Departamento del Magdalena Travel Forum

We need to know how to get to St Marta from Cartengan Airport. Cost???

Did anyone traveling with turcol have to leave their passports with the company? This doesn't seem safe - please advise.

We will be in Santa Marta on a small ship from 10 am to 5 pm on about the 14th of November. I would really like to visit friends in Cartegena, but I gather that would be difficult to do.

I would like to see local historic type places, including lighthouses and cemeteries and museums. Is Santa Marta a good place to do that? The only tour mentioned from the ship is the Santa Marta City Tour and Folkloric Show which apparently includes:

"The cathedral, built in four years later by the Dominicans, was named the Church of Santa Ana, and historians described the walls of the cathedral as "built with the barril boards carried by the river when it swelled." The Customs House is an architectural monument, beautifully restored and preserved as the Bank of the Republic's Gold Museum. It exhibits pre-Columbian artifacts and includes a small yet priceless collection of Tayrona gold and pottery pieces. San Pedro de Alejandrino Village dates back to the 17th century. It is a country estate outside the city limits and has been the setting for many significant events in Colombian history. In 1830, don Joaquin Mier y Benitez offered his home to the Great Liberator Simon Bolivar—a refuge for this last days. It was later declared a National Monument by the Colombian Government. Not only has the interior of the house been preserved, but the many gardens have also been restored to their former glory by National Tourism Corporation. El Rodadero is a lively strip of hotel and apartments built around the Gaira Bay, where the beaches are particularly lovely. You will stop at a local hotel for a special folkloric show, soft drinks and beer, with a chance to shop for handicrafts before returning to the ship."

Could we perhaps do this on our own? Could we hire a taxi to take us around? (I don't walk terribly well.)

I hear that the fishing village is a good place to scuba from. I don't know if a scuba excursion here would be possible within that time frame. We are certified, but have not dived in awhile, so would need a short refresher.

Hello does anyone know where to go fishing off a boat in Cartagena, Santa Marta or Barranquilla? My first time going to Colombia and am an avid fisherman.

Is it possible to find out what gear I will need or if fishing companies in Colombia provide them, tackle shops?

Alguen sabe donde pescar en Cartagena, Santa Marta o Barranquilla? Si necesito traer mi propias cosas pa pescar o si tienen tiendas de pescar en donde comprar/rentar. GRACIAS

Quiero saber cuales son los HOSTELs en donde los aventurosos van y que no cobran mucho por noche.

I want to know which are the hostels that are frequented by the adventurous travelers and that do not charge a lot per night.

Gracias, thanks.

Are there credible hostels in Cartagena that, for the budget traveler is worth while? Or should I spend an extra $20 a night for a hotel?

Also, Im in California and not sure if its better to keep the itinerary open and not reserve a room until Im in Cartagena. June 20th is the expected date of arrival in Cartagena. Should I just walkin with my girlfriend and hope there is room available??? Thanks for now.

My travel buddy just announced she will not be able to make her trip so i will be in Cartagena alone on May 25 -28.

I will be visiting my family in Medellin and then flying to Cartagena since the flight back to LA departs from there. I wanted to see if there were any travelers i could connect with here that might be there during those days...you just never know.

I would love to go snorkeling to las islas del rosario and spend a day there, and have some company to go dancing. I am originally from Medellin, but i live in Los Angeles...

Good company makes travelling so much more fun and interesting!

Estare en Medellin la semana que viene para visitar a mi familia, pero ahora mi amiga me acaba de informar que no me podra acompanar a Cartagena - Estare en Cartagena el 25 de Mayo hasta el 28 - Alguien estara alli durante esos dias?? Que rico tener compania para ir a las islas del rosario, o para ir a bailar.???

Angelica

I need to go travel to Caracas and Bogota from Medellin. Whats a good way to find cheap tickets on the web ? I looked on some famous travel sites and the round trip prices are ridiculous. I am sure i can get cheaper tickets.

Please sugegst

I am meeting somebody at MDE airport. Is there a well marked, easy to find place in the airport where my friend can wait for me? I have never been to that airport. Any prominent store or easy to find spot for meeting somebody? Thanks in advance.

do they allow you to buy any of their product from them? I know they don't process the stuff but am wondering about the paste or base.

My girls friend and I will be arriving in Santa Marta Saturday night. I know this sounds sad but i was rather hoping I could catch Manchester United vs Tottenham in the FA Cup. Could any body recommend ether a reasonable guest house/hotel with cable T.V or a sports bar of sorts. Thank you kindly

Hi, it will my first time in Colombia in April. Visiting Villavicencio ( I am a keen aviation enthusiast and Villavicencio has great old aircraft still flying) and from there I am flying to Medellin with Aires. I know medellin had a bad rep- but I hear things got much better. I am not some rich tourist and I am not flashy but I do like a good time. I am also gay. Is there gay life in medellin and is it safe to go to the gay areas? In many cities the gay areas tend to be in bad neighborhoods so I am a little wary. Any ideas of hotels in those particular areas- is there even an " area" where I should be situated- I also plan to see some countryside and bus it down to Cali- would that an advisable thing to do?
Many thanks for your assistance
Mike

Anyone have info about catching a ride on a cargo ship from Panama to Cartagena? Muchas gracias!

hi there !!


I heard that it is humid .. it is OK if light .. but it is heavy to the level where you feel it .. then it starts to be annoying! .. I hope it is not that humid.

so, how humid is Medellin ?!

I am trying to find the address and phone number of a crepes restaurant in Santa Marta .It is owned by a Frenchman

Does the Medellin airport have a registered taxi service? If not, what is the best option for safe transport to the city late at night? Thanks

Hi,

Does anyone know the dates of the Flower Festival this year?

Thank You,

Jeffrey Nightbyrd

What do you mean when you say "you can't overdress in Colombia"????? as in you really can't or as in everyone is dressed to impress always???????????

Hey I am planning on a trip to Santa Marta / Taganga in june, july, does anybody know if I can land salsa classes there?

Can someone give me contacts of scuba diving clubs there (I want to get my open water PADI)

THanks

Henri

hola a todos!

i've read that a yellow fever certificate is required for entry into Parque Nacional Tayrona and is sometimes enforced.

does anyone have any experience with this? is it necessary to show proof of vaccination?

not expecting to travel this summer, i left mine back home and it's probably lost now.

please advise.

muchas gracias!

andy

Estoy visitando Medellin la proxima semana y llegare al aeropuerto a las 10pm y quisiera saber cual es la mejor forma de llegar a la ciudad, ya saben bueno bonito y barato, recomiendan taxi, "shuttle" (bus expreso) o alguna otra via. Tambien me gustaria saber cuales son los precios. Gracias.

where can I get a local fishing guide in Rodadero for red snapper? thanx, debg

For a research project, I need to know about Santa Martha hotels existing circa 1980. Some of the older hotels have probably been replaced by new hotels or other development.

I am coming to Santa Marta in mid December on a cruise. How do you get from the pier to El Rodadero? And how do you get to the aquarium from there. Is there a shuttle boat that takes you over and can you swim with the dolphins. Does anyone know the costs. Thank you from Canada

I am bringing back a Columbia nation from a hospital in New York and need to arrange for an ambulance to transport the patient from the airport to Manizales. Can someone either give me the phone number to a paramedic type of ambulance service or help me to arrange it? All I need is for a few phone calls to be made.

many thanks!

Joe

I'm thinking about heading to Cartagena in Jan 2007 for a month or 2, does anyone have any info regarding apartment rentals there: prices, quality, websites, etc. Doesn't seem to be too much action here on VT, Cartagena, but any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm thinking about heading to Cartagena in Jan 2007 for a month or 2, does anyone have any info regarding apartment rentals there: prices, quality, websites, etc. Doesn't seem to be too much action here on VT, Cartagena, but any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi there.....on the promanade in santa marta, do vendors (food, drink ect) exist, and if so do they exist at night also? Thanx!

hi,
i was wondering if there were any treks to do around the city, tours leaving the city to nearby reserves, any ecotourism at all?

i heard there are skydiving companies in the city, any other adventurous activities anybody would recomend?

thanks,
micky

I have been on various websites collecting info on cartagena.
I am thinking of retiring and living there permanently. I
love the weather, and the diversiness of the people and its history
of the country.
I am planning to visit this summer, and would like to know the best
month to visit, when is high season for tourists.
I will be traveling alone, are there recommended hotels to stay away from,
and parts of the city as well.
In regards to retiring to colombia, are there any other cities recommended
for an 45 yr old single retiree.
Fact or Myth, are the colombian women as bueatiful as I have been hearing,
and do they care for american men-me african-america?
thanks for any advice and recommendations.