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  #1  
Old 3 Jul 2011
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Biker Friendly Places - Columbia
... Finally making my way down to ColOmbia. Been 5 months on the road. Bike on a 40 foot container with two other vehicles, and have found what sounds like a very nice 40 foot boat to Cartagena.

... so for those who who have been there, drop a line with what must be seen, done and where must be stayed at. I have a month in ColOmbia so plenty of time. Prefer to spend money on food and travel rather than fancy accommodations. Backpacker is fine but I will splurge on a great meal.

First stop, Cartagena. Suggestions on where to kick my feet up for a few days?

Pura vida, Que sopa . . . . and on .

Thanks in advance.

P.
Last edited by Peregrine40; 3 Jul 2011 at 15:07.
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  #2  
Old 3 Jul 2011
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Location: Caracas (VZ) - Santa Marta (Colombia) - Palmones (Spain))
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first recommendation, call it ColOmbia !!
Columbia is a few thousand km North!
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  #3  
Old 3 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaudeNfat View Post
first recommendation, call it ColOmbia !!
Columbia is a few thousand km North!
Point well-taken.

Anything else to point out . . . like something productive that relates to my original question?
I'll be in Venezuela as well (correct spelling?) on my way down to Brazil. I've been warned to steer clear of Caracas. I notice you are from there. Any points to mention on Venezuela?


P
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  #4  
Old 4 Jul 2011
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Al
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  #5  
Old 4 Jul 2011
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sorry for my previous comment, I was acting like a Colombian...
in Santa Marta I recommend La Casa de Felipe in Taganga, it is a nice hostel and there is parking for your bike.

You should not miss Venezuela: Merida, Choroni, the beaches of Mochima, the Gran Sabana and more.
As for Caracas, I am not from there, but I lived there for the last 15-20 years and I am still alive and don't feel threatened, that tells you something about the danger of the city. I guess there is no point in staying there a long time though, if you don't have a friend to visit or something like that, because there is not that much to do as a tourist. If you definitely want to bypass the city a nice road is to exit from the highway at La Victoria (this is between Maracay and Caracas) and head to Colonia Tovar, overnight, then to Chichirivichi de la costa on the coast, follow the coast then all the way to Higuerote and then you merge again on the main highway going East towards Barcelona/Puerto La Cruz.

btw you forgot to correct colOmbia in the title too
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  #6  
Old 4 Jul 2011
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Stay at 'La Media Luna' in Cartagena, it's an awesome hostel with pool and is very good value.
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  #7  
Old 9 Jul 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaudeNfat View Post
sorry for my previous comment, I was acting like a Colombian...
in Santa Marta I recommend La Casa de Felipe in Taganga, it is a nice hostel and there is parking for your bike.

You should not miss Venezuela: Merida, Choroni, the beaches of Mochima, the Gran Sabana and more.
As for Caracas, I am not from there, but I lived there for the last 15-20 years and I am still alive and don't feel threatened, that tells you something about the danger of the city. I guess there is no point in staying there a long time though, if you don't have a friend to visit or something like that, because there is not that much to do as a tourist. If you definitely want to bypass the city a nice road is to exit from the highway at La Victoria (this is between Maracay and Caracas) and head to Colonia Tovar, overnight, then to Chichirivichi de la costa on the coast, follow the coast then all the way to Higuerote and then you merge again on the main highway going East towards Barcelona/Puerto La Cruz.

btw you forgot to correct colOmbia in the title too
Not a problem. Just being testy as I'm on the road at the moment. Getting the bike out of Colombian customs? A serious DRAGG!!!.
Thanks for the comments and pointers. Santa Marta definitely been recommended to me but appreciate the place to hang.
Still trying to decide whether to make the Venezuelan crossing or not. Talking to travelers and old latin American hands down here and everyone says to stay away. Sounds like a mix between (radical socialistas) Water World and Mad Max. Shores are teeming with 'pirates' and corrupt violent cops and criminals everywhere. Talk is cheap though . . .
P
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