How Many Days In Colombia?

[Connery43]

This will be my first trip to Colombia.

Your suggestions on how many days to spend in Bogota, how many in Medellin.....and then how many in another city...would be appreciated.

I like architecture and museums - but I primarily there for the hot guys.

Thanks!!

[macdaddi]

Bogotá has incredible history and many sites to see. To get acquainted with the city, I would suggest 4-5 days including a Saturday night so you can attend Theatron, the largest gay club in South America. Know that traveling north-south in Bogotá takes time as the roads are congested so plan you time by neighbourhood-section of the city so you do not spend all your time in traffic. Day trips to the Salt Cathedral in Zipiquira or the sacred Laguito de Guatavita (the origin of the El Dorado legend) are exceptional.

Medellín has a rich history (beyond what you see on Netflix) and is the centre of entertainment and film production, as well as being a rising tech centre (four universities) and tourism destination. I would suggest 3-5 days to get acquainted with the city and see some highlights. An overnight in Guatapé - El Peñol is also a great experience. Climb the rock to the summit and then explore the water on a boat tour before finishing up in Guatapé. There are tour buses continually between Medellin and El Peñol so you could make it a day trip.

I would also suggest a day trip to coffee country (eje cafetero) to see traditional farming villages, but it requires a flight to Manizales or Pereira. Salento is the most famous coffee town and you can see the wax palms that are native to Colombia. For a day trip to the coffee region from Medellín, you can travel to Amagá where there are a dozen local coffee fincas you can tour.

Cartagena is the gem of the Caribbean coast and is worth 2-3 days. Most find that they get bored of the tiny streets and plazas of Getsemani and El Centro (old city) so I would consider either a day trip to the beach clubs of Barú or Tierra Bomba. If you want to get completely away, take a few days in the Islas de San Bernardo where you have crystal clear warm water to swim in all day while you soak up the sun.

Other cities to consider. Calí is on the pacific coast and is the home of Salsa music. Caleños love to enjoy life and have a good time. Go salsa dancing in Parque de los perros (free lessons each night) or hang out in Versalles neighbourhood.  Santa Marta is another beach town at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain and the start of the trail to the Forgotten City.  Barranquilla is a shipping port and home the second largest Carnival in Latin America and to Shaquira, for whom they erected the worst possible statue of her image. And I would also consider visiting Santa Crux de Mompox if you are a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (hire a driver - the roads are brutal), or La Macarena to see the Amazon from the Colombian side and visit the famous Caño Cristales river and waterfalls.

Hope that helps get you started.

[Latbear4blk]

58 minutes ago, macdaddi said:

Barranquilla is ... the second largest Carnival in Latin America

Mmmmhh... I wonder whether a soteropolitano would agree with this statement.

[macdaddi]

1 hour ago, Latbear4blk said:

Mmmmhh... I wonder whether a soteropolitano would agree with this statement.

 

Jajaja Carnival in Barranquilla is a BIG deal with the crowd at the main event reaching 3MM people. It is recognized generally as #2 after Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

https://www.newyorklatinculture.com/barranquilla-carnival/

Events go on for a week in total with different parties (burritos in local slang) (including a gay dance party) finishing with the big parade. The entire city is jammed (similar to Rio) with partying crowds going all out. There are some folkloric elements to Baranquilla's carnival (like this guy below) and also nods to colonialism and slavery unique to this event.

The entire city sells out during Carnival so there are shuttle buses from Cartagena that run 24 hours during the major days. Nice way to visit then go home to get some rest and quiet

[12is12]

The destination of my first (of 4) trip to Colombia was the carnival in Brnqlla. Not that Mcdaddi needs support from me, but I too rcmnd visiting there (in February of course).

 

I wld also add to the list - Cano Crystales, a unique phenomena of multi-colored river water. However, no hot guys there.