Surprise

CristalM says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:23:

Get a taxi at the window where you exit the airport. I have never had a problem. Hope you have a great visit!
Since your arrival is a surprise be careful what time you get in. My husband's flight landed at 9 ish pm and we weren't home to the apartment in northern Bogota until after 11:30 pm.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Dillard666 says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:25:

It seems pretty risky according to some self-proclaimed experts on this site

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juli says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:33:

Write down the address and hand it to the driver or the dispatcher. THere is a fixed rate for the cab ride. Find out what it is beforehand. The taxis at the airport are safe enough. The streets are a different thing. Watch your luggage in the airports

CEO Fajardo´s Fan Club, Medellín, Colombia

0 funny, 0 helpful.

eywed says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:37:

My wife always says be careful, you want to give a surprise you may get a surprise.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

JSM says on Jan 9, 2008, 13:46:

Yes, after exiting the terminal i believe if you go to the end on the right (facing away from the building) there is a window that you tell your destination to and they give you a slip with an expected fare and a line of legit taxis are right there. I recommend NOT getting into a taxi that would take you without that slip. Note that in Bogota at night there might be a surcharge at night or festivals, usually only a thousand peso extra (US 50 cents).

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jbk0904 says on Jan 9, 2008, 14:37:

Don't try to be a hero...ask your friend to be at airport to meet you....Safety is No. 1.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on Jan 9, 2008, 15:07:

It is pretty safe to take a taxi from the airport, but it might help knowing the hour and neighborhood you are going, this information will be helpfull for better answers.

There was a thread about taxis "in Bogotá" "taxis 101" somewhere on PBH but it scares visitors more than helping.

Have a nice visit.

(I really hate it when women get their panties all bunched up their butt, they can get so cranky!) Poor butt happy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm says on Jan 9, 2008, 22:26:

OMg some people are soo dramatic. Use the booth, you'll be fine.

In 2006 I went to Bogota on my own to suprise relatives (first trip back since early teenagehood, first trip there on my own (mid 20's, less than 5' tall). Flight arrived at 9 pm. It had been nearly 10 years since my last time in Bogota, and my first time ever taking taxi from the airport. It was a breeze. I was supposed to meet someone to pass off some shoes, and frankly I was more nervous walking into the crowd scanning for him than getting in line to catch a cab.

Just follow the instructions others have given you
1) Have the address of your hotel written down
2) As you exit the airport doors go immediately to your right to the taxi booth (there will be a line)
3) Give them the addresss you are going to and they will provide you with a slip stating the fare there.
4) Take this to the Taxi queue

As I understand it, all Taxis that are in that queue are with legit companies.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

dwr says on Jan 10, 2008, 05:55:

You will be fine using the taxi service at the airport. I've done it a hundred times. Use Adrimm's advice and you will arrive without any problems.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Jan 10, 2008, 06:39:

Surprises have a way of backfiring.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

donmia says on Jan 10, 2008, 06:41:

wow, thanks everybody. there was another option of getting the relatives to come and pick me up for the surprise, but it seemed like it would be a big hassle. further complicated by my limited spanish and none of them speak any english.

I've met many of them and know they would come and get me, especially to surprise him. but i wanted to avoid getting a translator to explain my idea, when i'm coming in, etc.

His region is Norte, but i'm not sure of the exact neighborhood. he's just had to get the apartment and isn't settled yet.

thanks everybody. looking forward to coming. reading this site has helped me a lot in getting ready. (I wasn't at all scared when i went to visit the doctor for immunizations and he tried to convince me that I should not go because I will be cut into tiny pieces and disappear in the jungle forever) I used the info on this site and other sources to contradict that understanding. He had not been since 1992.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

LilaM says on Jan 10, 2008, 06:46:

BTW this is a real surprise:
The man walked over to the perfume counter and told the clerk he'd like a bottle of Chanel No. 5 for his wife's birthday.

"A little surprise, eh?" smiled the clerk.

"You bet," answered the customer. "She's expecting a cruise."

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don´t try" B. Sills

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jack_jason says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:09:

You can get any taxi at the airport; the police over there check every single taxi licence and the drivers. How ever, it could be a nice surprise for your friend if you arrived at the entrance of your friend's home; he/she opens the door and finds a naked man in front of it, without luggage and not wallet. That can be a funny surprise!. Do not forget to say…..SURPRISE!

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:29:

donmia, a surprise just does not seem a very wise thing to do. The negatives far exceed any satisfaction.

Many of the old hand here would advise against it.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jack_jason says on Jan 10, 2008, 09:38:

Just follow your heart. The force is with you.

This is just spanglish, please do not correct me

0 funny, 0 helpful.