First night in Cali and already experienced the friendliness here :)
October 22, 2009
In Cali!
Cali's airport is not that new, but was missing here was air conditioned. OMG! It was so hot here!!! Well, I asked for warm weather, so shut up! Clearing customs took longer than expected, although it was the only flight arriving at this time, but there weren't many officers working and they made several questions to people arriving. They stamped my passport and gave me another piece of paper, which you have to keep and show when you are leaving the country, unless you'd like to pay airport fee, hahaha.
clearing customs
So good just having carry on, hehehe. In Colombia they use another currency, but the exchange houses were closed at the airport. Hopefully the taxi driver would take US$. At the entrance of the building I saw some people waiting for passengers, when I saw a young guy - with a hippie look - holding a sign (actually it was a piece of cardboard) saying my name on it "Yadira", how sweet!!!
We went to the taxi, put the things at the trunk and I thought we'd leave soon, but he started to look for something. What was missing? The keys! hahaha, we couldn't move without them, hahaha. Finally he found them and we left. During the drive he and his girlfriend were explaining us about Cali and what to do there. They both were really friendly!
Then we arrived to San Antonio area, where the hostel was located.
Coffee House, small charming place
Well, it was late and was tired, so she just showed us around the hostel. How did I know about this hostel? Well, when I was in Ecuador a Colombian guy gave me a brochure about traditional San Antonio and told me it'd be a good idea to stay in the area. Well, this will be my 1st stop in Cali, so staying here made sense. So far, it looked so charming and with friendly people!!! Ok, time to go to bed. I was tired and tomorrow will be a loooong day, looking forward to a sunny day!
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In Cali!
clearing customs
Coffee House, small charming place
Airport in Cali (Colombia) - Alfonso Bonilla Aragon (CLO)
First of all is important to know that this airport is not located right in Cali, but in Palmira which is just outside the city. So if you are arriving early you might be able to catch a bus to Cali's bus terminal or a taxi, but it's not that cheap if you are in a budget.
Although it's an international airport, it's not that modern and the building is not that new. Actually that doesn't bother me. But be aware the stores and exchange houses are not open 24hrs.
What really surprised me was the high security! Besides the regular security, when you are leaving the country there's an additional level. They will search your carry on, piece by piece! Also they will ask you how much US$ are you taking out of the country.
When I was leaving Cali, it was early in the morning and had to wait in line, until all the workers arrived... People in Cali is super friendly, but not that much in the airport, well might be because of their work.
Of course you are in Colombia, so expect good coffee for sale, hehe. There's a small duty free shop and a cafe. One thing I noticed is that there are several ATM's for such a small airport, hehe.
Although it's an international airport, it's not that modern and the building is not that new. Actually that doesn't bother me. But be aware the stores and exchange houses are not open 24hrs.
What really surprised me was the high security! Besides the regular security, when you are leaving the country there's an additional level. They will search your carry on, piece by piece! Also they will ask you how much US$ are you taking out of the country.
When I was leaving Cali, it was early in the morning and had to wait in line, until all the workers arrived... People in Cali is super friendly, but not that much in the airport, well might be because of their work.
Of course you are in Colombia, so expect good coffee for sale, hehe. There's a small duty free shop and a cafe. One thing I noticed is that there are several ATM's for such a small airport, hehe.
inside the airport
check in lines
the gate
security
Clearing Customs and going through Security in Cali Colombia
This info might be applied for whole Colombian airports, but the only one I experienced was the one in Cali ;)
When you are clearing customs, as in many other places in the world, you have to be patient and answer all the questions with a big smile although they are many or even annoying, hehe. Expect the regular questions like “what are you gonna do in the country?”, “where are you gonna stay?”, bla bla bla. They will stamp your passport and give you another piece of paper, which you have to keep with you and show when you are leaving the country, so you’d be exonerate for paying the airport fee ;)
But believe it or not, it’d take you longer when you are leaving the country than when you are arriving. This time they’ll ask how many US$ are you taking with you. I said US$20 and the guy was surprised, then I told him I was going back home! Hahaha.
No problems going through security at arrival, but when you are leaving besides the x-ray machine for your carry – on luggage, they will search you and open your bags and check them, piece by piece. The guy almost smashed one of the candies I was taking with me…
These whole process will take quite a long time, so be ready, have patience and smile ;)
When you are clearing customs, as in many other places in the world, you have to be patient and answer all the questions with a big smile although they are many or even annoying, hehe. Expect the regular questions like “what are you gonna do in the country?”, “where are you gonna stay?”, bla bla bla. They will stamp your passport and give you another piece of paper, which you have to keep with you and show when you are leaving the country, so you’d be exonerate for paying the airport fee ;)
But believe it or not, it’d take you longer when you are leaving the country than when you are arriving. This time they’ll ask how many US$ are you taking with you. I said US$20 and the guy was surprised, then I told him I was going back home! Hahaha.
No problems going through security at arrival, but when you are leaving besides the x-ray machine for your carry – on luggage, they will search you and open your bags and check them, piece by piece. The guy almost smashed one of the candies I was taking with me…
These whole process will take quite a long time, so be ready, have patience and smile ;)
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Charming hostel in Cali with the friendliest owner - La Casa Cafe
The owner of a Colombian restaurant in Ecuador gave me a brochure of San Antonio – the traditional area of Cali – and recommended me to stay at least 1 night there. On the brochure there were some hostels advertised, but not many have good websites or responded the emails. Finally I got an answer from “La Casa Café” which was actually the first one I sent an email to. If you can make a phone call, better do it. Not many business in South America work fast with emails...
This hostel is located near downtown in the Bohemian and traditional San Antonio. It's an old house with high ceilings that was transformed into a hostel. Therefore they don't have many rooms and there are no private bathrooms.
This hostel is cheap. Fee just includes accommodation. Internet, breakfast, are not included, but they have a communal kitchen, books and board games for the guests.
The bed was just ok. Later I realized that beds in Cali's hostels are not the best, so this one could be considered a very good one, haha. When I arrived I found a newspaper and cultural brochure on my bed, sweet. Also all the house is decorated with pics of old Cali.
They are also a cafe, small and cozy one, and there's an internet cafe next door.
The only bad thing here was the shower. There was no hot water, but I'd stay here just 1 night so it wasn't that bad. I guess it wouldn't have been so bad if I was taking a shower in the middle of the day.
But you will stop thinking about any inconvenience, when you meet Paola - the girl in charge of the place. She's one of the friendliest person I've ever met. I was in contact with her before leaving Lima and when she opened the door she said me welcome to Cali like if we were friends from a long time ago, so sweet! She was really helpful and helped me as much as possible, including paying the cab for us.
Maybe it's not the most comfortable place, but the friendliness is the best!
This hostel is located near downtown in the Bohemian and traditional San Antonio. It's an old house with high ceilings that was transformed into a hostel. Therefore they don't have many rooms and there are no private bathrooms.
This hostel is cheap. Fee just includes accommodation. Internet, breakfast, are not included, but they have a communal kitchen, books and board games for the guests.
The bed was just ok. Later I realized that beds in Cali's hostels are not the best, so this one could be considered a very good one, haha. When I arrived I found a newspaper and cultural brochure on my bed, sweet. Also all the house is decorated with pics of old Cali.
They are also a cafe, small and cozy one, and there's an internet cafe next door.
The only bad thing here was the shower. There was no hot water, but I'd stay here just 1 night so it wasn't that bad. I guess it wouldn't have been so bad if I was taking a shower in the middle of the day.
But you will stop thinking about any inconvenience, when you meet Paola - the girl in charge of the place. She's one of the friendliest person I've ever met. I was in contact with her before leaving Lima and when she opened the door she said me welcome to Cali like if we were friends from a long time ago, so sweet! She was really helpful and helped me as much as possible, including paying the cab for us.
Maybe it's not the most comfortable place, but the friendliness is the best!
outside
common area
cafe area
high ceilings
the bed
nice corner
