Colombia summary

1838km distance

33840m of climbing

Highest point 3200m 

Zero punctures!

Despite some heavy rain, we only got rained on while cycling twice which isn't bad. 

2 nights camping

5 nights staying with 4 different hosts

The rest of the time in hotels or hostels 

Cheapest hotel - £6 for the night

Average spend per day £44

This is amazing considering we have predominantly paid for accommodation and that we have eaten out at least once per day. 

Colombia has been amazing. A bit like Mexico it has a reputation as a dangerous place but that has not been our experience travelling through the country. Similar to Mexico, our route has been influenced by the maps produced by the FCDO and we have stayed in the green bits. However we have found Colombians to be incredibly warm, friendly and welcoming. 

I can't think of a single day when we have not been waved at, given a thumbs up or had 'adios' shouted at us as we passed. Hearing horns beep from passing vehicles is a common experience. However in Colombia it means one of two things. Either a polite warning that the vehicle is about to pass, or as a friendly greeting. In towns, when riding down narrow streets and holding the traffic up we pull over whenever we can to let traffic pass.  We regularly hear the cars and taxis beep as they pass: not in anger at having been held up but to attract our attention so the driver can wave, thumbs up or video us they they pass. 

Cycling is huge in Colombia. The weekends see hundreds of cyclists out on the roads. There are well stocked bike shops all over. Cycling is shown for free on the TV and Colombian cyclists feature in major advertising campaigns. 

Colombia is incredibly proud of its coffee and rightly so as it is delicious. Coffee grows well because of the altitude. The Andes make for hard cycling but the rewards are stunning views. The depths of some river gorges are hard to comprehend we often wonder aloud about the volumes of water and the timescales needed to carve them out. With every climb comes and amazing descent as well :)

We have loved the Colombian food. Arepas, eggs, cheese, rice, beans, plantains, buñuelos and breads have featured heavily in our diets along with an incredible richness of fruit. When eating out the food can be carb heavy and lacking in vegetables so we have gorged on pineapples, mangos, bananas, papayas, dragon fruit, oranges and limes. 

Our time in Colombia has been incredible and it is yet another country that will leave a deep imprint on our memories.