Traveling to the Gulf of Urabá - Turbo, Triganá, Capurganá, Sapzurro and La Miel

nowBuzz up!

Gulf of Urabá

Popular destination spots:

Triganá: Great ecotourism, almost no tourists during low season, off the beaten path.

Capurganá: Great ecotourism, rocky beaches, tourists all year long, popular destination, has airport, if traveling to Panama you get your passport stamped here.

Sapzurro: Beautiful fisherman’s bay, great seafood, walking distance to Panama’s La Miel.

La Miel: Beautiful Panamanian beach, no accommodation, no passport needed.



Bus information from Medellín to Turbo:

Buses leave from Medellín’s North Terminal. Two bus companies travel to Turbo on alternating days, Sotraurabá and Gómez Hernández. It is recommended that you travel at night in order to arrive a few hours before catching the boat to any of the above mentioned destinations which only have morning departures due to rough waters in the afternoon. It is not worth staying in Turbo overnight. Make sure you dress warm; the AC makes it really cold on the bus. As night becomes day, make sure you check out the incredible banana region of Urabá, the smell in the area is not as wonderful, however.

Bus schedule:

PM: 6:00 – 8:00 – 9:00 – 9:45 – 11:00

Cost: $49.000 officially, but haggle for a better price.

Sotraurabá
Tel. 230 9696
Booth #25

Gómez Hernández
Tel. 2309551
Booth #24


Boat information:

Once you get off the bus ask for El Waffe, this is the dock area, it’s just around the corner from the bus terminal. Only one or sometimes two boats leave every morning around 8:30am for each destination, so try to be there early. You will need to purchase the boat ticket at the dock office, have your passport handy as you will be asked for it. Hopefully you are traveling light because they try to charge you an arm and a leg for excess baggage. 25 people fit on each boat. If you sit in the back of the boat you will most likely get wet. If you sit in the front, you’ll be dry but it is very bumpy and you’re kidneys and your back won’t like you. Personally, I like the front because of the view but in order to avoid body aches, I travel standing with my knees at shoulder width and slightly bent, make sure you hold on. Wear sun screen and a secured cap as these usually fly off. I recommend you wear shorts and go barefoot. You will be able to change from your bus clothes at the dock (Waffe).

Cost: $30.000


Traveling to Panama through the Gulf of Urabá:

If leaving Colombia from this area of the country, you must have your passport stamped at the DAS office in Capurganá. From Capurganá you take a boat to Puerto Obadía, Panama, which costs about $30.00US for 1 tp 4 people so try to travel with a group to keep costs down. Make sure you get your entry stamp at the immigration office once you enter Panamanian territory. From Puerto Obadía take a flight to Panama City. The flight costs about $65.00US.



Traveling from Cartagena to the Gulf of Urabá:

Take a bus from Cartagena to Montería then take another bus to Turbo. The road is not the best so be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Happy trails!

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Triganá map in the picture section. If you decide to go that way, I recommend you stay at Hostería Triganá, Clara is a super hostess. Let her know that Natalie from Hostal Tamarindo in Medellín recommended you and you'll get extra special treatment.

By Hostal Tamarindo on Aug 22, 2008, 21:17 in Travel tips.

---

Sam Salmon says on Aug 22, 2008, 21:24: Great report-Thanks! ' a la orden!' 0 funny, 0 helpful.

papiChulo says on Aug 22, 2008, 21:33: yes... this is very helpfull... thanks some of the rudest people I know don't smoke 1 funny, 0 helpful.

tejasmarcos says on Aug 23, 2008, 07:06: as of a few days ago, the road to turbo from medellin was closed due to a massive landslide (derrumbe); * derrumbes are probably the biggest threats to your safety in colombia, or atleast antioquia. trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine... 0 funny, 1 helpful.

island girl says on Aug 23, 2008, 07:23: Very helpful, thank you! Would love to visit that area - as I am just here in Canada now, bored, HT can you gift me some more details of the area,how it looks, what to do there etc? Please? So I can pretend I'm there... 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hostal Tamarindo says on Aug 23, 2008, 12:12: For road conditions call 123 before your departure and the police will give you a current update on any road to any destination. I sent some guests the night before last and they arrived yesterday in Triganá without any delays. Natalie Cobo - Hostal Tamarindo, Medellín 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hostal Tamarindo says on Aug 23, 2008, 12:15: Isalnd Girl; Please check out the map I posted in the picture section. There you will find a list of treks and places you can visit along with some of my notes. I'll be posting some pictures of the area soon. Natalie Cobo - Hostal Tamarindo, Medellín 0 funny, 0 helpful.

quantum says on Aug 23, 2008, 12:26: Cost of flight as of 1 month ago was up to $85 and the Aero Perlas people told me it was goin up every 2 weeks. but of course that was before the oil bubble burst.......when u say $65 is that todays price?? 0 funny, 1 helpful.

Hostal Tamarindo says on Aug 23, 2008, 13:00: Thanks Quantum! It's really hard to keep up with prices these days. I didn't know that the price was going up every 2 weeks. It's been a couple of months since my guests have traveled all the way to Panama through the Gulf so you are probably right on the price. Natalie Cobo - Hostal Tamarindo, Medellín 0 funny, 1 helpful.

island girl says on Aug 23, 2008, 16:27: thank you! now if you could direct me to the picture section please ... I cannot seem to find it! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hostal Tamarindo says on Aug 23, 2008, 16:50: At the top of the page it will say: My friends (0) New forum post, travel guide, pictures Click on pictures, choose Colombia and then click on Triganá Map. Natalie Cobo - Hostal Tamarindo, Medellín 0 funny, 0 helpful.

island girl says on Aug 23, 2008, 16:58: great! thanks again and cannot wait for the pictures!! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

tejasmarcos says on Aug 23, 2008, 17:19: nice map. good job. trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine... 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Hostal Tamarindo says on Aug 23, 2008, 18:35: Ok, Triganá pictures are uploaded in the Triganá Map album. I'll try to set up other albums for Sapzurro, Capurgana and La Miel, soon. Natalie Cobo - Hostal Tamarindo, Medellín 0 funny, 1 helpful.

More posts by the same author:

Medellín, station stop by station stop. Especially for those who think that Medellín is only about bars and babes. 19

How much time should be spent in Cartagena? 7

Try some aguapanela! 43

Travel to the Gulf of Urabá - Turbo, Triganá, Capurganá, Sapzurro and La Miel 4