PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Where do well to do Colombians vacation?

Im just curious. Im not really interested in where the jet set hides out, but more where the professional class spends its vacation.

Is there an appreciable middle-upper middle class in Colombia?

By asdfn on Jul 18, 2008, 04:12 in Friendly Talkzone.

dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:16:

start with miami. that's latino heaven for middle class to rich.

in colombia, they go to santa marta, san andreas, cartegena and islas del rosario

the status quo rules in colombia. it's very hard to go upwards economically in colombia.

the haves control and they're wont to change. they have everything in their favor and dont

want that to change.....at least not in our life time.
wa

dwmte

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:44:

orlando too

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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elmodefoque says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:47:

new york city if they have relatives. hotels are way too expensive for most, so they end up in queens or worst, new jersey with el primo
They usually land in miami and drive up north

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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tasco66 says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:16:

Brickell and Key Biscane

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:56:

The Bal Harbour shops in Miami seem to be like a freaking pilgrimage to mecca for Estrato 5 and 6 girls. Anyone with two cents to rub together and some rugrats just had to go to DisneyWorld.

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adrimm says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:51:

Contrary to popular opinion so far, many many travel within Colombia & South America. Both flying and driving, becuase few others can afford to fly, or own a car.

Ie: Weekend/long gettaways within Colombia. Basically many of the same places within Colombia that are on the travel-trail for foreigners were started on that path by vacationing Colombians - just check out the traffic going back into the cities after long weekends.

-San Andres
-Cartagena
-Coffee Region
-Villa de Leyva
-Barichara
-Letica & the Amazon (in packages)
- others

Dominican Republic & other Carribean Islands
Peru (Machu Picchuu)
Argentina
Brazil
Chile

For those able to travel to the US Disneyworld seems to be a must-see. Then there are the tour groups that go to Europe, etc.

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Gator says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:33:

Some go to the USA, mainly Floria and New York City. Most like Cartagena, family to Santa Marta area, weekends, Melgar, Villa de Leyva, El eje cafetero. Chile, Ecuador and Peru are also popular.
A lot of well off and middle class have fincas and weekenders in areas like Lago Guatavita within say two hours of Bogotá.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Gypsy says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:09:

They are all here in ARUBA,

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:14:

I like to go to Santuario. =D

Diana

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miamimike says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:31:

Miami, many Deep Pocketed Old Wealth Colombians come here for Shopping and also to catch the Cruiseships!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:33:

Gator, Guatavita is a real nice place.I enjoy eating Lunch at those Parillas located in the twon square across from the Church. Nice Area, so is the Lake.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:03:

It depends, Going to FINCAS is the most common. If they only have a week, they go to Cartagena or San Andres, Cuba, Mexico.
Longer vacations they go to Europe, India, S.A. USA. My family, visits me often and then we all travel around like Northern California, Arizona, La Vegas.
Some of my brothers visit their children living in Italy and Barcelona, and they all go from there to other counties.
I guess just like anyone here in the states that can afford it

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rhydewithdis says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:30:

Lisa Zee... India? That can't be a common destination (or even in the top 100), can it?

That being said, I know India and Colombia have been ramping up relations. Many more engineers are coming to work in Colombia for mining and energy companies.

Caracol also shows Bollywood movies on the weekends (at least in Medellin).

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:33:

Ha Ha. True. My wife loves those Bollywood movies. I don't know why, but they just seem creepy to me.

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tomass says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:50:

woops - wrong place

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:29:

Well India is one example of how far they go. To the East to the West, to all continents!

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minina says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:33:

Indian are investing a big time in Colombia I suspect in tourism.

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tasco66 says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:35:

Some have even been known to go as far as Australia….

Bravo, Presidente Uribe for the perfect operation!

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Cerealkiller says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:43:

deep pocketed colombians travel to the same destinations deep pocketed gringos do:
NYC, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Cabo San Lucas, Buenos Aires, Hawaii, Bahamas... You'd be suprised at the number of Colombians travelling to Israel and Vatican City during easter/xmas...

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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tomass says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:54:

then theres the notorious criminal theft gangs - find them everywhere - especially the best hotels all over the world - giving colombians a special taint that unfortunately follows the decent wherever they go - immediately under suspicion

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:07:

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billyb says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:24:

"Ha Ha. True. My wife loves those Bollywood movies. I don't know why, but they just seem creepy to me."

jaja CG, I find them creepy as well, but soemtimes you get mesmerized by them, kind of like watching a trainwreck with a weird soundtrack.

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paisa29 says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:43:

Panamá es el primer lugar en los últimos años, parece que los Colombianos estamos recuperando ese pedazo de tierra que nos cambiaron por San Andrés.

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miamimike says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:49:

Lisa Zee--In my past work travels to Europe, otherwise then in Spain, I rarely ran into deep pocketed Colombians. I can't recall seeing them in London, Paris ect but I sure see them in Miami, Adventura Mall, Williams Island by Adventura mall, SawGrass mall near Ft Lauderdale, Key Biscayne, strolling around Bayside near downtown Miami waiting for their cruise ships to depart.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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MitchAlvarez says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:58:

arrancan pa la costa

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 13:29:

It all depends what you like, how many times can you go to Miami?.

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 18, 2008, 13:53:

Bollywood movies rock. I had never seen one until I was in Tuluá one day and was surfing through channels and saw one of these movies, it just completely sucked me in. Now I love them.

Diana

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MaFe says on Jul 18, 2008, 14:35:

miamimike says on Jul 18 (today): flag

Lisa Zee--In my past work travels to Europe, otherwise then in Spain, I rarely ran into deep pocketed Colombians. I can't recall seeing them in London, Paris ect but I sure see them in Miami, Adventura Mall, Williams Island by Adventura mall, SawGrass mall near Ft Lauderdale, Key Biscayne, strolling around Bayside near downtown Miami waiting for their cruise ships to depart.

I agree Miamimike, I lived in Europe and it was rare that I ran into a Colombian traveling..

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:31:

I guess you expect to pick the Colombians out of the crowd, maybe they were not the Indian type or with a ruana y carriel.
I have lived in Paris, and have my best Colombian friends living there. My brothers have children living in France and Spain, and they visit 2 to 3 times a year. Most of my family, has been in every country in Europe. My mother visit me in Paris and London. I guess we did not have the Colombian flag or campesino look.

Let`s see how many Colombians will be marching this July 20 in Europe!

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:32:

sawgrass mills is like oviedo...........

dwmte

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:47:

Lisa, Chill....

You're right, but I think that Colombians with family in Europe tend to travel there a lot more. My family and I have also been all over Europe. We have relatives all over the place there. In fact, my brother is flying in from Barcelona tomorrow. However, I do know a lot of wealthy Colombians that travel to Europe. Still, it is not as common for professional people that aren't really wealthy. Also, it's not like it's very easy to get travel visas.

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Cerealkiller says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:03:

I have seen so many Colombians in London this summer its unbelievable. And they're not locals, you can totally tell a londoner from a distance and it has nothing to do with looking indio, is just different.
In regards to visas, if you have money, properties and a clean background check chances are you're eligible for most visas. As a matter of fact, I did not even know people being denied visas were the overwhelming majority until very recently. We did school trips to Paris, the US and UK when I was a kid so it is not THAT extremely rare...its actually quite the rule for some sectors of society, unless of course you meet the requirements but your name is Ernesto Samper.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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miamimike says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:12:

Lisa Zee says on Jul 18 (today): flag

It all depends what you like, how many times can you go to Miami?.

===================================================================

LOL! As long as there are Malls in Miami-Adventura--Bal Harbor ect Colombianas will continue to come to Miami until Hell freezes over. No one can dispute that the Number One Pastime of Colombianas is going to the Mall and spending Money! I often wonder myself why they come so often but come they do. Once you get out of South Beach northwards into Surfside, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, West Palm, the Beaches really are nice. And if you like Upscale Shopping(which I don't) it gets really good from Adventura Northwards,,,

Don't forget, a lot of Wealthy Colombians own second homes in Key Biscayne and the Adventura area of William's Island. Very handy to the Mall I may add,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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MaFe says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:19:

"Lisa Zee says on Jul 18 (today): flag

I guess you expect to pick the Colombians out of the crowd, maybe they were not the Indian type or with a ruana y carriel.
I have lived in Paris, and have my best Colombian friends living there. My brothers have children living in France and Spain, and they visit 2 to 3 times a year. Most of my family, has been in every country in Europe. My mother visit me in Paris and London. I guess we did not have the Colombian flag or campesino look.

Let`s see how many Colombians will be marching this July 20 in Europe!"

ONLY Ignorant people would assume Colombians are just "indios"...reality check.. Colombians come in all shades and sizes...Like CG said relax!
There will definitely be MANY Colombians marching in Europe...hello!! Many Colombians live there!

============

ColombianoGringo says on Jul 18 (today): flag

Lisa, Chill....

You're right, but I think that Colombians with family in Europe tend to travel there a lot more. My family and I have also been all over Europe. We have relatives all over the place there. In fact, my brother is flying in from Barcelona tomorrow. However, I do know a lot of wealthy Colombians that travel to Europe. Still, it is not as common for professional people that aren't really wealthy. Also, it's not like it's very easy to get travel visas.

Very well said CG!!

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:20:

"you can totally tell a londoner from a distance" or a Polish, and Russian. But if you go to Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and many more, you would blend in.

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sloopskipper says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:43:

Lisa, your avatar is a Cuna in Colombia? She seems to wear exactly the same as the Kuna Yala in Panamá.

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billyb says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:54:

Yeah sloop, but the colombian Cuna is better looking. Just kidding ;)

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sloopskipper says on Jul 18, 2008, 17:15:

Oh, KAYYYYYYYYYY!

The Kuna seem really nice people, but sometimes not the most attractive.

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 18, 2008, 19:57:

Well, to respond to the original question, Colombians travel out of town for short periods of time within a few hours drive of their hometown - whether it be Bogota, Medellin, Cali - wherever. For example, many people from Bogota with the means, have a finca 2 or 3 hours out of town in Acacias, Villavicencio, Melgar, Tunja, etc. I would say most of the Colombians that are free to travel to the US at will are extremely wealthy by Colombian standards. A freaking round trip ticket, hotel for a week, food, Disney tickets, shopping money, and incidentals would add up to what the average Colombian makes in an entire year. The "average" middle class Colombian ain't travelling to Miami for vacation unless they have relatives there - and certainly not Paris or Berlin or Prague.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 18, 2008, 21:55:

Sloop we did this before. The Kunas /The Cunas. They live in San Blas Panama, and they live in Uraba, Antioquia, Colombia!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 19, 2008, 01:22:

I agree with CK there are Colombians in London holidaying this summer also they like to go to Paris, Spain and the Vatican i have seen many of them, i remember when i was in Florence last month there was a group 2 ladies and 2 teenage boys, before everyone speak one was the mother, they were dressed in very expensive gear so the ladies, they were Colombians i could hear the accent the sunglasses, bags,ect all were designers wealth there.., another popular destination for them is the Vatican and not to forget Egypt a friend of mine say that there were quite a few Colombians holidaying there.

Another popular destination Aruba and Curazao

BTW Mafe didn't you understand what lisa meant? you yourself gave the answer to what she was trying to say

engage brain before opening mouth

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billyb says on Jul 19, 2008, 01:29:

this is so lame, colombians with means vacation in the same places as any other person of the same means, that could be the US, Europe, Argentina, but highly unlikely that it would ever be India. But if you have to pinpoint a ground Zero of colombians from the upper middle (and mind you, not the fully upper) class and also the proffesional class (which is not the same as it is in the US), then it would have to be Miami and south Florida.

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Cerealkiller says on Jul 19, 2008, 02:25:

No Lisa I think its the demeanor of people who live in London... Nothing to do with their race or nationality. Its like New York or Bogota, you can totally tell who lives in NYC/Bogota and who is a tourist.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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jorgegdiaz says on Jul 19, 2008, 05:56:

I think Miami is the top choice, althought I don´t really get why ...

Q: Does the OP want to know where they go so he/she can start selling arepas in that spot?
... Speaking of a bussiness opportunity !! ... lol

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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asdfn says on Jul 19, 2008, 06:06:

haha no just was curious. when I lived in buenos aires, they went to bariloche, mar del plata, floripa, etc and I was just wondering if Colombians had their own spots.

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Cerealkiller says on Jul 19, 2008, 07:15:

oh you meant within Colombia? There are several places: Cartagena, Baru, Santa Marta, Anapoima (private villas), Girardot (private villas), tours around the amazon...Villa de Leyva, Barichara...

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Gator says on Jul 19, 2008, 07:26:

Miami is a top choice for these reasons:

Shopping
Easy access to Disney
Connection point for other travel
Air fares, relatively speaking, are less expensive
No "language barrier."

Other than that, the wealthy, unlike most of us, vacation where they wish.
.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 19, 2008, 11:00:

"It's really a pity that people can't have a friendly exchange of opinions on an internet forum without personal attacks, name -calling, mud-slinging and slamming. Shows very poor taste and even poorer style."

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Monpirri says on Jul 19, 2008, 11:35:

Cartagena, Santa Marta, Melgar, Villavicencio, Argentina, Chile, Peru..

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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goin_south says on Jul 19, 2008, 11:39:

the well-to-do colombians take 'work vacations' in america for several years at a time... and, they might even find themselves at the colombia fest in houston on occasions...lol

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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Monpirri says on Jul 19, 2008, 11:52:

Yeap, you are right!! :>)

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:21:

"deep pocketed colombians travel to the same destinations deep pocketed gringos do:
NYC, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Cabo San Lucas, Buenos Aires, Hawaii, Bahamas... You'd be suprised at the number of Colombians travelling to Israel and Vatican City during easter/xmas.."

"It depends, Going to FINCAS is the most common. If they only have a week, they go to Cartagena or San Andres, Cuba, Mexico.
Longer vacations they go to Europe, India, Russia, S.A. USA. My family, visits me often and then we all travel around like Northern California, Arizona, La Vegas.
Some of my brothers visit their children living in Italy, France, Marcella, and Spain, Barcelona, and they all go from there to other counties.
I guess just like anyone here in the states that can afford it"

Do we need to repeat this over and over!?!!

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truthspeaker says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:22:

A lot of deep pocketed Colombians eventually travel to the US for free.

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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Lisa Zee says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:24:

How so?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:29:

Like Mancuso and the rest of them?

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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truthspeaker says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:29:

I can think about Don Berna, Hernan Giraldo, Chupeta, Jorge 40, El Mono Abello, etc... but the list is long and getting longer.

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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truthspeaker says on Jul 19, 2008, 12:31:

Just a joke, of course.

Remember, I can only tell the truth. No more Sex Tourism in Colombia.

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Monpirri says on Jul 19, 2008, 13:32:

Now Colombians travel for 1.98 round trip to Colombia lol

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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miamimike says on Jul 20, 2008, 04:43:

Gator says on Jul 19, 2008, 07:26: flag

Miami is a top choice for these reasons:

Shopping
Easy access to Disney
Connection point for other travel
Air fares, relatively speaking, are less expensive
No "language barrier."

Other than that, the wealthy, unlike most of us, vacation where they wish.
==================================================================

Gator--Bingo! My point exactly.
Add to your list, again shopping, as well as ease of locating many colombian shippers/freight forwarders in the area-no other area like it in the world.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Monpirri says on Jul 21, 2008, 11:29:

Where do well to do Colombians vacation? Well, with all the investments going on between Colombia and Brazil and with the recent trade agreement between these two countries, I would say Colombians would vacation in Brazil.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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