Armenia (Colombia)

From Hitchwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Armenia is a city in Colombia.

There is a beautiful botancial garden somewhat hidden in Calarcá some 5-6km east of the city which is worth a small detour if you're on the way to Ibagué or Bogotá.

Hitching out

If you are stuck for a place to sleep for the night, the bus station has great security and is fairly quiet. Guards will wake you at 9am

North towards Medellín

Take bus number 1 (to Oro Negro) from the bus stop on the main street across the gas station, close to the bus terminal (2300 COP) and leave on the roundabout close to Museo del Oro. It's a good spot to catch a ride towards Salento, Pereira, Manizales and further to Medellin.  

South towards Cali

Take bus Ruta 9 towards the airport and ask the driver to leave you at Glorieta, just before the bus turns from the main road to the airport. A ticket costs 1500 pesos.

East towards Ibagué, Bogotá

Take the bus going to the nearby town of Calarcá (05/2019: COP 2,300). It leaves quite regularly from a bus stop right behind the cathedral (04°31′55.66″N 75°40′18.21″W). In Calarcá, ask the driver to be let off at the market ("Plaza de Mercado") and cross the town walking East on the same street. At the end of Calle 39 you will meet the highway junction towards Bogotá. To your left you will spot a Mobil gas station (04°31′45.34″N 75°38′02.13″W) on the other side of the road. This is where you can start hitchhiking and asking people for a ride.

Note, traffic from Cali to Bogotá passes here, so it's likely you'll snag a direct lift to the capital. If headed South, ride until a junction just after the Peaje right before Espinal town.

Experiences

patagonia.almundo We hitchhiked from the nearest petrol station (Terpel 4.5759665,-75.645615,19) to the roundabout to Salento and Pereira. It´s a good spot but it´s very import to talk with drivers.

jamesvagabond has tried hitching from Calarcá to Bogotá twice, a year apart, and never any luck. The first time there was rioting and trucker strikes, so it wasn't such a surprise. The second time should have been a breeze. Looks like it should be an amazing spot, but YMMV.