Medellin Reports

[JjBee62]

Hey guys,

Tickets are booked for early Jan with KLM from Europe 693 round trip. I've been lurking around this forum for a while now, taking notes and reading as much as possible. Thanks to all so far that have provided on the ground reports.

Since my trip is definitely on, I now have some questions.

I'll be arriving in Medellin around 6 pm. Whats the best option for getting COP at that time, will the cambios still be open or maybe the ATM is better?

Is Uber the best option from the airport? I seem to remember someone saying you need to walk across a carpark or something.

Is it best to wait until the next day to get a sim at the Claro store because almost every country I've been to, they rip you off with tourist sims at the airport which are no better than regular ones downtown?

Can anybody who has stayed at the San Peter apartments in Laureles recommend a contact they have there. They have some on airbnb but the owners are saying no guests / sex tourism etc.

I know there has been a lot of discussion on not going to Botero at night and I get it but what about taking a taxi or Uber straight to a bar or strip club like Barra Ejecutiva and then a taxi back, I presume that's safe enough?.

1. ATMs are better, unless you have some overriding reason to bring cash. At least some of them should be open at Oviedo mall until 8 pm. However, the added cost and inconvenience makes using a money exchange upon arrival a bad idea. You can pull out a small amount from an ATM at the airport, then hit another ATM once you are settled in.

The best option from the airport, going to San Peter Apartments is the bus to Nutibara Plaza and then taxi to San Peter, although it's not much different than taking the bus to Santa Fe mall and taking a taxi. However, it will probably be easier and less stressful to take a white taxi from the airport. The rate should be 80 k, but always verify with the driver. If he says more than 85 k, just move on to the next one.

3. I've never seen a listing on Airbnb for San Peter Apartments that doesn't specifically state visitors, over 18 with Identification are allowed. As of 1 week ago, there was no problem at all with visitors. The front desk girls are all cool with it. The owner I rented from is named Kathy.

4. Taking a taxi directly to where you want to go in El Centro is the way to go, especially at night.

5. When in doubt, whip it out. Ask for a cedula. Some hotels in El Centro require the girl to have one. Some don't.

6. I think most of the Centro rats will tell you to use Premier Plaza or another better short time hotel. Cleaner, nicer, no interruptions and hot water is worth it.

[Surfer500]

Being able to speak fluent Spanish, understand Colombian slang, dress with some style, not looking old, overweight and overly boring goes a long way.

You actually left something out here that others may not be aware of in that you said your Asian. I have a friend from South Korea who is in Medellin that I met with a few weeks ago there, and he basically was a "babe magnet" compared to me when we would go places. It's almost like when I went to India a few years back. Your a rarity, and are going to get a lot of attention because most Colombians in the barrios let alone not ever leaving Medellin have never seen an Asian person in the flesh, and being able to speak Spanish has to be blowing them away, especially the Chicas. So your kind of like a movie star and probably have people wanting to have their picture taken with you, at least that's what happened to me in India, but unfortunately it wasn't with a bunch of Chicas!

[Fun Luvr]

Since my trip is definitely on, I now have some questions.

I'll be arriving in Medellin around 6 pm. Whats the best option for getting COP at that time, will the cambios still be open or maybe the ATM is better?

Is Uber the best option from the airport? I seem to remember someone saying you need to walk across a carpark or something.

Is it best to wait until the next day to get a sim at the Claro store because almost every country I've been to, they rip you off with tourist sims at the airport which are no better than regular ones downtown?

I'll answer your first three questions since I have knowledge of those. I'm not a Centro rat and it's been years since I stayed at San Peter.

1) ATM's are the best option. The cambios will be open when you arrive but their exchange rates are quite a bit lower. After going through the baggage claim area, continue walking down the hallway. Bancolombia and BBVA ATM's are on your right. BBVA is a little further past Bancolombia, but BBVA doesn't have ATM fees.

2) No, Uber is not the best option. They may be a few pesos cheaper than a taxi, but the added trouble to find the Uber is not worth it. The white taxis have a set rate to Medellin - 80,000 COP. That is for anywhere in Medellin, Poblado, and Laureles.

3) It is best to go to one of the carriers stores. Claro and Tigo are probably the most popular. Take your passport with you just in case they need to see it to sell a sim card.

[RiceRocket99]

I'm not sure what you mean. I've partied hard in Manrique, Obrero (Bello), and Aranjuez. Some of the funnest and craziest party experiences ever. Of course, I don't go solo. I always go with groups of 2-3 girls who are from the areas. I would know at least one of the girls very well and they in turn invite their barrio friends for me to sample at the clubs. Almost always, I find someone 'fresh', usually their classmate, or co-woker, or family friend or just a new neighbor that moved into the barrio. You can't beat 50 mil for a full bottle of rum at a club! Medelland has something for everyone. I remember my virgin trip to MDE and I stayed at the Mansion my first couple trips and then would rent an apt in Parque Lleras to party hard for a week straight until my body couldn't take it anymore LOL. I don’t use FB, SA, or Mansion connections anymore. I pretty much build my own chica network through referrals and referrals of referrals, and so on. Anyways, just my 2 cents. Being able to speak fluent Spanish, understand Colombian slang, dress with some style, not looking old, overweight and overly boring goes a long way.

I've seen this movie before. I hope for a surprise ending this time.

[Nounce]

my trip is definitely on, I now have some questions.

You can exchange money at the airport using ATM. Regular taxi works better than Uber from airport. It has a standard pricing so you are not likely to be overcharged. You can google Medellin Guru to find a web site and it has detail info.

You can also find San Peter on booking.com. You can get contact info there.

Taxi to El Centro is safe. You can walk around if you know where you are going but avoid dark places with no one around. You can go check it out during daytime to get familiar with the area. Most places are dark in nighttime so that is something to get used to.

I let girl take me because I want to see new places unless it is a place I have visited that I don't like. The knock maybe a Bogota thing. It almost never happens to me in Medellin but maybe I am too quick. I remember a girl yelled out demasado rapido when I finised in Santa Fe, haha.

Pollo Negro taught me the phrase "algo mas".

Do you check out the Medellin List by World Traveler here?

[JohnnyO]

I wanted to add to my recent post but I can't due to a time limit. Anyway as I am asking a lot of info and I am unable to give back as I am not on the ground yet I will add my cliff notes here.

[JohnnyO]

Hey guys,

Tickets are booked for early Jan with KLM from Europe 693 round trip. I've been lurking around this forum for a while now, taking notes and reading as much as possible. Thanks to all so far that have provided on the ground reports.

Since my trip is definitely on, I now have some questions.

I'll be arriving in Medellin around 6 pm. Whats the best option for getting COP at that time, will the cambios still be open or maybe the ATM is better?

Is Uber the best option from the airport? I seem to remember someone saying you need to walk across a carpark or something.

Is it best to wait until the next day to get a sim at the Claro store because almost every country I've been to, they rip you off with tourist sims at the airport which are no better than regular ones downtown?

Can anybody who has stayed at the San Peter apartments in Laureles recommend a contact they have there. They have some on airbnb but the owners are saying no guests / sex tourism etc.

I know there has been a lot of discussion on not going to Botero at night and I get it but what about taking a taxi or Uber straight to a bar or strip club like Barra Ejecutiva and then a taxi back, I presume that's safe enough?

Are most of you guys who are go to Centro asking the girls if they have a Cedula or not and I presume the hotels will ask as well?

When you take a girl from Centro are you letting the girl guide you to a hotel or is better to take her yourself to somewhere like Zona Rosa or Premier Plaza? It seems like a better option to pay a bit more where you know you'll get an hour to a few hours rather than paying cheap and getting a knock after 20 min, that's what I'm gathering from reading the forum?

Thanks again.

[Knowledge]

I've seen this movie before. I hope for a surprise ending this time.

Yeah I remember going there years ago, it definitely changed its decor since then. I'm a Chino so I stand out in non gringo areas, and I like that. I'm staying a couple blocks from San Javier Metro Station, walking distance to communa 13. No gringos at all here except those doing the tour. When I walk out at night, I get looks like wtf this Chino doing here LOL. People are always friendly and interested in how I ended up here. I tell them I love living like a local. Chicas that come here ask the same thing. But my apt has nice view and large balcony. I can play loud music all day and night with no complaints.

[RiceRocket99]

Yeah I remember going there years ago, it definitely changed its decor since then. I'm a Chino so I stand out in non gringo areas, and I like that. I'm staying a couple blocks from San Javier Metro Station, walking distance to communa 13. No gringos at all here except those doing the tour. When I walk out at night, I get looks like wtf this Chino doing here LOL. People are always friendly and interested in how I ended up here. I tell them I love living like a local. Chicas that come here ask the same thing. But my apt has nice view and large balcony. I can play loud music all day and night with no complaints.

I am glad to know someone else has been there! I've been there about 5 times and have never once seen a gringo. Yes, definitely have change. They like to consider whatever you give them (if it's too much) as a tip, if you don't demand your change. Even the doorman did not have change last Tuesday. Geez.

And it is true that you can do what you want there. The midget sells tussi for 60 mil for a small bag. I don't touch the shit, but the lesbian who was with us bought some.

[LeyenLouvain]

If you fancy a virtual trip inside Gustos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zcIkywvx08

(I found this thanks to Mojo Bandit who posted a video from the same youtuber in the Cartagena thread which includes the famous Tony).

[ColombiaLover]

I am glad to know someone else has been there! I've been there about 5 times and have never once seen a gringo. Yes, definitely have change. They like to consider whatever you give them (if it's too much) as a tip, if you don't demand your change. Even the doorman did not have change last Tuesday. Geez.

And it is true that you can do what you want there. The midget sells tussi for 60 mil for a small bag. I don't touch the shit, but the lesbian who was with us bought some.

Club Exclusivo is on Calle 33 right before Carrera 78. It's right next to Fonda Lupita, it's a non-descript black door, but you can see a camera with red dot outside. I was there last night, def bring your own chica. Luckily I brought 2 haha. Got there around 11:30 pm and left at 2:30 am (still packed). I'll say it stays open as long as people are there. Mostly techno / rave music. It's tussi central, as everyone is doing it and you can buy on spot. We brought our own. I have a connect in Bello that makes it nice and bright pink, not that light pink cut down garbage. You can smoke weed, cigarettes, do lines, do what the fuck you want except fucking. Unfortunately I went on a bad night, too many dudes. It was a sausage fest haha. And make sure to have exact change, the midget waiter took like 15 minutes to get me change. Hate hassling about that. Half bottle of rum was 90 mil and cover is 20 mil for guys and 10 mil for girls.

Man I use to be to able party hard, and I still do, but now that I'm about to be 40 (I know not that old but ain't that young) I can't hang with these 18 yr olds anymore. Well I'm still going to try!

[RiceRocket99]

Club Exclusivo is on Calle 33 right before Carrera 78. It's right next to Fonda Lupita, it's a non-descript black door, but you can see a camera with red dot outside. I was there last night, def bring your own chica. Luckily I brought 2 haha. Got there around 11:30 pm and left at 2:30 am (still packed). I'll say it stays open as long as people are there. Mostly techno / rave music. It's tussi central, as everyone is doing it and you can buy on spot. We brought our own. I have a connect in Bello that makes it nice and bright pink, not that light pink cut down garbage. You can smoke weed, cigarettes, do lines, do what the fuck you want except fucking. Unfortunately I went on a bad night, too many dudes. It was a sausage fest haha. And make sure to have exact change, the midget waiter took like 15 minutes to get me change. Hate hassling about that. Half bottle of rum was 90 mil and cover is 20 mil for guys and 10 mil for girls.

Man I use to be to able party hard, and I still do, but now that I'm about to be 40 (I know not that old but ain't that young) I can't hang with these 18 yr olds anymore. Well I'm still going to try!

Arrived on Tuesday. Enjoy my usual afternoon non-pro snack. She's is finishing her HS classes, so she needed to release some stress.

Went out on Tuesday night with two chicas, probably both well-known the guys on the board who use FB. Went to Gatos to eat (it's on a street just beyond Lleras). They have some interesting drinks and the food is decent. It was 11 by the time we finished and we knew that things would close officially at 12. Tried to go to one club down near Ibiza, but it was closed. Ended up going to a club I've been to a few times on La 33. The current name seems to be Club Exclusivo, but no sign out front. In fact, if you did not know it was there, you would never find it. Given COVID and their desire to stay out late, they have one guy (the "look out" as I call him) sitting near the street telling those who arrive that they are open. The two doors are sound-proof. You hear nothing. You see nothing. 10 mil for chicas, 20 mil for chicos. They play decent music (DJ). Bottle of rum was 160 mil. Not a huge crowd, since it was Tuesday. I think they stay open until 2. Just an option should you want to continue your party. Bring your own chica.

I passed on the 80 mil Thanksgiving dinner at Patrick's. Will probably stop by Lleras tomorrow and give a report. It will NOT be in Gusto's! Jejejej.

[Blakman]

I got to experience balling through you. Thanks man. Tonight I will see if its okay to go out. Fase dos

10 k entry (cash only).

770 k VIP area + bottle of your choice (270 k Absolut looked on the lower end, and I went with 440 k 23 yr Zacapa).

Mixers included.

The space is big, and we had a group of 6 that turned into 8 before closing time. The Zacapa was bullshit, and I had the manager come discuss it. It was like rum water. The smell and taste was weak compared to every other bottle of Zacapa I have ever had. The pitcher of cola was disgustingly flat. However, the sparklers were really cool and the ice was cold! I finally gave up complaining about the rum, because nothing was going to be done. We got free bottles of Coca Cola for our trouble.

I saw a familiar face in the crowd, whom I didn't know to be a Gusto girl, but it makes perfect sense. She is one that really hit it off with Pinky, but I phased-out because she always wants 250 k and wasn't really making my head spin. She's a cool chick though. She gave me shit for never inviting her over anymore. The crowd wasn't too big, but there were plenty of options available for those looking.

We started the evening with an early Thanksgiving dinner, then popped by Envy Rooftop for a couple drinks. My friend was told 830 p and showed up on the dot. Pinky's friends were told 8 p and showed up at 850 p and 10 p. Eso es Colombia. There seemed to be a good amount of girls walking the park and Calle 10, last night.

Lots of the normal discos around Calle 10 are closed or limited to just the weekends, still. So, we tried Gusto. I wouldn't recommend balling there, at all. That being said, I knew exactly what to expect and wanted a different vibe than Bendito Seas.

.

[SlapShot10]

10 k entry (cash only).

770 k VIP area + bottle of your choice (270 k Absolut looked on the lower end, and I went with 440 k 23 yr Zacapa).

Mixers included.

The space is big, and we had a group of 6 that turned into 8 before closing time. The Zacapa was bullshit, and I had the manager come discuss it. It was like rum water. The smell and taste was weak compared to every other bottle of Zacapa I have ever had. The pitcher of cola was disgustingly flat. However, the sparklers were really cool and the ice was cold! I finally gave up complaining about the rum, because nothing was going to be done. We got free bottles of Coca Cola for our trouble.

I saw a familiar face in the crowd, whom I didn't know to be a Gusto girl, but it makes perfect sense. She is one that really hit it off with Pinky, but I phased-out because she always wants 250 k and wasn't really making my head spin. She's a cool chick though. She gave me shit for never inviting her over anymore. The crowd wasn't too big, but there were plenty of options available for those looking.

We started the evening with an early Thanksgiving dinner, then popped by Envy Rooftop for a couple drinks. My friend was told 830 p and showed up on the dot. Pinky's friends were told 8 p and showed up at 850 p and 10 p. Eso es Colombia. There seemed to be a good amount of girls walking the park and Calle 10, last night.

Lots of the normal discos around Calle 10 are closed or limited to just the weekends, still. So, we tried Gusto. I wouldn't recommend balling there, at all. That being said, I knew exactly what to expect and wanted a different vibe than Bendito Seas.

[Combo]

Suggested discussion topic: From all the available women here, how do you choose?

Possible answers: Proximity, ease, age, physique, face, tits, ass, price, attitude, costume, skills, chemistry, impulse.

Personally, I choose by combo of looks and attitude, keep for chemistry and love of tongue.

BTW, regular who also works at Aiffe told me she earns 28 for half hour and 50 for hour. Last I looked, customers pay 50 and 80 there.

Well the house usually does take some of what you pay. I've heard it's typically around half, so what she told you makes sense.