first time in Bogota

Robert Jorge says on Nov 11, 2008, 21:45:

No warnings - other than to just be smart and don't put yourself in situations that increase your risk of being a victim of street crime. (Don't carry large amounts of cash, leave your essentials in the hotel, don't leave a drink unattended, etc.)

From what I hear about Pereira, you will probably have a better time there.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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TobyBoy says on Nov 11, 2008, 22:32:

What bad things? Bogota is awesome ...a world class cutural Mecca,

It's a very big city, so just be prudent, but statistically, it is now safer than Pereira (which I've also enjoyd very much) and it is the second safest capital is South America. Have fun!

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roloenNJ says on Nov 12, 2008, 03:22:

If you hear bad things! maybe you should not go if you already have that in mind!!!!!!

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 12, 2008, 06:14:

azunoman says on Nov 12, 2008, 06:20:

Don't go anywhere if you are expecting bad things...ditton on what turnmeon says...

Playing the ugly American on request or as required. Ready, Fire, Aim

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polka says on Nov 12, 2008, 07:26:

Oh, I'm definitely going!!!!! And I'll definitely have a good time. People talk don't scare me... I'm just hoping to get some idea where to go and what to expect...

I'll be with a friend in Pereira so I'll be taken care of over there, but in Bogota I'm totally on my own and I don't spead Spanish. That's why I'm a little anxious, but don't confused that with being doubtful and scared...

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Gator says on Nov 12, 2008, 07:27:

Like any big city Bogotá has neighborhoods you do NOT visit, especially as a tourist. If the pucker factor goes up to the point you couldn't pull a needle out of your ass with a John Deere Tractor you, amigo, are in the wrong place.

That being said you should have no problems in the north end (Zona Rosa) Normal precautions as stated above should be used. Ask for local advice at the hotel if you have doubts.

It's a great city and should not be missed.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 13:26:

I would say AVOID Zona Rosa and 93, especially if you are alone and don't speak Spanish. There are highest incidences of robberies there. Also be careful on the Transmilenio. When I say robberies most of the time I'm just referring to getting your pocket picked, but still, that's enough to ruin a vacation.

If you want to go out to clubs as a newcomer the safest place to go is Galerías. Take a cab to carrera 27 south of calle 53 and you have two blocks of solid nightclubs to choose from.

If you are between calle 72 and calle 100 and east of the Autopista do NOT hail a cab off the street. Call for one.

But like they said Bogota is MUCH safer than Pereira.

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johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:05:

I think the key to being safe in bogota is keep your nose clean, look like you are going somewhere, be respectful of the local ways and try not to be a complete dick.

Pretty much like any big city

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borat says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:06:

I can't understand what I'm reading, do you walk around with mug written across your forehead. Bogota is not dangerous and the zona rosa is one of the safest parts. The best advise is don't walk around looking vunerable, no one is going to pick on anyone who looks like they would be prepared to defend themselves. Relax mate, enjoy.

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:07:

La Huella said (with an apparent degree of gravitas)

"If you are between calle 72 and calle 100 and east of the Autopista do NOT hail a cab off the street. Call for one."

How come? I frequently take cabs from there.

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:11:

That's the paseo zone. Anywhere else in the city taking a cab off the street is fine.

I do it too sometimes, even in the zone. But I know the city well and speak great Spanish, and most of the time I share cabs as well.

I repeat, the ZR is NOT the safest part of the city. It is the single neighborhood with the HIGHEST incidence of robberies. Walking around there alone is not something a local would do, ESPECIALLY if you're been drinking.

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johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:18:

Borat you are mistaken, La Zona Rosa is dangerously shit! Many a tourist has been lulled into a permanent coma induced by its bland nature and superficial people.

Any discerning tourist that is unable to avoid a visit should take a good book or a game boy to keep their mind occupied and keep the suicidal feelings at arms length

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Caro_Bogota28 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 12, 2008, 14:55:

La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:16:

Hey, I think Bogota is great, I live here, don't I? I could waltz back to Canada or the States any day I wanted to and I choose to stay here and earn pesos!!

The fact is, Galerias IS safer than ZR and 93. You may or may not know how the Ley Zanahoria works, but if a bar has no security problems, they can apply for a license to be open as amancederos. ALL the bars in Galerias have this license, they all stay open past 3am on weekends LEGALLY. That says something about the good security there.

Any area that has lots of tourists will also have lots of crime. This is true everywhere I've been. It's the same thing in Rio.. everybody is scared to hell of the favelas and the baixada but really the most robberies in the city occur in Copacabana and Ipanema.

I'm recommending that the OP take advantage of our knowledge and go and have a great safe time in what is one of Bogota's best kept secrets for rumba! He will also save lots of money.

If he spoke Spanish well, I'd send him to Restrepo straight away.

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:28:

http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-3732187

http://www.laneros.com/archive/index.php/t-95559.html

Safest areas?? My fucking ass! Back it up with some evidence like I did!!

The fact is in Bogota the richer the area the MORE robberies there are. Case closed.

And I said it was a great place to live, I didn't say there was no danger of robbery here. I'd hate to live somewhere that was safe but boring.

I think that there are more than enough positives to make up for that particular negative, and I think that taking some simple precautions make all the difference in the world. One of them is not taking a taxi from the street in the area where the vast majority of the paseos happen. Pay the extra 1600 and ride with confidence!

Personally I hate the ZR and 93 not because they are dangerous but because they are lame and full of lame people, as Johnny pointed out.

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jonas says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:41:

La_Huella: I think you should explain a little better to the OP what you mean. This guy may think that 93 and Zona Rosa are some dangerous barrios.
This is not the case. It is where money people go out. It should be the easiest places for you. Just that you have to be a bit careful because some people there are well dressed but have bad things in mind like spicing your drinks with burundanga. But I, like others here, would recommend the area for a beginner. Just don´t let any strangers talk to you on the street. And inside the pubs don´t take your eyes/hands of your drink. (Sounds a lot scarier than it is). Who ever talks to you, enjoy the conversation but be careful, they might be full of sh*t, only trying to get to your wallet. Definitely leave ATM and CCs in the hotel when you go out. Get some cash and walk back to the hotel to leave your plastic. Have fun.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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roloenNJ says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:42:

La zona roza is terrible, a bunch of wanna be's trying to act cool. I enjoy my self in la 8 even tho u need people that know the area.

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jonas says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:53:

The cab thing... when you feel that you may be taken for a ride, a good advise is to take out you cell phone, act like you are calling your novia or someone and telling them you will be there in a few minutes. Then act like she is asking you for the license plates/registration number and read that to her. You don´t even have to make the call, just a little acting.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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feldz0084 says on Nov 12, 2008, 15:58:

ditto what jonas said..plus you can always have a friend jot down the placa if you are getting a solo cab and parting company. the "plan to fok you" mmm dont agree completely. most basic criminals are not smart and are going to make a spur of the momen decision t to rob your ass of screw you in cab. the combo of jumping in solo, piss drunk, and with no idea of directions in col is the killer. simple plan is to get the fok out if you feel uncomfortable. otherwise ur straight

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johnny2008 says on Nov 12, 2008, 16:15:

Where in la octava do you hang out roleonNJ? The health food shops just south of La 19?

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calikitty1 says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:50:

R, you have been down this road before you said you were for good. We visit frequently and have never had any problems with the zone or taxis.

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 17:59:

Like I said, I take taxis off the street, even in those neighborhoods.

True, sometimes thieves intercept legit calls for cabs too, and try and get there first. Plus sometimes cab companies send 2 and 3 cabs and whoever gets their first gets the fare, but if they don't have the license plate you're looking for then you have to call back and confirm, total pain in the ass.

The ZR and the 93 are the places people with money go to party, AND they are also the highest-robbery neighborhoods in the city. You need to get out of the North American mentality that the richer a neighborhood is, the safer it is. It just does not apply here.

Why on Earth would you want to recommend ZR and 93 to a person who comes here for the first time, I ask myself? Not only is it the most dangerous option, it's also got the lamest most un-fun people, AND it's ridiculously expensive. People go there and then come on here and write dumb shit like.

"Bogota isn't all that great, the people really aren't that friendly"
"I don't see why people say Bogota is cheap, it's just as expensive as in the US"
"I was in the SAFEST places in Bogota and still got robbed"
etc etc etc.

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polka says on Nov 12, 2008, 19:50:

My hotel is on Av. 13, close to Centro Andino. Is that Zona Rosa? I was told it was Chico. I made arrangements with my hotel regarding pick up from the airport. But after that I imagine I'll have to get cabs on my own. I like the idea of calling people when you have a sketchy driver, but my cell won't work there. Thanks anyway.

BTW, I love how passionate everyone feels about Bogota. I promise I'll have a great time there and will write about it.

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 20:20:

If you're really up for it come check my band out. We're playing close to you on that Thursday night, the other stuff is way out there though. We are also doing a free show at Corferias for the Car Audio thing during the day on Saturday.

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polka says on Nov 12, 2008, 20:48:

I'm in Pereira on Thursday, but Saturday I have no plans... send me an email with info... maybe... what kind of music you play?

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jonas says on Nov 12, 2008, 22:02:

Yes, ZR is in Chico. Your hotel is in the heart of Zona Rosa.

La_Huella I agree that Zona Rosa is just like any other Big City Party Mile, anywhere in the world, and people are lame. I don´t go there much, only when the parche kidnaps me.

But to call it the most dangerous zone in Bogota, you haven´t been to a lot of places I guess.
Let´s have a beer in the new Cartucho if you like, just below Parque Tercer Milenio. Or let´s go to las cruzes. I do go there, but I would never send anyone there...
You don´t sound like you have been here for very long.

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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La_Huella says on Nov 12, 2008, 22:31:

I've been to all those places. I was in Bosa last week making new friends :P I go to Cuadra Picha every second weekend, at least. I was in Ciudad Montes on Saturday playing at a private party, and I was in La Macarena on Sunday, which is supposedly nice but I think it's really trashy.

As a matter of fact, there is hardly the neighborhood in this city that I don't know well. I'm a professional musician, if there's ANY nightlife ANYWHERE in this city it is my business to know about it!

Did you even read the link I posted? N.B. the ONLY place that's really considered working class or poor on that whole list is Cuadra Picha, and most of the crime occurs on the western end where the whiskerias are, not where the lugares sanos are. Also N.B. that the Portales del Sur, Tunal, and Usme were not on the list, only Norte, Americas, and 80.

Unfortunately most people living here have a very poor idea about crime in their own city. All it boils down to is people are prejudiced in favor of the rich, and against the poor.

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borat says on Nov 13, 2008, 03:46:

ok Johnny, I'll give you that.

I take cabs of the street every night, from calle 80 to la candelaria, sometimes six times a day, only problem I have with the drivers is incomeptence and sometimes they try and charge an extra mil?

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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jonas says on Nov 13, 2008, 05:55:

La_Huella you´re a proper Cachaco than I take it. jajaja

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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geauxnoles says on Nov 18, 2008, 14:25:

So as a first time tourist......all i have read online is ZR and 93 is the place to be.

This thread is saying the opposite but is not suggesting any alternatives to party and stay in.....
Gimme some options!.......

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La_Huella says on Nov 18, 2008, 14:29:

RTFF dude, I already said, for a first time visitor, Galerias, go to carrera 27 south of calle 53.

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