Travelers Can Now Explore Colombia By Train For First Time In Over 50 Years

Historical past is within the making in certainly one of Latin America’s premier locations!

For the primary time in over 50 years, vacationers in Colombia will be capable to hear the magic phrases all of us love certifying an epic journey forward, “all aboard!” — or, on this case, extra possible, it is “¡todos a bordo!”.

As large followers of Colombia ourselves, we at Journey Off Path could not wait to disclose what’s in retailer.

With main cities like Medellin and Cartagena hogging the highlight away from picturesque villages and astounding landscapes, reasonably than stay town grind, vacationers can take pleasure in many sudden delights at a slower tempo as they discover Colombia by practice.

No, this isn’t wherever near Japan’s (or allegedly California’s) lightning-fast bullet rides.

The “new” practice really is not so new in any respect — it is being revived as a vacationer practice, not a commuter rail line.

What’s dubbed by a current report because the “Practice of Life and Hope” and described as a ‘luxurious expertise’, we’re dwelling as much as our identify by going off-path deep into Colombia for probably the most thrilling journey this nation has seen in over half a century.

Uncover Village After Village Off The Typical Vacationer Path

Let’s unpack the complete route, lets?

Earlier than we start, a bit disclosure for you: in the event you left your sense of journey again residence, this journey shouldn’t be your jam.

Should you’d reasonably sit back in Medellin, chowing down on empanadas, sipping world-class espresso, and dwelling the city life to the fullest, you will not be the sort to understand Colombia’s unknown villages that really really feel caught in time.

For instance, this newly revived practice that relaunched in current weeks takes off from the map-dot city of Paipa, a scenic hideaway recognized for its majestic sizzling springs, Sochagota Lake, and sensational delicacies, sandwiched between Bogota and Bucamaranga.

From there, you may traverse beautiful surroundings to the following stopping level, Duitama. This nearly unknown metropolis is named “the Pearl of Boyaca”, but it surely’s a full-fledged metropolis of over 130,000 residents.

Uncover tranquil waterfalls, genuine Colombian life away from expat-overloaded cities, and most famously, Pueblito Boyacense, which is a replicated village serving as a preview for what’s situated within the surrounding hidden villages.

After that, you may head to Nobsa. Right here, you may discover a charming city well-known for its hand-made wool ponchos, cozy markets, and conventional Andean craftsmanship that’s been handed down for generations.

In different phrases, you may convey again a memento that absolutely nobody you recognize has of their possession. Who wants a boring magnet anyway?

Lastly, your journey with coming to a screeching halt in Sogamoso, a metropolis steeped in historical past courting again to the traditional Muisca civilization, lengthy earlier than the Spanish arrived, so a go to to the Suamox Archaeological Museum is an absolute should.

In abstract, you may go to these 4 off-path cities teeming with tradition, authenticity, inexpensive costs, and experiences the guidebooks sometimes miss:

• Paipa
• Duitama
• Nobsa
• Sogamoso

Is Colombia Secure To Discover Past The Norm?

With just a bit little bit of analysis, vacationers will certainly have a transparent picture of what to anticipate in such locations as Medellin and Bogota.

However unheard-of cities like Nobsa? Not a lot.

At present, the U.S. State Division has a regarding ‘Stage 3′ journey advisory issued for Colombia, largely as a consequence of ‘violent crime’.

Nonetheless, relating to Latin America in its entirety, most cases of headline-inducing crime occur close to neighboring borders and main cities, not small cities merely simply dwelling their lives.

Colombia is effectively conscious of their fame as a Stage 3 advisory is nothing new, nor are Embassy-issued safety alerts.

Whereas there are not any reviews of security considerations for these trains, as soon as the route turns into extra standard, it is all however sure safety forces in a single type or one other will make their presence recognized — however thus far, so good.

For the reason that practice launched in late September, rides throughout this lesser-known stretch of Colombia have gone with no hitch, and locals have been nothing wanting proud to point out off their beloved nation’s hidden gems.

Ticket Costs

Colombia might not solely wish to spend money on safety to make vacationers really feel protected, however it might additionally wish to spend money on selling the practice, as there’s little or no data to go by.

One factor we all know for sure is that this new journey will not break the financial institution.

For lower than what you’d spend again residence on a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you may enterprise throughout Colombia for as little as $4 (relying on which leg of the journey you are taking).

Attending to Paipa is one other query totally. In line with Rome2Rio, in the event you had been to land in Bogota, it is a 2-hour and 45-minute bus journey to Paipa, costing $18 max.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Author & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a deal with sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.