THE STATES..............TO ..........SANTA MARTA?

goin_south says on Oct 18, 2007, 00:46:

help, por favor

Where do we go from here?

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SamGompers says on Oct 18, 2007, 03:15:

Where are you flying from? For me - - quickest way to la costa is to fly direct to Bogota (from New York) and then catch a connecting flight to CTG, BAQ, or Santa Marta in Bogota. The other route from NYC is to fly to BAQ via Miami - - Miami is a cursed airport, so I'd rather touch down on Colombian soil first. I suppose, depending on the price, you might also try Newark to Medellin to Santa Marta - - never done that route, but Avianca was offering some deals on Newark to Medellin.

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paisa29 says on Oct 18, 2007, 06:10:

I think NYC is the best route, Avianca has direct flight from JFK to BAQ Thursdays and Saturdays.

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paisa29 says on Oct 18, 2007, 06:13:

USD 665.00 with taxes aprox.

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Gator says on Oct 18, 2007, 07:04:

Generally speaking it is a connection through Bogotá. BTW, Thanksgiving is getting perilously close to the big rate hikes.

Not knowing where you are coming from hard to say what is best. MIA usually has the best prices. If you plan to Barranquilla take a bus or busetta from Barranquilla to Santa Marta-quicker than changing planes but I am not sure anyone makes that flight.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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goin_south says on Oct 18, 2007, 07:43:

Louisiana.... either through miami or houston.
hummmm... maybe I can get one of those super flights from N.O. to NYC.
second thought... I better get it in gear.... seems flights are plentiful to Colombia at thanksgiving, but... I forgot the domestic hullabuloo in the states, connecting to get to miami. Looks like I might have to opt for that flight from Houston to Cali.

What about a connection to BQ or Santa Marta fromt there? (from Cali)

D.... pm me, please.

Where do we go from here?

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Gator says on Oct 18, 2007, 08:25:

Cali to Santa Marta is via SAM or Aero República and there is a stop in Bogotá. Avianca makes the Santa Marta/Cali run and everyone stops in Bogotá for the Santa Marta leg.(you will land about 10 mile east of El Rodadero in as much as there is no airport in Santa Marta) That flight from Miami should be about 500 USD.

You might,, should, call COPA in as much as they code share with Continental and Aero República. Generally speaking that a lot of flight to Santa Marta as it is a very popular destination.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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untreated says on Oct 18, 2007, 09:45:

Houston to Cali leaves late afternoon, gets to Cali at 11pm, so you have to stay over in Cali. AeroRepublica flies direct Cali-Santa Marta. Avianca now flies direct Cali-Barranquilla.

Houston to Bogota also leaves late afternoon and gets to Bogota at 10pm, so you have to stay over in Bogota. Aerorepublica and Avianca have several flights daily to Santa Marta.
There IS however at least one way to arrive in Santa Marta the SAME DAY that you leave the USA, that is to fly Continental Houston -Panama, connect to Copa, Panama-Cartagena, then an express van from Cartagena to Santa Marta. My son did this in June and it worked out fine.

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Gator says on Oct 18, 2007, 10:09:

untreated-got those flight numbers? called Aero República here in Bogotá said they have three flight a day from Cali to Santa Marta, 7:34 am Cali /Bogotá Bogotá/SM arrive 10:28 am; 1:28 pm Cali/Bogotá, Bogotá/SM arrive 6:22 pm; 7:58 AM Cali/Bogotá the NEXT day Bogotá/SM arrive 10:28 am. $644.288 pesos last week in november

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 18, 2007, 10:28:

I was going to suggest the same Panama City route that untreated did except I know that Copa also flies to Barranquilla, which is even closer to SM.

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 18, 2007, 10:50:

But if you are Goin_South, the flight leg from Cali to Bogota actually goes to Bucaramanga first. JAJAJAJajajajaja

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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El Piloto says on Oct 18, 2007, 12:24:

United Airlines does not fly MIA-BAQ. They don't fly anywhere in Colombia, in fact. MIA-BAQ is Avianca.

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Gator says on Oct 18, 2007, 12:49:

I assume you mean flight 3 which is non-stop-right ynitrd does not have that route. BTW. LACSA makes that flight via San José CR with a free stopover in San José if you be so inclined.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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SamGompers says on Oct 18, 2007, 14:38:

Yeah - - I'd think the goal would be to get to BAQ, from there to Santa Marta should be no big deal, or from there to Cartagena even (though more epensive) . . . JFK to BAQ direct, that's a new one on me . . . I usually do Newark . . . have to check it out . .

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goin_south says on Oct 18, 2007, 16:17:

Someone, make some sense of this: why does or would Continental charge almost $200 more to fly to Bogota from Houston, than from Houston to Cali?

$860 vs 658.
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So, most of you are saying it is more convenient to fly from Cali to BQ, and then take a bus, rather than to Santa Marta. Si?
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Well, that's good. I always wanted to have a lil look around Modefoque's stompin grounds.
And, my first lil Colombian 'love' lives there; one I never got to see. (You Think my transplanted-Calena Pastusa will let me go say 'hello'???) (Lots of bad laughs!)
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So, then... Avianca or Aerorepublic STRAIGHT to BQ or SA.
Okay.
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Thanks for the help and anymore you might have.

Where do we go from here?

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static says on Oct 19, 2007, 07:30:

"why does or would Continental charge almost $200 more to fly to Bogota from Houston, than from Houston to Cali?"

Simply because they can, but they can't on the Houston to Cali route, presumably because of competition or load factor or some other reason.

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untreated says on Oct 19, 2007, 07:56:

Yes, it is definitely possible to fly Copa Airlines (Continental partner and codeshare) from Panama to Barranquilla, but the flight from Houston connects with the flight to Cartagena, very smooth interconnection with adjoining gates, you don't actually "enter" Panama. The bus from Cartagena might take maybe an hour more than from Barranquilla.

Continental charges more IAH-BOG than IAH-CLO because there is much less demand or traffic to and from Cali, whereas Bogota is nearly always full.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 19, 2007, 08:23:

I don't think you ever have to "enter" Panama to make connecting international flights. But certainly the schedule for the CTG flight might be more convenient than BAQ.

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morphus says on Oct 19, 2007, 08:39:

You can't figure this out yourself? Just go to Yahoo travel and put the dates in. They will give you every flight and then you can decide. Miami is your best choice. You can get to Santa Marta in 6 hours from Miami. Houstan will take you over 20 hours and then however long it takes you to get to Houstan from Louisiana.

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goin_south says on Oct 19, 2007, 10:39:

It never hurts, to have help.
especially that of pbh ;)

Where do we go from here?

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Gator says on Oct 19, 2007, 13:36:

Please! Just pin a note to your shirt stating:

"I am traveling alone for the first time. If I become lost or confused please contact Sr. Morphus at http://poorbuthappy.com ,

Gracias

Goin South"

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Miguel says on Oct 19, 2007, 17:00:

Dude, just get your ass to Miami, fly Avianca to Barranquilla and take Invertours to STA Marta. (buseta=minivan)

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goin_south says on Oct 19, 2007, 23:38:

Avianca direct from Miami to BQ.
okay... at this point, it will all depend on getting to Miami.
which could prove challenging....

otherwise, who gives a F? not even me. If I have to fly to Cali, and party a night or two in Popayan......how bad can it be? (not 2!)

Where do we go from here?

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