taking passport in Colombia

untreated says on Nov 25, 2005, 07:08:

Leave your passport in hotel safe. Carry photocopy. If any authority wants to see the original, accompany you to your hotel.
My passport was stolen in 1975 because I didn't do what I'm telling you to do.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

YTO SAN says on Nov 25, 2005, 09:02:

Passport Yup, Gringoinbogota is right. even that the US passport says that is ok to carry a photocopy, don't do it unless you take it to a notary and get a certified copy.


=======
YTO SAN

=======YTO SAN

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ronald1168 says on Nov 25, 2005, 09:24:

Leave your passport in the safe. Officially you need to take your passport with you but it would be stupid to do, according to my wife (a former D.A.S. Agent/Cali) she cannot recall any foreigner who has been arrested for that reason.

I personally only take my driving licence with me and it was enough for already many years. Never had any problems. I don't understand that these other posters have to scare you, they talking nonsense.


R. Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel says on Nov 25, 2005, 10:57:

A safe yes... But the hotel's safe, not the one in your room in a hotel. If you put the responsibility on them, it's a different situation. The safe in your room is hardly "safe". Try this with one of those digital coded safes...you put in your supposedly "secret" password while the hotel attendant turns his eyes away while you are doing it. THEN, in a few hours, call the front desk and tell them you "forgot your password"; the same attendant comes back and opens it in about 5 seconds with his "magic tool".

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Nov 25, 2005, 11:13:

I agree with ronald I never carry my passport in Cali, only an unofficial photocopy just in case. I have never been harassed (only scolded a couple of times) for not carrying it. I usually only carry my driver's license and one credit/debit card.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.

untreated says on Nov 25, 2005, 15:50:

Of course I meant a notarized copy I repeat what I posted, yes of course go to a Colombian notary and authenticate your photocopy, it will cost 5000 pesos.

Of course I meant the hotel safe in the reception, get a receipt leave your passport, cash and valuables there, NOT a good idea to carry passport and valuables on the street especially if you are newly arrived.

I don't want to get into a pi**ing contest here, but I have in fact lived in Colombia for more than 30 years.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CuriosJoe says on Nov 26, 2005, 09:32:

I got stopped in cartagena once at a military checkpoint right by the marine base on the way from laguito to el centro, I was on my way to party red bull can and vodka in my hand, this big dude in green asked to see my passport I said I dont have it on me, long story short the taxi told me to give him drink money, so I did, 5K maybe I don't remember exactly how much now, that was funny, I like the certified copy suggestion, great for longer stays

0 funny, 0 helpful.

mariasman says on Nov 26, 2005, 11:18:

Here is what you really need to do..... You need to wear a suit of armor (Mid 16th century armor will do) and then you need to put the passport next to your left ear in the armor headgear and if you are pulled over by the police, you can tell them that you came in a time machine sent by the king of England and that you are here on Royal business. Kidding,,,, No seriously, Notary is the way to go and only in an extreme case if something happens and you don't have your passport are you going to be in trouble. Now, if you were in Mexico, then I would say to not only notarize your passport but to notarize everything you own because they have the worst corruption that there is among their police. Nowadays, the Colombian police are just like the police here( except they wont warn you more than once to do what they say). They are pretty fair and as long as you are not being an a.., you will not have any problems. I have had plenty of talks with the D.A.S. and in fact have a friend that works for them and believe me, I have asked all these questions. Remember, when in Colombia, do as the Colombians do. Don't just see the Colombian but be the Colombian.

mariasman

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CuriosJoe says on Nov 26, 2005, 15:57:

Mexico is practically living off of US aid and the money mexicans send home from US and their police are so corrupt they are like mad dogs bite the feeding hand, extort cash from US drivers on bogus traffic violations, and I hear it's now even worse than that. What a shame has Mexico become. Another reason to travel to Colombia/Panama instead.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) says on Nov 26, 2005, 17:03:

don't take me wrong do have your passport copies notarized; just because I have never bothered with it and had no hassle it doesn't mean you don't need to do that. Play it safe, always.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

0 funny, 0 helpful.