30 Days and counting!

[bundy_138]

Thats right!  30 days and I will step in Cali for my first LA experience.  I would like any and all tips from the Pro's!  What to initially expect when stepping off the plane...from customs, getting a taxi, finding an ATM, etc....

Every tip, opinion, and warning will be GREATLY appreciated!

Bundy

[Dan Las Vegas]

Enjoy your trip, I'm going to Medellin at the same time. If anyone is in medellin and wants to hook up for a beer, let me know.

[papi]

Bundy, I thought you had a handle on everything. Are you staying at calicharm?? If so, here are some suggestions:

1. Have CC send you a trusty taxi at the airport

2. Avoid hailing taxis off the street

3. Have restaurants, the agency, etc., call a taxi

4. If at Chipichape mall - take "Chipi taxi"...do not get in the taxis off sexta adjacent to the mall

5. You can walk to the mall from CC. Use the ATM's inside the mall. I like the green Servibanca or the Davidia. Take $300.000-$500.000 pesos per time. Make sure you are not being followed

6. Guard your laptop, especially in the airport. A friend of mine just got his lifted at the airport.

7. I recommend eating at the mall, especially Lenos & Carbon and the many restaurants in Barrio Granada. Sexta is also fun but sleazy

8. I love hiking Mt. Papi. Fresh air and a great workout. Start from Barrio Granada at 9th ave and 12th

9. After you go through customs, you will see a window to your right...stop there to get your exit papers so you don't have to hassle with it when you leave. I noticed that even CaliPro forgot to do that but he was probably anxious to go see his young wife.

10. For non-PG related activities, send Papi a PM

[bundy_138]

Papi...changed plans on where I am staying.  Calicharm is out.  My friend owns a Condo about 10 blocks from there (about a mile from Exito).  More privacy, has a pool, and he lets you have overnight visitors! 

Thanks for the tips....especially the exit papers!  My friend has already given me the complete XXX version of his three months in Cali and I do not think I can take anymore!  It makes me to anxious to get there!!!!!   

Bundy

[papi]

yu can have overnight guests at CC...come on...do you think el papi would stay somewhere that didn't offer that? just keep it discrete. but sounds like you have things hooked up with your amigo. good job...and yu have made contacts already to show you around town. i want to hear your feedback on the attorney. she was almost a keeper

[papi]

My friend has already given me the complete XXX version

hopefully your amigo has given you only those papi approved...lol

[papi]

on Exito...yu can use the ATM's inside the store. Also, they have a Lenos. But better eye candy down the street at the mall

[sean126]

Bundy,
Not in reference to Cali...but as far as the atm's go, if they have the same banks as in Baq...some only allow you to take out 300,000 pesos at a time but I know Banc Colombia let's you have 400,000.  It will save on some of your bank's currency conversion charges you'll get...if your bank is anything like mine.  Papi is right, it's usually safer to use the ones in the stores.
Also...It will sound funny, but I'd buy or bring with you some pills to help keep you regular.  I know everytime I go to Colombia I have trouble doing "number 2" for a few days after I first get there. 
And if your going around the 17th,18th,19th or 20th then you might run into a few delays as far as the checks points and clearances with Avianca because people will be going to Baq. for Carnival which is during that time, so allow time on your last leg when actually departing to Colombia from Miami, NY or texas or where ever.

One last thing....If you've never been to Colombia before...Keep your small bills, 1,000...2,000...5,000 and some 10's for the taxi's.  They will drive you nuts telling you they don't have change for the larger bills.  I always buy one bottle of water with a fifty or a twenty just so i can get some change for the cabs. 

[papi]

One last thing....If you've never been to Colombia before...Keep your small bills, 1,000...2,000...5,000 and some 10's for the taxi's.  They will drive you nuts telling you they don't have change for the larger bills.

Amen! it will drive you nuts

[sean126]

Oh, I almost forgot....Where I live the people drive normal (in dry weather), but I was getting cramps in my butt cheeks my first trip down there while in a taxi.  Picture a nascar driver on a three day cocaine binge with a bad case of road rage...and that's basically how they drive.