{"id":12986,"date":"2015-09-23T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=12986&preview_id=12986"},"modified":"2021-10-13T20:01:48","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T09:01:48","slug":"colombia-overland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/colombia-overland\/","title":{"rendered":"This couple quit their jobs to drive the Pan-American Highway. Here’s why they liked Colombia best."},"content":{"rendered":"

My wife and I left our jobs and lives in San Francisco last year to drive the Pan American highway from Canada to Patagonia in a camper van. \u00a0In doing so, we became what are known as \u201coverlanders\u201d, or travelers who chose to travel by land, as opposed to flying into each destination. \u00a0It was something we dreamed about for several years; the ability to explore as we please and move slowly through new countries. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"columbia-blog-1\"<\/a>

Santa Marta in the Tayrona National Park. It’s scenes like this that makes people quit jobs.<\/p><\/div>\n

Why we choose to travel as overlanders:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Overlanding heightens the feeling of adventure when traveling (driving on local roads, stopping to eat at small restaurants, traveling through small towns with no tourists)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. Driving allows for freedom as you travel. \u00a0You get to experience the landscapes changing and when you want to stop and explore more or get that perfect photo, you can.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. \u00a0It\u2019s a great way to meet locals, as they tend to be more curious when they find out you are taking the time to travel slowly through their country.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Today we’ve been on the road for over a year, and our travels down the Americas have far exceeded our expectations. \u00a0We were especially energized by our time in Colombia, where we spent two months exploring. \u00a0It is our favourite country so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Cartagena<\/h3>\n
        \"Watching<\/a>

        Watching a storm roll in over the new city from Castillo San Felipe, Cartagena, Colombia<\/p><\/div>\n

        As with most visitors, our overlanding adventure in Colombia started in the energetic city of Cartagena. \u00a0The colonial old town of Cartagena is beautiful, hot and lively, but what we remember most are the street performances and local action every night in Plaza Trinidad, the ceviche restaurants in the San Diego neighborhood, and the fresh maracuy\u00e1 (passion fruit) cocktails at our favorite Caribbean restaurant, Malagana’s Cafe & Bar. <\/span><\/p>\n

        While Cartagena is\u00a0unique, the real magic for us happened\u00a0on the Caribbean beaches to the north, near the city of Santa Marta and especially Tayrona National park. \u00a0We spent the week here camping, surfing, hiking and meeting the friendly locals.<\/span><\/p>\n

        After you\u2019ve gotten your fill of the Caribbean beach vibe, Colombia<\/a> will wow you with gorgeous lakes and mountain towns, where some of the best coffee in the world is grown. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \"Camped<\/a>

        Camped for the week north of Tayrona at Casa Grande Surf; they rents tents and surfboards, Santa Marta, Colombia<\/p><\/div>\n

        <\/h3>\n

        Medell\u00edn<\/h3>\n

        We drove from Cartagena to Medell\u00edn, stopping along the way to dip in a huge mud volcano in the tiny town of Arboletes, and experience amazing views during our hike to the top of a huge rock formation in the quaint lake town of Guatap\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\n

        After spending a few days in the wonderful city of Medell\u00edn, where the outdoor parks contain the most action at night, a few hours drive south will bring you to the start of Zona Cafetera. In this coffee region the hiking is incredible and the little guest houses on self-sustaining farms (fincas) will transport you back in time. Horseback is the preferred method of exploring and\u00a0the coffee has to be tasted to be believed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \"Enjoying<\/a>

        Enjoying the healing powers of the Arboletes mud volcano, Arboletes, Colombia<\/p><\/div>\n

        <\/h3>\n

        Cali<\/h3>\n

        After relaxing in mountain towns and on fincas, the city of Cali and its surrounding lakes will\u00a0get your heart racing again.<\/p>\n

        We were lucky to experience the Festival de M\u00fasica del Pac\u00edfico in the city of Cali. \u00a0This was a free multi-day festival celebrating the African-inspired music from the Pacific coast of Colombia. \u00a0But even if you are not here for a festival, Cali is the home of salsa music and there is no better place to take classes and try your new moves than in the numerous salsa clubs. \u00a0\u00a0And if you’ve ever wanted to give kitesurfing a try, right outside Cali is Lago Calima, which is a beautiful lake with wind that blows nearly 365 days a year.<\/span><\/p>\n

        \"Horseback<\/a>

        Horseback ride to Cueva del Esplendor, Jard\u00edn, Colombia<\/p><\/div>\n

        \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        After all of this, you will come to realize the <\/span>real<\/span><\/i>\u00a0attraction of Colombia is the people. \u00a0\u00a0Nowhere have we experienced such warm, kind, curious, and helpful locals. \u00a0Even the police were the most friendly and helpful we\u2019ve encountered. Colombia has gone through such a transformation with regards to security in recent years; we never felt unsafe. \u00a0Yet Colombia still only receives a trickle of the tourists that other South American countries receive like Peru and Ecuador. \u00a0Colombians are excited to share their amazing country, and it’ll be interesting to see tourism pick up here in the year’s to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        You can follow more of George and Jenine’s adventures at\u00a0travelingtheamericas.com<\/a>. Or if you’re after your own Central America roadtrip, try some of these<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        My wife and I left our jobs and lives in San Francisco last year to drive the Pan American highway from Canada to Patagonia in a camper van. 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