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Thanks for all your assistance; it's greatly appreciated. We will look into using ATM's in Colombia and ensure the banks know we are traveling there. I didn't realize a CTG thread exists, but plan to search it. Two of my fellow travelers like to scuba dive, but I told them they were responsible for finding all the information concerning scuba diving. One also asked if scooter rental is possible (he has an international and motorcycle license).
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2952836]Two of my fellow travelers like to scuba dive, but I told them they were responsible for finding all the information concerning scuba diving.[/QUOTE]I am a master scuba diver and got my first certification in Colombia. Taganga, Santa Marta. It is a good place for beginners and a good place to get certifications because it is so cheap. I would not go expecting to see many interesting things though. But to add it to your logbook then of course.
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2952836]Thanks for all your assistance; it's greatly appreciated. We will look into using ATM's in Colombia and ensure the banks know we are traveling there. I didn't realize a CTG thread exists, but plan to search it. Two of my fellow travelers like to scuba dive, but I told them they were responsible for finding all the information concerning scuba diving. One also asked if scooter rental is possible (he has an international and motorcycle license).[/QUOTE]Is this your first trip to Colombia and / or Cartagena?
Scuba diving is best at the San Andres Island (requires flying). I've done it a few times, problem is the limitation of the danger flying within 12 hours before diving and within 12 after diving if your associates are only there for a few days it will be very tight timing to dive between arrival and departure.
Scooter rental is possible but I would highly advise against it. The roads are crowded, people drive worse than Bangkok, traffic is a nightmare. Roads are not that great as there are many potholes. Accidents are a thing as there are no traffic lights inside the walls, there are only traffic lights on the main roads outside the walls. Also I don't know if they are still doing Pico why Placa where you can only drive during peak hours on certain days if the plate number is even or odd. And the biggest issue will be parking.
It will be cheaper to take Uber, remember 50 mil is about $10 a ride anywhere from the wall city to El Laguito will be 10 mil in the day and up to 15 mil at night. Oh yea that's another thing, avoid yellow taxis, prices magically increase at nighttime, and they will set you up to get robbed by friends or extorted by the police.
[QUOTE=Nypher;2952886]Is this your first trip to Colombia and / or Cartagena?
... problem is the limitation of the danger flying within 12 hours before diving and within 12 after diving ... [/QUOTE]This is quite true, but even more dangerous is diving after spending some time in Bogota. The altitude / air pressure in Bogota (2640 masl / 75 kPa) is actually higher than most commerical flights cabin pressure (1,800 to 2,400 m / 800 kPa). Not just the absolute air pressure difference but your body can acclimatize to that altitude quickly. For me, I acclimatize to Bogota within 12 to 36 hours, but for some it can take 4 days or more. There are very few flights 12+ hours.
I don't know enough of Scuba / pressure, but it seems that would be a bigger danger.
[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2952851]I am a master scuba diver and got my first certification in Colombia. Taganga, Santa Marta. It is a good place for beginners and a good place to get certifications because it is so cheap. I would not go expecting to see many interesting things though. But to add it to your logbook then of course.[/QUOTE]I've been to Taganga. In 2021 I took this Venezuelan chick reina to Santa Marta and we stayed a week there and on one of the days we took the local bus to taganga and then the lancha to playa grande (which wasn't very grande). We had an excellent almuerzo there fried fish and rice with soup and some coco loco drinks. We also went swimming and the water was crystal clear you could see little tropical fish in the water and the weather was perfect too. I also bought some little indigenous hand carved stone statues from a local that was there selling them. I still have them in my apartment in Medellin. I'll never forget that experience it was amazing.
-Gabacho.
Thanks for the information on avoiding yellow taxis inside the walled city. In many places the yellow taxis seem to have questionable reputations, including Tijuana and Bangkok. Should we also avoid taxis from CTG airport to the walled city in favor of Uber?
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2954681]Should we also avoid taxis from CTG airport to the walled city in favor of Uber?[/QUOTE]I have already answered this for you a few posts down.
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2954681]Thanks for the information on avoiding yellow taxis inside the walled city. In many places the yellow taxis seem to have questionable reputations, including Tijuana and Bangkok. Should we also avoid taxis from CTG airport to the walled city in favor of Uber?[/QUOTE]No, there is no reason in most cases. Take a printout with your rate to your destination within the city. The rates are regulated by the municipality and are very affordable. You can access and download the rates from the alcaldia (municipality). You can't take a yellow cab out of the city limits.
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2954681]Thanks for the information on avoiding yellow taxis inside the walled city. In many places the yellow taxis seem to have questionable reputations, including Tijuana and Bangkok. Should we also avoid taxis from CTG airport to the walled city in favor of Uber?[/QUOTE]Use Uber or DiDi.
You do not want to be arguing over them not having change, getting lost, suddenly increasing the price, take you to a checkpoint to get extorted by the police, or worse taking you for the million-dollar ride where they stop somewhere, and others get in the taxi to rob you. They will make a wrong turn in Crespo and you will be relieved of your items. Crespo may look safe but its not, same as Marbella and Getsemani. The police presence is not there to deter opportunistic thieves.
[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2954681]Thanks for the information on avoiding yellow taxis inside the walled city. In many places the yellow taxis seem to have questionable reputations, including Tijuana and Bangkok. Should we also avoid taxis from CTG airport to the walled city in favor of Uber?[/QUOTE]If you are inside the walled city and going to somewhere in the walled city, it may be difficult to find an uber or didi. And even some yellow taxi may refuse the ride. It is probably a relatively short distance, just walk it. If you are going into or outside the walled city, then yes. Didi or Uber.
Yellow taxis are +95% safe. But 95% is still to high a risk for many, especially if you don't speak Spanish.
If you DO speak Spanish at all and find yourself in an uber / didi / cab that is even a little bit sketchy, call a friend (or pretend to) and tell them you are on the way now and will be there in x minutes, that you are in a (describe car) with plate number. And / or "I will share my location with you". It is a tactic used for security by many Colombians. Important to talk to your real or imaginary friend. It's the driver knowing that others know your wearabouts.
I think this is true for taxis / uber globally. CTG is driven by tourism much more so than any other city in Colombia. This has both more people doing scams and better police reaction if something goes wrong. The booths labeled "CAI" in parks and other public areas stand for Comando de Atención Inmediata (Immediate Attention Command). They are small police stations or booths used by the National Police of Colombia to provide quick responses to emergencies and offer security in various neighborhoods. CAIs are strategically located in parks, plazas, and busy public spaces to maintain a visible law enforcement presence and ensure public safety.
My brother and I are planning our first trip to Colombia in March. I wanted to do Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena, but he doesn't like traveling a lot, so I have to pick one city. If you could only visit one, which would you choose?
Just withdrew some money and the receipt showed a 26000 COP Access fee. This fee was not disclosed before making the withdrawal. I no longer recommend them. I think they were the only ones to offer free withdrawals.
[QUOTE=JoeBrooklyn;2954925]My brother and I are planning our first trip to Colombia in March. I wanted to do Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena, but he doesn't like traveling a lot, so I have to pick one city. If you could only visit one, which would you choose?[/QUOTE]What did your research tell you?
[QUOTE=JoeBrooklyn;2954925]My brother and I are planning our first trip to Colombia in March. I wanted to do Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena, but he doesn't like traveling a lot, so I have to pick one city. If you could only visit one, which would you choose?[/QUOTE]What did your research come up with?
[QUOTE=Kazeu;2955352]Just withdrew some money and the receipt showed a 26000 COP Access fee. This fee was not disclosed before making the withdrawal. I no longer recommend them. I think they were the only ones to offer free withdrawals.[/QUOTE]Davienda has been charging a fee for almost a year, but it has been 15 mil per transaction. Most of their ATM's show the fee, but it's in an area I don't read closely. I think it's at the top of the screen that shows the exchange rate if you accept their rate.