Taxi Guidelines

Crazy4Cali says on Jan 13, 2006, 10:06:

The first step is to not look like an easy mark. Things like:
- don't wander around in a clueless daze
- always have a purpose for going somewhere (or at least look like it)
- ask directions before leaving your hotel
- keep your eyes and ears open
- be ready to part with your cash (i.e. don't carry more than you need to)
- if you have that "funny feeling you're being watched or followed" you probably are so duck into a store or a resturant
- if you're staying at a hotel that have a couple of taxis in front all the time, get their driver's cell numbers or the hotel's so you can call them from the bar/resturant (or make arrangements in advance) to have them pick you up.

Also, as another post pointed out, look for newer taxis with older drivers to minimize your risk.

But most of all, just turn on your "spidey sense" and listen to it. If you get the creeps, pull over and get out. If you really get the creeps, pull over, get out and run.

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UnknownSpiral says on Jan 13, 2006, 11:47:

Not as bad as people say it is To tell the truth i really think Bogotá is not a dangerous city at all... I've been living in Bogotá for the passed 6 months and i'm also a foreigner, as i come from Portugal... Of course you can catch a cab on the streets, there is no problem with that, the main problem for a foreigner catching a cab on the streets is that the driver may take you for a tour around the city, even if you destination is just 4 block away... This happens if you dont know where do you want to go, or more important the main streets to get there, adding that you are a foreigner they will probably charge you more, if you dont check on the table (credits Vs money)...

Of course there are some areas in Bogotá that are really unsafe, but those areas as in the souther part of the city or the West part, and for a foreigner there is nothing more then just housing...

I also walk alone in the street at anytime of the day and night and i never had any problem, and mainly i never saw anything, so i just want to say:

Stop being paranoid and just enjoy yourself, cause Bogotá is really a nice city to live in...

UnknownSpiral

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RPW says on Jan 13, 2006, 12:33:

The point of my post was not paranoia. I was pointing the apparent absurdity of the taxi 'rules' that have been mentioned lately -- showing that if they were all followed, no one would leave their hotel room. Obviously, if you end up in some shithole in the middle of the night, you are going to take any reasonable taxi ride home.

That being said, I am embarrased about my misspelling...

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COLDK says on Jan 13, 2006, 13:00:

not only foreigners UnknownSpiral : "...the main problem for a foreigner catching a cab on the streets is that the driver may take you for a tour around the city, even if you destination is just 4 block away... This happens if you dont know where do you want to go, or more important the main streets to get there, adding that you are a foreigner they will probably charge you more, if you dont check on the table (credits Vs money)..."

As soon as they can identify u are not from Bogota , no matter if u come from another city /region in Col. they can notice ur accent and ask something so they can be sure u dont know how to get the place. But this happens in many cities in many countries in Latinamerica. In Cartagena, I have to tell to the taxi drivers all the time: hey Im not a tourist, I live here so... forget about that price...Even when Im costeña, but dif accent from cartageneros. But its the same in Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala and so on... Even here in Europe, some drivers do manipulate the meters, so... a worldwide problem. Ah the worst, they memorize the nmbrs in the back side of the credit card when u use it to pay in the taxi and then buy in the internet... What a world...But dont worry, be happy...

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 13, 2006, 13:17:

Hailing cabs on the street Cabs will, in fact, show up if you call them from your cell phone and give them a valid street address. I've done this several times in Rosales where you'd NEVER find a cab on the street.

When it comes to hailing them on the street, I look for new cabs with known company names (for example "Tax Express") and size up the driver as much as I can. I also like to pick one up that's just discharged a passenger somewhere, logic being that THEY didn't get kidnapped or taken for a paseo milionario.

It's always an odds game, and unless you're careless the odds are still pretty much in your favor.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 13, 2006, 13:48:

mojoj1224 says on Jan 27, 2006, 13:53:

where's the fun? You want to live in a plastic bubble, I don't. In north Barranquilla I hailed cabs on the street with no problems at all hours of the day and sometimes the night. Allways make sure it is on your terms. I hail them for a ride and not the other way around. The only thing you have to worry about is maybe paying slightly more, except cartagena where it is alot more for everybody, even the locals.

I walked around by myself at night just trying to flaunt my gringoness, but nothing ever happened. I'd be alone on a street at night with someone coming toward me and they would walk to the other side of the street. Maybe I was not trying had enough.

Don't be parinoid and be aware of where you are and your surroundings. If you wouldn't do it in the states, don't do it there.

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