Colombia - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 535

Buses The safety and e ciency of the metro means
that you're far less likely to use buses, but at COP$1500
a ride they're a cheap - though not recommended -
option after the metro closes. Bus #133 runs between
Parque Berrío and Calle 10 in El Poblado, and to get from
the Zona Rosa to Metro Poblado, just hop on any bus
running along C 10A.
Taxi Taxis are cheap and plentiful and there is no
surcharge for journeys to the bus terminal, airports or at
night.

5

Ì TREAT YOURSELF
Medellín's cool mornings and warm days
create thermal updraughts that are ideal
for paragliding . A number of gliding
schools have taken off in recent years,
offering short tandem flights 45 minutes
from the city centre over the Aburrá Valley
with sensational views back to Medellín.
Recommended operator Zona de Vuelo
( T 4 388 1556; W zonadevuelo.com) offers
tandem flights (from COP$85,000/105,000
for 15/30min). Buses leave Medellín's
northern bus terminal (metro Caribe)
every half-hour for the town of San Felix.
Ask the driver to let you off at “parapente”.

ACCOMMODATION
Most of the recommended budget accommodation is close
to the night-time action in El Poblado and Patio Bonito.

HOSTELS
Ì Black Sheep Hostel Transversal 5A No. 45-133,
Patio Bonito T 4 311 1589, W www.blacksheepmedellin
.com. This sociable backpackers' pad has all bases covered,
including Spanish classes, high-pressure showers and
weekly barbecues. The affable Kiwi owner has travelled
extensively in Colombia and is happy to share hi s
knowled ge. Single ro oms available. Dorms COP$21,000 ,
doubles COP$60,000
Casa Blanca Transversal 5A No. 45-256 T 4 586 5149,
W casablancamedellin.com. In a quiet, attractive neigh-
bourhood, only 15min walk to the Zona Rosa, you can take
advantage of the little extras that this homey hostel offers
- from free Spanish class es to the sociable bar becues on
Sun. Dorms COP$20,000 , doubles COP$75,000
Casa Kiwi Cra 36 No. 7-10 T 4 268 2668, W casakiwi.net.
Owned by a motorcycle-loving American, this excellent
55-bed party hostel has clean dorms, DVD room, pool
table, kitchen, bicycles for rent, laundry service, and an
adjoini ng luxury win g with fa ncy doubles, some en suite.
Dorms COP$20,000 , doubles COP$60,000
Pit Stop Hostel Cra 43E No. 5-110 T 4 352 1176,
W pitstophostel.com. Right near the Zona Rosa, this lively
place is aimed at the travellers who play hard - with pool
and basketball court complemented by the chillout areas
- one with st eam roo m, another w ith hammocks. Dorms
COP$21,000 , doubles COP$60,000
Tiger Paw Hostel Cra 36 No. 10-49 T 4 311 6079,
W tigerpawhostel.com. Right in the middle of the Zona
Rosa, this is one of the liveliest hostels in town, with its
own bar, lounge and pool table. The rooms are colourful
but a bit basic - not that it matters, si nce you won' t
be spen ding much t ime sleeping. Dorms COP$19,000 ,
doubles COP$50,000
Wandering Paisa C 44A No. 68A-76 T 4 436 6759,
W wanderingpaisahostel.com. A little out of the way, this
hostel goes the extra mile when it comes to arranging
social events for its guests. There' s an on-site b ar to assist
with the social lubrication. Dorms COP$19,000

(2 daily; 50min); Cartagena (3 daily; 1hr 20min); Manizales
(2 daily; 30min); Pereira (7 daily; 35min); San Andrés (1 daily;
1hr 50min).
International destinations Caracas (daily; 2hr); Lima
(daily; 4hr 30min); Quito (1-2 daily; 1hr 30min).
By bus Depending on which part of the country you're
coming from, long-distance buses arrive either at the
Terminal del Norte (Metro Caribe) or Terminal del Sur,
almost equidistant from the centre. Terminal del Norte
handles tra c from the north, east and southeast, while
Terminal del Sur has departures for destinations south and
west. A taxi from the northern terminal to El Poblado,
where most of the hostels are, costs about COP$12,000,
but it is cheap and easy to get the metro (station: metro
Polado). A taxi from the southern terminal to El Poblado is
COP$6000.
Terminal del Norte destinations Bogotá (every 30min;
9-10hr); Cartagena (15 daily; 13hr); Ipiales (5 daily;
20-22hr); Magangué for Mompox (2 daily; 12hr); Santa
Marta (12 daily; 16hr).
Terminal del Sur destinations Cali (50 daily; 9hr);
Manizales (hourly; 5hr); Pasto (5 daily; 18hr); Pereira
(twice hourly; 5hr); Popayán (3-4 daily; 10hr).
Tourist information There are information stands at
both airports as well as a small tourist o ce inside
the Palacio de Exposiciones at Cl 41 No. 55-35 (daily
9am-5pm; T 4 385 6966).

GETTING AROUND AND TOURS
Metro The city's excellent metro system (Mon-Sat
4.30am-11pm, Sun 5am-10pm; COP$1600; W www
.metrodemedellin.gov.co) is clean and e cient; included
in the price of a metro ride are cable cars that leave from
Acevedo, Santo Domingo and San Javier metro stations,
carrying passengers high above the city for remarkable
views of the city and close-up views of the hilltop shanty
towns.