Colombia | October 2024
Colombia:
Airports:
We mainly stayed in Medellin (flew to MDE airport). You may want to change money at the airport. Yes, the exchange rate is higher, but it's a tiny amount due to inflation. You can get an Uber at the parking lot entrance on the second floor.
We did spend one day in Salento and flew to PEI airport.
Weather:
Mid 70's. A bit cloudy and rained a couple of times, but it didn't affect our trip. We got suntanned without even trying.
Transportation:
Ubers are so cheap (think pennies for local rides!)
For day trips, we used drivers/tour guides.
Accommodations:
We stayed in 2 Airbnb's near Chabad (10 minute walk).
Wake - in a beautiful hotel, jacuzzi on the porch, pristine.
The Spot Bldg #52 - cool interior design, I'd say 4 stars because it can use a deep clean, but the security guards were great for Shabbos. They removed the battery from the door and were at the front desk all the time. Destornillador is screwdriver in Spanish, you're welcome;)
In general, look for an Airbnb close to Chabad with 24/7 security. Ask them if the door has a manual key option and if the hallway lights turn on automatically when you walk up the stairs.
Kosher Food:
One of the BEST Chabad houses I've been to!
Chabad has delicious food. Click here for the meat restaurant (Elokuta) menu. They have dairy food as well. Everything was amazing. I may have eaten more portions of pasta than recommended for consumption:) Tip: Pay them via Zelle so they don't lose out on the credit card fees.
Activities:
Guatape/El Peñol - Chabad arranges a full day trip every Monday and Thursday if they have 15 signups. The trip is SO FUN! It includes breakfast, lunch, paintball, boat ride, climb up the rock, time to walk around the Guatape town, and Arak:)
Salto Del Buey - Zipline and aerial hammocks over beautiful mountains and waterfall. You can hike to the base of the waterfall as well. We hired a driver/guide through Viator. It was a full day trip, a bit terrifying but well worth it! I don't think hammocks 6,000 feet in the air is legal in the US so this is your chance. Whatsapp them directly to get a discount. +57 301 4138967
Cable Cars - Medellin is in a mountainous area, so they use cable cars as a mode of public transportation. You can be a tourist and take an Uber to the cable car station in San Javier. Or you can get the full experience and take the metro system. You'll need cash to buy a ticket at the train station. Assuming you're taking the A train from the Poblado station near Chabad, you'll need to transfer to the B train at San Antonio until the last stop, San Javier, where the cable cars are. It takes 20 minutes, possibly less, and the train personnel are very helpful.
Bello Community - As featured in Rabbi Yoel Gold's videos, there is a community of Colombian converts just 25 minutes away from Chabad.
Comuna 13 - Super touristy area with street art, souvenirs, street performers etc.
Pablo Escobar - Notorious drug lord that ruined Medellin. There are tours of his estate, grave, jail, and a museum exploring his life. I didn't have time to go, but it's interesting. Some locals hate him, some love him... We don't talk about Pablo, lo, lo, lo... #iykyk
Day in Salento - Okay, this was a packed day. You won't sleep much, but so worth it.
We took an early AM flight to Pereira.
Arranged a driver to pick us up and bring us to Chabad (John Puerta +57 311 6997354, he speaks Hebrew and Spanish and will arrange a driver to pick you up)
8:15 am: Ate breakfast at Chabad Salento (toasts were delicious)
Hired the most amazing English speaking driver/tour guide for the rest of the day: Juan Carlos +57 305 7088198
9am-12pm: Cocora Valley (easy 1 hour hike which takes longer because of the beautiful photo ops)
12:30pm-4pm: Horseback riding to a coffee farm walking tour.
4:15pm: Went to Chabad and ordered lunch to go.
4:30pm-6:30pm: Drove to Santa Rosa hot springs and waterfalls.
6:30pm-8:45pm: Enjoyed the hot springs, they're genuinely hot and you'll need to get out of the water every so often so you don't overheat.
8:45pm-9:45pm: Drove to Pereira airport for our 10:45pm flight.