interested in traveling colombia for first time, advice needed

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 2, 2007, 07:25:

boy-wonder81 says on Jul 2, 2007, 08:44:

well i definitely want to go out party, sightseeing, etc....just somthign different than my usual bar hopping in nyc

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thur says on Jul 2, 2007, 09:29:

My posting got lost with some sort of a time out, so here goes again...
Be prepared to be asked questions on departure from Bogotá (or on arrival in /departure from the US getting the dreaded SSSS on your boarding pass for an extra security screening by the TSA), because of the shortness of your stay. In 2002 I travelled alone to Bogotá for a week because of a family emergency -in my early twenties at the time- and was taken aside when departing from Bogotá for my flight to Europe. They asked everything as to why, where, who, how, ticket, luggage, money and I was taken to a seperate room where they took X-rays of my stomach (fortunately I speak Spanish well). They probaly thought I had done or was doing a drug run. Of course I had nothing and could catch my flight home. On arrival in Europe my short stay in Colombia was frowned upon and I was chosen for an extra luggage check. Not to scare you, just to be prepared ;-)
Ok, here are my two cents: go to Bogotá and stay in a hotel in the Northern part of the city. Take a day for sight seeing (if you're into that anyway), walk to a Transmilenio bus station, take the Transmilenio bus to Las Aguas or Museo del Oro, walk around the historic centre of La Candelaria, go to Monserrate for a panoramic view (or go up Colpatria tower), go to the Botero Museum which is free, drink coffee at Juan Valdez next to it, eat a "tamal" or have hot chocolate with cheese and an almojabana (bun made of corn dough), go to the Gold Museum which is cheap, Plaza Bolivar, walk along the Carrera 7, feel the atmosphere, buy a T-shirt, have a cheap lunch of three (small) courses, walk towards the international centre, eat a cookie, a cake, a pandebono (dough) or whatever interests you in the shop you chose with a Colombiana soda. Walk around and feel the vibe, it's safe and don't flash around with cash, expensive watch or camera. Take Transmilenio back to the North to be around Parque 93 & Zona T (pedestrian T-shape street with bars and restaurant) later in the afternoon, at dusk for dinner and to go out at night. Ehm... I'll let others give suggestions for the other two days.
Use an ATM in a shopping centre (debit card with Maestro/ Cirrus logo or credit card).
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

- pbase.com/thur

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megustamuchisimo says on Jul 2, 2007, 09:38:

A good place to stay in a nice neighborhood is La Casona Del Patio Amarillo, at Carrera 8 #69-24 (tel 212 8805). It's in a nice and pretty safe neighborhood, not too costoso, near Zona G and also near Chapinero. It's a hostel that thinks it's a hotel. Also check out www.bogotablogger.com for some restaurants and things to do.

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boy-wonder81 says on Jul 2, 2007, 09:44:

that is great info thur, i dont speak spanish well at all unfortunately
also do u think times have changed as i see u traveled in 2002, do u still think i will go thru the interrogation process.........

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boy-wonder81 says on Jul 2, 2007, 09:48:

megusts, tks for the info, if i make my way over there i will be happy to tell u about my experience, just wondering how i will make out with out speaking any spanish!!

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griffbos says on Jul 2, 2007, 10:11:

Boy wonder81, a number of things to consider, Do you speak spanish and if so how well. I would tell you to stick to Bogota or Medellin your first trip, both have good hotels nice bars, but unless your spanish is decent your going to have a hard time getting around, I know my spanish from my first trip to now is not the greatest, if it wasn't for my friends in Colombia that alo know spanish I would not have enjoyed my trip.IMHO if your spanish is bad take a spanish class or two before traveling you will enjoy your trip more that way.

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megustamuchisimo says on Jul 2, 2007, 11:43:

You will be able to get along without Spanish. It might take some work, but almost everywhere you would be going you will be able to find someone who speaks enough English that you two can communicate. The thing to look out for is scams, though...don't go anywhere with any strangers, drink drinks others buy for you, etc. A friend of mine two nights ago (Colombian guy) met a beautiful girl in a bar and, without memory of exactly what happened, ended up in the hospital, stabbed in the back, and with no wallet, cell phone, etc. Not that this happens all the time, but without Spanish you are more vulnerable to such things.

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Mike19 says on Jul 2, 2007, 12:15:

Hi Megustamuchisimo - what part of colombia did this happe to your friend. I'm sorry to hear that and hope he feels better. I heard about stories like this...they put scopa (sort of a drug that knocks you out) or something like that in your drink.

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megustamuchisimo says on Jul 2, 2007, 12:54:

This was somewhere in the north, maybe on Avenida 19 area? Not a very dangerous neighborhood at all. I hear those kinds of stories maybe once a year or so, so it's still something to look out for.

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Mike19 says on Jul 2, 2007, 14:46:

I'm sorry megustamuchisimo, I meant is it in medellin or bogota? I never been to colombia and don't know where avenida 19 would be located.

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scotty says on Jul 2, 2007, 15:38:

hold on to your wallet and try to look Colombian

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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megustamuchisimo says on Jul 2, 2007, 16:34:

This was in Bogota, in a section of the city that is fairly wealthy and Avenida 19 has upscale bars and restaurants. So, it wasn't a bad neighborhood. The girl who did it was well-dressed and very sophisticated and charming, according to my amigo.

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cali373 says on Jul 2, 2007, 23:52:

There is much to do in Bogota because it is the capital and there is alot of money flowing. But I would not recommend going there if you the option to visit other cities instead. Go to Medellin or Cartagena. But I would recommend medellin the best. That is hands down the overall best city in Colombia right now. Bogota is good but Medellin is GREAT!!! and you will find nicer people in medellin and better climate. If museuma are your thing then go to bogota even though there are some museums in Medellin.

Conduct and search on this site for more Medellin info.

Regarding the horror story mentioned above, this mostly happens to people who accept drinks from strangers. If you really think about it, it is not a good idea to accept any kind of food or drink from strangers in any part of the world. I follow that policy even upscale bars in NYC and Miami. Unless I see the bartender making the drink it is not going in my body.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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boy-wonder81 says on Jul 3, 2007, 05:47:

Ok my spanish is horrible., and i will stick out easily bc i will be walking around with my translation book.....

i will try to add more to my spanish vocab before finally making the trip but it seems as if general consensus if for medellin............

tks for the info guys....if anyone else has more to suggest pls feel free

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