Travel costs

GregYohn says on Aug 5, 2008, 07:20:

Hola!

Expect USA prices for food, since you will buy more food than usual at grocery stores. Restaurants you call, "a fairly decent place to eat" means USA prices. Expect over 30,000 pesos per person dining out. Tourists spend and do not worry! Fresh fruit drinks bring up the price! Yes, 3,000 pesos each!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 5, 2008, 08:04:

It all depends, how long do you plan to stay in Bogotá?

I say about $1000-$1500 per month. That way you if you have money left over, you can just bring it back.

Diana

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charlysito71 says on Aug 5, 2008, 18:03:

we spend lots of time in Bogota, and eat out frequently each week. many restaurants in the calle #93 area have great food at 20 mil, while others have lousy food at 40 mil. ask around there are hundreds to choose from.Also if you are checking out the sights, we love Maloca, museo de oro,museo national,how about an evening at the theatre Colsubsidio, a median priced seat usually less than 10 bucks u.s. Try that in the states for a night at the concert.Bogota has it all including the best people you will find anywhere in this world, and music that never stops.

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poco says on Aug 5, 2008, 18:54:

Well,, for what's it's worth,, I'd say MAYBE $50 per day,, but $100 is closer and that's not living like a king. Then again,, what do I know,, I've never be outside the airport in Bogota (thank god) and don't intend to visit anytime soon,, like,, in 6 years I never had the urge to visit Bogota.

Back to the subject,, why do I think $100 per day and I've never visited Bogota,, because there was a program on TV about 4 tourists who were going to Bogota. They had a budget of $50 per day.

The hotel they were staying in looked like the typical Colombian DIVE,, I've seen houses of prostitution that were nicer. Still,, it wasn't all that bad, then again,, the pictures always look better than the real thing,, plus,, roaches are small and might not show up in a photo.

They didn't do a whole lot,, I remember they went to the nearby Salt Mine,, a two or so hour slow train ride,,, seems the salt mine has,, ??? maybe 10 small religious churches,, I mean,, these are attended by large numbers of people for sunday service. I'd guess they are worth seeing.

Oh,, and they went to see the changing of the guard at the presidential palace,, that seemed kind of interesting. I won't bother to walk over two blocks to see it,, but,, that's just me.

They went to the park (there seems to be lots of parks in Bogota) and exercised. OH,, and there was a place they went to that was on top a hill that overlooked Bogota,, that looked kind of interesting.

I say $50 per day,, but who knows when the film was made ? Maybe the $50 per day is $100 now ?

So,, I'd think $3,000 U.S.D. per month. Remember,, it takes an income of about $2,700 USD per month to qualify for a pension visa,, so,, I'd guess Colombia isn't that interested in making it easy for someone to enter with an income of say,, $2,000 per month,, really,, Colombia does not need more poor folks,, that is,, on a permanent basis.

The 30K for a nice meal seems about right. I eat in Cali about twice a year and spend about $30 to 60K pesos for two meals.

I had this plate in Chipichape at Jay and Lenos,,, a Typical Mall Food court BBQ. Enough for two. It costs about $28,000 and included a couple of soft drinks. This is about a low as I go if something is considered "special".

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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sanandressi says on Aug 6, 2008, 09:43:

Don't know about north Bo Go Ta but near Dona Flor's guesthouse by the gringo embassy there are a few residences that serve the best lunch you might imagine for about $4 or $5. Most of the peoople eating their are professionals...ask around el norte probably has some tooo!

"This train will stop in Tucumcari"

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sanandressi says on Aug 6, 2008, 09:47:

poco you deserve too spend a few days in Bogota and afterwards you can either eat your nasty words or you ill have more ammunition to attack the place.

1. Musuem of Gold et al.
2. Monserrate church and cable car funnicular
3. Bogota tourist train on weekends.
4. Parue 93

I kind of like Bogota I mean what is there to do in Cali?

"This train will stop in Tucumcari"

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 6, 2008, 10:20:

If you're staying with family for free then $3000 is too much, me thinks. I spent $2000 in two months when I was there from Dec. '06 - Feb. '07 and that included buying groceries each week for a household of 5 , going on trips, eating out, visiting museums and such.

If you're paying for a hotel or an apartment during your stay, then that sounds about right.

Diana

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GregYohn says on Aug 6, 2008, 11:05:

Hola!

We used to eat a large baby beef at Lenos Y Carbon, but realized that getting a smaller one tastes just as good and does not cost as much.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Mononoke28 says on Aug 6, 2008, 13:50:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Leñosssssssssssssss. =D

Diana

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pobrecito says on Aug 6, 2008, 13:58:

"Expect over 30,000 pesos per person dining out."

Ho, you can for less than COP 10,0000 !

De que vale la vida si cuando la tenemos parece muerta. La vida es para sentirla, para vibrar, para luchar, para combatir. Eso justifica nuestro paso por la tierra........Jaime Pardo Leal

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GregYohn says on Aug 6, 2008, 15:15:

Hola!

When an American is "taking about 10 people out to dinner one night, at a fairly decent place to eat," don't think he is is looking for a $5 meal including drinks! I went out last Easter with my GF's family and his visiting brother from Bogota paid alot more than 10000 for the meals we ate!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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billyb says on Aug 6, 2008, 19:38:

" but realized that getting a smaller one tastes just as good and does not cost as much."

Did it take a complicated math formula to figure that one out?

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GregYohn says on Aug 6, 2008, 19:57:

Hola!

We used the economic principle of diminishing returns!

The flavor in the mouth of the BABY BEEF is WOW! We discovered that we were happy and full eating a smaller one, since the size is large too! Leaving and being hungry was the fear of getting less BABY BEEF! We risked it, but discovered that a smaller portion was better for our slower metabolism!

After eating a BABY BEEF 10 times, I can say as a tourist I 1st was not going to settle for a half BABY BEEF! Tourists spend more than locals, so an American will be spending close to 30,000 for each meal and not get a 10,000 peso meal for his relatives that they had for lunch!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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gatogris says on Aug 6, 2008, 20:41:

Good quality perico has increased slightly in price, but you can still get the plastic-wrapped buttplug, airport-grade, for 120,000 per 8-ball. Enjoy.

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gatogris says on Aug 6, 2008, 21:50:

Champagne on the nerve-endings. Bump.

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pobrecito says on Aug 7, 2008, 04:40:

Funny when US gringos speak from a fairly decent place to eat.

They gave to the world McDo, KFK, Coca Cola, all these prestigious jewels of the gastronomy !

De que vale la vida si cuando la tenemos parece muerta. La vida es para sentirla, para vibrar, para luchar, para combatir. Eso justifica nuestro paso por la tierra........Jaime Pardo Leal

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GregYohn says on Aug 7, 2008, 07:47:

Hola!

Franchises are what US Gringos gave to the world! They marketed their products internationally.

Who thinks colored sugar water is good? The people who own the Coca Cola franchise in Cali!

I try to get fresh fruit juice as an alternative at Lenos y Carbon.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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gatogris says on Aug 7, 2008, 11:16:

The US also gave the world the Alice Waters revolution, the organic foods movement, the slow foods movement, 'Outstanding in the Field,' and created the term 'localvore.'

That country is no monolith when it comes to food culture.

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