Medellin Reports

[Dickhead]

I stand corrected in that I forgot the value of a driver's license for when you need to use a credit card, because of course I do not recommend using credit cards. I rather suspect you could use any laminated expired ID with a credit card as well because they usually don't even know what the hell ID you are handing them. I have an expired food handler's card with my picture that I use in the grocery store here in Central América on the rare occasions I use my credit card.

I don't know how many of you guys have tried to get a new driver's license from scratch in the states recently but it ain't easy and so I would not be wanting to carry my driver's license around and do not. I have the passport card and would recommend that as an alternative.

As an aside, I was once able to rent a car in Chile with a driver's license that had been expired for a couple of months because of the whole thing about day / month / year versus the stupid US system of month / day / year for birthdates and expiration dates.

Just to give a general heads' up, losing or replacing your driver's license is way way WAY more hassle than it used to be. You are not going to walk out of the DMV with a new license. They are going to want to mail it to you to prove you live where you say you do. You have to verify your citizenship and your Social Security number and your address and it is a genuine fucking pain in the ass.

[Combo]

Bought my ticket for Medellin and ready for the plunge. Given there is not much to do in Medellin I intend to take two day trips-one to Laguna de Guatape and the other to Leticia to see the Amazon river.

I would imagine that a town like Leticia that is right on the border of several countries has some mongering activities avaliable. Anyone have an experiences or info to share about Leticia?

Showdown.

For Leticia, bring you mosquito repellant.

[ColombiaLover]

I actually carry my driver's license with me as a form of foto ID when I use my credit card. Some places are not thrilled with a photocopy of my passport, but I've never had any restaurant or store have a problem with my driver's license as a form of ID to support that the credit card is mine.

The copy of your passport should include the stamp. That said, I've never bothered with it and never had a problem. I guess there is always a first time. I have been stopped by the cops on three occasions, but they never were worried about me. Rather they carded and searched the putas that were with me in the taxi.

Finally, I do carry a debit card when I go out (just in case I run out of cash). However, I have a separate bank account in which I only keep 600 mil or less. So if the card ever got stolen or I was forced to use it, I would lose no more than $200. That said, I have never had anything stolen from me and have never been held up/robbed. Again, there is always a first time. But I've had great luck in Colombia for over 11 years and probably 100 trips.

That's a good point about the phone. Why don't you leave your good phone in the hotel and carry some old piece of shit as a decoy?

Your license isn't worth anything in Colombia. What you want to do as soon as you get there is get a photocopy on one single page where one side shows the declaration page of your passport and the other said shows the visa stamp when you entered the country. Different people are going to tell you different things about credit cards but I don't use them in bars or *****houses anywhere in the world. I might use one in a big chain grocery store or something. And you definitely don't want to go out at night with a debit card, where crooks could take you to an ATM at gunpoint and make you withdraw as much as possible.

[Blue Touch]

Buy a cheap phone either in the USA Or Colombia.

Hi,

I'll be going to Medellin next week and have been reading some stories about issues with getting robbed by knife / gun point. I definitely want to enjoy myself out there but definitely don't want any issues.

From your personal experience, how is Medellin in terms of safety?

Should I bring my cell phone out with me? A part of me feels like if I leave it at the apartment and god forbid someone tries to rob me, if I say I don't have a phone on me they will think I'm lying to them.

Should I just bring out my license and a debit / credit card only? Or just bring out cash?

Any other tips I should follow to try to be as safe as possible?

Thank you!

[JjBee62]

Hi,

I'll be going to Medellin next week and have been reading some stories about issues with getting robbed by knife / gun point. I definitely want to enjoy myself out there but definitely don't want any issues.

From your personal experience, how is Medellin in terms of safety?

Should I bring my cell phone out with me? A part of me feels like if I leave it at the apartment and god forbid someone tries to rob me, if I say I don't have a phone on me they will think I'm lying to them.

Should I just bring out my license and a debit / credit card only? Or just bring out cash?

Any other tips I should follow to try to be as safe as possible?

Thank you!

Your safety in Medellin depends on you. Over the past 7 months I've walked about 900 miles, most of it in Medellin. I haven't had anything close to a problem. I am almost always carrying at least 300 k pesos, a good phone and my debit card. I may also be carrying my laptop. Most of the miles are in Poblado, since I live and work here, although I do frequent walk through in Mayorista.

If I'm going to El Centro, I will leave the laptop at home and carry less cash.

In my opinion, nobody has bothered me because I don't look like a target. I'm not gawking, looking at my phone and trying to figure out where I'm going. I don't look confused or lost. I look like I know exactly what I'm doing and where I'm going.

Most of the thieves are looking for a quick, easy score. If you're already confused, they know you're an easy target. If you're drunk or distracted, you're an easy target. They know you won't take any decisive action. You'll hand over everything before you realize what's happening.

My advice, don't walk around areas you're not familiar with, especially at night. The exception is Parque Lleras. Take a taxi to the door, if you're going to a club or casa. Split your cash. Don't keep it all in one pocket. If you must use your phone, do it on a busy street, step out of the flow and put your back to the wall. Keep aware of people around you.

If you keep your wits about you and be smart the risk goes way down.

[Dickhead]

Should I bring my cell phone out with me? A part of me feels like if I leave it at the apartment and god forbid someone tries to rob me, if I say I don't have a phone on me they will think I'm lying to them.

Should I just bring out my license and a debit / credit card only? Or just bring out cash?

That's a good point about the phone. Why don't you leave your good phone in the hotel and carry some old piece of shit as a decoy?

Your license isn't worth anything in Colombia. What you want to do as soon as you get there is get a photocopy on one single page where one side shows the declaration page of your passport and the other said shows the visa stamp when you entered the country. Different people are going to tell you different things about credit cards but I don't use them in bars or *****houses anywhere in the world. I might use one in a big chain grocery store or something. And you definitely don't want to go out at night with a debit card, where crooks could take you to an ATM at gunpoint and make you withdraw as much as possible.

[Dickhead]

Bought my ticket for Medellin and ready for the plunge. Given there is not much to do in Medellin I intend to take two day trips-one to Laguna de Guatape and the other to Leticia to see the Amazon river.

I would imagine that a town like Leticia that is right on the border of several countries has some mongering activities avaliable. Anyone have an experiences or info to share about Leticia?

Showdown.

Ja ja. First place I ever had South American pussy, in 1977. I don't remember the exchange rate at the time but the cost was about three dollars. Two local guys took me down this path into the jungle and I figured I would be robbed, shot, and left for dead. Nah. We went a few hundred meters and reached a clearing where there were four bar / wh at rehouses in a square pattern. Reminded me of one of the towns in Nevada, I think Winnemucca or maybe Elko, that had the same square pattern with four houses. The woman and I (I was a mere lad at the time) went out the back door of the place and I was thinking they had rooms back there. No. We walked about twenty meters into the darkness and she threw a blanket down on the ground y punto.

Then the two guys introduced me to a big fat dude with a whole lot of gold jewelry who sold me so much fucking weed for like five dollars, I couldn't come close to smoking it all so I gave it to the guy who took me to the airport. Turns out the guy who sold me the dope was head of customs for the whole region or province (department? I forget what they call them in Colombia) and he pulled my sister and me out of the huge line on the sweltering tarmac and we shot the shit in his little shaded palapa until it was time to board. Sister was like what the fuck was that and I just said it was a long story.

I imagine one or two things may have changed in forty years but I would bet several thousand colombian pesos that you can still find pussy there!

[DennisDucati]

Hi,

I'll be going to Medellin next week and have been reading some stories about issues with getting robbed by knife / gun point. I definitely want to enjoy myself out there but definitely don't want any issues.

From your personal experience, how is Medellin in terms of safety?

Should I bring my cell phone out with me? A part of me feels like if I leave it at the apartment and god forbid someone tries to rob me, if I say I don't have a phone on me they will think I'm lying to them.

Should I just bring out my license and a debit / credit card only? Or just bring out cash?

Any other tips I should follow to try to be as safe as possible?

Thank you!

[Showdown]

Bought my ticket for Medellin and ready for the plunge. Given there is not much to do in Medellin I intend to take two day trips-one to Laguna de Guatape and the other to Leticia to see the Amazon river.

I would imagine that a town like Leticia that is right on the border of several countries has some mongering activities avaliable. Anyone have an experiences or info to share about Leticia?

Showdown.

[SBeach25]

Disagree with you and agree with Sbeach. Centro, except casas, is not a place for non-Spanish speaker. Non-speakers just do not see the dangers, tricks and problems.

Again, don't be that guy. It amazes me the gringo mentality because we are not aware of our surroundings. No matter where I walk, I was do the 360 degree scope. Look behind you every few steps and make eye contact if a guy is looking at you acknowledge them. This incident happened in broad daylight and I bet he was already marked so it was just a matter of time. They were already hunting and saw the target. Happens all the time.

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...1-Cali-Reports

[Rodeo9112]

The cheap option is the bus from the north bus terminal, about 12,000 pesos or 4 US dollars each way, plus the metro fare or cab to the bus terminal. The trip takes about 90 minutes on the bus. You can just hire a car, Vico Zul for example, which might cost $100 US for the day or so. Boat tours on the reservoir are also inexpensive, as are horseback rides and other activities. The lakefront is lined with restaurants. The piedra del peol is on the way, perhaps 10 km? Before Guatape. There are several nice hotels around the town and on the waterfront. You can find them on any of the hotel booking sites. Hotel Verony is quite nice with a big pool and outdoor jacuzzi. The Hotel Charlee has a luxury property if you want to spoil yourself and your companion. There are no casas or clubs. It is a very small town so bring your date from Medellin. For more see https://wikitravel.org/en/Guatape.

Great info! Thank you.

[Dickhead]

You can see they are much more relaxed speaking their native language and it helped with the experience.

This, and exactly this.

[Dickhead]

Though hardcore non-speakers will and always profess here that it doesn't detract from their experience, it really does, regardless if one admits it or not.

Yep. But they may actually have experiences in Spanish-speaking countries that are so much better than their previous experiences that they can't see how it could get any better.

It does. Learning Spanish from point zero costs a lot, in terms of effort, but then it just pays and pays and pays. For those who are getting to an intermediate level, I recommend a couple of things. First, go someplace for a couple of months and don't hang out with gringos. Second, buy the newspaper every day and see how far you can get through it. Make the buying process an interactive exchange with your neighborhood newspaper vendor, who probably needs the extra two cents your newspaper purchase brings him or her (but usually him for whatever reason). Reading the paper also puts you into the loop of current events, which gives you Spanish conversation topics. Third, listen to Spanish radio and TV exclusively. Fourth, try to let the Spanish wash over you instead of translating everything in your mind.

I knew I was getting close when I started having dreams in Spanish.

[PianoPlayer]

For those who have been, would you please describe the costs associated with taking a trip out to Guatape. Please include any recreational expenses (boat rental, jet ski rental, etc), transportation to / from, food on site, etc etc. I'm also interested to know of any lodging options in the area as well as private spots to get a bang or BJ in!

Thanks in advance.

The cheap option is the bus from the north bus terminal, about 12,000 pesos or 4 US dollars each way, plus the metro fare or cab to the bus terminal. The trip takes about 90 minutes on the bus. You can just hire a car, Vico Zul for example, which might cost $100 US for the day or so. Boat tours on the reservoir are also inexpensive, as are horseback rides and other activities. The lakefront is lined with restaurants. The piedra del peñol is on the way, perhaps 10 km? Before Guatape. There are several nice hotels around the town and on the waterfront. You can find them on any of the hotel booking sites. Hotel Verony is quite nice with a big pool and outdoor jacuzzi. The Hotel Charlee has a luxury property if you want to spoil yourself and your companion. There are no casas or clubs. It is a very small town so bring your date from Medellin. For more see https://wikitravel.org/en/Guatape.

[Judd]

Thanks for your perspective.

I started this hobby many years ago in SF and migrated south. My best spanish was google translator. I maybe had 20 words in my spanish vault most was from ordering TacoBell. So for years I didn't care about taking spanish seriously so I just went with the flow. Sure the first few years in Tijuana was fun as hell but now I know better and thinking back I can see how big of a mistake I made in not learning the language. So I decided to go to MDE for that.

My first trip to MDE. I rented a apartment for a couple of months in San Diego area of MDE. I knew close to nothing and yes those 20 words. My first day was almost a disaster. I didn't know the area, had no ability to communicate with the locals except with my phone. My phone was dying and I needed to get back to my apartment and only had the address on my phone. The cab driver did not know the area and we drove for like 40 minutes trying to find it. Anyways, I enrolled into UPB for a month and it was a waste of money. I learned only how to pronounce the letters and a few words. Again, a waste. Luckily, I was able to connect to some vets like Jonsie and VegasJeff. They helped out tremendously in showing me around when doing casa runs and I was still learning the FB game. Gave me a few pointers on how to lay low. One, don't look like a gringo. Can't say it enough. Since the gringo footprint has grown since my first experience, the locals have some what adjusted but believe me, they think you look stupid. So as time went, I started to pick up some key words and phrases. This helped but I was no where near what I needed. 2 months passed and I maybe increased my Spanish by maybe 15%. Still had the minimal experience I had and still had fun.

Month 3, decided to live in Poblado. Well, this is where I grew exponentially. Enrolled into EAFIT. Dedicated really hard into learning the language. Met many fellow expats. Had a much better experience. Did my casa runs and FB girls. Man, I'm thinking. This is the life.

To make it short, like those that have lived there I would recommend taking taking their advice. I have witnessed many times where gringos stand out and targeted to be robbed. Once down the very same street as New Life. Yep, that is true. Not going into details of that because that is the not the point of this posting and frankly I don't give a S**t. I'm not saying it happens all the time but the chances are greater in central.

Back to the US and going to Tijuana. Wow, my skill improved and now I can talk more with the girls at the bars. You can see they are much more relaxed speaking their native language and it helped with the experience. Same girls I had before I left are now providing better services. Could be I was a regular or not. But a couple now were open to hanging out else where. Go to dance clubs and a nice GFE with them. Yes, some gave it to me for free after that. So I decided I needed to learn more Spanish and on my second trip, I went for 5 months. Absorbed as much as possible and yes my game is better.

If you want a less frustration, go stay in Poblado. If you like a challenge and can deal with it and think you are getting a great experience. Well you are not. Not without the language and the lay of the land and culture. Go stay in Central. The choice is yours. If you want to keep having to walk around with your guard up at a high level by all means go to central. But if you want to keep your guard up low and relax a little more, go to poblado. Enjoying a vacation is about relaxing and enjoying the environment. If you enjoy the challenges on what ever level you prefer by all means the final decision is yours.

This agree, disagree yeah its good that others chime in on the experience. The question comes down to what type of experience you would want on this first experience.