Definitely hit up Parque Nacional Tayrona near Santa Marta. Spectacular beaches and there's a nice hike to an indigenous community/ruins within the park too.

Posted Aug 22, 2011

You might find out how much a flight to Providence Island is - from Cartagena. This island is the little sister to San Andres. They speak a creole English and Spanish, population 6,000, afro-Caribbeans. They have spectacular snorkeling. We went out with a guy in a boat and fished and snorkeled. Great food. My wife and I rented a motor scooter. I remember one night we went to a beach that had exactly one bar and 2 guest houses (Rolando's). This is the Caribbean without the tourist traps. 

Posted Aug 29, 2011

Hi Mike,

A friend and I spent a week in Bogota in Feb. and flew to Cartegena for another week there. We pretty much stayed within the walled part of the city. One day we did venture outside into a rather seedy park with a lot of benches occupied by drunks. We felt pretty uneasy about that ( being two ladies in thgeir late 60's) so we went back to the center of the old city. We like to walk around a lot and explore different neighborhoods so didn't go outside of Cartegena. But I have heard that there are some mud baths that for younger people sound like fun.

I write a travel blog; www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Gunga/ you can go there and read about the places we visited. There were some great resataurants in both locations. In Bogota I would recommend Bore'- it is up the street from the Botero musuem. Also, don't miss the Gold Museum ( have lunch at their dining room- fabulous!). It is the best I have seen in all of SO. AM. In bogota we stayed at Casa Deco- a lovely new hotel ( around $100 a night) in the Candelaria district).

Have fun,

Carolyn/Gunga

Posted Aug 21, 2011

Cartagena, outside of the old walled city, is not a good place for those without an understanding of the ways of the region. The city isn't a good place to learn. I recommend Santa Marta as an alternate destination.
If you have the budget for it San Andres is beautiful and safe, not terribly expensive but not too cheap. It is a little misleading that it is part of Colombia as it is considerably north of the coast of Nicaragua. It is the tropical paradise type place. It also has the advantage of a large percentage of English speakers.

Cartagena’s beaches tend to be dirty with LOTS of panhandlers, beggars and pests.
Plan on a day or 2 to see the old city then move on.

Driving in Colombia can be a bit of a challenge. Mostly because road markings and maps are both a bit sketchy. IE; you might see a sign saying to turn right to get to X. The problem is that you will not know which right to take. There might be numerous possibilities and the correct right could be a mile or more beyond the sign. Driving in Colombia is usually a matter of asking directions from many people then averaging the answers. Just remember that no self respecting Colombian will ever say they don't know or aren't sure.

Questions; Do you speak Spanish? Directions  don’t do much good if you don’t understand them.

If you haven’t traveled a lot  in the 3rd world I suggest reading a book called “Smart Safe Traveler”  It is available through Amazon or check out the website by the same name smartsafetraveler.com

Posted Aug 23, 2011

Mike,

I like the Charleston Hotels in both cities.  There are two in Bogota; I prefer the Casa Medina for its charming building, but both are very clean, well-appointed and well located.  The Charleston Santa Teresa in Cartagena is within the walled city (where you definitely want to be) and is lovely.  http://www.hotelescharleston.com/   

The other option in Cartagena is obviously the Sofitel Santa Clara at the center of the walled city.  I've heard good things about the Casa Boutique Veranera and the Casa El Carretero but can't vouch for either. 

While in Cartagena enjoy a lunch or dinner at El Santisimo or Mar del Juan, and a drink at Cafe del Mar (on the walls themselves with a view of the sea and the sunset).  

I would definitely heed the warnings you have been given about driving in Colombia.  In fact, if it were me, I wouldn't do it.  I'd simply choose a nice beach town as your third destination and fly there, but that's how I roll...  Trust me, I like adventures, but hassles I can do without.  

Enjoy!  Its a beautiful country. 

Posted Aug 25, 2011

There is a very nice museum that i visited in bogota.  I think it is in or near the Central Bank and has a lot of things made out of gold.  Bogota is also one of the most beautiful cities in the world when the flowers are blooming.  Take a drive on the street that is higher on the mountain side.

Posted Aug 27, 2011

A visit to the mountains might be a nice compliment to your other destinations. I visited Medellin and Santa Fe de Antioquia at the end of last year at highly recommend it. It's easy (and breathtaking)  to fly in and out of Medellin. For more info: http://www.angelafoxpetersen.com/visiting-medellin-colombia/

Food for thought! Have a great trip!

Posted Aug 30, 2011

Santa Marta is definitely my most favorite spot in Colombia, and an added treat is Taganga which is just a few minutes bus ride over the hill from SM. It is very safe and has lovely hotels and restaurants. The people are friendly and it is a special place.

Posted Sep 03, 2011