We always think it’s important to start a year as you mean to go on and so in that vein, last weekend Chris and I jumped into a car with our super friends Vivi and Yiyo and set off for San Gil – the adventure sports capital of Colombia.
San Gil is a 4-6 hour drive from Bogotá, depending on Colombia’s infamous traffic which is a form of adventure sport all of its own. We left on Friday afternoon and made it to the brand new Meraki Boutique Hostel by about 7pm. Upon arrival, we were met by the charming owners, Doña Olga and Don Benjamin, who weren’t about to let us check in until we’d enjoyed some freshly pressed mandarine juice, a glass of wine, and some local cheese and salami. A bit different to check-in in the UK or Germany which tends to involve “name?”, handing over of key, “stairs at the end of the corridor, breakfast at 7, next”!
The following morning, after a great night’s sleep and a breakfast fit for an emperor(ess), we set off for our first activity of the weekend, caving. The cave was home to hundreds of bats, which occasionaly flew above our heads. After joking that they only like blood type O positive, our guide assured us that the bats wouldn’t suddenly start biting us. Phew!
The cave tour took us on a ninety minute underground trek through dark, claustrophobic tunnels and cold murky pools, before ending with a 5m+ leap into a pitch black pool of unspecified depth. Chris led the charge and was first to jump. I walked to the edge, looked down into the pitch darkness below, and decided, at my age, to take the ladder down. Sod that!
After a few hours of caving we were straight off to the next activity, white-water rafting. You can read all about it here, but suffice to say, we ended up a lot wetter than we intended to…
Practical info:
- Where we stayed: Meraki Boutique Hotel in San Gil
- Costs: 60,000 Colombian Pesos per night
- Tour operator: X-Travel
- Cost of tour: 25,000 Pesos
Looks like you had a great time. I would love to see those bats I think they are so ugly that they are really cute. However im claustrophobic so wouldn’t like going in the cave, I would have to wait outside lol
Haha, I feel the same way about bats – I can’t decide if they are ugly or cute. Perhaps both at the same time is possible!
Wow, what an amazing experience! Those caves look like a real adventure. We’re considering a trip to South America and would love to hear any of your recommendations!
Wow, tough question. We loved the salt flats in Bolivia, Arequipa in Peru, Iguazu Falls in Brazil/Argentina, Quito in Ecuador, star-gazing in Chile, and everything so far about Colombia. But wherever you end up, hope you have a great trip!
There are a lot of hidden gems in Colombia and this looks like another one to add to the list (as long as you don’t mind the traffic out of Bogota!)
Indeed. The traffic on the way out of Bogotá was pretty epic. Especially as most of the road to San Gil is a windy single lane affair. Our super driver Yiyo pulled off some pretty stunning overtakes!
Yes, if we were younger! Enjoy adventure while you can!
I’m sure you would be totally fine doing it too, Carol! 🙂
I had some great caving adventures in Belize. I had no idea you could cave in Colombia!
There’s so much you can do in San Gil. Paragliding, abseiling, trekking, and all kinds of caving!
You are brave, bats and caves both totally freak me out. Although, it looks like an incredible excursion.
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It sounds like this would have been a nightmare for you then :-0
This looks like an awesome weekend with friends! I love caves so that would be the highlight for me. Bats don’t scare me but they usually stink!
Very true about the stink. And of course we were very aware that the ‘mud’ all over the cave floor probably wasn’t just mud. Yucky indeed!
Colombia is on my list but to be honest I’m not sure I’d be able to go into that cave with all the bats. I just have this thing with anything flying at me. Otherwise, the caving adventure sounds fun. Definitely a great way to start the year and it looks like you had the perfect crew.
Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie recently posted…How to Plan a Successful 1 Week Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
I totally agree, Jackie. I wasn’t too keen on the bats when they flew at us either!
Sounds like such a fun weekend trip and that hotel sounds fantastic! We’ve been wanting to plan a trip to Colombia lately and I definitely think this area will need to be on our itinerary. Looks like a lot of fun adventure opportunities–would love to try both the caving and rafting!
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It’s a great area for outdoors enthusiasts. Trekking, abseiling, and even paragliding are possible as well – if you have a good head for heights, that is.
Looks like a really fun time. While the bats and caving looks like fun, I would be too afraid to get that close 🙂 I love your welcome to the hostel. I wish more places offered that level of service. Fun experience, looking forward to your rafting post 🙂
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The reception at the hostel was very unique for a German and Brit. Before we’d even gotten to our room, we already knew all about our hosts’ families, hobbies, and even last holidays. So lovely and so Colombian!
Seems like you had a great adventure and that’s a pretty good way to start the year! I love the colorful chairs and the overall feeling of your boutique hostel. The cave sounds pretty interesting to explore, though the bats are a bit scary for me!
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It really was a beautifully decorated hostel. And literally the opening night too, so we were almost certainly the first guests to ever sit in the colourful chairs. What an honour! 🙂
That was a fun adventure weekend you spent. I loved caving and white-water rafting experience and would love to try that. But yeah, I would have felt claustrophobic in the murky tunnels and pools.
Yes indeed, the tunnels and murky pools weren’t the most pleasant at times, but great to look back on the experience!
What a fun weekend you had. I love the friendly welcome at the check. Those bats look scary. I am glad they don’t bite!
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I was a little nervous at first when our guide started talking about biting bats!
I can’t wait to get back to South America so we can spend some time exploring Colombia … I love the personal level of hospitality from Meraki Boutique Hostel, sounds like a great place to stay! And caving sounds like my kind of adventure … maybe minus the bats 😀
It certainly was, Megan. We can thoroughly recommend the hostel. Hope you make it back to South America soon!
I have to admit the accommodations look really nice from what I remember hostels looking like… You conquered 2 things I have trouble with. Driving long distances (4-6 hours is long for me…) & swing in closed spaces. Shishhh. Looks like fun but I’m a bit claustrophobic.
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Ha, that’s exactly what I thought about the use of the word ‘hostel’. Private room and bathroom. Massive comfortable bed in a room with a great view. Huge delicious breakfast included. Wine and cheese on arrival. That’s not what I consider a hostel either 🙂
Thanks for your suggestions guys, think you enjoyed lot there in the cave and the bats there… i would surely add this place in my travel bucket
A great addition to any bucket list!
We love adventure. Just last year we were instructors at a high ropes course in the mountains outside of San Diego. Usually, when I see the phrase – adventurous weekend – I shutter with the anticipation of disappointment. You guys actually went caving and whitewater rafting and this is just part one. Hats off – you guys totally rock.
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Oh wow, high ropes sounds adventurous too. I have done rappelling once an I was terrified, so respect. 🙂
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