You're going to have a great trip!
Here is some important information
Here is the address to our meeting place (Not our office) It is a small store located about 45 minutes outside of El Poblado. Please be sure to show your driver the instructions below that are written in Spanish so you don’t get lost.
Tienda San Jose de la Montaña https://goo.gl/maps/PvL3AoSUq1pf4URN8
You can take an Uber, DiDi or regular taxi. the cost should be $50,000COP ($13USD) Please give me a call a few minutes before you arrive and I will pick you up.
Most ideal time to pickup the bikes is 9am. Any later and you cut your first riding day short.
*Instrucciones en Español* Subiendo por el antigua via Del Mar por donde hay el carcel Pedregal. Pasando por loma Pajarito. En los partidas de San Pedro toma un izquierda llendo por Boquerón. Pasando vereda Yolombo y Ilusion. Dispues pasando estos dos veredas puedes llegar a San José de la Montana.
Recommended Hotels
We recommend hotel Casa Laureles, its close to our office, has onsite parking and is located in a nice neighborhood, :
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Hotel Casa Laureles - http://www.booking.com/Share-vUPbFL
Filling up with gas
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Please “Extra” fuel is put into the vehicle
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“Lleno de Extra Por favor”
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You need to get off the bike for them to fill it up
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Please bring the bike back with a full tank.
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We charge $25USD if the tank isn't filled.
Parking
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Please park the bike inside your hotel or inside a guarded parking lot. (parqueadero)
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Use the steering lock on the motorcycle when it's not in use.
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The renter shall ensure that all reasonable care is taken in handling and parking the vehicle and that it is securely locked when not in use.
Toll Roads
Motorcycles don't need to pay tolls in Colombia. You’ll see a dedicated motorcycle lane on the far right of the toll station on highways, that allows you to pass without paying.
Documents
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Documents are located in a small box inside the top box.
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If you lose the documents you will be charged $150USD to replace them.
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Please make sure to return the documents and keys to us when you return the bike.
Theft / damages
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Renters are responsible for all damages to the bikes.
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Call immediately in case of emergency
Money
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Dollars / Euros are not accepted in Colombia
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Yes, all the small towns on our routes have ATM/cash machines. Most places, including hotels, don't take credit card.
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We recommend carrying $400,000 Colombian pesos with you during your trip incase you need gas in a remote area etc.
Luggage storage
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
Medellin Tunel del Oriente
Motorcycles Prohibited
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Medellin has recently opened up the "Tunel del Oriente" which connects Medellin with the rapidly growing “Oriente” (east of Medellin) region.
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Please note that although Google Maps displays this as a functioning road, motorcycles are not allowed to use the tunnel.
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Police love to hang out there and get bribes from people who make the mistake of trying to enter the tunnel.
Sonsón to Salamina
Remember, Google Maps isn't 100% accurate. I've had people try to drive from Sonson to Salamina with Google Maps and it took them down some sort of walking path or horse trail.
You can see the correct route on the right and also click here for the correct route from Sonson To Salamina
If you are driving from Sonson to Salamina please be sure to ask the people to show you the road to Salamina or Aguadas.
Amazingly, some of the people don't know what Salamina is even though it's just a couple of towns over. If you ask people to show you the road to Aguadas they should be able to show you.
Remember that the road to Salamina is a big unpaved road that cars and big trucks drive down. It's not a walking path or horse trail.
Gaia GPS shows the correct route out of town.
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You are more than welcome to store your bags at our office.
Sonsón to Pensilvania
Remember, Google Maps isn't 100% accurate. The route from Sonson to Pensilvania is not on google maps. Please use the following map for the correct driving route: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/Q9sby8dOx0U5PxKLM6rrudoD
SPEED CAMERAS
While helpful road sign can be a bit of a hit and miss, you can trust that speed cameras are not only abundant but also immaculately maintained. Fines can be hefty so unless you don’t mind parting with $150USD for being just over the legal speed limit, keep your eye on your speed.
If speed cameras capture your image, expect to receive a bill for the offense by mail. It may take about a month for it to arrive, but trust that it will arrive. Nothing else arrives by post in Colombia but, miraculously, speed fines always do. Multiple statements may show up if you fail to notice the cameras on several occasions on the same stretch of road.
The green arrow shows the correct location to leave Sonson to Salamina
THE SUZUKI DR650 DOESNT HAVE A FUEL GAUGE
THE RANGE ON A FULL TANK OF GAS IS AROUND 200KM
No Gas Gauge - The Suzuki DR650 is a great bike but it doesn't have a fuel gauge. No DR650 comes with a fuel gauge. You will get around 200km per tank of gas from the bike. Make sure that after you fill up you reset the kilometers on the odometer so you know how long you have before you need to stop for gas again.
Please be sure to fill up on gas before you return the bike
This really helps us a lot. Here is a google maps link to a gas station that is located near our office: San Cristobal - Esso Gas Station
Remember, I'm always available to help you. Just give me a call and I'll help you out in any way I can.
Enjoy the ride!!
- Jeff
ContractS
This map uses GAIA GPS and shows the correct route from Sonson to Salamina
Use the Waze App to help you avoid speed cameras - I recommend using the Waze App to see where police checkpoints and speed cameras are located. The app will also advise you on the speed limit in the area.
Suzuki DR650 does not have a fuel gauge. It has a max range of 200km per tank of gas. It does have a small reserve switch located on the left-hand side.