2006 Medellin Reports

[Dollar Bill]

I live in Mexico. I would NOT suggest anyone visit Mexico if they had a chance to go to Colombia.

1st - Pro's are more expensive in Mexico.
2nd - Non-pro's are bitches in Mexico. They are becoming like those American Bitches that we are trying to get away from. (I am a Gringo by the way). Colombianas are friendly no matter if they are pro or non-pro. You can walk down a street in Mexico and not get eye contact from any chica. In Colombia, almost all the chicas give you some eye contact.

3rd - Colombia and it's people are great. People are nice, friendly and open. Mexicans are NOT. If a Mexican wants your money (in the tourist areas) then yes, they are friendly to get their tips. In most areas, Colombians are just friendly because of their culture.

MY EXCUSE (which has worked with my Mexican wife) is that I love the country (Colombia) and want to learn more about its culture, people, and enjoy it's natural beauty!

Good luck!

$Bill

[Crypton]

Greetings everyone,

I just wanted to get your opinoins. My friend and I went to mexico and he had such a great time he wants to go back. I'm trying to talk him into going with me to medellin. But his problem is trying to find an excuse as to why he is going to columbia. Any suggestions?

Also I really want to go. So if he can't make it. Would I be ok going solo. I've never been to south america. But my spanish is pretty decent. And my plan is to stay at the mansion

Also if I wanted to check out other areas such as Cali. What kind of transportation options do I have. Thank you in advance and keep up the great reports.

if you stay at the mansion you should be fine. Just be careful if you go out by yourself (i.e., don't get drunk and stagger down the street at 2 AM!). Read some of the reports incluing mine from June and more recent ones).

Excuse? He can say he's looking to invest in the cut flower business? I am no businessman - can't help you there. I used the excuse of visiting the university in Medellin.

I think people recommend flying in Colombia - I stayed only in Medellin.

[Tom 33]

Calling from a cell phone, dial 034-444-0000. They will dispatch a cab for you and give you its number. You can also ask any restaurant or bar to call a taxi for you. They will all be pretty reliable.

My Paisa girlfriend has asked that I never hail a taxi from the street when I am alone. That might be overkill.

[Wapo469]

Greetings everyone,

I just wanted to get your opinoins. My friend and I went to mexico and he had such a great time he wants to go back. I'm trying to talk him into going with me to medellin. But his problem is trying to find an excuse as to why he is going to columbia. Any suggestions?

Also I really want to go. So if he can't make it. Would I be ok going solo. I've never been to south america. But my spanish is pretty decent. And my plan is to stay at the mansion

Also if I wanted to check out other areas such as Cali. What kind of transportation options do I have. Thank you in advance and keep up the great reports.

[Dollar Bill]

I just wanted to report on a good taxi driver in MDE. His name is Dino and has worked for the Dann Carltoon Hotel in the past.

He charged me about 15K COP per hour, which I think is about the normal hourly rate. He knows all the sites to see and I would recommend him when doing a "city" tour, or if you want to see the area around MDE.

He also knows many of the casas, streets (for SW) and strip clubs.

Dino does not speak english, but even if you have a small amount of spanish, he is ok. I speak pretty well, but a friend that introduced me to Dino really had a tough time with the language. (He got an A+ for his effort though)!

Dino's cellular numbers are: 300.610.7211 or 315.315.5010
His house number is 371.7683

Hector from the Mansion is a great guy/taxista also. Often he is busy with other guests, so I just wanted to provide you guys with another option.

Good luck!

$Bill

ps - This is the only time that I will post this info so please do not think this is SPAM.

[Dollar Bill]

Check in the MDE airport also at the tourism office. It is downstairs from the check-in counters. I tried to buy a map in the airport at different shops but they all said that I had to go to the tourism office. I left on a Sunday and it was closed, but the map that they had hanging up looked really nice for a keepsake. Also, when I was doing the city tour, it would have been really nice to see the areas that I was seeing.

If that does not work, then try the stores like Tom 33 suggested.

$Bill

[Tom 33]

When you get to MDE, stop at a papeleria and buy one. These are much better than anything I have found on-line.

[Scooby1]

Hey Guys,

I'm all set for my trip to medellin got my plane tickets and booked room 10 at The Mansion from April 24th thru May 4th. I decided for my first trip Id use the mansions pick up service from the airport the extra 30 buck is well worth it the hassel of finding a taxi that won't rip you off.

If any of you are going to be there at that time & want to go horn doggin lets get together for some sexual hijinks with the local ladies. Besides Id like someone who knows the local scene to show me around. I have taken lots of notes that im going to print out of the places Id like to check out.

Scrappy or Scooby to my friends

[Crypton]

That sounds like a good mission, may have to tell the wife I am going to extend my stay in colombia.

I didnt know he existed when I chose the name, kos has another meaning in my native language.

On another note are there any good maps of Medellin online? The Four Points hotel I am staying at is next to Oviedo Shopping Mall. Am I too far from the action there/should I got a room elsewhere?

Thanks

El Pablado is not the center of action but it is a safe and upscale neighborhood. The closest MP you have is Loutron - not walking distance but 5-10 min taxi ride. Centro with many SWs is probably a 20-30 min taxi ride. Show San Diego is not too far - 10 mins perhaps along El Pablado Ave. Other MPs are alll within a 30 min taxi ride as well. If you going to move, I suggest the Medellin mansion I or II.

Cheers.

[Member 9578]

I know you're hunting him for his autograph, right?

We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

That sounds like a good mission, may have to tell the wife I am going to extend my stay in colombia.

I didnt know he existed when I chose the name, kos has another meaning in my native language.

On another note are there any good maps of Medellin online? The Four Points hotel I am staying at is next to Oviedo Shopping Mall. Am I too far from the action there/should I got a room elsewhere?

Thanks

[Tom 33]

To some people it does matter how much the machine dispenses per withdrawal because their home bank charges them per withdrawal. Of course it is shame on them for using a bank that charges for ATM withdrawals.

[Balashi Man]

ATM's the best way to get Colombian pesos as they give the best exchange rate. And it really doesn't matter how much it dispenses at a time as your own bank sets the daily limit. You just need to repeat until you reach your limit.

One advice, try to withdraw from the ATMs that gives 20K denominations, as 50K pesos are hard to use. Most people including taxis won't have enough change for 50K pesos.

Reminder: Always carry wallets in the front pocket or in a secure place and also take only the minimum amount and the necessary credit card(s) with you. I had my wallet (with credit cards, driver license, professional license, y mucho dineros) stolen at the Tesoro mall, their security reviewed the videos, but couldn't come up with anything. (shame on me!)

Balashi

[Bubba Lulu]

I know you're hunting him for his autograph, right?

We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

[Tom 33]

The green machine is owned by Servibanca. I use them all the time. Shit, however, can and does happen - especially in Colombia.

Far as I know Davivienda is the only bank that gives 500K. Conavi gives 400K. The others are 300 or less. The trend seems to be toward 300. A year ago I could get 400 from many banks. Use a US bank that does not charge for ATM transactions(there are many), and it will make no difference.

[Cachorro]

It wasn't automatically corrected even after 3 days. I fortunately saved the receipt from the transaction, and had someone at the Mansion call the phone number on the ATM receipt for me. They first said check with my own bank, yeah like they're going to do something about a foreign transaction. We told them that we have paper trail, and they said that it should be corrected in about a week - we'll see.

They are right. The usual procedure is to report the transaction to your own bank and they should follow it up.

One time, I wasted a few days screwing around with Citibank in Brazil about a disputed ATM transaction. Finally reported it to my bank and they had it fixed within 24 hours.