Expert: Juan Carlos Valencia - 1/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: What are the driving distances between Medellin and Monteria and Cartagena and Monteria. Would you do this trip in car or by plane? Is this trip safe to do, at all? We will be staying in Monteria on a farm, and driving into Cartagena to see the sights, if indeed it is safe. What is the weather like late July, early August in this part of Colombia?

ANSWER: Hey Fernando,

here are the answers to your questions:

Driving distance between Medellin and Monteria: around 600 Km

You have to climb a mountain chain and then descend to nearly sea level. This road suffers from weather-related problems from time to time (fog, minor avalanches). You should expect to make this journey in about 10 hours.
It`s supposed to be safe but as always in Colombia, drive only in daytime.

Driving distance between Monteria and Cartagena: around 400 Km

This is a flat road in excellent conditions. You should do it in about 4:30 hours. It`s supposed to be safe but as always in Colombia, drive only in daytime.

If you have the money, I would recommed that you fly from Medellin to Cartagena and then make it to Monteria by land. You can return to Cartagena by land for sightseeing. Dont miss the San Bernardo islands in the nearby of Monteria (1:30 hour).

The weather in July and August (this can change because of the disruptions caused by global warming) could be great with lots of sunshine and little rain. This is the hottest time of the year there because there´s no breeze so be prepared for noon temperatures of 40*C or more...!

I hope that this helps !

Saludos

JCV



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How would feel about the drive from the Cartagena airport to Monteria and then back to the city for a few days of beach, being done with a 6 year old child and my American wife? We found an all inclusive hotel right on the beach in Cartagena that looks nice. The islands near Monteria sound nice. My host thinks the drive from Monteria to Cartagena is only two hours -- on Google Earth doesn't look that quick. Thanks for the confirmation. Maybe his finca is actually north of the city. I'll have to ask. It is very nice to have an impartial third party to provide some information.

Answer
Hey fernando,

you can certainly drive from Cartagena´s airport to Monteria. The time that I told you can certainly be reduced if you speed but the Road Police is increasinly using Radars and a lot of friends have been issued tickets because of this. My time estimate was based on a driving speed of 80 km/h (the maximum allowed by colombian law).

Besides, if you´re on vacations and traveling through some foreign, unknown land, why speed?

Cartagena does not have the greatest beaches in the country. I do not want to discourage you but the sea water there is not the cleanest and vendors can drive you crazy. That´s why I recommended you the San Bernardo islands where you will find clear waters and white sand.

The drive from C/gena to Monteria is a fairly safe one but do it in daytime and be careful of the local drivers: we´re crazy and sometimes very dangerous to ourselves and others...

;-)

Dont stop in towns, do not deviate from the main road. Get a  good map. It would be great if you speak spanish and even better if a person that you trust picks you up at the airport and helps you as a guide.

Have a nice trip.

JCV