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Colombia Travel Tips - Things Learned In Colombia

As I walk down a familiar street and turn down a familiar road, there are still observations I make. New observations, the kind of observations that make me have new insights. The kind of insights that make me go “Oooh”. You know what I am talking about. You have experienced it in your own home town before. Although I have traveled to Colombia four different times, there were still things I learned on my last trip. Through familiar cities and familiar cultures an familiar streets observations and “Ooohs” kept coming. Here are a handful of them:

  • Traveling with a loved one is one of the best ways to travel. When you travel with a loved one it enhances everything you do much more.
  • Traveling is a great way to test any relationship. I can tell you we had some rocky times on this trip and we learned a lot about each other on the road. It really makes you learn more about someone… and even more so, yourself.

Let Us Get Some Sun La Miel - iPhone

  • Work or Play? - As a travel writer and photographer, it was ESPECIALLY hard to keep the two balanced. I was having so much of a good time, I forgot about work. And when I was working, I forgot to have a good time.
  • Colombians are all about family. I was invited to eat with the family, check out housing with the family and I was expected to be interacting as if I was part of the family. It is main staple to Colombian life. It made it seemed like I was married already… that can be scary to some.
  • Keep it simple. Especially at the border areas of Sapzurro, it was key to make sure to keep it simple. There are no roads there and not a lot of amenities. My iPhone was saw as thing that was not needed as well as my high tech camera. Good thing my laptop was tucked away most of the time.
  • Practice your Spanish… at all times. My girlfriend spoke most of the time which made it hard for me to speak for myself. It made it seem like I was not friendly. I have travelled Colombia alone before and was very open to talking, but even when some is talking for you, talk for yourself in the language. Otherwise, you become the dumb foreigner.
  • Semana Santos is a rough week to travel. It is the day that everyone else in the country goes to visit their family. Expect high volume of other travelers. Even the news was covering the travel week. The only shame is that I did not get to be on TV.

Catfish Floats - Parque Explora in Medellin

  • I am glad I took the airfare to Medellín because it is a gorgeous, organized and amazing city. It can be considered the London of South America. It is one of the best travel places. It is no wonder why there are so many expats that live in Medellin. That and the women wear less clothing due to the nice weather.
  • I am still in love with the travel to BBC, aka Bogota Beer Company. It is my favorite reason to go to Bogotá and have a great craft beers.

BBC Stout - Bogota Beer Company

  • Estereo Picnic Festival in Bogotá was awesome and Crystal Castles puts on an Amazing show.

 

Crystal Castles at Estereo Picnic Bogota - iPhone

 

Again after 4 times visiting, I still have a lot to learn about Colombia, even though I learned a lot last time. And that is yet another excuse to return. What do you think of these tips? Do you have any tips to leave about Colombia? Leave a message below, send us a tweet on twitter, or post on our facebook. Heck even send us a message. Let us know, we want to share it with others.

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Tips: Things Learned Traveling In Argentina

“Ugh! What is that on my boot?” “Wasn’t I here already?” “Did you say 18 hours on a bus?” We tend to learn things the best the hard way, which is by experience. Learning by experience tends to allow us to grow a bit more. What was learned in Argentina? Here are some tips about traveling Argentina, or just traveling in general but was discovered when traveling Argentina:

  1. “Cagar en el Calle!” Yes, the grammar is incorrect, but the alliteration was more fun. Watch where you step. It seems that dogs like to poop just about everywhere in the streets of Buenos Aires, and the owners do not like to clean up after their dogs. While looking up and around at the amazing architecture, make sure not to step into a smelly accident.
  2. Argentina is HUGE. Two weeks are enough to see Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Rosario and Colonia del Sacramento, but forget about Patagonia, the Pampas, the beaches, Fue de Tierra, Bariloche and the lakes, Salta… and much more. Looks like another booking to Argentina is required… Not like that is a bad thing.

    This is Floralis Genérica located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  3. A shifty man leans against the wall in his white collared shirt and black slacks. Casually he announces “Cambio?” as tourist pass by in the heart of Centro Buenos Aires. I am not advocating doing something illegal, but there is an advantage for having American Dollars, you can exchange them for hefty amount of money in your favor. The regular exchange rate for American dollars is 4.7 and most “cambios” would exchange for 4.2 at the airport. Black market or “Blue Dollar” was more like 6.1 per a dollar. There are places online that can allow for money transfers to your account for a better exchange rate and no need to worry about walking into dark alleys or shifty buildings.
  4. Pizza is amazing. Some of the best pizza I have EVER eaten had been in Argentina. There is a huge Italian influence in Argentina and the cooking is hugely influenced. Pizza here is great, although not Italian thin crust, it has a great taste. It is always fresh and best of all you can enjoy it at midnight when you have a made case of the… hunger.
  5. Good luck being vegetarian, actually not really. When you say are vegetarian or “Yo soy vegetariano” they look at you with a weird stare. Argentina is known for being a haven for meat lovers. Most when asking for something vegetarian they will offer a salad. Look at the menu closely, there are actually a lot of vegetarian options.

    Voulez Bar in Palermo, Buenos Aires

  6. Buenos Aires is the hub. If you want to go anywhere, you have to go to Buenos Aires first. If you are in Puerto del Iguazu and want to get to Bariloche, you still have to travel south to Buenos Aires then westward to Bariloche rather than straight westward to Bariloche. It is a great way to rack up frequent traveler points…
  7. Don’t be afraid of a bus system. The bus system is rather comfortable, actually more comfortable than most first class air flights when taking long travels. With reclining chairs that turn into beds. That 18 hours bus ride to Iguazu does not seem so bad now.
  8. Don’t do anything the day you are set to leave, like taking a day trip an hour north to Tigre. If so, expect the chance of missing your flight in the 3.5 hours of traffic from downtown Buenos Aires to Ezeiza Airport. On a good note, it is a great way of extending your stay an extra day.

    Sunken Boat On Tigre Delta

  9. Expect slow service. Service in Argentina is slow, but for a reason. The idea is just to enjoy your time. When you order something to eat, expect to have a good amount of time to talk to your lunch/dinner mate, because getting that check may take 30 minutes just to get to you.

Ever have some interesting experiences that you would like to share when in Argentina? Perhaps just some tips? Or maybe you have some experiences on traveling in general. Let us know in the comments below or tell us on twitter and Facebook. Or just stalk us on our feeds.

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