Marisol and I decided to spend a couple nights at Playa Blanca, one of the most beautiful beaches in South America. This entry is about that overnight trip.
On the morning of the second day of our tour to La Guajira, Pedro woke us up at 5am to start the journey to Punta Gallinas. We were taken from Cabo de la Vela to nearby Puerto Bolívar, an industrial area used for shipping. There really isn’t any reason to be there other than for the boats to Punta Gallinas.
In my one day in Barranquilla, I found almost nothing worthy of a detour to this industrial city. For example, Barranquilla has been called “the Cleveland of Colombia“. That’s an insult to Cleveland.
Outside of Colombia, Barranquilla is perhaps best known as the hometown of superstars Shakira and Sofía Vergara. With names like that coming from what is Colombia’s 4th largest city, one would expect there to be some sort of draw for tourists.
One of the oldest towns in Colombia, Anserma doesn’t offer much for tourists, but it’s an authentic coffee town. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia.
A brief guide on where to stay in Medellín. As far as accommodation, Medellín has several options for every budget, from hostels and budget hotels to business class and luxury hotels.
I hated Lima when I first visited in 2009. I gave it a second chance in 2014 and I’m happy I did. It has improved dramatically since my first visit. It’s easier to get around, there are better restaurant choices, and it was much safer the second time around. What a difference a few years makes!
Finally, I made it to Uyuni after successfully breaking through a Bolivian roadblock. I had booked a three day all inclusive tour of the Uyuni Salt Flat (Salar de Uyuni) and the Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve for an incredible price. I was looking forward to starting the tour the next morning.
Nuestra Señora de La Paz, or simply La Paz, is an eccentric place. As soon as I arrived in the city, I was ready to leave, but I felt I had an obligation to see it. I’m glad I did. The city is unique if not only for its altitude, which ranges between 3200-4000m. That means different zones of the city have entirely different climates!
Bolivia is one of the most colorful and diverse countries in the world. It maintains local traditions and cultures more than any other country I have ever visited. It has some of the most dramatic landscapes I have ever seen. Also, Bolivian people happen to be some of the friendliest and genuine people I have encountered on my travels. Many will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and safe in their country.
However, Bolivia is not Disneyland.