Have you ever noticed that all the locals are forming one huge line at a specific bus desk when there are 10 other companies going to the same place?  It’s no coincidence.  There is a big difference in quality between Colombian buses and like the locals, you should be aware of the hierarchy.  Expresso Boliviariano is the best, with more leg room, wider, reclining seats and even wifi (sometimes).  They generally have 2 drivers for longer routes who change every 4 hours to make sure they are adequately rested.  They also don’t generally pick people up off the street like some companies meaning the risk of a hijacking in the middle of the night is greatly reduced.

Where possible, try and get on one of the following companies, which are all good:

• Expreso Bolivariano
• Flota Occidental
• Rapi Ochoa
• Expreso Brasilia
• Copetran

Don’t ask me why, but Colombian buses are obsessed with air conditioning and they hike that bad boy up to arctic temperatures.  Even the locals can be seen cowering under layers of blankets on long journeys.  Definitely avoid flip flops unless you want to lose a couple of toes to frostbite.

Most companies tend to play a movie or two or have music on at full blast long into the journey.  If you are hoping to get some sleep, bringing earplugs would be worthwhile

For a budget traveller, don’t assume that it would be cheaper to get a bus than fly.  Viva Colombia, the trading name for Ryanair in Colombia, often have flights that are cheaper than the buses, and due to the country being so mountainous it can turn a 12 hour bus journey into just an hour in the air.  Just make sure you factor in the potential increase in costs for checking in your backpack, or journeys to the airport, which in most cities are considerably further away from the city centre than the bus terminal.

The journey takes 10 hours, but those are 10 Colombian hours.  It will always take way longer than they tell you.  Bear this in mind before booking tours early on the day you are due to arrive at your destination.

Colombian Bus timetables too should be taken with a pinch of salt.  They delay or even remove buses from the timetable, and hardly ever update their website.  If you turn up at the bus station in the hope of getting the last bus of the day don’t be surprised if it isn’t running.  You are better off getting there a couple of hours before to give yourself a bit of flexibility.

It is common in Colombia that the police will stop a bus to check for ID.  Make sure your passport is to hand for if this happens and give it to them with a smile.  You don’t want to mess with the police in Colombia so just comply with their request and hopefully they will leave you alone.

Being close to the front means you have the full force of the driver’s music disturbing your sleep.  Too close to the back means you may have to sit next to the toilet which get pretty funky after 10 hours of windy roads and fellow passengers with poor aim.

Where possible get a spot in the middle of the bus next to the window, so you don’t get woken up from your aisle seat as someone barges past to head to the toilet.

Colombia is one of the most mountainous and lush countries in the world.  There are rivers and waterfalls everywhere.  Lots of the best sights are out of the cities, where you can see the real people doing the most random stuff, like carrying chickens on the back of a motorbike.  The rural towns that you will pass through are almost frozen in time and well worth your attention as you pass through.

For a detailed list of bus timetables leaving Medellin click here

For more information about Purple Monkey Hostel Medellin click here