Expat Community > Colombia

dnamron41
Joined 2011
Posts: 28

Hotel costs & aptm costs

10 years ago

look around this site with my identity. So you are coming here to teach. Good for you.
Problem is when you are coming. Jan. is okay but around Carnival time for a couple of days, they charge 3 times more.
Do not stay at approx. cra 53 on calle 76. Guellermo will ask you for a deposit and you will not get it back.
suggestions- when you 1st arrive , you will need a hotel room. Try City Suites Hotel (old name Atlantic Blue) at Cra.43, calle 79B. Clean, includes breakfast which is minimal but acceptable. Bargain and pay by the month. If they don't give you a good deal then bargain by the week. Pay what they quoted you for the month but get that by the week. They will quote you about 90 to 100 US/month but you can get that reduced substantially. Do NOT tell them I advised you to do this because the next time I go, they will not give me nor you a good deal. Draw back is that it is a hotel room and small. Tell them you want hot water for shower, and air condition, including breakfast. Wear clothes that is a little shabby or poor looking. It helps. They always want to get the better of the extranjeros.
The desk clerk will not have the authority to do this so give him a chance to talk to the boss. If boss is not there, say you will come back later. However you will have your suitcases with you, you may have to take it for a 1st week. Bargain again for the 2nd week etc till you get the price you want.
Another acceptable Hotel is Valclaire Suites at calle 72 and about cra 54 or 55. Bigger rooms and swimming pool.
Trouble with them is that you will have to deal with the manageress and not the owner but they will bargain a bit.
Holiday Inn is a rip off for what you pay and get and they are less prone to bargaining.
Tell them the Canuck sent you.
Aptm will cost you furnished, about $1,500,000 Col/mos and up = about $700 to 800 US.
When you are in Baq look around for an aptm to rent in levels 3 to 6, 3 being poorer and a little more dangerous. At levels 5 & 6 it is pretty safe. Never show your wealth.
You are going to find that renting, fully furnished is quite expensive for what the property is worth. When renting , go look at the place in mid afternoon when it is the hottest. That will give you some idea of how much electricity you will have to pay. Elec. here is expensive, double the US if you live in the upper strata. Find out what levels 1 to 6 mean. Do not live in levels 1 or 2. Too dangerous.
locales safe- Villa Santos (level 6), Buenavista Mall area(6), Unico mall area (3/4), Del Prado area(4/5),
I suspect that you are teaching English at a colegio or upper class school, and that wages should be around 4,000,000/mos. You will probably be getting paid double what the other teachers make. Don't tell them because they will be jealous. If so, then the school is probably in a safe area. I am a retired teacher.
Hope this helps.

William Russell

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Hotel costs & aptm costs

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