Cartagena Needs Taxi Meters

juanalejo says on Dec 18, 2006, 14:22:

Piatt They are obviously over charging you, and yes they need taxi meters. The fares are 4000 minimum fare around the old city or to Bocagrande. They might charge 5000 if traffic is bad. Then they charge 8000 if it is to the airport or to Las Americas from the old city.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 14:46:

Last July I was still paying 3000 pesos from the old city to Laguito. Its fun talking them down. What are they going to do? Theres hundreds of other taxi drivers to compete with :)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Crazy4Cali says on Dec 18, 2006, 15:17:

We were just there last month... We were just there last month and I don't remember any outrageous taxi fares, at least none that weren't quoted in advance (right before we got out of the taxi). juanalejo's prices sound like what we paid.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Azul says on Dec 18, 2006, 15:32:

negotiate first Find out what the fare is before you accept the taxi....if it is to high walk away. If you have an idea what the fare SHOULD be, then you are in a good place to negotiate with the driver. And another thing, it's a good thing to always have smaller bills for taxi fare so that the "no change" scam doesn't work.

las cosas caen por su propio peso

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 15:56:

I don't know why people go along with the "no change" scam. Its the drivers job to have change. If he does'nt have change, its his problem. Thats another problem in all of Colombia. A lot of stores would rather lose business than to give change. Cashiers always huff and puff when you hand them a large bill. One time I went to a pharmacy in Medellin to buy a bottle of soda and I handed the guy behind the counter a 20,000 peso bill. He said he could'nt break the bill. I had to put the soda back and leave the store. I made it a point not to go back in that store. I enjoyed walking by his store for the next couple of months with various beverages in my hand. I would look in the store and he would have a sad look on his face. Colombia is fun but all these little incidents can add up and make you lose your temper.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

strata2woman says on Dec 18, 2006, 16:10:

The vieron cara de Pend..o My husband and my two adult sons who are gringos: blue eyed and the whole arepa con huevo that comes with been a 'gringo', just took a cab from El Laguito to El Portal de Los Dulces and they only paid $4000, [$5000 really since they always tip the driver as they do in the Sates.]but then they all speak Spanish and know to ask for the cost before taking the cab. Remember ask first and don't act like you are a 'wanna be gringo-quiere ser gringo' as they call here in the coast all those colombianos who want to appear or act gringoish, because they will stick it to you.
Corroncha and proud of it!

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.
Janis Joplin

- "con sombrero vueltiao y abarcas de tres puntá"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cam0940 says on Dec 18, 2006, 16:45:

My experience is along the lines of C4C's and Juanelejo's. I did pay a 10,000 peso fair but that was from 13 de Junio to El Laguito, which is a long ride, I'm talking from way over on the opposite side of the stadium. In Bogota, with meters, I was more suspicious of the fares. You aren't really in a position to argue because well, there's a meter. But it sure did make it seem like the distances I was riding in Cartagena were a bargain.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Dec 18, 2006, 17:15:

It has to be said that not the all Colombia is the same. In Medellin thay have taxi meters. Once my mother wanted to give a kind driver a tip and confused the 1.000 pesos bill with the 10.000 one. The driver promptly gave the bill back asking if it was not that she wanted to give him the 1.000 one.
In my experience, four out of ten drivers in Cartagena will try to scam you if they have the chance to do it. In Medellin one of ten. My friends... what about New York or Miami?
Better to burn out than to fade away.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 17:28:

Colombians are a little more honest in Medellin. I had a few nice experiences too. In Cartagena and Bogota I had a couple of incidents where my fists were clenched and ready to cave somebody's face in.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Dec 18, 2006, 17:30:

I hope that you'll never hit the wrong face Morphus... in Colombia is something "not suggested" :-)
Better to burn out than to fade away.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Dec 18, 2006, 17:33:

Morphus In Bogota all taxis are metered, so can´t see why the fight.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 17:38:

Well, if I hit somebody, they're going to be dead anyway. Who would know? You hold them in such high regard. Do you remember Gringoinbogota? He used to beat up Colombians in the street all the time...lol

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Dec 18, 2006, 18:06:

That's why he even changed his name on the Internet... figure out! :-)
Better to burn out than to fade away.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jay1234 says on Dec 18, 2006, 18:07:

Change scam I was in Cartagena in September. Never paid more than 4,000. Had one taxista say he couldn't break 20.000 pesos. So he just rolled down the window and asked the street vendor if he could break it. No way should you be the one stuck if they don't have change.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Dec 18, 2006, 18:15:

Anyway, we know you're a big boy Morphus, but please stop it before Miguel_Clavo puts on his favourite song... you know... Macho Macho Men... ;-)
Better to burn out than to fade away.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 18:40:

"Miguel_Clavo puts on his favourite song... you know... Macho Macho Men... ;-)"

Ha ha, too funny!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

morphus says on Dec 18, 2006, 18:43:

Now that I think of it, he might one of those guys that likes to hang out in banos publicos. Colombia is a new frontier. George
Michael would be jealous...lol

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Cerealkiller says on Dec 18, 2006, 19:53:

Cartagena taxis are outrageous, honestly. Everytime you take a taxi you pretty much have drivers mumbling through their teeth because you already know how it works. I was there last October, taxi drivers dont even bother with overcharging anymore. I got this taxi driver who went "I can drive you to such and such, Barranquilla, some Lagoon, a volcano, yadda yadda" and I said thank you but no, and so the guy said "okay, thats fine but you should tip me 10k because youre not taking up my offer and im an honest worker"... Can anyone please explain wtf is that? I wanted to hit him with a bat.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pedro says on Dec 18, 2006, 20:04:

Cartagena is the worst place I have been for taxis Yeah, I have had some real frustrating experiences in Cartagena with taxis. They are always trying to rip you off for a few thousand, all kinds of bad faith tricks.

It got to the point where I would take moto-taxis just to not give them the satisfaction.

If they city wanted to improve things, they should mandate a windshield sticker in all taxis with a number to call for complaints (like in Medellin). They should also just have a taxi meter reading the peso price, like in Medellin.

The reality now is that tourists don't know the standard prices by heart (it gets difficult once you go beyond the Bocagrande - Centro - Airport axis). And that the majority of Cartagena taxi drivers are dishonest and will try and scam.

que nota!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Dec 19, 2006, 05:50:

DG Cartagena in 1984 and 2006 are two different Cartagenas, if you were there so long ago you have no idea what it is like now, the old city was just a dusty run down area, the city had not even been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is when the money starting flowing in.

And by the way the planes do not fly over Cartagena on the way to San Andres, check your map, you actually fly over Panama which is a hundreds of miles west of there. Well unless you are coming in from Caracas or so.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Ctg Bound says on Dec 19, 2006, 10:08:

Ctg Taxis Are no real problem for the locals wether they are Colombian or foreigners living there.

Each January a list of prices is printed in the local newspapers, for example Centro to Laguito is 4,000 pesos, you just give them the fare and never discuss anything.

That is no help to tourists from Colombia or overseas though, maybe one day they will put meters in.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 19, 2006, 10:46:

Assuming you speak Spanish you shouldn't be getting ripped off like this. It's a simple question of asking "How much does it cost to _____?" The prices people quoted here compare to what I've paid there. Minimum charge is 4,000 or 5,000 at night/peak hours. Rarely do fares go over, unless you're covering some serious ground. If someone quotes you a price you don't like just walk to the cab behind him.

And the change thing is silly. If it's a constant problem why don't you just carry small bills?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Dec 19, 2006, 12:04:

Everyone is afraid of Morphus, aka Leroy Brown of NYC ...and if i hang around public restrooms, it is only to put up your phone number and those green photos of you in the mens restrooms to help you find your male and child-age Colombian virgins, Morphie.....=)..i would like to say "i've got your back", morphie, but that would be a lie...=) jajajaja...

(sung to the Leroy Brown song.....and performed by the Morphus Macho Man Band, with backup singer robi666)


Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo.....Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Ctg Bound says on Dec 19, 2006, 12:32:

Mr. Hollywood I agree on finding out the price is a simple question of just asking how much to travel from one place to another.

Just don´t ask the taxi driver how much though in Ctg.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 says on Dec 19, 2006, 14:42:

Miguel, you turned my numbers upside down... but anyway, you surely remember how I like machos and x-men posting on this site :-).
Once there was one giving back hard looks at the men in Mangos while trying to steal their girlfriends (we can call him Mastermind), then there was one who could see if the man in front of him was a mafioso (X-powered eyes) and finally we have the power - stamina - man which can kill with a fist... surely not an "illuminated" mind though. Do you remember anyone else?
We are completing our x-men group... PBH... Powered but handsome!
And anyway... ok... if you want I'll sing in the back "macho macho me...."

Better to burn out than to fade away.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Dec 19, 2006, 15:51:

sorry, i just fixed the typo! =) Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo.....Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 19, 2006, 18:58:

Yep, better rates and You also get a better sense of the person's "vibe".

I've walked away from a couple taxis after simply getting the creeps from the way a driver responded.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

athensugadawg says on Dec 20, 2006, 17:28:

SIEMPRE, SIEMPRE, SIEMPRE.... ask the fare before getting in....I did have a problem with one driver that took me from Manga to Castillo de San Felipe. He stated without hesitation that he wanted "Ten American dollars". Although he didn't get that in the end, it was a lesson learned. If you have been ripped off, get the taxi number which is on the side. After speaking with several other taxi drivers regarding this incident, there are some stiff sanctions against those drivers that rip off their clientele. You could probably find out the procedure for lodging a complaint at many of the hotels. Also, I would recommend getting the phone numbers of those drivers that you feel comfortable with and giving them their business...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Azul says on Dec 20, 2006, 19:56:

I have two or three taxi drivers that I use when ever possible. I keep their cell phone numbers in my wallet....they are nice, honest, and reliable. So it's good for me and for them to give them my business whenever I can. Athensugadawg is right on about remembering the drivers that you feel comfortable with. A lot of the drivers will give you a card with their phone number on it if you ask.

las cosas caen por su propio peso

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Piatt says on Dec 21, 2006, 12:55:

When I can give exact I do...however the problem is that when I withdraw from an ATM it gives me back 20,000 pesos bills. Is there an option on the ATM to give you smaller bills?

Sincerely,
Gordon Piatt

gordo

0 funny, 0 helpful.