Sheila

I have a lay over in Bogota Columbia for 7 hours and then continuing on to Rio de Janeiro for 10 day where I will meeting a friend. Does anyone recommend me going into the city of Bogota for a few hours or should I stay in the Airport. There will be two of us traveling. My companion is a male who knows very little spanish and I know a little spanish. All of this talk of kidnappings and assaults is really getting us nervious. Suggestions...

Rafael Pena

Nowdays Americans should try to blend<BR>in with the crowd whenever they are<BR>outside American soil. After 9/11, we<BR>we know the reason for this. If you are<BR>going to spend some time in Bogota,<BR>don't wear any jewelery, don't wear<BR>clothes(t shirts with American slogans)<BR>that make you stand out like a sore thump. Watch your purse(purse snatching<BR>is a favorite hobby of some thugs there.<BR>Guy: put your wallet in the front pocket of your pants.<BR>Take a cab to Plaza Bolivar; find a nice<BR>restaurant and have a nice, long and romantic dinner or lunch. This should<BR>kill at leat 3 hours, if you are like me. Don't worry, English is widely spoken in Colombia, especially at restaurants and hotels..and the locals<BR>appreciate your trying to speak their<BR>language..so try your Spanish!<BR>Go to a native bar, a bookstore, s souvenir shop..The guerrillas in<BR>Colombia are not in Bogota, so don't<BR>worry about kidnapping!! Excercise<BR>caution because we have thieves everywhere, but do enjoy your trip.<BR>God bless!<BR>Ralph <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

elliott norris

i agree with the prior post.<BR><BR>you could take a cable car up to montserate, about 45 min from the airport. it overlooks the entire city. it is peaceful envigorating and spiritual. ithas a couple of very expensive restaurants there.there are also stands where you can buy inexpensive food.<BR><BR>give yourself some extra time if the cable car has a problem.<BR><BR>you can also try the national museum. center city. free great place for a yupy lunch.<BR><BR>you may also want to just rest. it sounds like you will be traveling all day. trusthouse forte capital hotel is 3 miles from the airport. will pick you up in a van. modern clean safe excellent food. boun viaje.

doug

7 hours is not enough time. Stay in the terminal. It is much safer there, plus it will take up to 2 hours to get back inside and a lot of hassle. Its not worth it, you need a day to see the sights, taxi time, etc.

Robert Quirk

If I had seven hours and was desperate to leave the airport I would visit the gold museum. However, I wouldn't be desperate to leave the airport and would stay in the transit lounge as long as you remain behind the security clearance the buggers can't do much. By the way you stand much more chance of being scammed, robbed, assaulted than kidnapped. I spent two weeks in La Candelaria and was never kidnapped. I did however have loads of scams played on me ( false police, selling glass emeralds and a distraction scam ). Colombia is a beautiful country and I'm sure that most people are genuinely OK. The problem is the only people you'll meet in your seven hours will approach you because they have an ulterior ( read bad ) motive. Stay in transit .. 7 hrs is NOT worth the bother.

Janecita

There is so much thievery in Bogata, that unless you really want to see something special, I would stay at the airport. I was robbed almost immediately by theives who come from a far to learn the trade. Almost got robbed a second time. Janecita

thit_cho

Janecita, Sheila's post dates from January 2002. Did you scroll through thousands of posts to find one from 2002 to respond to? Just curious. I'm going to Bogota this month, so I was curious about this post.

Sam_Salmon

<b>thit_cho</b>-Bogota is in fact a quiet orderly place that's safer than most US American cities.