PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

quick visit to Bogota between flights?

Hi guys...
I'll be going from New York to Santiago de Chile with a 9 hour stop in Bogota.
I'd love to take the time to visit the downtown area.
I just wonder how this will affect me in terms of the departure tax? I was assuming that in making my transfer at Bogota I would not have to pay the tax or that it is already included in my airfare. If I go out through immigration and customs, will I have to pay an additional tax when I come back in?
Thanks! =)
PS. Oh, if you've got any suggestions on how to maximize a 6 hour visit to the city, feel free!

By mattkru on Jun 27, 2008, 15:47 in Travel tips.

viajero123 says on Jun 27, 2008, 16:34:

My guess is that you will not have to pay the tax. The tax is collected before check-in. Since you would already have all of your boarding passes with you, you wouldn't need to check-in again. You can go with it straight to security and passport control for your flight out of Bogota, and no tax is collected there. This would be my guess since I haven't done it.

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Gator says on Jun 27, 2008, 18:31:

if he leaves he will not longer be considered "in-transit"and will pay the tax. Ramaining in "transit" he pays no tax He can not exit with out passing through immigration (DAS) and will have to return the same way.

Downtown and La Candelaria areas are an easy ride from the airport-say 20 minutes- safe during daylight interesting and lots of good restaurants. Try a visit to Monseratte over looking Bogotá is also a good bet. and is also downtown A cable car takes you up to the top & you get the most fantastic view of Bogotá city.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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viajero123 says on Jun 28, 2008, 01:10:

Gator, when will he be asked to pay the tax?

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Gator says on Jun 28, 2008, 09:39:

When he re-enters through DAS immigatration departure he will be asked. If he does NOT exit the international waiting area he will pay no tax. One that passport gets stamped, and he can't exit the airport with out this step,. he has officially entered Colombia.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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viajero123 says on Jun 30, 2008, 05:31:

mattkru, call the airline. I was sure you didn't have to pay tax, but Gator makes me doubt, but I am still thinking it is possible without paying the tax.
As far as I am aware, if you get your boarding pass in the States, go thru immigraiton, visit Bogota, come back to the airport, go directly to security with your boarding pass, then passport control, then board your plane. The tax is collected during check-in, so there will be no place for them to charge you for it. Plus passport control or security before boarding only checks your identity and your boarding pass, they do not check your tax payment, the airline is responsible for it. Anyway, the best is to call the airline. Plus the transit lounge in Bogota is boring, 6 hours can be a lot there!

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