I was sorry to hear that we were not going to cross paths in Cartagena. I think I missed you by 2 days. I totally agree with you - that it was beautiful, and I wish I had time for more than the 3 nights I spent there. I stayed at the Hilton using points, so managed to avoid at least some of the costs.
Thank goodness you made it back - pooches and all. I honestly don't know what's wrong with Avianca. I also had to spend about 45 minutes on the phone with them to be able to force them to take my money. The website failed, and there was no realistic way to contact them except by calling their US customer service number. Those flights were between Bogota and San Andres (an island actually closer to Nicaragua than to Colombia, but still part of Colombia). I loved it there - and did both the private boat rental for a day wandering the lagoon, and also some parasailing! I highly recommend it - though, it is a resort, so the prices are going to be higher than Bogota (but not quite as high as Cartagena).
My Colombian airline adventure involved my flights between Bogota and Cartagena. I was originally booked on Viva, but on the day I was to travel, they went out of business. Amazingly, I was still able to book tickets on Latam for same day travel, and it only cost a bit more!
I just finished a quick visit to my family in the Seattle area, and have now embarked on my next travel adventure - a month in Madrid (where I am right now), then a week in Sardinia, a week in Paris, a week in London, then back to Sao Paulo. I'm actually planning on making SP my base for further visits to other places in South America. Wish me luck, and if you're planning on heading south again, keep in touch.
Ah, you were one of those lucky people who got hit with the Viva bankruptcy! So great that you were able to get on a LATAM flight right away...it seemed like a lot of people were left scrambling. For our part, I don't believe we'll be flying Avianca again any soon.
Your forward plans sound very exciting...have to love any journey that includes time in so many blockbuster cities! Good luck with everything and may all your airlines stay in business, at least during your travel window. 😂
Hi Stephanie and Gillian,
I was sorry to hear that we were not going to cross paths in Cartagena. I think I missed you by 2 days. I totally agree with you - that it was beautiful, and I wish I had time for more than the 3 nights I spent there. I stayed at the Hilton using points, so managed to avoid at least some of the costs.
Thank goodness you made it back - pooches and all. I honestly don't know what's wrong with Avianca. I also had to spend about 45 minutes on the phone with them to be able to force them to take my money. The website failed, and there was no realistic way to contact them except by calling their US customer service number. Those flights were between Bogota and San Andres (an island actually closer to Nicaragua than to Colombia, but still part of Colombia). I loved it there - and did both the private boat rental for a day wandering the lagoon, and also some parasailing! I highly recommend it - though, it is a resort, so the prices are going to be higher than Bogota (but not quite as high as Cartagena).
My Colombian airline adventure involved my flights between Bogota and Cartagena. I was originally booked on Viva, but on the day I was to travel, they went out of business. Amazingly, I was still able to book tickets on Latam for same day travel, and it only cost a bit more!
I just finished a quick visit to my family in the Seattle area, and have now embarked on my next travel adventure - a month in Madrid (where I am right now), then a week in Sardinia, a week in Paris, a week in London, then back to Sao Paulo. I'm actually planning on making SP my base for further visits to other places in South America. Wish me luck, and if you're planning on heading south again, keep in touch.
Richard
Ah, you were one of those lucky people who got hit with the Viva bankruptcy! So great that you were able to get on a LATAM flight right away...it seemed like a lot of people were left scrambling. For our part, I don't believe we'll be flying Avianca again any soon.
Your forward plans sound very exciting...have to love any journey that includes time in so many blockbuster cities! Good luck with everything and may all your airlines stay in business, at least during your travel window. 😂