'''Turbo''' is a city in the Antioquia region of Colombia.
Turbo itself doesn't have a lot to offer, and it's primary interest to travellers is its role as the place to get a boat to Capurgana, from where it is possible to get a boat to Puerto Obaldia in Panama.
The city itself has a population of just under 50,000, so there is stuff going on if you do decide to spend a few days here. There is a main plaza in the centre of Turbo, and most of the shops and restaurants are within a few minutes walk of the plaza.
The docks where the boats leave from is just over the bridge from the main plaza, although you can find it just by following the smell; the water around the docks is a fetid, putrid mass of sludge that almost seems alive as it bubbles with the methane given off by decaying sewage.
More information on Turbo can be found on the city's government website: http://www.turbo-antioquia.gov.co/
Get in
Bus
Turbo is on the Pan-American highway, and there are regular buses here from Medellin. The ride from Medellin takes about 7 hours, but beware as the road is one of the worst main highways in Colombia, with frequent breaks in it due to landslides and much of it is untarmaced.
Boat
Boats to Turbo depart from Capurgana, further along the coast.
Get around
See
Do
Turbo has a beach (admitedly, not a particularly nice one), about 15 minutes walk from the main plaza, crossing over a concrete bridge that affords a nice view of the surrounding mangrove swamps. If you don_Lt fancy the walk, there is a bus service, or you can get a taxi or motorcycle. There are a couple of nice bars on the beach, which faces west, so it's a great place to go and watch the sun set.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Mid-range
Hotel 2000. alle 101 N__ 12-115. couple of minutes walk from the main plaza. 27 2333/827 2214. 27 5355. A good, clean hotel with rooms from 40,000 COP for a single (70,000 with AC) and 70,000 COP for a double (90,000 with AC)
Hotel Playa Mar. v. La Playa Turbo. n the main beach road at the far end, near the military barracks.. 27 2205/310 490 9250. anmen65@yahoo.com. A nice little hotel situated right on the beach, with rooms from 40,000 COP.
Budget
Residencia Marcela. arrera 14-B 110-54. 27 2487. Very simple and basic with rooms from 7000 COP.
Residencia Turbo. few doors along from the Residencia Marcela. Very simple and basic with rooms from 7000 COP.
In addition to the above, there are a range of cheap hotels, just opposite the docks where the boats leave from.
Contact
Get out
By Boat
Tickets for the boats go on sale from about 6am, with boats leaving up until just before midday; it_Ls advisable to get a ticket as early as possible to be certain of getting a place however.
The main operator seems to be Cootransflumar (872 9280).
A ticket to Capurgana costs 49,000 COP, although be aware that you will also be required to pay 1,000 COP for every 2 kilos of luggage that you take when you board the boat. The ride to Capurgana is 3 hours of worth of concussion-inducing bumps as the launch jumps the waves, so be prepared before you go. You and your stuff are also likely to get wet, so take appropriate precautions (although large plastic bags are available for sale on the docks).