Burundanga – it’s bad and it’s back

In Colombia you’ll hear about scopolamine, AKA burundanga , “Devil’s Breath” or “borrachero”. And perhaps you think these druggings only happen to sex tourists. But anyone can fall victim, including local people, seasoned travellers and expats settled in Colombia. You can be ‘scoped’ in a park, in a café, in the street, or on a bus, or even during a Spanish lesson. On the other had around 5 million tourists and visitors come to Colombia every year, and only a

Hiking up to Bogotá’s Cerro Aguanoso

The impressive slab of Andean mountain that dominates downtown Bogotá is Cerro Aguanoso, a 3,500 meter (11,500 feet) peak that is the highest of the Cerros Orientales bordering the city, just south of La Candelaria. The return hike from Guadalupe Sanctuary is around 3 or 4 hours depending on your speed. Kids can also enjoy the hike, but bring warm jackets as the wind howls over the peak most days. The trail opens Saturdays, Sundays and Festivos (Bank Holidays) but

Getting on Bogotá’s buses

Colombia’s capital has a vast bus network that reaches every corner of the city. But being Latin America’s most congested metropolis, many journeys are slow. You might want to take a good book to read. Here’s how to make the most of Bogotá´s buses. This was posted in June 2023, so check links for updates. For other transport stories from the Big Bog see: Make Driving Fun, or Bicycle Tribes of Bogotá, or Dying for a Breath of Bogotá Air,

Venezuela’s incredible Orinoco river delta

In 2022 I worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the delta of the Rio Orinoco, known locally as the “Delta Amacuro”, supporting local health services. This vast wetland of swamps and jungle on Venezuela’s Atlantic shore is home to the Warao, one of the country’s largest ethnic group. This blog was published by MSF in May 2023. Rounding a bend of the Rio Orinoco, we startle a large river dolphin that leaps high in front of the boat. It hangs there

Colombia’s Check-Mig: the on-line form for international air travellers

The free on-line migration form Check-Mig continues post-Covid-19 – as do the scammers trying to make you pay. Here’s an update for 2023 and links to some ‘How To’ videos (and which to avoid).

Entrenubes: the Best View in Bogotá?

Locals claim their mountain park, Entrenubes, high in the Andes on Bogotá’s southeast flank has the best views in Bogotá. They’re right.

Bogotá Hiking: Quebrada La Vieja

Hike to the beautiful Cerros Orientales (Eastern Hills) up the easily accessible Quebrada La Vieja. Here’s some photos and practical advice on how to safely enjoy one of Bogotá’s best excursions, open most days of the week. And it’s free.

Will Colombia cull its cocaine hippos?

Colombia could be home to 200 wild hippos, says a report which also proposes controlled hunting of the African mammals now living wild.

Providencia Island: old caribbean charm

Providencia is Colombia’s remote paradise, a laid-back english-speaking volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs. Here’s how to visit…

The lowdown on Colombian narco-subs

Narco-subs are back in the news in March 2023 with the capture of two clandestine craft, one in the Colombian Pacific with two tons of cocaine – and two bodies – on board, and another found empty in an estuary by Spain’s Atlantic coast.
Here’s some info and links on the world of underwater smuggling.

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