Rental Car, A good idea?

capitan_centella says on Nov 18, 2007, 21:52:

That depends.

FIRST: Right now in bogotá, the administration is doing some HEAVILY REPAIREMENT in all the streets, so as for example "avenida de las americas", it´s almost impossible to drive. (It looks like an endless parking lot. )

SECOND: The drivers in bogotá are not polite. Especially in public transportation are really skillfull, they do things that NOBODY CAN DO!, but they know almost all bad words you can imagine.

So my advice is: walk or rent a bike. I´m pretty serious here.

rent a bike. (I have a unycicle, and I never been late for an appointment).

"When you open your eyes, you turn around with the world, But it can change, if you only close it, and see a dream to yourself." Me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on Nov 18, 2007, 22:05:

In Bogota, the drivers are a bit on the aggressive side. Think Mr. Toad's wild ride at Disney World. Keep your hands inside the ride at all times.
.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

0 funny, 0 helpful.

phillyguy says on Nov 19, 2007, 04:52:

A gringo who in unfamiliar with Colombia would be very ill-advised to rent a car. The traffic is terrible, people drive like lunatics, and few of the streets have proper signs (making getting lost highly likely.) Taxis are cheap. Stick with taxis or buses.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

TonyMattei says on Nov 19, 2007, 05:12:

but yet there is no road rage.......everybody drives like shit in my opinon...traffic signs are meerly suggestions..........red lights means; if no is coming..."GO"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 19, 2007, 07:19:

but yet there is no road rage....... of course tony has been to Colombia 8 times he knows....I have been here for five and believe me when I say road rage exists just like anywhere else

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Nov 19, 2007, 07:59:

Take a taxi anywhere... It's cheap... Besides, if you're not familiar with Bogota and how to get about, you'll be lost... and trying to follow a map and drive will be impossible.... los tronques son horrible... Save yourself the stress.... and it's also expensive to rent a car... The daily rate may be like $35, but you add in Colombian taxes and insurance, you're looking at $60 a day for the cheapest stick shift car available....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Man Tequila says on Nov 19, 2007, 08:02:

It would take some effort to persuade me to rent a car in Colombia. You do not need it in the cities, the costs would exceed a taxi, roads can be confusing in some cities and taxis are cheap. The usual reason to rent a car is to drive between cities or into the country, but this requires local knowledge to do safely in some parts of Colombia.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

capitan_centella says on Nov 19, 2007, 08:46:

I´m agree with Man tequila. DRIVING OUTSIDE bogotá, it´s a very nice experience. The landscapes are superb.

"When you open your eyes, you turn around with the world, But it can change, if you only close it, and see a dream to yourself." Me.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

TonyMattei says on Nov 19, 2007, 14:04:

vicshere i have yet to see it the road rage that is .............i mean i have been in taxi where the damn near cut some one off clip there car and they drive like nothing happen like its its everyday thing......what raod rage are you talking about my friend that you saw..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Nov 19, 2007, 15:04:

I would strongly suggest that you not rent a car in Bogota for all the reasons outlined by other posters. However, if you insist, here is some info.

There are a few companies that rent cars in Colombia. However, it is not as easy as it is in the US, Canada or Europe.

For one thing it can be much more expensive. Expect to pay at least $60-70 for a very small subcompact to $150 or more for a mid-size car or small SUV. Most rental agencies typically do not include unlimited mileage so that can add to the cost. Also, they will normally require a large deposit. This could be $1,000 USD or more.

They will most likely require an international driver license. This can be purchased from AAA (http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html) in the US.

This is one agency I checked out once, but I ended up not using them. I borrowed a relative's car instead.
http://www.milanocar.com/


Here is a list that contains several agencies.
http://www.bogota-dc.com/dir/cars.html

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Nov 19, 2007, 15:09:

I just remembered that Dollar and Budget also have service in Bogota. Their rates are somewhat better than what I had seen before.

You can get something like this for about $50-60 a day.




Also, you will most likely need to know how to drive a stick shift. Most rental cars I looked at before had manual transmissions. If you can find one, you will pay through the nose for an automatic.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Nov 19, 2007, 15:17:

Hertz..... listing for 1 day...

Car class Trans. A/C Mileage Location Daily rate Total price*
Economy Car Manual Yes Unlimited $54.00 $70.76
This economy is the one pictured above.... Looks like a 24% hike w/ tax and Insurance.... ummm... This price could cover your taxi bill for your entire stay....

Compact 4-door car Manual Yes Unlimited $74.00 $93.96

Midsize 4-door car Manual Yes Unlimited $94.00 $122.96

Midsize 4-door car Auto Yes Unlimited $104.00 $134.56

Standard SUV Manual Yes Unlimited $124.00 $151.96

Full Size 4-door car Auto Yes Unlimited $124.00 $157.76

Midsize SUV Manual Yes Unlimited $134.00 $178.64

Standard SUV Auto Yes Unlimited $164.00 $213.44

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Chelesupercono says on Nov 19, 2007, 15:41:

Never really seen any road rage....gringo style, but I think that you have to be awake first to feel rage....I did the car rental gig and it was not good.....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

0 funny, 0 helpful.

mranderson says on Nov 19, 2007, 15:45:

Driving can be fun in Colombia. I've done it a couple times in Bucaramanga but never in bigger cities like bogota or medellin. I wouldn't mind so much in medellin but as far as I can tell bogota's traffic is really bad. And yes, road rage does exist. I didn't see it either when the first few times I came for vacation but since living here I see it a lot more often.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Nov 19, 2007, 16:09:

I didn't see much road rage when I drove in Bogota... I considered it, agressive driving x 10!....

But, I wouldn't have driven if I didn't have a good navigator at my side telling me when to turn and stuff.....

Road Rage is when you see people pissed and cursing up a storm and beating the crap out of the steering wheel.... A typical driver can maneuver through a tight spot and continue to carry on a full conversation without missing a beat...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 19, 2007, 18:31:

if you can't drive a stick...then you shouldn't be driving in Colombia...it shows your driving skills are below par...in Colombia it's not enough just to know push brake to stop and push gas to go....you would be dead in hours

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Nov 19, 2007, 18:35:

A little OT, but...


I like driving a stick, but I must confess that I want my next car with semi auto paddle shifting. That BMW M3 SMG is something else to drive.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 19, 2007, 18:44:

auto and semi autos are for "maricas" the real man uses his stick

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Nov 19, 2007, 19:28:

Well. I'll suffer the labels. The newer SMG shifts faster than any driver could shift a manual. I've been dying to get my SCCA license, but I need to get an appropriate car. I think that would make a good birthday present for myself.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 19, 2007, 20:02:

the semis auto don't down shift properly or at all...up shifting ok.....but try it going into a corner and see if it down shifts by itself.....that's where the stick comes in more so than the take off....again learn about your stick and you will be happy and safe

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

cali373 says on Nov 19, 2007, 20:11:

Rental car is not needed in Colombia. Unless the person is just trying to impress someone.

Smile if you are a thinker!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Carlotica says on Nov 19, 2007, 21:34:

Thank you everyone for the input. I never thought it would be that bad. I thought it will probably be better (more convenient and less dangerous- crime wise(not traffic wise)) than taxis since I have heard about the dangers using taxis, but it seems a lot of you think is much better than renting a car, so I would reconsider.

Salsera!!!... de por vida =>

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Nov 19, 2007, 21:42:

Nope... not convinient.... Just make sure that the Taxi Driver's face matches the Taxi License posted in the back seat... Also, the good thing about Taxi in Bogota, is that they can't really rip you off, you can calculate the rate based on the template in the taxi.... So, the meter says something like 60, then you grab the rate template and look up 60 and what it translates to in pesos...

The only time I got ripped of is when my eyes were dialated and I couldn't see the numbers clearly....

Convinience...Unheard of... try to park, drive, it's all very inconvinient...

Also, I wonder if they do the "Pick-A-Plate" with rentals? anybody know?

Bogota is overly conjested with cars.... So, depending on the license plate digit of your car, you can't drive on certain days....

Just be smart about traveling, taxis are safe, as long as you know where you're going.... Some of them will try and take you the long way if you don't know your way around...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Nov 19, 2007, 22:01:

You have received good advice above.

One more thing to consider about renting a car: Time. If you park in a public lot, you may have to pop the trunk and let a dog sniff around. Once in the lot/garage, you'll find that the spaces are quite narrow. More than likely, you will have to back in (not drive in at an angle), which can take a while if you're not used to it. Then you have to worry about scratches and dents getting in and out because the cars are so close together. Don't forget paying an attendant when you leave. At at a minimum you'll add ten minutes to every trip. Adds up if you're running several errands. Far less stress to be dropped off at the curb by a taxi.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

SFJohn says on Nov 19, 2007, 23:53:

As if you needed some more discouragement, I thought someone should benefit from my previous frustration. A couple months ago, on my first visit to Colombia, I decided it would be convenient to rent a car for three days to check out Medellin. I was surprised that the rental fee at Hertz for a little Twingo manual-shift, manual windows, manual steering car was $140,000 COP per day (US $70). By the time I heard the price I was already in the Hertz office so I decided to just do it.

No problem the first two days. On day three I wanted to check out the Feria de las Flores parade down in El Centro. I remember thinking it wasn't such a good idea to drive the rental car to the city center, but then I remembered how much I had paid for the rental, and I wanted to get my money's worth. I drove downtown and looked for a nice, safe garage where I could park. No luck, but then these very nice guys wearing reflective vests and waving red towels helpfully showed me where to park. And for only $5,000 COP, they also offered to watch the car and make sure everything was ok. Great!

Well, as you probably guessed, after returning from the parade my car was gone. So were the nice parking guys. The traffic cop mentioned that I had parked in a prohibited spot and the car had probably been towed. Being Sunday, I couldn't get the car back until the next day.

Long story short, the lady at Hertz had to go get the car the next day, and I had to pay another $400,000 COP in towing charge and fine. So let's see.... that is over $800,000 COP for a three day rental of a car that would sell for maybe $12,000 in the US. Even without the cost and trouble of being towed, you can use taxis all day long for the $120,000 - 140,000 COP car rental cost, and you don't have to deal with all the other hassles.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Nov 20, 2007, 10:10:

Road rage? na, they just cap you. A lot of drivers travel with guns.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 20, 2007, 10:20:

lowell on the money

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Nov 20, 2007, 10:34:

With a smile on theirs faces as they do so. No anger whatsoever.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Nov 21, 2007, 14:33:

of course most taxis would jump for joy to rent out for the whole day...cause they get paid for being stopped when your are shopping or whatever ...usually you have to pay the driver lunch and maybe dinner...don't know in Bogotá but here its running 100,000 per day I would guess maybe 150,000 in Bogotá?

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

RAAAY says on Nov 21, 2007, 15:32:

Cassini...............Yes, you can rent a taxi by the day............cheaper and more convienent than renting a car..........

[DELETED]

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on Nov 21, 2007, 21:00:

Don't rent a car for driving in the big cities, for all the reason stated. Public transportation is not bad, taxis are a little more expensive but not bad either. For city to city travel, a rental car may be an option, but there are other better options there, usually.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

0 funny, 0 helpful.

billyb says on Nov 21, 2007, 22:30:

One day I was sitting in the balcony of our house in Sta. Monica (a nice normal hood) in Cali and having a beer watching the girls sashay on down the street, when this one guy decides to actually stop for the stop sign, what are you, nuts? well, anyways, the guy behind him starts tooting his horn and the the guy who stopped, calmly gets out of his car and walks over to the guy behind him, pulls out his gun and makes the other guy get out of his car, kneel and beg forgivness, man after that, you will never see me touching the horn on any car. Then again, i'm not as brave as some of the super heroes on here :))

0 funny, 0 helpful.

shafferlori says on Nov 22, 2007, 02:53:

In Bogota the public transportation system is excellent. Taxis are cheap. Rental cars are very expensive and on designated days can not be used due to "Pico y Placa" which means every day certain license plate numbers cant circulate during rush hour. The fine for violating this law is quite high and being cuaght es a near cetainty as there are trafic cops stationed at nearly every intersection watching for violators. It would be easy to get lost in bogota and the trafic can be pretty bad.

Now for the other side of this. Trafic is bad in almost any major city anywhere you may travel and it would be easy to get lost. But it really depends on how adventurous you are and how long you intend to stay and how independent you really want to be. To travel between cities a rental car is a great option.( just me careful about where you go)

Twice I have rented a car in cartagena at MIlano Rental Car its cheaper than other car rental places and they have an office in Bogota. I traveled with a friend from cartagena to Bogota via Bucaramanga and returned from Bogota via medillin. What an incredible trip! I personally think the independence of having your own trasportation is a very big advantage.

However if you are only going to be a short time in Bogota its probably not worth it but it certainly does have an up side in terms of independence and if you dont become entirely lost you will learn your way around town faster in a car.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Nov 23, 2007, 16:34:

Yep, my wife will agree. One must be careful who they honk their horns at. A little toot, OK. Lay on it and you may be in for s treat. I never seen anything done for it. However, I've seen some real nasty looks.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.