@globustrotterin

_{Not getting lost @ Salento –} 

When Colombia came as my next trip, I honestly was a bit worried. Why? Well, it is because of the reputation. But, now that I’ve been here for almost two weeks, I could say Colombia is much more than Pablo Escobar, Shakira, and the violent reputations.

_{Beautiful Colombia}

Being in the three cities, Bogota, Salento, and Medellin, Colombia has opened my eyes to its history, culture, and unique selling points! If you want to go to Colombia, but still hesitate to go, you shouldn’t. Below you will find out about how to travel Colombia without headache and worry.

_{Colorful Bogota}

_{Cute Salento}

_{Lively Medellin}

What should you prepare for Colombia?

1. Check your visa requirements for Colombia.

_{Stamped from Colombia immigration}

2. Prepare your sim card – I used e- Sim Airalo for 8 USD, 15 days 2 GB. Many apps. are needed here for your daily life, i.e. Uber, Google Maps, Whatsapp. 

_{Airalo Preview}

3. Choose your district wisely for your hotels. Colombia is a country where districts play a big role in terms of social classes and security.

_{Comuna 13 in Medellin}

4. If you want to go out at night, do not walk around, especially by yourself. Use Uber or Taxi to be safe.

_{Best option – Haggle free, cash free, and trackable}

5. Colombia is located in high altitude and the roads are curvy. You might want to bring your long sleeves and nausea medicine. 

_{Mountainous Colombia – a view from our bus to Medellin}

6. Get a rabies vaccine. There are a lot of stray dogs in Colombia. Although they look normal, a precaution won’t hurt you.

_{Sleeping street dog at Armenia Station}

7. Learn Spanish beforehand since people speak almost no English in Colombia. 

_{Duolingo is a good start for learning Spanish for free}

How much do you need for Colombia?

Depending on where you come from, Colombia I feel in general is a budget friendly destination. You can choose your range here. A good accommodation ranges from 20 USD. A meal in a restaurant costs from 5 USD. A coffee and/or beer range from 1.50 USD. Tour varies from 7.50 USD. We had a daily budget of 45 USD for two people and we could always eat out and take Uber. 

_{Our stay @ Lancaster Suites in Bogota with included breakfast was 37 USD per night}

_{A beer was 1.50 USD at a restaurant}

_{Cafe’s cappuccino & empada were 3.50 USD} 

_{Vegan Meal @ one of the rather high quality restaurant for 10 USD}

BOGOTA

Here is where I started my Colombia trip. Bogota is the capital city of Colombia. And from my research, it has a good flight connection. Therefore, it is a perfect getaway for your Colombia trip. 

_{View while Waiting @ Bogota Airport}

Where should you stay in Bogota? 

While doing my research, I found out that Usaquen, La Candelaria, and Chapinero are the three safest spots to stay. To give you better descriptions, here are my thoughts: 

• If you want to have a really secure neighborhood, stay at Usaquen. It is the richest and most expensive area in Bogota. 

_{Usaquen reminded me of Europe}

_{New Kids in The Hood}

• If you want to experience culture go to La Candelaria. The downtown of Bogota is located here. This is the most touristy area in Bogota. 

_{Lively La Candelaria}

• If you want to explore the nightlife of Bogota, stay in Chapinero. This is where the highest LGBTQ community strives. There are numerous hype bars here. 

_{Chapinero @ noon}

What could you do in Bogota? 

• Explore La Candelaria 

_{Colorful La Candelaria} 

• Try Ajiaco, the original soup of Bogota 

_{Full of protein, vegetables, corn, plantain, and flavored with coriander}

• Visit Museum Botero for free

_{And meet the famous voluminous Monalisa}

• Go up to Monserrate 

_{See the white castle up on the hill? That is your goal}

• Hang out in a bar in Chapinero 

_{Pic. Source}

• After that visit Basilica of Lourdes in the near

_{Basilica Lourdes}

• Walk around in Usaquen to see another part of Bogota 

_{Strolling @ chic Usaquen}

SALENTO

Salento is a transit city that we visited during our Colombia trip before Medellin. But, this is the cutest one! From security wise, this is the safest town ever. And it is a perfect place if you want to explore Colombia coffee culture. 

_{Upon arrival @ Salento}

_{Picking coffee bean @ Salento}

How to go to Salento?

Since there is no direct way to go to Salento, you need to transit. We took a 6 hour night bus from Bogota to Armenia for 18 USD per person. Then, we took another smaller bus circa an hour ride from Armenia to Salento for 3 USD per person. 

_{Leaving from hustle bustle Bogota Terminal}

_{Starting Point – Ride to Armenia}

_{Arriving @ Salento – Our ride is in frame}

Where should I stay in Salento?

Well, Salento is very small in comparison to Bogota. So, there are no specific districts where one should stay. But, for mobility and things to do, choose an accommodation nearby the center for the best option.

_{We stayed @ Hostel 3 Leones near the city center for 20 USD per night} 

What could you do in Salento? 

• Explore downtown Salento

_{Busy downtown Salento}

_{If you are lucky, there will be something happening atm}

• Stroll around Calle Real

_{Famous for its colorful buildings}

• Try a trout cuisine, a typical Salento plate

_{Trucha or fried trout on the left for 4.50 USD – it was so fresh!}

• Visit Museum of Salento for free

_{An exposition of a local artist}

• Climb to Mirador of Salento 

_{The start of the climb}

_{The reward of the climb} 

• Hike to Cocora Valley

_{You need to take a willy / jeep to the feet of Cocora Valley for 2 USD a round trip per person} 

_{Cocora Valley from afar} 

• Take a coffee tour

_{You also need to take the willy / jeep to go to the coffee farm – don’t worry, willies are official public transportation, so the price is fixed}

_{Learning all about coffee with Las Acacias Coffee Farm for 6.80 USD} 

_{Me @ the farm otw picking some beans – did you know for a cup of coffee, one needs 60 beans?}

MEDELLIN

Medellin is our last stop in Colombia. We were here on New Year’s Eve and it was a blast! Medellin used to be the most dangerous city in Colombia, but being there now, it certainly showed how the city has evolved and become more open. This is a city of hope!

_Medellin 

How to get to Medellin?

There is a direct bus from Salento to Medellin for 18 USD per person. I bought it online. The ride will take roughly five hours. 

_{Arrival @ Terminal del Sur, Medellin}

Where should you stay in Medellin?

Medellin is big and there are 16 districts or areas there, which are divided into its income level. From my research, the safest two options are: 

• El Poblado, the richest district in Medellin and where the most expats live. And where the nightlife lives besides the famous gastro options.

_{Upscale El Poblado}

_{Strolling around @ El Poblado}

_{El Poblado Park}

_{We stayed @ Cloud9 Hostel for 19 USD per night} 

• Laureles, famous because of the stadium of Medellin and numerous cafes. Well, people say if you want to enjoy a more local vibe, you should stay in Laureles instead of El Poblado. 

_{One of the tour offers @ Laureles}

_{Strolling @ Laureles}

_{Green Laureles}

What could you do in Medellin?

• Try Bandeja Paisa, the famous staple plate of Medellin

_{Bandeja Paisa for 7.50 USD – Dave had to take the rest home since the portion was huge} 

• Dance your way at a techno club, Medellin is the capital techno of Colombia

_{Resting after dancing a while @ Mad Radio – free entrance, loved the party, nice music & crowd}

• Visit the vibrant Comuna 13, a transformed district from the most dangerous place in the city to the most touristic one 

_{Comuna 13 now}

• Explore the unique statues made by the famous Botero at Plaza Botero 

_{Dave posing in front of one of the statues} 

• Afterwards, go visit Palazio Kulturo Rafael Uribe Uribe for free

_{The Inner Side & Dome of The Palace}

_{One of the expositions}

• Take a cable car from San Javier to La Aurora and back

_{Your Starting Point @ San Javier – Round Trip Ticket per Person was around 2.50 USD} 

_{View from the cable car}

• Climb to Pueblito Paisa

_{The buildings reminded me of Salento & there were cute restaurants as well}

_{PS – These are based on personal experiences and not legal advice. Post is free from ad. All prices are based from end December 2024 until the middle of January 2025}