Paula1022

Active, retired couple. We want to explore, study, live with a family and/or rent an apt. Thinking of Bogota, Medillan and Cartegena plus more Nov-Dec.2016. Your thoughts?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Looking at it strictly from the Spanish-study perspective ...

My advice would be Bogota or Medellin. Even though Cartagena is my favorite place of the three, the Spanish spoken there is fast and tends to "clip" consonants, especially the letter S. "Costa" becomes "cohta." This is typical of Caribbean Spanish. You'd have a very careful textbook Spanish in the classroom, and you'd get outside and try to practice, and you'd find a much different accent.

In Bogota and Medellin (especially Bogota), you'll find a much more textbook Spanish that resembles what you heard in the classroom.

That time of year, Bogota will be chilly (highs in the mid 60s, lows in the low 40s).

welltraveledbrit

I don't really know anything about studying Spanish but have just returned from Colombia. I like both cities but I'd far rather spend a month or two in Medellin. Medellin seemed much easier to get around, the cable car/metro public transport seemed much better.

yestravel

I'm with WTB. I also liked "the feel" of Medellin. I like Cartagena the least of the 3. Seemed like a resort with lots of tourists. Lovely colonial town though. It was also very hot and humid.

glover

Another vote for Medellin here - such a progressive and lively city - with more to do in surrounding area than other two, not to mention perfect weather....

welltraveledbrit

Glover, Your wonderful trip report and your description of Medellin encouraged us to squeeze it into our itinerary, thank you. We didn't have time for any of the stuff you did in the surrounding area but we really enjoyed even our brief look at the city.