After Cartagena, I took an afternoon bus out to Santa Marta, which is as far as I could go before visiting Tayrona National Park. I got ripped off along the way. At the bus terminal in Cartagena, I met this guy that said there was a direct bus to Santa Marta and that I wouldn’t have to change buses in Barranquilla. I should’ve remembered the first rule in Colombia – never trust anybody! Anyways, I kinda knew I was being ripped off in the first place but it was too late. I hopped on the bus in a mad rush and paid the guy. When I was in Barranquila, the bus driver told me I had to get off and hop on another bus to Santa Marta. Right there I knew I had to pay another bus fare since the other bus had my ticket. I bargained with the ticket guy on the bus to no avail. It’s ok though, it wasn’t a huge loss. I’m just glad I made it to Santa Marta.
The next day I woke up early to head out to Tayrona, which is one of the most popular national parks in Colombia set on the Caribbean coast. It´s just a very chill place with nothing to do but stare at the beautiful beaches. It was very relaxing indeed, but also a bit expensive. I went on this half hour hike in the park where insects and lizards were crossing my path for the whole duration. The scariest thing was seeing these huge grasshoppers jump and fly right in front of your face. It totally freaked me out. Besides the hiking, the beaches are the main attraction. But because of the rain, I pretty much stayed indoors and watched TV and laid on my hammock.
Early in the morning in Arricifes beach
This is at the nude beach in Cabo (sorry no nude photos here)
The Caribbean coast in Tayrona
