Facts
Tolú is a small town and municipality in Sucre Department, northern Colombia by the Caribbean sea. The municipality has an area of 500 km². The name of Tolú comes from a tree called the Balsam of Tolú.
Tolú offers ecotourism ideal for diving and rain forest treks.
The fishing town has now become a popular weekend and holiday destination for Colombian tourists, particularly those from Medellín. Activities in the area include day trips to visit the Archipelago de San Bernardo. This is a beautiful collection of pristine Caribbean islands, one of which, Isla Palma contains an impressive Ecological Park. Nearby land attractions include the Volcan de Lodo or Mud volcano of San Antero.
Tolú is a word that comes from the name of the Indians that inhabited the place, called Tolúes.
The municipality of Tolú borders North with San Onofre, East with Toluviejo, South with Coveñas, Palmito and Sincelejo.
Directions for getting to Tolu:
Road
Santiago de Tolu is located on Highway 90 also called "Coast Highway", between Cartagena and Monteria.
For the area of Bogota, leaving Highway 50 to La Vega-Honda, then Highway 60 to La Dorada-Caño Alegre-Marinilla and Medellin.
The distance between Bogota and Medellin is 414 km and the total distance from Bogota to Tolu is 906 Km.
The route to follow from Medellin, the road would be 25km out of Medellin to Yarumal-Caucasia-Planeta Rica and Monteria, then Highway 21 to Cereté-Lorica, then Highway 90 "coast" and finally to San Antero Coveñas and Tolu.
The distance between Medellin and Tolu is 492 Km.
Cartagena, exit toward Turbaco-Arjona-Gambote taking the carretera 90 to Cruz del Viso-San Onofre-Tolu Tolu Viejo and finally.
The distance between Cartagena and Tolu is 154 Km.
You can also check the official website of INVIAS for more information on the road network.
Flying
Tolu is very well connected, since it has its own airport and several more around.
At the airport Tolu called "Balsillas" or "Gulf of Morrosquillo" (TLU code), currently operates flights from Medellin to Ada-Olaya Herrera (EOH code). Also operate charter flights and aero-taxi.
The great advantage of this airport is that it is in the same Tolu.
The airport "Las Brujas" Corozal (CZU code), 45 Km. Tolu.
Currently the company that this airport is Satena.
Airport "The Garzones" Monteria (MTR code) is 99 Km.
There CopaAir operates, Avianca and LAN.
The "Rafael Nuñez" Cartagena (CTG code) International Airport is 154 Km.
In this airport, plus domestic flights to major cities, they also operate international flights connecting with Miami, Panama and Madrid among others.
We also offer a pick up service from the airport.
By Sea
If you travel by boat, you can reach Tolu by sea and land on one of its marinas.
Things to do:
San Bernardo Islands
On the Western stretch of Colombia's Caribbean coastline, in Sucre department, one finds the rarely visited areas of Tolu, Covenas and the islands of San Bernardo. The ten small islands and fine beaches of San Bernardo are the real travel highlight of this area. To visit you must travel overland by bus (or private vehicle) from Cartegena to Monteria or Sincelejo, from where you can travel onwards. The region is very much undiscovered by international tourists, but very popular with Colombians. It's a good place to get off the Gringo Trail. During high season (late December to January & Easter Week) this part of Colombia area is very busy - whilst outside of such high seasons it is normally quite quiet.
From Tolu one can travel by boat to the island Isla Palma, where Decameron has a 5 star beach resort and dolphins are often spotted. The swankiest place to stay at is the exclusive Punta Faro on Mucare Island. Alternatively, Isla Tintipan has simple cabanas that accommodate up to 12 people, while Isla Muruca has basic cabanas (at a place named Estrella de David) for up to 22 guests.
Use Tolu as a base to visit San Bernardo Islands.
Various tours can be made from Covenas. A popular trip is to kayak or go by boat to see the egrets of the swampy Cienaga, or to the nearby volcanic mud baths.
Monteria is a modern town with The Home Centre and Large Exito supermarkets along with McDonalds all along the main road into town. Monteria has a long public park where Iguanas, Monkeys and Squirrels reside in safety so it is a great day out and only 2 hours from Tolu.
Cartagena
Cartagena de Indias is quite possibly South America's most beautiful colonial city. The coastal city is Colombia's top travel attraction. The old town of Cartegena de Indias is immaculately preserved, with numerous beautiful plazas, churches and old buildings to marvel at. There are also many boutique shops and emerald stores. A great destination for honeymoons in Colombia, Cartegena is a very romantic city to stroll around and explore - allow two whole days for city tours to take in the main travel attractions. So three nights is ideal, unless you want to add an extra day to visit some nearby beaches (none of which are amazing - you're better off finding some better Colombian beaches). The city can get extremely hot and humid during the day, which might put off certain visitors.
Cartagena's Beaches
Cartegena's city beaches are generally quite murky and overcrowded, and visitors will be hassled by numerous hawks and vendors. Avoid them at all costs! The beaches are particularly un-relaxing during Colombia's peak tourism season.
Baru, Playa Blanca & Other Attractions around Cartagena
Head out of town to find the better beaches - the beaches at nearby Playa Blanca are much cleaner and more pleasant, but they are also full of pushy hawkers trying to sell goods and generally spoiling an otherwise relaxing beach. There are a few basic places to stay on Playa Blanca beach, such as Campamento Wittenberg (email: wittenberg2000@hotmail.com). Bocachica beach, on nearby Tierrabomba island is another good option - you can arrange a day tour quite easily which should also visit the nearby ruined fort. Alternatively, consider taking a boat tour to the beautiful nearby Rosario islands, where you might even consider spending a couple of nights. If you're looking for a beach resort in Baru (about 1 to 2 hours West of Cartagena), consider the new Hotel Agua, Sport Baru or Playa Scondida. Also in Baru you'll find Baru Sports Fishing Lodge, who organize deep sea fishing packages.
Just outside of the city itself, there are numerous tourism attractions to appeal to the visitor. The small nearby village of La Boquilla has a good beach and the nearby mangrove swamps are good for birdwatching tours. There's also a few golf courses nearby.
Another travel highlight are the volcanic mud baths at Volcan del Totumo, which are two hours (50km) away from the city of Cartagena. Your hotel can easily arrange a day tour for you.
Do's and Don't-s
There's a way to "do" Cartagena that will greatly increase your enjoyment of this amazing historic city. Here follows some travel advice - some do's and don't(s) when in Cartagena on vacation:
Do:
Stay in the old colonial quarter, also known as "El Centro". This is where all the interesting tourist attractions are, as well as the best restaurants and all the action.
Take a break in the middle of the day.
From noon until 4pm have a siesta as it's too hot to stroll the streets at this time.
The best time to stroll around is in the late afternoon/early evening.
Explore at this time (everything is open) and eat dinner late. Avoid that midday heat, which can get unbareable!
Book a good hotel. Cartagena is a great place to splash out a little on a lovely colonial hotel.
A hotel with a pool is a great place to retreat to to avoid that middle of the day heat.
Take an early evening stroll along the city walls, perhaps stopping for a drink at the bar Cafe del Mar (not related to Ibiza's understand).
Take a horse and cart tour of the old town - it may look cheesy, but many of the guides are very knowledgeable and you'll visit places you otherwise might not know existed.
Don't
Stay in Bocagrande or any other modern part of Cartagena. Big mistake. Wrong district.
Show the slightest bit of interest in any of the hawkers selling goods on the streets because they'll just follow you.
If you're at a table on a plaza, they'll happily invite themselves to take a seat on your table while you consider their goods if you look vaguely interested in them.
Likewise with those nice looking guys who wander around with the guitars - a simple glance and a smile at them will lead ten minute long private concert, after which you'll feel obliged to pay them something.
Instead, you should avoid eye contact and be very firm when you tell everyone that you're not at all interested. You'll get much less hassle this way - the hawkers of Cartagena are unfortunately becoming a problem.
|
|
|
Photos Tolu, Covenas and Cartagena
|