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There were a couple of posts from a volunteers for mariposas amarillo in S/Marta >http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2189400

Also Sin Fronteras in S/Marta > http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2129868

In any event, I doubt volunteering is a precursor to the party scene...

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Hi Meg,

You could think about doing an ecotour on Gorgona Island on the Pacific Coast, helping to monitor endangered turtles - http://www.mantarayatravel.com/sightseeing-tours/ecotourism-colombia-travel-tour-pacific-turtles

If you were interested in doing this, you could take Spanish lessons or volunteer in Cali (a really vibrant Pacific city and the capital of Colombian salsa!) and then fly out to Gorgona Island at the end of your stay.

Medellin is another great place to spend your first month in Colombia - I don´t know any specific volunteering projects there but its just a great city to spend some quality time - perfect climate (warm but not too hot) and really friendly people. It´s not near the coast, but you could easily take a bus ride up to the coast from there to meet your friend.

I spent last New Year´s Eve in La Sirena hostel in Palomino (close to Santa Marta) - best New Years ever! http://www.ecosirena.com/

If you are around Santa Marta make sure you visit Taganga - it´s a lively (although a bit touristy) fishing village with good nightlife and great for scuba diving if you´re interested. Here is a blog post I wrote about it: http://www.mantarayatravel.com/blog/taganga-lazy-days-on-the-caribbean-coast If you´re in the area you should also visit Tayrona Park - really spectacular scenery and perfect for relaxing on the beach.

Anyway, I hope this gives you some ideas. Enjoy Colombia - you are going to love it!!

Cat

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Thanks for the feedback I'll check them out!