Manizales travel guide

Getting around

The centre of Manizales is pleasant and convenient for walking, though narrow streets create traffic problems. An added attraction is the extensive views often seen over the local countryside. The key thoroughfare is Carrera 23, which runs the full length of the city, also called Avenida Santander in the east. It is the road to La Nubia airport, Honda and Bogotá. East of the centre is El Cable, centred around one of the pylons that made up the old cable car route It’s the city’s Zona Rosa and has the best restaurants and bars. Further east again is Barrio Milán, another popular nightime area.

Getting there

La Nubia airport is to the southeast overlooking the city. Buses to the centre US$1, taxi US$4. There are several daily flights from Bogotá, Cali and Medellín with Avianca, Aires and Aerolíneas de Antioquia (ADA), though due to the altitude and humidity, services are often delayed by fog. The bus terminal is seven blocks from the centre of the city. Travellers should take care around the station at night as crime is high in this area. There are good roads and comfortable bus services from the main cities of Colombia. From Bogotá and the east the Cordillera Central must be crossed, the most direct route via Honda crosses at 3700 m. Alternatively, via Girardot and Pereira, the pass is lower at 3250 m. Both are long winding climbs and descents.

Air

Manizales has a small airport, La Nubia, 7 km east of the centre. To Bogotá, 50 mins, US$140, with Avianca, or Aires. To Medellín, 30 mins, US$130-150, with Aires or ADA.

Airline offices

Avianca, Hotel Las Colinas, Cra 22, No 20-20, L1, T8832237. Aires Centre: Cra 23, No 60-26, local 3, T8812324, El Cable: Carrera 23, No 62-16, local 110, Torres de Panorama, Sancancio: Carrera 27A, No 66-30, local 760, T8873143.

Bus

The terminal with good restaurant is at C 19 between Cras 15 and 17, T8849183. To Medellín, 14 a day from 0430 to 2000, 6 hrs, US$17 with Arauca; by kia (7-seater mini van, faster) with Flota Ospina, 4½ hrs, US$18. To Bogotá, Expreso Bolivariano, US$20, 9 hrs, every hr 0630-2300. To Honda, US$14, Expreso Bolivariano. Cali with Ruana Azul, 6 hrs, US$17, every hr between 0400-2100; by kia, 4½ hrs, US$18, 10 a day 0630-1830 Pereira, with Expreso Palmira or Arauca, 2 hrs, US$4.40, half hourly, or in kia (Flota Ospina), every hr 0600-1800, 1½ hrs. Armenia, 3 hrs, US$8, with Expreso Palmira, hourly 0600-1800. To Ibague, 5 hrs, US$13, with Expreso Palmira. To Buenaventura, 7 hrs, US$15, with Ruana Azul at 0730 and 0930. To Marmato, 2 hrs, US$7, with Flota Occidental at 1200, 1500 and 1800. To Supía, 1½ hrs, US$5.50; in colectivo, US$7 with connections every 40 mins to Marmato. For Cartagena, Santa Marta and Turbo change at Medellín.

Car

To Medellín, see above. Manizales–Honda– Bogotá: all paved. The road climbs to 3700 m, with most superb scenery.

Car hire

Thrifty Rar Rental, in Hotel Carretero, Cra 23, No 35A-31, T8847047, http://www.thriftycolombia.com.

Banks

Davivienda, Cra 23, No 22-04, T8842217, Centro, or Cra 23, No 63-22, local 56, T8852038. Bancolombia, Cra 22, No 20-55, T8783660, or C 66, No 22-56, T8816065. HSBC, Cra 23, No 56-42, T8857054.

Embassies and consulates

Germany, via al Magdalena, No 74-71, 10th floor, T8872928. Italy, Edif 7 Banco de Bogotá, Of 501, T8831935. Spain, C 36, no 22-22, T8845960.

Immigration

DAS, C 53, No 25A-35, T8810600 ext 153.

Internet

El Cable, Cra 23, No 63-82. Skype, headphones, international calls, fax and photocopying services.

Post office

Barrio Milán: Cra 23, No 73-90, piso 1, T8868819; Centro: Cra 22, C 27 esquina T8826166; El Cable: Edificio Torres Panorama, local 15, T8856900.