Post: #1

Anybody got any tips about taking a Medellin bus trip or buses in Colombia. I'm thinking of safety, best company to use, etc. usually I fly but I want to see some of thcountryside at least once. Thx

Post: #2

Good question, Colombian pros, where are you? I'm sure Dash would have had something to say here, lol!

I'm in Bogota now but am gonna be checking out Cali and/or Medellin in February, and am considering taking a bus for the same reasons.

Post: #3

Sorry guys, you got me on that one. I NEVER take the bus in Colombia. I always have a car, or motorcycle, or some other friend taking me someplace, Sorry I can't help.


Mixx

Post: #4

I've never had to take a bus but I asked my employee here. She says that buses are safe more or less. Sometimes they get stopped and everyone has to get off and be robbed. I always fly between cities if it's more than a 2 hour drive.

Post: #5

Writing on my iPad or I'd give you more info. I've take buses all around Colombia, including through some of the sketchier areas (Chocó, etc) and I've never had any safety problems, although of course I am always sure to keep my eye on my shit and not flash money/valuables. The main tip is to haggle hard. In my experience just about everybody is looking to tomar la papaya by hustling gringo travelers and bus companies are no exception. For the most part it's not malicious, so don't be a dick about it, just never take the first (or second, or third) price they quote you at the window. Tell them you'll think about it but want to check with the other companies first (all the ticket windows are in a line). I do always do this and consistently pay only about 50% of the "standard price". Note that this won't work during high tourist season on packed routes, e.g. Medellin - Cartagena. If you get no love at the ticket windows its also possible to work something out directly with the drivers, although this requires a bit of discretion and more than a bit of linguistic ability. I once got a free trip from Medellin to Pereira just by shooting the shit and buying the guy a beer and chorizo. Buses are cool though, a great way to see the scenery.

Post: #6

I decided about 2 years ago to take the bus instead of flying from Bogota to Medellin. I wanted to see the countryside and not just the two cities. Well, it was the worst bus ride of my life. It was only a bit cheaper than flying. The bus was approximately $30 and recall it being not much more than $50 to fly. Bogota is at 8,500 feet so an early start means it is really cold out. The bus had no heat. As we drove there was wind swirling through which created an unbearable windchill. I shivered for hours. The trip down the mountain had one switchback after the next. I was shocked i didn't throw up. Once it hit early morning, we had made it down the moutain into what was easily 90 plus degree temps. And of course the bus had no air conditioning and the windows didn't open. It was supposed to be an 8 hour ride which turned into 12 hours of hell. The bus said Tolima on the side but not sure if that was the company or not.

The bus was pulled over by the colombian police and we all had to exit. I handed them my passport and they simply waived me away. They seemed more interested in harassing their own than me. This happened to me all over Colombia. At the Medellin airport they asked the locals all kinds of questions. WHen it was my turn this tough looking guy complete with spurs simply said, "I hope you enjoyed your trip". My theory at the time was they were trying very hard to improve the image of Colombia. I certainly came back with positive things to say.

Anyway, I got to my destination just fine. Just make sure you ask a few questions (unlike myself) to avoid an incredibly uncomfortable ride and be aware that with all the trucks on the road it is slow going by bus.

Post: #7

(01-18-2012 02:23 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  I decided about 2 years ago to take the bus instead of flying from Bogota to Medellin. I wanted to see the countryside and not just the two cities. Well, it was the worst bus ride of my life. It was only a bit cheaper than flying. The bus was approximately $30 and recall it being not much more than $50 to fly. Bogota is at 8,500 feet so an early start means it is really cold out. The bus had no heat. As we drove there was wind swirling through which created an unbearable windchill. I shivered for hours. The trip down the mountain had one switchback after the next. I was shocked i didn't throw up. Once it hit early morning, we had made it down the moutain into what was easily 90 plus degree temps. And of course the bus had no air conditioning and the windows didn't open. It was supposed to be an 8 hour ride which turned into 12 hours of hell. The bus said Tolima on the side but not sure if that was the company or not.

The bus was pulled over by the colombian police and we all had to exit. I handed them my passport and they simply waived me away. They seemed more interested in harassing their own than me. This happened to me all over Colombia. At the Medellin airport they asked the locals all kinds of questions. WHen it was my turn this tough looking guy complete with spurs simply said, "I hope you enjoyed your trip". My theory at the time was they were trying very hard to improve the image of Colombia. I certainly came back with positive things to say.

Anyway, I got to my destination just fine. Just make sure you ask a few questions (unlike myself) to avoid an incredibly uncomfortable ride and be aware that with all the trucks on the road it is slow going by bus.

Its probably because its your first bus ride in South America. No offense but you have some manning up to do. If i would take the same bus i probably have a different experience.

Post: #8

(01-18-2012 04:52 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(01-18-2012 02:23 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  I decided about 2 years ago to take the bus instead of flying from Bogota to Medellin. I wanted to see the countryside and not just the two cities. Well, it was the worst bus ride of my life. It was only a bit cheaper than flying. The bus was approximately $30 and recall it being not much more than $50 to fly. Bogota is at 8,500 feet so an early start means it is really cold out. The bus had no heat. As we drove there was wind swirling through which created an unbearable windchill. I shivered for hours. The trip down the mountain had one switchback after the next. I was shocked i didn't throw up. Once it hit early morning, we had made it down the moutain into what was easily 90 plus degree temps. And of course the bus had no air conditioning and the windows didn't open. It was supposed to be an 8 hour ride which turned into 12 hours of hell. The bus said Tolima on the side but not sure if that was the company or not.

The bus was pulled over by the colombian police and we all had to exit. I handed them my passport and they simply waived me away. They seemed more interested in harassing their own than me. This happened to me all over Colombia. At the Medellin airport they asked the locals all kinds of questions. WHen it was my turn this tough looking guy complete with spurs simply said, "I hope you enjoyed your trip". My theory at the time was they were trying very hard to improve the image of Colombia. I certainly came back with positive things to say.

Anyway, I got to my destination just fine. Just make sure you ask a few questions (unlike myself) to avoid an incredibly uncomfortable ride and be aware that with all the trucks on the road it is slow going by bus.

Its probably because its your first bus ride in South America. No offense but you have some manning up to do. If i would take the same bus i probably have a different experience.

So you knew it was cold out but didn't bring warm clothes, and then it got warm out. The bus had to make some turns to get down a mountain. And to top it off the driver, in a non-Western country, had the gall to take longer than the allocated time for the trip. Sounds absolutely traumatizing.

Weaksauce.

Post: #9

Good stuff guys, thanks. I really do want to see the country a little so even if it costs the same as a plane I want to do it at least once. Although in my experience round trip to Medellin usually runs around 125 bucks. I've heard there are other cheaper, in Colombia airlines but have never found or looked for them

Temperature in bogota is fine with me so I'm not worried about being too cold. Overall, I'm looking forward to it, but it may not be something I do more then once.

Post: #10

i took a bus from ibague to bogota, it was about a 3 hour ride. i didnt feel like i was in any danger during the trip but i def felt uncomfortable. the bus was packed, i was shoulder to shoulder with some guy that seemed to be having withdrawls, and i say that because he threw up about 10 times during the trip and he was sweating and breathing heavily through out the whole bus ride.
i suggest that you do some research and get tickets for a bus that is spacious, it might cost you 10-20 more pesos but at least youll be comfortable.

Post: #11

The bus from Bogota to Medellin was nauseating. Medellin to Cali was smoother. Both took 8 hours. I had no safety or scam issues.

Post: #12

Since its so much cheaper then flying, I'll pay a lot more for a bigger seat, etc. I was just curious if anybody had any recommendations for which line to take, assuming money is a no issue

Post: #13

(01-18-2012 10:13 AM)Roosh Wrote:  The bus from Bogota to Medellin was nauseating.

I have never taken the bus, but I do have girls that have visited me making long journeys on Buses. They say that they always take some sort of dramamine pill 30 minutes before departure on trips that have lots of curves/hills and they do not get dizzy or feel like throwing up afterwards.


http://dramamine.com/

Mixx

Post: #14

(01-18-2012 12:50 PM)MiXX Wrote:  

(01-18-2012 10:13 AM)Roosh Wrote:  The bus from Bogota to Medellin was nauseating.

I have never taken the bus, but I do have girls that have visited me making long journeys on Buses. They say that they always take some sort of dramamine pill 30 minutes before departure on trips that have lots of curves/hills and they do not get dizzy or feel like throwing up afterwards.


http://dramamine.com/

Mixx

I'll second the dramamine. I've never taken it myself (I don't get carsick easily) but I know more than a couple of people who swear by it. I believe it also induces drowsiness, which could be a plus on a long trip.

Post: #15

For what it's orth, anyone suffering from some sort of motion sickness without Dramamine.....he best thing u can do is to keep your eyes focused on the horizon. Not a sure fire cure but will help more then anything else. If at all possible, start this at your first signs of naseau

Post: #16

I've taken buses out of Medellin. Medellin has 2 main bus terminals - Terminal de Sur and Terminal de Norte. I usually use this Co. out of Sur to shoot down to the coffee zone.
http://www.flotaoccidental.com
Always ask if express is available, you don't want to waste time making stops in other pueblos or cities if you don't have to.
Nice comfortable seats, footrests, recline, clean, safe, etc...on some trips for 5-7k pesos (you buy a food ticket extra with your bus ticket), they make a pitstop at a restaurant on the route and you get served a meal at your seat - I recommend it.