Cartagena Reports

[Hilltopper]

The verdict is in mfs. I arrived in Bogota last night and the first thing I saw when I came out of the bathroom downstairs after immigration was a damn Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM (I can't recall ever seeing one in my life). I had to see what it was about. I stuck my Schwab card in and it gave me the option of withdrawing 20 K. I guess that was the sucker option because I declined that, then the real amounts popped up. The highest was 900,000, which I chose. Then for some reason I did it all over again knowing full well that my dumb ass always uses my Amex Platinum in these parts. It will probably take me over 1 year to get rid of these 1.8 million pesos.

So with each 900,000 pesos that I took out, $273 came out of my account for an exchange rate of 3296.70. There was a sign that popped up on the ATM saying that if you are using an international card, any fees that you get will be the ones charged by your bank.

It's all actually very simple. You use a Schwab card, so at ATMs such as Colpatria / Scotiabank that give you the true exchange rate and don't charge any fees, the only fee you are paying is the 1% fee to the card network. Hence, you received 99%, which in my experience is the best possible outcome.

I'll take your verdict one step further to address whether Colpatria / Scotiabank is the only bank that provides the true exchange rate and doesn't charge any fees on their end. How so? I just pulled 200 k pesos from each of Caja Social, BBVA and Colpatria / Scotiabank this morning, a Saturday when the currency markets are closed. Here is the verdict:

Caja Social this morning, my account was debited $60.96 for the 200 mil COP.

BBVA this morning, my account was debited $60.96 for 200 mil COP.

Drum roll: Colpatria / Scotiabank this morning, my account was debited $60.96 for 200 mil COP.

I pay the same 1% card network fee that you pay with your Schwab card, and I pay an additional 0. 5% to the issuing bank of my card.

I received 3281 pesos per the dollar, which is 98.5% of the USD-COP X-RATE

There you have it, Caja Social, BBVA and Colpatria / Scotiabank as advertised.

The other ATMs and the banks behind them charge a fee, whether hidden or published.*

*Note: Corpbanca is another advertised as "no fee" that I have used in the past, but since I haven't used them in over a year and they weren't included in today's trial, I've intentionally left out and noted here.

[Balboa]

You'll have to get with PirateMorgan on that. He's declared that anyone who doesn't follow his exact advice on ATM usage is stupid and endangering the very fabric of society. I'd hate to contradict him on this and endanger the existence of the universe.

Otherwise I'd suggest using ATMs as your best bet. You'll have to check with him to learn what phase of the moon is best and whether or not you need to sacrifice a goat before making a withdrawal.

Haha, how true!

Lmao.

[Mojo Bandit]

I am going to be in Cartagena on Sunday and was wondering what the best way to change dollars into pesos is, since it has been quite a while since I last was in Cartagena? Also is there still ATM's in Laguito and Bocagrande or do you suggest going to the old city?

If I do go the route of a ATM what ATM's give the best rate? And where exactly are the located?

The same question applies to casas de cambio. Where do I go to find the best rate?

Thank you for helping me out!

So there used to be an ATM like 8 buildings down from Hilton on the ocean side of calle 1 b, first it was just a simple walk up when I first stayed in Laguito about 7 years ago, then they turned it into a walk in with a door, but now I am not sure it is still there, but there is a new (ish) ATM, I think it is a Banco Davivienda, it is at the end of the sidewalk just before you cross over to the Hilton Hotel. It is a stand alone ATM but it inside with a door that closes behind you so no one can look over your shoulder. I think it used to be or is connected to some type of guard shack that I think monitors the parking lot next to the Hilton. You go past the last tall building that has that little market where people sit outside and drink package booze, then keep walking past that rock wall / fence to that small brown stone structure at the end of that wall / fence and the ATM is inside that brown stone structure. If someone had not told me it was there I would have missed it. This was the most convenient one for me if I did not want to get in taxi, as I was staying in a building four or five buildings down from the Hilton facing the ocean.

[Questner]

https://www.scotiabankcolpatria.com/...os-automaticos

TIPO DE CAJERO NOMBRE DIRECCIÓand.

ATM CARTAGENA MANGA Calle Real # 15-21, Barrio Manga.

ATM JUMBO CARTAGENA CARIBE PLAZA Av. El Lago con Cll. 29 be.

ATM ÉXITO CARTAGENA Avenida Pedro de Heredia No. 69 - 75 sector contador.

ATM CARTAGENA MALL PLAZA Avenida Pedro de Heredia Carrera 13 No. 31 A - 65 Loc. 109 al 113.

ATM CARTAGENA BOCAGRANDE CARREA 4 # 6-79.

ATM CENTRO CIAL. LA CASTELLANA CARTAGENA CENTRO COMERCIAL LA CASTELLANA.

ATM BANCA EXPRESS. CENTRO COMERCIAL BOCAGRANDE Carrera 2 # 8-146 Local 119.

ATM BANCA EXPRESS. CENTRO COMERCIAL CARIBE PLAZA Calle 29 D # 22-108.

ATM BANCA EXPRESS. MULTICENTRO LA PLAZUELA Diagonal 31 # 71-130.

ATM BANCA EXPRESS. SUPERCENTRO LOS EJECUTIVOS Avenida Pedro de Heredia Calle 31 # 57-106.

ATM OFICINA CARTAGENA PRINCIPAL 2 Avenida Venezuela / Carlos Escallon.

CDM BANCA EXPRESS. CENTRO COMERCIAL CARIBE PLAZA Calle 29 D # 22-108.

CDM BANCA EXPRESS. MULTICENTRO LA PLAZUELA Diagonal 31 # 71-130.

CDM BANCA EXPRESS. SUPERCENTRO LOS EJECUTIVOS Avenida Pedro de Heredia Calle 31 # 57-106.

MFM BANCA EXPRESS. CENTRO COMERCIAL BOCAGRANDE Carrera 2 # 8-146 Local 119.

MFM OFICINA CARTAGENA PRINCIPAL 1 Avenida Venezuela / Carlos Escallon.

If you know which institution posts it's cash exchange rates on it's website (tasas de cambio, divisas, Compra), please post the link.

I have absolutely no doubt there are competitive exchanges in the city of Cartagena, like in Bogota, I just don't know them yet, and they may be away from Bocagrande. Guess where the folks at cambios get the cash? At the banks.

[AmorPorFavor]

The verdict is in mfs. I arrived in Bogota last night and the first thing I saw when I came out of the bathroom downstairs after immigration was a damn Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM (I can't recall ever seeing one in my life). I had to see what it was about. I stuck my Schwab card in and it gave me the option of withdrawing 20 K. I guess that was the sucker option because I declined that, then the real amounts popped up. The highest was 900,000, which I chose. Then for some reason I did it all over again knowing full well that my dumb ass always uses my Amex Platinum in these parts. It will probably take me over 1 year to get rid of these 1.8 million pesos.

So with each 900,000 pesos that I took out, $273 came out of my account for an exchange rate of 3296.70. There was a sign that popped up on the ATM saying that if you are using an international card, any fees that you get will be the ones charged by your bank.

Thanks Mr E. I will be arriving in Cartagena for the first time on Tuesday and will try to find one of these ATM's in the airport on the way in to load up on cash. Wells Fargo will still charge me $5 but not going to change banks over that. I will use my no transaction fee Delta AmX for everything I can because they will give me the current exchange rate.

[YippieKayay]

So with each 900,000 pesos that I took out, $273 came out of my account for an exchange rate of 3296.70. There was a sign that popped up on the ATM saying that if you are using an international card, any fees that you get will be the ones charged by your bank.

USD in COP shows to be 3326 right now. That's not a bad deal.

BTW, can I point out the obvious to folks who don't get it already. No one is going to exchange the money, bank or cambio, for 0% fee. There's always a fee cooked in.

[Mr Enternational]

On this end. So listen CAREFULLY. You want to use the Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM. NOT the Colpatria ATM. Not the Scotiabank ATM. They are different. You want the Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM. It is different. A combination of the two. I THINK it will say on the front that you can take out 2,700,000 pesos each day. I take out 900,000 3 times. Works best for me. Any other use of ATMs in Colombia is dumb. Search around and you will find the 'good' Colpatria / Scotia ATMs. Don't get fooled!

For some reason people on the site keep giving you stupid advice and never change their ways. If you follow my lead you will pay NO ATM fees. You will sometimes receive MORE than the x-rate. But never less than 50 pesos off the rate in my experience.

The verdict is in mfs. I arrived in Bogota last night and the first thing I saw when I came out of the bathroom downstairs after immigration was a damn Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM (I can't recall ever seeing one in my life). I had to see what it was about. I stuck my Schwab card in and it gave me the option of withdrawing 20 K. I guess that was the sucker option because I declined that, then the real amounts popped up. The highest was 900,000, which I chose. Then for some reason I did it all over again knowing full well that my dumb ass always uses my Amex Platinum in these parts. It will probably take me over 1 year to get rid of these 1.8 million pesos.

So with each 900,000 pesos that I took out, $273 came out of my account for an exchange rate of 3296.70. There was a sign that popped up on the ATM saying that if you are using an international card, any fees that you get will be the ones charged by your bank.

[PirateMorgan]

Are you sure you read this forum. Or do you just ask questions? I think I have seen it all now. As in READ THE LAST TWO POSTS.

[JjBee62]

I am going to be in Cartagena on Sunday and was wondering what the best way to change dollars into pesos is, since it has been quite a while since I last was in Cartagena? Also is there still ATM's in Laguito and Bocagrande or do you suggest going to the old city?

If I do go the route of a ATM what ATM's give the best rate? And where exactly are the located?

The same question applies to casas de cambio. Where do I go to find the best rate?

Thank you for helping me out!

You'll have to get with PirateMorgan on that. He's declared that anyone who doesn't follow his exact advice on ATM usage is stupid and endangering the very fabric of society. I'd hate to contradict him on this and endanger the existence of the universe.

Otherwise I'd suggest using ATMs as your best bet. You'll have to check with him to learn what phase of the moon is best and whether or not you need to sacrifice a goat before making a withdrawal.

[PirateMorgan]

It is scary how much dumb infor there is about getting your money in Colombia. It is a no brainer on this end. What your bank in the USA Does is what it does. Capone 360 is free. Free means no charges to get your money. Free means zero.

On this end. So listen CAREFULLY. You want to use the Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM. NOT the Colpatria ATM. Not the Scotiabank ATM. They are different. You want the Colpatria / Scotiabank ATM. It is different. A combination of the two. I THINK it will say on the front that you can take out 2,700,000 pesos each day. I take out 900,000 3 times. Works best for me. Any other use of ATMs in Colombia is dumb. Search around and you will find the 'good' Colpatria / Scotia ATMs. Don't get fooled!

For some reason people on the site keep giving you stupid advice and never change their ways. If you follow my lead you will pay NO ATM fees. You will sometimes receive MORE than the x-rate. But never less than 50 pesos off the rate in my experience.

And, answering another weird question. Visa / Mastercard (and probably no USA Bank is going to have a daily limit lower than the Colombian ATM limit).

Just do it.

[Scubatoo]

Can anyone say if there is a money changer that takes 5% or less?

There must be at least one?

Don't tell me there's a money changer cartel?

Wishful thinking, since banks everywhere take at least 5% on exchanges. I use my credit cards whenever I can and have it charged in the foreign currency. Depending on the credit card, I may get hit with a 3% conversion or none at all by the USA Bank behind the credit card. In Colombia, the currency fluctuates a lot. On November 30,2019, the rate was 3512 CP to 1 USD. When I was there the first week of January, the rate was 3250 CP. Yesterday, it was 3315 CP. The money exchangers in Colombia are probably hedging against the fluctuation.

[TheCarlAnthony]

JJbee62,

So true. It's one of those go with your gut things. I've met some super cool guys on here that I talk to every trip. So odd because I genuinely looked at him as cool just different. I own 3 bars so I'm used to meeting people and partying with random people. Usually because everyone wants free drinks hahaha but I've seen worse people in my industry hahahah but it went from suspect. To full fledge the opposite of the type of person I surround myself with. It reminded me why I normally travel alone. Again not sure what his fetishes or sexuality desires were but they were not inine with mine. I personally do not want another naked man in bed with me rather there is a girl there or not. I don't want to wonder if he is looking at my ass when I'm hammering her. I watch my porn with the volume down just so I don't hear a man grunt hahah. Last thing I want is it in HI Def Adobe 3 feet away! Funny how he pulled out this side on my last night with him. I can't. Still haven't read his 7 text messages or voicemails from the next day.

That's hilarious.

But, how did you not figure it out at the beach? A good wingman knows when it's time to disappear. Even a bad wingman knows to go away when you tell him "see you later. I'm taking this girl back to my place."

Why did you hang out through all the crap at Space? You had your girl. You simply say "we're leaving. Have fun", and get in a taxi. From this side of the screen it was immediately obvious something wasn't right.

I've met up with a lot of guys from the board. Some were good hangouts, some we just didn't click. Some became good friends. You just need to learn when it's time to walk away.

[JjBee62]

So as you will see in my previous post I'm the guy that got stolen from by two chicas after a threesome. One or both of them basically stole any little small items around the room they could fit in their tiny little purses. I "kinda" learned my lesson on watching the chicas tighter. I I say kinda because I'll explain in my closing. The problem is I left out an additional learning experience!! This is something this board never talks about! Remember these guys come on here and post their experiences and ideas and findings! But they are just like the Chicas! You do not know them and their intentions! That guy that messages you to "meet up for a beer". Should be treated with the same distance as the chicas! You do not know who they are in with, or their intent with you once those beers turn into shots!! Let me elaborate on my experience this exact same night with a board member.

I met a guy from Cali that messaged me talking about he sees my post and we are similar blah blah and we should meet as we will be there at the same time. 1st impression was solid! Good guy ready to help me nail down this girls. Hung out with him during the day at the beach. I had a chick come through that in my opinion was a 8 but he loved her. We all three were at the beach and he kinda was the 3rd wheel as his chica was busy. I don't do drugs. But he kept insinuating that he wanted to take her back to his place to smoke. I thought it was odd he would even suggest it but I blew it off. After hours at Playa Hollywood, my chica was ready for sex and she gave me the look of lets go to the hotel. Oddly he wanted to walk "with" us to my hotel even though his hotel was 10 minutes the opposite direction...

That's hilarious.

But, how did you not figure it out at the beach? A good wingman knows when it's time to disappear. Even a bad wingman knows to go away when you tell him "see you later. I'm taking this girl back to my place."

Why did you hang out through all the crap at Space? You had your girl. You simply say "we're leaving. Have fun", and get in a taxi. From this side of the screen it was immediately obvious something wasn't right.

I've met up with a lot of guys from the board. Some were good hangouts, some we just didn't click. Some became good friends. You just need to learn when it's time to walk away.

[MarquisdeSade1]

Can anyone say if there is a money changer that takes 5% or less?

There must be at least one?

Don't tell me there's a money changer cartel?

[TheCarlAnthony]

So as you will see in my previous post I'm the guy that got stolen from by two chicas after a threesome. One or both of them basically stole any little small items around the room they could fit in their tiny little purses. I "kinda" learned my lesson on watching the chicas tighter. I I say kinda because I'll explain in my closing. The problem is I left out an additional learning experience!! This is something this board never talks about! Remember these guys come on here and post their experiences and ideas and findings! But they are just like the Chicas! You do not know them and their intentions! That guy that messages you to "meet up for a beer". Should be treated with the same distance as the chicas! You do not know who they are in with, or their intent with you once those beers turn into shots!! Let me elaborate on my experience this exact same night with a board member.

I met a guy from Cali that messaged me talking about he sees my post and we are similar blah blah and we should meet as we will be there at the same time. 1st impression was solid! Good guy ready to help me nail down this girls. Hung out with him during the day at the beach. I had a chick come through that in my opinion was a 8 but he loved her. We all three were at the beach and he kinda was the 3rd wheel as his chica was busy. I don't do drugs. But he kept insinuating that he wanted to take her back to his place to smoke. I thought it was odd he would even suggest it but I blew it off. After hours at Playa Hollywood, my chica was ready for sex and she gave me the look of lets go to the hotel. Oddly he wanted to walk "with" us to my hotel even though his hotel was 10 minutes the opposite direction. He literally came in and stood around the family room making a drink. He eventually realized nothing was happening until he left and said I'll split and message you later. I took a mental note if that but because he was seemingly a good guy the rest of the time I gave him a shrug as we did drink a lot on the beach. The next day we hung out and even went to the Space together. Both met chicks and separated. Great wingman that could interpret everything to the chicas for me. Hahaha so the final night I planned on waking up and going to Medellin. He knew I was leaving tomorrow and we planned on partying hard. Well we did. But shit got weird! He wanted a foursome. Including me!! He was really cool at first but then as the night progressed he got really drunk and became ridiculously pushy. He insisted I have a foursome. Originally he had one girl and I had the other and there was another guy that we met that had a girl. The problem was that he liked my chica better than his. So he kept insinuating he wanted to get them back to his apartment, get them drunk and high and then have a foursome. First I don't do drugs. Not my thing so I was already out. 2. The chica I had was absolutely beautiful and I personally wasn't looking for the share a hole experience with another guy. We had a table. Girls everywhere, and he kept saying you ready? Let's take these girls home now! I replied nah I'm chilling I'm not ready yet. The girl saw I wasn't interested and told me about 5 times she wasn't either but she would if that's what I wanted. I didn't and I told her that. . Which I didn't. He might have asked me 15 more times " why don't you want to have an orgy tonite. I responded "because it's my duck, I get to control what it experiences, not you! I'm not into that shit. He did not like that answer. His response would be "why not". Then the girl he would whisper in his girls ear. Seconds later she is touching me and asking me for an orgy hahaha. Then she whispered to her friend who was obviously down to do whatever was requested of her. But I'm not a Chica!! I do what I want. I'm not for sale hahaha they are! The chica I was with whispered to me. I do not want sex from that man but I need money so if you will take me tonight I want just you without him. I smiled and said don't worry, that's not happening regardless. So as he continued to make it awkward for everyone insisting we leave the club now and go do it. I finally got pissed and said, listen. I have no interest in doing this, I don't care about these girls, if you want them, you can take both of them!! But I'm not coming. He responded "she won't come unless you do. So just come and then once we are all there you can leave. What the $# at &. Why would I do that. And then what. Go back to see if I can find any leftovers in the club or clocktower? GTFOOH. The third monger er was in tears laughing at this guy and kept knee nudging me when I was telling him to pretty much go $# at & hisself. LOL. I told him bro give me your portion of this tab and I'm out. I'm. Now this guy spoke very clear and educated the last two days. His response was (in some new found California accent) . " man what's wrong with you blood. We are on vacation, don't you want to experience this Blood. We could have an orgy Blood". My simple response was no. Let me have the money. LOL. He hands it to me. That's when it got awkward. . I said again bro, you can have them both I'll find someone here but I ain't leaving with you bottom line. !! And he looked me dead in my eye and said "I want you there". 😳. . I'm not calling him Gay. Now I don't know what fetish he had or why he wanted me in the room so bad but I wanted nothing to do with it. He said " this could be our end to a good trip together with this odd ass glaze in his eyes. "I want you there with me in that room. " I looked at my chica and said Imma head out hahaha hahaha you're more than welcome to come or stay with him and her. She said hell no. I'm coming with you without her. I spoke to the other guy that joined who witnessed everything. When chica and I left to get in the taxi her friend comes running behind us begging to come. She said he's crazy!! He's saying it's my fault I didn't persuade you two to have the orgy. Please can I come! Pleaseee! Don't leave me with him! She was decent so I agreed she could come. Fuck it why not. The beautiful one agreed to 150.000 pesos free for her friend. So I agreed and was winning. Two hot Venezuela chicks with tight skirts and bolt ONS and curves. When we got back to my place we had an amazing threesome. I mean the whole enjoying one from the back while the other was sitting on her back using her tongue all over my body. I mean it was top notch for hours straight. Same condom on both girls. No breaks in service. I'd release and they would touch each other until I joined back in. Porn star level. The problem happened when the girls were preparing to leave. The whole shower and changing back into their clothes in the different mirrors left them opportunities to steal random items laying around. One girl in the bathroom showering while the other in the kitchen making drinks and calling a cab. The swiping was so fast it's unbelievable. Being that the one girl was the only one that got paid. Her friend probably felt the need to make her own Money back in some way hahaha. She sole maybe $70 worth of small items (Alexa dot, automatic toothbrush, fake watch, and t-shirt) hahaha in trade for the best threesome I've ever had, and I've had my fair share. Now don't get me wrong I thoroughly was stolen from. And I learned a tiny lesson with chicas. But even more so I learned about these monger friends we find along the way. They can be just as unpredictable too. They might waste your ass or the chicks ass you have with you. Or God knows what else. Remember we come there to fulfill fantasies. You do not know these fellas on here chumming it up! You don't know who these people become when they let the liquor take control. To get stolen from by a chica or two be in the center of some man you don't knows personal fantasy for an orgy with you. I'll probably have another threesome with those two again next week hahahaha! Judge me if you want! IDGAF LOL. I'll world everything down before I let them in hahaha it was that good. That "meet for a beer" guy could ruin everything just as fast as a sticky fingers chica though.