Are we doing too much? Re: Travel to Colombia

[daisypaloma]

DH and I finally booked a flight for 9 days in both Cartagena (CTG) and Panama (PTY). We fly in early September. We booked hotels on the nights 4-5 in CTG and nights 6-9 in PTY.

DH wants to check out Medellin and/or Bogota, whereas I just want to stay in Cartagena the first 5 days of our trip, considering the last time we did a 2-plus leg trip, it was too exhausting.

I'm trying to sell him on possibly scuba diving in CTG, and going from island to island nearby (Baru, etc.), but he's sold in checking out these two towns (which I'm kind of getting sold because I would love to see the old churches in both cities, but I just really want to RELAX).  
 
WWYD? emilyinchile @sfgal530 wise_rita scout8 GilliC @mx all others

[wise_rita]

I've never been to South America before, but I work with a few Colombians. Will get their input and get back to you!

[daisypaloma]

Apr 28, 2015 22:57:36 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

I've never been to South America before, but I work with a few Colombians. Will get their input and get back to you!

 Thanks!  I'm not sure why I think you've been.

[Deleted]

I got back from Bogota 2 weeks ago. Honestly, you only need 2 days, 3 max there. The food is amazing there.

In certain areas it's totally safe to walk around in alone, but you'll need to take taxis nearly everywhere. If your Spanish is good then you can get in the yellow taxis, which are super cheap. Otherwise, have your hotel/restaurant call a white taxi for you. Those are the super safe tourist ones. They'll also only charge you a flat rate where the yellow ones run the meter. The taxis are cheap, but it was annoying because we got into a yellow taxi, showed the guy the map and gave him the address and he still drove around "lost" for 20 minutes. He definitely ran up the meter, but still a 45 minute ride was only like $9. 

I stayed at the Boheme Royal during the work portion of my trip and it was ok.

And H and I stayed at the Sofitel for the vacation part and that was amazing. 

They're both located in Zone T and it's completely safe in that little shopping area. 

Also, be very careful with your stuff. My work phone was stolen, my coworker's purse was stolen and my other coworker's laptop was stolen between his feet. 

I definitely recommend going to Monserrate, the gold museum and the Botero musem. Those 3 were my favorites. It's a half day trip, but a few people went out to the salt caves and were meh about it. They all said it wasn't worth the trip, so I didn't go. 

These were my favorites restaurants: 
Andres Carne de Res

www.facebook.com/RoxanneGinBar

La Fama
Central Cevicheria

Harry Sasson

Tabula

www.wok.com.co/wps/portal/wok 

bogotabeercompany.com/


HTH! Let me know if you have any other questions. 

[GilliC]

I haven't been either, though I dated a Colombian guy for a while in university!
I've been meaning to go at some point.

[scout8]

Sorry, but I haven't been either. I really want to go though, so please report back.

[emilyinchile]

Basically ditto uwhusky that you only need 2-3 days in Bogotá, disagree that the food is amazing. I don't particularly like Bogotá - it's fine, just not that interesting to me - and the only major WOW attractions for me there are the gold museum and dinner at Andrés (I have only been to Andrés DC, the one that's in the city, and not Andrés Carne de Res which is in a suburb). Montserrate was fine, Botero museum was fine, Zipaquirá salt caves were fine but kind of a trek. I have blog posts, if you want more info: www.emilyinchile.com/tag/bogota

I think you could reasonably do 3 days in Cartagena and 2 days elsewhere, but I definitely wouldn't do three cities in Colombia, and it's just a matter of personal preference whether you'd rather see more or have more relaxation time. Personally I would probably rather stay in Cartagena, since you're already going from there to Panama. I haven't been to Medellín, although I've heard good things, so I don't know if it's the kind of place that it makes sense to go for 2 days. Also consider that Bogotá is basically always 60-ish degrees with a chance of drizzle, so that would probably require a different wardrobe and may not be the weather you want.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Having been to Carta twice, you do not need 5 days there. Plus, I think 3 cities in 9 days is totally doable. I think 4 might be pushing it but flights are easy between Carta and Bogota or Medellin but there are more flight options as between Bogota.

[Deleted]

Apr 29, 2015 10:12:49 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Basically ditto uwhusky that you only need 2-3 days in Bogotá, disagree that the food is amazing. I don't particularly like Bogotá - it's fine, just not that interesting to me - and the only major WOW attractions for me there are the gold museum and dinner at Andrés (I have only been to Andrés DC, the one that's in the city, and not Andrés Carne de Res which is in a suburb). Montserrate was fine, Botero museum was fine, Zipaquirá salt caves were fine but kind of a trek. I have blog posts, if you want more info: www.emilyinchile.com/tag/bogota

I think you could reasonably do 3 days in Cartagena and 2 days elsewhere, but I definitely wouldn't do three cities in Colombia, and it's just a matter of personal preference whether you'd rather see more or have more relaxation time. Personally I would probably rather stay in Cartagena, since you're already going from there to Panama. I haven't been to Medellín, although I've heard good things, so I don't know if it's the kind of place that it makes sense to go for 2 days. Also consider that Bogotá is basically always 60-ish degrees with a chance of drizzle, so that would probably require a different wardrobe and may not be the weather you want.

ooh, I didn't realize there were 2 locations. I've only been to the DC one then and not the Carne de res one. 

Oh and one other thing about Bogota, the altitude really got to me. I was feeling like I had a low grade hang over for a few days. take it easy if you aren't used to higher altitudes. 

There's also an interesting Anthony Bourdain episode in Bogota. That's how we found Tabula and we definitely weren't let down by his recommendation.  

[SJ]

We did PTY, BOG, CTG last June. We were in Bogota for my cousin's wedding. If we didn't have family there, we wouldn't have stayed in Bogota nearly as long.

I also think the food is way way way better in Cartagena- no comparison. The food in Bogota is totally different- more carby/starchy, lots of repetition, etc. The common recommendations are Monserrate & Gold Museum, which I think are worth seeing. The Salt Cathedral is kind of cool, but out of the city. We didn't see it last year, but I have been several times in the past.

However, honestly, I would much rather spend the time in Cartagena and the surrounding areas. The weather is better, the food is better, etc. Bogota is just a huge capital city. Weather is totally different. If you are flying through or something, I guess a few days is fine, but I wouldn't make it a priority.

We flew on Copa directly from Chicago to PTY and spent 3 nights in Casco Viejo. We LOVED it and could have stayed longer. The food was great. We rented a small apartment called Los Cuatro Tulipanes. Ate at Tantalo and Ego Y Narciso and the seafood market and several other places that I cannot recall at the moment but can look up if need be. We did a Jungle Boat & Miraflores Locks Tour with Ancon.

We then flew from PTY to BOG and were there almost a week for the wedding & tons of other family activities.

Then BOG to CTG. We LOVED Cartagena. There is something magical about it. We booked this whole place as we were still with my immediate family www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297476-d1783768-Reviews-Casa_Marco_Polo-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html inside the city. Spent one afternoon swimming at the Hilton. next time I would like to stay on this private island www.puntafaro.com/old_archives/ Then DH and I spent a few days up the beach by ourselves which was great. This place was booked but we would stay here next time  www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297476-d1982749-Reviews-Karmairi_Hotel_Spa-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html We didn't do any snorkeling or diving but there are lots of opportunities. We had anniversary drinks at the Sofitel, and lots of great meals in Cartagena.

Flew back CTG-PTY-Chicago.

I can dig up more details if you want!

I have never been to Medillin so I don't know if that would be a better addition or substitute to something else.

[daisypaloma]

Thanks for the insight, ladies.  So far, I talked DH out of doing a Bogota and/or Medellin leg.  The hotel and restaurants sounds exciting though!

I honestly don't mind checking out either/both cities but I'm burnt out from trying to pack in so much each time we go on a travel.  We may rent a car and go out of city center a few hours out, but for the most part, we'll just island hop around Cartagena.

[cheezer]

I loved Cartagena so much. I'd go back in a heart beat. Bogota wasn't the best for us. We were there the weekend before Easter and the city pretty much shut down on Sunday. Like could barely find dinner Sunday night. We also did a cooking class that had been well reviewed that had some very dirty/questionable food safety practices so our group was very turned off. You definitely cannot do both Bogota & Medillin in there. I'd personally stay in Cartagena and the islands nearby the whole time.

If you do go to Bogota I'm going to 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) Andres Carnes del Res. I had lots of Colombian friends who said you had to go to the one out in the suburbs. We rented a driver. There were 8 of us so it was super fun.