General Info

[QUOTE=Vitrea;1743017]Agree with you 100%. Got to be the most fucked up international airport in the world. My wait times for transit was 1. 5 hrs in lines for immigration.

There was a young lady that fainted waiting in the lines. Out of dehydration after coming off of a 9 HR flight from BA. No airport staff came to help her and they won't let us go get water for her. I used to whine about PVR and CUN airports but MEX makes them look like a dream. Truly pathetic.[/QUOTE]It is the same if you transit through the US. You have to go through immigration and depending which airport you are going through can take up to 1. 5 hrs, then customs and then security.

I used to go to Colombia via Miami, but no more, had enough of the rude immigration officials. I now transit through Panama or Bogota.

When we go to the casa I think most of of look for certain extras (for me, kissing and BBBJ).

How do you guys negotiate that? I try to pick a girl that smiles / etc. I usually negotiate before picking the girl (if I wait, I may get a no). But in this case they often ask for a specific tip. The downside to this is sometimes the extras are done poorly, and I still have promised a tip (so I pay it).

Do people have other approaches to getting better service? I guess its the luck of the draw, but maybe I can improve the odds.

I never had a problem st ctg or mde airport. Was always in and out quick. As far as states I have global pass so I'm out within minutes.

[QUOTE=Superboy1;1743038]It is the same if you transit through the US. You have to go through immigration and depending which airport you are going through can take up to 1. 5 hrs, then customs and then security.

I used to go to Colombia via Miami, but no more, had enough of the rude immigration officials. I now transit through Panama or Bogota.[/QUOTE]

I been to many place in my years of mongering but because of what is happening to the Haitians in the DR I want to try something new. So which city in Colombia would you suggest for my first trip. I am planning this trip as if I'm traveling alone but usually I have a wingman. Planning on staying less then a week and will be flying form ORD so I don't want to waste a lot of time with layovers. Look for something safe with action 24/7 with some tourist area to take photo of. I would appreciate any comments on Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena good or bad. For a comparison I been to the Manila, Angeles City, Pattaya, Bangkok, San Jose, Panama, Rio, Sosua, Boca Chic and Santa Domingo.

[QUOTE=DickHertz;1745381]I been to many place in my years of mongering but because of what is happening to the Haitians in the DR I want to try something new. So which city in Colombia would you suggest for my first trip. .[/QUOTE]What is happening to Haitians in DR? When I was there last week they looked just fine.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1745413]What is happening to Haitians in DR? When I was there last week they looked just fine.[/QUOTE]The deportation of Haitian or anyone who looks Haitian even if there are citizens of the DR. There was articles in the news last month but the story has died down.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1745413]What is happening to Haitians in DR? When I was there last week they looked just fine.[/QUOTE]I think he's answering the call (from the American media) to boycott Dominican tourism.

Is he a tax-paying DR citizen?

It's their country to do as they please.

Who's to judge? Won't stop me from living my life.

[QUOTE=Parkinsons;1745470]I think he's answering the call (from the American media) to boycott Dominican tourism.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;1742956]I had a six hour layover in Mexico City. Never again will I fly through Mexico City. They make you go through Customs, Immigration and Security for nothing. I was In Transit, but they don't give a fuck. I could have made an earlier flight back home, if it wasn't for their bullshit.[/QUOTE]I could never understand why passengers in transit had to go through customs / security etc. At stop overs on international flights back to USA. It's happened to me in Singapore, Dallas, New York, Lima etc. Then I learnt that this that the USA government asked other countries to do after 911. It is annoying and time wasteful and outdated policy.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1745547]I could never understand why passengers in transit had to go through customs / security etc. At stop overs on international flights back to USA. It's happened to me in Singapore, Dallas, New York, Lima etc. Then I learnt that this that the USA government asked other countries to do after 911. It is annoying and time wasteful and outdated policy.[/QUOTE]It has nothing to do with the US government. At most airports there is no secure area for people who are only passing through to be while awaiting their next international flight. A person can just walk out of the airport anytime then all of a sudden they are in a country illegally. To keep this from happening the passenger is just processed into the country regardless. A couple of places that immediately stand out where this does not happen are Tokyo Narita, Nagoya, and Bangkok. There you only have to pass through security because there is no way out of their international departure gates without going through immigration and customs.

[QUOTE=Lmarcone;1745539]Is he a tax-paying DR citizen?

It's their country to do as they please.

Who's to judge? Won't stop me from living my life.[/QUOTE]I am not a resident of DR but where I choose to spend my money is my prerogative.

[QUOTE=DickHertz;1745381]I been to many place in my years of mongering but because of what is happening to the Haitians in the DR I want to try something new. So which city in Colombia would you suggest for my first trip. I am planning this trip as if I'm traveling alone but usually I have a wingman. Planning on staying less then a week and will be flying form ORD so I don't want to waste a lot of time with layovers. Look for something safe with action 24/7 with some tourist area to take photo of. I would appreciate any comments on Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena good or bad. For a comparison I been to the Manila, Angeles City, Pattaya, Bangkok, San Jose, Panama, Rio, Sosua, Boca Chic and Santa Domingo.[/QUOTE]Wow you beat me to this question. I was just going to post the exact same question on what's the best place in Colombia for my first trip. This will only be my 2nd international trip with the first being Costa Rica. I've not set a date yet though, but Colombia seems to be one of the most hyped. Definitely interested in hearing what fellow board members recommend.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1745581]It has nothing to do with the US government. At most airports there is no secure area for people who are only passing through to be while awaiting their next international flight. A person can just walk out of the airport anytime then all of a sudden they are in a country illegally. To keep this from happening the passenger is just processed into the country regardless. A couple of places that immediately stand out where this does not happen are Tokyo Narita, Nagoya, and Bangkok. There you only have to pass through security because there is no way out of their international departure gates without going through immigration and customs.[/QUOTE]Off topic but I am tempted to respond because I travel a ton and travel topics are of interest to me.

Mr E is right on. It has nothing to do with USA. Like Me E said, most airports do not invest in the infrastructure needed to physically separate transit passengers from exiting passengers.

[QUOTE=DickHertz;1745381]I been to many place in my years of mongering but because of what is happening to the Haitians in the DR I want to try something new. So which city in Colombia would you suggest for my first trip. I am planning this trip as if I'm traveling alone but usually I have a wingman. Planning on staying less then a week and will be flying form ORD so I don't want to waste a lot of time with layovers. Look for something safe with action 24/7 with some tourist area to take photo of. I would appreciate any comments on Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena good or bad. For a comparison I been to the Manila, Angeles City, Pattaya, Bangkok, San Jose, Panama, Rio, Sosua, Boca Chic and Santa Domingo.[/QUOTE]I have answered this question many times. By that I mean it is good question and worth addressing at least once every six months.

IMHO it is Cartagena. That city meets all your criteria and perfect Colombian city for a first timer who is not on a deep budget.

BTW, unless you stick to Casas and street girls, you will find mongering in big cities in CO more expensive than some of the other places you mongered, especially compared to DR (I Think).

[QUOTE=DickHertz;1745381]I been to many place in my years of mongering but because of what is happening to the Haitians in the DR I want to try something new. So which city in Colombia would you suggest for my first trip. I am planning this trip as if I'm traveling alone but usually I have a wingman. Planning on staying less then a week and will be flying form ORD so I don't want to waste a lot of time with layovers. Look for something safe with action 24/7 with some tourist area to take photo of. I would appreciate any comments on Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Cartagena good or bad. For a comparison I been to the Manila, Angeles City, Pattaya, Bangkok, San Jose, Panama, Rio, Sosua, Boca Chic and Santa Domingo.[/QUOTE]Please excuse my ignorance. Whats up in the DR x Haitians?

My 10 cents is Cartagena or Cali, Beach, water, tourist stuff to do. Girls.

IMO Mede and Bogota Lack the golf, fishing, hiking, etc that the cost cities have to offer. If you're looking for a batchelor party type trip. Drinks, clubs, restaurants, party, party favors; p.

Mede is the way to go with Bogota a distant 4th IMO (I used to go for work, a blessing and a curse).

Prices in Colombia run the gambit. Nothing like SEA cheap. Cheaper than CR, Panama, The Islands and maybe DR.