More often than not, you'll be looking for furnished apartments for rent in Bogota, Colombia that you are unfamiliar with.
So, when planning your visit to Bogota, you'll need to pay special attention to things like the location of the apartment, payment arrangements and ease of assistance in the event of any problem.
1. Location - As always where real estate is concerned, location is a key factor. Where vacation rentals are concerned it is even more important because, during a short stay, you'll want to be sure that you don't use up too much time getting to and from your destination every day.
In fact, location and price will be a trade-off because the most centrally located apartments will generally cost more than a similar apartment located closer to the center.
2. Transportation - If you don't have unlimited funds then you might want to consider an apartment that is close enough to public transportation that you can get where you need to go without spending too much time traveling. This generally means that the apartment should be situated close to a metro or bus line.
3. Apartment Facilities - If you are planning a trip to another place in Bogota and you won't be able to see an apartment before reserving it, then it's important to see a few photos of it before you make a commitment. You should be sure to ask for information on surface area (square meters, square feet) and the amenities included in the apartment.
Be sure that the amenities you find most important will actually meet your needs. If you will be using the Internet every day and want to do so from the comfort of your bed, consider asking if the wi-fi works in the bedroom. If in doubt, ask the owner for some references whom you can talk to concerning the rental. Unsatisfactory amenities are the number one cause of renter displeasure in vacation rentals
4. Payment - In general, furnished apartment rentals require some form of a deposit to guarantee your reservation. While the amount may vary, it's important to request some form of contract or confirmation before you send any money.
It's even more important to use a form of payment that offers some form of recourse. Cash transfer services should be avoided if possible, as they are favorites of scammers and fraudsters.
Credit card payment is better because in the event of fraud, depending on the country of your bank, you may be protected against loss. PayPal and bank transfer can also be used, but in the event of any problem, it will be much harder to get your money refunded.
If you are traveling to a country with a different currency, you must be sure to take enough cash with you to pay the amount that is due on the first day.
Don't forget that the total amount due may be more than your daily ATM limit. It's also not at all uncommon for banks to block large ATM transactions in foreign countries, or for ATM cards not to work at all in some machines.
Lastly, before paying any money, be sure they get a complete, written accounting of all money that will be paid: total rental amount, total deposit amount and total amount due after deposit; as well as the conditions, method of payment, and timetable for getting your deposit returned.
5. Assistance - If you're visiting a new location and think you might need assistance in learning how to do essential day to day tasks (buying metro tickets, doing laundry, etc), it would be nice to have somebody to talk to that can explain these things.
In a hotel, you can always ask the reception, but if you're in a foreign country and you've rented an apartment, you'll have nobody to talk to if the owner can't help you out.
So, if you think you might need some assistance it's best to rent from an owner or agency with whom you can establish enough of a rapport that you'll be able to ask them for help if something comes up.
Furnished apartments for rent in Bogota, Colombia can make your trip a delightful one or a living nightmare, so it's important to follow these essential steps to help ensure that you're getting what you bargained for.
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