Getting Around Montería: An Overview
Montería is a mid-sized city on the Sinú River, and getting around it is generally straightforward. As is common in most Colombian municipalities, public transportation is tightly integrated into the city, and a system of taxis and several lines of large and small buses serve the community on surface streets. The city also lies on a major highway connecting Medellín to Sincelejo and extending on to Cartagena and Barranquilla, so it has arterial connections to the rest of the country.
One thing to understand before you arrive: Montería is split by the Sinú River, and how you cross it shapes a lot of local travel. The city's 1st Avenue runs along the river, with Simón Bolívar Park separating the river from the avenue. The bridge spanning the Sinú is a local landmark, and there is also a traditional river crossing by raft.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Montería has no rail, metro or tram network. There is nothing in the way of trains or light rail for a visitor to use, so you can plan your trip entirely around road-based transport, walking and the river crossing. The city's public transport is built on buses, taxis and motorcycle taxis running on surface streets.
Buses and Public Transport
Buses in Montería are known locally as busetas, and both large and small buses serve the community. The safest ones to use are the yellow buses run by the company MetroBus. Fares are paid per ride, and there is a small discount if you use the local rechargeable card, ElTike, instead of paying cash.
- ElTike card: Can be purchased at the MetroBus terminal. There is a one-time cost for the card itself, and it must then be topped up with a minimum recharge amount.
- Paying cash: You can simply pay the driver per ride, though the fare is slightly higher than the card rate.
- MetroSinu: A frequent yellow bus service that connects the bus terminal with downtown. Buses leave from inside the terminal.
If you are arriving by long-distance coach, the bus terminal sits southeast of downtown on Calle 41, and the MetroSinu bus is the easy link between the terminal and the centre. Note that on Tuesdays motorcycles are banned from the city, which means less traffic but slower buses.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
All the taxis in Montería are regulated, which makes them a very safe option. You can stop one on the street or call one to pick you up. Fares are modest during the day, but at night a ride can cost more than twice the daytime rate, and the destination also affects the price.
- Negotiate first: Foreigners in particular should agree on the price with the driver before getting in, or risk being charged more.
- Night rates: Expect to pay considerably more after dark, so confirm the fare up front.
Motorcycle taxis, known as mototaxis or rapimotos, are everywhere in Montería and are the vehicle of choice for many locals. They are the cheapest and fastest way to get around, with a short trip costing very little. They are economical and quick, but as with any motorcycle taxi, ride with care and agree the price beforehand.
Walking and the River Crossing
Central Montería is compact enough that walking is a practical way to cover the sights, especially along the river. The city's 1st Avenue runs along the Sinú, and Simón Bolívar Park sits between the river and the avenue — a pleasant stretch that is home to wild monkeys and sloths. The Colonial-era Cathedral of Saint Jeronimo is surrounded by a park, and the commercial district offers shopping centres, malls, streets lined with shops and plenty of restaurant chains, all of which are walkable in the centre.
The river itself can be crossed either by the bridges or by planchón — a flat, roofed wooden raft that crosses the Sinú. Planchones have served as an alternative way to cross the river ever since they were first used before a proper bridge was built, and they remain one of the most remarkable features of the city. They are inexpensive to ride. Any of the planchones along the Ronda del Sinú are perfectly safe, but it is advised not to use the ones by the market after dark.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Montería is served by Los Garzones Airport, an international airport that provides service to major cities via Avianca, LATAM Airlines and other passenger and cargo carriers. Major cities served from the airport include Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, among other places. Once you land, the practical options for reaching the city are the same road-based modes that serve the rest of Montería: regulated taxis, buses and motorcycle taxis. Taxis are the most straightforward choice for a visitor with luggage — agree the fare with the driver before getting in, and expect to pay more at night. If you would rather use public transport, the city's busetas and the yellow MetroBus services run on surface streets, and the MetroSinu service links the long-distance bus terminal with downtown.
Practical Tips
- Buy an ElTike card at the MetroBus terminal if you plan to use the buses regularly — the per-ride fare is lower with the card.
- Always agree the taxi fare before getting in, day or night.
- Use the yellow MetroBus busetas, which are considered the safest buses.
- Remember that motorcycles are banned from the city on Tuesdays — buses run slower that day.
- Cross the Sinú by planchón for the experience, but stick to the ones along the Ronda del Sinú and avoid the market-area rafts after dark.