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Trip Report
Adventures with nature in Colombia
Medellin to Cabo de la Vela and more
+ 13
South AmericaColombia8 days / September - October 2022
Highs & Lows
Tubing down river Buritaca
Mass tourism at playa Buritaca
Itinerary Overview
From Costa Rica I took a flight to Medellin, where I stayed for 5 nights.
From Medellin I went to Santa Marta, after that to Palomino with a stop in the Ponderosa Hostal.
To Cabo de la Vela I went with two different buses, one to Riohacha and another one to Uribia and a 4 wheel drive for the final part into the dessert to Cabo.
After the trip to the dessert I went back down the coast to Palomino and Santa Marta in order to catch a flight to Bogota.
The many different faces of Colombia were absolutely memorable, the big cities being loud, busy, sometimes dirty and not so much to my liking. The absolute lush mountains green river valleys and sometimes even snow capped mountain tops.
The climate being as varied as the changing landscape may suggest, from blazing heat on the beaches to moderate and almost cold temperatures at higher altitudes.
La Ponderosa Reserve Need to be surrounded by Nature after staying in Medellin
5+I spent much more time at La Ponderosa than expected, surrounded by the jungle and situated on the river Buritaca it was just to easy to let some days go by without being too productive.
Arriving to the hostel is a little adventure by itself, around a 40 minute moto taxi ride up an adventurous road and then needing to cross a river twice, once on foot and then on a float.
The place is run by three lovely young brits and made to live very close to nature, also growing part of their own food supply.
At the time they were only open for 6 month but running a very smooth operation with 3 delicious meals being served every day.
Towards the end of my stay I decided to go for the option of leaving the place in style, by tube, floating - rafting down the river.
This i enjoyed very much and actually went to the next hostel by tube, my luggage being delivered there by moto taxi.
Cabo de La Vela Kite surfing in Cabo de la Vela
5+Initially I made my way to Cabo in order to volunteer there at a Kitesurfschool. However, upon arrival I was informed that none of the owners is actually there and also not coming back that year since it was the end of the season. Sucking up my disappointment, we decided to join a tour to the dessert.
After a somewhat complicated booking, since these tours usually include the trip to Cabo we started early by 4 wheel drive to catch a small boat ' lancha from Puerto Bolivar to Bahia Hondita. We spent the day visiting different tourist attractions.
Faro Punta Gallinas, Mirador de Casares, las duna des Taroa and some others.
My personal highlight was swimming in the phytoplankton at night and watching the milkyway at the same time.
Accommodation was good and simple, we slept a hammocks again, but I could get used to that and my usually hurting back apparently as well.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Stayed 2 nights in the desert and spread the program out a little more. And give the pink flamingoes a visit which our tour unfortunately skippedAnything go wrong during the trip?
Only a flat tire which was fixed rather quicklyRestaurant recommendations?
Most restaurants serve very similar food, try street food where ever you canTips you would give a friend?
Bring enough water, although can buy cold water everywhere it can be helpful to bring at least a gallon per personPacking tips?
Light and loose clothing, protection against the sunAny surprises?
Transportation is always maxed out when going to the desert, be prepared to be a little uncomfortable
Lodging
La Ponderosa Reserve, Hostel in the mountains on Rio Buritaca
Hostal Analauli is a simple but nice Hostel. I sa pent a night there sleeping in hammock.