Ciudad Perdida
Table of Contents: Culture and History / Travel to Ciudad Perdida, visa requirements / Typical itinerary / Ciudad Perdida attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Ciudad Perdida souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Ciudad Perdida nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging More from Caribbean Lowlands %28Colombia%29: Ciudad Perdida, Santa Marta, Taganga |
Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City" in Spanish) is an ancient, ruined city located in the Colombian jungle close to Santa Marta.
Culture and History
The city was built between the eighth and the fourteenth centuries by the Tayrona Indians. Nowadays only circular stone terraces covered by jungle remain, but the views and the location of the site are extraordinary.
Travel to Ciudad Perdida, visa requirements
It's not possible to visit the site on your own. Treks to Ciudad Perdida are arranged by Turcol, Carrera 1C No 20-15, Santa Marta, ☎ 4333737 (turcol_24@hotmail.com).
The price is fixed at C$440.000 for a six-day trek or C$350.000 for a five-day trek, although small discounts can sometimes be arranged if you book directly with a guide. Some of hostels in Santa Marta or Taganga can book the tour for you or can hook you up with one of the guides. Tours leave when there are enough people for a group, usually around twice a week. A recommended guide is Edwin Rey.
Make sure to bring appropriate gear for trekking, including good walking boots, mosquito repellent, a sleeping bag, appropriate clothing for hiking and for nights, and a water bottle.
Typical itinerary
The first day is a three-hour walk to the first camp. The second day is another four hours' hiking, and the third day is six hours to the Ciudad Perdida. The fourth day you spend exploring the site. The fifth day is a eight hour walk back to the first camp and the sixth day is only three hours back to civilization. (An alternative is to spend only the third night at the site and the fourth night in the same camp as the second night, meaning you avoid the eight-hour fifth day.)
Ciudad Perdida attractions and sightseeing
- During the trek you will pass many little streams and waterfalls, some of which you can swim in, and which have great views. There are several steep uphill climbs (the worst one takes about an hour on the first day), but it is worth it. Overall, because of afternoon rains, you only hike for about 3-4 hours per day.
- There is a side trip to a small cocaine factory the first or the last day, close to the first camp. It shouldn't cost more than C$20.000 per person.
City tours
Shopping, Ciudad Perdida souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Meals are included in the price of the tour.
Ciudad Perdida nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
More from Caribbean Lowlands %28Colombia%29: Ciudad Perdida, Santa Marta, Taganga |
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