Colombia from the Caribbean

curramberochris says on Apr 15, 2008, 10:21:

Panama, Venezuela

Man Tequila says on Apr 15, 2008, 10:26:

Yeah. You can get there from Mexico but it costs a bundle. Of course, other US flights go through Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, etc.

Panama may be your best bet, but that airport [did not impress me the sole time I visited it]. I'm also not a big fan of Panama's capital city -- all cranes, casinos, concubines and carreteras. It's better in the smaller towns.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

sloopskipper says on Apr 15, 2008, 10:36:

SJU-Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo.

Also numerous combinations with Avianca or Copa/Aero República (if you fly through Tocumen you don't have to go into Panama City):


Man Tequila says on Tuesday April 15th, 2008 10:26:

"Yeah. You can get there from Mexico but it costs a bundle. Of course, other US flights go through Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, etc.

Panama may be your best bet, but that airport is at least as bad as Miami. I'm not a big fan of Panama's capital city -- all cranes, casinos, concubines and carreteras. It's better in the smaller towns."

Bad airport? Why is that that? It is small and always easy in and out for me, and has close convenient parking, next to the terminal.

Man Tequila says on Apr 15, 2008, 10:55:

I've only been there once, so I'm really not in a good position to judge.

As I recall, the only place to grab a meal was a hot dog cart. Continental also made a huge deal out of the fact my suitcase was two pounds overweight, which might not have impressed me. But you're right, the airport is fairly small and clean. There are many which are worse, and saying it is as bad as Miami was uncalled for. I'm going to edit that.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

jonas says on Apr 15, 2008, 10:57:

Where in the caribbean are you? For example from Aruba I believe there are direct flights.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

sloopskipper says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:02:

MT, I must agree about Panama City, and I LIVE THERE, and food at the airport (except beyond security)? What can I say?

lpdiver says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:11:

I have flown from Orangestad in Aruba to Colombia many times. It is pricy for the distance flown. I mean on a clear day you can see the mainland from Aruba.

t

"cook some rice!"

jonas says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:14:

pricy yes, but I guess still cheaper than Caribbean-MIA-Colombia ...

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

lpdiver says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:23:

Last time I flew O'stad to Medellin was $350 dollars for a one hour flight.

t

"cook some rice!"

jonas says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:24:

I know that hurts but do you think flying via MIA or Panama is cheaper?

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

sloopskipper says on Apr 15, 2008, 11:36:

I just booked R/T Panamá to Cali on Aero República for Thursday, and was $374US, but includes all aiport arrival/departure taxes, which some airlines don't, and you must pay at the airports.

nine inch nails says on Apr 15, 2008, 13:16:

Spot on about meal service in PTY or lack thereof. The airport is nice but little food.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

cdy says on Apr 15, 2008, 13:58:

Copa through PTY is probably your best bet, but as others have stated the only choices for food is the hot dog cart or a little cafe that is always crowded and does not look too tasty.

Depending on where you are in the Caribbean you might look into Spirit Airlines they fly to a number of larger islands(DR, Jamaica, Puerto Rico) they now fly to CTG from Ft Lauderdale. Their service kind of sucks but the planes are new and the prices can be cheap.

panthdave says on Apr 15, 2008, 15:26:

PTY is the worst...Its a big shopping mall with a little cafeteria..and no smoking rooms or bars..Best bet is Copa Air via Panama City as a connection with Aero Republica...if you don't want to go to MIA..unless your in San Andres than fly Avianca or Aero Republica from there...

panthdave Miami

Sam Salmon says on Apr 15, 2008, 16:48:

Why do people complain about an airport *not* having food then complain harder about airport food being poor?

It's an AIRPORT FFS!

' a la orden!'

sloopskipper says on Apr 15, 2008, 18:03:

There are better food options once you pass security (and the usual array of rip-off "Duty-Free" shops, where cigarettes are maybe 25% more than in supermarkets in Panama City), but it is a rather small airport, and I find that not so important. However it is rather easy to navigate.

Disclaimer:
Poster is a Copa investor

robi666 says on Apr 15, 2008, 18:08:

You can fly from Curacao. But where in Caribbean are you?

"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."

sloopskipper says on Apr 15, 2008, 18:11:

My avitar, W.C., was credited with, "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".

Probably true in air travel now, aka, "you get what you pay for", like with the poor often reported service from Spirit.

I actually had a frustrating problem with Copa today, when trying to get a return ticket for a Colombiano friend as "proof" for immigration that he had a ride back home, on his return from Cali. BUT, after almost an hour on the phone a dedicated Copa agent was able to resolve the problem, in good English.

At the moment, I still a believer in Copa and GOL, Brazil. I wish that I had bought LAN!.

Man Tequila says on Apr 15, 2008, 21:15:

I don't expect airport food to be delicious. But it helps to have SOMETHING, and better still if it isn't three times the price it should be.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

lpdiver says on Apr 16, 2008, 01:28:

come on M_T I bet you sneak your own candy and gaseosa into the cinema.

t

"cook some rice!"

Man Tequila says on Apr 16, 2008, 08:56:

Not usually. I can go two hours without eating. I'm cheap, but not cheap enough to go without stuff if I want it so badly. I'll pay the eight bucks for the popcorn and diet pepsi and don't whine about having to pay five bucks for food on the plane, either.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

adrimm says on Apr 17, 2008, 19:25:

I always leave home with granola & fruit bars for each flight.

Man Tequila says on Apr 17, 2008, 22:21:

I used to travel with beef jerky, fruit, diet Pepsi, almonds, etc.

It's become harder with all these airport security "enhancements".

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)