Colombia was the last country we visited on our South American odyssey. Up until recently, Colombia was not considered safe for tourists because of an international drug war and civil military struggle in the 1980s and 90s. Before we left, a peace treaty was signed by the Colombian government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to bring an end to the Colombian conflict. The solution may not be perfect but we found this country as safe as any we’d visited in South America. Although our time here was limited, we enjoyed our drive, mostly along the Pan American Highway, as we experienced the country’s diverse landscapes and colonial charm.
Our journey from Ipiales to Bogotá Colombia, September 4 – October 11, 2016
We entered through the southwest and saw some spectacular scenery. This was once considered a very dangerous area but now only the Pan American was a bit frightening….
Along the Pan American Highway near Nuñes, Colombia
Along the Pan American Highway near Nuñes, Colombia
Pan American Highway near Chachagui, Colombia
Typical city traffic, Pasto, Colombia
Camping in Popayán, Colombia
Camping at Parque Natural Regional El Vinculo, Guacari, Colombia
Camping at Parque Natural Regional El Vinculo, Guacari, Colombia
Along the way we stopped at one of the hot springs in the lush coffee growing region, Termales de Santa Rosa de Cabal, a very popular tourist destination!
Termales (hot springs) Santa Rosa de Cabal , Colombia
Termales (hot springs) Santa Rosa de Cabal , Colombia
Termales (hot springs) Santa Rosa de Cabal , Colombia
From there, we continued to the fascinating city of Medellín, former headquarters for the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar. We took a guided walking tour through the city, one of the highlights of our stay. Juan, our tour leader, was young, enthusiastic and ready to show foreigners how his city has turned around since the Drug Wars.
Camping in Retiro, near Medellín, Colombia
View from our campground in Retiro near Medellín, Colombia
Our guide, Juan, on walking tour at old railway station, Medellín, Colombia
Sleeping Venus by sculptor Fernando Botero, at Botero Plaza, Medellin, Colombia
Our tour group in Botero Square, Medellín, Colombia
La Candelaria District, Medellín, Colombia
On the way to the port of Cartagena we drove through lush, tropical countryside, including the lovely town of Jardín. It is an agricultural settlement, surrounded by small coffee farms and brightly painted houses. There is a lively cobblestone plaza at the center of town which is dominated by an immense neo-Gothic church.
Camping near Jardín, Colombia
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Jardín, Colombia
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Jardín, Colombia
A typical residential street in Jardín, Colombia
We also stopped to visit the whitewashed, colonial town of Villa de Leyva. In addition to its magnificent plaza, It boasts an amazing chocolate museum!
How to tell that you’re driving through the tropics! near Filadelfia, Colombia
Villa de Leyva, Colombia
Plaza Mayor, Villa de Leyva, Colombia
Museo del Chocolate! Villa de Leyva, Colombia
The Spanish colonial town of Baricahra is famous for the regional specialty of hormigas colonias (giant roasted dark brown ants). Unfortunately we were not able to buy any since it was the wrong season…
A typical street in Barichara, Colombia
Store that sells roasted leaf-cutter ants, Barichara, Colombia
Cathedral of Barichara, Barichara, Colombia
Cathedral of Barichara, Barichara, Colombia
On the road near Aratoca, Colombia
We finally arrived in Cartagena and made the arrangements for shipping our van to Antwerp, Belgium. We camped at a nearby finca, a working farm that was owned by a British expat. While there, we prepared the van and also had time to visit the Old Town. The final inspection was a bit stressful but eventually our camper was put into a container and deemed ready for shipping.
Camping at a finca near Cartagena, Colombia
Empty street in the Old Towm, Cartagena. Colombia
Old Town, Cartagena, Colombia
Near the port. Cartagena. Colombia
Pre-shipping inspection, Port of Cartegena, Colombia
From Cartegena we flew to Bogotá and explored this very cosmopolitan and interesting city. Bogotá is animated and exciting, with no shortage of cultural attractions and fine restaurants. The main avenue in city center turns into a pedestrian street on Sundays, perfect for walking, cycling and salsa dancing! Then we returned to San Francisco, where Andre had a couple of days rest before flying to France to retrieve our van…
Leaving Cartagena for Bogotá, Colombia
Chess in city center, Bogotá, Colombia
Botero Museum, Bogotá, Colombia
“Leda and the Swan,” Fernando Botero, Botero Museum, Bogotá, Colombia
Plaza Bolivar, Bogotá, Colombia
Gold Museum, Bogotá, Colombia
Gold Museum, Bogotá, Colombia
Typical Colombian cuisine, Bogotá, Colombia
Typical Colombian cuisine, Bogotá, Colombia
City center on Sunday afternoon, Bogotá, Colombia
City center on Sunday afternoon, Bogotá, Colombia
Fabulous pictures and trip. What I don’t get is why the streets everywhere you went, and in previous blogs, look so much cleaner than the streets of San Francisco?
Thanks for the stories.
You two are amazing! Your pictures and narrative are marvelous. I think you should write travel guides! You have been and seen places that most people will never, ever have the opportunity to see or travel to!!