Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga is in Colombia in the Santander region.
Understand
Bucaramanga is a medium range city with approx 700,000 inhabitants, nice and straight talking people. Though their straightness in their talk may be misunderstood, it is just a way to maintain things clear and without hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is highly discouraged in Santander's society. Friendship is highly appreciated.
Get in
As always in Colombia, foreigners are advised NOT to travel by car ALONE. You can go out with your family, your friends or with a guide with no problem. They will take you to their farms, nearby towns and resorts without problem.
Bucaramanga has a domestic airport, Palonegro Airport (BGA), and It has connections with some cities in Colombia (Bogotá, Medellín, Cúcuta, Yopal and others), and It's located about 45 minutes away from Bucaramanga, near the town of Lebrija.
By bus, is also a safe way to travel. The city offers a clean, modern and nice bus station (La Terminal de Transportes de Bucaramanga) from where you can take busses to almost any destination around Colombia.
Buy
To buy shoes, there is not a better place than Bucaramanga, due to the many shoe factories the prices are inexpensive. Good leather and excellent manufacturing.
Pineapples are an excellent buy. The best pineapples in the world, with only competence of the Hawaiian pineapples.
Get out