Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[PapaMac]

Just my opinion,

When I visited Panama recently. All the hot chica's that I ran into at the casa's where from Colombia. But, in Panama they think they are hot stuff and get away with charging double or triple their value in Colombia. Although Panama may offer more to see as in landmarks and the canal, if you are going for a couple of days to hit some chicas, it would be best to avoid Panama and go straight for the action in Colombia.

But if you are going mainly for vacation and to hit chica's on the side, it would be good to stop in Panama to check out the country.

[Jelly Donut]

Regulr Travlr, Winner71 -

Thanks for those quick responses. They gave me a good sense for the practical details, the positives and potential negatives. I appreciate it a lot.

thanks!

[Winner71]

I have not done this in 4 years as I refuse to fly through Panama. Why? Because if you do get stuck there, it's 1) pay for the tourist card, 2) pay for taxi back and forth to airport.. about $20US each way, 3) I got a runaround on the hotel... i.e. I went hotel to hotel and everything was steep or booked. I finally settled on around $75US to stay at a complete dump, 4) I than had a cabbie drive me around... ending up shelling out $20US for him and drinks at a local strip joint, 5) the Mongering I saw IMO is just ok... pricing was like $100US and drinks were outrageous. Maybe there are cheaper hotel alternatives if you book and plan ahead or have mongering alternatives if you plan ahead, but in my opinion it is a complete waste of at least $200-300 if you plan on dinner, finding a chica etc.

I do everything I can to get to Colombia... regardless of the city. I much prefer hotel rooms $50 and under, sweet gorgeous chicas where you can find them in any city in Colombia for under $25US if you look in the right place, and not getting shelled on cab rides.

That's my 2 cents. In fact if I can't get to Colombia same day, I'd just assume fly through Miami. Maybe I was just ticked off that I couldn't make the connection which was only 45 minutes, granted they told me it could be done. Put a real damper on my night. i'll never go through Panama again. This was 4 years ago.

I've been pricing out flights to Colombia and looking at the possibility of flying through Panama City Tocumen International (PTY) and getting a flight with Copa Airlines from there into Colombia.

I'm wondering what the turn-around time is like in PTY. In other words, how much time should I budget between when my US to Panama flight arrives & when my Panama to Colombia flight departs? Customs issues? Delays?

I'm also wondering about the reverse.

I've never flown Copa.

I've never visited Panama City. I'll check out the Panama page for details on this, but I suspect the mongering is better in Colombia and I don't want to linger there - even for a day, I only have a few days to kill.

thanks!

[Regulr Travlr]

I've been pricing out flights to Colombia and looking at the possibility of flying through Panama City Tocumen International (PTY) and getting a flight with Copa Airlines from there into Colombia.

I'm wondering what the turn-around time is like in PTY. In other words, how much time should I budget between when my US to Panama flight arrives & when my Panama to Colombia flight departs? Customs issues? Delays?

I'm also wondering about the reverse.

I've never flown Copa.

I've never visited Panama City. I'll check out the Panama page for details on this, but I suspect the mongering is better in Colombia and I don't want to linger there - even for a day, I only have a few days to kill.

thanks!

I fly thru Panama all the time for my trips to Colombia. However I plan a night there each way because I have been there a lot and have regulars. Worth checking out some time, but you are right. Colombia in general is better.

The airport itself is not that big considering it is a major hub for Cental and South America. You can easily make quite close connections. I have friends who do this trip from the west coast and have never heard of any problems. You will be surprised how close they book these. Most would probably not be "legal" connections in the U.S. I think they focus on moving the connecting bags first as well. Waiting for my bags in PTY takes forever.

There are no customs issues. You just walk from your gate to the connecting gate. You will clear customs in Colombia. It is basicallly one long terminal with a round gate area at each end. Plenty of duty free shopping in the middle and a lot of eye candy.

When you are on Copa you will not notice any difference from Continental, other than hotter flight attendants. The same is true with Aerorepublica which is now codesharing with Copa. You get all your OnePass benefits and miles. Many of the flights to Colombia are single cabin planes so you may not get an upgrade. But they are very comfortable for the short flight.

[Jelly Donut]

I've been pricing out flights to Colombia and looking at the possibility of flying through Panama City Tocumen International (PTY) and getting a flight with Copa Airlines from there into Colombia.

I'm wondering what the turn-around time is like in PTY. In other words, how much time should I budget between when my US to Panama flight arrives & when my Panama to Colombia flight departs? Customs issues? Delays?

I'm also wondering about the reverse.

I've never flown Copa.

I've never visited Panama City. I'll check out the Panama page for details on this, but I suspect the mongering is better in Colombia and I don't want to linger there - even for a day, I only have a few days to kill.

thanks!

[Meat Loaf]

Can someone help me: What are some good hotels of various prices ($25 - $100) in Cali close to the action?

[Svgetan]

I will be in Barranquilla October 4 - October 13, 2007. Looking to see if there will be any Vets there to show me the ropes and be a wingman? I'm stayin at Puerta del Sol, speak 'Survival Spanish'. Would be lookin for late night early mornin action as I will have a local GFE during the day, about 1 pm - 11 pm.

Good face man here - a young 42, 6', 195 lean/muscular...should help pull in some action.

Willing to help pay for the Vets action.

Gracias Amigo Vets!

[Jet69]

Thanks for all the reply's. I will look for another month to go. I am pretty flexible for months, but am looking at Feb, April or May now.

Any suggestions?

Chig,

I will keep you in mind. I perhaps would be willing to "chip in" for SOME of your fun if you want to help a gringo out. Heck, if you can save ME some $$$ then I can pass it on to you.

Jet

QUOTE=Winner71]March 14-23 Medellin will be dead, especially after the 18th or 19th throough the 23rd... that's easter week. Everyone goes to the beach for Semana Santa. My sense is nightlife will also be pretty lame the weekend of the 7th, 14th, and 28th as Colombians save up their cash for these vacations and of course the weekend after, most will be broke.

If you are planning on those dates, you are better off going to Cartagena if you want nightlife. If you're set on Medellin... choose another month. That's my 2 cents.[/QUOTE]

[Tom 33]

Every Sunday in MDE is dead. After around 7:00 pm on Sun., you could shoot a cannon down the Avenida Junin pedestrian mall in Centro.

Not everyone goes to the beach for Semana Santa. Many Paisas living elsewhere come home. The Thurs. and Fri. before Easter are national holidays. Many Paisas who stay in town hit their fincas for the long weekend. But you won't be fucking them anyway.

You should be able to find some goodies over Semana Santa. But you might be better served to avoid this time.

[Kdogg21]

First timer going to Medellin and looking for advice.

First, looking for a wingman that would explore the area with and keep each other safe. NOT looking for a permanent partner. Such someone to brave the unknown together for a few nights/afternoons. Hot chicks is my main goal, but I want to be safe.

I am sociable, not a huge party type but like a few beers to check out the goods.

I am learning some basic spanish. Not sure if it will be any help.

Looking to stay at the Mansion or El Castillo for 5-6 nights. Not sure which is a better fit for me?

Anyone have any experience of how far in advance a room should be booked at either place? Is March a busy month?

JET

I was in Cali in Semana Santa and the city was shut down, I went to Medellin on EAster Sunday and it was a little slow too.

[Winner71]

March 14-23 Medellin will be dead, especially after the 18th or 19th throough the 23rd... that's easter week. Everyone goes to the beach for Semana Santa. My sense is nightlife will also be pretty lame the weekend of the 7th, 14th, and 28th as Colombians save up their cash for these vacations and of course the weekend after, most will be broke.

If you are planning on those dates, you are better off going to Cartagena if you want nightlife. If you're set on Medellin... choose another month. That's my 2 cents.

First timer going to Medellin and looking for advice.

First, looking for a wingman that would explore the area with and keep each other safe. NOT looking for a permanent partner. Such someone to brave the unknown together for a few nights/afternoons. Hot chicks is my main goal, but I want to be safe.

I am sociable, not a huge party type but like a few beers to check out the goods.

I am learning some basic spanish. Not sure if it will be any help.

Looking to stay at the Mansion or El Castillo for 5-6 nights. Not sure which is a better fit for me?

Anyone have any experience of how far in advance a room should be booked at either place? Is March a busy month?

JET

[Chtng]

If I got money and time, I can show you some massage casas in El centro and go have some fun. I live in Medellín.

[Jet69]

First timer going to Medellin and looking for advice.

First, looking for a wingman that would explore the area with and keep each other safe. NOT looking for a permanent partner. Such someone to brave the unknown together for a few nights/afternoons. Hot chicks is my main goal, but I want to be safe.

I am sociable, not a huge party type but like a few beers to check out the goods.

I am learning some basic spanish. Not sure if it will be any help.

Looking to stay at the Mansion or El Castillo for 5-6 nights. Not sure which is a better fit for me?

Anyone have any experience of how far in advance a room should be booked at either place? Is March a busy month?

JET

[Tom 33]

Actually, just by browsing on the web, I found a number of apt with monthly rates that more or less mirror those offered at the Mansion. So it doesn't look like finding an apt would be such a difficult task.

Finding something on the web is not hard. Finding something habitable, well-located, furnished, and reasonably priced is hard.

Good luck.

[Justbob]

Actually, just by browsing on the web, I found a number of apt with monthly rates that more or less mirror those offered at the Mansion. So it doesn't look like finding an apt would be such a difficult task.

If El castillo is quieter, would there be easy access, within walking distance, to restaurants if I wanted to go out for a quick lunch?

I'm still debating the apt vs Mansion/El Castillo conundrum. Even though I'm relaxed, easy-going and not anti-social by any means, I tend to like to do my own thing which is one of the main reasons I'm considering the apt option. And since I speak spanish (a bit rusty, but should come back quickly after a couple of days) I don't think I'd have any problem functionning in a more "isolated" setting. The downside to that of course, since I'll be new to the city, is that I won't be able to benefit from the tips and advice of those who know the scene well.

One more question. I assume that all those paisa hotties are pretty young (18-22). My personal preference however, goes towards slightly older (25-30) women. Does that diminish one's potential choices and "hunting grounds", or it this a non factor?

Thank you for your responses.