Bogota Reports

[Woodman09]

I was at Bancolombia taking out $100 usd and the screen said "we can't process your transaction right now because of technical difficulties". No problem. They charged my account anyway but when that happens, it usually gets reimbursed in 5 minutes. It's been 4 days and still no reimbursement. I went to the Bancolombia bank that the ATM belonged to and they said they can't do anything about it and I have to talk with my bank. I talked to my bank and they said they will look into it and send me a letter with a decision in 14 Business days. I remember this happening to my cousin 2 years ago when he took out $400 usd in pesos Colombianos from another Colombian ATM and he waited too long to grab it and the ATM just ate back the money but still charged him the $400. He talked with his American bank and after a month, his bank only agreed to pay him back $200. Ever since then, my cousin no longer uses ATMS.

Schwab checking is free with Free ATM except if you go to Citi.

[Woodman09]

It's a stupid law, but calling in and inputing the IMEI to register the phone should take all of 2-3 minutes.

If your Spanish isn't good enough, get the person selling the SIMcard to help you. Slip them an extra 2000 or so for their trouble.

Also, if your phone is blocked in Colombia, it could very well be blocked in the US too, so be careful!

They do this for you at PanAmericano stores, there are representatives for TIGO, Virgen, Claro.

[Woodman09]

I couldn't conceive of worse advice!

1) the north is actually the MOST dangerous part of Bogot to be hanging out at, ESPECIALLY if you're solo. Thieves in Bogot go where the money is.

2) it's also the most boring and most expensive.

Honestly, if you want to stay north of 72, it's better to not even come here!

Yes, that is where the kidnap taxis are, a us diplomat was murdered a few years back that way.

Also in La Candeleria tourists are hunted and there have been whole hostels robbed there in the past.

[PirateMorgan]

I guess that is the reason there are no police in Beverly Hills Calif, Forest Hills NY, Fisherman's Wharf in S. F. Best to stay out of every nice place. Parque 93 in Bogota must be avoided then. I can't figure out why there are so many people on Carrera 15 and Carrera 11 walking around at all hours of the night. Guess its better to hide out on skid row. No one would think of looking for a rich gringo there.

Goofy ideas get goofy responses.

[IronQuinn]

Ok, so PolloNegro is telling us again that he doesn't understand casas.

There are no casas in SantaFe. The girls are independent and they take you to a hotel room where management doesn't care what goes on. If you want a safe casa experience in Bogota, go to Chapinero. It's better value, too, because you get a half hour for less than the quicky (knock on door after 10 mins) in SantaFe.

If a girl doesn't perform or does something stupid in a casa, she's quickly out of a job and has to go stand on the street in SantaFe.

PolloNegro, you're an expert in Veracruz in Medellin, well SantaFe is like that only much bigger.

Me, I've had no sessions in Veracruz and disappointing ones in SantaFe, so I wouldn't recommend these areas, but I accept that for other guys that's their sweet spot.

I absolutely agree about going to Chapinero. It's better all the way around. Better prices, service, and safer. There's so much focus on Santa Fe, but I don't know why anyone bothers.

[IronQuinn]

I was at Bancolombia taking out $100 usd and the screen said "we can't process your transaction right now because of technical difficulties". No problem. They charged my account anyway but when that happens, it usually gets reimbursed in 5 minutes. It's been 4 days and still no reimbursement. I went to the Bancolombia bank that the ATM belonged to and they said they can't do anything about it and I have to talk with my bank. I talked to my bank and they said they will look into it and send me a letter with a decision in 14 Business days. I remember this happening to my cousin 2 years ago when he took out $400 usd in pesos Colombianos from another Colombian ATM and he waited too long to grab it and the ATM just ate back the money but still charged him the $400. He talked with his American bank and after a month, his bank only agreed to pay him back $200. Ever since then, my cousin no longer uses ATMS.

When it comes to money in traveling abroad, estimate, and always bring everything you need with you. Change a little over in the airport, and the rest on the street. When you go out, take only what you need from the stash. I've done it this way for years, and never had to dick around with ATMs or banks.

[Bango Cheito]

My recommendation has always been, if you're concerned about being able to walk around the area, stay north of Calle 72. Generally between Carrera 7 and 15 is what I consider to be less scary for the novice visitor. For the particularly nervous types, I'd move that to north of Calle 85. This is from Jjbee. It is really good advice for anyone new around here. I live here and generally true for me too. North of 72 is just fine. Great advice so follow it. A cab to Santa Fe is no more than five dollars from carrera 15 and calle 100. Comfortable and safe. I don't use the Transmilenio. Just personal taste.

I couldn't conceive of worse advice!

1) the north is actually the MOST dangerous part of Bogotá to be hanging out at, ESPECIALLY if you're solo. Thieves in Bogotá go where the money is.

2) it's also the most boring and most expensive.

Honestly, if you want to stay north of 72, it's better to not even come here!

[Bango Cheito]

Why keep trying to reinvent the wheel and stick out like a sore thumb on top of that? Just go there and walk around like all the other normal people.

You could also bike in and park at the parking garage, entances on cra 16 and 16 a north of cll 23.

But yeah, don't cycle around, just walk.

[Bango Cheito]

I used to get a sim prepaid card from Tigo with something like 5 Gigs of data for 30-50 k (forgot the total amount). Then they started to do dumbshit like turn off my service because my phone wasn't certified (too new for Colombia). Now I just paid a flat fee for roaming internationally with my home provider.

Man, I wouldn't stay anywhere near Santa Fe. You're better off in North Bogota the entire time.

It's a stupid law, but calling in and inputing the IMEI to register the phone should take all of 2-3 minutes.

If your Spanish isn't good enough, get the person selling the SIMcard to help you. Slip them an extra 2000 or so for their trouble.

Also, if your phone is blocked in Colombia, it could very well be blocked in the US too, so be careful!

[BlueCar]

Warning, my friend who is from the states just got robbed. He was walking alone through Chapinero and then 3 guys approached him (1 of them had a knife) and asked him for his phone and then asked him for his wallet. He obliged and they let him go after. He said he ran 4 blocks up and told 2 policemen on a motorcycle and they went off but nothing happened. The bad luck with the ATM machine happened to me but my friend who was alone had it really bad! Stay Safe out there!

[MjTravelLove]

Does anybody know of a similar site but a Colombian version. Feel free to PM me. I am not disturbing sh_t here. I pay for this site and like it, but need a more well-rounded view.

THANKS!

[BlueCar]

I was at Bancolombia taking out $100 usd and the screen said "we can't process your transaction right now because of technical difficulties". No problem. They charged my account anyway but when that happens, it usually gets reimbursed in 5 minutes. It's been 4 days and still no reimbursement. I went to the Bancolombia bank that the ATM belonged to and they said they can't do anything about it and I have to talk with my bank. I talked to my bank and they said they will look into it and send me a letter with a decision in 14 Business days. I remember this happening to my cousin 2 years ago when he took out $400 usd in pesos Colombianos from another Colombian ATM and he waited too long to grab it and the ATM just ate back the money but still charged him the $400. He talked with his American bank and after a month, his bank only agreed to pay him back $200. Ever since then, my cousin no longer uses ATMS.

[Turgid]

Thats crazy. What happened? Did she apologize? Did you tell anyone working there? BTW, damn 15 years ago must have really been something compared to today?

She didn't apologize but looked scared, probably thought I was going to report her which I didn't. I didn't say a word to her or papasan. Back then in my trips I never saw a fellow American and the girls were much thinner then, there were still some fatties but the majority were slim. Also there were more good looking girls and much more white girls. Good days. Its still good today though.

[JjBee62]

No one ever gets robbed at these places, they are the safest places to have sex. That's what I was told, even though I felt very uncomfortable my first & only time at a casa. I am truly sorry to hear about your mishap. I will be visiting Bogota myself next month! Pollo negro is out!

He wasn't in a casa. He was in a short time room with a streetwalker.

[Woodman09]

The first day I took a taxi at around 1 pm.

But, while I was walking a person was siting in a door way, with big tits hanging out, but then the person pulled open the shirt to show me a big dick.

Be careful!

I walked until I found the right chica.

Nice bareback blow job.

Yesterday I went back around 2 pm.

I found a chica in a bar doorway. We went inside. I paid and went into a bed room.

I did not like the bullshit and put my pants to find my money was taken out of my pants..

Wow you must have a lot of bad luck, I have lived in Bogota 7 Plus yrs and been to SF 1000 Plus times.

Never really had any problems like you describe. Just saying.