Robberies Caracas-Santa Marta by bus??

This topic was created by Bror Jonsson (fred@ibg.uu.se)
[Fri 14 May, 5:34 Tasmanian Standard Time]


I will be working on a project in Santa Marta, Colombia
during the summer. To get some new sightings and a bit of vacation I decided to go by Bus from Caracas to Santa Marta via Maracaibo-Maicao. My problem is that I just found out that I will have to bring with me a laptop and some other expensive gear. Have anyone any experiences, bad or good, with the safety on buses etc. Robberies, thefts of cargo, unsafe busstations?? in this area? If it is a really stupid idea to do this trip, what would be the safest way to do go?
Thanks!!!
/Bror

[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Sun 16 May, 16:53]

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  1. direct-bus Added by: hans (hotviena@cartagena.cetcol.net.co)
    [Timestamp: Fri 14 May, 8:45 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    there is a direct-bus-service between caracas and st.marta
    i never heard about problems turists had traveling in this
    form or you can take a flight caracas-cartagena or caracas-
    baranquilla for about 200 us$



  2. Is it safe to travel in Ven? Added by: Alfredo (alfredobeloz@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Fri 14 May, 11:21 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Bror, You just gotta use your own instincts. I've
    traveled many times between Caracas and Tucupita (Delta
    Amacuro) and have never had problems. One time I thought I
    would never see my camera again because I had left my
    camera attached to my pack which was in the luggage space.
    A "conductor" came on the bus and wanted to know who was
    traveling to Tucupita. Dummy me raised my hand. He took
    my receipt and we took off. I was worried for the next
    five hours that I would not see my camera and would have no
    way to prove I was on the trip. At the rest stop, I got to
    see my pack and found my camera still there. My advice is
    to carry ALL sensitive equipment aboard the bus with you
    (as long as it doesn't weigh 1,000 kg). Good luck and I
    wish you the best!



  3. Safe Added by: Grega
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 1:53 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I agree with Hans. I took direct bus from Cartagena to
    Caracas in December, 19 hours, 80.000 colombian pesos, no
    problem at all, even at notorious venezuelan border post.
    Main roads are pretty safe in Colombia, except from
    Pasto-Popayan and Los Llanos region. And btw, long route
    buses in Colombia are really confortable and nice, better
    than in Europe. Good luck!



  4. ok Added by: peter
    [Timestamp: Sat 15 May, 9:02 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    'better than in europe' only if they don't put the
    airconditioning on maximum.
    If I travel with my laptop here I put it in my little
    backpack that I NEVER leave out of my sight and I make sure
    NOBODY knows I have such expensive equipment on me(wich
    means also in the hotel before you leave to the bus: they
    shouldn't have any suspicion coz if they do domeone may
    alert their friends and ...)
    Maybe I'm a bit paranoid, but I think not...
    And enjoy!
    http://move.to/colombia



  5. my 2 cents Added by: Nice buses
    [Timestamp: Sun 16 May, 16:53 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    My Gosh, Colombians do know how to bus in style, I'll give
    them that over any other country I've been to! My fav memory
    is of the decomissioned intercity coaches that they used as
    buses on long in-city trips (sometimes express routes).
    Those "old" busses beat the intercity Greyhound coaches
    where I live (North America)!
    Can't say much about that the route, but have fun and be
    well!




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