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There may also better connections through Panama City, but I have discovered that a travel agency can save hours of fruitless internet searching and has access to flights that never showed up on the usual search engines. My one criterion is: never ever Air Canada, especially never Rouge. I also avoid connections requiring a landing in USA if at all possible, due to security silliness and multiple check points.

Obtaining a Nexus card is extremely useful in Avoiding airport lines upon returning to Canada. Well worth the effort to get one.

Noise cancelling headphones also worthwhile to kill the airplane drone.

Hey johnpg

I'm a Canadian living in Colombia. Spent 3 months in Medellin. Originally from BC west coast.

I dog it online for my flights. I spend the time checking all the flights and deals. I search it date by date if I have to. Slow but effective if you want the shortest flights and the cheapest deals. Flight planning is a dogs breakfast.

Be prepared to purchase online directly from the airlines if you have to. I find Cheapo Air out of Montreal gets me some slight discounts at times because I am a senior.

Flexibily and adaption. Spending the time online and searching date by date. That worked for me so far. Mexican Airlines has direct flights from Vancouver on a regular schedule. Nice. Used them the first few times to travel to Costa Rica. Quick and direct. Came to Colombia via Dominican Republic and Cuba so have not researched Vancouver to Bogota return yet. I know it is pretty cheap.

Good luck

Try using Google flights to fine the best deals. You can search from a calendar to see BEST prices by date.  It searches all available airlines for best flights according to your criteria.

Expedia and other sites


Or use your aeroplan miles
It wont be cheap.

I go back to Calgary 2 a year and usualy costs $1300 (but I live) in the Eje. A bit cheaper to Med (marginally) . Think Vancouver will be more. I have friends in San Diego hat pay a lot..if you can imagine

Good luck getting your family and friends t viit you. Can have an all inclusive week in Cuba or Mexico , including everything for just the airfare to Colombia

Steve with all your restrictions you are pretty well doubling his price

If you avoid air Canada might as well avoid COPA and Latam and Avianca as well

COPA once lost my luggage for 2 weeks in Tucamen, and the only way they found it is my Colombian buddy went down to the Copa office and searched the luggage inventorty with the baggae specialist while I was in Canada.

I was climbing in Canada and most of my gear was in check in.

I bought a bunch of gear at Mountain Equipment Coop so I could do my climbing.

It wasnt air Canadas fault, but they are the ones that reimbursed me after the fact for about $1600.

One thing I wouldhighly recommend is take all your essential gear in Carry on, and only expendable stuff that can be rented in checkin luggage. Takefotosof the luggae and the baggae tags.

Also Meellin is not a bad airport for flight delays, But if you are stationed anywhere remter in Colombia..like the EJECafetera..be prepared for flight delays and cancellations of internal flight, espescially during rainy seasons..One thing about Medellin is you can avoid going through Bogota..which aso has frequent issues due to weather and general oor maintenace of air control technology, and runway  lighting maintenace. If there are problems they give preferance to international flights and if the airport is shut down for any length of time, domestic flights ar e delayed much longer, or for any other stupid reason.

I dont agree at all with avoiding the US another unnecessary restriction - but depends which airline you go through. To Calgary best route is through Houston. George Bush Airport and Imigration is highly efficient and automated now.In past i have had issues with LAX, JFK and Miami. Dont know if things have improved there.

I have been living in Colombia for 6 years and travelling here since 2004, and have probably lfown back and forth between Colombia and Canada and  a dozen other countries at least a 100 times.

Ohh.United lost my stuff for 1 week one time as well. Little difference between airlines. Pay your money take your chances

I agrwe with Canada Doug guy. Look at all the internet sites. And spend your time. But you will probaly find they give you the same routes and prices.

Hey Moose Jaw

I'm in Armenia. Plan on staying for a while. Have you visited Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados? The Colombian National Parks are on my "to do" list.

Parque de la Vida -- Armenia's in-city park -- is one of the greatest walking parks ever.  Especially I liked the jungle zone.  The pond zone is great too.

Don't go when it's raining or when the grass is wet unless you wear shoes with cleats:  slopes are too slippery.

cccmedia

I fly Toronto to Panama City to Pereira return on Copa - leg room, free meals and drinks - for $515 CAD all in. Air Canada Rouge is torture from hell. Pay for everything including pillow, unscheduled refueling stop in the Caribbean, zero leg room. Bah. I cannot say about Vancouver departures, but from Toronto there is never a need to expose yourself to the depredations of homeland security.

Yes I have climbed Nevada del Ruiz about 8 years ago when it wasnt active, Nevada Tolima 3 times, Nevada Quindio and Santa Isabel.

I am a Mountaineer, Ben to El Cucoy twice and Sierra Nevada Santa Marta twice. Climbed a lot of high peaks in Colombia, but difficult access.

You beter be fit and Backpacker type if you wanna hike in PNN SDe Los Nevados

Thank you. How are you enjoying columbia. Any other words of advice?

Hey Quechimba

Not a hiker or climber here. Will do hit, observe and run when I can. I'll stick to the public access. So Is the easier viewpoints access from Manizales side or Solento side? Thanks.

Hey johnpg
Advice number one is ask questions about Colombia on this forum. The expats who live here have lots of information nuggets and good advice.
Advice number two is Colombia is where your retirement money will stretch the best after Asia. I've been traveling 16 months in 5 different latin america countries and this is the best place to settle down if you are careful and follow basic smart safety rules. Colombia is the most bio diverse country in the world and there is lots to see and experience hopefully at a slow pace.

I'm with cccmedia
When you are in Armenia, Parque de la Vida is an awesome place to spend some time. Cool.

I’m really excited about the move. I’m trying to sell my home then will be heading to Medellin. I have met a lovely woman on line and we talk everyday and every night. I had hoped to be on the ocean but I know the coast is way too hot and humid so I’m interested in penol area to be on the water. I am looking to retire there so my retirement dollar will go far. Just wondering where on the west coast you from? I grew up in the lower mainland but have lived in Prince George for the last 23 years. Now it’s time for another life change.

Thanks. I have studied the area quite a bit actually. It really is a beautiful area and  surprisingly real estate prices are quite reasonable there.  I’m looking forward to seeing it with my own eyes

Hey Prince George

Come here for a visit only first. Take it slow and methodical. That is the advice I received many times over before I visited Latin America for the first time. I followed that advice.
The latinas are wonderful but you have to be careful just like everywhere else in the world. I can share experiences with you but this is not the place. Perhaps somewhere more private?
I am originally from Ocean Falls. heheh Know the west coast well and really enjoyed exploring it for most of my life. Avid sports fisherman.
After extended slow visits Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Cuba I came to Colombia on a one way ticket. NO FEAR! After traveling in Colombia for 3 months settled in Medellin for a while. Then I decided to try living in Armenia for many reasons and here I am. I found a newly constructed 3 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment for 220 CAD a month including natural gas for cooking. Healthy and happy.
I followed the advice of others who had travelled latin america before me and they have proven to be excellent sources of info.
So you can have everything you want BUT take it easy and slow. You worked your whole life hard to be put out to pasture so why rush? Sloooow my internet friend. Enjoy and avoid mistakes in Colombia by asking advice here.
I have a nice website link for you to research where you want to live I used it for help deciding my location in Colombia. It will also help you with every day costs compared to Canada.
Nice to meet a fellow hound.

Canada Doug- what can  say.Depends what you want to see.

I think there are still 4 by 4 tours to 4400 m on Nevada Del Ruiz.

I would wait util dry season or you will see only Fog.

Today is good weather in Manizales, but like normal, lots of clouds on Ruiz.

In Salento can go in Willy to Valle Cocora with all the tourists and on horseback higher if you want.

"I met a a Lovely Women Online"

Ja Ja Ja

Subject for a whole other thread.

Hope you are not sending her  "Giros"