Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[Pierroth16]

I'm planning on going to Bogota, is there any cheap prices to get there, how about time, hotels, and of course information on the ladies in general all the information will be appreciated. By the way I'm planning on going within the next 2 months. I read most of the information but it's from 2, 3 or more months ago.

[Dpilzbo]

Found a few extra days in my vacation/comp time stash and bought my tickets for this month. I will be there May 14th to the 21st. Have not secured a place to stay but know a few options that are open.

T10, I sent you a PM since I see you will be in MDE the same time.

I have been there once just last month and can't wait to explore more casas and other sites!

Dp

[Thomrn10]

I actually did that bus trip in 1978 and although the information is dated, I still remember it as a long haul with multiple border stops and lots of military.

Given the miniborder skirmishes of the past and the big one where the Colombian FARC rebels were killed, it should still be an interesting ride.

Safe travels.

[AddictedToWomen]

I will be taking the bus from Quito to Cali on Monday or Tuesday.

Brave man! I'd love to hear for experiences of that journey (assuming of course you survive it!)

[Artisttyp]

After delaying a tour of Columbia for two years it is time. My second term of six months in Ecuador is drawing to a close. I will be taking the bus from Quito to Cali on Monday or Tuesday. If Medellin and Cartagena are the higher end of the market, Bogota mid-range, then Cali as the budget option will probably be my favorite. Who knows how long I will stay (in Cali). Till I take a bullet in the head?! Whatever the case, here I come ...

Good news we've missed you on ISG. Even better news to know I will be there around the same time frame. I hope.

June 16 until July 15. I don't know If I will last a month but I bought an open ticket ($1, 074. 30 nonstop from nyc) just in case.

We all look forward to your insights and contributions.

*A lucky traveler you are to follow in the footsteps that "tung" has cleared for you.

Artisttyp

[Davidb3069]

After delaying a tour of Columbia for two years it is time. My second term of six months in Ecuador is drawing to a close. I will be taking the bus from Quito to Cali on Monday or Tuesday. If Medellin and Cartagena are the higher end of the market, Bogota mid-range, then Cali as the budget option will probably be my favorite. Who knows how long I will stay. Till I take a bullet in the head? ! Whatever the case, here I come.

I'm sure you've probably put some thought into it, but that route from Quito to Cali might not be the safest for you over land. I always fly to avoid the risk of any problems. Not only that but it's a long ass trip. My wife has taken it a few times in the last 6 months and she wouldn't recommend it for a gringo-looking guy either (and she's half colombian). Frequent stops and searches are supposed to be common as well.

David

[Tungurahua]

After delaying a tour of Columbia for two years it is time. My second term of six months in Ecuador is drawing to a close. I will be taking the bus from Quito to Cali on Monday or Tuesday. If Medellin and Cartagena are the higher end of the market, Bogota mid-range, then Cali as the budget option will probably be my favorite. Who knows how long I will stay (in Cali). Till I take a bullet in the head?! Whatever the case, here I come ...

[Reclusedx]

Hey guys,

looking for a wingman for my trip to Medellin (first timer) in mid-late May. I'm 24, fluent in spanish, flying in out of Miami. Anybody interested PM me.

[Davidb3069]

I flew MDE-CTG before Semana Santa for around US$210 on http://www.aires.aero/Website/Default.aspx. Their web site currently offers MDE-CLO for 100K COP one-way.

Glad there's a lower cost solution. Avianca is way too expensive.

[Tom 33]

This whole region (including Ecuador where I live) is overly inflated in the airline ticket prices. I recently looked at tickets to get to Europe, South America and Asia from here and they were all very high. BKK was up in the $3,000+ range. The same ticket leaving from Orlando, Florida was $1,200 r/t with taxes. All of the international airlines (Delta, Continental, American - and their partners) use US based connections out of Houston, Miami and New York mainly. The cheapest ticket I found going anywhere in Europe or Asia was Spain for $900 r/t with KLM direct.

I ended up flying to Cartagena from Quito for $360+ each ticket r/t + exit taxes. Everything Colombia seems high. Even their in-country flights are incredibly expensive (over $300 each last time I checked).

David

I flew MDE-CTG before Semana Santa for around US$210 on http://www.aires.aero/Website/Default.aspx. Their web site currently offers MDE-CLO for 100K COP one-way.

[Davidb3069]

Does anybody know the availibility and price scale for traveling between Colombia and Thailand during the summer? Has anybody done this?

Thanks,

Hummer

You might also consider buying a r/t ticket to Orlando, Florida (MCO) or Miami (MIA) and flying a r/t ticket to Asia from there. Tickets are cheap right now. I'll fly over there in September myself. Probably out of Orlando.

David

[Davidb3069]

Anyone in Santa Marta, Manizales, or Pereira next month?

Flying in from LAX next week. Post or PM me if you want to chase some hot costeñas y paisas together!

I was just in Santa Marta (Rodadero) - see my trip report in the Cartagena reports area. Was pretty dead. Temps were ok. Prices were still a little elevated.

David

[Davidb3069]

GG,

Wondering about getting to a major destination like HK from Colombia, and using Air Asia to connect. There prices are pretty good. I have not had good luck here in the states for finding fares out of other countries. Are you in Colombia, have you checked the price from Col to Thai? If so what are they quoting you?

I really want to experience the Colombian scene and then the Asian scene within the same trip.

What about Mexico City to Bangkok as a way out of there. Maybe better to go from Bog to MC then BKK, as opposed to Bog to BKK ( if that is possible).

Do you know any other members that have tried this?

This whole region (including Ecuador where I live) is overly inflated in the airline ticket prices. I recently looked at tickets to get to Europe, South America and Asia from here and they were all very high. BKK was up in the $3,000+ range. The same ticket leaving from Orlando, Florida was $1,200 r/t with taxes. All of the international airlines (Delta, Continental, American - and their partners) use US based connections out of Houston, Miami and New York mainly. The cheapest ticket I found going anywhere in Europe or Asia was Spain for $900 r/t with KLM direct.

I ended up flying to Cartagena from Quito for $360+ each ticket r/t + exit taxes. Everything Colombia seems high. Even their in-country flights are incredibly expensive (over $300 each last time I checked).

David

[Dpilzbo]

Just wanted to see if anyone else will be there during that time. I am staying at the Mansion since this is my first trip and it seemed like a pretty fun place to stay for a newbie to the city. I know there are other places to stay and other reasons to stay at other places but I'll work on that my next trip down if needed.

I look forward to meeting any ISG members as well as AG and his staff. They sound like great hosts. I'll at least get to meet him near the end of my stay. Hey djin, I hope you are still going. I haven't heard from ya'!

DP

[Thomrn10]

Heading to Medellin alone at this point. I am working on a place to stay and have stayed at Vip and the Mansion in the past. I am also thinking of an apartment. Let me know if there are any wingmen available.

Safe travels