Medellin Reports

[Fun Luvr]

Any truth to them being closed for good? And for sale? Whattapp, messenger, text them and no response for last couple days, if just closed weird, any information?

As I previously posted, I talked to the owner last week and he told me it was permanently closed. He had had a few drinks at the time, so that could be a factor in his response. The "for sale or rent" sign is much larger than the little "for sale" sign he'd had in the corner of the patio before.

[Fun Luvr]

Doesn't this law only address novios and novias.

It doesn't have to be boyfriends and girlfriends. As long as no compensation is involved, consensual sex is legal for anyone 14 and over. A person must be 18 or over to get compensated for having sex.

[Nounce]

It was late and I read the "I" as "he".

But I stand by my general comments in that is is misleading / incomplete to say that tipping is not a thing in Colombia as a simple response. Many people would read that question and answer and have that take away and then stiff the people when they should tip.

They do tip. You can see that easily at bus stop or on the street where the locals will tip a small amount for handling luggage or opening the car door of a taxi.

I have reported that I was asked to tip up to 18% maybe a year ago. Asking for a tip and asking permission to put service charge on a bill are different. From my experience, having been out for lunch everyday with my Latin America coworkers, they always declined the service charge when asked, and in that LA country where I worked, they always asked before, and I was the only one that said yes simply because I can't change the habit.

This city has changed for the worst. Last year at MDE, a worker roped the luggage cart together, and wanted to charge USD$3 for the luggage cart. Who is going to pay that as it is such a small airport where very little walking needed. Now they change it to a sign asking for 5 mil. In other much larger airports that I have been to, they are all free.

[Turgid]

On either my first or second trip to Colombia back in 2018 in Bogota I tried to tip the maid 5 mil .......

Once I tipped a casa girl in the room and when we got out I saw her give it to the mamasan.

[JackTaggart]

I think you need to re-read the post.

It was late and I read the "I" as "he".

But I stand by my general comments in that is is misleading / incomplete to say that tipping is not a thing in Colombia as a simple response. Many people would read that question and answer and have that take away and then stiff the people when they should tip.

[UKBadBoy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQYVq5cjE24

There are so many videos on YT warning against visiting Medellin. The sex scene is too dangerous with too many druggings that have led to a big rise in deaths of Western tourists. Can anyone with first hand experience comment?

How do you take girls back to your room if you know there is a high chance that you could get drugged and robbed? Any tips? Is it safe to take a girl back if you lock away your valuables and don't take your eyes off your drink?

[Nounce]

Correct. And based on the original post. The waiter asked if it was ok..

I think you need to re-read the post.

The waiter asked me for a tip when I was taking the food away. Is this a country where you have to tip?

[RacShack]

Any truth to them being closed for good? And for sale? Whattapp, messenger, text them and no response for last couple days, if just closed weird, any information?

[Gabacho]

Correct. And based on the original post. The waiter asked if it was ok. And then the advice after was that basically tipping was not a thing in Colombia. And that they should have refused.

So I am trying to be specific with my response. Of the probably 300+ meals at restaurants that have either asked or not asked. The tip was 10%. Never less. Never more. And with both situations, I am never deciding the amount on the bill. It's simply 10%. It's not like the united states. And I feel like people ignore the obvious context for most people when responding to these questions for most people about tipping.

Personally I don't have a problem with them automatically adding it. I have asked to have it removed 2 times only. 75% of the time they ask though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Also I forgot to mention that it is only the expensive restaurants that cater to gringos and affluent Colombians that charge the 10% service fee or ask for it. If you are eating in the barrios at the panaderías ordering the comida del theía for 13 mil pesos that comes with a meat, beans, rice, fried banana, soup salad and juice those kind of places never ever ask for a service charge and they always give you back exact change even if you pay with a 50 mil.

So obviously you guys are eating at the wrong places. I keep it estrado 1 LOL.

[JackTaggart]

The 10% tip is included automatically as it is legal for them to do that, however they are supposed to ask if it is ok. Mostly that is what is being asked when they ask you about a tip. But sometimes they won't bother to ask. It just is on your bill.

Correct. And based on the original post. The waiter asked if it was ok. And then the advice after was that basically tipping was not a thing in Colombia. And that they should have refused.

So I am trying to be specific with my response. Of the probably 300+ meals at restaurants that have either asked or not asked. The tip was 10%. Never less. Never more. And with both situations, I am never deciding the amount on the bill. It's simply 10%. It's not like the united states. And I feel like people ignore the obvious context for most people when responding to these questions for most people about tipping.

Personally I don't have a problem with them automatically adding it. I have asked to have it removed 2 times only. 75% of the time they ask though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[Zeos1]

The topic of tipping culture for travelers anywhere is a common question. It is both correct but misleading to say that Colombia does not have a tipping culture. The original poster asked about multiple scenarios with tipping, but one of them was "The waiter asked me for a tip when I was taking the food away. Is this a country where you have to tip?

It is completely normal in most restaurants for them to ask "can I add service" which is 10%. Or some will automatically add it. Either way you can refuse it or ask to have it removed. Places that are Arepa stands, executive lunch places, or "order at the counter" places don't ask for it. Or put another way. Its pretty obvious about the places that will ask for it or automatically add it. Vs the places that don't. I spend most of my time in non gringo areas with Colombians half the time.

But in my experience. That type of tipping is completely normal and I feel like you should say yes unless something has gone horribly horribly wrong. Cartegena to me is scam city the way they treat tourists, so I don't like to use it as a data point.

The 10% tip is included automatically as it is legal for them to do that, however they are supposed to ask if it is ok. Mostly that is what is being asked when they ask you about a tip. But sometimes they won't bother to ask. It just is on your bill.

[JackTaggart]

Colombia doesn't have a tipping culture. Many of the places in Poblado will add a service charge (tip) to your bill. I would have ignored the guy who asked for a tip.

The topic of tipping culture for travelers anywhere is a common question. It is both correct but misleading to say that Colombia does not have a tipping culture. The original poster asked about multiple scenarios with tipping, but one of them was "The waiter asked me for a tip when I was taking the food away. Is this a country where you have to tip?

It is completely normal in most restaurants for them to ask "can I add service" which is 10%. Or some will automatically add it. Either way you can refuse it or ask to have it removed. Places that are Arepa stands, executive lunch places, or "order at the counter" places don't ask for it. Or put another way. Its pretty obvious about the places that will ask for it or automatically add it. Vs the places that don't. I spend most of my time in non gringo areas with Colombians half the time.

But in my experience. That type of tipping is completely normal and I feel like you should say yes unless something has gone horribly horribly wrong. Cartegena to me is scam city the way they treat tourists, so I don't like to use it as a data point.

[Gabacho]

Colombia doesn't have a tipping culture. Many of the places in Poblado will add a service charge (tip) to your bill. I would have ignored the guy who asked for a tip.

I think it's a good gesture to leave a tip for the hotel maid. 4 mil a day should be sufficient, unless you asked for special service, like more towels.

On either my first or second trip to Colombia back in 2018 in Bogota I tried to tip the maid 5 mil because she showed me to my room and made sure I had a clean towel and roll of toilet paper.

I said gracias and handed her a 5 mil bill and she got mad at me. She put her hand up and refused to take it and she was like "they pay me here" I kinda got the impression that she thought that I thought that she was poor and was offering her the 5 mil to make up for what she should be getting paid.

Since then I have stayed there mainly times over the years and Doña Gloria always greets me with a hug every time I see her but I never ever have offered her a tip since that first time and I don't offer tips anywhere else I go either because of that experience. And when people ask for tips I frown on it like they are over-entitled and I treat them the same way as girls asking for free money I'm like "soy pobre".

[Wkahddl2]

The security guard just let you walk away with an umbrella? When you returned it, I suppose as you were leaving the barricaded area, you should probably give him 4 or 5 mil for being a nice guy. Otherwise, security guards in the park get no tips unless they do something for you.

Colombia doesn't have a tipping culture. Many of the places in Poblado will add a service charge (tip) to your bill. I would have ignored the guy who asked for a tip.

I think it's a good gesture to leave a tip for the hotel maid. 4 mil a day should be sufficient, unless you asked for special service, like more towels.

There are plenty of convenience stores. There's one just outside the park on Calle 10. They won't be 7/11's, rather they'll mostly be mom and pop stores. The best place to buy condoms is at a pharmacy.

Thanks for the advice! I think the translator is strange. It means that the security guard at the hotel lent me an umbrella when I left.

[FloridaGuy123]

Hey guys, doing a short trip down to Medellin this weekend. Let me know if anyone wants to grab a beer!

Does anyone have any good recommendations for casas or parlors? Would like to get an erotic massage where the girl takes her time!