Bogota Reports

[Elvis 2008]

In general, I preferred Uber because there is a record of where you are going, it is cheaper than taxis, and directions are much less of a problem. There were two exceptions.

If you are leaving Santa Fe, you are going to have a hard time getting an Uber driver to pick you up there in my experience. I found the wait times triple for Uber there.

If you are going to the airport, Uber is fine. If you want a ride on Uber from the airport, you have to meet the driver in the parking lot and connecting with the driver can be a pain.

I would recommend taxis for most people leaving the airport but make sure to negotiate the rates upfront. I got ripped off the first time I came to Bogota. When you leave Santa Fe, I would also recommend a taxi but just make sure you have your phone and GPS because a lot of the taxi drivers are not direction savvy. If you are coming from a long way out to Santa Fe, I would get a cab to Hotel Ibis and call for an Uber from there.

[Elvis 2008]

Even though I agree that anyone can spend their money how they want, let's not make this sound like everyone needs an expat to show them around. You'll be giving people (especially newbies) the wrong impression.

IQ, the first time I went to Santa Fe I went on my own and had an okay time with a woman in a room that was really beat down, and the woman was cute but pretty much average in the sack.

The next time I went to Santa Fe was with Woodman. He and I toured the strip clubs. He picked out the hottest stripper in a second and we settled in got dances from her, and I took her to the back for 15 minutes.

Woodman and I checked out the street scene. Once again, he honed in on a young girl with a huge chest that I would have passed up as she was not striking from a distance. He also told me the hotel she was working out of was new and nice, well nice for Santa Fe. I do not think I would have picked this one out. We go over to talk to her. I tell Woodman what I want (a massage, oral without), and he is negotiating price with her. She is negotiating with him as she skillfully is stroking my cock and I am feeling up her huge tits. It was the end of our tour, and the room and girl are both much better than what I negotiated on my own.

Woodman told me about good places to eat, where to get prescriptions like a testosterone booster at a decent price, and we talked about American v. Colombian women. When it came to safety, I said to Woodman, "This place has a crazy vibe, but it really doesn't seem that unsafe. ", and he said like he just did on this forum, "Yeah, it really is not that unsafe. ".

An ISG member and I hung out together a few times later, and we saw Woodman and talked to him and he was always friendly. He even gave us updates on the good things he saw. In the end, the best two women I had from Santa Fe were strippers and I met them like I met the best strippers in USA, more like right time and right place.

You don't need him to get a woman, but that was not the value he provided. For me, it was the recommendations of certain women, the hotels, a good pharmacy, quick information, affirming what I was seeing, negotiating with a woman to make certain I got exactly what I wanted (I got that when I did it on my own. It was just easier with someone who was fluent in Spanish.).

You don't need a guide to see Bogota in general, but I think if you get one, it will enhance your trip. I would say the same about Woodman, and that is why in my opinion, his tour was worth every penny. It is not necessary to get laid, but I think given his knowledge, you are much more likely to have a better time if you are a newbie than if you went to Santa Fe on your own. That is my experience anyway.

[Cm6363]

It always depends on the person's comfort level. For those unfamiliar with Bogota, Uber is good because you will know the price approximately when you order. The same for Beat and Didi, but the prices are better. Taxis are okay for short distances and if you are concerned about being taken for a ride, use the car services. Car services are also easier if you don't speak much Spanish. The advantage of taxis is that when they are available immediately, you don't have to wait a long time for a car servie. Also, there is no surge pricing which is becoming increasingly annoying.

Taxis have a meter. You check the double to low triple digit number against "un carta" and then add additional prices like COP 2,000 for arriving after 8 pm or Sunday & Holiday rides or to and from the airport COP 4,000. The taxi driver can also press the meter and it gives a price. Be careful though. I have seen the meter include extras and then the driver asks for the extra again. The additional costs are in a small box on the bottom left of the card.

Also note, Bogota's traffic is organized to make cars go strange routs because left turns crossing over opposing traffic are generally not permitted. Then again, going a few blocks out of the way for this will ring up an extra 10 c - 25 c. Don't sweat it.

Last, especially if you are not familiar with any city, take advice about not walking around in areas that look shady and just as importantly, isolated. In Bogota, a taxi ride for 10 blocks at night will cost you $1. 75. Why sweat it? Just use your instincts and err on the side of caution.

[SoberHans69]

Hi Dear,

Area around Santa FE is bit sketchy but you can walk easily. I would prefer taxi in dark. Taxi will take you to street where all the clubs are. You can roam between clubs and during this time better not to show off your phone and valuables. You can use translation and easy to communicate. Normally in all clubs standard time is 20 mi utes room hire that is paid by girl. She will charge you 60,000 or 70,000 peso for 20 minutes. Maid in hotel (specially paisa club will seek some tip and it will help you to get better room and bit tolerant with time). There is police presence at night and better get taxi when you come back. Many girls are willing to go to your hotel. Always talk photo of taxi number plate and let drive clearly know what are you doing. Try to talk to some one on the phone and pretend to talk in english detailing taxi and number. It will ensure driver will not even dare to cheat you or mug you. I been there for 4 nights and did not have any problem. I took ladies to my hotel Tequendama and once ladies are with you are more safe in taxi. Hygiene is not great as you cannot take shower only wash your private part. So better take with you mouth wash and wipes in case you want to meet multiple ladies. You can overcome your hygiene issue but also ask girl to use your mouth wash to clean her mouth (otherwise she might have sucked previous client tool and kissing will be unhygienic). I overcomed hygenic fears using mouth wash and wipes. It is damn cheap and just under $100 you can fuck 3-4 girls (20 minutes watch).

Thanks for the detailed reply.

[World Travel 69]

Ask The price for the Ride and pay them, what is right.

[KangarooTed]

I don't understand the paranoia either.

I understand the paranoia. It's because members often post hearsay from 40 years ago, and others read it thinking it's relevant today and true.

In addition to the OP who believes you need to pretend to be talking on the phone to ". Ensure driver will not even dare to cheat you or mug you. " there are now other members that think they're going to get MUGGED by a taxi driver.

And the myth is perpetuated to infinity.

[JjBee62]

I don't understand the paranoia either. I have been to Colombia over 100 times. I have always just flagged a random taxi down, gotten in, told him where I was going, and paid once I got there. Why are people making it so complicated?

Everyone wants their horse to win. If they prefer to use Uber, they believe everyone is better off using Uber. If they always use taxis, they don't understand why anyone would bother with Uber.

I use the Transmilenio and the SiTP bus system and could care less how everyone else gets around.

It's the same with everything. It's all "my way is best. My hotel is best, my ATM is best."

Whatever works best for you, put on your Nikes and just do it.

[Mr Enternational]

Always interesting to get some varying tips from members.

I'm of a completely different view to the above advice that seems to be based on a misunderstood wives tale from before I was born.

I don't understand the paranoia either. I have been to Colombia over 100 times. I have always just flagged a random taxi down, gotten in, told him where I was going, and paid once I got there. Why are people making it so complicated?

[IronQuinn]

Your advice is good except it doesn't take into account one thing. Not all people are wired the same.

One extreme example is an old buddy of mine. He could, and would, say anything to anyone and get away with it. I've seen him walk up to a group of bikers and start asking each of them when was the last time they jerked off. Within 20 minutes they were all his best friends. He could talk a nun into a blowjob. If he had hit Bogota in his prime he would have had guys lined up to pay the street girls double and he'd have the girls giving him all the free pussy he could handle, even though they were getting the same price they always got.

Then there was my old roommate. Nice guy, reasonable looking. Couldn't get laid if he crawled up a hen's ass. My girlfriend used to bring girls over for him. Each time the girl was stuck there for the night. He never even managed to get a kiss from one of them. The last one, we all played strip poker then got in the hot tub naked. She ended up in the shower with me and my girlfriend. That guy, in Bogota, would never venture south of Calle 93. Unless I took him to a casa, picked out a girl and paid her, he would sit in his hotel and admire the trees.

Some guys need a wingman. Some guys don't. Some need just a few tips and some need a babysitter. If someone ends up in Bogota and can't work up the nerve to take the plunge alone, hopefully he can find someone to ease him into it.

I hear you, man. Some people have it, and some don't. Good stories. Your old pal seems like a great guy, I'd have gotten along with him. It just seems crazy to me that some people are so fearful, when in reality, they're just working themselves up. You can lead a horse to water. Blah, blah, blah.

[Woodman09]

Have stayed at the hotel San Francisco a couple of times. Even the front desk people will tell you it is NOT safe to walk around outside after dark. During the day it is generally safe, but I have been followed and bothered by skanky pesty men in that area during the daytime also. I have also been warned not to take the street taxis because the drivers will take the wrong route on purpose to run up the tab, however the hotel designated taxi drivers will try to overcharge too by not using a meter and quoting you a gringo price when you get out. This is the tourist problem.

I recommend you stay at Hotel Museo IBIS pronounced "EEBEE". The rooms are much nicer and about the same price, there are restaurants downstairs that are quite good and a Crepes and Waffles around the corner. The area is somewhat safer and you can visit the museum right across the street, however the hotel concierge "white taxi" drivers will try to overcharge there, it has been my experience, I would recommend you stay away from them and use the street taxi drivers.

I live near the SF hotel about 3-4 blocks from. That area is not really dangerous there are machine gun toting soldiers 1 block away and police all over. The Colombians tend to be overly cautious IMO.

There are nice restaurants 3 blocks east on carrera 7 and also the Teusaquillo area where the soldiers are.

The area has many poor people but they are mostly not dangerous.

[KangarooTed]

Hi Dear,

Always talk photo of taxi number plate and let drive clearly know what are you doing. Try to talk to some one on the phone and pretend to talk in english detailing taxi and number. It will ensure driver will not even dare to cheat you or mug you.

Always interesting to get some varying tips from members.

I'm of a completely different view to the above advice that seems to be based on a misunderstood wives tale from before I was born.

My advice. Don't take photos of the taxi number. And don't try to talk to some one on the phone and pretend to talk in English detailing the taxi number.

According to my records the last time someone was mugged by a taxi driver was 1993.

So instead of messing about distracting yourself, just pay attention to where you are going and relax.

[Xavter]

I've seen some reports about the issues with taxis for gringos. Is Uber a better option since the pricing is set and the car / driver is traceable?

[Melman111]

Hi DeepXliv,

I could not reply to your PM as you may have selected not to receive PMs, my reply to your PM is below:

Hi Dear,

Most Colombian girls are good in sex and GFE should not be an issue. Kissing is no issue at all, they will kiss you in few seconds. Oral without condom is ok 8 out of 10. Yes, if you take them for few hours, time starts when you are in Hotel. You can take their wattsapp numbers and can invite them next day if you like. Most Colombian girls will let you take photo or video as long as face is not exposed. Few allowed me photos without any question. It depends on your chemistry, trust and state of girl (after few drinks many girls are more open). Happy mongering.

[NeilGeorge]

I plan on staying close to Santa Fe, is it safe to walk around the area where the San Francisco hotel is for example as I love to do lots of walking?
Also I have read many times not to use your phone in Santa Fe. If someone doesn't speak any Spanish, what's the best way to negotiate with the SW's if you can't use Google translate on your phone?

Thanks.

Have stayed at the hotel San Francisco a couple of times. Even the front desk people will tell you it is NOT safe to walk around outside after dark. During the day it is generally safe, but I have been followed and bothered by skanky pesty men in that area during the daytime also. I have also been warned not to take the street taxis because the drivers will take the wrong route on purpose to run up the tab, however the hotel designated taxi drivers will try to overcharge too by not using a meter and quoting you a gringo price when you get out. This is the tourist problem.

I recommend you stay at Hotel Museo IBIS pronounced "EEBEE". The rooms are much nicer and about the same price, there are restaurants downstairs that are quite good and a Crepes and Waffles around the corner. The area is somewhat safer and you can visit the museum right across the street, however the hotel concierge "white taxi" drivers will try to overcharge there, it has been my experience, I would recommend you stay away from them and use the street taxi drivers.

[JjBee62]

Even though I agree that anyone can spend their money how they want, let's not make this sound like everyone needs an expat to show them around. You'll be giving people (especially newbies) the wrong impression. This is the greatest info I can give to anyone coming to a country to monger: be prepared. Some people out there want all the rewards without putting in any effort. If someone relies on somebody else to make decisions for them, and plans on using their phone for translation purposes, that person is a fool. You have no control over anything, and become a dependent rather than choosing your own way. That's the guy you don't want to be.

There are plenty of girls in Santa Fe, and they know why you're there. This makes it even easier. Of course you can get the girl you want, just go up and talk to her. Learn basic Spanish, really just basic will do. Ask her where she's from, what her name is, how old she is, and tell her she has a nice smile. You'll have a blast if you just do basic preparation. Why would anyone be afraid to talk to the girls? They are there to make money from you. You hold all the cards. I don't want to sound harsh on this, but just have some backbone. And to any newbies, you can do this easily. I did and so can you. I realize there might be some spineless desk jockeys in here, but I hope most in here would agree you need to put forth some effort.

Your advice is good except it doesn't take into account one thing. Not all people are wired the same.

One extreme example is an old buddy of mine. He could, and would, say anything to anyone and get away with it. I've seen him walk up to a group of bikers and start asking each of them when was the last time they jerked off. Within 20 minutes they were all his best friends. He could talk a nun into a blowjob. If he had hit Bogota in his prime he would have had guys lined up to pay the street girls double and he'd have the girls giving him all the free pussy he could handle, even though they were getting the same price they always got.

Then there was my old roommate. Nice guy, reasonable looking. Couldn't get laid if he crawled up a hen's ass. My girlfriend used to bring girls over for him. Each time the girl was stuck there for the night. He never even managed to get a kiss from one of them. The last one, we all played strip poker then got in the hot tub naked. She ended up in the shower with me and my girlfriend. That guy, in Bogota, would never venture south of Calle 93. Unless I took him to a casa, picked out a girl and paid her, he would sit in his hotel and admire the trees.

Some guys need a wingman. Some guys don't. Some need just a few tips and some need a babysitter. If someone ends up in Bogota and can't work up the nerve to take the plunge alone, hopefully he can find someone to ease him into it.