BAQ info...

[valleydude]

How much is the departure tax, and are dollars accepted or should I be prepared to have some extra pesos handy?

Also, has anyone booked a room through the El Prado's website? It looks like a basic form and doesn't ask for any credit card info. I am curious if anyone has booked with them online; and if so, has there been any problems with this?

Maybe Colombia is different about taking credit cards at the time of reservations? You know; accepting reservations without security of payment, like it used to be here? (many moons ago)

Thanks a million!

V-Dude

[papi]

... in response to BAQ info..., posted by valleydude on Oct 23, 2005

V-Dude, the departure tax varies by city with BQ on the high-end or close to $100,000 pesos or $45US.  On making hotel reservations in Latin America, few have sophisticated sites that can handle secure credit card transactions.  Heck, Avianca just got up to speed only a few months ago.  Most take the info and maybe email you back.  They just don’t get the internet.  Some hotels are better than others in answering email and in some cases I was able to book rooms and negotiate a better rate via email.  Other times, I just picked up the phone and called

[valleydude]

... in response to Re: BAQ info..., posted by papi on Oct 23, 2005

Thanks Papi! (and beenthere too)

So does the el Prado have hot water or is it one of those electrical shower heaters? I never would have asked this but after reading about those things I just want to be prepared.
When I went to Venezuela I stayed at her house and her mother said: "We have naturally hot water!" I thought it was going to be like some sort of hot springs and couldn't wait to take a shower there. Well, it was pretty much the same temperature as Florida tap water. S**t, with the time difference hitting 4 hours during daylight savings, I was getting up at 3:00 am and jumping into a cold shower everyday. It was definitely an eye opener.

I was debating between the Dann and the el Prado but I am going with the el Prado to have more of an experience. From what I got out of the post below it's more Colombian than the Dann. I'll be meeting a girl and kind of don't want to give off a Ritzy impression right off the top either.

I'm not going into specifics right now because it is easy for me to get scattered, but I have plans of heading down there real soon.

V-Dude

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: BAQ info..., posted by valleydude on Oct 23, 2005

I never ran into a problem with hot water in BQ hotels, but most apartments don’t have hot water – yea Aqua clima  I think they call it (that isn't going to fly with this gringo – I froze my you know what off in San Andres).  It is an issue in Cartagena and as mentioned San Andres – so check with the hotels if you ever go there.  Bog, MDe, Cali mostly have hot water in the hotels.  I only stayed in the El Prado once and the rooms are so so but it is in a good area and has a nice pool.  If you want to save money and have a Colombian experience – the hotel Versalles is near the Prado and half the price and you can buy a day pass to use the pool at the Prado if you feel like taking a date there on occasion.  But the Prado is not bad.  The Barranquilla is less than the Prado and not a bad choice either.  The Dann is a very nice hotel and you can still get the Colombian experience by getting in taxi and hitting various restaurants, clubs, etc. And nothing wrong with staying in a comfortable hotel with a brand new bed, nice bath, etc

[beenthere]

... in response to BAQ info..., posted by valleydude on Oct 23, 2005

I just paid 51,000 pesos in departure tax, leaving out of Bogota yesterday...

Regarding El Prado, I would just call them instead of using the website...it will save alot of time. If you use their website, they will e-mail you after you fill out the information, and at that time you will send them your credit card info...that takes too much time.  If you call you can more than likely negociate a better rate and have the reservation immediately.  Just make sure they give you a confirmation number.