No turning back now..

[AltoHombre]

As some of you may know I've been lurking around on this board for almost a year now. I've been talking to few different woman in Cali for most of that time. Now the time has come where the rubber meets the road. Or should I say the rubber meets the runway.

I have tickets for a flight next week to Cali. I spoke to the woman and her mother last night on the phone. That's quite a trick as the best of my spanish is about "Mi espanol es pobre" and "Donde esta el cuarto de bano."

So it should be interesting. I understand that there is a reasonable hotel not too far from the airport. I'm arriving rather late in the day and my thought was to spend a night there, rather then make the trip into the city.

I will also mention that this will be a short trip. Only a few days. I was willing to do that because the COP is low and the prices with Avianca was very reasonable, I got my ticket for about $450.

What I'm looking for now, is a few suggestions on hotels in the city.


Tony

[Micky10]

T -

Sorry you know ''soy Piasa''. Just wanted to say good luck, have a safe trip and disfruta. You post well and I think you will be all right, remember > NOW you will have a trip report for us.

Love - Micky

[Walter Mora]

Tony Hi!! Walter Mora here, tour giude, if you need my services please call me, I can help you with a hotel also pick up at the airport.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by AltoHombre

I will also mention that this will be a short trip. Only a few days. I was willing to do that because the COP is low and the prices with Avianca was very reasonable, I got my ticket for about $450.

What I'm looking for now, is a few suggestions on hotels in the city.

Alto, you don't want to stay out by the airport, coming in in the morning the next day will be a painin the ass, commuters!!!!

Maybe take Walter up on the taxi, pickup and see if he can find you a good hotel... It is definetely worth having a pick up the night before and being in the city, so you don't waste time especially if it is a short trip..

All my trips to cali, I awlays arrived late, one time my plane was late we arrived at 1 a.m. with lost baggage , I still made it safely into the city

If you just pick up a cab, make sure the cab stops and on the way out to let the security know you are in the car and on your way to a specific hotel!!

[Flaco]

Tony:
I agree with LL, go into Cali that night, if that is where you intend on staying. If your main reason for coming is a girl in Palmira ? well the airport is in Palmira, so it makes sense to stay out there. Luckygirl does not know of any hotels but found this link for you
http://palmiguia.com/hoteles.html
Good luck

[AltoHombre]

Ok, next question. How expensive is the ride from the Airport to Cali? Being a typical american, I'm looking at rental cars, thinking that at $45 a day gives me the freedom I'm so used to. Am I totally insane to think that renting a car is a good idea?

Tony

[HonkyTonk]

Yes

I drove all over Bogota in a GF's car a few years ago. Quite an experience! I drove to Unicentro in the north (as well as many other places). With the long line to get in to park and security checking all cars for bombs, we could have walked there quicker. A taxi was even cheaper when you figured in her gas and parking fees. Cali is just on a smaller scale. I doubt you'll spend near $45 a day on taxis. Busses are dirt cheap.

And just think of it, how will you ever experiencs Taxi Terror if you're doing the driving? If you don't know what Taxi Terror is, you just might find out this trip

I don't recall the price from the airport, but others will.

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by AltoHombre

Ok, next question. How expensive is the ride from the Airport to Cali? Being a typical american, I'm looking at rental cars, thinking that at $45 a day gives me the freedom I'm so used to. Am I totally insane to think that renting a car is a good idea?

Tony

Yup Insane.. If you want to head out of the city than rent a car if you have too.. BUt taking a bus is actually quite a good way to see life in colombia!

Alto, a cab ride from the north of the city to the south is about 5- 7 dollars, you probably will never have a ride much more than that.. I think a cab to the city is around $30 no more than $35 from the airport

The last thing you want to do is arrive at night rent a car and try to figure out where and how to get to cali and than once inside how to get around..

What part of the city does your gal live in?? That would be a good way to figure out where you are staying and how to get there...

[LuckyGirl]

Alto;
It is not good idea to rent a car in Cali, the ride from he airport o Cali is like 20 dollars, i is like $45.000 pesos, and the rides are cheap in the city.
I wish you a nice trip here and if you need any advice you can send me a PM.
LG-

Tony:
Colombian drivers remind me of Italy, run red lights, don´t follow traffic signs, and one foot on the gas and the other on the break. Note that the black stars painted on the roads are where people died. The streets are not marked that well, and taxis are dirt cheap. Some things to keep in mind when using cabs: If you are with a colombiana, let them do all the talking. If you are by yourself, have the destination written on a piece of paper, just in case your pronunciation is malo. Most cabs have meters. If you do not see a meter, agree on a price before you get in. Being a gringo they may offer a high price, don´t hesitate to bargain, and ask more than one cab, to make sure you are not overpaying.
Flaco's Good luck

[AndBow]

Alto,

I was just in Cali last month and you do not need to rent a car. Cabs are cheap and unless you have experienced the driving in Cali then it will be best not to rent a car. The most I spent on a cab was 60.000 pesos but the driver drove me around for 2 hours. Luckygirl is right, they do not follow traffic laws, if there is any. It is like there are no traffic signs and they run red lights. Besides that being in a cab while there is traffic is an experience. I wish you the best and have a good trip.