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Post by barrumundi on Sept 28, 2015 18:30:29 GMT -5
Those of us that have been living in Colombia or even visiting regularly are fully aware that Colombia CAN BE a very dangerous place and that you should never let your guard down. The recent killing of an American tourist in Medellin has highlighted the problem with Taxis. I have only ever used taxis a couple of times and that was in Bogota during the day........but many of you live and travel to major cities in Colombia.
Have you got any taxi safety tips to share with us?
One good idea I heard of was (specially at night) check that the number plate actually matches the number painted on the side of the taxi. Maybe take a photo with your cell-phone?
A scam I heard about today was that some taxi drivers, when you pay them, switch the note you gave them with a counterfeit note and then complain the note is no good and insist you pay with real money. Maybe take a photo of the note you are paying with or write down the serial number or text the serial number to a friend?
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Post by billyb on Sept 28, 2015 21:10:52 GMT -5
Never hail a taxi on the street. Call or have someone call one for you. They will give you a code. Not a perfect guarantee, but lessens the chance of something happening, and there will be a record of which cabbie picked you up if something does happen.
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Post by suba on Sept 29, 2015 0:42:25 GMT -5
Never trust a Colombian you don't know personally, never ever.
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Post by barrumundi on Sept 29, 2015 8:36:31 GMT -5
Some people I know who need to use taxis have list of guys that they have used before and they are happy with the service.
This info is from my friends Michael and Graciela:
Taxi in Bogota:
If you want an English speaking taxi driver or tour guide then Muñoz is your guy. And as he told us, with the specially licensed taxi he has he can take you on day trips to towns around Bogotá and even long excursions to other places in Colombia. This would include such things as a trip to Colombia’s coffee area, eje cafetero or the warm Caribbean cost cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta.
People asked us and we have searched for years for someone that we would feel confident in recommending. So we are glad to have found this person. He told us that his email is arteingeniero@gmail.com and that he uses WhatsApp. His cell phone number is 305-238-3970.
Taxi in Medellin:
José Vicente Pérez is great. He lived in New Jersey for awhile and has the stories (sometimes humorous) to go with his time there. We rode with him and put him through the paces. If you are not going just to a destination then he can also be a tour guide. And like our Bogotá guy he is not limited to the city. In fact I recommend that if you have a free afternoon that you have him drive you to the pueblo of Guatapé. And do not forget your camera because there is a photo opportunity on every street. And if you are looking for a little exercise and to test your stamina then head to the rock in Peñol.
José’s email is rovirio@yahoo.es. His cell phone is 320-767-4902.
Full story:http://michaelandgraciela.com/blog/?p=4054
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Post by juanmiguel on Sept 29, 2015 13:55:45 GMT -5
The American being murdered in a taxi in Medellin is indeed a bad image for Colombia. Combine that with the fact that another American was killed in a taxi in Bogota not that long ago. That time it was in the believed safe area of Parque 93. Several articles in the USA have recently mentioned both of the above incidents.
In a similar manner I have witnessed many scams by taxi and so called taxi drivers perpetrated at the El Dorado airport in Bogotá. And I have been the victim of a taxi scam in Barranquilla.
It just seems so very strange to me that Colombia pushes such large amounts of money in advertising the country as a good place for tourists, but seems to do so little to address the issues that concern many tourists, like safe and honest taxis. My mind goes to the saying that if a store treats you correctly you will tell someone, but if they treat you poorly you will tell ten people. Perhaps the tourist division is concentrating their efforts in the wrong places.
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Post by robbierobnj on Sept 29, 2015 14:12:15 GMT -5
How could they make taxi's safer? I mean if a scumbag is going to follow the cab in a car or on a bike there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. I suggest you give up the valuables to these thiefs and live to see another day. If the time has come where you have to take a picture of the bill you hand to a cab driver it's probably time to pack it in on Colombia. I have stated many times the easy money and easy gains have been made in Colombia I dont see the next 10 or 20 years bringing any more progress I actually believe Colombia is on the slide again.
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Post by gallito on Sept 29, 2015 14:26:34 GMT -5
Overall Colombia has tried to change its international image;in reality to those in the know,it's no more than a publicity campaign. Who really believes the "Only Risk Is You May Want To Stay"
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Post by dandl93 on Sept 29, 2015 14:38:54 GMT -5
All over the world tourists get robbed and killed.A american tourist gets killed in Colombia it is national news.There is more to this story just like the last one but it will never come out.
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Post by gallito on Sept 29, 2015 14:42:58 GMT -5
Safety measures should be always taken into consideration;no matter where you are,never let your guard down.
-The dummy wallet trick; a wallet filled with expired documents and credit cards...may include a little spending money. Don't carry around large sums of money; especially in a taxi,as mentioned it's better to hand it over than to resist.
There are many Taxi apps,Tapsi... I hail taxis on the street during the day; usually I am with others, at night and airport transfers call a taxi. Airport taxis scams do occur; not frequently,you're more likely to be short changed.
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Post by barrumundi on Sept 29, 2015 15:59:37 GMT -5
"If the time has come where you have to take a picture of the bill you hand to a cab driver it's probably time to pack it in on Colombia."
robbierobnj it is not only gringo expats and tourists that are affected by these criminals. The gringos may be an obvious 'mark' but thousands of Colombians are affected by taxi crime and taxi scams......and they are not about to 'pack it in'.
The problem needs to be addressed, but like so many other 'problems' in Colombia it is so huge and has been happening for so long that it is now ingrained in the culture and no one knows how to even begin to solve the problem.
Maybe 'Peace Talks' with the taxistas?
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