Medellin bound

[Jook]

I've never been to Medellin. I'm planning on visiting early next year to visit my girl (who I met in Bogota) and could use a couple of tips. I know January is vacation time and I was wondering if I'd be better off waiting until vacation season was over... mainly to avoid hordes of people and higher traveling rates. So, what is recommended? I plan on about 10 days and can get available time in January or February.

I searched for hotel reviews in Medellin but couldn't find much. I could have sworn I saw a bunch a while ago. Can someone point the way?

Does it make sense for us to take a side trip given that I only have 10 days? I'm thinking of a beach, i.e., Santa Marta. What other options should I consider? I want to avoid touristy and super expensive.

Should I book now or wait? Any other tips appreciated. Many thanks.

[HonkyTonk]

Jook, have you already looked in the Travel section under Hotel and Apartment Recommendations?

I'm not sure why that Forum doesn't get more info from our members

Not sure about the side trip. It's a personal thing on how to spend the short time you have with your novia.

Hi Jook,

You are correct that January is a big travel month within Colombia and the prices do go up. I would wait until February. About your side trips and what Tonk said- I agree with his comments. Accomodations can be found on Google, other Boards such as PBH and PL and our other Forum titled Hotel and Apartment Recommendations.

Enjoy your trip.

[Jook]

Thanks guys.

A general question. I'd like to stop in Miami (from Newark) for a few days, then fly to Medellin and back to Newark from Medellin. I'm having a hard time with most of the travel sites putting in multiple destinations. What sites do you recommend other than the usual? (expedia, travelocity, orbitz, etc.) Will it be a lot more costly to book such a reservation as opposed to skipping Miami and flying roundtrip between Newark & MDE?

Coincidentally, the NY Times Sunday travel section has an article about Tayrona Nat'l Park and Santa Marta. I'll post it once it's online.

[STM]

From Dec15th though 3rd week of Jan., Colombians are on vacation and USA Colombian Americans return back to Colombia. The women are pre-occupied with the family reunions, out of town vacations , last minute overtime at work etc.... Basically a bad experience for single guy on the hunt, who is not already paired up.
The coin flips on the 4th week of Jan.
Its could be good if you already have a fiancee or wife.
Ironically Christmas is celebrated like a party and fiesta, while New Years is somewhat religious, it is some kind of bad omen for Colombians, if the Colombian person is not with the family, and most likely at home on a group family setting on New Years.
Tickets anywhere during that time frame cost more. Hotels , resorts etc..
Some places (clubs/restarants) in the big cities actually close down, and the place becomes dead, as people flee to the fincas or the coast.
Though I recall a few years ago many gringos had some nice parties in Cali at one of agenicies during the 1st week of Jan, but that was 2-3 years ago.
I have always tried to get the heck out by the 15th, as it the few times I was there , it went downhill from the 15th on.

[KPunch2]

Christmas, New Years, and Dia de los Reyes is the Motherload of all festivities in Latin America [next is Easter]. I would suggest traveling before the RUSH of passengers going to and from LAm from early December to mid January if possible. Flights going to LAm are usually booked well in advanced, like 6 months before. If you decide to book a flight within this time frame, you will expect to pay over a grand to travel on those dates. As with everything else, prices for hotel accomodations tend to go up.

10 days in Medallo is pretty cool. You will see the Christmas light displays and if you want to get away, you can always find a finca you can rent for the weekend.

STM is spot on.

Good luck and have fun.