This weekly wrap-up covers our journey from May 5 to May 11. We spent Sunday in San Jose, Costa Rica, before flying to Colombia, where we split the week between Medellin and Salento.
Favorite thing we ate: Jonathan is still dreaming about the huge avocado [pictured above left] we bought (and ate for dinner) in Medellin. We also both quite like all the varieties on patacones (fried plantains) we’ve been able to try over the past few weeks. One that stands out was a patacon sandwich with pulled pork from Café de los Deseos in San Jose [above right]. In fact, after taking only a few bites, we said, “We should take a picture of this! It might be our favorite thing we eat all week.”
Favorite thing we drank: Given we were in Colombia … we both picked COFFEE this week. Jonathan had a delicious affogato at Laboratorio del Café [above left], and Megan drank the perfect cortado at Urbania [above right] (both in Medellin). The coffee from Café Jesús Martín in Salento was also excellent (along with their empanadas!).
Favorite thing we did: Jonathan enjoyed our hike through the Valle de Cocora, but honestly—he might have enjoyed riding on the back of the jeep to get back to Salento even more. 😉 Megan absolutely loved the exotic fruits tour in Medellin [pictured above] and would recommend it to anyone.
Biggest splurge: Our first night in Medellin, we met some new friends from our hostel at a rooftop bar. Rooftop bars are obviously going to come with “gringo prices” (as many reviews stated), but our pitcher of sangria and dish of “sexy fries” was only $46. This is expensive by Colombian standards for sure, but the damage could have been much worse.
Best deal: On Friday, we hiked for four and a half hours through the Valle de Cocora to reach the Bosque de Palmas (a grove of wax palms—the tallest palm trees in the world). There were two small fees along the trail, which totaled about $2.14 USD each. Given how much we have paid to do shorter hikes in other countries, this was a stellar deal! Even the Jeep ride to the park from Salento was only $1.22 each way, so overall it was a very economical activity.
What we’re reading: Megan took a break from her location-inspired reading to focus on API authors for Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. She finished Searching for Sylvie Lee and The Astonishing Color of After (recommend for YA fans). Jonathan is reading Miracle Creek (a new release that is worth the hardcover price!).
What we’re watching: Jonathan started Shooter on Netflix at our hostel in Salento, and he is making progress quickly. We might need a new show recommendation soon! 😉
Total walking distance: 47.72 miles (we hit 5 miles every day, except our 8-hour travel day from Medellin to Salento)
Up next: Panama and then back to Colombia!
One thought on “RTW Week 5: San Jose, Medellin & Salento”