PRS
3/27/2017 18:25 EST
Does anyone know if there is a limitation on items for the bus from Armenia to Pereira?
We have 4 large boxes of stuff, 2 suitcases, and 2 medium backpacks.
Thx.
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PRS
3/27/2017 18:43 EST
No idea, big. I'm in Panama now.
We'll pay extra as long as we can transport all our stuff.
Thx.
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tubes
3/27/2017 18:53 EST
Yes, you probably will have trouble. The luggage space at the back of local busses is very limited.
If you are lucky to find a bus which is not full, the driver will probably let you bring some items inside.
If you can find a 40-seater coach that is stopping at Armenia on the way to Bogota or elsewhere, they have masses of under-floor baggage space.
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PRS
3/27/2017 19:07 EST
Thanks, tubes.
I'm guessing Armenia to Pereira is not considered? local and would instead use a larger coach. Am I correct?
If so, masses of under floor storage sounds like it would do the trick.
Also, I understand there is more than one bus company to choose from. Perhaps that broadens the options.
Are there pickup truck-style taxies like in Panama? I suppose that might be a last ditch option, if available.
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tubes
3/27/2017 20:16 EST
PRS: Pereira > Armenia is a local service (50kms) and the direct connections will be small vehicles.
It is sometimes a stopover on a longer journey that will use big busses.
Colombia has dozens of bus companies and you will often find 4 or more covering the same route.
I have never seen pick-up truck transport from transport terminals.
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tubes
3/27/2017 20:21 EST
PRS: I just checked out the Bolivariano website and their route Pereira > Bogota (big coach) does stop at Armenia.
When they load luggage, they give you a numbered badge which they use to identify it on arrival.
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Elexpatriado
3/27/2017 20:35 EST
Thata s agood question. Between how many people? How big are the buses?
Me and my friend took 3 large backpacks and a large duffle bag between the 2 of us, same way, with little hassle.
Take the stuff tomthe bus station and ask them.
Or, just take a cell phone foto, go to the various bus companies and ask them if it is an issue.
I usually go Trans Armenia on that route. Pretty good company. Mid size bus.
You can take the meduim back packs, and if you get in the seats in the front, put them there. Or if they are small enough, put them inthe overhead bin. Ot buy a couple stuff sacks and put them inthe overhead bin to reduce back pack size.
The other stuff can go in the back.
Since you have so much stuff, they might charge you for shipping-as cargo- but a very small cost.
The cost for a ticke between Pereira and Armenia is 9800 COP I believe.
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Elexpatriado
3/27/2017 20:39 EST
Boliviarano goes way less frequently that transarmenia. 3 or 4 times a day vs every half hour.
I think you should take a foto ofyour stuff and ask the various bus companies.
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Elexpatriado
3/27/2017 20:43 EST
Hers another idea-
Pay for 4 seats, put your boxes on 2 seats, you sit in other 2, suitcases in back, bacpacke under seat and above, and Presto.
Less than 10 COP per seat.
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bigjailerman
3/27/2017 20:44 EST
Worst case, book am extra seat for your stuff. Agree with taking pictures put a person in the picture to show a size. If the bus isn't crowded they would be happy to do it for a few pesos..
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Elexpatriado
3/27/2017 20:46 EST
I recommend you go to bus station early and prearrange everything before hand.
You just shoew upfor the Boliviarano bus, it could be fill, baggae storage could be full, and you are SOL.
Also those long haul buses tend to be more full and people take more luggage.
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Elexpatriado
3/27/2017 20:46 EST
I recommend you go to bus station early and prearrange everything before hand.
You just shoew upfor the Boliviarano bus, it could be fill, baggae storage could be full, and you are SOL.
Also those long haul buses tend to be more full and people take more luggage.
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PRS
3/27/2017 21:45 EST
Tubes, good news about Bolivariano. Thx for checking on that.
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PRS
3/27/2017 21:50 EST
Yep, Elex. Those boxes are big boys. Think large sofa seat cushions, cubed. Might need two seats for one box...that would still be cheap.
Very clever idea. Thx.
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WhoaNellie
3/27/2017 22:45 EST
Even on the big flotas there is a baggage limit, which may change during holiday season.
Bolivariano has a limit of 15kg and/or 80cm volume (sic, cm is not a measure of volume but of length - maybe they mean 80cm x 80cm x 80cm, about 32"x32"x32"). You may be able to contact them ahead of time to arrange for larger/heavier:
http://www.bolivariano.com.co/categorias/tags/equipaje
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PRS
3/27/2017 22:56 EST
Thanks, Nellie.
Lots of strong support in this thread. Very much appreciate you all going above and beyond....
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SunsetSteve
3/27/2017 23:00 EST
@PRS - just a thought: I hied a guide and driver out of the Aroma Macowa hotel in Armenia to take me for a quick tour of Circasia, Filandia etc. He had one of those ans so popular among perverts and kidnappers but with windows. It is not a long trip to Pereira and you would have no difficulty booking such a private van to take you and your possessions. It will cost more than a public bus obviously but you can't really be dragging all that stuff around hoping for an empty bus.
Just an idea, but that's what I would do to remove a lot of stress from my life.
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PRS
3/28/2017 09:57 EST
Steve,
Thanks, That's a great solution, stress free. I hope the guy is still there.
Where did you end up staying in Armenia and what did you think of it, location, safety, accomodations?
Thx.
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Elexpatriado
3/28/2017 09:59 EST
costs around 120 mil to 150 mil to take a taxi between Pereira and Armenia.
A van would be quite a bit more. My gues is over 200 mil.
For some, still cheap. And way more convenient.
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PRS
3/28/2017 10:38 EST
Over 200 mil (gulp). If there's no other choice, gotta do it.
However, if I purchase 10 seats, two for each of the 4 large boxes (presuming the armrest pulls up) and two for me Rosangela, that would be cheaper, 60,000 or so.
Hmmm.
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Epicatt2
3/28/2017 11:18 EST
PRS,
Some interesting work-arounds suggested, like buying extra seats for your
items. Not sure if some of the bus companies might draw the line at that
parctice, mayebe not though.
But no one has mentioned the possibility of a sistema de encomiendas
like exists in other LAmer countries. In Costa Rica at the bus terminals
there a window with a sign 'Encomiendas' where you can ship things via
the bus.
I'd be really surprised if some service like that didn't exist in Colombia.
Are any of the long-time residents living in Locombia aware whether a
system of 'Encomiendas' exists there. It is generally a far more reliable
option than the iffy national postal service.
Just sayin' . . .
Paul M.
==
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tubes
3/28/2017 11:39 EST
There is a similar system in Colombia which is run by the larger transport companies.
They generally have an office at the terminal where you deposit and pay for your goods, but I don't think that they guarantee on what vehicle they are carried.
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SkyMan
3/28/2017 14:07 EST
The last pickup truck taxis I saw were in a village in Ecuador called Vilcabamba...hot there with no see-ums & mosquitos. But the pickup truck taxis were quite plentiful.
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PRS
3/28/2017 14:26 EST
Tons of taxi trucks here in Panama, too, SkyMan. They really come in handy for moves.
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PRS
3/28/2017 15:00 EST
I just realized I have no idea how to get these boxes, suitcases, and backpacks to a hotel.
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tubes
3/28/2017 15:43 EST
There are few estate-car taxis around and a few with roof-racks.
You will find pickup truck 'acarreo's advertised around town but that may not be easy to organise from the bus garage.
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PRS
3/28/2017 16:27 EST
I should have said "no idea how to get these boxes, suitcases, and backpacks to a hotel FROM THE AIRPORT".
Sorry.
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tubes
3/28/2017 19:03 EST
Pereira is a real pain as you have to go through the town centre traffic to get to the transport terminal on the other side.
The airport has only a taxi service although you may be able to call for a big taxi or pick-up truck service.
I assume that you are arriving early enough to get to Armenia the same day.
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PRS
3/28/2017 20:07 EST
Hey, tubes. Thx for that.
Actually, we are arriving in Armenia May 1. We'll take a couple days to look around and then visit other cities/pueblos.
From what I'm reading, Pereira, Manizales, etc. are accessible by day trips or overnights.
So, our first need is a way to get our stuff from the airport to a hotel or wherever.
Thx for being so helpful.
Paul
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tubes
3/28/2017 20:33 EST
From Armenia you can bus to Pereira (and Cartago) in just over one hour, Manizales in another hour. Faster if you go by 9-seat SUV.
Certainly good day-trips.
Most busses run from about 5:30 am until 9 pm when it all stops, apart from the arrival of some long-distance busses.
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PRS
3/28/2017 20:35 EST
Sounds good, tubes. Thx.
Still need to get this stuff from the airport to the hotel.
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Elexpatriado
3/28/2017 21:08 EST
I am sure you will figure it outwhen you get here, Just by asking around, and following some of he suggestions here. I assume you both speak pretty good Spanish.
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PRS
3/28/2017 21:10 EST
Hey, Elexpatriado. Thanks for that blinding glimpse of the obvious. Of course, two taxis would do it.
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PRS
3/28/2017 21:26 EST
Yep. We're good on the language. Thx for all your help Elex.
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Elexpatriado
3/29/2017 09:24 EST
Your welcome.
I talked to my Colombian friend, and he says that he believes TransArmenia, the same company that has the buses between Pereira and Armenia has trucking services for cargo between Pereira and Armenia. He also believes two taxis would do it for local transport. Youcold ask at the airport for a large Taxi. People are quite friendly and helpful.
It is only my friends opinion on the trucking service, and some times Colombians are BSers (even if they have your best nterest at heart), but its worth it asking around in the terminal de transporte in Pereira when you get there.
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Patepluma
3/29/2017 11:56 EST
In the coffee region they use Jeeps (called Wiley's) like taxis. These have a lot of room in the back. The airport should be able to call for one if there isn't one waiting. That might also be a cheaper way to get to Pereira. However they do have to get permission to transport people to a place that doesn't border on where they are licensed. That will cost an extra 10k or so.
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tubes
3/29/2017 16:52 EST
They do use Willys Jeeps a lot for transport in the coffee region off the beaten track, but they run fixed routes (like busses not taxis) and are based at secondary terminals, well away from the main transport terminals.
Like everything in Colombia, I am sure that they can be bought at the right price!
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tubes
3/29/2017 18:43 EST
SunsetSteve: the Jeeps are certainly not a tourist thing around here. They are used on unpaved roads to the smaller villages where a bus or taxi would never get through.
They are no more expensive per km than a bus.
Despite their small dimensions, I have seen as many as 18 people half seated / half standing including 4 standing on the open tailgate. Not much fun in wet weather and muddy tracks!
For a lot of kids this is their only way to get to school.
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SunsetSteve
3/29/2017 19:10 EST
I stand corrected - the only ones I ran across were in Salento and Filandia.and they were too costly for me.
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tubes
3/29/2017 19:42 EST
SunsetSteve: Jeeps may well be run for tourism in places like Salento and Filandia.
They may well be charging tourist prices.
The roads there are good enough that a 4WD Jeep is not necessary.
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WhoaNellie
3/29/2017 21:02 EST
They are often called camperos and are used for transport in many parts of Colombia where buses may not run as well as for tourist-type excursions where 4 wheel drive is useful.
They are relatively expensive, too, and hold their value well even though they may be decades old and with a lot of km - see some of these links:
http://www.carroya.com/camperos/usados/cali/
http://carros.mercadolibre.com.co/carros-camionetas/venta-camperos-cali
http://carros.mercadolibre.com.co/carros-camionetas/camperos-4x4
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Epicatt2
3/30/2017 01:13 EST
There are also vehicles (they are p/u or panel trucks sometimes) in Costa Rica called cargataxis.
They can be hired to move stuff, like if you are changing apartments and need to move your furniture and appliances, etc. to your new place
There are usually reasonably inexpensive and readily available there.
I'm sure there is a close equivalent to that service in Colombia.
OK — HTH
Paul M.
==
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Elexpatriado
3/30/2017 11:10 EST
5 cop a shot to go from Salento to Valle de Cocora is expensive? (I have taken that one a hundred times).
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Elexpatriado
3/30/2017 11:12 EST
I doubt you could get a willy or lechero to go to the bus station. The point is go to the terminal and ask around, and see what they come up with.
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SunsetSteve
3/30/2017 17:11 EST
I doubt anyone other than someone who works there has gone to Cocorra 100 times. That would not be very interesting! But I was quoted at least 20X that to go to the nearby coffee farm.
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