Getting a taxi in Medellin
There is always some trepidation with newcomers to Medellin about whether or not to catch a cab from the airport and whether it is safe to hail a cab from the street. In almost all neighbourhoods and at all times it is safe to catch a cab from from the street but some simple precautions will help you make the most of your trip and feel safer about travelling in a taxi.
If at all possible, call one of the many taxi companies that provide cabs by radio and remember to write down the number of the cab when it is given to you over the phone. This will ensure you get into the right cab, will ensure your safety and will also give you a reference if you happen to accidentally leave something behind in the car.
If you are on the street, you can feel safe getting a cab from almost any part of town, at any time of the day or night but some obvious precautions need to be followed. If you can avoid it, don’t travel alone late at night from areas you are not familiar with, especially if you are female. Always try to travel with friends and from well lit areas. Don’t wear flashy clothes or jewelry in the poorer neighborhoods and always take note of the taxi number when you get in the cab. You should be able to call a cab from most restaurants and even some bars and clubs, and in some cases there will be a managed taxi rank outside. There is a rank at the international airport. Basically, if you take the same precautions as you would in New York City, you’ll be fine.
Here is a list of the most common taxi numbers: (In most cases the company will already have the address from the phone number you are ringing from so you will just need to ask for service.)
Taxi Individual: 444 44 44 (Computer operated – Wait for a confirmation message)
Coopebombas: 444 00 00
Tax Poblado: 335 3030
Tax Super: 444 11 11
Flota Bernal: 444 88 82
Tax Belen: 222 22 22
Taxi’s a a very affordable way of getting around Medellin as the standard fare is usually only $3,500 or about $2 Dollars if you are travelling within the same suburb and no more then around $5 for most intercity trips. Taxi’s from the airport charge around $50,000 from the rank outside the airport but you can also arrange a pickup and drop off with Aerotaxi (01800 0417494 – Free Call) or email aerotaxi@geo.net.co for $48,000 one-way.
There are also private airport pickup services available with English speaking drivers in air-conditioned sedans for around $53,000 – $55,000. You can also use these drivers to arrange day or night tours of the city or whole day tours to neighbouring towns. One of the most respected and trusted names in private car services is Sergio Delgadillo (+57 4 493 1857 / +57 300 619 22 66 / +57 312 225 16 21) or email him at serideca@hotmail.com.
Tour prices for 2009
Tour of the city: $25.000 or US$10.50 per hour.
Nightclub Tour: $30.000 or US$12.50 per hour.
Extreme Tour (Paragliding): $120.000 or US$55.
Eco Tour (White Stone Park): $150,000 or US$70.
Tour of Santafé de Antioquia (all day): $320.000 or US$135.
Tour of Peñol and Lake Guatapé (all day): $320.000 or US$135.
Tour of La Pintada (all day): $350.000 or US$150.
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Since the 1st of January 2009, the minimum fare for a taxi in Medellin is now $3600 pesos.
Whenever I ride a taxi at a place that I’m new at or not really familiar with, I text the plate number to someone I know or I cal someone and tell it to them. Sometimes I even make sure that the driver can hear me telling it over the phone so the driver could think twice before doing something bad.