Bogota Reports

[QUOTE=Bonhead]I took up residence in Zona Norte at the Fontana hotel (US$90/night) - nice place and teeming with amazingly beautiful, well-off women all over the hotel. The hotel set me up with a driver and car for US$6/hr. I didn't like the driver as he was old and not very friendly--so as I would go from place to place with different cab drivers, I found one I liked who knew about the mongering scene well and stuck with him. My spanish is at best intermediate, but I'm latino so I fit in moreso than others. Although the quality of the women at spots like La Mansion, Lido, Casanova's etc. was very good, they are all major rip-off joints IMO. They charge upwards of 20k pesos for one drink (uno trago!). Not my type of place.

Anyway, my driver told told me the best place to go is an area named Conrrado-so I took him up on it (vamos). Depending on where you are coming from, negotiate with the driver to get you there--from the Norte area expect to pay between 10,000-15,000 pesos depending on your bargaining skills (off the meter). The ride is about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. The best thing to do is have the cab driver drive you around the 5 or 6 blocks so you can get a general feel of the area. It is essentially a red light district with girls all over the place (street, bars, clubs).

Conrrado obviously isn't the greatest of areas, but for the most part I didn't feel like there was any impending doom. The best place here is La Piscina. A huge place with an olympic sized pool smack in the middle of it. There were around 80-100 girls here and an equal number of guys. The ladies were charging anywhere from 30k-80k pesos for short-time. You can definitely negotiate here and you will find some real stunners. My standards are pretty high having spent a significant amount of time in Brazil--but I would say there were at least four 10's here. Boob jobs were pretty common amongst the chicas. To sit around the pool you have to buy a bottle (or half a bottle). Since I was alone I didn't bother and was content standing around with my 3k pesos cerveza (~US$1.25). No cover charge.

My advice would be to check out the four/five blocks around this area as you will find quite a few gems. I'll warn you guys now--if you come out of La Piscina and make a right, at the end of the block you'll find a few transsexuals. They aren't as aggressive as some of the ones in Brazil are--so just take this as a light-hearted warning in case you're stoned or drunk. They are pretty obvious to spot though--not super-passable like the ones in Brazil who can pretty much fool damn near anyone. Speaking of stoned, if you are into perico, you can acquire this from any of the vendors selling gum/cigs for 'un pase'. 4-5k pesos will get you a baggie (~1 gram) which should be enough to wild out for the night.

My favorite place was also the most racous. Its around the block (or two blocks away) and called La Casona in the area of Conrrado. The girls here are not as hot as La Piscina, but you will have fun here. To put this in context, patrons, including the ladies were doing lines in the open on the tables--this might be way to crazy for most here, but I had a BLAST! I met this one guy who calls himself John and can speak broken spanish. He hooked me up with one of his girls, a sexy, petite 19 year old named Xiomara for $55 all night long. Feel free to give him a call at either 3103058652, or 3103058663--just tell him that he hooked up one of your friends with that girl Xiomara. She was pretty cool--we had one long 2 hour session after we got back to my place around 1am, she left at 7am--I was too tired for morning action.

Other action--there are three chica houses within several feet of each other at the corner of Calle 67-18 (I think this is in the Zona Norte area, but it might be right on the border).

Hope this helps some of you.[/QUOTE]
Hey everyone, just wanted to bump up this old post of mine. I did a search here for Conrrado but only found one other post besides mine here that mentioned the area explicitly. Can someone give me a heads up if this area is still a good place to go? Is this area close to Santa Fe? There are two La Piscinas from what I gather -- any idea which is the one I visited?

Finally, does anyone have any information on the Four Points Sheraton hotel? How is the location, girl friendly, etc.? Thanks!

[QUOTE=Bonhead]Hey everyone, just wanted to bump up this old post of mine. I did a search here for Conrrado but only found one other post besides mine here that mentioned the area explicitly. Can someone give me a heads up if this area is still a good place to go? Is this area close to Santa Fe? There are two La Piscinas from what I gather -- any idea which is the one I visited?
[/QUOTE]

The area is actually called Barrio Sante Fe. It's a good place to go, but not advisable at night, if alone, or not Spanish-speaking, or looking too much like a gringo.

There are two La Piscinas. One during the day, down the street called Piscina del Dia, open during the day approx. 12 pm - 8 pm. And the main version, open 7 pm until 2 or 3 am.

Not sure where the "Conrrado" came from. That's a neighborhood in Rio. LOL!!!

No no, it's San Conrado that he's talking about. I know people who have been but I can't unfortunately get the address off of them, it's a LONG story.

Oh, and apparently it's one of the places where the girls will NOT do it w/o a condom, at least thats exactly what this person who went was *****ing about. This goes to our previous conversation HH ;)

I'll see if I can Google it up.

By some accounts Santa Fe is super dangerous, by others it's extremely safe, it all depends who you talk to. I wouldn't let my guard down there but I wouldn't let my guard down anywhere. Personally I think if you're going to be in Bogota you may as well go there as the ZR or any other place. Santa Fe LOOKS really bad but you are much more likely to get taken on a paseo etc. in the North. But once again, that does not mean it's necessarily 100% safe either.

There's another area called the Zona Roja Del Sur, on 1 de Mayo, NOT Cuadra Picha or the immediate area, but west of there along 1 de Mayo, THAT is the only entertainment district in Bogota that I would seriously recommend you stay away from unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Mel I hope you'll give a full report of the swinger thing, my gf and I really wanna do it right the next time I come down, which is right around the corner really :P

[QUOTE=Bango Cheito]There's another area called the Zona Roja Del Sur, on 1 de Mayo, NOT Cuadra Picha or the immediate area, but west of there along 1 de Mayo, THAT is the only entertainment district in Bogota that I would seriously recommend you stay away from unless you know exactly what you are doing.[/QUOTE]

I have been there once, very different atmosphere compared to Zona Rosa. It's in the south, the poor area of Bogota and it's a good one hour drive from the North area depending traffic. Lot's of nightclubs and bars along the main avenue, 1 de Mayo, incredible party atmosphere, but only recommended for those familiar with Latin American. I didn't feel unsafe, but was happy to be with Colombians, as I was the only gringo. In fact, main problem are the drunk people by night on the streets. It might be a good place to score although I can't confirm it. I danced salsa with a few Colombianas, invited a few others for drinks, but didn't try to go further as I was already with a girl friend.

[QUOTE=Mel365] My gf sister and I went to a number of very upscale swingers cubs and finally selected a great looking couple for tomorrow night. [/QUOTE]

Can't wait to read your stories. Could you ask your gf sister for an overview of the swinger's scene in Bogota. Which are the best swinger clubs? Can you visit them as a single or is it better to come with a prepago?

[QUOTE=Mel365]I am here in Bogota in my new apartment..- with low intrest rates and little money down it is cheaper than a good 4 star hotel. [/QUOTE]

Hi Mel. I'm looking at buying an apt there too, but interest rates seem to be 10% or more, which doesn't seem very low to me.

Where have you found low interest rates for little money down?

Thw normal intrest rate is 10-12% unless you know someone. There is also a special exception for widows who can borrow against their government pension at an extremely low rate. I have both important frineds and a widow GF. Today I looked at a fantastic apartment calle 95 up against the mountain high with a great city view. Drive in underground garage, manned front desk, elevators, swimming pool, gym, sauna. 4 bedrooms, american size, $200k US.

If you go through the normal channels you will pay the normal intrest rate.

I forgot to mention you can also purchase a 3 bedroom apartment near plaza of the americas. In the south for 30k us$. I have been there and staye there and do not feel insecure.

Mel

Zona rosa south,

Avenue May 1.

I have spent a lot of time there and the action is great.

I would suggest sunset till about 11pm--I go sol, but those of you who know me, know I am crazy.

For more security go with a wingman.

If your spanish is poor forget it.

Remember shoes-no sneakers, no gold, no jewelry, no short sleeves, just plain clothes.

Mel

Routard,

I do not know where she took us but the clubs were VERY upscale. The women and men looked wealthy. I know you must have a woman with you and the places we went to required pre-screening. These were clubs in apartment buildings and not on street level. She knew a number of people in each club. I believe this is a very special group of people. Today is a Colombian holiday and she went home to be with her husband. I will try to get more info for you.

Mel

I am trying to make a "flow chart" of what happened last night.

After the first hour things became a blurr with who did what to whom with what. I am literally trying to remember all the details in sequence.

The computer I have here does not have microsoft word. I will have to wait till I get home to make the writeup as this program will time out before I can get down all the details. I still have 6 more days to go-I need a spare dick as the one I have is in very poor shape.

Mel

[QUOTE=Routard]I have been there once, very different atmosphere compared to Zona Rosa. It's in the south, the poor area of Bogota and it's a good one hour drive from the North area depending traffic. Lot's of nightclubs and bars along the main avenue, 1 de Mayo, incredible party atmosphere, but only recommended for those familiar with Latin American. I didn't feel unsafe, but was happy to be with Colombians, as I was the only gringo. In fact, main problem are the drunk people by night on the streets. It might be a good place to score although I can't confirm it. I danced salsa with a few Colombianas, invited a few others for drinks, but didn't try to go further as I was already with a girl friend.[/QUOTE]

It sounds to me like you were in the Cuadra Picha area, which despite it's name is actually safer than the ZR and the 93. I recommend that area for ANYBODY going to Bogota. The club owners take a very strong interest in keeping it safe and have private security, which can often be much better than police :P but there is also a strong police presence there.

Just a quick note (because I am waaaay out of my forum comfort zone over here in Colombia), but a quick bit or research suggests that 10% isn't that high.... inflation in Colombia is about 4.5%, so in real terms, the rate is 5.5%.

By comparison, the US has an inflation rate of about 2.5%, so, a rate of 10% in Colombia is about the same as a rate of 8% in the US - unless of course you are borrowing US dollars in Colombia, then forget everything I just said.

Also, don't be afraid of borrowing money internationally - lots of the offshore banks will lend you money to buy a house wherever as long as you can jump through whatever hoops they want you to (the Singaporeans are big on that sort of thing, they'll even lend you money in US $, pounds, Euros and a few other currencies, but not COP afaik). Presupposing you earn US $, the only risk of borrowing in a foreign currency is that if the dollar tanks even further, your payments will rise in proportion - the flipside is, if the dollar gets stronger, your payments will drop. Once more if you borrow and pay for the place in $ then this isn't applicable either.

Just my way of pouring a couple of cups of love back into the great river which nourishes us all, I hope it is helpful.

[QUOTE=AddictedToWomen]Hi Mel. I'm looking at buying an apt there too, but interest rates seem to be 10% or more, which doesn't seem very low to me.

Where have you found low interest rates for little money down?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bango Cheito]No no, it's San Conrado that he's talking about. I know people who have been but I can't unfortunately get the address off of them, it's a LONG story.
[/QUOTE]
Hoof is correct. Those places La Piscina and La Casona are in Barrio Santa Fe.

Use the Transmilenio stop Calle 22 as a reference point. Getting off at this stop, you'll see the neon sign for La Piscina.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calle_22_(TransMilenio)

But there IS also a place called San Conrado, (In Bogota as well as Rio :P )