Travel - Internal

Getting Around By Air : There is an excellent internal air network connecting major cities, including those in the Caribbean coastal area. There are also local helicopter flights. Flights between the mainland and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia operate from most major Colombian cities. The main domestic carriers are AeroRepública (website: www.aerorepublica.com.co), Avianca (website: www.avianca.com), Aires (website: www.aires.aero) and Satena (website: www.satena.com).

Getting Around by Water : There is a ferry service between the mainland and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, leaving from the Muelle de los Pegasos. The journey is long (72 hours) but cheap. Information about other sailings to San Andrés can be obtained from the Maritima San Andrés office.

The Magdalena River is the main artery of Colombia. Some cargo boats take passengers, though this is a slow way to travel. It is possible to hire boats for particular trips. Paddle steamers no longer run services up and down the river and hiring can be expensive.

From Leticia, on the Peruvian border, a number of operators run sightseeing tours and jungle expeditions up the Amazon. It is necessary to make enquiries locally, and wise to shop around before booking on any one trip.

Getting Around by Rail : Although trains still carry freight, inter-city passenger services are virtually non-existent. A restored steam train, Turistren, runs from Bogotá to Zipaquirá and Cajicá (tel: (1) 375 0557; website: www.turistren.com.co).

Getting Around by Road : A good highway links Santa Marta in the east with Cartagena, and passes Barranquilla en route. The Trans-Caribbean Highway has placed Barranquilla only 5 hours away from Venezuela. Northeast of Santa Marta, in the Guajira Peninsula, roads are usually passable except during rainy periods. There is highway transportation between the coastal cities and the capital and other cities of the interior, but much of the highway is rutted. Travellers are advised against driving in rural areas as guerilla and paramilitary groups have a strong presence. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: The long distances make air travel advisable. Among the best bus lines are Flota Magdalena (website: www.flotamagdalena.com), Expreso Bolivariano (website: www.bolivariano.com.co) and Expreso Palmira (website: www.expresopalmira.com.co). There are also collectivos (taxi-buses) for shorter distances. Car hire: The major international companies have offices, but driving in cities is not recommended. Regulations: Seat belts in the front seats are mandatory; however, car seats for children are not. Children under 10 cannot sit in the front seat. The urban speed limit is 45-60kph (28-37mph), and the rural speed limit is 80kph (50mph). Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities : Bogotá's bus service, TransMilenio, is the most efficient way to travel round the capital. There are also shared taxis (buseta) which are not expensive and stop on demand. Taxis are fairly cheap; passengers should insist that meters are used. Drivers are generally not tipped. Medellín, Colombia's second largest city, has a metro train service. The newest addition to the system is MetroCable, a cable car. 

    

      

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Important Cities in Colombia