Amy

Great report, with the all-important ice cream!

SusanInToronto, I'll go to Colombia for you and you can go to Iceland for me! I've been there three times, but the last time was quite some time ago, and I really want to go back. But I've not been to Colombia yet, so that's this year's plan.

mlgb

Thanks everyone.

Amy, I have posted a Flickr album here for you, just in case you want to change your mind about Bogota. I think two nights is fine, you can do a full day and see the best parts of Candelaria, plus travel time to and from. If you stay in Candelaria you can get to the Botero museum the day you arrive. Allow an hour each way to the airport, plus check-in time.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk8e8n2m

My main regret is that I didn't go on the graffiti tour, which starts every day at 10 am (so I did a bit of wandering). I heard it was excellent.

SusanInToronto

Your photos are wonderful! Now I want to go back to Colombia With the drop in the CAD, I think I may have to forget about Iceland anyway.

Amy

Aaargh! Now it's even MORE difficult to plan...

Beautiful pix. I think I'd definitely go to Bogota if I were on my own, but another person in the mix always makes for changes. I've only booked my Medellin apartment/hotel so far (as it's the Flower Fair, so stuff books pretty quickly) so I do have some flexibility, but I've been trying to stuff all I want in and it just ain't happening. Why don't I get two month trips?

mlgb

I think I read that it doesn't necessarily cost more to book in-country flights with short notice. Maybe you could decide to take out a few days for a short solo jaunt to Bogota? A decent hotel room for one person could be found for around $60-$70 with breakfast (much less if you stay in a hostel) museums and the Transmilenio are inexpensive, meals can be found for $10 to $12, the water is good and the people are kind. Even the taxi to the airport isn't really all that expensive, if you go that route.

mlgb

I wouldn't feel terrible about going back to Colombia

Thanks again for your lead, SusanInToronto.

mlgb

A note re ATMs, cash, credit cards. It turned out that when I thought I was withdrawing $300 USD in Bogota it was actually COP 300,000 (rate of 2381/USD). I don't believe this bank at the Library charged an added withdrawal fee, but the bank in Villa de Leyva had a fairly hefty one and seemed to be the only one that would take my credit card (three attempts with two cards). In Villa de Leyva that reduced my net rate to 2300 COP/USD. When I used a credit card in Bogota my net rate was 2374 COP/USD.

mlgb

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk7FHLUY

Villa de Leyva

SusanInToronto

Great photos!

mlgb

Thanks, Beautiful Place helps!

gertie3751

mlgb, thanks for all this. Have just printed (yes, I do that!). Looking at a trip to Colombia in the autumn after Ecuador/Galapagos. When I am further along with planning I may be in touch.

mlgb

Ok gertie, I'll be able to add some information (will have a day in Cartagena in April) and then a month in Ecuador with a Galapogos excursion booked this summer. After a lot of scrambling to replace a tour booked with Road Scholar, I am now on the Angelito booked direct with Cometa Travel.

gertie3751

mlgb, just as a guideline, how many days do you think I should allow in Bogota? I like museums and general hanging around! Likewise Cartagena. Thanks.

mlgb

Two days & 3 nights would be good, or another day would be okay too. Things that were next on my list were a walking or graffiti tour, market and bull fighting practice (which isn't year round).

mlgb

Another note, re tips in restaurants. Some will automatically add 10% as "propina" or "servicio". If they don't, 10% is standard (of the pre-tax amount).

Just going over my receipts before tossing!

yestravel

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

gertie3751

Mlgb, I am just looking at health requirements for this Ecuador/Colombia trip. Have read all the US and UK government advisories but still not sure a yellow fever vaccination is necessary. Did you have one? I really dont want to get full of inessential medications!

mlgb

If you aren't going to the jungle I would not. Also not recommended for over 60. I got one for Iquitos and they are good for a while.

Dengue and chikungunya bigger issues for me, use repellant anywhere there are mosquitos.

Check with your doctor of course.

yestravel

did you see a lot of mosquitos? I am a mosquito magnet.

yestravel

Also where were the mosquitos? thanks!