General Info

[Bango Cheito]

I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.

Uber Pool saves relatively little money compared to just taking Uber X, and you can potentially wind up with a trip taking 3-4 x longer, especially if there's any problems picking up the other passengers.

The only potential advantage is if you're looking to pull some girl who's a potential other passenger, although if you push the wrong button, she could report you to Uber and get your account deactivated.

You can also download Tappsi and use it to hail the yellow taxis in most Colombian cities.

Personally I prefer to have everything electronic and not have any cash changing hands, because of the convenience but also because it avoids any potential scams with taxi drivers.

[Bango Cheito]

I disagree with Luvr. I would never use a money exchange house. Use your debit card in Colombia. Mine is free. No ATM charge. Even with a 3 or 4 percent ATM charge it is the best way to get cash. And safe and easy.

I Agree.

Using the casas de cambio is a smart idea if you wind up holding a large a mount of COP near the end of your trip and you need to change it back. Cambios Vancouver in Salitre Plaza is usually the best bet in Bogota in these cases.

To get COP, using an ATM is by far the best. If you are US based, get a Schwab checking account and a Capital One visa. You'll never pay another fee.

[Mr Enternational]

I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.

Anywhere you go when you click Uber Pool, most of the time the driver does not even pick up another person. Fun? It is a ride. Is riding in a bus or taxi fun?

[KosLord]

I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.

[PirateMorgan]

I disagree with Luvr. I would never use a money exchange house. Use your debit card in Colombia. Mine is free. No ATM charge. Even with a 3 or 4 percent ATM charge it is the best way to get cash. And safe and easy.

[Villainy]

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

You might try "World Remit". I believe this is a British company and you can send currency to yourself in Colombia. The rates seem quite decent compared to other services. I use my Charles Schwab card to make withdrawals when I am in Colombia and this company refunds any service charge fees along with ensuring a fair (I. E. Current exchange rate). But they may not have British branches.

[SoberHans69]

Uber is easy to use after you get used to it. I set it up on a cash basis, instead of using a credit card.

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

I have found many airbnb apartments that allow guests, but many don't. https://www.apartmentinternational.c...tions/medellin has many short-term rental apartments, and almost all are guest friendly. They are professional apartment managers.

Thanks for the advice.

Not bothered about paying a small fee withdrawing money every few days just don't want to pay a fee everytime I use a taxi.

Never knew you could use cash with Uber, I'll have to read up on it.

[Bdb013]

Thanks I'll take a look now.

I have rented from Poblado rentals. Barry is a good guy to deal with.

[Fun Luvr]

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

Uber is easy to use after you get used to it. I set it up on a cash basis, instead of using a credit card.

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

I have found many airbnb apartments that allow guests, but many don't. https://www.apartmentinternational.c...tions/medellin has many short-term rental apartments, and almost all are guest friendly. They are professional apartment managers.

[CimFan]

Hi,

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

Hi Sober,

Another newbie to Colombia here. Don't know about your first two questions but I have seen a few people recommend https://www.pobladorentals.com/Home/index was actually just looking at the site. I believe they have a good guest policy.

[SoberHans69]

Hi,

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

[Drifter47]

Yes. Mil is the same as thousands.

I'll making a trip to Medellin soon so I want to get this currency thing straight. I am getting session quotes in Mils. Is 150 K the same as 150 mil?

[MrFour4]

I'll making a trip to Medellin soon so I want to get this currency thing straight. I am getting session quotes in Mils. Is 150 K the same as 150 mil?

[JjBee62]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?

The Davivienda ATM at CC Santa Fe had a 2 million limit last time I used it, with no fees. Banco Pichincha had a 1 million limit, but you can make multiple withdrawals on the same transaction. Also no fees. However, I think there are only 2 locations in Medellin and they don't work with all cards. One is located on Avenida Poblado south of CC Santa Fe, across the street from the DHL building.

[Kazeu]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?