Bogota Reports

[WindAngel]

Obviously having Spanish proficiency would be a huge plus with the girls, but it seems like it's doable without. I'm wondering how difficult it would be to navigate the city without any Spanish skills. Seems like a few members have hired personal drivers in the past, but many posts also mention very few cabbies know English and Uber's tend to avoid Santa Fe. Would you recommend trying to find a driver for a beginner?

Not sure if Uber avoid Santa Fe but you can always get a taxi. Check the map, you can walk to Hotel SF and call Uber from there. Uber in general is not reliable but it does work. Just need to prepare for longer wait time because the driver frequently got stuck or lost, then cancel the trip.

The street is named using number in a way that it is not difficult to communicate with taxi dive even if you don't know Spanish. You can find a few posts about it.

[Aster14]

Been lurking for a while and currently considering a trip to Bogota. RTFF but still have a few questions I was hoping the seniors could help answer.

An FAQ mentioned that April-May is the rainy season. How bad are we talking usually and does this affect the scene at all? I've been through east Asia and SEA a few times, and was wondering how Colombian rainy season compares.

Obviously having Spanish proficiency would be a huge plus with the girls, but it seems like it's doable without. I'm wondering how difficult it would be to navigate the city without any Spanish skills. Seems like a few members have hired personal drivers in the past, but many posts also mention very few cabbies know English and Uber's tend to avoid Santa Fe. Would you recommend trying to find a driver for a beginner?

Many thanks in advance, I'd be more than happy to answer questions about China and Japan for those interested.

[Woodman09]

Ask your hotel to send a car to pick you up at airport. I will contact Woodman09 for guide service near Santa Fe. The best money I spent during my visit.

Hey,

Thanks, Just want to say the last few weeks following Christmas were not great here, I actually was in SF on New Years and everything was closed. There were lots of Venezolanos partying and throwing firecrackers. They have taken over Santa Fe it is literally a Venezuelan village.

But this week the Girls are back!

[JjBee62]

Now that will get him scammed. Once me and my girlfriend were at the Courtyard Hotel trying to get an Uber to go downtown. Those mfs kept canceling though and it was raining so we decided to take that hotel car without asking the prices. We got downtown and that mf said 28K. I cussed his ass out. I told him that we could have gone from the airport to downtown AND back for that much. He said don't be mad at him, because the hotel sets the prices. I think he ended up knocking it down to 25K though.

I still say he is putting too much thought into getting from the airport. I have always just walked outside and hopped into the first taxi that pulls up. No big deal. Even in Vietnam where I can't even say hello in the local language, a report on ISG said take this kind of taxi. I walked outside and got into that kind of taxi and showed the address of where I was going. Cut and dry.

Or if you are that timid about it, go with one of those guys that come up to you saying taxi when you walk out of Customs. No idea what they charge though. Or ask the hotel (air bnb owner in his case) how much a taxi should be from the airport and tell one of those guys that you will pay that amount to go there.

The hotels usually have set rates for the airport. There's a surcharge. Probably won't get scammed, but will pay more than the going rate.

As for the guys saying taxi inside the airport I can tell you what they charge. Took one late night, first time in Bogota, to hotel near Parque 93. Got there and he asked for $60. The hotel security asked him how much and he repeatedly it. He asked again and it dropped to 60 k. He gave him a brief lecture and told me 40 k, which was still about 15 k too much.

[Mr Enternational]

Another way is to ask your hotel if they have a driver who does airport pickup. In that situation, it can be confusing because he will be parked in the lot and you'll have to figure out where to find him.

Now that will get him scammed. Once me and my girlfriend were at the Courtyard Hotel trying to get an Uber to go downtown. Those mfs kept canceling though and it was raining so we decided to take that hotel car without asking the prices. We got downtown and that mf said 28K. I cussed his ass out. I told him that we could have gone from the airport to downtown AND back for that much. He said don't be mad at him, because the hotel sets the prices. I think he ended up knocking it down to 25K though.

I still say he is putting too much thought into getting from the airport. I have always just walked outside and hopped into the first taxi that pulls up. No big deal. Even in Vietnam where I can't even say hello in the local language, a report on ISG said take this kind of taxi. I walked outside and got into that kind of taxi and showed the address of where I was going. Cut and dry.

Or if you are that timid about it, go with one of those guys that come up to you saying taxi when you walk out of Customs. No idea what they charge though. Or ask the hotel (air bnb owner in his case) how much a taxi should be from the airport and tell one of those guys that you will pay that amount to go there.

[GreenBud]

Is the taxi stand at the airport regulated and trustworthy then?

There is a taxi stand with an official person directing you. I believe they will give you a receipt. Plus they have cameras everywhere. It should be safe. But, as a tourist, every taxi I took at the airport attempted to scam me. Normally just for a small amount, but one time it was ridiculous. I know a girl that will never go back to Colombia because she got extorted for $50 or $80 USD. Probably the same way one taxi driver tried to scam me. When I asked how much, he pointed to the meter, which was a ridiculous amount if you don't use the chart.

A good App to use to calculate the taxi fare is "Calculadora de Tarifas", which has all the necessary inputs for the surcharges. IMO, the airport taxi is safe. Just know what the fare is, be polite, and have exact change. Just like most airports in the world.

I'm from America, and I always tip, especially since they always help you with your luggage. But I hate it when they try to add to the fare without me adding the tip.

There is a coupon service (pre-paid) for a mini-van (as of last May). It cost more, but that's what you might be looking for.

I've tried using Uber multiple times in Santa Fe and not once did it work. I either ended up waiting 35 minutes for them top pick me up and then the driver's cancelling before they can even get near Santa Fe or Uber endlessly trying to find a driver that would pick me up. Maybe it worked for you because it was at 4:30 am? At that time the majority of clubs are closed and there are a lot less people / cars and traffic there at that time. I always tried getting an Uber from 8:00 pm to 1:30 am don't know if that has something to do with it.

Yes, it is a pain the rear to get Uber in Santa Fe, but I've eventually get one. I've gotten it many times around midnite. The problem is that many Uber drivers don't want to pick up in Santa Fe. The Uber App will sometimes say that all its driver are busy. Then you just have to try again. Once a female driver accepted; she was 15 minutes away; she got near my area, and she cancelled. Then I just had to try again. It normally takes me between 10 to 20 minutes to get Uber. Worst case was about 30 minutes.

10 or 20 minute wait is a pain. Next time I'm thinking of using the taxis that's waiting in front of the main clubs. Logically, it seems that it should be safe. Do you use the meter or is it a flat rate? There is a person in a uniform that calls and opens the taxi door. Does he work for the clubs? Do you tip him?

Also, I always put down Troya as the pick-up location. Uber App will put the "preferred pick-up location" at the back entrance. Uber cannot pick or drop you off on that main street.

I usually use Uber. I like that I don't have to tell the taxi driver the address with my bad Spanish accent, or show them the location on Google Maps. But Uber has its bad points. The additional wait and the dreaded surge pricing.

[Coupe66]

JjBee62 and WindAngel, thanks a lot for your helpful feedback! Is the taxi stand at the airport regulated and trustworthy then? I'll probably be staying at an Airbnb, still have to book it. So maybe I can ask the owners for a pick up service. I'll look into it.

[JjBee62]

Hi Bluecar, thanks for your helpful, though rather scary advice about the Transmilenio! Are they safe to use in the day at least? I will be going for 7 10 days, so may be worth me learning the routes. Uber sound like a pain to use there, especially if the Taxis are relatively cheap anyway. So, since Uber and Transmilenio are not recommended, is it easy and safe to hail a cab in Santa Fe at night at least?

Who can advise me about the best way to come from the airport, I looked at Routard's report but don't see anything there. And is Santa Fe relatively dead in the daytime or not? And are chica's paid upfront or afterwards, here in Belgium for example East European women take payment first whereas you can pay the Domininican chicas afterwards.

Is Bogota in general not safe to walk around after dark, ie 6 PM ? What about the nicer parts of Usaquen and Chapinero ? I know that for many American visitors this may seem fairly normal as you mainly drive everywhere, but for someone like me who comes from a European city where I can walk about all night if I wanted without a care in the world (Antwerp), that's pretty sad! I am an evening person, so when not mongering, just sitting in Cabs and going to shopping malls at night sounds really boring! Anyway, I will see how it is on the ground. Apologies in advance to Mr Enternational for asking 'mundane' questions and not just winging it, but would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

The best way to get from the airport depends on several things. My last 2 trips to Bogota were just for the weekend and I traveled light. For me the best way was to hop on the free, green SITP bus for Portal Dorado and catch the Transmilenio, then walk the last 3 blocks to my hotel.

Another way is to ask your hotel if they have a driver who does airport pickup. In that situation, it can be confusing because he will be parked in the lot and you'll have to figure out where to find him.

The easiest way is to walk out the door of the airport and find the guy running the taxi stand. Tell him where you are going, he will give you a ticket with the price and direct you to the taxi.

I've ridden every line of the Transmilenio end to end and have never had or seen a problem. I've been on when it was so crowded that everyone should have been wearing condoms. I've been on when it was basically empty. During rush hour traffic it's packed to capacity and beyond. During off hours it's not bad. It's a bumpy ride and you'll get bounced and jerked around, but it's the quickest way to get around.

Chicas are paid afterwards, except for strip clubs and some casas.

I've walked from the middle of Chapinero up to about Calle 130 during the day and night, up to about 11:30 pm. There is always a risk, but I felt reasonably safe.

[WindAngel]

Who can advise me about the best way to come from the airport, I looked at Routard's report but don't see anything there.

Ask your hotel to send a car to pick you up at airport. I will contact Woodman09 for guide service near Santa Fe. The best money I spent during my visit.

[Mr Enternational]

When I tried it, I ended up having to stare at my Iphone X on the streets of Santa Fe for half an hour waiting for an Uber that never showed up (I was with a friend and don't recommend you doing this alone).

There is your problem right there (iPhone). I have a Samsung Galaxy. LOL. Really I have used it from there at all kinds of times and never a problem.

[Turgid]

............The guy kept signaling looking at buddy and then started to do the cross sign (I kinds don't get why but I guess it's like saying "Jesus forgive me for what I'm about to do" ..............

The sign of the cross was more for like "Jesus, give me success in what I'm about to do".

[Coupe66]

OK, so when you are is Santa Fe, Ubers will not be an option be / see the Ubers don't pick people up from that location (they will drop you off be / see they had no choice, but they do have the choice to pick you up from there, which they don't) partly be / see Uber is illegal in Colombia so if the other Taxi's notice the Uber they will call the police, yell, or worse case scenario throw rocks at the Uber which is what Uber drivers told me that had happened and they prob don't want to pick mongers up from that location. There is a learning curve to using the Transmilenio which isn't worth it if you're only going to have a really short stay. Also, I stopped counting how many times I have seen people get robbed after dark at the transmilenio. (There are almost no cops at night and the Transmilenio is full of Venezueleans (Don't want to sound racist) who don't pay to get in because they run past the bus and car lanes and illegally jump into the station. They are usually tall and you will notice the crowd of people at the stations change at night to young males age 15-26. I had a friend who almost got robbed in the Bus. There were 2 guys who came into the semi empty-bus and out of all the seats they could choose, they chose the seats that were on his same row. One of the guys went ahead and sat by himself in the 2 empty seats in the same row but across the walking aisle to my friend but the other guy instead of sitting next to his buddy in the empty seat decided to sit right next to my friend. The guy was staring at my friends jean pocket and saw the shape of a phone within his jeans. The guy kept signaling looking at buddy and then started to do the cross sign (I kinds don't get why but I guess it's like saying "Jesus forgive me for what I'm about to do" My friend bolted out of there and got out at the next stop. If you're going alone, I would say just get a taxi and try not to have an accent LOL.

Hi Bluecar, thanks for your helpful, though rather scary advice about the Transmilenio! Are they safe to use in the day at least? I will be going for 7 10 days, so may be worth me learning the routes. Uber sound like a pain to use there, especially if the Taxis are relatively cheap anyway. So, since Uber and Transmilenio are not recommended, is it easy and safe to hail a cab in Santa Fe at night at least?

Who can advise me about the best way to come from the airport, I looked at Routard's report but don't see anything there. And is Santa Fe relatively dead in the daytime or not? And are chica's paid upfront or afterwards, here in Belgium for example East European women take payment first whereas you can pay the Domininican chicas afterwards.

Is Bogota in general not safe to walk around after dark, ie 6 PM ? What about the nicer parts of Usaquen and Chapinero ? I know that for many American visitors this may seem fairly normal as you mainly drive everywhere, but for someone like me who comes from a European city where I can walk about all night if I wanted without a care in the world (Antwerp), that's pretty sad! I am an evening person, so when not mongering, just sitting in Cabs and going to shopping malls at night sounds really boring! Anyway, I will see how it is on the ground. Apologies in advance to Mr Enternational for asking 'mundane' questions and not just winging it, but would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

[Turgid]

You been to Brasil? In my experience, they do it way more than any other destination.

I've never been rimmed in Brazil but I do believe they would do it if asked, they're up for any thing. I've never asked as it's not in my repertoire. However, in Asia in some saunas its a mandatory part of the service provided by the wgs.

[BlueCar]

Actually I posted pictures here last October of when an Uber picked me up in Santa Fe at about 4:30 am. Here it is once again.

I've tried using Uber multiple times in Santa Fe and not once did it work. I either ended up waiting 35 minutes for them top pick me up and then the driver's cancelling before they can even get near Santa Fe or Uber endlessly trying to find a driver that would pick me up. Maybe it worked for you because it was at 4:30 am? At that time the majority of clubs are closed and there are a lot less people / cars and traffic there at that time. I always tried getting an Uber from 8:00 pm to 1:30 am don't know if that has something to do with it. I know that if you walk a couple blocks away from the center of Santa Fe it might work but isn't recommended as these streets can be more empty. I don't know how it worked for you. When I tried it, I ended up having to stare at my Iphone X on the streets of Santa Fe for half an hour waiting for an Uber that never showed up (I was with a friend and don't recommend you doing this alone).

[Mr Enternational]

OK, so when you are is Santa Fe, Ubers will not be an option be / see the Ubers don't pick people up from that location (they will drop you off be / see they had no choice, but they do have the choice to pick you up from there, which they don't) partly be / see Uber is illegal in Colombia so if the other Taxi's notice the Uber they will call the police, yell, or worse case scenario throw rocks at the Uber which is what Uber drivers told me that had happened and they prob don't want to pick mongers up from that location.

Actually I posted pictures here last October of when an Uber picked me up in Santa Fe at about 4:30 am. Here it is once again.