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Trying to book weeks holiday in Santa Marta - What the f**k is the problem????

Can someone on here explain to me, exactly what the difficulty is in booking a holiday in Colombia.
My girlfriend has been trying to book a holiday through one of the travel agencies in Bogota for over a month now, without success.
Simple, we want to go to Santa Marta for one week starting around the 5th January. Not much to ask for.
The way things happen here in UK (and yes I know Colombia is not the UK, but I need to point this out)
- You go to the travel agency, already knowing your desired holiday destination, the dates you want to go and your budget.
- You give all these details to the person at the agency and they, in return, give you all the details for all hotels and areas that are available to you.
- You decide which hotel etc. pay up your cash and thats you - Sorted.

The way things happen in Colombia:-
- You visit the travel agency with maybe 2 or 3 resorts or hotels in mind, 4-5 months in advance and are told not to come back for another month because they don't know what the prices are.
- You phone up one month later and are told, that yes, she is going to make our reservation and has our details on record but we need to wait another month.
- Wait and then phone again, when you are told that you need to wait one more week. So you try other agencies who tell you that they also have places available for your required hotels but you need to wait more time before they can make a reservation for you.
- You start to look at other hotels which were not your first choice and all of these are now full up. Now you are left waiting around to see if the first two agencies are going to come through for you, or if they were just full of shit and palming you off.

If so, why?
This is whats happening with me just now, anyone know why??

Are the women who work in these agencies getting a little extra tip from the rich people who want to make sure they get their reservation for the best hotels?

Are the women from the agencies holding up all the reservations for the best hotels for family and friends?

Or, are they actually not feeding my girlfriend a load of shit, and are actually going to make the reservation soon? If yes, then what is the rule in Colombia as to why they could not have done this around 2 months ago when we first started this.

This is the toned down version, had to delete a lot of abuse towards Colombian tourism industry when writing this, because I'm deeply fucked off by the whole scenario.

Although I love Colombia, it really, really amazes me sometimes how backward they are at certain things.

By MacGringo on Oct 11, 2006, 10:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

ColombiaBoard says on Oct 11, 2006, 11:20:

Mmm Well, the whole story is kind of strange in a certain way. Of course incompetent people can be found everywhere.

Now, I'd recommend you try this travel agency, AVIATUR, they're the largest travel agency in Colombia and very professional. They can get you almost anything you want.

The other problem is that those dates are the worse for travelling in the north coast, everything is overbooked.

A third option, maybe you're girlfriend doesn't really want to go there but she won't tell you so...there are other ways to convince you not to go there.

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 12:12:

Thanks for the reply ColombiaBoard, I'll tell her to try out Aviatur, if she hasn't already.
I know that this is the busiest time for travelling in this area, this is why I've been trying to get it booked early and it's where my girlfriend wants to visit, so no problems there.
Really can't understand the problem, sometimes it feels like the women in these agencies just can't be arsed trying to make the reservation.
i.e "Yes I called the hotel that you want to go to but the lines are busy"
This really means, that the woman called once and didn't get through so,
she gave up here because it would be just too much like actually having to do some work, to repeat call until she got through and made our reservation.

Reminds me of pretty much every time I have ever visited the any bank in Colombia.
30-40 people in the queue, 2 women behind the counter, one filing her nails while on the phone to her friend and the other serving, very slowly.....hahaha

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 12:22:

Not really Tinto, stupidly I have assumed so far that this would have been dealt with easier at my girlfriends end. Obviously not mate.
I did look at a couple of the bigger places on the internet like Decameron, but was only taking bookings from agencies.

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 12:57:

Colombiaboard... "the whole story is kind of strange in a certain way. Of course incompetent people can be found everywhere."

Please don`t talk about something you don`t know.
I work for a travel Agency and the problem is more complex than you think, it is not the travel agent`s fault or it meants that person is incompetent.

For example from Medellín there is only a direct flight to Santa Marta, another thing is if you call yourself for example to Decameron they are going to say they have already sold the Hotel to Canada and Europe for the peak season the same goes to Sol Arhuaco (Meliá).

Macgringo, tell me how can I help you?

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:08:

I forgot... the first week of the year has the higher occupation in every touristic place here in Colombia.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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toneloc24 says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:10:

Here's a thought. How about just doing it yourself? Just calling the airlines and hotels and making your own reservations. Or have your girlfriend do it.

Here's a link to a bunch of Santa Marta hoteles. The ones listed on top are generally the more well-known. Some have websites, just google.

http://www.colombialink.com/hotelescolombia/santamarta/INDEX_SANTAMARTA_HOTELES.html

I usually book my own air travel and reserve hotels, then call a week prior to confirm the hotel. I usually never have a problem, and when I do, no one else to blame but the hotel or myself. I usually write down the name of the person taking the reservation as well.

at Paisa29, I know about that daily flight from Medellin to Santa Marta. Horribly scheduled. For example, why is the only direct flight leaving SM at 12:30 pm? A wasted day because of the flight time. Of course, not the fault of any travel agency, just frustrating nonetheless.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:17:

Cheers Paisa29.
Really just Cheers Paisa29.
Really just looking to make a reservation for a holiday in Santa Marta, return flights from Bogota ,leaving around the 5th January, for 5 nights.
Looking for a nice hotel, I was looking at the likes of Decameron because it is a treat for my girlfriend and I wanted something special, but really for me, I would be just as happy in a smaller hotel in the centre of el Rodadero.
I am aware that this is the really busy season, this is why we have been trying to arrange it for a long time now.
Can you arrange this through your agency, or do they have a branch in Bogota that could help?

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:30:

ok, I already found something for you , I`ll send you a PM

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:40:

you are not accepting PMs.
I you are not accepting PMs.
I found this with Avianca and La sierra Hotel, Jan 7-12 (05 nights)
$1.179.000= including air ticket with taxes, transfers
airport-hotel-airport in Santa Marta, medical assistance and breakfast and dinner per day.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:51:

Thanks a lot Paisa29 and Toneloc. I was needing some help, I think this will do nicely. Cheers.
On a happier note, as per a previous thread about sending packages to Colombia.
My package arrived today, all the seperate gifts for the babies and kids were still in the package. They were originally all separately wrapped but had been torn open, and the personal letter I wrote and some photos of me showing off the fine physique i had when i was 21 have been stolen. It's a bit worrying, who the hell would want to steal photos of the Mac....hahahaha

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Gator says on Oct 11, 2006, 13:52:

Problem You are dealing with one the peak high season times.WATCH OUT for these time periods called high season,December 15 to January 15, Holy Week and June 25 to July 25. Prices will more than double and places to stay are at a premium. You might take a look at the Hotel Cañaveral on Cr 2, about $66 USD a night, Hotel la Serria about the same price, Hotel Sorrento on Cr. 3, $50 USD 954.422.0228 e-mail sorrentosmr at hotmail.com
.

Some of the tour operators are rip-off artists but I can recommend Richard Rodríguz owner of Acua Tours on Cr 3a N6-54, by the Hotel Sorrento. He and his wife run a great operation. If you want to make a side trip to either Santa Marta or Taganga take on the local buses, cheap and you get a good look at the area.

Restaurants in El Rodadero that we like are Brisas del Caribe on Calle 7, Restaurante Karey on Calle 9 and Cr 1, El Patio Cr 2 and 9, R$estaurante Los Almendros, ca 6, car 3a and, our favotate, Pez Caribe on Cr. 4 #11-35, a little pricier, by Santa Marta Standards but the average meal is about 10 USD. Several months ago we took friends to dinner there (nine of us)had a couple of drinks, entradas, some had sopa, coffee, after dinner drinks. The total bill, including tip was $191.00 USD. We think this is the best in El Rodadero and it is an up-scale type place fully air conditioned.

Other questions? Just ask

We NEVER go through an agency-just call direct-of course living in Bogotá makes that a little eaiser. As toneloc said ALWAYS call a week ahead and confirm.

lists about every hotel
http://www.partres.com/hotel/sta.html

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 14:41:

Thanks Gator and Don, this is giving me more confidence in actually getting something booked.
Don, this is what I suspecetd, about the agency girls holding back the best spots for regulars, but like you say, nothing much you can do about that.
Cheers.

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 14:50:

thanks guys for the support to the travel agencies, it seems to me that you guys don`t appreciate our labour at all.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 14:51:

it sounds like who need the people now if we have the internet.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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toneloc24 says on Oct 11, 2006, 14:52:

MacG Another tip. While we had a solid reservation at Hotel La Sierra at a total (taxes, breakfast, etc.) of COP140.000/nite for 2 people, and the place looked pretty nice, was reasonably priced, well-situated and taking direct reservations by phone, we ended up staying in an apartment.

We got an apartment right on Cra 1 for COP80.000. We got that by just driving up and taking the taxi driver's recommendation on which "rental agent" to use. Just make sure that the apartment has hot water, A/C that works, and bath towels available. The rental agent tipped the taxi driver whatever. I gave him an extra COP20.000 for his help, unsolicited.

Best of luck.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 11, 2006, 15:08:

Missing Photos + Difficulties In Booking a Stay in Colombia= Personally, i think the 2 events are connected. My Theory: Your missing "hottie" photos have been distributed all over Colombia, along with the warning not to allow this man into Colombia at all costs!!!! sort of like the photos of missing people on the backside of milk cartons in the US!....except in reverse! hahahahahah......

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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MacGringo says on Oct 11, 2006, 15:19:

Miguel Clavo, where the hell have you been hiding???
You're a funny guy...haha
Yeah, who steals a letter and photos and leaves the gifts??
Maybe I'm on the bed side dresser of some beautiful Colombiana postal worker...hahahaha, and before you crack the joke Miguel, I'll crack it for you...that was ColombianA....hahahaha
Cheers again Toneloc.
Paisa29, I really appreciate your help..thanks.
Sorry if I was a bit heavy against the travel agency people, I'm just a bit pissed off.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 11, 2006, 15:34:

I am now a RMF.......Retired Mother F$% at *& !!! hahaha....been working my ass off for my website development, packing my belongings into shipping crates, AFTER making the wooden crates by hand....i will be sooooooo happy once this move is over....i hope to ship the crates by mid-November if i can.....theres just not enough time in a day to do all that i need done....i hope to be living in CTG by Xmas, depends on when the website development people can deal with me solely by email, and not in person....i have had no time to relax and and join in any PBH postings, even though there were a few that i would have loved to engage the PBH "Experts" and "Security Consultants" ...anyway, you have my email, so drop me a line...maybe we can hook up next week after Xmas.....

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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paisa29 says on Oct 11, 2006, 18:41:

Dont worry Macgringo, it wasn´t about you, I only wanted offer my help, I don´t do that often over here because some members make me feel like If I am wasting my time, I wasn´t looking for a business like other member tried to do,I think is a gringo thing.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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cheetrowe says on Oct 11, 2006, 19:04:

cheapness hey dude...good luck with your trip...i'm sure aviatur can help you out...i've been in bogota for a couple months and they're all over the place. but honestly, you could probably just find a cheap flight of www.sidestep.com, show up and find a place locally for half the price that you'll get from a travel agency. times that by 6 nights or whatever and you'll substantially reduce the price of your trip. havent been to santa martha, but if my year in latin america has taught me something, you can pretty much get a local hotel anywhere anyday, and you can bargain the price if you show up late (you can bargain ANYTHING, we even bargained with the bus driver the other night). good luck, have fun, colombia is awesome. peaceness...

rocks

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huskie says on Oct 12, 2006, 10:32:

Trying to book weeks holiday in Santa Marta - What the f**k is t Hi MacGringo: Try to contact Juan and Pupi at 575-432-2035 (H)
or 57315-736-7677(cell) or e-mail jfddb at yahoo.com or pupitope at yahoo.com
they own a lovely place, in the area near the airport about 400mtrs from the beach, their house has a swimming pool, very quiet, the house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is very spacious, airy and on a hill, (you can see the ocean). Rooms are spacious with private bath. You can negociate with them about prices, and meals if you so desire.

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-"

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