Bogota Mini Report August 2015
So this was my first time to Colombia, I was coming from a week in Rio. So here goes. Got to the airport around 5:30 pm, went through customs and got my bags. Exchanged some money the rate was 1 usd to 2700 peso. I knew I was going to get ripped a little but whatever. So I leave and head toward the exit. I got one of the security guys to get me a cab. However this wasn't a yellow cab it was like a gypsy cab and the guy gave me a receipt. He led me to the parking lot which had his son awaiting to take me to my destination. Charge was 70 k from airport to Batan area. On the way out I took a yellow cab and was like 27k peso. I needed to get where I needed to go so I didn't sweat it but knew it was a little high. So we finally get there the driver. I feel like I'm in California the way the houses are designed. Did have a guard at the beginning of the street and he gave me the keys. So the driver lets me out and says 75 k I say the receipt says 70 k, he also didn't have exact change. He states " propina voluntario" so he basically got a tip due to not having correct change. So to sum it up I didn't some tourist things and checked the city out a little since I only had 2 days there. I am impressed with the Transmillenio however a city of 8 million it can get tight in them buses. Now to the mongering. Thanks to WorldTravel69 as I posted on here for information regarding Zona Norte and he was quick to respond with some address. I found all and a couple were closed along Calle 15. The closed locations were 106-58 and 106-60. I didn't see where the entrance for the " massage " was at the Hotel Dan Carlton. I ended up going to 104-03 mezzanine 13. Had about 6-7 girls chose Sofia, prices are 60 k-HJ, 70 k-BJ,80-k FS all with massage. Paid upfront as well. The massage was ok, the sex was ok but I think the small rooms killed it for me. Take out is available as well since I got her number. I checked all the other mezzanines as well but looks like the same set up. Would I repeat maybe maybe not who knows. Bogota was sunny and light showers on and off throughout the day.
Trip report continued. The Cons of Bogota
OK, so Bogota, isn't the Caribbean. But by the way, bring sunscreen! My face got roasted. Despite the coolness and the elevation. You're almost at the equator and the sun if super strong. Leave the shorts at home and bring a light jacket.
Cons.
- Bogota is huge in terms of land area. Although I did my fair share of walking, you'll need to either master the Transmilenio bus system, or rely on taxis. When you get picked up the meter should start a 25 and there should be a rate card in the pocket in the seat in front of you. There are surcharges though that you need to watch out for. I. e. If you go from one zone to another and some other BS. I think enough's been written about taxi's on this forum.
- Traffic. Too many cars, and if you don't watch out, you can get killed. You need to be super vigilant crossing any intersection and don't rely on the crosswalk light. Look both ways all the time. Aside from the cars, Bogota is motorbike / cycle central. They drive just as nuts as the taxi guys.
- Never, and I repeat never, rent a car in Bogota, unless you have a burning desire to experience having to utilize the Collision Damage Waiver aspect of the insurance coverage. I saw the back end of no less than a half dozen accidents during the time I was there.
- You can get seriously hurt by just walking down the street. There are tons of electrical utility box covers that are off leaving good sized holes in the sidewalk that go down far enough for you to either break or twist an ankle of fall flat on your face. Watch where you walk.
- The people. I found them to be impersonal and not friendly at all. I was the only gringo in Chapinero from what I saw. I was basically ignored and when I tried to engage someone in Spanish, they were very standoffish. I only encountered a few people that could speak any English. These people were cordial, but for the most part, I didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from the locals.
- Dogs. Colombians, and especially the security firms, have a fascination with aggressive breed dogs and they love to showcase them with muzzles on them. This was somewhat intimidating.
- Santa Fe. Needless to say, as someone posted on here in the past, it's a dump. I will give a separate post with more details.
- Casas in Chapinaro, Calle's 60 and north. Went to one on Calle 71. Chica Millenio or something to that effect. It had a bunch of guys hanging out in front and this was 10 in the morning. Guy asked me if I were looking for chicas and I didn't have a good vibe to the area so I said no. Was in somewhat of a residential area near a college type building.
- The mezzanine near Dann Carlton Hotel. Checked this place out my last day en route to the airport. Sampled the goods in one of the establishments. Talk about a broom closet! You've got to be kidding me! Talent was about the best I saw my entire trip. Actually the best talent I saw was at the airport, probably leaving Bogota and going to SXM or somewhere else.
I rise early and made it a point to be back in my hotel by sundown, since Chapinero can be somewhat seedy itself. I can cross Colombia off my bucket list and be proud to say I survived without any MAJOR incident, but I'll get to that in my Sante Fe report. I can see why the real hotties want to go elsewhere since there's more money to be made outside of Colombia. The chica I was with in the mezzanine, quoted 100,000 mil for full service and I didn't even question it, since $35 bucks it what is was going to come out to, and I needed to ditch pesos, before I left the country.
I don't think I'll be returning to Bogota, but it does offer some cultural attractions and I'm sure at night, things pick up in the clubs, but quite frankly, I didn't want to deal with the unknowns, being a first time visitor.
Hope some of this is helpful and be safe in Colombia!