Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Madbiker
  • 1 Post By tohellnback

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Weeks Ago
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Scottish but now in just touring.
Posts: 35
Biking in Colombia

The speed limits in Colombia are 40 km/h (25 mph) in built up areas, 60 km/h (37 mph) outside built up areas, 80 km/h (50 mph) and very occassionaly 90 km/h (56 mph)

All of the road signs for the main roads are Green with White writing. The Toll roads are indicated on these Green and White signs with the word AUTOVIA. The local road signs are Blue with White writing.

The roads in Colombia are generally very good but there are stretches where the odd large pothole appears now and again so it is best always to ride with caution as some of the potholes are deep enough to swallow the front wheel of a bike.

The Autovias are free for bikes and at each toll station there is a small lane to the nearside of the barriers that is for bikes to bypass the toll station for free.

Petrol at the time of writing was between 0.70 to 0.90 US Dollars per litre and it is sold in US Gallons.

There are occassional police checkpoints on the main road and there are plenty of signs saying that automatic speed detection systems are in use but I never saw one. I never saw a police speed trap anywhere.

There appears to be a mandatory helmet law in Colombia but no-one seems to bother about it and the police do not enforce it as lots and lots of people ride without a helemet and the police do nothing.

There also appears to be no law prohibiting the use of blue and red flashing lights on non emergency vehicles as many cars, buses and bikes used them. Because of this a vehicle using such lights may at first glance look as if it is the police but I have never seen an unmarked police vehicle in all of my time in Colombia.

Police vehicles in Colombia are white coloured with green stripes, police motorcycles are lime green coloured and all police veihicles and bikes have POLICIA marked on then and the drivers and riders are ALWAYS wearing police uniforms.

To buy a SIM card for a mobile phone you need to go to any mobile phone shop but you are not required to produce any form of identification to buy the SIM card. When I did this the cost was around 8 US Dollars for 30 days of unlimited internet.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 13
There are laws...

Just that locals don't really adhere to them due to the years of neglect from the government in rural areas. In the last year alone, I paid over $250 USD (yes that is for 2 infractions if you must know) in fines that were automatically generated.

That is for the city of Medellin. It seems the aduanas now also track the fines if you want to export the bikes. I think if it is foreign registered it will be hard, but would not be surprised. You are warned about them on your cellphone, but it is best to check online (Simit https://www3.simit.org.co/Simit/indexA.jsp) . Please note this site will be offline about 1/2 the time which is normal.

Either way, if you were to be stopped at the border you can just go to the bank and get it settled.

So yes Colombia is a country with laws that recently they have started to actually follow, but in general as soon as you are off the main track I would not worry about it too much. Most cameras are for security and you can find maps online with the speeding cameras or have WAZE open on your cellphone...easy does it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Day Ago
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Neiva Colombia
Posts: 236
multas

yes Waze is the way to go
Its only in rural areas you see the locals without helmets
The transit police are looking for bandits in cities and out side also
Colombia wants to clean up the lawless on the roads and the cops set traps all the time especially on a strait stretch with double solid lines on a hill , they park at the top of a hill and will bust you if you pass any vehicles,
its pretty dam tempting especially when you see a lot of vehicles in front of you that are usually following a very slow truck. I have been caught passing on a double solid line. The traffic fines are steep in Colombia but its not the fine its the humiliation they put you through,
it takes all day to pay a fine for a infraction, you have to take a drivers safety course also, and lord help you if your bike was impounded like mine for a Pico-Placa infraction, Yes you have to take a safety course for driving on a day that happened to be unlawful to drive .
Every motorist in large cities has to take a day off once a week in Colombia And if your bike is Colombian plated you should google what days you can drive
The transit police have road blocks and will impound your bike if your caught Let the grief begin
Oh the cops drive there bikes and vehicles all the time with there blue and red lights flashing; so don't be alarmed if the pull up behind you, because they passing you. I have pulled out and passed cops with lights flashing.
the cop driver don't follow the rules of the road, they are like a normal vehicle but have flashing lights and Policia National all over there vehicle
I once tried to follow a couple of Highway cops on 650 Vstroms and no way could I catch them these guys were fast and know the roads. they are your best friends Always Wave because there job is to secure a accident scene especially after a deadly crash involving death
Giving them stickers at there Posts will win great respect and you will be in the biker community of the highest authority in Colombia
It works for me and I always stop for coffee at there posts. they all know me.
After 85000 km biking in Colombia The Highway cops have my complete respect and they will get me out of a Bind, Now that's a Brother
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A detailed Guide on buying a motorcycle in Colombia mak South America 52 25 Sep 2024 22:57
New Ferry CROSSING from Panama to Colombia lorraine Trip Transport 20 26 Jul 2015 01:46
In colombia w/no biking experience, travel South America... ndahlhoff10 South America 7 24 Jul 2012 13:57
Immigration in Colombia amzahsulaiman South America 4 18 May 2012 23:18
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:07.