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Post by barrumundi on Nov 3, 2015 15:20:07 GMT -5
www.flickr.com/photos/medau/8304072347/
Fronting both the Caribbean and the Pacific, Colombia is blessed with countless sun-toasted stretches of floury sands plus pristine, picture-perfect islands. The 1760km Caribbean coast is home to the country’s best beaches, from backpacker hotspots like raucous Taganga to the rarely visited Punta Gallinas with its massive dunes. The Pacific coast is ruggedly spectacular and blissfully undiscovered. Here, waterfalls pour out of forest-covered bluffs onto gray-sand beaches and whales and dolphins frolic so close to shore you can admire them from your hammock. The archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia is home to isolated beaches, unspoiled coral reefs and an alluring island flavour. Where to lay your towel first? Here are just some of our favourites.
Read more: www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/things-to-do/colombia-s-best-beaches#ixzz3qSgYaMy7
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Post by barrumundi on Nov 3, 2015 15:23:00 GMT -5
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Post by gallito on Nov 4, 2015 13:11:11 GMT -5
Sapzurro and Capurgana have been on my radar for some time...as is a number of Colombia's isolated coastal areas.The drawback to visiting these areas poor tourist infrastructure;airports, pissy little runways carved into the jungle and wobbly little planes aren't everyone's cup of tea. I totally disagree with the Taganga pick;it's a grimy little village that hasn't outlived its notorious reputation.
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Post by caliconnection on Nov 4, 2015 23:27:56 GMT -5
I call that an advantage
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Post by gallito on Nov 5, 2015 14:14:39 GMT -5
yep,me too...just trying to steer em away from our secrets...
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Post by elexpatriado on Feb 24, 2016 19:51:18 GMT -5
I spent 5 days in Capurgana and área 2 weeks ago. Probably the best vacation I have had in Colombia.
The landing was a little scary though. Came in from the mountains.Dont know why they do tharñt.When we took off, we went out towards the sea.Newer plane too. Way more tranquillo
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Post by gallito on Mar 8, 2016 7:41:14 GMT -5
I spent 5 days in Capurgana and área 2 weeks ago. Probably the best vacation I have had in Colombia. The landing was a little scary though. Came in from the mountains.Dont know why they do tharñt.When we took off, we went out towards the sea.Newer plane too. Way more tranquillo Elex,do tell about your trip.I still have it on my short list.
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Post by buenopues on Mar 22, 2016 17:44:11 GMT -5
I just returned from my sixth trip to Isla Providencia. Unfortunately there had been some of algae bloom that produced a thick muck you had to wade though getting in or out of the water. It was only a problem at Southwest Bay because the glop had been cleaned off Playa Manzanilla and in front of Cabañas El Recreo. Providencia offers the "best" beaches if you're looking for white sand but there are some nice smaller ones at and around Capurganá. The Pacific coast has some nice beaches too but the sand is gray not white being derived from volcanic rock and containing dark minerals. There is quite a long beach just south of the Piedrapiedra Lodge near Nuquí. There is very little tidal movement at providencia and San Andres and lots of it on the Pacific side.
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Post by billforce on Mar 25, 2016 12:40:16 GMT -5
In my 16 years in Colombia I have visited several "beaches" and my personal favorite is Covenas/Tolu, almost uninhabited during school session. You can walk several hundred yards out into the tepid waters and not be over your head. My wife's family generally spends one week a year there with some of the family members. My wife and I just returned from spending a week in Santa Marta area, my first trip there. We stayed at the Costa Azul Hotel that's in Don Jaca, actually about 15 klms. south of Santa Marta. The beach there is very wide and very low occupancy this time of year
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flaco
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Post by flaco on Mar 26, 2016 19:21:08 GMT -5
Bill,
Planning a trip to Santa Marta in May and saw that you stayed at Costa Azul. I looked at reviews for this property and found many to fall short of guests expectations. What was your opinion? Did you stay in the new building? Also, I see it is approx. 15 k from the city proper and not much else in the vicinity of the hotel, I will travelling with my family ( 3 kids and Mom) so having a few options for adult time in the evenings would be welcomed.
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Post by gallito on Mar 26, 2016 20:46:00 GMT -5
Recently I spent 8 days near the Irotama;on a beach a few miles in the other direction.The Costal Azul appears near the airport;the jets take off in that direction over the ocean...jets roaring overhead well say no more.That section of the beach is a little far from restaurants or nightlife...Rodadero being the closest. There is a little shopping center on the highway in front of Zuana Beach Resort;Carulla,Crepes y Waffles,Bogota Beer,El Corral. Here are a few other places in that general area. www.onetime.com/hotels?talid=297484&property=1181043&mcid=18305&taparam=EOTGoogleCA_K150668882_A14659501148_NS&
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Post by billforce on Mar 26, 2016 21:01:18 GMT -5
We stayed in the new building, service was good or about average for a Colombian Hotel. Clean, good air conditioning system and the restaurant was passable especially as Hotel Restaurants go. It also helped that my wife knows the manager of the hotel very well I suppose. The included breakfast was good, you can order eggs or omelet cooked to order and as you can see by the photo the beach is great. Wide and uncrowded, good towel service from the main desk. The only real negative I can think of is it's proximity to the shopping centers etc. It cost 18 to 20K pesos each way just to go to the local shopping center. The buses are on time and often and a bit "camp" but I enjoyed them, first time on a bus in 20 years. Cost less than a buck to ride the bus. The buses stop at the service station in front of the Hotel and it's a well lighted walk to the Hotel entrance, about a city block is all. To be real honest with you, the Hotel was one of our better experiences in Santa Marta, the other businesses like restaurants were mediocre at best except for the Burukuka in Rododero, great food and the view is magnificent. I was less than pleased with our paid tour, just a driver in a car but not too interesting unless you want to spend a couple hours at the Simon Bolivar Tomb. The old downtown area is old, dirty, crowded and it's no Cartegena. That's why I say, the Hotel was actually one of our bright spots. Bill
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Post by gallito on Mar 27, 2016 11:48:27 GMT -5
There are better beaches near Santa Marta where the ocean views are not obscured by concrete highrises.One needs to push towards Palomino,Buritaca where vegetation meets the ocean and the surf beats a melodic rhythm. There's a new Hotel adjacent to one of the Irotama's towers;not on the beach but a short walk through the a nice green zone.A friend stayed there and when I visited him I asked if they had any deals and they offered one.
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Post by billforce on Mar 27, 2016 21:51:42 GMT -5
This is the Costa Azul taken from our balcony on the 4th floor of the new building. Right lower thatch is the restaurant and you can see the beach behind the facility, it sits right on the beach. Clean, well maintained and the only drawback we could find was the necessity to travel to the shopping centers. Had to take the bus and go get my "frozen yogurt" fix.
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Post by gallito on Mar 27, 2016 22:24:57 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 8:00:46 GMT -5
Best hotels of Santa Marta are by far in Centro. Best beaches and jungle hills are not in Palomino, but just outside the Tayrona Park, in the stretch that goes from km 34 to km 36. From Playita Tayrona at Los Cocos, up to Orinoco and its waterfalls.
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Post by barrumundi on Mar 28, 2016 8:26:46 GMT -5
Links and photos please @robi666 (don't worry about a disclaimer).
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Post by gallito on Mar 28, 2016 11:24:16 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 13:23:01 GMT -5
www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g294073-Colombia-Hotels.htmlClick on Ranking. 5 hotels of Centro among the 23 best of Colombia. Gallito, I am with you 100%. I don't have any link to Orinoco area, there is no marketing, nothing. Best kept secret in the area. It is just outside PNT (3 kms from entrance), just the same and you don't have to pay to enter. Desert beach and cold waterfalls in the mountains 5 kms away. Beach is just 1 minute walking meters from the main road, on a perfectly maintained public stone path, lighted at night. Local fishermen restaurant and bar on the beach. Best hotel of Tayrona is around there. Senor Pano at the tienda will organise a trek or horse ride to Orinoco. Visit to the Kogi village, waterfalls, sacred little lakes, flower farm, sancocho lunch.
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Post by gallito on Mar 28, 2016 13:31:23 GMT -5
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Post by gallito on Mar 28, 2016 13:41:28 GMT -5
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Post by gallito on Mar 28, 2016 13:48:30 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 14:30:12 GMT -5
Ouch... hit and sink!
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Post by jabberwocky on Apr 5, 2016 11:28:27 GMT -5
Anyone with experience with Pacific beaches?- I know they are very isolated and some have had FARC activity close by in the past
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Post by scumbuster on Apr 5, 2016 11:47:05 GMT -5
Anyone with experience with Pacific beaches?- I know they are very isolated and some have had FARC activity close by in the past That is the only reason I haven't been to the pacific coast.
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Post by gallito on Apr 5, 2016 11:53:29 GMT -5
Surf,Sand,Sun and the Fish are whale size!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 14:21:13 GMT -5
About nice beaches, I considered investing and setting up an operation in Sapzurro. After the recent happenings (paro armado, etc.) I will stay out of it. Things got bad under the actual president and will get worse before they get better.
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Post by gallito on Apr 5, 2016 20:24:00 GMT -5
Tough zone to make a go...shame!
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Post by scumbuster on Apr 5, 2016 21:11:23 GMT -5
Unfortunately the pacific will be a no go for many. Weather its FARC, ELN or Urabeños. There will always be someone fighting for control.
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Post by billyb on Apr 5, 2016 21:47:18 GMT -5
I had a cousin kidnapped by the FARC in a Choco beach a while back.
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