Another Trip from Tampa to Colombia
Yep. Again. I took off again for Bogota and Medellin, Colombia. Tampa is finally getting direct flights to Colombia. My first direct flight to Bogota on Avianca Airlines is coming…
If you ever visit Colombia, you’ve got to get a soccer (futbol) game in. Imagine the intensity and volume of a Lightning or a Bucs game and multiply it by 100.
Geno / Q105Yep. Again. I took off again for Bogota and Medellin, Colombia. Tampa is finally getting direct flights to Colombia. My first direct flight to Bogota on Avianca Airlines is coming up in September. Roundtrip tickets were scored for under $300. That's a bargain. To get a direct flight to Colombia, I've always had to drive all the way over to Orlando. I hate that drive. We all do. Plus you have to pay for parking once you get there. So Avianca's announcement last month was very welcome news. But I couldn't wait that long. I decided to finally give Copa Airlines a try for my most recent visit to South America.
What's got me so hooked on Colombia? These pics should answer that. Until a few years ago, I never planned to visit South America, especially Colombia. I had all those same outdated notions most Americans have about Colombia. All we ever saw on the news growing up was drugs and violence. Sure there are some rough spots in Colombia. But there are bad neighborhoods in Tampa too. Do a little research and plan accordingly... you'll love Colombia. For the frugal folks like me, it's a dream. You can live like a king on a peasant budget. The weather is almost always perfect - it never gets too hot or too cold. There's music and art everywhere and people are, get this, friendly.
Let's go for a tour.
Ugh
Geno / Q105Try to land in Bogota. When you arrive from the U.S. in Medellin, the line at immigration takes forever. This line was about a 90 minute wait.
Bird Brain
Geno / Q105Probably not the smartest thing I did on the trip. But it was fun for Instagram.
Guatape
Geno / Q105If you visit Medellin, definitely do one of the Guatape tours. There's usually a boat cruise, several stops, lunch and a visit to the rock... for like $40. A bargain.
Morning View
Geno / Q105There's an AirBnB at the Oikos Infinitum apartments in Bogota we always like to stay. Waking up to this view of the Andes Mountains on one side and the Bogota skyline on the other never gets old. And it's a whopping $35 a night.
Guatavita
Geno / Q105This is a recreation of a town that was flooded. Google it for the history... it's pretty fascinating.
The Lagoon
Geno / Q105The hike to the top to see the lagoon at Guatavita about an hour oustide Bogota is a challenge. I was huffin' and puffin' before I snapped this selfie.
Salt Mine Cathedral
Geno / Q105This was my 6th or 7th visit to Bogota and I still had never visited one of their biggest tourist attractions so we finally took the tour of the Salt Mine Cathedral. I don't know if I' do it again, but I was glad to check it off the list.
Takuma Cocina Show
Geno / Q105A must every visit to Bogota is a stop at Takuma. Your private chef prepares chicken, steak, lobster, pork, and you name it. With apps, drinks and a fried Oreo for dessert, you'll spend about $25 U.S. per person.
Take it from a Mainer
Geno / Q105I grew up in the state famous for lobster. The lobster at Takuma is as good if not better than any I've had in Maine.
My all time Favorite Food Anywhere
Geno / Q105In Bogota, head to the Chapinero neighborhood and track down this place: "Panaderia Pastaleria." It's not far from Takuma Cocina Show. Get the Pan De La Abuela. It's only available after 3pm. This will be the best $1.50 you'll spend in your life. If you remember McDonald's cheese danishes back in the 80s, it's almost like that... just way better. I had two at this sitting.
A Good Ol' American Bacon Cheeseburger
Geno / Q105On the 2nd floor at Oikos Infinitum, there's this amazing burger take out spot Craft Burgers. This burger, fries and a drink is like $8 U.S.
Cartagena
Geno / Q105On my last trip to Colombia, I included Cartagena. It's super touristy. Once you get outside the walls of the tourist section, you really see the disparity of life between locals and tourists. It's kind of sad. I'm glad I went once, but doubt I'd go again. The big draw is the beach... and we live in Florida. So you can skip Cartagena.
Betty's Bowls
Geno / Q105Another must-visit every trip to Medellin is breakfast at Betty's Bowls. Very much a tourist spot, but still great.
Emeralds
Geno / Q105If you love 'em, you'll get a great price on emeralds in Bogota. Go to the spot across from the Gold museum. Try to find a local to go with you so you don't get the "Gringo Price."
Egg Prices
Geno / Q105Don't blame Biden or Trump. Egg prices in Colombia are high too. Only $23,000. (About $5-6 U.S.)
