Colombia Travel Tips

Insider advice for your Colombia vacation

Farbenfroher Papagei! Imposantes Gebäude in Bogotá Ausblick auf Bogotá Inka-Statue Typische Architektur in Cartagena
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LucyHB
Globetrotter
Sep 22, 2008
I should coco 4 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

If you're staying more than a day or so in Taganga, you'll quickly become aquainted with some of the village's more 'colourful' characters. Among these is a small, youngish chap who unfortunately... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: palmtrees coconuts

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Sep 22, 2008
The bread man cometh 3 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Not impressed with the sweet, preservative-stuffed bread on offer at the local 'tiendas' in Taganga? Keep an eye (and ear) out for the 'bread man' (as I imaginatively dubbed him) who makes his way... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: bread locals village

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Aug 11, 2008
When the Kogis toured Taganga 4 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Kogi Indians - the forest-dwelling tribes living in the Sierra Nevada da Santa Marta, are a source of fascination not only for tourists, but for residents of Taganga and Santa Marta as well. In... [more]
LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jul 10, 2008
Fish - and jelly fish! 3 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Splashing around in the clear blue waters of Playa Grande, it was beautiful to watch the brightly-coloured fish swim beneath and between my feet as I kept cool from the beating sun. It was less... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: swimming caribbean brightlycolouredfish jellyfish

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jul 8, 2008
Don't forget about the departure tax! 1 stars
Travel Tip: Colombia

I visited Colombia at the end of a 10-month stint traveling around South America, and as would be expected, funds were ultra low. With a bargain 'house' in Taganga and no more travel necessary until my flight out of Cartagena six weeks later, I thought I'd be able to manage on my minimal budget.... [more]
LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jul 3, 2008
Kidnapping and the FARC 3 stars
Travel Tip: Colombia

For those who have spent a lot of time in Colombia, travellers' fears about being kidnapped seem a little far-fetched. However, it's quite understandable that, given the country's reputation as having one of the highest kidnapping rates in the world, first-time visitors want to know just how much... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: kidnappings farc guerillas

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jul 2, 2008
Christmas comes early in Taganga! 3 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Unless you're a fisherman or a local shopkeeper, there's not a great deal for local people to do in Taganga. This not only explains their enthusiasm for throwing 'fiestas' at the least excuse, but... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: chrismaslights festivities

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jul 2, 2008
Carnival in Barranquilla 4 stars
Travel Tip: Barranquilla

Barranquilla tends not to be top of any tourist's 'must see' list for Colombia - being a hot, dusty, industrial town, but there's one time of year when visitors flock here from all over the... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: party carnival celebrations

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 27, 2008
Colombian coffee 2 stars
Travel Tip: Colombia

This might surprise and disappoint a lot of people, but the coffee that is widely available in Colombia is not very good. Given the country's status as one of the largest exporters of coffee in the world that might sound ridiculous, but the truth appears to be that the majority of the good stuff... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: coffee exports

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 24, 2008
Theft from the beach 1 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

The beaches of Taganga may look pretty, but you'd be wise not to lose sight of the fact that you're still in Colombia. Take a dip in the sea, by all means (you'll need to in this heat), but make... [more]
LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 24, 2008
No cashpoints in the village! 2 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Arriving at Santa Marta bus station from Cartagena, I decided to give the hot town a miss and head straight for the little village of Taganga. I hopped on a combi bus heading there, and the driver... [more]
LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 24, 2008
Boat rides 3 stars
Travel Tip: Taganga

Taganga is a town built around fishing and tourism, and as a result, there's an abundance of people with small fishing boats, trying to lure tourists aboard for boat trips to nearby beaches or to... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: boattrips beaches park fishingboats

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 23, 2008
Take care at night 2 stars
Travel Tip: Santa Marta

Although it feels relatively safe by day, take care when walking around Santa Marta at night. I was staying in nearby Taganga, and on the rare occasions when I found myself in the 'big smoke' after... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: safety taxi nightlife

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 23, 2008
Kogi Indians 4 stars
Travel Tip: Santa Marta

Strolling around the hot, busy streets of Santa Marta, I was a little surprised to see a Kogi Indian - the native American inhabitants of the nearby jungle settlements - strolling around in the... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: nativeamericans tribes kogisettlements

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 23, 2008
Bargain lunches 4 stars
Travel Tip: Colombia

If you're budget's tight and your stomach is empty, the best thing to do when considering eating out in Colombia is to make like the locals and take your main meal at lunchtime rather than in the evening. From the smallest town to the largest city, you'll find great value set lunches, listed on... [more]

Tags for this Travel Tip: food drink value bargain

LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 23, 2008
La Candelaria 4 stars
Travel Tip: La Candelaria

The Zona Rosa may boast Bogota's plushest hotels and most expensive restaurants and nightclubs, but it lacks the bohemian charm of La Candelaria. This is where you'll find the city's oldest and... [more]
LucyHB
Globetrotter
Jun 19, 2008