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Hoe je van Bogotá naar Salento komt

Charelle — vr, 13 mrt 2020 09:08:39 +0000

Do you want to know how to get from Bogotá to Salento? Look no further. I struggled with this itinerary myself when I was planning my trip to Colombia, so I decided to write a complete guide for you. I explain all the different routes, including the travel time and costs. And I tell you what NOT to do to avoid getting pulled over by the police, like I was. Best routes from Bogotá to Salento I explain all the different routes from Bogotá to Salento in more detail below. To summarize, the following options are the the cheapest or fastest: If you want to go for the cheapest option available, your best bet is to take the bus from Bogotá to Armenia and then the minibus to Salento. If you want to go fast, you should take a plane to Armenia or Pereira and then go by taxi to Salento. Pereira is often the cheapest choice , because the flight tickets from Bogotá to Pereira are mostly cheaper than the flight tickets to Armenia. Please note that I included 1.5 hours waiting time per flight and approximately 0.5 hours per transfer. The total travel time of your journey may be longer than above mentioned travel times, due to unreliable bus schedules, longer waiting times or delays. It is just an estimation. Also, the costs for the taxi can often be split as you’ll find many travelers going in the same direction. That means that the total costs for the routes that include a taxi (both ‘fastest’ routes) may be significantly cheaper if you share the ride. From Bogotá to Salento, via Armenia In order to get from Bogotá to Salento, you have to go to Armenia or Pereira first. It’s possible to go by bus or by plane to both these cities. First, I explain the itinerary via Armenia: From Bogotá to Salento, via Pereira Another option is to travel from Bogotá to Salento via Pereira: Do NOT use Uber in the Salento region, it’s illegal In Bogotá and Medellín I used Uber all the time without getting into trouble whatsoever. I didn’t even know it was illegal. Until I got into an Uber from Pereira to Salento. That was a very bad idea. Even though people warned us at the airport in Pereira that Uber was illegal, I did it anyway. With eight people we shared two Ubers from Pereira airport to Salento. The people at the airport started kicking the vehicle while the other Uber drove away. That was very intimidating. Therefore, we decided not to get into our car at the main entrance, but at a parking area a bit further away. Approximately halfway to Salento the police blocked the road. Our driver decided he could avoid the police, and sped past the roadblock trying to make a U-turn. After a short chase he got pulled over by the police. His master excuse was: “do you know the road to Salento, I am confused?”. Obviously the police didn’t buy it and brought us to the police station at the side of the road. One of us got questioned by the police in the police station. The rest of us had to remain in the car. Meanwhile, the Uber driver was panicking. Asking us to not tell the police that he was driving Uber. It was a bit hard, though, as none of us spoke Spanish and the driver and the police didn’t speak English. A police officer said I had to come to the police station as well, “because I spoke Spanish”. I was surprised, because the only words I can manage in Spanish are “Hola” and “Supermercado”, basically. However, I did try to speak Spanish to a woman on the airport who warned us that Uber was illegal. So it was obvious they had been in contact. While we tried to make ourselves understood in our Dutch-English-Spanish-Sign language, another car got pulled over by the police. It was the other Uber car from the airport. Luckily, one of them spoke fluent Spanish. After A LONG time of being stuck at the police station they decide to let us go and fine the drivers. They even arranged (legal!) taxis for us to Salento! It was a stressful experience, because we had no idea what was going to happen. Thankfully it all ended well for us. To conclude, even though you won’t run into any problems in the big cities using Uber, do not use Uber in the Salento region. It will be checked and it’s illegal. We were lucky, but you might not be. The official yellow taxis from the airport are only slightly more expensive. I think that’s well worth it to avoid such a tense situation. Instead of Uber, try using EasyTaxi in Colombia. It works the same, and it’s legal. Was this guide useful for you? Or do you still have questions? Let me know in the comments! Want to know how to visit the Valle de Cocora from Salento? Read my guide on the Valle de Cocora hike. Or wondering where to go after Salento? Check out this 3-week itinerary for Colombia. Note: the information and prices in this article were last revised in 2020.

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Valle de Cocora Hike: Alles Wat Je Moet Weten

Charelle — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 10:03:11 +0000

The Wax Palms in the Cocora valley are the tallest palms in the entire world. They can grow up to 60 meters in height. 60 meters! And just saying that doesn’t do justice to these trees. They are tall, slender, majestic and breathtakingly beautiful, situated in a mystical valley high in the Andes mountains. The Valle de Cocora hike was one of the highlights of my trip to Colombia and definitely a not to miss visit. I tell you everything you need to know for your hike. How to get there and away Stay a night in the small village of Salento in the coffee region of Colombia. Want to know how to get to Salento from Bogotá first? Check out my complete guide on how to get from Bogotá to Salento in which I explain all the different routes. As early in the morning as you can muster, preferably before 10 AM, get a jeep from the main square in Salento to the valley. Officially there is a schedule for the jeeps, but they just leave when they’re full. In high season in particular there are jeeps running continuously between the valley and Salento. So you can literally just walk to the main square and get on the first jeep that’s leaving. It’s only a 30-minute drive to the Cocora valley. If you’re ready for an adventure, stand on the back of the jeep. If you want to enjoy the view, squeeze yourself in the front seat next to the driver (enough room for two and definitely recommended for tall people). In the back of the jeep you won’t see much. Same goes for returning to Salento. At the parking area near Valle de Cocora jeeps are waiting to take you back. One ride costs 4000 COP. The Valle de Cocora hike The jeep drops you off at the parking area near the valley. You’ll see many people following the path leading straight to the valley. However, you want to take a detour through beautiful landscapes, jungle and mountains. I really recommend that you do the detour if you can, it’s well worth the effort. But if you’re short on time or not feeling up to hiking, you can still visit the Cocora valley by just following the path to the valley. After approximately 30-40 minutes you’ll see the giant palms! You’ll know when you’re there, trust me. If you go for the long hike, which takes about 5 hours, you should download the app maps.me in advance. This app allows you to navigate the hike even when you’re offline. Just make sure to download the map of the area before you start your hike, because this requires internet. The first part of the route leads you through beautiful valleys with amazing views, giving you a sneak peek of the Cocora Valley. Instead of following the path directly to the Cocora Valley, go through the blue gate at the right. It’s close to the parking lot. You encounter, after approximately five minutes, a fork in the road. Take the path to the left, as the other one leads to a house. After another five minutes you’ll be asked to pay an entrance fee (3000 COP). When you reach the end of the valley you find yourself in dense jungle, crossing several small, wooden suspension bridges. They can be slippery, so mind your step. After about an hour in the jungle you eventually arrive at an intersection. The path to the right is a stairway and goes up a steep hill. This path leads to the Casa de Los Colibris, a sanctuary for hummingbirds. Besides hummingbirds, you can enjoy a drink here in a beautiful garden. It is a tough path up and you have to go back down if you want to continue the route, because it’s a dead end. To be honest, I didn’t think it was worth the effort. I stayed at Hostal El Zorzal in Salento, and they have a beautiful garden with a lot of birds (including hummingbirds) as well. It was a really nice stay, so if you are still looking for something I recommend this place. It’s also opposite the bus station, which is convenient if you arrive or leave by bus. So I suggest that you skip the Casa de Los Colibris, but it’s up to you of course. If you want to continue with the route, at the intersection take the path to the left. A steep climb uphill of 220 meters follows. This is the hardest part of the route, so take your time. At the top of the hill there’s a small finca called ‘La Montaña’ where you can get something to eat and drink. You find yourself at a whopping 2900 meters in height here. It’s time to enjoy some spectacular views! And assuring to know, they will only get better from here. From here onwards the path is pretty straightforward. However, in the jungle it’s not always clear how the path goes. I actually got lost a couple of times myself. So if you get lost on the way, use the maps.me app for navigation. Follow the road from the finca downhill. You’ll come across a couple of beautiful viewpoints (found on maps.me under the name ‘Mirador’ with a binoculars sign). At the third viewpoint the path goes right while the viewpoint is on the left going into the valley. Definitely check out the views at the viewpoint, it’s your first chance to properly look at the giant palms! Then you can continue through the valley to look up close to the palms or continue following the path taking you deeper into the valley. Walk around the giant palms and enjoy the spectacular Valle de Cocora. Once you’ve had enough you go to the end of the valley until you arrive at a path and then go left. Following this path for 30-40 minutes will take you to the parking lot. Jeeps are waiting there to take you back to Salento. What to take with you? Due to changing weather conditions, limited facilities and the fact that you’re high up in the mountains, take at least the following with you: Rain jacket Sun screen Plenty of water Snacks and lunch Toilet paper Proper walking shoes Camera, it’s such a photogenic place! Maps.me app on your phone I really think the Valle de Cocora hike is absolutely gorgeous! Let me know what you think about the place, because I love to hear your experiences. Looking for more Colombia inspiration? Check out my 3 week itinerary! Please be informed that some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only use affiliate links of companies and products of my choosing, so they don’t influence my writings on this website in any way. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Top 10 Budget Reisbestemmingen Wereldwijd

Charelle — Zon, 09 Feb 2020 11:09:16 +0000

People keep asking me how I afford to travel so much. Well, I mostly go to budget destinations. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive at all. Often countries abroad are even cheaper than staying at home. Do you want to travel as well but don’t want to spend tons of money? Check out my top 10 of budget travel destinations around the world. Sri Lanka Even though Sri Lanka is a relatively small country, there is lots to see and do. Go see wild elephants and leopards, visit ruins of ancient cities, hike through tea plantations and to waterfalls, and relax on golden-sand beaches or go surfing. You could stay a month on this island and just about see the highlights. And everything is extremely cheap. Imagine being on a 2nd class train ride for seven hours and paying less than US$2. Yes, that’s right. Laos Laos is one-of-a-kind. The country has the questionable honor of being the most bombed country in the entire world, during the Vietnam war. The scars of the past are still there. But at the same time it’s developing and enjoying an increasing influx of tourists. Local traditions meet tourism. Some small villages in the mountains got electricity in recent years and continue to grow. Others feel like time stands still. Everywhere are monks, beautiful temples, communism and impressive nature. There’s absolutely no place like it. In terms of money it’s very inexpensive. A beer? Less than US$1. A local meal? Less than US$1. A 1.5L bottle of water? Less than US$1. You could get around for US$10 per day here if you want. Indonesia Indonesia is huge and there are loads of islands that beg to be explored. It depends on where you are going, but top visits include meeting orangutans in Sumatra, climbing the impressive Bromo volcano in Java, going to Borobodur which is the largest Buddhist monument in the entire world, exploring the rice terraces of Bali or going to one of the many other islands. There’s no doubt that Indonesia has plenty to offer while it’s one of the cheapest countries that I’ve ever been to. I spent approximately US$850 during a month, and that included private rooms with hot showers, eating out three times a day, renting scooters everywhere, excursions, you name it. Cambodia I could list all Southeast Asian countries, but then it wouldn’t be the top 10 of budget travel destinations around the world. So last but not least for Asia: Cambodia. Explore the stunning countryside, ancient temples and ruins, beautiful beaches and enjoy true hospitality. Even though the country is becoming more and more established on the backpackers trail, it’s way cheaper than its neighbors. It’s one of the cheapest destinations for backpacking in the entire world! Colombia Colombia is incredibly diverse and booming. Tourism has grown over 260% since 2002, due to increased safety in recent years. There are megacities, jungles, glaciers, deserts, coffee plantations and tropical islands. Although it isn’t the cheapest country to visit on this list, it’s still very much possible to get by on less than US$50 per day. However, Colombia also offers high end accommodation, restaurants and activities. So you do have to keep an eye on where you spend your money. If you want to travel cheap try not to indulge in the vibrant gastronomy scene, stay away from the fancy cocktail bars, stay in hostels instead of hotels and avoid Gringoland. Want to know more? Check out my ideal travel itinerary for 3 weeks. Ecuador Galapagos is one of the main reasons why people visit Ecuador, but there’s so much more than that. And Galapagos isn’t very cheap, so if you’re traveling on a budget you might want to stick to the mainland. But that’s fine, really. There are incredible beaches, lush Amazonian rainforest and the magnificent mountain range the Andes. A nature lover’s paradise. A dorm in a hostel costs around US$8 per night and a private room around US$12. If you eat local food, it won’t cost more than US$5 per meal. And a beer is only US$1. Ecuador is one of the cheapest countries in South America to travel to. Georgia There are still plenty of options to travel on a budget in Europe and you don’t want to miss Georgia. The food and wine are simply incredible, people are too kind even if they don’t speak English (not even a word), the historic sights go back hundreds of years and the Caucasus mountains are the highest in Europe. If you can afford to hire a 4WD car (US$800 for two weeks), you have the ultimate freedom of exploring the country at your own pace and go wherever you want. I spent around US$200 per week, including staying in private double rooms, excursions such as paragliding and eating out at least twice a day. That’s less than US$30 per day. Read more in my post about the most epic road trip itinerary in Georgia! Romania Like Georgia, Romania is a somewhat off-the-radar destination in Eastern Europe and a true road tripper’s dream. In particular the Transfagarasan Highway, a winding and paved mountain road that shows you the best landscapes in the country. Historic churches, castles and monasteries are hidden away in medieval towns where the outside world doesn’t seem to exist. Even though it is a bit more expensive, it’s well worth hiring a car here. The prices are comparable to Georgia, as it’s very much possible to get around for less than US$30 per day. Portugal and the Azores Mainland Portugal offers stunning coastlines, vibrant Lisbon, cobblestone villages and great gastronomy. The Azores, officially part of Portugal, are Europe’s secret islands. There’s very little tourism, nature is incredible, wildlife (such as whales and dolphins) is abundant, and the seafood is the best in Europe. Portugal is definitely more expensive than the other countries on this list, but for European standards still affordable. You should be able to get around fine for around US$50 per day as a backpacker. The Azores require you to hire a car as the public transportation isn’t very much developed, so expect to pay a few dollars per day more here. Morocco Budget travel destinations in Africa are hard to find, but Morocco is your best bet. It’s often called the gateway to Africa and offers epic mountains, ancient cities with mazelike medinas and incredible deserts. You don’t have to worry about spending too much money on alcohol, because that’s not a common thing to do in the country. Assuming you’re staying in hostels, eating local dishes at the market or at cheap restaurants and using local transportation, expect to pay around US$50 per day. In Africa it doesn’t get a whole lot cheaper than that. There are many more budget travel destinations around the world, and I’m curious what your best budget destination is? Please tell me in the comments! Would you like to save even more money on your trip? Check out my guide on how to find cheap flights before you go.

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Colombia: Ideale reisroute voor 3 weken

Charelle — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 20:49:22 +0000

Twenty years ago people would have looked at you like you were crazy if you said you were going to travel to Colombia. The dark past still haunts the citizens and image of the country today, but a lot has changed the last few years. Even though there still is violence, corruption and criminality in the country, the tourist trail has become much safer. The figures don’t lie: tourism has grown over 260% since 2002. And for that we should be very grateful, because Colombia is above all a beautiful and diverse country waiting to be explored. From megacities to jungles, from glaciers to deserts, from coffee plantations to Caribbean islands, Colombia has it all. To help you out with so much choice, I share my ideal Colombia travel itinerary for 3 weeks with you. Day 1 – 3: Bogotá Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a great place to settle down and get used to the new environment you find yourself in. Due to the altitude it’s not too hot and the climate is really enjoyable. The city has a beautiful old city center, La Candelaria, filled with shops, historic churches and cathedrals, graffiti art, museums and typical Colombian houses tucked away in small streets. Every Sunday morning all the main roads are closed in the city, so people can go out on the streets by bike. This is, by the way, also the best moment to enjoy one of Bogotá’s famous bike tours and learn more about the city and the Colombian way of life. The hills around Bogotá offer great hiking and biking opportunities, and from there you can enjoy marvelous views of the city. In the Northern part of the city, Zona Rosa, you find large shopping malls, fancy restaurants, clubs and pubs. A perfect place to end your day. How long to stay in Bogotá Arriving on the first day, take it easy and settle down. In the following two days you have plenty of time to visit the main highlights of the city. For instance, I managed to see La Candelaria, Mount Montserrate, Museo del Oro, the Botero museum, do a bike tour, went to a market, played some Tejo, and ended both my days in Zona Rosa. If you want to do multiple tours or see more museums in the city itself, you should opt for an extra day. Also schedule some extra time if you want to do one of the day trips from Bogotá, such as visiting the Chicaque Natural Park, the Zipaquira salt cathedral or Villa de Leyva. Day 4 – 5: Salento & Valle de Cocora From Bogotá, I took a plane to Pereiro in the morning and grabbed a taxi to Salento from there. However, there are many different routes you can take. Therefore I wrote a complete guide on how to get from Bogotá to Salento! Salento is a small, colorful village amidst the green valleys of the coffee region. The most popular day trip from Salento goes to Valle de Cocora, a valley with the tallest palm trees in the entire world. These palms can grow up to 60 meters in height. The valley is breathtakingly beautiful and it was one of the highlights of my trip to Colombia. Definitely a not to miss visit. Read my detailed guide about hiking the Valle de Cocora if you want to know more. How long to stay in Salento After arriving in Salento, I used the rest of the afternoon to explore the village and played some Tejo with some beers in the evening. The next day I took one of the Jeeps from the main square to Valle de Cocora. That is to say two days is plenty of time to see both Salento and Valle de Cocora. If you have a bit more time, you can also visit a coffee finca in the area. However, I decided to end my trip to Colombia on a coffee finca near Minca. Therefore I skipped it in Salento. Day 6 – 9: Medellín & Guatapé A direct bus from Salento brought me to Medellín. You can book buses from Salento to Medellin on Bookaway. Although not a very beautiful city, it is without doubt an interesting one. Medellín transformed from the murder capital of the world in the 90’s to the most innovative city of the world in 2013. The firm grip of the narcos, paramilitaries, gangs and guerillas has loosened in recent years, leaving room for development. Comuna 13, for example, transformed from one of the most violent barrios controlled by the FARC to a beautiful neighborhood filled with street art. However, the recent past of the city still haunts the people in it and Pablo Escobar is considered he-who-must-not-be-named. Most of the citizens of Medellín suffered greatly at his hands, and as a result don’t like you to go sightseeing to places linked to Escobar. Luckily, there are plenty of other things to see in the city. Go to the chaotic city center to see the Botero sculptures at Plaza Botero, for example. Or do a walking tour with Real City Tours to learn all the things that are left unsaid about Medellín’s past. And don’t forget to enjoy the amazing gastronomy in one of the many restaurants in Zona Rosa. When you’ve seen enough of Medellín, take a bus out of town to the most colorful village of Colombia: Guatapé. Near the village there is a rock waiting to be climbed, El Peñón de Guatapé, with stunning views of the surrounding lakes as a reward. How long to stay in Medellín Two days in Medellín should be enough to enjoy the highlights of the city, which gives you one day to take the two hour bus ride to El Peñón and Guatapé itself. Get out at El Peñón and after you’ve climbed the steps take a tuk tuk to Guatapé. Day 10 – 14: Providencia island Let me start by saying that it is hard and expensive to get to Providencia island, but worth the effort. It lies far off the northern coast of Colombia, near Nicaragua, and has no direct connection to the mainland. Consequently, it involves at least two flights or one flight and a rough ferry ride to get there. For the latter, you can buy tickets here. I took a flight from Medellín to San Andres island, and got into the rickety 20 seater plane a couple of hours later that brought me to Providencia. The rough trip ensures that the island isn’t too crowded, and you’ll share the lovely beaches with only a few fellow travelers. Once you set foot on the small Caribbean island you know that you’ve arrived in paradise. The local rastafari speak their own English-creole language, stemming from the British colonial and slave trade history. The colonizers weren’t the only ones interested in Providencia, as the infamous pirate Henry Morgan set up his base on the island. According to rumors he left his treasure well-hidden on Providencia, and it is yet to be found. During the day you can explore the island on a motorbike, hike to the top of the mountainous interior, try to spot some turtles while snorkeling, or go diving and see the many sharks in the reefs around the island. In the evening you settle down at one of the few beach bars. The locals play reggae music and light up a fire on the beach. Your cocktail is served in a coconut and the plate you ordered with fresh fish and lobster is as big as your whole table. Sounds decent, right? How long to stay in Providencia I stayed for five days in Providencia, leaving the fifth day in the afternoon. But to be fair, you can spend as long as you like here. Time seems to stop, one day blends into the next, and the worry-free island life takes hold of you. That is to say decide for yourself how long you want to stay, although I wouldn’t stay less than four days as it isn’t very easy to get to. Day 15 – 18: Cartagena I took two flights from Providencia to get to Cartagena, and the contrast couldn’t be bigger. Cartagena is an assault on your senses. Heat, smells, beauty, chaos, wealth, poverty. The allure and colors of Cartagena’s Old Town are unrivaled. So it’s listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site for good reason, and expect loads of other tourists on this well-trodden path. However, outside of Old Town the cruise ship crowds quickly fade. Skip the five star hotels and casinos in Bocagrande, but go to the outskirts of the city to take it easy and enjoy Colombian life. Walk in quiet, colorful alleys in Getsemaní, drink a coffee in a local bar and match the pace of the sloths in Parque del Centenario. Go even further out of town to the huge and bustling Bazurto market, to take in the chaos and smells of the real Colombia. Often described as being “for adventurous souls only”, it’s a world away from the touristy and polished city center. At night, enjoy yourself in amazing restaurants, funky bars and vibrant clubs. How long to stay in Cartagena Four days allowed me to celebrate New Year’s in Cartagena, to see the major sights and visit some less touristy areas. But two to three days should actually be sufficient without celebrating New Year’s. Take some extra time, though, if you want to do a boat trip to the Rosario islands, spend a day at Playa Blanca or take a mud bath in Volcan del Totumo. Day 19 – 20: Tayrona National Park The route from Cartagena to Tayrona national park is a busy one, and plenty of minibuses are waiting to take you. Tayrona is THE postcard image of Colombia: golden sand beaches, blue water, palm trees, jungle, wildlife. It’s a beautiful park with stunning nature, but in high season its beauty can get lost in the crowds. I was there in the first week of January, for instance, which apparently is one of the busiest weeks of the year. If I imagine it without the people, though, it’s gorgeous. And locals told me if you go a couple of weeks later than I did, it’s a lot more quiet. The most popular hike in the park leads from the main entrance to Cabo San Juan beach, where you can spend the night. Most of the visitors stop their hike here, spend a day at the beach and go the same route back in the afternoon. But I tried something else. From Cabo San Juan I started hiking towards El Pueblo and a different entrance and exit to the park. A route that takes you into the jungle away from the beaches. Everyone else stayed on the beach so I was alone. In ten minutes I saw more wildlife than in the two hour hike to Cabo San Juan beach. How long to stay in Tayrona Don’t do what everyone else does here, take a different route. The beauty of Tayrona doesn’t lie in the most popular hike. but it is reserved for those who take a different path. You can hike to Cabo San Juan and spend the night there, and continue your hike to El Pueblo the next day. This allows you to see most of the park and spend some time at the beach. An alternative is to hike the whole circle in one day, but then you’re looking at a full day of hiking and not a lot of beach time. Day 21 – 23: Minca From Tayrona I took a bus to Santa Marta, and transferred to another bus headed for Minca. You can book buses or direct minivans at Bookaway. Minca latter is a loud town in the Sierra Nevada mountains and lacks charm. Where I stayed near Minca, however, was the perfect ending of my trip. I slept in a coffee...

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