Cali Reports

[Saint]

Leo,

I was just there in March and that ATM didn't even work when I went there. I also have a Bank of America ATM and a few Paypal ATM cards as well as another from another bank. I think the times I tried it was out of money. I did use the one across the street but it only had a 300,000 max. It's easy to blow money in Cali if you're hobbying alot.

You're totally right. Usually the ones that complain the most on WSG are the ones that haven't contributed anything or the ones that don't contribute anything of substance.

There are so many guys that post countless posts to help other guys. It's amazing how much people still complain. Thanks for your past posts. Have fun I'm off to Europe.

Saint

[Nyc Expat]

Chorizo wrote "take a chill pill".

Take your remarks to another board.

[Leo]

AF and Saint you are right, I never was able to withdrawl 1mil pesos on one transaction. Your posts prompted to me to pull my receipts, and I see I was able to get 500k per card (two cards, thus my remembering getting 1mil) in one stop to the ATM.

This was the only ATM that allowed 500k (that I found).

The receipt says SERVIBANCA. I can only guess but I nearly certain remember it was at the green kiosk in the parking lot (next to the little food stand) of the supermarket two blocks from Parque de Perros in San Fernando. There is a Karen's across the side street from the market. There is an ATM across Cra 27 - not that one. There are two ATMs on 5th - not those.

I also remember that the max amount varried - some days only 400k, others 500k - I have receipts showing both amounts, in pairs per each day used.

This ATM is the most convenient of any choices if you're in San Fernando, perhaps staying at Rigo's. Let's see a report with an update frin someone.

[Leo]

No one, not even me ever posted with regards to saving a few cents, let alone the "$.05 to .10" you posted.

The main information in my post was regarding the choice of using the ATM over the VISA card - the latter could cost you an $80 fee with over $100 in interest if you pay a large monthly statement even on the due date.

With regard to saving on ATM fees, for someone going to an ATM a few times a week... that could easily add to 25 times in month (almost once a day is easy espcially in Cali where they have low max amounts permisable per withdrawl)... well 25 times at $1.50 from BoA and $1.50 from the local bank adds up to $75.... not a nickel or a dime.

As an example, a retired gentleman on fixed income social security retirement from a life of civil service serving his community, or high school teacher (either is a very important and well regarded career in my opionion) enjoying a long summer vacation, who might enjoy Cali as one of the few places he can take a 4 week vacation given his $40k or $50k annual budget... well he might find saving $75 nice. Even a banker or a lawyer earning six figures might wish to keep his $75 versus paying it to his bank for the priveledge of an account... not all like to 'waste' money paying fees that otherwise aren't necessary.

On a different note, regarding the fact that you're having difficulties finding info on the girls, especially on this site, it must only mean you haven't done your duty of reading past posts in the section, especially if you're ragging on me. I challenge you to find 5 other posters (yes, there have been a few, thumbs ups guys!) who have provided posts of detals and specifics greater than my post of July. Please tell us in your opinion which posts have detailed greater amounts of specifics on girls or places, pro or nonpro... names, addresses, girls' name, costs, locations, times, prices, rules, tricks, scams, etc.

AND TO CONCLUDE, COMMENTS OF PREJUDICED OR STEREOTYPING NATURE HAVE NO PLACE - ON WSG OR IN ANY POSTS OR SIMPLY PUT IN LIFE... so go get one.

[Saint]

I also believe that life is too short to worry about a few cents here or there. However, this board and life in general is NO place for ANY kind of racial, ethnic or religious slurs. "Joking" about these things is very ugly and anyone that does is ugly as well. JMHO.

[Chorizo]

Hey Guys (and Pro),

Listen. There is no need to get all up in arms over my statements. It's simply one mans opinion and nothing more. I think you all focus too much on saving a few centavos here and there rather, than having fun while traveling. Your main concern should be to have fun and not whether you can save .5 or .10 cents.

As for the Jews comment hey, its just a joke and nothing more. Take a chill pill. I do apologize to anyone who got offended.

Currently I'm planning a trip to Colombia and searching for info on the Ladies has become a bit challenging because, of all the other crap you guys (and Pro) choose to discuss on this board. I hate having to comb through hundreds of posts just to get info on the ladies.

[Prosal]

Chorizo, your "dear Leo and other Jews" that you just changed in "dear Leo and other cheapskates" is NOT acceptable : I hope the administrator will ban you as soon as possible for those insults to a respectable and good added-value poster.

You're obviously full of crap, your five posts on the Tijuana thread as well, and believe me nobody will miss you.

[Jaimito Cartero]

Chorizo, is there any reason to post such a response? If someone wants their change, then they have a right to it. For guys who hit an ATM every day, the money adds up. Chill out.

[Saint]

I think that is a mistake Leo. I used all those ATM's that you did and many many more and none of them would let me take out more than 400,000 pesos. Most of them only let me take out 300,000. That was something really annoying in Cali that they limited the amount you could take out. Luckily I have several ATM cards so I had no problems.

Antifreeze, if you don't have a paypal.com ATM card you may want to consider it. They are free and they only charge $1 to withdrawl money. I've never had a problem using it in any country I've been to except for of course Cuba. You can also have more than 1 if you have more than 1 paypal.com account. I have several paypal.com ATM debit cards linked to my accounts in USA so it's a good source of withdrawing funds.

Good luck and I hope you're doing well.

Saint

[Antifreeze]

Leo,

I would truly appreciate to know exactly where to find that ATM that allows up to 1000000 pesos. I live here, and going at the ATM to withdraw a max of 400000 kills me with the fees. Which Karens Pizza are you talking about? There are about 5 in Cali (or even more).

Thanks

Freeze

[Happy C]

Thanks Leo When next will you be in Cali maybe we can have a beer.

HappyC

[Chorizo]

Dear LEO and other cheapskates,

Stop taking up valuable board space with this crap about saving 1% or $1.50. My advise is travel, enjoy the ladies, and don't be an fn cheapskate about petty crap like this. After reading all these posts on Colombia, I'm willing to venture that You Leo are the cheap fuck who wanted change back from a $1000 peso bill (.30 cents US) at Flores Frescas.

This whole discussion seems stupid when you figure that on average you are only paying $30 US (or less) to get laid. This is further compounded when you figure that the average cab ride costs less than $1.00 US Dollar. If you all want to save $$ stay home and masterbate or start dating each other. You all can switch from pitcher to catcher (I imagine). Later!

[Leo]

El C:

Read my post more carefully please, I said to obtain cash from an ATM with a VISA is stupid. Using your VISA at point of sale (POS), given you have a 1% vs. 3% situation (e.g. all MBNA's are 1%) may be break even vs. the ATM given a $1.5 bank charge and maxing your withdrawl, depending on the FX your VISA and ATM bank use. I've found that my MBNA VISA rate is low enough vs. BofA's interbank rate that unless I can obtain a max withdrawl (in Colombia that would be 1,000,000 pesos if I remember right) I'm better off using the VISA. In summary, BofA's FX rate sucks I think.

Using a VISA to obtain cash (at an ATM or at a bank) will cost you a fee of $10 or 2% (I think), which ever is greatest, plus you'll begin accruing interest immediately.

Happy C:

I have BofA also. If remember right, there are like 5 ATM's within 2 blks of that grocery across from Karen's Pizza and a block from the park. One of the ATMs is across from the grocery in a bank/real estate office, and it only allows like 500,000 peso withdrawl, so I didn't use it. The green one in the little booth in the grocery parking allowed 1,000,000 if I remember right. The two on the main street, a block further from the park, were 600,000 max, I think.

I'm guessing they all have the same rate, which is determined by your US bank (BofA). The key is to minimize your fee.

Call BofA before you travel. Make sure they agree to waive all ATM charges they control (e.g. their charge per ATM - if the local bank also hits you with a charge there's nothing BofA can do). I was hit with the ATM charge (by the local bank) on every one of my withdrawls in Colombia.

OK, back to the girls (now that you have your money) ;)

[Saint]

Anyone interested in a long term relationship or even a relationship period should spend adequate amounts of time with the girl. Getting a tourist visa for the girl is next to impossible. I've talked to several natives there that met all 3 criteria and still were shot down for a tourist visa. Sounds like the fiancee visa process isn't that difficult but it's a VERY serious situation and something that requires a lot of thought before doing.

My advice is to take some time off and either go to her city or travel around with her. I just spent a little over a week with a girl from Cali and discovered it wasn't for me.

We all are in different situations and I know it can work for some guys. I have really only talked to one guy that had the relationship/marriage work more than 4 years. I'm sure there are a lot more out there but most of the guys told me it didn't work out after a relatively short amount of time.

I've been going out to various places in Lima with pros and non-pros and it's fairly easy to meet the local girls. Almost all of them have told me they don't like the local guys. The highly educated girls like my two friends here said it's even more difficult to find a bright guy here that is worth keeping.

Good luck all.

[Surfer]

One correction to Lima's post: a fiancee visa (K-1) only gets you 90 days, NOT 6 months, within which to marry her or send her back else she becomes deportable and "excludable". You must submit an affidavit of support promising to repay the government for any welfare benefits or the like she might subsequently receive. She will have to pass a medical exam (at YOUR cost) that includes an HIV screening in addition to various other indignities. And the process is SLOW (though supposedly a bit quicker for East Coasters). All in all a HORRIBLE experience in bureacracy.