area offers various hostel options. It’s one of the main reasons to go there. On top of that, the area is beautiful and filled with old colonial style buildings. Many of hostels were converted from those very same old buildings. There are also several museums in the area with low entrance fees. I went around the Christmas holiday and found many to be closed. The one or two that I was able to enter were worth it. Several pedestrian walkways and plazas give you the option of people watching. Food options are plentiful when you’re on the right street as well as pubs for a beer.
Cerro Monserrate is a hopping attraction located within a moderate walking distance of the Candelaria neighborhood. It is a lookout point up a hill that provides sweeping views of downtown Bogota. At the top you will also find souvenir shops, food stalls, a chapel and a few other businesses. Take a camera on this outing to capture the amazing view and a jacket to shield you from the cold and wind. Also take some money. The attraction fee before 5:30pm is about $8.00 and $9.00 after. You may also want to spend on a souvenir or a hot beverage. One of the most important things to take is patience. I waited in line for over an hour before reaching the gondola that would take me up to the top of the cerro. That’s because the bulk of the people show up in the evening to be there for sunset and into the night. It was indeed quite beautiful to see that large city lit up beneath me.
Catedral de Sal is located about an hour outside Bogota in the town of Zipaquira. I only went there because I had a few extra hours to kill in/around Bogota before going to the airport. I made my way to the cathedral by bus and taxi. If you’re comfortable navigating in Spanish, it’s not a bad option. Otherwise, there are plenty of folks at the airport and hostels who can arrange private transportation. I was pleasantly surprised by the place. A tour guide is included in the entry fee. Large groups(several dozen people) all enter at once. It can be difficult to hear the guide so, if you want to learn about the history and meaning, stick to the front of the group. According to the guide, the decommissioned salt mine was involved in a contest to turn it into some sort of attraction. Many people submitted ideas and the winner was the cathedral. Inside there are many depictions of crosses, carved completely out of salt. You can get up close to them for pictures. I was in a hurry so I listened to most of the tour and then ran around quickly on my own to snap a few photos. Inside there is also a souvenir shop and light show. When I left the mine to go back to the town of Zipaquira, I walked. It was a nice walk and gave me a chance to see some more of a quaint town. It’s only about 30 minutes down.
Check back soon for a few details about the rest of my trip when I visited Cali and Cartagena.
