Travel
Ideas for Colombia
Bogota
Bogota is the capital city but not where I would spend
much of my time if visiting Colombia. I would take the time to go up to
the Monserrate where there is a monastary that overlooks the city. You
ride up on a cable car and/or funicular and can walk if you choose; the
ride is cooler. I would also go out to the Cathedral de Sal in
Zipaquira. You can hire a car for the day for not too much or take your
chances with the bus. We always stay at the Rosales Plaza
http://www.hotelrosalesplaza.com/ and treat ourselves since we are
usually there only a day.
Armenia
Rafting/Balsaje -
a fun relaxing day on the river that includes a great lunch and a hike
to one or two waterfalls.
Good company to use: 311 624 01 24 or 311 377 7071 (Montenegro)
ask for Teresa.
Canopy - if you like swinging
through the trees, this was really fun. They had ten platforms and we
felt very safe and secure. Do watch for branches and things in the way
and make sure you have a good pair of gloves. Los Caracolies - 300 778
7099 - Jorge Hernan Jaramillo. It is on the way to Montenegro
right off the main road.
Mariposario and Botanical Gardens -
we have been many times and it is informative as well as relaxing and
beautiful. The butterflies are most active early morning or late
afternoon but you have to plan around any rain as well. It is located
in Calarca, only a 30 minute taxi ride from Armenia. While you are
there, be sure to have lunch at El Rincon de la Hacienda in Calarca. It
is a bird sanctuary and has wonderful food. (Cra. 25 No. 47-94.
743-6688) The only day they don't have lunch is Tuesday.
Parque de Cafe - it a theme
park, sortof, all about coffee. We go for the walks through the coffee
process and the plants and flowers. The cultural dance show is a miss
see and is put on twice a day so go early and get the early show at
11:00. You will see a good representation of the various cultural
groups in Colombia, a history of coffee, and great dancing. It is just
outside Armenia on a hill overlooking the city and has great views. You
get different passes depending on what you want to do for the day.
Salento - a colonial town that
has the flavor and culture of traditional Colombia. Good place to spend
the day. You can hike or go horseback riding in the Valle de Cocoro.
Definitely walk up the stairs at the end of the main street to see the
views.
Best place for trout - Balcones del
Ayer - right off the corner of the main square
If you want a tour of a small coffee plantation that is more personal
than the Parque de Cafe, go out past the cemetery in Salento to the Finca el Ocaso and they will take
you around for about 5 pesos. They also have places to stay and outdoor
activities if you want to hang out there overnight.
Medellin
Feria de Flores - one of
the things you have to see before you die. It is an amazing parade and
two weeks of a celebration of flowers. The parade is awesome but you
also have to visit the botanical gardens during this time for the
amazing display of orchids. You will never have seen anything like it
before. The festival is usually the last week in July/first week in
August. It is hard to get concrete information on the schedule of
events so just keep looking on the web or ask at your hotel. You want
to get tickets to sit in the stands for the parade because if you
don't, you will be crushed in the standing crowd and not have a great
view. I've done both and highly recommend the stands!
http://www.carpsonamission.com/feriadeflores.html
Medellin is our favorite city in Colombia. They people are friendly,
the transportation system is easy, and it is a nice place to visit.
Definitely take the rail system to the cable cars and ride up the
hillside to get a birdseye view of Medellin. I read they also have just
finished the world's longest outdoor escalator so that should be
something to see as well. The zoo in town isn't much but the aquarium
is really cool and just across the street from the botanical garden. We
usually stay in El Poblado area as it is central to all we usually do.
We use the Torre Poblado hotel as it is convenient and has good
services without being too pricy. There are hostels nearby there as
well. Out of Medellin you can visit El Penal, a really pretty rock
formation that you climb that gives you a different view of the
countryside of Colombia. You can get there on a tour or bus yourself.
http://www.carpsonamission.com/armeniamay2008.html
Christmas time is also a great time to visit Medellin as they are crazy
for the lights. http://www.carpsonamission.com/armeniadecember2008.html
Cartegena - if you want to go scuba diving and/or see a
beautiful historic city, take the time to visit Cartegena. The only
part worth seeing is within the old city so stay in that area. We stay
at the Tres Banderas but there all many cheaper hostels you can check
out. Going during Semana Santa allows you to see a lot of the pagentry
of Holy Week, but any time you go you can experience the local flavor
and culture. We went out on a tour of the islands and the mud
volcano which was great and definitely worthwhile. You can set that up
at any hotel you stay at. See pictures at the link below. Also
don't forget to visit the candy stalls under the historic arches in the
main plazas. Be sure to try the local coconut rice - it is amazingly
delicious! It is a LONG bus ride from anywhere so I suggest a local
flight on Taca, Copa, Easy Fly, or Avianca.
http://www.carpsonamission.com/armeniaapril2008.html
Santa Marta
We started off at the Techos Azules in Tagana where we
visited the Parque National Tayrona. Don't waste your time on a bus or
tour guide. Just make a deal with a taxi from Tagana and go to the park
gate. You can guide yourself up the shore line and see all the beaches
and enjoy the day. You can walk through the woods or up the beaches. Be
sure to stop at the bakery for the chocolate doughnuts! We found that
the beaches on the way were much better than the one at the end at Cabo.
La
Guajira- this place is on the northern most point of Colombia, It
is where the sun goes to really shine and put out the heat! We did a
tour with the company listed below and it was great. We saw lots of
different beaches, unique countryside, and slept in hammocks on the
beach. Look on the link below for pictures and commentary of our trip
there.
http://www.carpsonamission.com/armeniamayjune2011.html
Cabo
De La Vela (One Night - Two Days)
Visit the Manaure community and its salt mines, Musichi, Poportin,
Ahuyama, Carrizal, the lighthouse, and El Pilón de Azucar. Lunch
and dinner the first day. Breakfast and lunch the second day. Lodging
in hammock, guide, and transportation. http://www.kaiecotravel.com/
The Amazon
The trip to the Amazon
was quite the experience. I went with the senior class but you can
arrange a similar tour with several companies in Armenia. You have to
be prepared to sweat the whole time you are there and be wet and
probably muddy but it was worth it. I have learned I do not enjoy
sleeping in hammocks but I can do anything for a couple days. Look at
the pictures and hopefully you'll be able to get the feel of the sheer
wonder of the place and thrill of swimming in black water with the
dolphins jumping nearby.
http://www.carpsonamission.com/armeniamayjune2011.html