C O L O M B I A
Wednesday 1st July 2015 - Monday 17th August (47 Days in Colombia)
YOUTUBE VIDEO CLICK LINK BELOW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkp-hx8GuHA
YOUTUBE VIDEO CLICK LINK BELOW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkp-hx8GuHA
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ATTRACTIONS
Cable Car past Santo Domingo Parque Berrio Estadio Soccer Match Super Clean & Nice - Used to be dangerous. Walking City Tour 100% Pablo Escobar TOur Interesting Paragliding $40 20min 90000 ($45) Pablo escobar tour & brothers true story tour lake tour DAY TRIP TO GUATAPE THEN AN HOUR ON THE BUS PASS THERE TO SAN RAFEAL LOCAL TINY TOWN, YUK YUK DRIVER WILL TAKE YOU TO NATURAL SWIMMING HOLES BEAUTIFUL. Mirador LOOKOUT at sunset 5:30, eat street food and witness the sun setting while you order some delicious street food for in between $2-5. Watch locals in the park doing Capoeria. Aso playing outdoor soccer in small courts. |
BUDGET & OTHER
Terapias Para El Estres (Jin Shin Do) Get a 1hr massage for $30AUD down in Pablado. Gran Centro Monterrey. See a movie in Monterrey Mall. So many Alteration places. They do such a good job and are so cheap. I got about 5 pieces done for less then $20AUD. |
SLEEP
Emerald Hostel is amazing and i highly recommend. It has 3 levels with a roop top, kitchen, really good wifi, dorm rooms with en suites, very clean, helpful staff and price is very good only 28,000, but pretty quite not much of a travellers vibe, and staff dont speak too much english, BUT they are next door to La Brisca Loco if you want atmosphere, company and tourist information. La Brisca Loco is a popular hostel next door to Emerald downtown Santa Marta. Has 3 levels also, roof top bar, kitchen & wifi and prices are around the same 28,000 for a dorm ($14AUD, $10-11US). This was fully booked when we arrived with a lot of young and middle ages travelers and is good for a drink and good vibes. Dreamers Hostel is a little out of downtown about a 10minute drive. It is closer to shopping centres and plazas. It has a nice pool, wifi, restaurant & dorms for 28,000 ($14AUD). It is a popular hostel & was booked out when we got there from the airport. Staff who speak english with loads of tourist information that is helpful. It costs 6000 ($3) for a taxi to downtown from Dreamers. Drop Bear Hostel is a little out of Downtown. Just a 5min taxi from Downtown. It is owned by an Aussie. It has a pool, banana chairs, large hammock to chill on, bar, movie room, and pool tables. Also has a restaurant and a kitchen for the guests. 25,000 with fan, and 30,000 for AC. |
EAT & DRINK
Street Food Carreta 5 & Calle 19 Fresh juice 3000 ($1.50) Slice pizza 2500 ($1.25 AUD) Bowl of Chorizo for 2000 ($1) Skewers for 2000-3000 Tamales for 1000-2000 Fresh sugar cane & lime cup .50c Slushy fruit drinks for .50c Anywhere on Carreta 3 and calle 19 they have LOADS of Cafe's, Restaurants, Typicals and Bars that all sell good food! Food along the beach in the day there was a lady there selling Rice, Chicken, Pasta & salad/veggies on a plate for 4,000 ($2). There are also people selling chicken, beef and veggie skewers on the street The restaurant next to Carambolo with the blue door is very popular, on Calle 19, with typicals of all sorts for only 6,000-7,000!!!! Emmanuel Restaurante just a short walk from the hostel towards Calle 19, they sell the Plato del dia which comes with a Soup, Main Course and a Drink. All for only $3.5 AUD IKARO |
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SLEEP
LOS ANGELES - Camp overnight & stay in hammocks Cabo San Juan Campsite Mendihuaca |
ATTRACTIONS
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SLEEP
Casa Grande Surf Camp we got a private cabana (perfect little beach hut) that had x2 double beds in there for 80,000 ($40) between 3 people. Same price as a dorm if there were x4 of you ($10AUD pp). Very chilled, right on the beach surrounded by Coconut trees, and surfing waves right out the front. They also offer hammocks too for 18,000 and camping space if you have your own tent. They have the restaurant kitchen you can use. Nice feel, loved it here, a lot more colombian & local people came here. Costeno Surf Camp is just a 3 minute motorbike ride from Casa Grande. They offer dorm beds for 20,000 and hammocks for 15,000 and offer camping for those who have their own tent. This had more tourists here at this Hostel. They also had a very small basic stove/kitchen for guests to use. |
EAT & DRINK
Casa Grande Surf has a restaurant that is open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Serving eggs, omlettes, empanadas, arepas, sandwiches, and dinners have fish & other meats. Empanadas was as cheap as .75c AUD and breakfast $2 and dinners $5-7. Donde Aqui restaurante is just a short 3-5 min walk to the highway out the front of Casa Grande. They have typical plates, and hot dogs with cheese, salads and salsa. El Puedo mini town market we got the motorbikes to take us about 5-10minutes up the road to this town where we bought fresh produce, lentils, rice, pasta, tunas ect ect so we could make our own food. |
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SLEEP
Aluna Hostel is located half way between the highway of Palomino and the beach. There are restaurants around & tiendas, and the fresh fruit and veg stalls are only a few minutes walk away. They have Dorms for 20,000 with fans or Privates for 30,000 with an ensuite. There is wifi, a kitchen for the guest to use, TV hang out, hammocks and Balcony, clean showers and bathroom, its beautiful here & the owner is lovely. http://www.palominoguajira.com/Hostal-ALUNA/ Dreamer Hostel is located right on the beach, about a 10minute walk down the dirt roads to the highway of Palomino. Here is 32,000 for a dorm bed, or what we did was sleep on the day lounges next to the bar for 20,000 because the hostel was fully booked. It has dorms, ensuite, wifi, restaurant here. They did have a kitchen for guests to cook but its being renovated atm. Good vibe the bar and pool is open till midnight, they play worldwide sports on the TV, play music throughout the day and have pool tables ect. Finca Escondido & Tikki Hut Hostel are other popular hostels they are all next to each other and on the beach (tikki hut is 50 meters back) There dorms range from 30,000 -35,000 ($15-18AUD)a night, some include breakfast in their price. Tikki has a pool. Both have wifi and restaurants. Surf Hostel is down the road from Posada Villa Marlen, you will see they sign, they offer hammocks and camping for 10,000 per night ($5AUD) and rooms from 20,000. These 3 hostels are the cheaper option to the others below. Posada Villa Marlen has basic dorm rooms for 20,000 includes aircon, rooms have ensuite, has wifi and a restaurant breakfast for $3 and Lunches & Dinners for $5, but no Kitchen for the guests. They also have a small pool here too. |
EAT & DRINK
Jariluz fruit & veg around the corner from Aluna Hostel you can buy garlics, tomatoe, avos, pineapples, bananas, cumcumers ect ect for very cheap, im talking from .25 - $2 for your whole days worth of meals. Cristo es Amor has the WORLDS tastiest EMPANADAS for only .75c. They serve Vegetarian, chicken and shrim. They are addictive we were eating them for breakfast, lunch & dinner. It is close to Aluna Hostel and Uraku. They also sell fruit, veg and pastas, cheese, breads ect here. URAKU restaurant that is around the corner from Aluna Hostel. They just opened when we were there. It is surrounded by Mango trees you can just pick off the floors and tables to take home. They have fire pits they light at night and drummers on some nights. They sell amazingly marinated beef skewers served on a Bamboo Stick you chew on at the end with a fat bbq potato, delicious, all for 4000 $2 (AUD). You will want another plate after your first, we all got seconds. PIZZERIA END OF THE ROAD Palomino Restaurant is on the main road, 2 blocks from Aluna Hostel. Next to the petrol station (closest to Santa Marta, there are 2 petrol stations), its a very small town you will find it. They have the Plate Of The Day (Plato de dia) which consist of soup, main and drink for 7000 ($3.50) large portion. |
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SLEEP
CASA ELEMENTO - Largest hammock Casa Loma |
ATTRACTIONS
WATERFALLS HIKES Coffee Tours Indigenous Village |
SLEEP
Hostel Remarin was only 15,000 pp for a private room with bathroom, aircon & very good wifi & a kitchen. Not many gringos, mostly spanish speaking, a few hippes & muso's. Can pitch a tent out the back or on the small roof top and sleep out on the bunks outside. Good location & Johnny is there, he will hook you up with everything. Casa Moringa Hostel is located on the hill with a rooftop pool and bar showing stunning panoramic views of Taganga . There is a kitchen for you to use & a hammock area. 30,000 ($15) for a dorm bed. Beds & rooms are cleaned daily. Nirvana Hostel situated on calle 12. This hostel has rooms that have aircon 24/7 and ensuite, with access to wifi, they have a hang out area with hammocks and also a Pool, Bar & restaurant. There is also a home cinema and playstation Dorm beds with x10ppl are only 20,000 ($10). 5-10minute walk to the beach and walking distance to all the bars & restaurants. The Jaba Nibue is AMAZING if you want to stay in a Eco Resort, so beautifully decorated, but you'll need to be willing to pay between $125-200 per person a night, Dollars. Bahia hostel is on the right side of the beach on the mountain, looks new and amazing, not sure of prices. Oso Perezoso is 30,000 $15 for two people, for a private room with bathroom. Hostel Pelican big place in town seems like it would have everything. Villa Mary has dorms, with air con & banos, with kitchen hammock hang out wifi looks spacious and clean |
EAT
Next door to Hostel Remarin when you walk out the front, turn left and two doors down is a yellow house. They have plates for 5,000 ($2.50AUD) comes with rice, beans, salad, pasta & you choose a meat. Massive plate, cheap & beautiful family run business. Comidas Rapidas Nicmat just down on the corner to the left of above has cheap pizzas, hot dogs and hambugers wth drinks ranging from $2-5 a meal. A similar fast food along the beach front selling the same (Both stat 5pm ish till late) Restaurante Casa de Ada has the yummiest chicken shcnitzal ever, with beans, rice, salad & plaintains, comes also with a soup and a fresh juice for all 7000 ($3.50) also have fresh juices mango, banana and passionfruit for $1.50. Lucemar along the beach basic vegetarian plate for $3, beans, rice, salad, pasta, plantains & eggs sometimes avocado. Pomidori Pizza & Pasta Restaurant has delicious gourmet food prices starting from $5 Creperia Gourmet A little more expensive but nice and is located right on the beach close to the round about. Pacha mama which has all tapa's & a Baguette place. El bonito bar mojoitos has yummy cocktails in a jar with food also. Located right on the beach! Divijura.. Also grocery stores everywhere where you can cook up your own meals for very cheap! |
ATTRACTIONS
Read the website of Nirvana they have loads of suggestions, so do most hostels, good tip for any new town/ city you go to. Diving there is a Dive Centre in Taganga where you can do your open waters and night dives for your advanced course.very cheap less then $350 AUD. Playa Grande walk and beaches Sunset from any parts of the hill Playa Concha by Motorbike Mirador Club to drink on weekends, always loads of people. |
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SLEEP
Tomato Hostel is only 20,000 for dorm bed, with a kitchen, and a restaurant, wifi. Is located right in the middle of town. Small outside area, offers laundry service too for $2.50 per kilo. There is a really nice Hotel for only 30,000 a room with Breakfast included, nice facilities, on the corner near Hostel Tomato. |
EAT & DRINK
La Fogata Restaurnate is on the water just a 30second walk from the Centre where the church is. Has icy cold beers for $1.50 and a plate of Chorizo with Potato & salad with aprepa for $3, delicious quality food. Menu Del Dia all around the main square plaza for around 7,000-10,000 includes soup, main course and juice. $3.50-5AUD. Supermarket and cook yourself in the hostels. Cooked up pasta with tuna and veggie's with stock for only 6000 and that was dinner (hge serving) and breakfast left overs, large portion ($1.25c per meal) |
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SLEEP
Hostel Beuna Vida was right in the centre of La Candelaria area of Bogota, the place to stay. Dorm rooms for 15,000 ($7.50) one of the cheapest in Colombia. They had shared bathrooms, kitchen for guests, WIFI and a roof top which was amazing with hammocks and bean bags and views over the city. Very nice & helpful but no english spoken. Hostel Bella Vista is in the same area Candelaria and situated right next to the square down the popular alley way with underground cafe's and shops with colourful graffiti all over them. Very Hostel Fatima also in Candelaria area Explora Hostel also in Candelaria area. Looks new funky and a travellers vibe Hostel la Quinta 18,000 dorms with breakfast. Owned by an older lady. Doesnt speak much english but very friendly and clean hostel, cheap and includes breakfast. Has bathrooms, wifi and Kitchen, good location. |
EAT & DRINK
Mega Burger has burgers with the lot (beef, chicken, mushroom, cheese, onions, lettus and sauses) for only 4,500 ($2.25AUD) and they are huge! Also hot dogs and a lot of cheaper options for only $1 AUD. Pizza Slices & Pastas Crepes & waffles Sandwich shop on corner Poutine BOGOTA CITY The draft beer on tap (not too common) The weed shop ben was talking about |
ATTRACTIONS
Plaza de boliar & T2 street is very emo and hippie, small underground cafes and rooftop bars, tattoo shop, music, pubs downa small alley. Tequendama Falls is only 30minute taxi ride or an hour bus away from ppualr town of Candelaria in Bogota. http://thecitypaperbogota.com/travel/tequendama-forgotten-falls/4086 http://gunghotravels.com/2015/03/18/hotel-del-salto-colombia/ The gold musuem only 1km from Candeleria suburb in Bogota. The church on the hill overlooking bogota, good for sunset, you can walk half way then get the cable car or get a taxi then cable car |
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ATTRACTIONS
SALSA SALSA SALSA learn how to Salsa in Cali. The bar very close to the hostels in San Antonio is " LA Topa Tolondra bar" all the locals and tourist go there to watch and do salsa. Free before 8pm i think after that 5000 entrance ($2.50AUD) The Parklife hostel also offers a map weith the museums, churches adn otehr attractions in the area. CALI Jardin Plaza Centro - Plaza Caycedo Walk around Parque del Perro La 5a Piscinas Pananericanas - Cholados O'Raspado |
SLEEP
Posada de Japones Hostel was AMAZING. One of my favourite places in Colombia and favourite hostel, had an amazing 5 days here. This hostel is situated up on the HILL, so you are looking over all the rolling country hills and down on the town of San Agustin. Its so relaxing & peaceful. Japones had fresh Mandarins from his tree we could eat, and made us a fresh raspberry juice. He has dogs and a very cute little niece. Sunsets from here are amazing. He has spacious dorms with large beds, and privates with own bathroom. Hammocks, kitchen for the guests, WIFI. Dorms 20,000 and Privates 25,000 but if you stay a couple of days he could do a deal with you. He offers horse riding to the rivers and waterfalls, trek up in the mountains, visit the parks and statues, anything! We also made jewellery there with his quarts that he found from the mountains. He is an interesting man with a lot of stories to tell, not much english but learn spanish :). He does special tour here and can anything you want. San Luis Hostel was located in town. They had a van who picked us up from the cross sections where the bus dropped us off and drove us 12km into San Agustin so we stayed here the first night. It is only 15,000 pp ($7.50cAUD)for dorm or privates, shared bathrooms, basic kitchen for guests, very good wifi and a roof top with hammocks. They offer tourist info on the statues, park ect. Casa De Nelly Hostel is also situated a little out of town up in the mountains. This is also another popular travellers hostel in San Agustin like Posada Del Japones. Im not sure of the prices but i assume its similar to Casa De Japones. Casa del Francois - up the hill near japones |
EAT & DRINK
- pizza mania slic 3000 mini 12,000 El Fargo plates Saludarte El meson Barham 5000 breakfast lunch dinner 11,000 Groceries - celery, carrots, potatoes, chicken stock, rice, tomatos, chicken, spices, oil & butter($5.50c) $1.75c for 1/4 chicken |
DO
Andean world - Archaeological Park - waterfalls and vies. Lost City. coc tour here. make it keep it - go with small group horse ride tour through acient graves SAN AGUSTAN - CASA JAPANESE - SPECIAL TOUR 100 $50 $7.50 for over 10 qaurts 35,000 ($17.50c for morning 2hr horse ride) |