Montería

Understand

Montería is a city with about 275,000 inhabitants in the Cordoba department in Colombia. Even though it is not a coastal city, Monterians call themselves 'costeños', and are said to speak 'costeñol' (from the words español + costeño). They see themselves as cheerful, relaxed and informal, and are very proud of it. Most of the times, the letters s and r in the middle and ending of words are not pronounced. For example, escolar (scholar) would be pronounced e-colá.

Getting there

There are several bus

from Cartagena: COP$45,000, 4.5 hours (every hour) from Turbo: COP$15,000, 2½ hours (every half hour) from Tolú: COP$18,000, 2 hours (every hour) from Medellin: COP$100,000, 10 hours The bus terminal is 2 km southeast from downtown on calle 41. Frequent MetroSinu bus (yellow in colour) takes you there for COP$1800. The buses leave from inside the terminal.

Getting around

Motorcycles Montería's vehicle of choice is motorcycles. Mototaxis are, as their name suggests, motorcycle taxis. They are the cheapest and fastest way to get around, a carrera costing around COP$1000. On Tuesdays, motorcycles are banned from the city, which results in less traffic but slower buses. Busetas Buses are called busetas. The safest ones are yellow, from the company MetroBus. It costs COP$1400 for a ride, but with an ElTike card, a ride is COP$1160. ElTike cards can be purchased at the MetroBus terminal for COP$5000 and the minimum recharge is for COP$14,000. Taxi All the taxis in Montería are regulated, so they are very safe. They can be stopped on the street or be called to pick one up. During the day, a carrera is COP$4000. Foreigners should negotiate the price before getting in the taxi or risk being charged more. By night, it can be more than twice the cost than a regular ride; the destination also affects the cost. Be sure to negotiate with the driver before getting in. Planchón Montería is divided by the River Sinú. It can be crossed by either bridges, or by planchón. Planchón is a sort of flat boat which crosses the River at only $300.00 COP. Any of the planchones that are on the Ronda del Sinú are perfectly safe, but it is advised not to go to the ones by the market after dark.

See

1 Ronda del Sinú. Along the East Bank of the River Sinú, the Ronda del Sinú is a recreational park with restaurants, a cycle road, an open-air theatre, etc. Monkeys and iguanas run freely in the park. Also the site of "Muzac Zenú Museo de Arte Contemporaneo". (updated Oct 2020) 2 Monumento Al Porro (north end of Ronda del Sinú). Monument to Sucreña culture. Across from here look for Muelle Turístico de Montería where you can catch river launches for an entertaining boat ride. (updated Oct 2020) 3 Bolivar Park. Here we have the Bolivar Park and San Jeronimo Cathedral. (updated Oct 2020) 4 Monteria Moderna Park. This park is overrun with iguanas. (updated Oct 2020)

Buy

1 Alamedas Centro Comercial, Cl. 44 #10 - 91, ☏ +57 4 7852305. Shopping mall with theater and food court. (updated Oct 2020)

Eat

Tocinita, in a shopping boulivard off Carrera 2 (Look for the play park and Nintendo World). Small cafe with cheerful chatty owner does good, cheap set breakfasts and lunches for COP$6000 with the excellent "huevos pericos". Will do vegetarian version if you ask.

Sleep

Hotel medellin, carrera 4, 34-41, centro, ☏ +57 4 781 5451. relocated to a new location, rooms are clean with TV, private bath and wifi but most don't have a window (not even to the corridor). There are a few facing the street but subject to constant noise from traffic. COP$30,000 single no A/C, COP$50,000 with A/C (Nov 2015). 1 GHL Hotel Montería, Cl. 44 #No. 8-43 (it is parked right next to the Alamedas Centro Comercial shopping mall), ☏ +57 4 7892999. Here you get the whole rooftop pool and fine dining restaurant below, with a breakfast buffet and gym and a/c and wifi/ and spa as well. You can go to the theater next door at the mall. COP 142959. (updated Oct 2020) 2 Hotel River City, Cra. 5 #3468, ☏ +57 4 7823162. Here you can get wifi and something like a nice frittata for breakfast. COP 96594. (updated Oct 2020) 3 Hotel Baroca, Cl. 31 #5-39, ☏ +57 4 7894444. Though the environs around the entrance might look a little sketch, this hotel has a modern look, with a rooftop pool and big breakfast. COP 150687. (updated Oct 2020)

Go next

1 Volcán De Lodo, in Arboletes (about 67 km west of Monteria, on the beach). Mud bath volcano, where you can immerse yourself in the healthful warm mud and then go wash off on the beach which is adjacent. While the nearby restaurant owner may try to charge, entrance to the mud bath is supposed to be free. (updated Oct 2020)