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Travel Agency in Bogota with no mañana's

I need to find a reputable Travel Agency in Bogotá. Instead of giving each other Christmas gifts this year my wife and would like to spend Christmas in Aruba & Curacao before she has a baby.

We tried using some agencies here in Armenia where we live, but they lie to you and they cannot book travel for you. For example, we go in the Agency and talk with a Travel Agent to make all of our plans. Of course she wants a ton of "paper" because Marce needs a visa to get into Aruba & Curacao. I do not...I'm American. Then she tells us that she will have the info on the plane tickets and hotels by the end of the day. End of the day comes and nothin. We call the next day and she says “mañana�? (for those of you who do not understand Spanish well... mañana means, "not today you old, fat, ugly, Gringo!") This goes on for three days with the “mañana�? response each time. Oh, and each time we go in to the Agency they want more paper such as our house papers, car papers and one liter of blood.

So now I want to try to get to an Agent in Bogotá who can book the trip all at once with no mañana’s thrown in. If it wasn't for Marce's Visa need I would do this online, but you can't do it in Colombia. So does anyone know who I can talk to in Bogotá? Marce will be in BOG next weekend.

Can anyone help please?

By Rikito on Nov 24, 2007, 05:40 in Friendly Talkzone.

Chelesupercono says on Nov 24, 2007, 06:15:

Another example of how far backward Colombia really is from being a tourist destination.....I wish I could help you, but have encountered the same lack of service......very poor indeed

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

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Lowell says on Nov 24, 2007, 06:29:

Why not go to San Andres? I've a good agent in Cartago. If you want I get the number.

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

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thur says on Nov 24, 2007, 06:44:

Hmm... I think it's because of the visa that they can't say on which plane you'll be leaving. A travel agency can only "hold" a reservation for 3 days, the visa takes up to 15 (work) days. They can't book your tickets, because they'll have to wait for the visa (otherwise you'd loose the money). They can make a new reservation every three days, but probably on a different plane, perhaps even a different company or date.
Meanwhile, the webpage of the Dutch Embassy in Bogotá has a list of 17 travel agencies which offer vacations to Aruba and are authorised to accept visa requests for them, see:
http://colombia.nlembajada.org/asuntos_consulares/requisitos > Visa de corta estadía en Aruba.
Good luck.
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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expatriate says on Nov 24, 2007, 09:11:

Try Aviatur, the largest travel agency in Colombia. They can handle almost anything, including renewing my visa without me having to travel from Cali to Bogota.

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Waterdawg says on Nov 24, 2007, 09:31:

Yo Rodney ( lol ) How can they renew your Visa ??? Don't you need some type of paper work from the American Embassy ? Just curious ..

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Rikito says on Nov 24, 2007, 10:01:

I have to tell you that Aviatur is as useless as a fart in an elevator. All Travel Agencies in Colombia have to go through an "operator". But the agency won't give you the name and contact info of the opertator. It is colusion and restraint at the highest. They book you were they want to book you and where they can get the best discoutn or commission. Agencies ike Aviatur do not know what customer service or client relations mean.

And if you do not like it...good luck!

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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expatriate says on Nov 24, 2007, 16:47:

Yo Waterdawg, we had to do the copying, photo taking, and trips to DAS in Cali, plus pay Aviatur, but the visa renewal was done quickly, and much less costly, than my wife, who is also my translator, and I flying to Bogota.

From what I saw and experienced, the Aviatur office in Cali was very professional. That is why I recommended them.

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vicshere says on Nov 24, 2007, 17:07:

rikito
about 3 years ago we bought some tickets for my wife and I to visit Canada from a travel agent...long story short it turned into a night mare.....we had to buy other tickets and go to Canada.....then Avinca gave us a refund 6 months later.....after that I promised I would never deal with another travel agent in Colombia...I now buy my tickets direct from avinca or the carrier.....at least I have some course of complaint...the Colombian travel agent has very little responsibility or even insurance.....despicable bastards

listo

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Patrick says on Nov 24, 2007, 19:56:

Rikito,
I live in Curacao half the year and Cartagena the other half. My wife is Colombian and I’m an American so maybe I can help you. Might I suggest that you get the Visa situation straight before you spend any money on tickets or hotels and the like. Make an appointment with the Dutch Embassy in Bogota and get your wife’s Visa sorted out first.
Dutch Embassy in Bogota, Colombia

Embassy of Holland, Netherlands in Bogota, Colombia send edits
Carrera 13 No. 93-40 Floor 5
Apartado Aereo 4385
Bogota
Colombia
City: Bogota
Phone: ( 57) 1-638 4200
Fax: ( 57) 1-623 3020
Web Site: http://www.embajadadeholanda.org.co
Email: bog at minbuza.nl
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 08:00-16:30 Friday 08:00-13:30

This is the official embassy for the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao) and for Aruba they are two different islands and I believe you need a visa for each one. Different Governments.
Once you get the visa sorted out, which you will have to do in Colombia, drop me an e-mail at westlanenv at yahoo dot com I’ll do what I can to help you with hotels and the rest.
Good luck,
Patrick

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Patrick says on Nov 24, 2007, 20:07:

Another quick note, better get rolling on this Christmas Holidays on Curacao and Aruba, both islands are overflowing with tourists.

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