getting better has left 148 comments

getting better comments on Are Ingrid Betancourt and the Three Americans Free

I am very pleased at this news. I do not claim to be an expert like you guys but it strikes me that FARC have overplayed their hand. They could have got a got a swop if they dropped the demand for a demilitarised area. The more of their people give up and the less high value hostages they hold then the weaker their position. Why don't they do a deal while they they still can, or is their internal communciation so broken that they can't really negotiate as one force any more?

getting better comments on Colombia in November ??

I'd suggest it is more likely in a typcial year to be drier at the end of November than the beginning, and make your trip as late as you can in the month.

getting better comments on How to tell when Colombia finally reaches economic might

My perception as an economist by training who has visited Colombia many times, is that the relatively high economic growth in Colombia in recent years is due to the fact that it is a country with a lot of natural resources and a very sophisticated and educated population relative to its peers, that has been held back by the security situation which is improving allowing some "catch-up". However the complex regulatory environment and nightmare tax system will prevent the country achieving its potential without a massive cutting of red tape and easing of taxes. Many taxes cost small businesses more to comply with than they actually raise in revenue for the government. Up to now the security situation has been the most important issue for businesses, but that is becoming less of a problem, and ultimately the entrepreneurship of the Colombian people cannot deliver what the country deserves without a serious attempt to unshackle business from the red tape. I am not talking about a massive tax cut that redistributes income to the rich, that is the last thing the country needs given its very unequal distribution of income and wealth, I am talking about an easing of the bureaucracy to make life easy for the honest small businesses that can deliver increased prosperity for the nation.

getting better comments on FARC at 4 Kilometers from Parque Tayrona!

As an alternative please consider the El Dorado nature reserve above Santa Marta. This is one of the most beautiful places in Colombia. It is at around 2000m altitude and from the lodge you can see the Caribbean. From a spot about 100m from the lodge you can see the 5800m peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Manta (sorry you cant see both from the same spot but the geography doesn’t allow that).

getting better comments on Web Design

I need a lot of website design work done for several websites in Colombia, the UK and the USA. I have used a Colombian company before and the quality of work was high, as good as companies I have used in the UK. On the other hand they were bad at communicating and legalistic about small changes to the specification, not very flexible at all, and occasionally quite rude. Anyone in Colombia who is prepared to be flexible and helpful, and can do work fairly quickly and efficiently please contact me via PM.

getting better comments on IBAGUE - I urgently need a place to stay this long weekend

We have used Hotel Ambala in Ibaque, I believe it is satisfactory.

getting better comments on has anyone travelled from Colombia to Ecuador

If you cross the border into Ecuador and come back into Colombia via a small border crossing when it is not open to stamp the passport, you have to go back to the border, when it is open, cross unoffically into Ecuador and then get the exit stamp and enter Cololmbia offically again. It is very easy to cross the border, the problem is to have the stamps in the passport consitent with with which side of the border you are on!

getting better comments on AAadvantage reducing benefits, got to pay Upgrade Awards to Colombia now

I noticed that the American Airlines direct flights from Miami to Barranquilla are ending on 2 Sep 2008. They had a big press release when they introduced this service but there is not one about the fact that is is being withdrawn!

getting better comments on Where to Open Bank Account for a Company

Once you get an account with one bank it is easier to open an account with a bank that is convenient for your business, even if they have refused first time round. So if your company can open an account with a bank in Colombia that you have an relationship already, e.g. a Colombian subsidiary of an overseas bank that that you already have a relationsip, even if that bank does not offer the services you need in Colombia, then you will be well on the way.

getting better comments on Are these the Andes? Please say Yes!

Bogotá is on the Western edge of the Eastern cordillera I think

getting better comments on Is the US downturn affecting tourism in Colombia??

I am involved in helping tourism in Colombia and my perception is that we would have experienced a massive growth due to the better security situation and more positive image, but that this growth will be much more modest due to the dramatic movement in the exchange rate and the US (and to a lesser extent Euopean) economic situation. Colombia has unique attractions and to some extent has a backlog of people who "need" to visit but have been deterred by the security situation, but on the other hand its international competitiveness as a tourist destination has been massively eroded by inflation and exchange rate movements.

getting better comments on Incorporating in Colombia

You need a legal representative as well, and I think perhaps a revisor(a) fiscal (the accountant may get a colleague to act as that and one of them sign in each function).

getting better comments on Incorporating in Colombia

There are other threads on this site if you search it. But it's not too hard to incorporate, complying with rules once you are incorporated is quite a burden on a small company, and incorporation is not a step to be taken lightly. I doubt one can fulfil all the requirements for a cost of less than a million pesos a month overheads.

getting better comments on Avianca treats barranquilleros like second class citizens

Yes where is that direct flight?

getting better comments on Avianca treats barranquilleros like second class citizens

Sorry I am confused. Are you saying that Avianca is going to bring in a direct flight from the US to Bucaramanga? That seems amazing to me but good news if true.

getting better comments on No Wonder the Lonely Planet Guide misses so Many details in the Colombia Edition!!

There's a Bradt travel guide to Colombia coming out soon. It's not a publication I am familiar with, but we helped the authors with some information and they gave me the impression of being very thorough and professional.

getting better comments on Pros and Cons of Moving to the UK

England is a nice country to live but is getting worse, so the people are unhappy. Colombia, whilst the most beautiful country in the world, is not a nice place to live, because life is very difficult for most people. On the other hand things are getting much better, so people are happy (according to surveys some of the happiest in the world), just as they are unhappy in England. It is all a question of what you are used to.

getting better comments on Former PBH member dies in Bolivian prison

If as it seems the guy was mad rather than bad we should show respect for a member of our community and his family. I hope Peter can communicate with them and if there is some sort of collection for a charity or the like please sort it out and we'll make it right with you.

getting better comments on

I would love to come but is it safe in the North of london? I live in the South and have heard it is dangerous in the North to travel on public transport, I could get a taxi but I would certainly make sure I order one as if I call one down in the street it might be false and they might mug me.

getting better comments on Passport Regulations on Entering Colombia

This question has come up before and the consensus seemed to be that there was not a problem with the DAS as long as the validity exceeded the length of stay, but that the main risk was the airlines. Some seem to have a rule that the passport should be valid 3 motnhs beyond the return, for example Continental has that rule. Suggest you ring the airline if you are worried.

getting better comments on San Andres Island has anyone every lived there?

I know someone who marrried who a local guy and lives there. Last time I heard she seemed pretty happy there but to me it seems like an awkward place to live, though nice for a holiday. And to answer one of your questions the internet is terrible there in internet cafes, and most private houses do not seem to have it. Whether it is too expensive there or just not available at all I am not sure.

getting better comments on Roundtrip Colombia, what is safe?

As someone who also helps organise tours in some remote parts of Colombia, I send you my best wishes for a successful trip. I'm sure it makes sense to gets lots of opinions about security of different areas, though there's a risk of the trip participants reading it which looks a bit amateurish even though its not. We certainly visit at least one area regularly that is against the UK government advice quoted by Portena, but we are pretty confident about it as we have someone based locally there. Once we have changed an itinerary at short notice for security reasons, with hindsight it was perhaps overcautious but better that way. Most of our tourists feel safe after the first day or two and go home very happy, and the main problems we have really had have been when vehicles break down, which happens surprisingly often to due the poor state of the roads, and increases security risks. Make sure the firms who are hiring you vehicles are reliable because many are not, and allow plenty of room as your clients may be larger and need more space than the average Colombian.

getting better comments on Paperwork for business registering in Colombia

I am not an expert on this though I am a shareholder in a small firm there. You need to decide what sort of company/business you want to register. If it is a sociedad anonima you need 5 shareholders (you can have 99.6% and the others 0.1% each). You need a RUT number, you get this at the DIAN and you can apply online though you still need to go to complete the process, and the queues are long. You need to register the business at the camara de commercio, they are slow, and you need to go every year to maintain it. Your investment in the business if you are foreign probably needs Banco de la Republica forms, and you'll have to do personal Colombian tax returns unless you keep your own investment and profits small. The business needs to file tax forms every month and depending on your luck the company is allocated a random day in the month to file which if it is early in the month is a nightmare as the return has to be up to the end of the previous month. Of course if you can afford the right professionals they will do all this for you, but they're not cheap. In general the compliance with the tax and company law is likely to be a relatively big headache if it is a small business, and registering the business is not that difficult compared with the hassle of continuing compliance. I would think hard about what you want to achieve and whether there is an easier way.

getting better comments on SMUGGLERS SAID DECIMATING COLOMBIA'S WILDLIFE( Most People Dont Know This is Big Business Here Much Like Cocaine)

It is horrible to see this evidence of continuing trade in Colombia's wildlife. Of course it is repulsive. But the reality is that 90% of the threat to endangered species in Colombia comes from habitat destruction, and the overwhelming priority is to protect the most important areas of forest.

getting better comments on Invitation letter to UK

I invited a friend over last year, they invited him for interview and were not happy that he had enough money to stay in the UK. But they didn't reject it they said come back tomorrow with more evidence and I emailed a copy of my bank statement. But he was lucky he managed to contact me overnight else it would have gone wrong.

getting better comments on Murió en combate 'Iván Ríos', miembro del Secretariado de las Farc

Clemenceau was a hero of WW1, though his intransigence at Versailles helped to cause WW2

getting better comments on Tipping in Colombia - What do you guys do?

As someone is who is involved a little in tourism in Colombia I would like to make a few points: a) It doesn't achieve much in Colombia to tip someone for doing their job in a normal way, though when extra service is given it is appreciated a lot b) North Americans have completely unrealisitc expectations of the standards of service in Colombia, it is not just people from the US, Canadians are as tricky and Europeans only slightly easier. It is not that Colombians are not hospitable people, quite the opposite, they really like to please, but they have little idea (outside the main cities) what foreigners expect. That is a product of the situation, no-one has wanted to visit the rural areas, now loads of people want to, but we don't have the resources to train people to look after them as they expect. We are now finding the right people to train the people to train the people.

getting better comments on AA 'been cancelling Colombia flights?

I am aware of several instances recently of problems with Continental. In most cases these relate to delayed baggage, and they are incredibly unhelpful and slow in reuniting passengers with their baggage.

getting better comments on "New" Bird reserve in Colombia open to tourists

The El Dorado bird reserve is about 2.5 hours from Sarta Marta (1.75 hours from Minca), straight up the road. Everyone is welcome but you really do need to book. I was there in January with my Mum, the view from the lodge is fantastic of the Carribean and Cienega and Rodadero, with Barranquilla in the distance (you can't see Santa Marta as it is behind a hill). In the other direction you can see the 5700 metre peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. See http://www.ecotours.com.co

getting better comments on Latest about Colombia More news

I think it is the Ecuadorian government that should be issuing the apology to Colombia for having harboured vermin in its territory.

getting better comments on

Yes the biodiveristy of Colombia is incredible and there is loads more to be discovered by the experts. Meanwhile for the rest of us it has never been a better time to stay in Colombia's rich forests in comfort and safety and sample nature. Also worth noting that Blanca Huertas, who is the curator of the butterfly section of the Natural History Museum in London, and a very charming and able person, is a Colombian.

getting better comments on My mother's one and only trip to Colombia

thanka everyone, I think I'll be posting aomw

getting better comments on That

As a British person who has sympathy for the objectives of the Irish republican movement I believe that the experience in Northern Ireland showed that defeating the IRA militarily to a large extent then negotiating seemed ultimately to be the best solution. Whilst the situation in Colombia is very different, there are some things in common (as indeed the connections between the IRA and FARC showed). I would love to see a united Ireland by consent and I believe that the military defeat of the IRA may ultimately pave the way to this.

getting better comments on Buy cell phone SIM card in Colombia/Compra tarjeta SIM en Colombia

Colombian mobiles are cheap to buy, or SIM cards also , but the paperwork is pretty demanding, I dont know why but it is slow and complicated, although cheap

getting better comments on Leticia / Amazon Lodges?

Yes Amacayacu is lovely. Remember this is varzea forest that floods at certain times of the year, and the seasons are a bit different to the rest of Colombia, I suggest going the dry season. It is certainly nice to go up the tributaries in a small boat and then walk in some really pristine forest, but if you sleep overnight in one of the little shacks that exist take a mosquito net (you dont need one at the main lodge).

getting better comments on What is your closest brush with danger in Colombia?

Yes AUC correct, it was mid morning and hot, they took coffee and water and then left.

getting better comments on What is your closest brush with danger in Colombia?

It's a very long time ago that have experienced anything that could compete with your stories, at least 14 years. The last time I met an armed group of the AUN in 2005 I told them to get lost and although they scared me terribly they did so. I saw a FARC guy in 2006 surrendering to the army, giving himself up voluntarily. Many years ago I met the ELN but that is history, they were very polite but they scared me.

getting better comments on Colombian Food

I am organisng specialist tours for foreigners in Colombia. They are pretty happy with the food, indeed they are surprised how good it is. It is really not a big issue. Nor is the security, our vistors feel pretty safe. What is right now the bigest problem is that some road journeys have lengthened due to roadworks and landfalls and there doesn't seem to be any up to date website realtime in Colombia to warn you of this, and that some hotels dont seem very helpful - its easy enough in main cities but in some towns they are very unprofessional.

getting better comments on Tayrona / Minca / Santa Marta

I suggest the ProAves nature reserve at El Dorado above Minca is the best place to combine with a beach holiday. It is very little known by people on here because it is only marketed to birdwatchers but it is the most fantastic place to stay, very safe, beautiful and hospitable and much cooler than those hot beaches. Ordinary tourists are very welcome and the staff speak English. The views are fantastic. This is my favourite place in Colombia and I am taking my Mum there soon, who is terminally ill because I believe she will like it greatly. You have to book beforehand, as it gets quite full up sometimes. See www.ecotours.com.co

getting better comments on Colombia's Dirty Laundry Is Outsourced To Gringolandia

It is not just Colombia which allows its citizens to face trail in the US for crimes allegedly commited in their home country. The UK has allowed three bankers (the Natwest 3) to be extradited to the US to be tried for an offence supposedly caried out in the UK. See: http://www.friendsextradited.org/ To me this case is a complete denial of natural justice.

getting better comments on

This was a specialist tour but I think it gives a very good and balanced flavour of how the real Colombia is for US citizens if you travel to remote places: http://www.tropicalbirding.com/tripReports/TR_Colombia_NovDec2007/TR_Colombia_NovDec2007.html

getting better comments on Information for where to stay in zona cafetera

I went to the cafetero area with a friend and her 4 year old child All three of us enjoyed Parque del Café very much I found Panaca crass and was very bored, they both enjoyed it The two adults enjoyed the Botoanical Garden, and the kid was only slightly bored, the butterfly house there is nice I am sure most fincas would be happy for your business for one night if it wasnt a Friday or Saturday night. The tourist people in Armenia are pretty on the ball and I'm sure that they'd sort you out. We had a very vague arrangement with a taxista that took us around for 5 days on the basis that he would give us a good rate, the price was not fixed and I was worried we'd have an argument, but the 235,000 pesos he charged at the end seemed reasonable. There are much nicer places in Colombia than Armenia in my opinion, but it is easy and safe and for a short time it is OK.

getting better comments on Whats is a good volunteer group to work for in colombia?

http://www.ecotours.com.co/vltrs.php?codntc=12&codvltr=12&vltr=1

getting better comments on Dental work

We had a gringa tourist on one of our trips who arrived mid-afternoon in Bogota and her bridge had come unglued, we were off into the forest the next day. We managed to get it fixed for her at cost of 19,000 pesos! Pereira is nice enough for a few days, I would be bored to be too long there, the coffee park is a nice day out, and the botanical garden a nice 2-3 hours. Pananca is not so nice for me, unless you have children. But its very peaceful and pleasant around Armenia, its coffee belt agriculture, not much real natural habitat, not really for me the real best of Colombia, but its relaxing..

getting better comments on WHAT DO U THINK OF......

Does anyone know if the bridge on the road from Santa Marta to Riohacha is repaired yet, or when it is likely to be completed? I understand that there has been quite a lengthy diversion whilst it has been out of action, but that it should be reopened soon. I think the road journey should be less than 2 hours rather than 2.5 hours when it is.

getting better comments on Volunteering in Medellin

See http://www.proaves.org for infomration on ProAves and http://www.ecotours.com.co for info on the reserves.

getting better comments on Volunteering in Medellin

We charge volunteers US$12 a day for food and accomodation in our nature reserves. It covers the direct costs, and a little towards admin, there is no intention to rip them off. But it is not worth it for less than a month, it is too much hassle to organise a useful programme for them. We have only had a few so far but they range from quite useful to absolutely fantastic.

getting better comments on Buying a Parrot

To be fair the guy said he wanted to buy a captive-bred parrot, but a good way to help threatened parrots in Colombia is to sponsor a nest-box. They really do work: http://www.proaves.org/rubrique.php?id_rubrique=206

getting better comments on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TOP DESTINATIONS FOR 2008 - Colombia

Sorry if it's not very clear. EcoTurs arranges visits to the reseres of ProAves and it costs between 55 and 85 dollars a day full board at the reserves (less for Colombian nationals and researchers). The typical PBH reader will arrange their own transport, and maybe ask for a guide from the local communities to be arranged. The tours that cost around $200 a day are specialist tours with top-level guides and a driver/internal flights etc. They're not intended for the average PBH reader, but hopefully people will be pleased to see that Colombia is starting to attract this sort of tourist as well.

getting better comments on Where are all of the photos?

You can find some pictures of nature reserves in Colombia and information about wildlife tours on http://www.ecotours.com.co