General Info

[Balboa]

Not true. You don't need to show a return ticket to anywhere. That sounds ridiculous anyway. I go from Peru to Colombia to DR or Colombia to Peru all the time. How are they going to tell you that you must go to your own country when leaving Colombia? Most countries just want you out, they don't care where you go.

True, the airline agent will ask for your return ticket to leave Colombia.

Doesn't matter to where.

Once you arrive in Colombia, the officials there don't ask about it.

[El Viajero]

Can anyone clear this up for me. A friend told me that as a US citizen going to Colombia I needed to show proof that I had a return ticket specifically to the US, even if my round trip ticket was from another country going to Colombia and going back to that country. For instance. I am a US citizen but I'm in the Dominican Republic. I want to visit Colombia from the Dominican Republic. I don't need to go back to the US to get to Colombia.

I buy a round trip ticket in the DR, to return back to the DR. My friend says even though I'm returning back to the DR, Colombia ( or maybe only the ticket agent ) wants to see that I have a return ticket to go back to the US too. He said Colombia ( or once again only the ticket agent ) doesn't care about the date you return to the US, just that you have proof you are returning to the US. I find this info hard to believe. So does any of this ring a bell?

Whenever I go to Colombia from London they always ask for this, last time I forgot and had to buy a ticket at the airport and cancel it once I was in Colombia, which you get charged for. There are plenty of sites you can buy fake return tickets from, I've used them quite a bit and they save any hassle if this question comes up.

[John Gault]

Can anyone clear this up for me. A friend told me that as a US citizen going to Colombia I needed to show proof that I had a return ticket specifically to the US, even if my round trip ticket was from another country going to Colombia and going back to that country. For instance. I am a US citizen but I'm in the Dominican Republic. I want to visit Colombia from the Dominican Republic. I don't need to go back to the US to get to Colombia.

I buy a round trip ticket in the DR, to return back to the DR. My friend says even though I'm returning back to the DR, Colombia ( or maybe only the ticket agent ) wants to see that I have a return ticket to go back to the US too. He said Colombia ( or once again only the ticket agent ) doesn't care about the date you return to the US, just that you have proof you are returning to the US. I find this info hard to believe. So does any of this ring a bell?

Sometimes I do not book round trip tickets going out of the USA. When I have done that they always question me if I have a return ticket. I then show them my return ticket which I purchased by itself.

Showing the return ticket lets me get away from these pests. This is really a pain in the ass as I do not like to be boxed in with a round trip ticket. The reason I book the flights seperate is if for some reason you can't make the first flight they cancel the return ticket. Sure they will give you a refund if you cancel, but that refund is always a rip off.

I really wish I did not have to buy a return ticket till I'm in country. I like to sometimes change the departure city, but you can't when you are locked into a round trip ticket.

I know a fellow who only buys a one way ticket, and he gets a phony receipt for a return ticket that he shows to the ticket agent. As far as when you arrive in the country you are visiting they have never asked to see a return ticket. Only the pricks in the USA airports seem to do.

[JjBee62]

Can anyone clear this up for me. A friend told me that as a US citizen going to Colombia I needed to show proof that I had a return ticket specifically to the US, even if my round trip ticket was from another country going to Colombia and going back to that country. For instance. I am a US citizen but I'm in the Dominican Republic. I want to visit Colombia from the Dominican Republic. I don't need to go back to the US to get to Colombia.

I buy a round trip ticket in the DR, to return back to the DR. My friend says even though I'm returning back to the DR, Colombia ( or maybe only the ticket agent ) wants to see that I have a return ticket to go back to the US too. He said Colombia ( or once again only the ticket agent ) doesn't care about the date you return to the US, just that you have proof you are returning to the US. I find this info hard to believe. So does any of this ring a bell?

I've seen others report they were asked, by the airline for proof of a ticket back out of Colombia. However, there's nothing about any such requirement on the Colombian website regarding entry requirements. I find it impossible to believe that some country would try to force your travel itinerary. I've never been asked about my outbound arrangements when going through Colombian customs and immigration.

[SuzukiGuy]

Thanks World traveller.

I looked into the mansion info and might add it on my list. Maybe 1 night just to see and experience it. I think I'm more of a freelance kinda guy and always up for challenge. I think I'm mostly going to do airbnbs and roll the dice with day / night game technicics.

Women here in Vancouver are some of the hardest and snobiest ladies in the world. Very hard picking up women in Vancouver, its just horrible here. ID like to try the bar scene, and I love women of all shapes and sizes. I'm sure ill be over whelmed with pretty ladies.

I have also been reading up on the clock tower, super cool. It sounds like something out of a storybook. Can't wait to see it for reality.

[Mr Enternational]

Can anyone clear this up for me. A friend told me that as a US citizen going to Colombia I needed to show proof that I had a return ticket specifically to the US, even if my round trip ticket was from another country going to Colombia and going back to that country.

Not true. You don't need to show a return ticket to anywhere. That sounds ridiculous anyway. I go from Peru to Colombia to DR or Colombia to Peru all the time. How are they going to tell you that you must go to your own country when leaving Colombia? Most countries just want you out, they don't care where you go.

[World Travel 69]

Read Here:

http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/...lanca-Medellin

This info is a little old:
Hotel Casa Blanca Medellin uno (Medellin Mansion), Carrera 43 # 2 Sur 50, Loma Alejandria, El Poblado, Rates: 155k to 220.5k per night. Tel: 266 3631, 352 0217, Cell: 300 297 9932. info@medellinmansion.com http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...ead.php?t=3119

Hotel Casa Blanca Medellin dos (El Castillo), Carrera 38 # 2 Sur 151. Rates: 140k to 170 per night. Tel: 266 33 58, 266 36 31. http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...ead.php?t=3119

Thanks for taking the time guys to reply to my post. I'm getting closer to my trip date and starting to stress a bit LOL, bit also excited.

I'm going to have to look into the "Mansion" is it always booked up? Where is it located? Is it expensive? ID love to do 2 days there.

Tommy.

[Wrx2005]

Can anyone clear this up for me. A friend told me that as a US citizen going to Colombia I needed to show proof that I had a return ticket specifically to the US, even if my round trip ticket was from another country going to Colombia and going back to that country. For instance. I am a US citizen but I'm in the Dominican Republic. I want to visit Colombia from the Dominican Republic. I don't need to go back to the US to get to Colombia.

I buy a round trip ticket in the DR, to return back to the DR. My friend says even though I'm returning back to the DR, Colombia ( or maybe only the ticket agent ) wants to see that I have a return ticket to go back to the US too. He said Colombia ( or once again only the ticket agent ) doesn't care about the date you return to the US, just that you have proof you are returning to the US. I find this info hard to believe. So does any of this ring a bell?

[SuzukiGuy]

Thanks for taking the time guys to reply to my post. I'm getting closer to my trip date and starting to stress a bit LOL, bit also excited.

I'm going to have to look into the "Mansion" is it always booked up? Where is it located? Is it expensive? ID love to do 2 days there.

Tommy.

[Zeos1]

One unlocked cell phone is all you need. It will work in all three cities.

I use airbnb's because I like more space and privacy. I've never stayed at a hotel, other than two nights at the Mansion.

The best exchange rates are at ATM's. Hopefully there are some banks in Canada with cards that do not charge ATM fees nor foreign transaction fees. Otherwise, you'll have to use the exchange stores, and sometimes their rates are pretty bad.

For Canadians with accounts at major banks. No problem using ATM's. But they all charge you an exchange fee of between 2.5 and 3.5 % as compared to the real mid-market exchange rates. But no matter what you do you are going to pay that. Worse if you try to buy Colombian pesos in Canada. And worse if you pay 2 exchange fees by going to US dollars then to Colombian pesos. Also. All the banks, as far as I know, also charge a foreign transaction fee. $5 most recently at CIBC, TD, Scotia. Others I don't know. So I always try to take out the maximum to minimize the impact of that fee. Also, depending on the bank in Colombia, you may pay an ATM fee. Balance all that out. My last visit I used Davivienda and took out larger amounts. Also I need to check which Canadian banks have a 3.5% hit on the exchange, and which a 2.5%.

Cibc (or others) may say they don't charge an exchange fee. However they do say that there is a 2. 5% cost built into their exchange rate. So be careful of the claims of "no exchange fees.

There are no Canadian banks that charge less than 2. 5% for foreign exchange to Colombia. Unless something has changed recently. Many have upped it to 3.5%.

And I wouldn't even bother trying to change actual Canadian dollars in Colombia. I can't imagine that working well.

[Mr Enternational]

Yes I went to San Andres 6 years ago; good for scuba diving but mongering scene is inexistent.

Any rememberance of where you stayed or what company you did diving with (if you did do any diving)?

[BigButtDetecto]

Has anybody ever been to the San Andres Island? If you have, how is the action. I did a google search of the place and look at the Image and section and the first I got was a web page with these beauties on it.
I read some past post and it seems to say that one should bring their own candy from the Columbian Mainland. Is this true? I have a sweet piece of candy and she wants to take me here? Should I go with her or should I go by myself.

El Cubanito

Yes I went to San Andres 6 years ago; good for scuba diving but mongering scene is inexistent.

[Fun Luvr]

Some of my concerns are.

- cell phones, should I buy 3 unlocked phones before I leave.

- Should I use airBNB's.

- chica friendly hotels.

- how to access my money.

One unlocked cell phone is all you need. It will work in all three cities.

I use airbnb's because I like more space and privacy. I've never stayed at a hotel, other than two nights at the Mansion.

The best exchange rates are at ATM's. Hopefully there are some banks in Canada with cards that do not charge ATM fees nor foreign transaction fees. Otherwise, you'll have to use the exchange stores, and sometimes their rates are pretty bad.

[SuzukiGuy]

Hello few lovers of Latin ladies,

I'm finally ready to emerge myself into the Latin culture. I'm love my home country but feel the need to get out and explore, maybe even move to Colombia in the next 5 years. I have been raised to believe that Colombia is not safe, but at 40 years old I know this is a lie. We prob have more gang shoots here in Vancouver and Toronto ever year.

Anyways ID love some help and advice on what to do and where to go. I have spent the last 6 months learning as much Spanish as I can in respect of the people Ill be meeting. My big plan is to attend the Storyland EDM music festival so ill be landing in Bogota and then heading north ASAP. ID like to spend 10 days exploring the north beaches and gorgeous women. Then maybe 5 days in Medellin and then 5 days in Bogota to end my journey.

I'm going to read up as much as I can over the next week by cruising through all your helpful threads.

Is there any advice you have or links to some good reads.

Some of my concerns are.

- cell phones, should I buy 3 unlocked phones before I leave.

- Should I use airBNB's.

- chica friendly hotels.

- how to access my money.

And most of all, any fellow north american peeps visiting in January and want to hang out?

Thanks.

[JjBee62]

Guess it's a matter of taste, I personally just don't like using ATM much when I travel, I'm not as advanced as why'all and maybe need to look into getting a debit card for travel where I don't have to pay the bank fees but I don't have that now si prefer to change money. I would change it in Oviedo where I don't see any danger and changed $600 dollars at one time and walked all the way to where I need to be without one problem.

The casas de cambios all charge different rates, as do the different banks when you use their ATMs. The difference in rates, if your bank charges conversion and ATM fees isn't significant, vif you shop around.

In Medellin Oviedo mall is the best spot for money exchange. In Bogota the best spot is across from Unicentro mall.

For ATMs, I prefer Davivienda. They allow me to take up to 2 million per transaction. The max withdrawal depends on your bank. Other people have reported a lower amount.

I tend to use ATMs, but carry some emergency dollars.