Going to Ecuador from LAX have layover in Bogata what should i know for customs/declaration process?

adrimm says on Jun 9, 2008, 21:48:

They'll give you copies of the papers on the plane, you'll have the option of english or spanish. I've never transferrerd internationally through Colombia, so I am not even sure if you will need them (I'm sure the international connection pathway peels off well before customs/immigration), but best to fill them out just in case.

Mention your tight connection when you check in with Avianca, and then also show the flight crew your boarding passes and the time once you get onto the Avianca flight - they may be able to get off the plane a bit sooner if it starts looksing really tight. Also ask for help finding the connection gate...

Arrival in Bogota can be a bit messy (ie depending on what gate you come in on the corridors are *not* always well marked - at least they weren't for my last flight). The Bogota airport is so busy that there simply arent' enough proper elevated passage gates and sometimes arrivals have to get off down the stairs and then ride a shuttle bus to the airport.

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adrimm says on Jun 9, 2008, 22:15:

I can't edit my post: I just wanted to clarify the above is my suggestion as someone who has arrived in Bogota (not necc transferred through).

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el flaco says on Jun 10, 2008, 00:30:

I suggest that you write out in Spanish and English that you are transferring to another aircraft with all the details. Then you can show that to officials. There are porters available at a price at baggage reclaim, you may want to use one as they will know where to go. There used to be excellent advice on arriving at Bogota airport and what to do in the travel section, I haven't looked to see if it is still there.

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viajero123 says on Jun 10, 2008, 03:54:

Since you are transferring with Avianca you do not even have to go through customs/passport control. Make sure you check in your bags thru to Ecuador while in LAX check-in and let the flight crew in the LAX-BOG leg that you will be connecting to Ecuador with them. You shouldn't need to fill out any forms, your bags are transferred directly to your other flight, and the crew once you land will direct you to your other flight. You will always remain in the international area and you will officially have never entered Colombia. That happens because Colombia has passport control for coming in and out of the country so there is an international, no-mans land area where transit can be done without any formalities.
And if something has changed recently, it shouldn't be any problem either, but maybe your connection time will not be enough in such a case.

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thur says on Jun 10, 2008, 07:54:

As viajero123 said, seeing as you won't even enter Colombia... the paperwork (in both Spanish and English) isn't necessary for you. When disembarking and entering the main corridor to passport control there's a sideway to the right for international connections, there you go upstairs where the international concourse is. You'll probably won't be the only one, it seems a piece of cake and 1h40m should be plenty.
It's always good to check with the check-in staff and/or the cabin crew and/or ground staff.
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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Gator says on Jun 10, 2008, 08:55:

No sweat as long as you remain "in transit."

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

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guacharaca says on Jun 10, 2008, 10:02:

viajero123 is correct. Make sure your bags are tagged with the Quito airport code in BIG letters, and ¨¨bog¨¨ in smaller print.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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