... in response to Help with pretrip planning, posted by Zorrowins on Oct 12, 2003---Well (even though there are plenty more expert than I) I'll take a stab at some of your questions.
1)I have a passport,however,a Colombian visa- do I get it beforehand at the Colombian Consolute, on the plane, in Colmbian? How long is it valid?
---They will stamp your passport with a tourist visa when you get there, the immigration inspector will hand write on the stamp how many days it is good for. He wrote 60 on mine, which I understand is normal. You don't need to make any visa arrangements in advance.
2)Packing-I plan on staying 10-14 days, but I want to pack light. Is causual ok? Do I even need a jacket(Colombian's close to the eqautor), How about a raincoat? Can I pack only 3 days of clothes and get them easily laundered there? Can I have a carry on bag? How prevelant is theft of luggage?
---Casual is fine, slacks or nice jeans, button down shirt or nice pullover with a collar, like a golf shirt, I wouldn't recomend bringing your car fixing clothes or gang colors. Might want something you can wear a necktie with, but not a 'must'. You won't need a jacket for the weather. Raincoat? Optional, it does rain, but you won't be outdoors that much. My lady did my laundry at her house, but most of the hotels have laundry service. Yes, you can have a carry on and I wouldn't let my luggage out of my sight (except when checked with the airline or hotel, of course).
3)Medication-no problem right? Do I need a written prescriptions to avoid hassles. If you read my bio-I'm on testoserone patches which are tecnically steroids and is a controlled substance. Should I get an injection which lasts for two weeks and leave the patches behind?
Should I need Viagra can I get it there or bring my own? Personal question, but I'm 55 not 25 unfortunately and really don't want "performance" problems! Other than that I have blood pressure meds I'll be taking with me.
---Much more medicine is availble OTC or with a brief consultation with a pharmacist then in the US, HOWEVER, a lot of fairly common medicine that we are used to in the US is not availble there. (As my doctor puts it: Everything they have is easy to get, they just don't have anything you need.) Why not just get the injection and be sure? Viagra? Don't know, I'm only 53, never had that problem. BTW, I've heard that you shouldn't use V if you have blood presure problems.
4) Do I drink bottled water only? What do you guys drink when out on the town? I don't want to drink acohol excessively, sodas, etc. How safe is the water supply in Colombia?
---I've never had that problem, but then I've lived in Mexico and didn't have it there either. I ate everything, drank everything.
5) I operate mainly in cash and a debit card. I have no credit cards. The debit card is limited to $500 US a day. So how much cash should I carry? Are Visa credit cards no problemo there?
---The same ATM networks (Cirus, Plus etc) are in place there, no problemo, although a given machine may only be hooked to one of the networks and you might have to look at two or three machines to find one that works with YOUR network. Every day just take out what you think you need for pocket money that day. The ATMS actually give a better rate of exchange than the money changing houses and are a lot less hassle than traveler's checks etc. Most hotels will take ATM cards (if they have Visa or MC logo) for the hotel bill, but not as many stores and resturants as here. Might want to make a payment on your hotel every two or three days to avoid it getting over the limit (i.e. you go to pay the hotel for 10 days all at once, say $700 and it comes back declined for over the daily limit). Something else, stop by your bank and TELL them you are traveling overseas, to make sure your card will be valid when you go to use it. Some of them take it upon themselves to 'protect' you from foreign transactions (thinkg that the card, or at least the numbers, have been stolen)
6)Advise on cheapest way to Colombia and back. I can fly out of Logan(Boston) but prefer Manchester, New Hampshire. I'm thinking fly Southwest to New York and then direct to Cali would probably be the cheapest. Suggestions?
---Don't know, I live in Texas. I do know that when you leave the Cali airport to return home that there is an airport tax. If you go to the government tourism office and get a UAEAC stamp on your passport they will lower the tax. The lower price is $28US, the regular price is $60 or $70?. The office is on the second floor of the airport, in a mezanine above the main waiting room. I can't remember the exact name of the office, but you should be able to find it.
7)I'm thinking of staying at Latin Best. Will they pick me up at the airport? Are they a good choice? Which agencies do you prefer and why? Once I decide should I pay in advance or not? On my first visit is it not a good idea to stay at an agency for the entire trip? I like to go to a gym daily with CYBEX equipment(I do 60 minutes aerobics daily on the Arch Trainer and/or Precor. I also use the CYBEX machines for strength training). Do you know of a gym that has this equipment in Cali? Also is a Pharmacy close by this agency?
---No comment, I never used an agency, I went to meet only one lady that I had already been corresponding with. I'm sure that if you don't like an agency they won't hold you prisoner, getting back any money you may have paid in advance may be a different story, I'll leave the agency recemondations to those who have used them. I know nothing about gyms either, however pharmacies are everywhere (but the pharmicist won't speak any English).
I know this is a million and one questions, but I am a total novice and have nothing more than an educated guess to the answers. Help will be very much appreciated. Perhaps these agencies have a pamplet to send?
---Do the agencies have a phamplet to send? No, but most of them have websites, see the agency links right here on P-L, to the left of where the messages are posted.
Thanks for your help in advance!
---Have a great trip.
