Job Discussion Forums

[snielz]

My tourist visa is about to run out so I thought about a trip up north instead of just going to Uruguay. I am doing research but thought I would ask if anyone a preference/advice on going to Colombia v. Venezuela.

Just a few notes: I speak spanish, but I am not fluent and everyone knows I am a foreigner.

I am really interested in seeing some interesting architecture and parks and beaches.

I would probably stay about a week and be travelling alone though if I go to Bogota, I do have someone I can meet with there...

Thanks in advance.

[moonraven]

Bogota is not exactly a beach town. You would need to go to Cartagena.

Venezuela has the advantages of its capital city being a half an hour away from the beach. Caracas has little to offer in the way of colonial architecture, as its big architectural boom was during the 50s and 60s--which means that it offers probably the best modernist architecture, apart from Brasilia, in South America.

One of my favorite spots in Caracas is the park that is behind the museum complex next to the Teresa Carreno cultural center and across from the Hilton. There is a little espresso bar directly behind the art museum (and directly behind the national cinema)--where I like to write--and the park itself is quite pleasant, with benches here and there and some interesting pieces of sculpture.

[snielz]

Hey, thanks for the thoughtful reply. Some interesting things to think about...You mentioned that Caracas is close to the beach. I assume, but may be wrong, that taking a bus there is fairly easy. Correct me if I am wrong. Also, do you like the beach there?

Thanks for the heads up on the architecture. For some reason, I want to see some colonial architecture (probably the sentimentality welling up inside) but Caracas sounds interesting, if not charming or "pretty". It is interesting you compared it to Brasilia. I haven�t been to Brasilia yet but studied it a good deal in school (the lovechild of Oscar Neirmyer) and it too seems interesting, though there are some scatheing architectural critiques about the scale of the spaces and the appropriateness of the architecture.

Anyway, you�ve given me some good info, Moonraven. If you or anyone else has something more to add, that is great...

[moonraven]

The closest beach, I believe, is La Guaira. There are many buses and taxis going. But there are aothers all along the Caribbean coast. I am NOT a beach person--in fact I lived for a year 30 meters from the beach in Southern Mexico, and never once even put my toe in the water.

I was only comparing Caracas to Brasilia in the sense that there is a fair amount of modernist architecture in Caracas. Caracas suffered a major earthquake in I think 1812 which brought down most of the colonial buildings--but it was never a colonial center of power in the sense that Mexico City and Lima were. You will find some older public buildings and churches downtown, but Caracas had its oil boom days before the concept of restoring historical centers became de rigeur, so a lot of buildings were just torn down.

The only restored colonial city in Venezuela is Coro--but it is one of those places that is not that fast to get to--like Cartagena.

[vivaBarca]

Sneilz -

I'm also quite interested in making a trip up to the northern part of the continent from Buenos Aires. Are you finding airfares to be reasonable? Who flies to Bogota and Cartagena from BA? I actually have a few family friends from Cartagena and they've shown me pictures of the city - it looks gorgeous. If its colonial architecture and beaches you seek, this seems to be a perfect fit. I think the walled old city is actually a UNESCO heritage site. Not to mention, the Miss Colombia pageant is held there every year...

[snielz]

Viva,
I think airfare is going to be quite expensive, actually. It will probably be the one trip I will be able to take like this. I haven�t looked into it too much yet, just glanced at a few internet sites, but I will put it up here if you want if I proceed and decide I can go (and can afford to).

Moonraven, thanks a lot. Your comments on arch. especially gave me a lot to go on.

[vivaBarca]

sounds good...keep me updated

[snielz]

By chance, does anyone know a good site for finding cheap prices from Latin America to other places? I can find tickets but they aren�t usually any cheaper than ones from the airline itself and the discount sites that I am familiar with don�t offer tickets originating in Latin America (or at least Argentina). Thanks

[sheena maclean]

Hi sneizl
I used to live in Colombia but now I live here in buenos aires
I can give you some info if you are going to Carlos_englans bash on Monday night or whenever it is!!
Or if not I�ll send you a message and maybe we can get together. I would ToTAlly recoomend Colombia by the way tho I don�t want to compare it to Venezuela as I have only been to Caracas
Bye for now
sheena

[Tiger Beer]

I've been to Venezuela, and it was my least favorite country in South America by far! It sounds exotic and interesting in name and reputation, but wasn't that good of an experience actually going there.

I also spent 10 months total in South American (mostly in Brazil teaching English).. Brazil was #1 for me.. and most who loved Brazil, also seem to love Colombia.

So for me, I'd also love to visit Colombia as well.

[moonraven]

What turned you off, Tiger?

You are the first person--well, virtual person--ever to give a negative review to Venezuela that I am aware of. On second thought, you didn't give a review of anything--neither of Venezuela nor of Brazil.

Not too useful for folks who would like to know what countries have to offer.

[Tiger Beer]

[moonraven]

Tiger:

Sorry I missed reading your epic novel about Latin America that was published here on Dave's. And I am sure that new folks who join this forum are also sad to have missed it. Not too many folks join and immediately read every back thread and post since the beginning of Dave's.

Sorry also that you didn't like Venezuelans. I have found them to be far and away the friendliest folks in what I have visited of South America--and I have never once had them try to hit me up for money. I have had to arm wrestle folks who make a lot less than I do to get them to let me pay for the arepas!

Now, if your cryptic comment about being an ATM machine was a reference to folks who beg on the street--unfortunately, they are a fixture in every Latin American country, and I am surprised that you didn't see them in Brazil--a country with a much larger population of poor people than that of Venezuela.

[sheena maclean]

Hi sneilz and Viva Barca

A return ticket from Bogota to Buenos Aires costs US$600 in the winter (I arrived fromBogota 3 weeks ago). chackout www.despegar.comthat might help.

sheena