ave. venezuela/san vicente - hotels nearby?

Roo · #1 04-15-2007, 10:32 PM

Hey there,

I looked at some posts & it looks like Ave. Venezuela & San Vicente are good areas to go dancing. Any recommendations for nearby places to stay that are cheap? Or should I stay in another area? - I read that these aren't necessarily the safest areas either, but I thought I'd cut down on the taxi rides/walks if I could.

Last time I was in SD I stayed in La Zona at Charley Hostel, which was fine, and precisely what I was looking to pay (under $20).

Recommendations? I have very little SD geography under my belt. Thanks!

kingofdice · #2 04-18-2007, 01:46 PM

There are some large hotels (though not "chain motels") on the main drag of Venezuela Ave. I wouldn't worry about booking a reservation. However, it is not the safest area. I had a friend get off at a publico stop on Venezuela Ave. about 7:45 p.m. at night. She walked less than 20 ft. and was attacked by 2 ladrones who beat her with a billy club, until she released her purse. I won't go into detail about her injuries, but I would think twice about club hopping in that area at night, unless you have bodyguards.

kingofdice · #3 04-18-2007, 01:48 PM

Additional note - from the looks of the hotels - you should be able to get a room under $40 a night. The Venezuela Ave. hotels are 1 - 2 stars at best.

Bartolomeo67 · #4 04-22-2007, 04:32 PM

Regular taxis are cheap in SD, even at night. Just make sure you don't take a taxi waiting at one of the big tourist hotels. Call Apolo Taxi or similar.
I have been to a couple of discos in that area (Macumba, etc) and cab drivers know exactly what time the discos close and there is a whole line up waiting for passengers, don't worry about not being able to get back to your hotel.
Bartolomeo

Roo · #5 04-22-2007, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the tips.

I thought you weren't supposed to take a taxi you didn't call yourself in SD (or is that just for the big tourist hotels?). How much would you say cheap (taxi ride) is?

And my geography's nonexistent for SD. How far away is La Zona Colonial from the Venezuela/San Vicente area?

rubio_higuey · #6 04-23-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

Thanks for the tips.

I thought you weren't supposed to take a taxi you didn't call yourself in SD (or is that just for the big tourist hotels?). How much would you say cheap (taxi ride) is?

And my geography's nonexistent for SD. How far away is La Zona Colonial from the Venezuela/San Vicente area?

What do you mean with "you weren't not supposed to..." - like you "better don't", or like you "cannot". You can, and can, depends.

If the taxi has a tag on the front window that says a taxi company, he should have a radio. Ask the driver to show you the radio and ask for his cab number (ficha). If they have a radio and he gives you his "ficha" - they are safe. Do not take a taxi/hail one just because he has a light flashing on the roof saying "TAXI". Most reputable cab companies do not use these "taxi" lights.

Taxi rides are from 120 to 200 pesos. depends on how far you go. Most rides are in 120-150 price break, going to the west side of city form the east side results in a fare of approximately 200 pesos. Also, I noticed fares are a LITTLE BIT cheaper at night, probably because of easy traffic. Also, where in San Vicente/Venezuela you are. What side of Las Americas? These avenues are rather long ones, so it's no easy say. If you are close to Las Americas, a night cab fare to Zona Colonial might be about 130 pesos. If you are close to Charles de Gaule avenue, the fare would be about 150 or 160 most likely.

That also answers your second question.

rubio_higuey · #7 04-23-2007, 02:37 AM

One more thing... If you speak spanish, you can always ask the driver what the fare is. If they quote you out-of-way fare, ask him to "checkea la tarifa con la base por favor" and listen on what the radio reply on the fare is.

You can also get general information on fares by calling the cab company in advance and ask for fares (call Aerotaxi, for example at 8096861212, and ask tarifa desde... hasta ... ) They quote you a fare. Fare is usually same among all cab companies, may differ by 10 pesos maximum by the zone. On VERY long routes (from one corner to another of the city) the maximum difference among various companies I have seen was 30 pesos on a 400 pesos fare.