Aventuras De Viaje's Blog, page 5
December 21, 2017
10 Fun Things to do in Hamilton Island, Australia
I compiled this list of 10 fun things to do in Hamilton Island after being there for a week. Hamilton Island is a resort Island destination off the coast of Queensland. It is part of the Whitsunday Islands and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
A couple of friends of mine decided to have a destination wedding on Hamilton Island so I headed over there. A lot of good friends that I haven’t seen in a few years also attended the wedding so it was pretty epic.
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10 Fun Things to do in Hamilton Island
1. Snorkeling
The first thing on this list of fun things to do in Hamilton Island is to go snorkeling. There are a few different tours you can take. A couple of friends went to the Great Barrier Reef and some others did an island hopping tour. Both groups said the tours were great.
The island hopping tour went a full day. It includes swimming, snorkeling, and lunch for around $150 AUD.
The Great Barrier Reef is a bit further away, about a 3-hour boat ride. It is also a little more expensive, but it is the Great Barrier Reef so that’s expected.
If you want to do it yourself (no guides or boats) then there is a reef off the main beach. Not as spectacular as the boat tours but you can still see some stuff.
You can see sea turtles off the main reef. Photo via Pixabay.
2. Hiking
Near the main beach, there are a number of hiking trails you can do. Some take you up the peak and others to secluded beaches.
View from Passage Peak
READ MORE ABOUT HIKING IN HAMILTON ISLAND
3. Golf
I never actually laid eyes on the golf course but it is there. There was some talk of playing golf for the day part of the Bachelor party. We ended up drinking by the resort pool instead. Despite its name, the golf course is on the neighboring Dent Island.
FYI: Anyone can use the main pool of the Reef View Resort. It has a swim up bar but you can bring your own drinks and no-one seems to care.
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4. ATV Tour
Where you can go hiking they also take out ATV tours. It costs $159 an hour.
5. Jet Ski Tour
Number 5 on this list of fun things to do in Hamilton Island is to go Jet Skiing. You can’t go on your own (unless you bring it yourself) so you have to hire a guide also. It costs $225 per jetski per hour.
6. Beach
Other than eating and drinking, going to the beach is the thing we did the most. There are quite a few activities you can do on the main beach (Catseye Beach). Some of these activities include volleyball, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and getting sunburnt.
Looking over Catseye Beach
7. Wildlife Encounters
No-one in our large group (that I know of) did this but I saw it walking around. There is an Australian Animal Adventure Park that runs some “encounter” experiences. They include dingoes, koala’s, reptiles, and birds.
It is along the road somewhere between Catseye Beach and Front street.
8. Go-Karting
This is another activity I saw signs for but didn’t look into. It costs $50 AUD for 10 minutes.
BOOK YOUR PERFECT ACCOMMODATION IN HAMILTON ISLAND
9. Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a boat ride away from Hamilton Island and is well known for its nightlife. It is the place to go when you want to get a bit rowdier, or if you need some cheaper accommodation.
Airlie Beach is where they held the night activities for the Bachelor party. One reason for this is that there are no strippers on Hamilton Island. You have to fly them in and pay for their accommodation. It ended up being cheaper to get everyone on a boat to Airlie.
10. Get Married
The last thing on this list of fun things to do in Hamilton Island is the main reason I was there. To attend a wedding!
Hamilton Island is a well-known wedding destination. Besides the wedding I went to there was at least one other while I was there.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THINGS TO DO IN HAMILTON ISLAND
Got anything to add to this list of fun things to do in Hamilton Island? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments.
The post 10 Fun Things to do in Hamilton Island, Australia appeared first on Survive Travel.
Factors That Make Singapore Very Business Friendly
Singapore has emerged as the choice location for businessmen wishing to start businesses, and for multinationals intending to expand their operations globally. This island-state has been credited as an epicenter of business in the Asian continent, and a major player in the world’s economy. The city-state has an excellent political climate, a well-developed infrastructure, business-friendly legislation, availability of support services, and relatively easily accessible funding. All these factors make it an impressive business hub. Investors may choose to start new businesses in Singapore or open a Branch Office of their giant multinationals which will be just an outlet for their company that is not a separate legal entity. The only thing separating it from the main firm is being in a different location.
So what makes Singapore to be highly rated as a business-friendly location?
Accessibility and Simplicity in the Process of Starting a Business
Singapore, in comparison with other locations lauded as business hubs in the world, has far easier processes of starting a business. With all the requirements in place and having duly submitted the registration application, it takes only a day to complete the formation of a private limited company. Foreigners can also easily set up businesses. The straightforward online application procedure makes the whole process very quick and simple.
Great Tax System
Starting a business in Singapore will be of great gain to entrepreneurs due to the wonderful tax exemption scheme in place, especially for startups. The first S$100,000 income is tax-free for a new business. The next income, totaling S$200,000, will be subjected to corporate tax with 50% exemption. Also, the VAT is at 7%, which is very low compared to other countries globally. Furthermore, capital-gain is not taxed. Corporate tax is also quite low. Generally, the Singaporean tax system is among the best globally, empowering business operations.
Intellectual Property Safeguarding
Singapore has in place strong and strict laws that protect intellectual properties. The innovations, research, and development are well guarded under its laws.
Reliable Workforce and Professional Service Companies
Over the years, Singapore has developed a first-class, productive and well-educated workforce. There is also the huge inflow of very highly talented labor force due to the competitive market. Professional firms, such as accounting and IT firms, which render support to businesses, are also thriving and ready to serve. All these make it easy to start and run a business.
Availability of Financing Options
Singapore has witnessed a fast growing venture capital investment. The funding of business is available through various options, such as grants, or from various schemes such as iSTART. Singapore is home to over 120 commercial banks and numerous fund managers.
Great High-Growth Market Accessibility
Commencing operations in Singapore gives the business connection to the fast-growing and high-value markets that include China, India and other big markets.
Efficient air transport with extensive connectivity
The air transport facilities are one of the best worldwide, with the Singapore Changi International Airport serving no less than 100 airlines which fly to over 300 destinations globally.
Singapore is a great business destination due to all these factors, not to mention the open and flexible immigration policies that allow foreigners and potential investors to operate there.
Image Credit: Via Pixabay
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December 19, 2017
Hamilton Island Walks, Australia
Discover some awesome Hamilton Island walks. Hamilton Island is a holiday destination off the coast of Queensland. It is part of the Whitsunday Islands.
I found myself on Hamilton Island to attend a wedding. While there I spent most of my time catching up with friends, but I did manage to squeeze out a day to go hiking.
There are quite a few Hamilton Island walks, and none of them are very difficult. All the trails are somewhat connected and I ended up visiting 4 points of interest. I hiked for about 4 hours in total.
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Hamilton Island Walks
I started on the track around 11 am and decided to first hike up to the main viewpoint “Passage Peak”. Some friends walked up early morning to catch the sunrise. A bit early for me but they all loved it.
The trail up was a standard Australian walking trail. Not paved but well maintained. It wasn’t too hard going. With taking pictures and a steady pace I was at the top within 45 minutes.
CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE AUSTRALIAN HIKING TRAIL, THE BIBBULMUN TRACK
A little before the final “climb” there is a short detour to Hilltop Lookout. You get a good view back over the beach and resorts.
There weren’t many people on the track. I only ran into about 5 other walkers along the way.
Up the top of Passage Peak are some spectacular views.
I forgot how pristine the ocean was in Australia.
After a little break on Passage Peak, I continued my walk to Escape Beach. There were a couple of nudists there but other than that it was silent.
Next, I went to check out Coral Cove. It was like Escape Beach but closer to the resorts so more accessible. I looked around but didn’t think it was worth snorkeling there.
After Coral Cove, I headed back. There were a couple more trails but the only other “main one” was East Head Loop. Coral Cove is along East Head Loop but instead of continuing on it I doubled back.
Did you enjoy this post on Hamilton Island walks? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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December 1, 2017
Snorkeling in Tankaan Beach, Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, Philippines
The main reason I went to Leyte was to go snorkeling in Tankaan Beach. Tankaan Beach is a white sand beach with clear water. It is a ten-minute ride from Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte. I wouldn’t ay the snorkeling there is amazing, but considering it is right on the beach it was pretty good.
Cost(s): 5 PHP per person entry free. 100 PHP for a table (optional).
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Snorkeling in Tankaan Beach, Padre Burgos
To get to Tankaan Beach we took a ferry from Cebu to Maasin. There isn’t much to see or do in Maasin. They do have a small beach but I wouldn’t swim in it. The local kids don’t seem to care though.
From Maasin you can go to Padre Burgos and from there go to Tankaan Beach. There are more detailed instructions on how to get to Tankaan Beach toward the end of this post.
Tankaan Beach itself was very peaceful. I imagine on the weekends it gets pretty busy with locals.
While we were there only another 5 or so people were about.
At first, I thought the snorkeling wasn’t that good. The coral was dull and so were the fish. After a little swimming around it got better.
It was nice for a 30-minute swim. I would have swum for longer but my goggles kept leaking. The whole area is very peaceful and clean. There are also freshwater showers for 5 PHP per person.
Snorkeling in Tankaan Beach, Padre Burgos, Video
Getting to Tankaan Beach
This explains getting from Cebu City to Tankaan Beach using local transport.
After 3 days solid travel from Colombia to Cebu I caught a taxi to pier one. I read online there was one ferry from Cebu to Maasin at 12 pm on Sunday and that it would take 6 hours. Nowhere did I see anything about a fast craft, but there is one every day.
READ MORE ABOUT SNORKELING IN COLOMBIA
You can take a Weesam fast craft from Cebu to Maasin at 6 am. A return one also goes daily at 9:30 am (from Maasin to Cebu). It takes 3 hours and the tickets start at 550PHP.
We stopped in Maasin for two nights, but you do not need to stop at all. The jeepney from Maasin to Padre Burgos leaves from close to the port. It costs 30php per person and takes about 50 minutes.
From Padre Burgos catch a Habal Habal (motorbike) to Tankaan. They leave from around the gas station. The journey should cost about 12PHP per person and takes about 10 minutes. To get back you may need to walk up the street a little to find a Habal Habal.
Accommodation in Maasin
While in Maasin we stayed at the GV hotel. It is in a great location. There is wifi (although temperamental), Cable TV (also temperamental) and aircon. A double room (fan only) costs 550 PHP per night. Add a few hundred for air-conditioning.
Taking a tricycle around Maasin costs 8php per person, but it is a small place so you don’t need to. You could take one from the hotel to the hypermart to save you a 10-minute walk in the heat.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE GV HOTEL MAASIN
Accommodation in Padre Burgos
In Padre Burgos, we stayed in Leyte Dive Resort. It is actually closer to Maltibog than Padre Burgos. A nice, tranquil place and lovely staff. I booked the cheapest room which was 1000 PHP a night. No TV and no hot water. Very expensive restaurant (for the Philippines), and shoddy internet.
Amazing view. This is at sunrise.
Location was ok. From the street, you can get to Maltibog, Padre Burgos, and other places via local transport.
To get to Leyte Dive Resort from Padre Burgos catch a collective tricycle for 20php per person. The public jeepney to Maltibog will also drop you off on the way for 15php per person. You can also catch a jeepney from Maasin for 40 PHP per person.
If coming from Maltibog the tricycle will cost under 10php per person. A bus from Sogod is about 30 PHP.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT LEYTE DIVE RESORT
Did you enjoy this post on snorkeling in Tankaan Beach? Share your thoughts or any updated information in the comments.
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November 27, 2017
28 Delicious Colombian Foods
In this post, you will discover 28 delicious Colombian foods. This might be the longest food list I’ve done. Colombia might not be on the list of places you think of when it comes to great food, but it should be.
I meet a lot of people who think that South American food is bland. While they don’t use as many spices as in Asia, they still cook up a great feed. Colombian cuisine is some of the best in the region.
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Delicious Colombian Foods
It surprised me to find so many great Colombian foods that I had never tried or even heard of before. Especially since my mother’s Colombian! To be fair, you can’t find many of the ingredients in other parts of the world.
1. Salchipapa
Chips (french fries) with sausage, cheese, ham, and a couple of different sauces (tomato, mayo, etc). Not the healthiest meal but tasty.
Usually goes for around 5,000 – 8,000 COP.
2. Emapanadas
You can’t walk very far in Colombia without seeing empanadas. It is a fried maize “dumpling” with various savory fillings. Usually potato, meat, cheese, egg, or a combination of these.
3. Arroz con Pollo
The direct translation is rice with chicken. It is like the Colombian version of fried rice. You can also get it with shrimp (camarones).
4. Buñuelos
You will see these balls of delight everywhere on display in the mornings. Usually with empanadas and other fried snacks. It is basically deep fried bread balls. Sounds simple but very delicious. Best when fresh. 500 – 1000 COP.
5. Ajiaco
Number 5 on this list of delicious Colombian foods is my favorite Colombian soup, Ajico. Bogota’s specialty soup consists of three types of potatoes. It also has corn, meat, chickpeas (I think), and a few other things I couldn’t quite place. It is very filling.
6. Tamal Tolimense
You can find Tamales all over Colombia but the Tolima version is a cut above the rest. I tried it while passing through Ibague.
Ingredients are generally rice and/or masa with meat and vegetables. They placed in a plantain leaf and steamed. It’s usually a breakfast thing but can you can find it at any time.
Unfortunately, when I tried it my SD card got corrupted so I lost the photo. Pictured here is not Tamal Tolimense but it is Colombian.
7. Tacos
This was not at all what I was expecting when I ordered a taco, but I guess this is the Colombian version. It was pretty much a big empanada.
8. Avena
A sweet oatmeal based drink. Pretty delicious and only 1000COP with a bunuelo.
9. Arepas
Arepas are like a bread made of maize. On their own, they are not that great but when made fresh and with filling they are delicious. You can get them as a snack on the street for around 2,000 COP depending on your choice of filling. If you want it as a meal it can cost up to 10,000COP, but they are worth it.
This one was the arepa of the house filled with meat, beans, cheese, and a quail egg. 8,000 COP.
10. Frijoles
Frijoles is a direct translation of beans. It’s simple but is one of my favorite Colombian foods. My mum used to make it for me and still does when I visit. It is a popular side serving for lunch. Also on this plate is Chicharrón (pork crackling), rice, some bread, and a meatball. This meal also came with a bowl of soup, some kind of corn-based dessert, and a small cup of juice – all for only 4,000 COP!
Full meals like this are a very common lunch in Colombia. Look for the “Menu Del Dia” or “Menu Executivo”. Depending on how “stylish” the restaurant is, these meals can range from 4,000 – 20,000+ COP.
Here’s my homemade version of frijoles. It is a far cry from the authentic Colombian version but still tastes good.
11. Cholao
On my first day in Armenia, I met up with a friend I had met through ConversationExchange.com. She introduced me to Cholao. I’m not sure of the exact ingredients but it is very sweet. I ate it and didn’t feel like eating anything with sugar in it for a couple of days after. One other ingredient (besides sugar) that it had was soursop.
Later I discovered there are different versions, some are not so sweet.
12. Sopa de Platano
I tried many different soups in Colombia. Most of them I have not bothered to put on this list but I’ve never seen plantain soup before so it gets in. I’m not sure of what else is in it, but there were definitely chunks of plantain. I enjoyed it.
I took the banana on the side home for later.
13. Estofado
Estofado is the Spanish word for stew and it’s on the far right of this plate. This particular one is beef.
14. Arepa con Queso
Hitting the halfway mark on this list of delicious Colombian foods is arepa con queso. I mentioned arepas before but this deserves a special mention. A great afternoon snack with a coffee. An arepa with cheese inside and doused with butter (optional). Not that healthy, but ultra tasty.
15. Dedos
Dedos means ‘fingers’ in Spanish. These long, deep fried bread sticks come filled with cheese and other savory ingredients (e.g., ham).
16. Crepes
Crepes are popular in Colombia. I wouldn’t say they are like an ‘everyday’ meal, but you can find them in most places. This is a crepe con pollo (with chicken). It had lots of cheese and was pretty tasty.
17. Patacon
There is a small town in Quindio called Salento, and in this town, they have a couple of specialty foods. One of them is patacon. There are a few different types depending on the ingredients you want on top. It is like a cross between pizza and nachos – only it is better than both of those.
Don’t let my terrible photo put you off, patacon is a must try!
18. Truche
Another Salento special and another photo out of focus. This is truche. Some type of fish – trout I think. I’m not a big fan of fish but thought I should at least try the towns signature dish. Next to it is crispy fried plantain, which is also the base of patacon.
19. Alitas
Fried chicken wings in a sauce of your choosing. I like picante (spicy) but there are many flavors available depending on where you go. Great with beer.
20. Chuzo
Number 20 on this list of delicious Colombian foods is the Colombian version of satay. Minus the satay flavor. It’s meat (chicken or pork) on a skewer with a few sides. Pretty tasty.
21. Frisby
Frisby is a Colombian fast food restaurant which focuses on fried chicken. Besides Jolibees in the Philippines, it is the worst fast food restaurant I have ever been to. Actually, the food is not too bad (I had a burrito) but the service is definitely NOT fast. I was waiting about 25minutes for my food. I even tried it a second time in a different town and got the same slow service.
Fried chicken is cheaper and served instantly everywhere in the streets. Also, getting a burrito from a Mexican restaurant would have been faster and tastier.
Although it is delicious, I do not recommend Frisby, or any fast food outlet, ever.
22. Sopa de Mondongo
I was a bit worried about trying this because I knew it involved tripe (which I’m not a fan of) but a friend of mine insisted. Also, it is a traditional dish so I thought I’d better give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised. No liver (thank god). It was kind of like ajiaco (#5 on this list) so I was happy with it.
23. Huevos Pericos
I only managed to try this once at a restaurant, because it is a breakfast thing and I rarely eat breakfast. It is scrambled eggs with tomato and onion. Simple and delicious.
I ended up making it quite often at home, with my own twist of course. Besides tomato and onion, I add garlic, aji picante (a mild chili sauce), cilantro, and corn kernels.
A Colombian friend taught me about adding Corn kernels in scrambled eggs. It was a game changer and now I do it all the time!
24. Planchita
I assume this is a small version of Plancha. Plancha is when the food (generally a type of meat or fish) is grilled on a very hot metal plate. This cooks the meat fast and seals in the natural flavors. It’s delicious.
25. Sancocho
Number 25 and almost at the end of this list of delicious Colombian foods. Sancocho is a soup/stew usually made from large pieces of various root vegetables. They include plantain, potato, cassava. There is also some type of meat, such as chicken, fish, etc.
There are a few different versions of Colombian sancocho depending on what region you are in. There are also different versions in other countries. My favorite is Sancocho de Costilla. It is from the coastal region and uses beef ribs. I first tried it in Cartagena and from then ordered it whenever the opportunity arose.
By Daguerreroa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
26. Guisado
Guisado is another type of stew. A friend told me it is also about the sauce it comes with, which is delicious.
You can have it with any type of meat. Guisado de pollo or cerdo (chicken or pork) are common on el menu del dia’s. Guisado de Pollo was actually my go-to when ordering menu del dia.
This picture is actually a type of sancocho, but it is pretty close to guisado de pollo. Imagine it on a plate with rice instead of a bowl of soup.
By WIKIRAICES (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
27. Suero Costeño
During my last few days in Santa Marta, a friend brought back a bottle of suero from her hometown to try. Suero is a creamy ‘cheesy” tasting sauce made from milk and vinegar. To me, it is like a tastier version of sour cream. She also added salt and garlic. I finished the bottle in two days!
By Jdvillalobos (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
28. Kokiyas de Cayeye
The last item on this list of delicious Colombian foods is Kokiyas de Cayeye. Before seeing this on a menu I had never heard of it. It’s strange because it was a local specialty in Santa Marta, at least that’s what the waitress told me. When I mentioned it to some local friends they all knew what it was.
It reminded me of a shepherds pie but with plantain instead of potato. Also, it had suero in it. It was pretty good.
This is actually a picture of shepherds pie, but it looks almost identical.
By User:Themightyquill (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
Do you know of any other delicious Colombian foods that should be on this list? We’d love to hear about them or anything else you want to say in the comments.
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November 23, 2017
The Best Destinations Around the World for Disabled Travellers
Holidays require an extra level of planning and preparation when you have a disability, but don’t let that stop you from traveling. The extra research will be worth it when you’re seeing the sights and learning about a completely different country. There’s nothing quite like experiencing a destination for yourself, but hopefully, our guide will help you narrow it down.
Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is reasonably flat and the roads and pavements are smooth, so it’s ideal for wheelchair users who fancy a European city break.
The best way to travel around Barcelona is by bus — 100% of them are wheelchair-accessible. Short on time? Book a guided tour designed especially for disabled visitors.
You should be able to see most of Barcelona’s best-known sites trouble-free. The Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic church designed by Antoni Gaudi, is open to wheelchair users, offers audio guides in different languages, and has tactile materials for blind visitors to help aid their experience. Enjoy the exhibits and marvel at the unique structure of this unfinished building.
Gaudi’s influence is everywhere. Head to La Pedrera, one of his houses, which won an Accessible Tourism Award for its interactive exhibits. There are tactile displays and magnifying glasses for the visually impaired, lectures using sign language for the deaf and hearing impaired, and guides are available in both audio and braille format.
Walt Disney World, Florida
Almost everything at the resort is accessible and suited to guests of all ages, making it the perfect family-friendly holiday for Disney fans with disabilities. There’s plenty of room for wheelchair users to make their way around the parks and you can also travel via the free tram.
Disney Special Services can help with anything you might need, providing audio description devices, braille guidebooks, and sign language interpretation. Service dogs are also welcome and can be rested at the many break areas dotted around the resort.
When it comes to rides, disabled guests or their carer(s) can speak to staff and schedule a return time similar to the waiting time in the queue.
(Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash)
Singapore
Singapore’s accessibility has seen something of a boom in recent years, with ramps and lifts being installed all around the island, and some buses and taxis having equipment for wheelchair users on board.
Despite its small size, the island has plenty of diversity and there’s a lot to see and do, from parks and beaches to museums and shopping centers. Singapore Zoo has wheelchair-accessible pathways and allocated viewing areas so disabled guests can enjoy the exhibits and shows, and although service dogs aren’t allowed on the premises, staff are able to make arrangements for hearing/visually impaired visitors to tour the zoo.
To see the city from above, make your way to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck and look over the parks, gardens, and architecture that make up Singapore’s stunning cityscape. Accessible lifts will take you up to the 57th floor and service dogs allowed to accompany you.
Finally, don’t forget to try the local food — Chinese, Indian and Malay-inspired dishes are common, with elements of different cuisines often put together to create a fusion of flavours.
Photo by Phillip Capper via Flickr
Wellington, New Zealand
With all its hills, you wouldn’t think Wellington be easy to explore, but it’s surprisingly simple to make your way around New Zealand’s capital. Most buses and trains are fully accessible and there are even wheelchair spaces on the cable car, allowing you to avoid the steps and enjoy an afternoon at the city’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. You can even hire a mobility scooter for up to four hours free of charge.
To discover more about New Zealand’s history and culture, head to the Te Papa National Museum. There’s parking for disabled guests and service dogs are welcome — you can also call ahead to reserve a wheelchair or mobility scooter. All their private guided tours can be adapted for visitors with special needs and there are guided sensory tours for visitors with visual impairments.
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7 Awesome Things to do in Valledupar, Colombia
I compiled this list of awesome things to do in Valledupar after spending 10 days there. It gives a short review of each item. It also has information on getting to Valledupar and accommodation in Valledupar.
After spending 6+ weeks in Santa Marta I decided to see one more place before leaving Colombia. I chose Valledupar out of convenience. It was easy to get to and an easy connection to Bogota for my flight out. My other choice was Barranquilla but Valledupar is “the city of trees” so it won.
I arrived in Valledupar on the Saturday of a long weekend. I thought this was the reason the streets were so quiet. As it turns out, Valledupar is a tranquil city, in comparison to places like Santa Marta.
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7 Awesome Things to do in Valledupar
To be honest, I didn’t do much in Valledupar. I spent a lot of time working on my websites. You may have noticed the changes if you are a regular reader. Also, since I rented a studio apartment I didn’t even have to go out to eat.
1. Rio Guatapuri
The first thing on this list of awesome things to do in Valledupar is to check out Rio Guatapuri. I went on a Monday and it was a holiday. There were lots of families eating, drinking, dancing, and playing in the river. You can watch the young lads jump off the bridge into the river.
I walked there but you can catch a bus to the university. All buses in the city cost 1,700COP. A taxi should cost about 5,000COP.
2. Plaza Alfonso Lopez
Plaza Alfonso Lopez is the main square of Valledupar. It is pretty quiet for a town square, but pleasant to people watch in. Like most town squares in Colombia, it has free wifi.
It gets a bit busier at night. Also, they have a stage there which gets things happening a bit on weekends or special occasions.
3. Sculptures
There are quite a few sculptures around Valledupar. Also some decent street art. These two things combined with the architecture makes Valledupar good to wander around.
4. La Mina
As far as I can tell, La Mina is a place to swim the river about an hour out of Valledupar. I read online to catch a truck from La Galleria Popular (7,000COP) but after searching around for 30 minutes I gave up. If it was a waterfall I would have persisted a bit more.
I think the truck only leaves at a certain time which I missed. Here’s some better information from Lonely Planet.
LonelyPlanet.com/colombia/valledupar…1329935
By Emercab (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
5. Eco-Parque Los Besotes
Number 5 on this list of things to do in Valledupar is Eco-Parque Los Besotes. I’m sure I would have enjoyed this if I actually went and as I write this I regret not even trying.
It boasts 7 miles of hiking trails. Inside there is a bunch of wildlife including monkeys, condors, armadillos and more.
If you want to go there by public transport here is my suggestion. Catch the same truck to Mina from La Galleria Popular. Ask to get dropped off a little past the fork in the road on the way to Guacoches. From there hike in the 6km. With a bit of luck, there will be some motorcycles waiting to drive you in.
I imagine a taxi would be much easier and less than 20,000COP each way.
Capuchin Monkeys can be seen in Los Besotes
6. Nabusimake
Nabusimake is one of the native villages near Valledupar. There are. a couple of reasons I chose not to actually go here.
First of all, it’s a mission to get to. It’s a 2 and a half hour drive from Valledupar, and much of it is by 4WD.
Second, and more importantly, I read that the villagers don’t like tourists coming through. I figure it is only a bunch of traditional houses and people anyway. The indigenous people walk around Valledupar in their traditional clothing. You don’t have to go disturb their village to see it.
READ MORE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL.
7. La Galleria Popular
The last thing on this list of awesome things to do in Valledupar is La Galleria Popular. I came here wanting to go to La Mina. It’s a typical marketplace but interesting enough to walk around. Good for cheap food.
The outside is more interesting than this picture.
Getting to Valledupar from Santa Marta
I got an early start from Santa Marta. First I took a bus from Taganga to the bus station. I had to backtrack about 1km to the long-distance bus station so if you do it make sure you get off at the right place.
I saw a ticket booth for buses going to Valledupar but the sign said it was only three times a day. Luckily I found a lady selling tickets near the doors going out to the buses. I got a ticket for 26,000COP. The bus left at 8 am and arrived a bit after 1. There was a couple of stops along the way. I got off in Valledupar where most people got off, which was not the bus terminal. From there, a taxi to town cost me 6,000COP. This was the first price a driver told me. I didn’t bargain. I could have walked about 200m up the road for the local buses, but I wouldn’t have known where to go anyway.
On my way out I took a flight to Bogota. To get to the airport I took a cab. I paid 12,000COP but you could probably get it for 10,000COP. It took about 20 minutes to get there.
CLICK HERE TO GET CHEAP FLIGHTS!
Accommodation in Valledupar
Whilst doing all these amazing things to do in Valledupar I stayed at a place I got it through Airbnb. I’m sure you can contact them directly and it would be cheaper. On Airbnb, it’s called “Apartaestudio Excelente Ubicación en Valledupar 1”. It cost me about $20usd per night.
It was a pretty good studio apartment with everything I needed to live. They provided all the cooking equipment with a gas cooker and a fridge. The internet was fast except it cut out quite often. Only for 10 minutes at a time, but still a pain in the ass. There was also cable TV.
Everything was modern and clean. No hot water though. Security was good and it was in a good location. Walking distance to most things, though Valledupar is not very big. There was a small but decent supermarket nearby.
Overall I had a nice stay and would recommend it.
Here are the details to contact them directly (WhatsApp or phone) and an address you can give to a cab driver:
Habitaciones Y Apartaestudios Amoblados Cañaguate
+57 311 4942646
Cl 13b, #8-2
If you are not a member of Airbnb it will be cheaper for you to USE THIS LINK as you get 40 or usd off your first stay.
Got anything to add to this list of awesome things to do in Valledupar? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments
November 19, 2017
14 Fun Things to Do in Santa Marta, Colombia
I compiled this list of fun things to do in Santa Marta after living there for 6 weeks. It gives a short review of each item and (where applicable) links to detailed reviews. It also has information on accommodation and how to get a visa extension in Santa Marta.
After living in Medellin for six weeks I decided to move to get back into the tropics where I belong. Also, Medellin was a bit too big of a city for my liking. I passed through Cartagena and ended up in Santa Marta.
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14 Fun Things to do in Santa Marta
1. Stroll Along the Foreshore
The first thing on this list of fun things to do in Santa Marta is to take a stroll along the foreshore. There are many establishments you can stop for a drink or some food. Also, lots of vendors to sell you snacks, souvenirs, marijuana, and cocaine if you are so inclined. You can check out the beach (I would not swim in it) and have a drink at the bar on the jetty. The beach gets much quieter past the mariner.
2. Wander Through Old Town
From the foreshore cut inland though Bolivar Park and you will be in Santa Marta’s old town. Not quite as impressive as Cartagena’s old town, but still nice to walk around. Sit in one of the plazas and people watch.
3. Taganga
Taganga, which was once a quiet little fishing town, now has more of a hippy backpacker vibe to it. It also turns into a bit of a party spot on the weekends. I’m not a hippy backpacker or a party goer, but I chose to live in Taganga anyway. It meant could go snorkeling and hiking every day if I wanted. Also, still only a short bus ride from the center of Santa Marta. My apartment was a little out of the village so I was able to hide out during the busy times.
4. Go to the Beach
Santa Marta is right on the Caribean Coast so there are a quite a few beaches to choose from. There are several not far from the city, some in Taganga, and even more in Tayrona. As a general rule, the further from the city center you get, the cleaner the beaches are. The best ones are in Tayrona.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BEACHES OF SANTA MARTA.
5. Visit the Museums
Number 5 on this list of fun things to do in Santa Marta is to check out the museums. There is the national museum which is free (pictured) and next to that is a gold museum. I never went to the gold museum because I did the one in Bogota. There is also the rather impressive looking library. All three of these are in old town, across from Bolivar Park.
6. Ciudad Perdida
I didn’t actually do this, but Cuidad Perdida (The Lost City) is a famous archeological site in Colombia. Archeologists believe it to be around 650 years older the Machu Pichu. To get there is a 4 to 6-day hike which you must do with an authorized tour company.
By Gavin Rough from Waterloo, Canada (Lost City Ruins) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
READ MORE ABOUT TREKKING TO CIUDAD PERDIDA.
7. La Quinta de San Pedro de Alejandrino
La Quinta de San Pedro de Alejandrino is Simon Bolivar’s place of death. In the 17th century, it produced honey, rum, and panela. Nowadays it is a tourist attraction. Inside the compound, there is a hacienda, an art museum, and a botanical garden.
READ MORE ABOUT MY VISIT TO LA QUINTA DE SAN PEDRO DE ALEJANDRO.
8. Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park is a must-see for nature lovers in the area. Many people come straight here and don’t even bother with the rest of Santa Marta. You can hike, camp, snorkel, chill at the beach, rent a hammock or eco-hab, go diving, see Pueblito Archeological Place, go wildlife spotting, etc.
I went for a day hike and snorkel. It was a good day, although I lost my goggles and belt somewhere along the way.
READ MORE ABOUT MY DAY IN TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK.
9. Chill on the Beach in Palomino
I went to Palomino as a day trip. It took over two hours to get there from Santa Marta, and for me, it was a “nothing special beach”. No snorkeling or surfing. Great for those that want to sunbathe while listening to the calming ocean sounds. The other big draw of Palomino is to go tubing down the river. Another thing that doesn’t interest me.
To be fair, my disappointing time was my own fault. I knew what was going to be there and for some reason, I went anyway. I guess the catch-line I kept reading about “the river meeting the ocean” sucked me in. It wasn’t that I disliked Palomino. It was still good to explore and I had a good lunch, but I don’t think it was worth the journey from Santa Marta.
For those people that like beach resorts and/or yoga, I recommend spending a few days here.
10. Go Hiking in Minca
Coming in at number 10 on this list of things to do in Santa Marta is to go hiking in Minca. Minca is a small mountain town a 45-minute van ride from Santa Marta. When I went I did a short hike to Pozo Azul, a waterfall. Another longer one (6 hour round trip) is up Los Pinos. Minca itself is a cute little town and if you don’t like hiking it is still worth the visit.
READ MORE ABOUT MY HIKE IN MINCA.
11. Hike to Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a popular beach, a little too popular for me, but hiking there is epic. There are a couple of secluded beaches along the way and at the end, you can get a good feed at one of the at the beach.
READ MORE ABOUT MY EPIC HIKE TO PLAYA BLANCA.
12. Snorkel in Bahia Concha
Less than an hour away from the center of Santa Marta is Bahia Concha, which is a beach. It is part of Tayrona National Park but far away from the main entrance so it only costs 5,000COP instead of 48,500COP. I enjoyed the snorkeling there. Like all beaches in Santa Marta, you can rent a shelter and have a fresh fish lunch if you want.
READ MORE ABOUT SNORKELING IN BAHIA CONCHA.
13. Swim in the Waterfalls at Paso Del Mango
Paso Del Mango is a traditional village near the town of Bonda, which is a 40-minute bus ride from Santa Marta. The village itself didn’t do much for me, but hiking to the waterfall at the end was nice. The waterfall is Pozo Del Azul. It was refreshing to take a dip after the 2-hour hike in, and you can jump into it from the rocks above.
READ MORE ABOUT HIKING TO PASO DEL MANGO.
14. Party
I admit that this one is a bit of a cop-out. Partying in Santa Marta isn’t any better or worse than the rest of Colombia. I added it so the list wouldn’t be “13”.
You can drink aguardiente or rum and dance the night away any day of the week. Or if you feel like releasing the hippy in you, head to Taganga and smoke with the locals on the beach.
Getting a Tourist Visa Extention in Santa Marta
Go to the migration office, which has moved as of the 30th of May 2017. It is now closer to the old town, about 4 blocks east of the big Exito supermarket in town. Follow Calle 19.
The address is: Avenida Del Ferrocarril. Calle 19 # 8 – 68, Esquina, Barrio Centro.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 0800 – 1200, 1400 – 1700.
Take your passport and photocopies of your passport photo page and entry stamp. They also ask for where you are staying and your contact number. Although you don’t need any actual proof. I took my proof of exit and extra passport photos but I didn’t need them. They took my photo and fingerprints in there.
The cost was 92,000COP. The lady did ask me whether I wanted to pay with cash or card. I said cash and she gave a frustrated look, so then I said I also had a card which cheered her up a lot. I guess it means they can accept cash but they much prefer card.
The whole thing was very easy. I went there right at 2 pm when they re-opened after lunch. I was the only “customer” for the whole time I was there, which was less than 30 minutes.
It will help if you can speak a little Spanish.
Accommodation in Santa Marta
Whilst doing all these fun things to do in Santa Marta I stayed in Taganga. I rented a place of Airbnb to start with but soon after rented straight from a local. She is a very helpful and friendly girl that manages a few different places in Taganga and Santa Marta. I recommend her.
Naomas.com
Facebook.com/casadepiedrataganga
Of course, if you prefer to pay more you can go through Airbnb.
Here’s a video slideshow of some pictures taken in Santa Marta.
Got anything to add to this list of fun things to do in Santa Marta? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments.
The post 14 Fun Things to Do in Santa Marta, Colombia appeared first on Survive Travel.
November 17, 2017
14 Beautiful Santa Marta Beaches, Colombia
Being on the Carribean Coast means that there are quite a few Santa Marta beaches to choose from. Whether you want to snorkel, party, or meditate, there is a perfect beach in Santa Marta for it.
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14 Beautiful Santa Marta Beaches
This posts also includes beaches outside Santa Marta. They are all accessible as day trips.
1. The Beach in the City
I’ve started this list of Santa Marta beaches with the worst one. I’m not sure of its actual name, but it is the beach in front of Old Town. People do swim in it, but I wouldn’t.
2. Rodadero
Rodadero is about a 15-minute bus ride from the center of town. It is much cleaner than the beach in the city and with fewer touts. If you go further along (opposite the city) there is an even quieter section.
This quieter section is actually a separate beach called Playa Salguero.
3. Cabo te Tortuga
Even further out than Rodadero is Cabo de Tortuga, named so because of the tortoise-shaped hill. It is very peaceful but there are no small restaurants or places to buy a drink. Expensive high rises line it.
4. Taganga
There are a couple of beaches in Taganga. This one refers to the main beach of Taganga, the one in front of the fishing village. This gets pretty crowded on weekends, and there are always people on it during the week also. Although not fantastic, you can go snorkeling here too if you swim out 50 meters or so towards Techos Azules.
5. Playa Grande.
Playa Grande is a 15-minute hike from Taganga, over the hills. Walking the trail is quite nice in itself as there are some good views. Like Taganga, Playa Grande gets busy on weekends. The water here is cleaner and the snorkeling is decent.
From here you can even hike into Tayrona, though I don’t recommend it.
6. Playa Blanca
Within hiking distance of Rodadero is Playa Blanca. The beach is a bit crowded to my liking, but the hike there is pretty cool and not well-trodden. If you’re not that adventurous you can take a boat. It looks like there is some good snorkeling there but I don’t have the first-hand experience in this. There is also the aquarium close-by.
READ MORE ABOUT MY EPIC HIKE TO PLAYA BLANCA.
7. Palomino
Of all these Santa Marta beaches, this one is the furthest away. It is a 2 and a 1/2 hour bus ride to get there. I didn’t think the travel time was worth it. No snorkeling or surfing, but quite peaceful. You can see the Sierra Mountains while laying on the beach. There is also a river you can go tubing down. If going to Palomino it would be better to stay a few nights instead of a day-trip from Santa Marta.
8. Bocas de Buritaca
I didn’t actually go to Bocas de Buritaca. I was going to but then a local friend told me that it was pretty much the same as Palomino, so I didn’t bother.
By SebastianGalvis (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Santa Marta Beaches in Tayrona National Park
If you are in Santa Marta and have even the slightest interest in nature then Tayrona National Park is a must do. I only went there for a day-trip but you can spend a few nights in there hiking and chilling on the many beaches.
READ MORE ABOUT MY HIKE IN TAYRON NATIONAL PARK.
9. Playa Arrecifes
Enter Tayrona through the main entrance and Playa Arrecifes is the first beach you see. Somehow I missed it, but I’m an idiot sometimes.
By David Shankbone (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
10. Playa Cañaveral
A short hike from Playa Arrecifes will bring you to Playa Cañaveral. One of the quieter beaches in Tayrona, not that the others are particularly busy.
11. Playa Piscina
Although I didn’t go in the water at Playa Piscina I saw a few people snorkeling here. Playa Piscina is a short hike from Cañaveral.
12. Cabo San Juan del Guia
Another short hike away is Cabo San Juan del Guia. Cabo is the first beach I came across when hiking in from Calabazo. There is a campsite and hammocks for rent here. The snorkeling is pretty good also.
READ MORE ABOUT SNORKELING IN SANTA MARTA.
13. Playa Brava
I didn’t go to Playa Brava but I imagine it is the quietest of the beaches in this part of Tayrona. It’s not hard to get to but was in the opposite direction of my hiking route.
By Juan Pablo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
14. Bahia Concha
Bahia Concha is in Tayrona National Park but you don’t have to enter through one of the main entrances to get there. This means you can visit it without paying the main entrance fee. Instead of 48,500COP, it is only 5,000COP. If you don’t want to hike into the main part of Tayrona then this is a perfect day-trip. There’s good snorkeling here and you can camp there if you want also.
READ MORE ABOUT SNORKELING IN BAHIA CONCHA.
Well, that’s it for my list of Santa Marta beaches. There are a few more beaches in Tayrona Park and many dotted all along the coast. If you’re a beach lover then Santa Marta will be a paradise for you.
Did you enjoy this list of beautiful Santa Marta beaches? Maybe you know some other beaches in Santa Marta. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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November 15, 2017
6 Breathtaking Santa Marta Hikes, Colombia
Discover 6 breathtaking Santa Marta hikes. The two most famous places for hiking in Santa Marta are Tyrona National Park and the Lost City. While these two places are great for hiking, there are much more. In fact, one of the reasons I stayed in Santa Marta for so long was because of all the hiking opportunities.
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6 Breathtaking Santa Marta Hikes
Titling this article Santa Marta hikes is a bit of a lie. Sorry about that. Most of these places are not actually in Santa Marta, but all are within easy reach for day hikes from Santa Marta. In other words, Santa Marta makes a good base for all these hikes.
1. Taganga to Playa Grande
The very first Santa Marta hike I did was in the same area that I lived in, Taganga. It is a short one. Only about 15 minutes from the trailhead in Taganga to the beach on the other side of the coves, Playa Grande.
Being short doesn’t make it any less enjoyable though. In fact, I am sure many people will prefer it. You get some awesome views along the way, and at the end, you can go for a snorkel.
READ MORE ABOUT HIKING TO PLAYA GRANDE
2. Tayrona National Park
There are a lot of hiking opportunities inside Tayrona National Park. I went as a day-trip, but you could spend a couple of days camping there without getting bored. When I went I entered through Calabazo and hiked to the Pueblito archeological site. From there I continued to Cabo San Juan del Guia and after a quick snorkel I went out the main entrance. It was a great day hike.
READ MORE ABOUT MY DAY-HIKE IN TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK.
3. Minca
Minca is another place where you could spend a few days doing different hikes. Better still, it is less than a 30-minute van ride from Santa Marta. When I went there I did a short hike to Pozo Azul where there are some waterfalls. Another popular one is up Los Piños, a mountain. I read it takes 3 hours (one-way) but some friends that did it told me it only took 2.
READ MORE ABOUT MY HIKE TO POZO AZUL IN MINCA.
4. Bonda – Paso Del Mango
About a 40-minute bus ride from Santa Marta is a town called Bonda. From there you can hike to the traditional village called Paso Del Mango and further on to Pozo Del Amor. Once there, take a refreshing dip in the waterfall. You can even jump into it from the rocks if you want.
READ MORE ABOUT MY HIKE TO POZO DEL AMOR.
5. City to Playa Blanca
The most epic Santa Marta hike I did was from the city to Playa Blanca. You could take a boat there from Rodadero, but hiking is much more of an adventure.
READ MORE ABOUT MY EPIC HIKE TO PLAYA BLANCA.
6. La Ciudad Perdida
I didn’t actually do this, but no post about hiking in Santa Marta would be complete without The Lost City. La Ciudad Perdida is a 4 to 6-day trek to an archeological site older than Machu Pichu.
By Gavin Rough from Waterloo, Canada (Lost City Ruins) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Did you enjoy this list of breathtaking Santa Marta hikes? What other hikes of Santa Marta have you done? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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