poor? but happy

Rubiazo says on Aug 25, 2005, 15:48:

Hotels in Bogota Off of Av primer de mayo. 20k pesos for 12 hours, 30k pesos on the weekend. Nice and clean and new, the hot water may not work great. Lots of people go there just to have sex, but you are welcome to stay indefinitely as long as you pay :)

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expatriate says on Aug 25, 2005, 15:58:

Great idea Normally you can find dive hotels in town by asking taxi drivers. Expect noise, no A/C or hot water, and a questionable mattress.

The motels mentioned above are another idea for a night's sleep, but the drawback is that they are generally on the outskirts of town and may be sold out on weekend nights.

Maybe I could add a "Colombian Dive Hotels" page to my website of this type of hotel in the major cites of Colombia if I get enough response. Send suggestions to junruh at hotpop. Include the city, address, barrio if known, telephone, and any other comments. John

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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BAQ says on Aug 25, 2005, 15:58:

Yea ok OK, no problem, stay at a Colombian "Budget" hotel. If you are talking about BOGOTA, the HOTEL DANN NORTE is great, about $55.00 (u.s) a night (two people)and that includes a FULL breakfast. Might be a little cheaper if you are alone. If you have never been to Colombia before, you need be advised that the U.S. version of a 3 star hotel and the Colombian version are in two different worlds. If you cal live with little or no hot water, a VERY BAD bed (paper thin or hard mattress), little or no security, no television, no phone ect, sure, pick a "Budget" hotel. I think those of us who post about hotels have been through the pitfalls before in making the mistake of choosing a "Budget" hotel. Many years back, my first night ever in Bogota was at a budget hotel. It was a nightmare. Next morning, my happy little ass was in a taxi and I moved to the Hotel Dann Norte and now, every time I need to travel to Bogota, thats where I stay. So, take your pick. I have given you one option and Rubiazo has given you another. Come to think of it, screw Dann Norte, stay with the hookers, probably a better view of eye candy from your window.

Semper Fidelis !

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Rubiazo says on Aug 25, 2005, 16:14:

To rebut The Dann Norte sounds great too, but just to clear up
The place I stayed at off of the 1 de mayo was spotlessly clean, had real matresses, was brand new, had a gorgeous bathroom with jacuzzi and 24 hour security. They even have limited room service!! The one caveat is that the water never got hotter than lukewarm, rendering the jacuzzi all but useless!
When I was in Rio I stayed in a 3 star. Man, I wish the US had a 4 star hotel as good as that. We got served breakfast every day by waiters in tuxes!

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juanalejo says on Aug 25, 2005, 16:35:

hotels If you are looking for nice hotels and not very expensive, there are two that I recommend. Zuetana93 near the Park 93, www.zuetana.com and Casa Santa Lucia near the Hacienda Mall. cslucia01 at yanoo.com

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kernow62 says on Aug 25, 2005, 17:05:

What is a budget hotel might not be to another person. I too stayed at Dann Norte and will do so again. In Cartagena I enjoyed my time at Hotel Da Pietro. I get around a bit of the higher prices by travelling in off-peak season. Next time we go to Bogotá however it will be for a longer stay and am thinking something with cooking facilities, of course food in restaurants is so cheap it is almost crazy to bother cooking for myself.

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tomtom33 says on Aug 25, 2005, 17:55:

MDE My first night there I paid 20K pesos(about US$8.00 at the time) for a night for two people. The bed was nice, the bathroom was new and large, and hot water was plentiful. There was no AC but the wall fan was all we needed. The room was a little small, however.

You must have had a great place for twice that.

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Atrevido says on Aug 25, 2005, 18:05:

Andrews I agree There are way too many recomendations for the most expensive hotels in Colombia promoted on forums like this and I hate to say it but it's to be blamed for the most part on some of my fellow Americans who aren't up to crapping on a john with out a pato or staying in a room with out AC. An example of what's out there is the Hotel Monte Carlo in Barranquilla. $12.000 pesos: safe area, private bathroom, comfortable bed and great costeño breeze with the window open. No need for AC. I stayed there for two weeks happy as could be and I'm gringo to the bone.

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miamimike says on Aug 25, 2005, 21:41:

I've noticed this also-I've never payed over $45 a Night and most of the time only 1/2 that amount. Never had a theft problem in any of my Hotel Rooms.My Buddy recently stayed at a place very near the Andino Mall(bogota) and it ran him around $26 nightly. It was clean, secure and he had no problems whatsoever. On the other hand a Friend's Son stayed at a Very Well Known Major Chain Hotel in (and very expensive I may add) in Cali recently and lost several hundred Dollars in the Hotel's Safe. High Priced Hotels don't always equate to being Theftproof/problem free.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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BAQ says on Aug 25, 2005, 21:42:

Barranquilla with No A/C Staying in a hotel in Barranquilla with "NO need for A/C" and only a "Breeze"? Yea ok, hahahahahaha.

Semper Fidelis !

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caslug says on Aug 25, 2005, 22:13:

I've stayed at the following places.. Bogota

Aparta Hotel Real 85(apartment hotel), 1 bd room suite, w/ lg living room, kitchen, ac, hotwater, breakfast, housekeeping, high speed internet, security, NO GUEST FEE, in Zona Rosa for 80-90k/night(dont remember exactly)

Cali

Aparta Hotel del Rio, hilton like hotel room, 1 bd, ac, hotwater, breakfast, housekeeping, security, no guest fee, next to avienda sexta zone, 86k/night

Aparta Hotel Montecarlo, 1 bd room suite w/ living room/kitchen, ac, hotwater, security, housekeeping, in avienda sexta zone, 75k/night

Medellin

Hotel del Sauces, hilton like hotel room, 1 bd, ac, hotwater, breakfast, housekeeping, security, no guest fee, 5 min from metro estation estadio, 93k/night

Hotel Balcones, 1bd, hotwater, NO AC, NO BREAKFAST, security, houstkeeping, no guest fee, 5 min fr metro station estadio, 49.5k/night

I was told i could also stay in poblado apartment, 2 bd, hot water, security, no guest fee, no ac for 90-100k/night

So as you can see you EASILY can get a accomadation that is comfortable and inexpensive(not cheap) in COL for UNDER 50USD/night. When i was in Lima, i stayed in a holiday inn style hotel for 16USD/night. When i travel to a 3rd world country, i certainly dont expect to pay 1st world prices $70-150USD/night. Heck, i stayed at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC for $125/night too!

Many of the afforadable places are NOT on american travel websites(travelocity, expedia, etc.,) you find out about it fr boards like this and other. Because those places DONT cater to american tourist, they cater to fellow latin tourist or businessman. Many dont even have a website.

Anyone want to pay US prices for accomadation, be my guest, you'll stay in a VERY nice place and you wont have ANY Problems. But for me, i rather save the money and spend it on going out with my amigas or playing blackjack!

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miamimike says on Aug 25, 2005, 23:59:

Even paying High prices are no Guarentee That person who was ripped off in Cali was Paying close to $100 nightly and this was at a VERY well known Highly rated (many stars) Hotel.Even in Florida, a few miles outside of Disneyland, decent clean Motel rooms can be had for under $50 nightly! Why would I pay more in Colombia???

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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kernow62 says on Aug 26, 2005, 04:44:

If I can get a decent hotel with AC, and nice breakfast, room safe etc. for $35 in Cartagena or $50 in Bogotá, I sure as hell am not going to look for less expensive accomodations that don't have a toilet seat, AC or breakfast, or might be in a less convenient or dodgy area. That would add up to perhaps $600 for the whole month. I will just earn a few more dollars when I get home, what is working a few extra hours to a bit of comfort once a year while on holiday.

If I was younger, single or on an extended stay where I had to keep expenses to a minimum that would be one thing, but I live economically in the US so that I can travel.

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andrews says on Aug 26, 2005, 04:47:

see there you go.... Expat and Baq- the minute someone looking for value it's imediately equated w/ "dive". Understand, the idea was to point out the irony of the "poor" in pbh, if you consider 55us a night poor in a Latin American country then we are different sides of the tracks. I think your comments only reinforce that irony and do little to rectify it.
Cas, I think you and I are close to the same page, but for me, I really think that the Balcones place, though it looked nice, seemed a little rich for what? 23us a night? Should't you get a pool or something for that?
And tomtom, for 8 you must have been downtown right?
Although I don't need to stay in poblado, I was pretty happy w/ the estadio neighborhood.

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kernow62 says on Aug 26, 2005, 04:52:

Andres; there is no need to " Andrews; there is no need to "rectify it". Simply because it isn't a problem. We each have a different budget, I wouldn't look down on someone for spending $12 a night nor would I look up to someone spending $200 a night. I do realise though that the budget traveler has a different lifestyle and of course the wealthier traveler is pumping more money into the economy, but perhaps the poorer traveler is having a more authentic travel experience. So what's the big deal, what is there to rectify?

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tomtom33 says on Aug 26, 2005, 08:29:

20K was not in Centro. It was in a more residential barrio maybe 15 minutes from Centro. I have a feeling that it was not the best area, though. My novia had to go home for a couple of hours, and she asked that I not walk around the area alone. She and I did with no problem. Maybe she was just concerned about my love for grillas.

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miamimike says on Aug 26, 2005, 12:12:

The apartment Idea is a nice way to go! I rented a small apartment for my 17 days when I went to bogota last time. It was completely furnished, secure and it cost me around $200 Total.I cooked in a lot so I saved a ton of $$$ not having to eat out. Many times here in Miami in a small paper called the Clarin(weekly daily) Owners from Col but living in Miami, advertise their Apartments/condos for rent and for sale. Deal direct and no agent commission! In some of those ritzy hotels, I seldom eat and drink there, really I don't use any of the amenities offered but I end up subsidizing the others(in the form of higher room rates) that do and as I mentioned above, if it was a 100% guarentee I would be safer(or my belongings would be)it may be worth it but that is not the case. Plus bring a stray lady in for the night and as you walk by the lobby its akin to "Walk of Shame" as all eyes are on you and the "Lady". Too Many Curious, Prying Eyes! Each to his own but know what Value you are receiving for your Money.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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expatriate says on Aug 28, 2005, 06:04:

Hotels now on a web page PBHers, I've compiled a page of budget hotels based on this thread. If you would like to send me more suggestions, email junruh at uniweb.net.co. Include as much info as you like.

http://junruh.freefronthost.com/hotels.html

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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kernow62 says on Aug 28, 2005, 06:27:

expatriate, may I include a link to that page from my website www.gringoincolombia.com ?

It would be useful for many visitors.

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BAQ says on Aug 28, 2005, 11:40:

Andrews, I am curious, how many times have you been to Colombia? When do you plan to arrive and what city are you staying in?

Semper Fidelis !

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BAQ says on Aug 28, 2005, 11:40:

Andrews Reason I ask is you seem to get upset because we mention "Decent" hotels. If you want to stay in a BUDGET hotel, knock yourself out, however I think you will discover that what you SAVE on the price of a hotel, you will SPEND in extra taxi fares to get to nice places that are not within walking distance of the budget hotels, paying for breakfast each day that is not included in a budget hotel ect.

Example: In Bogota, Hotel Dann Norte is about $55.00 a night and by American standards that is CHEAP. You get a full breakfast, next to the hotel is CARRULIA, open all night to get smokes, beer, food ect (Much cheaper than items sold in the hotel, is within walking distance of a nice, new shopping mall and food court, pharmacy across the street, SEVERAL restaurants within walking distance, great view of the mountians ect.

I live in Barranquilla and I can give you the same examples here. If you can;t afford $55.00 a night, just tell us what you CAN afford and those of us who live here or have been here before will be more than happy to give you some suggestions.

I have traveled all over the world and have found that 95% of the time, when you find a CHEAP hotel, there is a reason, and it isn't because the hotel owner wants to just give his rooms away.

Semper Fidelis !

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kernow62 says on Aug 28, 2005, 12:15:

Actually Dann Norte is within walking distance of two malls, Unicentro and Hacienda Santa Barbara. As you say the Carulla is right there with an ATM, there is an excellent travel agency out front, you can walk to Usaquen flea market, or to catch the Turist Tren, there are many many nice shops and restaurants nearby. My wife and I had no problems walking at night. Perhaps I could have saved a few dollars elsewhere, but I will return to Dann Norte for the convenience.

That breakfast is very good, in fact I save on lunch by eating a substantial breakfast, a snack suffices until evening.

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BAQ says on Aug 28, 2005, 17:19:

Kernow62, I forgot about the 2nd mall and the flea market, thanks for adding that. I guess until one travels here, it's hard to grasp the suituation. I don;t think 55 a night is high. Last time I was in Vegas I paid 37.00 per night at Harrah's, it was a great deal, however Vegas is unique. Last time I stayed in Miami, I was at an 8 days inn and payed 57.00 a night and 8 days inns ARE budget hotels with no breakfast. The full breakfast is worth $7.00 in and of itself.

Andrews, 55.00 a night is a VERY GOOD RATE in colombia for a "Decent hotel", the Dann Carlton in Barranquilla is over 100 a night, Hotel Barranquilla plaza is about 65.00 a night and Hotel El Prado is about 75.00 a night. AGAIN, all these hotels do not require a taxi if you want to go out and see things.

On the other hand, here in Barranquilla, I can refer you to several hotels for about $15-$20.00 per night but the rooms are small, no in room safes, hot water less than 40% of the time, awful beds and you will need to spend about 8000 pesos round trip ($3.50 U.S) every time you want to go someplace (ATM machine, grocery store, shopping, decent restaurant)ect.

So don;t shoot the messengers, we are only trying to help you avoid the pitfalls of a majorty of the "Budget hotels" in Colombia.

Semper Fidelis !

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kernow62 says on Aug 28, 2005, 19:03:

Oh I forgot to mention in the bathroom at Dann Norte, 2 yes I said 2 toilet rolls, so there!!!!

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BAQ says on Aug 28, 2005, 21:27:

You got ripped off ! Wow, you got ripped off, we had THREE ROLLS of toilet paper in our bathroom and TWO of the bottles of shampoo :-) hahahaha

Ya know, we are joking about toilet paper but if ya think about it, in those "Budget hotels" you have to call the front desk for a new roll, assuming there was a roll there to begin with ** OOPS, NO PHONE in the rooms. (Wipe with morning copy of USA today), OOPS, NO COPY of USA today. (Wipe with finger, wash finger, then wish you had paid a few $$$ more)

Those of you that have not been to colombia might think we are kidding however MANY bathrooms in stores have NO TOILET PAPER because the poor people steal it, or there is one large "Community roll" locked in a machine where you grab a handfull of TP on the way in.

MY OH MY THE THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

Semper Fidelis !

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kernow62 says on Aug 29, 2005, 04:30:

I carry a partial roll at al times in Colombia. I just hope I don't get cut by someone trying to steal my toilet roll. ja ja

Here take my money, my camera...hey asshole thats my TP, slash, blood everywhere, spurt spurt.

Headline Tourist Dies In Futile Attempt To Save Valuables

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tomtom33 says on Aug 29, 2005, 08:15:

Job #1 is to get to know the public bathrooms in the areas you frequent. Where are the good places to dump?

In Cuba you will rarely, if ever, find TP in any public bathroom.

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