Uber, Cabify, yellow taxis — pickup, route, and small talk.
Uber operates in a legal grey area in Colombia, so drivers often ask you to sit in the front seat to look like a friend. Yellow taxis are everywhere — always confirm 'taxímetro' (meter) before getting in, or agree on a price upfront.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el conductor | the driver |
| siéntese adelante | sit in the front |
| taxímetro | meter |
| carrera mínima | minimum fare |
| más adelantico | a little further (paisa diminutive) |
| déjeme en la esquina | drop me at the corner |
| doy la vuelta a la manzana | I'll loop around the block |
| trancón | traffic jam |
Practice both sides out loud.
Driver calls; you're outside El Poblado metro.
Hola, estoy llegando. ¿Dónde está exactamente?
Hi, I'm arriving. Where exactly are you?
Estoy en la salida sur del metro Poblado, al lado del Éxito.
I'm at the south exit of Poblado station, next to Éxito.
Listo, en un minutico llego. Por favor siéntese adelante.
Got it, 1 min. Please sit in the front.
Listo, gracias.
Got it, thanks.
Flag-down on Calle 85.
¿Me lleva al Parque de la 93?
Will you take me to Parque de la 93?
Sí señor, suba.
Yes sir, hop in.
¿Con taxímetro, por favor?
On the meter, please?
Claro que sí.
Of course.
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Drivers will explicitly ask. Don't take it personally — it's about avoiding fines.
Or you risk being overcharged. If they refuse, get another taxi.
Rounding up to the next 1,000 COP is the norm.
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