Colombia - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 538

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fundegar.com). They will book the
compulsory guides (COP$20,000 for up
to fifteen people). A taxi to the entrance
costs around COP$20,000 (20min);
arrange a return trip.

option, immaculately clean and with a stylish retro design.
The roof terrace has stunning views across the city and is
perfect for a sunset beer. Owners Carolina and Victor are
outdoor enthusiasts and can organ ize multi ple-day hikes to
Los Nevados. Dorms COP$20,000 , doubles COP$50,000
Manizales Hostel C 67 No. 23A-33 T 6 887 0871,
W manizaleshostel.com. Mountain House 's sister hostel has
the same friendly management, facilities and excellent
tourist information but its smaller capacity makes it more
low-key and a good choice if you want to wind down. Helpful
owner Cristina Giraldo goes out of her way to enhance your
stay in the city, and several to urs can b e booked thro ugh both
hostels. Dorms COP$20,000 , doubles COP$60,000
Ì Mountain House C 66 No. 23B-91 T 6 887 4736,
W mountainhousemanizales.com. On a quiet suburban
street just two blocks from the buzzing Zona Rosa, this
lively backpackers' hostel has comfortable dorms, a cosy TV
room stocked with DVDs, free breakfast, kitchen, a large
back yard with a barbecue area, bike and mountain gear
rental, and - best of all - all kin ds of outdoor ventures
organized by helpful staff. Dorms COP$22,000 , doubles
COP$50,000
Pit Stop Hostel C 65 No. 23B-19 T 6 886 5866, W pit
stophostel.com. This hostel likes a party and its on-site
jacuzzi, large terrace and popular bar with re gular DJs
draws an ene rgetic bunch. Dorms COP$18,000 , doubles
COP$60,000

W

Recinto del Pensamiento
Butterflies and birds are the main
attraction at this nature park (Tues-Sun
9am-4pm; COP$11,000, COP$15,000
including cable-car ride; T 6 874 4157,
W recintodelpensamiento.com), 11km
from Manizales. As well as visiting the
colourful butterfly enclosure, you can
also wander through a medicinal herb
garden, relax in the Japanese Zen garden,
enjoy a stroll through the orchid forest
and marvel at the gigantic guadua
bamboo gazebo, used for conventions
and wedding ceremonies. Guides are
compulsory and included in the
admission price. Buses (marked Sera
Maltería; 30min; COP$1600) leave
Cable Plaza every 15min; or you can
catch a taxi (10min; COP$9000) or take
the cable car.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane La Nubia Airport is 8km southeast of the city
centre. A taxi costs around COP$11,000 or you can jump on
one of the frequent buses for COP$1500.
Destinations Bogotá (10 daily; 50min); Cartagena (daily;
1hr 20min); Medellín (2 daily; 30min).
By bus The bus terminal ( T 6 878 7858, W terminal
demanizales.com) is at Cra 43 No. 65-100. Ride the cable car
to the centre of town from where regular buses (COP$1500)
run to Cable Plaza, or jump in a taxi (COP$5000-6000).
Destinations Bogotá (hourly; 8-9hr); Cali (hourly; 5hr);
Medellín (hourly; 4hr 30min); Pereira (every 5min; 1hr
20min).

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
The city centre clears out at night and most eating and
drinking is done in the suburbs. The liveliest area, popular
with students, is around Cable Plaza, between calles 60
and 75 along Cra 23 (the Zona Rosa), where you'll find the
best selection of restaurants, bars and places to dance.
Ì La Clave del Mar C 69A No. 27-100, Barrio Palermo
T 6 887 5528. Excellent fresh seafood delivered from Tumaco
or Buenaventura on the Pacific coast. Try the delicious Cazuela
de mariscos seafood casserole (COP$27,000) or the Sancocho
del bagre (COP$20,000), a potato, cassava and catfish soup.
Mon-Sat 10am-9.30pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm.
Ì Juan Sebastian-Bar Cra 23 No. 63-66. Charismatic
owner Elmer Vargas has a passion for jazz and an awesome
CD collection. Popular with artists, writers and university
lecturers, this intimate spot has great views of the city and
fine cocktails. Mon-Sat 7pm-2am.
Restaurante y Asadero Típico El Zaguán Paisa Cra
23 No. 31-27. Enter through the never-ending bamboo
corridor for a hearty menú del día (COP$5000); it's
conveniently located for the cable car to the bus station.
Daily 11.30am-9pm.
Santelmo Cra 23B No. 64-80. Heaving with students
who down cocktails (COP$13,000) and jugs of sangria
(COP$33,000), then dance the night away between the
tables. Wed-Sat until late.

GETTING AROUND AND INFORMATION
Cable car The city's flashy new cable-car line runs from
the bus station (Cambulos stop) to Cra 23 in the centre of
town (Fundadores stop) in less than 10min and costs
COP$1500.
Tourist information Parque Benjamin López on the
corner of Cra 22 and C 31 (daily 7.30am-7.30pm; T 6 873
2901) dishes out maps.

ACCOMMODATION
Ì Base Camp Cra 23 No. 32-20 T 6 882 1699,
W basecamphostel.com. Just steps from the cable car's
Fundadores stop, this spacious hostel is a great city-centre