Skip to main content

Travel Planning: Colombia


 Travel Planning: Part 1 Colombia

In this episode:   Where an I heading series: Part 1

 

Today’s Mistake- avoiding potholes and buying new tires

Travel Advice:  Safety and security tip

FAQ: How do you use SERVAS?



I use Servas International to help me plan my trips. You sign up on the website, and a representative will contact you and interview you. They will make sure you are a real person and check references. Then, you get a Letter of Engagement, and you can contact hosts and day hosts.

Today’s destination: Planning my trip to Colombia

 

Friends to meet in Bogota. Peace Servas Secretary Colombia. She said YES! Reach out to her with my dates and any needs. I am friends with Fanny Vico.

 

Flights: Given your preference for flying over driving, consider booking internal flights between major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. Airlines such as Avianca and LATAM offer frequent domestic routes.​

  • Accommodation: Opt for reputable hostels or budget hotels in safe neighborhoods. For instance, Selina offers locations in Bogotá's La Candelaria and Cartagena's Getsemaní, both known for their vibrant culture and relative safety.

 

📍 Bogotá

  • La Candelaria: Explore this historic district with its colonial architecture, museums, and street art.​

  • Gold Museum (Museo del Oro): Home to an extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts.​

  • Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá: Consider a guided tour to this unique underground cathedral carved within a salt mine.​

2 days in : Cartagena

  • Walled City: Stroll through the historic center with its colonial buildings, plazas, and cafes.​

  • Getsemaní: Experience the local art scene and vibrant nightlife in this bohemian neighborhood.​

  • Rosario Islands: Consider a boat tour to these nearby islands for a relaxing beach day.​

 

3 days in Medellín

  • Comuna 13: Join a guided tour to learn about the neighborhood's transformation and vibrant street art.​

  • El Peñol and Guatapé: Take a day trip to climb El Peñol for panoramic views and explore the colorful town of Guatapé .​Condé Nast Traveler+2sojournies.com+2Adventurous Kate+2

  • Pueblito Paisa: Visit this replica of a traditional Antioquian town for cultural insights and city views.​

 

Mid-episode promo: Where are you going? Let me know if I helped you travel. The show notes have ways to connect.

 

Connect with Dr. Travelbest

Drmarytravelbest.com

Colombia Tips for Solo Travelers

  • Stay in centrally located accommodations like the Downtown or Historic areas for easy access to attractions.

  • Join a guided tour for a fun way to explore with others (walking, brewery, or riverboat tours).

 

Today’s Mistake- Potholes. 

When I’m driving, it’s hard to dodge potholes. I need to make sure that I drive on roads that are less like crater forests and more like smooth roads. I had to buy four new tires this week, and I think some of the damage was from potholes. Here’s some driving tips for you to get more from your tires.

 

 Assume every unexplained shadow could be a pothole, give yourself options by slowing and spacing out, and keep your tires healthy enough to bail you out when surprise strikes. A little skepticism goes a long way toward smoother, cheaper journeys.

 

Today’s Travel Advice-Safety Tip: Avoid displaying valuables and be cautious in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing.​

Connect with Dr Travelbest

Drmarytravelbest.com

Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group

Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram

email: info@drmarytravelbest.com

Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast

Dr. Travelbest on TikTok

Dr.Travelbest onYouTube

 


Check out this episode!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan FAQ Should I use public transportation abroad?   Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan    Lesson Learned: Don’t schedule everything Day 1   Travel Tip: Trust your gut instincts, if unsure, pivot fast.   FAQ Response:  Should I use public transportation abroad?   Yes, you should try it at the least, but not in rush hour with all of your luggage. One way to test it out is to try it early in the morning, before rush-hour workers arrive, but while it’s still light outside.  Most of the time, you only need a card to swipe, and you can add money to the card when you need to. Your first care purchase is often at a self-service kiosk, and usually there is English translations here. Go for it and try.   Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan This scenic region reminded me of Lake Tahoe, California.  If you are coming you will Arrive in Taoyuan airport and take the train to the Taipei Main Station and take the HSR t...

Train Travel: SLO to San Diego and Gluten Free Travel

  Episode title: SLO to San Diego by Train, GF Diets, and a Confidence Challenge Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, a world traveler who has traveled solo for over 50 years. I'm coming to you after a recent trip to Asia. I visited Taiwan and South Korea for 10 days. I’m here to share my best travel ideas and work on solo travel. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world solo again. The aim is world peace through cultural exchange. I’m about to travel the world for 90 days.   Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener who recently retired as a dental hygienist. Her name is Cathy A. She’s been a big supporter of this podcast. She is traveling to Wisconsin to see her family and attend reunions. She’s enjoying her retirement by playing Marjan and. She recently sold her house and moved back into a condo she had bought decades before marriage. Her contractor husband fixed it up to her specs before they moved in, and she’s so happy. She’ll be trav...

2025 Eurail Travel Planning Guide and sinus relief

Where in the world am I? Eurail Travel planning   Hi there, I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest. I’m in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.   Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Kristen. Kristen loves to travel. She recently received a Fullbright Scholarship and took a trip with her husband and sons to a foreign country, Portugal, for several months. She’s full of great travel ideas and will be helpful as I continue to travel and make my adventures more mobile. She’s encouraging me to keep going in my travels and is a professor in Southern California. Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is:  Do you find that air travel dries your sinuses? Do you get dry and scratchy throats afterward? Yes, it happens. Let’s talk about how to rid yourself of this in advance.    How to avoid the dryness of airlin...