We asked at our Da Pietro Hotel in CTG about a bus to Taganga and were told it would be much better for us to take a mini-bus. For 66,000CP PP, the mini-van would pick us up in Boca Grande and transport us to our hotel in Taganga. A bit pricey, and so far Colombia has been more expensive than we had thought that it would be for hotels and transportation. We asked about the bus, and were told it would be 25,000CP and would involve 3 changes, several military checks and that it would be better for us and our lugguage, to take the min-bus service. Our front desk made reservations for us, giving name, also the locals are required to give a ID #, as Americans, ours just said US, in that space. The mini-bus is never stopped on the highway as the goverment has a copy of who is traveling in it. So the mini-bus arrive on time at our hotel, it hold 11-12 people, it was already 1/2 full. A small girl of about 10, was traveling by herself to see relatives sat in front of us. Our first stop was Barranquilla, where the bus pulled and the driver asked us for 40,000CP each. We told him in our poor spanish, that we were told to pay at the end of our trip. He said no, no and found someone who spoke english who told us that you pay in segments. The highway to Barr.. had several military check points and soldiers were having people, even elderly people get out of their cars while they were being searched and they had their ID checked. Also several toll booths, the toll was 6,800CP for cars. Barr looked busy, but not to interesting. Now we changed to a small pickup truck with a back seat, in which was a boy of about 15 who was going home to Santa Marta. We told the boy to hop in front, he was thrilled, the place of honour. It started to rain and than poured, the windshield wipers going at a frantic pace, then after an hour, sun again. The boy was dropped off at a very nice enclosed apartment complex with a good looking swiming pool. From Santa Marta, which did look interesting, over the hills and down the other side to Taganga and Hotel Azul Ballena. Expensive at $125.00US double, but included breakfast and dinner. A nice hotel, tile floors, satillite TV, IDD, strong air-con, and good shower, 2 big outdoor jaccuzzis, but no hot water...The front desk said maybe in 2 months more, mas or menos...It is located right downtown, and right smack dab in the middle of the beach area. The beach is now being raked clean and debries hauled away on a regular basis, the project started while we were there. the bay is beautiful with a light house on the far point, town is friendly and nice to walk around, so is the beach. A colorful sunset while we ate dinner in the hotel palapa. Dinner was a choice of about 5 items, steak, fish, chicken, etc. and included salad, rice, corn meal cake and a drink, very nice. Tomorrow early AM, we are off to Tayrona National Park.
I'm so glad you are enjoying Colombia. I was there for three months last (Northern) winter and just loved it. But you really are a Lady traveller! I stayed for about ten days in Taganga and paid less for accommodation than you are paying for one night in Ballena. I also took the public bus and had no problems. Well, unless you count the two sisters who were selling Gucchi handbags all the way from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. They were actually very good at it with a great spiel. They sold a lot. Certainly enough to justify their bus fare.
Although not staying there, I did have coffee and juice at the Ballena restaurant every morning. It's the only decent cup of coffee in Taganga.
Enjoy Tayrona!
One thing about transportation costs in Colombia-people will take what they can get-the asking price is just that-a starter.
For instance I had a CTG cabbie ask for 20,000 pesos for 2 short rides and a shorter wait when I answered in good Spanish "More like 10,000" he grunted and took the money without complaint.
I used the same guy over and over because he was always near my hotel-which was also in Boca Grande-but I knew that the minimum was 4,000 and that Colombian cabbies are rarely if ever tipped, he moaned about it and I just kept giving him the correct fare not a centavo more.
As mentioned you are paying a lot for accommodation but it's all there for you-I stay in cheap places and then go to the better ones for buffet breakfasts-Colombia has some fabulous breakfasts.
theresa with the restaurant next to the casa blanca at the west end of the beach makes the best coffee...& is the best cook in taganga..she used to own the casa blanca before it was the casa blanca..sold it to current owner
the casa blanca has the best view in taganga from the top deck...& the single on the bottom floor is closest to the water with a private balcony that the water laps up against at high tide
..the ballena azul has no view but does have a nice outdoor eating area & decent but overprice food....friendly owner as well as does the casa blanca
single room was $7 a nite 3 years ago..doubles $15...communal kitchen, friendly staff..too bad the beach has such coarse sand but it is a privilege to wake up to such a beautiful view...& fun to watch the ocean currents when the off shore wind blows in the evening
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