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Tag: "Colombia"

Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Colombia’s best-kept secrets (well, 7 of them)

[ 0 ] November 13, 2011

Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries in South America – but it still has a reputation for being dangerous.

Yes, you have to be careful but this rule applies everywhere. Click on the links below to see what you MUST do before you leave this incredible country.

1) Hike up to Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City)

2) Sleep in hammocks at Tayrona National Park

3) Sail from Colombia to Panama

4) Get your PADI diving certificate in Taganga

5) Visit Pablo Escobar’s grave

6) Sip cocktails from a coconut on Playa Blanca

7) Explore the walled city of Cartagena

Looking for more things to do in South America? Get travel advice for Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

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Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

PICTURES: Tayrona National Park, Colombia

[ 0 ] July 9, 2011

Planning a trip to Tayrona National Park in Colombia? Get ready for beautiful beaches and a jaw-dropping landscape.

Need more info? See where are the best places to stay and how to get there in our travel guide.

Tayrona National Park - Beaches at Tayrona National Park - Fabulous Travel Guide

Tayrona National Park - Beaches at Tayrona National Park - Fabulous Travel Guide

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Pictures of Tayrona National Park - Beaches in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Travelling around Colombia? Taganga is a great base for exploring the Caribbean coast. Hit the beach or learn to scuba dive.  Follow me on Twitter for more updates!

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The Lost City trek, Colombia - Pictures of The Lost City trek - Fabulous Travel Guide

PICTURES The Lost City trek in Colombia 2011

[ 2 ] July 5, 2011

Want to see pictures of the Lost City trek in Colombia? Check out our photo gallery and start planning your trip!

PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia

See pictures of The Lost City trek in Colombia in our photo gallery. Book a 5-day trek to Ciudad Perdida in Colombia and visit indiginous villages and ancient ruins.

[img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_indigenous-tribes-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_camping-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trail-colombia.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek-views-colombia.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek-views.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_indigenous-tribes-on-lost-city.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_morning-mist-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trail3.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek-colombia.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek-colombia2.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trek-colombia3.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_lost-city-trekking.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_pictures-of-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_crossing-river-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_relaxing-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_river-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_swimming-on-lost-city-trek.jpg"][img title="PICTURES: Lost City trek, Colombia - Ciudad Perdida photos - Fabulous Travel Guide" alt="" src="/wp-content/flagallery/lost-city-trek-in-pictures-ciudad-perdida-colombia/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00266.jpg"]

Looking for more things to do in Colombia? Visit Tayrona National Park and learn to scuba dive in Taganga. Plan your trip to South America here.

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Cartagena travel guide - Best restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Where to eat in Cartagena, Colombia

[ 1 ] July 1, 2011

Looking for good restaurants in Cartagena? We’ve hunted down the best places to eat, from sunny street cafés to delicious pizza joints.

Cartagena travel guide - Best restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Cartagena travel guide - Best restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

* Media Luna café

Located next door to Media Luna hostel, this restaurant serves up great pasta, large pizzas and cheap breakfasts. Service tends to be slow but guests at the hostel receive 10% off.

* Australian Fusion

This tongue-in-cheek restaurant is a great choice for those who like big portions and a quirky vibe. Go for the spicy lamb curry, nachos or the beef pie.

* Café  Lunatico

With the slogan ‘Made with crazy love’, this cosy little café prides itself on homecooked food served with a smile. Try the Thai cuisine or keep it simple with a big salad and chicken wrap.

* Pizza Reine

This pizza joint, located in the old town, is easily missed so keep your eyes peeled. Don’t leave without trying the chocolate, strawberry and cheese pizza and the Thai chicken.

* Café  del Mar

Watch the sun sink below the horizon as you sip beers on terrace. Get down there early to grab a good seat.

Looking for more things to do in Colombia? Check out the Lost City trek and visit the beautiful beaches of Tayrona National Park.

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Best restaurants in Taganga, Colombia - Places to eat in Taganga - Fabulous Travel Guide

Best restaurants in Taganga, Colombia

[ 0 ] June 5, 2011

Planning a trip to Taganga in Colombia? Make sure you dine out at the best places in town by following our guide.

Whether it’s cerviche on the beach, freshly-baked brownies or filet mignon, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Read on to see which restaurants made the final cut…

Café Bonsai in Taganga, Colombia - Best restaurants in Taganga - Pictures of Café Bonsai - Fabulous Travel Guide

Café Bonsai in Taganga, Colombia - Best restaurants in Taganga - Fabulous Travel Guide

* Café Bonsai

Need your coffee fix? Café Bonsai is a breath of fresh air in this little town.  It may be a little pricier than its neighbours but the vast array of tea and coffee, stuffed olives and freshly-baked baguettes make it worth while. They also hold nightly barbecues.

* Pacha Mama

Fancy chilling out under the stars with a cocktail or two? Pacha Mama has a great atmosphere with live music, a great menu and cosy tables. Choose from grilled chicken skewers, fich cakes or shrimp. Make sure you get there early or it will take forever to get served!

* TOP PICK: Casa Felipe

You’ll be blown away by the food at Casa Felipe. The chef here is brilliant and goes beyond the call of duty to satisfy his customers. The filet mignon in a rich red wine sauce is to die for – and make sure you try the thai green curry, seafod pasta and delicious chocolate brownie.

* Pizza Rey

Looking for a cheap bite to eat? Pizza Rey isn’t much to look at (just basic tables and chairs with cats and dogs asleep under them) but the pizza here is cooked to perfection. A one-person pizza is just 6,000 (£2) and you can choose your toppings.

Fancy a snack on the beach? Look out for the guy selling cups of shrimp mixed with salsa, mayonaise, lime, salt and onions (from 5,000).

Looking for more things to in Taganga? Get your PADI dive certificate on the cheap or visit Tayrona National Park!

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Aquantis Dive School in Taganga - Scuba diving in Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Learn to scuba dive in Taganga, Colombia

[ 5 ] April 17, 2011

Want to learn to scuba dive? Taganga, a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Colombia, is home to some of the cheapest dive schools in South America and travellers flock here in their droves.

It costs from just 580,000 cops (£198) to do your PADI and if you’ve already got your certificate you can enjoy fun dives from as little as 120,000 cops (£40). This includes equipment, guides, transportation and snacks on the boat.

Aquantis Dive School in Taganga - Scuba diving in Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Aquantis Dive School in Taganga - Scuba diving in Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

We loved Aquantis Dive School (pictured above) for its friendly staff and professional attitude. It may cost a little more than other companies in Taganga but it prides itself on small groups and good instructors.

TOP TIP If you haven’t dived in a while you’ll need to take a refresher course. This usually involves watching a video, reading up on relevant material and having an instructor present when you dive.

Looking for more things to do in Colombia? Sleep in hammocks at Tayrona National Park or go snorkelling in Playa Blanca.

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Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Go snorkelling in Playa Blanca, Cartagena

[ 2 ] April 11, 2011

Planning a trip to Cartagena in Colombia? Dedicate a couple of days to Playa Blanca – a beautiful stretch of sand on Isla de Baru.

The crystal clear water and coral reef is great for snorkelling so make sure you take your own equipment. Most travellers end up staying overnight in hammocks for just 7,000 cops (£2.35) and spending lazy evenings in one of the few candlelit restaurants.

Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

What to expect

Locals will try and sell you everything, from full body massages to handwoven hammocks. You will be constantly pestered – and prodded! – so be firm and politely decline.

When you’re not splashing around, try the fresh cerviche for 8,000 cops (£2.70) or treat yourself to a pinacolada  (10,000 cops). It may be a little overpriced but you can’t get much more Caribbean than drinking out of a coconut shell…

Locals selling cerviche on Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Locals selling cerviche on Playa Blanca - Cartagena, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

How to get there

Get down to the port for around 8am. Tickets to Playa Blanca cost from 30,000 cops (£10) and include transport both ways.  You’ll also need to pay 12,000 cops in tax.

Make sure you arrange a time and place of pickup and if you’re travelling in a group try and get a discount. Boats usually leave at 9am so hang around until you hear your name called out so you get on the correct boat!

Looking for more places to visit in Colombia? If you like beaches you’ll love Tayrona National Park and Taganga.

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Tayrona National Park - Beaches at Tayrona National Park - Fabulous Travel Guide

Sleep in hammocks at Tayrona National Park, Colombia

[ 6 ] April 10, 2011

Tayrona National Park, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is a breathtaking combination of rugged jungle, looming mountains and crashing waves.

One minute you’re hiking through the mud listening to howler monkeys swing through the trees, the next you’re strolling along white-sand beaches and taking snaps of crocodiles lurking in the rivers.

Tayrona National Park - Beaches at Tayrona National Park - Fabulous Travel Guide

Tayrona National Park - Beaches at Tayrona National Park - Fabulous Travel Guide

How to get there

Catch a local bus from Santa Marta for 5,000 cops (£1.60 – approx 1 hour) or get a private minibus for 15,000 cops (£5- 30 mins) – these operate from both Taganga and Santa Marta. Entry costs just 35,000 (£11) and you’re free to stay as long as you want.

Where to stay

If you fancy staying overnight (highly recommended!) then you need to get there early. Hammocks and tents cost from 10,000 cops (£3). We loved Don Pedro, the first campsite you arrive at. It’s a 10 minute walk from the beach but the restaurant serves decent food (fish, chicken, rice and beans) and cold beers.

Don Pedro campsite - Tayrona National Park, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Don Pedro campsite - Tayrona National Park, Colombia - Fabulous Travel Guide

Cabo San Juan De Guia is another good option and close to Cabo beach – arguably the best in Tayrona. There’s a restaurant overlooking the beach, a football pitch and plenty of space to pitch a tent.

Don’t fancy trekking back to the entrance in the morning? Hire a horse for around 35,000 cops (£11).

Travelling around Colombia? Taganga is a great base for exploring the Caribbean coast. Hit the beach or learn to scuba dive. Follow me on Twitter for more updates!

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Taganga - Colombia travel guide - Fabulous Travel Guide

What to do in Taganga, Colombia

[ 3 ] April 8, 2011

Taganga, a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Colombia, is fast becoming a backpacker magnet.

Not only is it the perfect base for exploring Tayrona National Park and Ciudad Perdida, it has two pretty beaches, scores of  great restaurants and some of the cheapest dive schools in the world.

Taganga - Colombia travel guide - Fabulous Travel Guide

Taganga - Colombia travel guide - Fabulous Travel Guide

When you’re not out at sea, or studying for your PADI,  grab a cup of cerviche and get a massage on the beach. They’re seriously relaxing and cost just 10,000 cops (£3).

Fancy a change of scene? Playa Grande is a 10-minute boat ride away and costs 6,000 cops (£1.50) return. NB. It is possible to walk there but there have been several reports of robberies up on the cliffs.

How to get to Taganga

Taganga is only a 10-minute drive from Santa Marta so either catch the K11 bus (1,500) or jump in a taxi for around 8,000 cops (£2.50). Be warned: the road to Taganga is long and winding. Drivers often overtake on blind bends and drive well over the speed limit!

If you’re coming from Santa Marta airport, the only real option is a taxi. It will take around 40 minutes and you should pay around 30,000 cops (£9). TOP TIP Agree a price before you get in – some drivers try to add hidden taxes to the price.

Planning a trip to South America? Find out how to book cheap flights and follow me on Twitter for all the latest travel tips about Colombia.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Desperate measures in Taganga

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Desperate measures in Taganga

[ 2 ] March 29, 2011

A local goes to extreme lengths to sell ice cream to the kids in Taganga, Colombia.

Ice cream seller in Taganga, Colombia

Taganga, Colombia - Photo of the week - Fabulous Travel Guide

See more travel pics and check out the best beaches in Central America.

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