General Info

[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.

[GeneHickman]

Different topics are mixed in one. Colombia is flush with USD paper, and until recently it was much more advantageous to draw pesos from ATM, given no ATM fees at your institution and no ATM fees at the machine itself, and paying VISA exchange rates, that 2. 5% above XE rates. Now it's still better to withdraw at ATM but the advantage is negligible. You should always have some cash or other arrangements to back up your trip if your cards fail or get blocked. However there are risks to having too much cash. Also, when you do cash exchange at cambio, they know exactly how much you have, and I personally don't like it. ATM gives me more privacy. Numerous casas de cambio websites are available online with posted rates, so you have to check each time before the trip and make an informed decision.

I am just curious, what has changed with the ATMs and when? Earlier this year, I was withdrawing at the Mastercard rate, and no forex or ATM fee with my debit card at Santa fe mall which is very safe.

[BMo814]

Different topics are mixed in one. Colombia is flush with USD paper, and until recently it was much more advantageous to draw pesos from ATM, given no ATM fees at your institution and no ATM fees at the machine itself, and paying VISA exchange rates, that 2. 5% above XE rates. Now it's still better to withdraw at ATM but the advantage is negligible. You should always have some cash or other arrangements to back up your trip if your cards fail or get blocked. However there are risks to having too much cash. Also, when you do cash exchange at cambio, they know exactly how much you have, and I personally don't like it. ATM gives me more privacy. Numerous casas de cambio websites are available online with posted rates, so you have to check each time before the trip and make an informed decision.

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.

[Questner]

Don't they give the same exchange rate at the ATM as they give at the casas de cambio?. I pretty sure it was 3. 200 at the money exchanges in Oviedo and what they were giving at the ATM plus the ATM fees. Loyd say use ATM I'm a fan of carrying cash and glad I did bancolombia stuck me twice. 2 different ATMs in 2 different locations didn't give me my money and took it out of my account. Still waiting on my bank to reverse on of the charges. Red Aval or however you call it after the 2 time they played me and was good for the rest of the trip. F Bancolombia. And that's why I like to carry cash.

Different topics are mixed in one. Colombia is flush with USD paper, and until recently it was much more advantageous to draw pesos from ATM, given no ATM fees at your institution and no ATM fees at the machine itself, and paying VISA exchange rates, that 2. 5% above XE rates. Now it's still better to withdraw at ATM but the advantage is negligible. You should always have some cash or other arrangements to back up your trip if your cards fail or get blocked. However there are risks to having too much cash. Also, when you do cash exchange at cambio, they know exactly how much you have, and I personally don't like it. ATM gives me more privacy. Numerous casas de cambio websites are available online with posted rates, so you have to check each time before the trip and make an informed decision.

[BMo814]

Don't they give the same exchange rate at the ATM as they give at the casas de cambio?. I pretty sure it was 3. 200 at the money exchanges in Oviedo and what they were giving at the ATM plus the ATM fees. Loyd say use ATM I'm a fan of carrying cash and glad I did bancolombia stuck me twice. 2 different ATMs in 2 different locations didn't give me my money and took it out of my account. Still waiting on my bank to reverse on of the charges. Red Aval or however you call it after the 2 time they played me and was good for the rest of the trip. F Bancolombia. And that's why I like to carry cash.

[Balboa]

Here are some recommendations:

1. RTFF. Most questions you have have already been asked and answered. You'll also find answers to questions that you wouldn't think to ask.

You could have stopped at number 1. LOL.

[JjBee62]

Hello,

I'm planning my first trip Colombia in March for about 10 days. I'm thinking of spending about half my time in Bogota and the other half in Cartagena. I know some basic Spanish and I have been mongering in Asia before. I'm just looking for recommendations. Any help would be great? Thank you.

Here are some recommendations:

1. RTFF. Most questions you have have already been asked and answered. You'll also find answers to questions that you wouldn't think to ask.

2. Work on improving your Spanish. The better you can communicate, the better the experience. You won't find many English speakers in Colombia.

3. Ask better questions. What sort of recommendations are you looking for? Restaurants? Crepes and Waffles is worth a visit. You'll find them all over. Or try Pizza 1969, also with several locations. Money exchange? Use ATMs. If you absolutely must use a money exchange go to the southwest corner of Carrera 15 and Calle 127 (Bogota). You will find a mall there (across the street from Centro Comercial Unicentro) that is almost exclusively money exchange places. There must be 25-30 of them. Shop around to get the best rates.

The water is drinkable. The public transportation is cheap, efficient and incredibly busy. You can find complete meals for less than $3, including drink and tip. Tips are automatically added to the bill at many restaurants. It's 10% and voluntary. Your check will have 2 prices, with or without propina. There's no need to tip more.

Service at restaurants can be frustrating. When you first sit down, someone will bring you a menu. If you want to place an order, you need to flag down a waiter. If you need a refill on your drink, you need to flag down a waiter. If you need your check, you need to flag down a waiter. If your table bursts into flames and you want someone to put the fire out, you need to flag down a waiter. Almost never will the wait staff check on you. You can sit there 30 minutes after closing and they'll patiently wait for you.