Medellin Reports

[Oterri]

Colombia has the regional lock thing. If you bring a phone in and it is not registered properly with the government after about 30 days it will be locked no matter what carrier SIM you have. You may have an initial window, but when you get the warning message you do need to go to the carrier and get them to register your phone IME properly. They need to use your ID, in the case of visitors that is your passport. If you don't have it properly registered no Colombian SIM will work - your phone will be effectively blocked in Colombia.

The lock you have mentioned is regional lock or a country lock. Completely different that a region lock used by Samsung which in turn is completely different than a carrier lock.

[Knowledge]

That one I do know about. It is not regional. It is Colombian. The subject comes up pretty regularly in this group. I run into it every time I get a new phone. It used to be a real pain until Claro set up a way to register phones on their website or via their app. Carrier locking prevents you using a SIM card issued by another carrier in a phone unless the phone is unlocked. It is neither regional nor country specific. I haven't bought a phone via a carrier in many years. When you run the numbers, the subsidy carriers give you combined with the rate plan requirements make the cost of buying an unlocked phone outright cheaper. That doesn't matter to people who can't come up with US $1,500 to buy a phone outright. Like many other marketing schemes, the carrier subsidy takes advantage of people with limited financial needs. It's the mobile phone equivalent of barrio stores that sell slices of cheese, loose cigarettes, and individual tampons for less than the cost of a full package but at a much higher individual cost.

Colombia has the regional lock thing. If you bring a phone in and it is not registered properly with the government after about 30 days it will be locked no matter what carrier SIM you have. You may have an initial window, but when you get the warning message you do need to go to the carrier and get them to register your phone IME properly. They need to use your ID, in the case of visitors that is your passport. If you don't have it properly registered no Colombian SIM will work - your phone will be effectively blocked in Colombia.

[Mojo Bandit]

I will need a Cardiac Ablasion in '24 and was wondering if anyone has had any experience in Medellin (there are a couple of hospitals that do it). I'm American and my insurance deductible is quite high so if I can schedule a procedure I usually do it overseas. A couple of years ago I had hernia surgery in Costa Rica and after a week of fun then surgery and recovery, my out of pocket was less than my deductible. I've had work done in Thailand, China, Taiwan and Australia and always came away cheaper than my deductible, so if I can have some fun and save money, why not. Any experience?

You should post this question with the expats groups in Colombia on Facebook. I know there are at least a few groups and youll find more people actually living in Colombia

[Zeos1]

I was not aware there is such a thing as region locked phones. I am aware of carrier (e. G. Tigo, Claro, at&t etc.) locked phones.

Colombia has the regional lock thing. If you bring a phone in and it is not registered properly with the government after about 30 days it will be locked no matter what carrier SIM you have. You may have an initial window, but when you get the warning message you do need to go to the carrier and get them to register your phone IME properly. They need to use your ID, in the case of visitors that is your passport. If you don't have it properly registered no Colombian SIM will work - your phone will be effectively blocked in Colombia.

[Knowledge]

I was not aware there is such a thing as region locked phones. I am aware of carrier (e. G. Tigo, Claro, at&t etc.) locked phones.

Dual SIM has nothing to do with region locks. I have a dual sim phone that was region locked and hell of a time to get it unlocked. A real nightmare. Region locks are used to prevent sellers buying brand new phones from cheaper countries and selling them in where costs are higher. To remove region lock one must insert a local sim and make a 5 minutes call, then the phone is no longer brand new in the box.

But if someone has bought samsung a series phones in Colombia, never made any call in Colombia and still managed to use the phone in US then they are not region locked. If they work in Costa Rica but not in US they are region locked.

[VanessasClient]

I have mongered all over Latin America. All the top spots pose risks. I have run into problems in every destination except Panama and that is also because I was only in Panama a week. Without a doubt Cartagena is the most dangerous place for petty and serious crime, but they can all be dangerous even if you are not being stupid. The article makes sense, hopefully tourists pick safer more enjoyable destinations. I still love Medellin and Colombia, but its no longer my number one and I will never return to Cartagena. Well maybe I would under some circumstances, those vennies are fucking sexy haha.

Cartagena has been known for being one of the safest places in the country as long as you stay inside the old city walls. While it is not uncommon to get pick pocketed or hounded by beggars, I don't hear many reports of violence inside the ancient city. Outside of the clock tower area, especially further south, things can get dangerous rather quickly.

In Colombia all you can do is try to mitigate your risks; certain behaviors are more risky than others. Having a local guide is the best way to stay out of trouble. Of course, many locals frown upon sex tourism, so finding the right native who is going to give you sound advice can be tricky.

[RaulDepac]

I will need a Cardiac Ablasion in '24 and was wondering if anyone has had any experience in Medellin (there are a couple of hospitals that do it). I'm American and my insurance deductible is quite high so if I can schedule a procedure I usually do it overseas. A couple of years ago I had hernia surgery in Costa Rica and after a week of fun then surgery and recovery, my out of pocket was less than my deductible. I've had work done in Thailand, China, Taiwan and Australia and always came away cheaper than my deductible, so if I can have some fun and save money, why not. Any experience?

[Combo]

The city that probably fits you is Sao Paulo. Go check out the Sao Paulo thread. Their clubs are larger and more luxurious than what you see in Medellin. You need to prepare for a larger budget. Just to give you an idea, the cover ranges from 10 USD to 100 USD. You will see more than 100 girls in the popular ones on most nights. In the best clubs, most girls will have no problem making out with you like a girlfriends before the session to get your business, and you are unlikely to have a bad session because of that. I asked do you like to kiss, she said yes, then I said show me, next we are on the sofa making out. LOL I paid 3 times as much for in-call in Sao Paulo than in Medelln for the girl from the clubs. I can find cheaper if I want to spend the time but it will still be more than twice the cost of Medellin after all said and done.

I was going to suggest the same. He seems comfortable paying $200 USD or more for his encounters. For that type of monger, São Paulo is the perfect location. Quantity and quality of women is unparalleled, especially for big spenders. You can do it cheaper (the clinicas are great deals), but he will be in heaven hanging out in Scandallo, Bomboa, Cafe Photo, etc.

[RamDavidson84]

Why the hell would someone travel all the way outside of the US just to go somewhere that felt like they never left the US?

Think hard. Pussy.

[Surfer500]

You are describing it like there is no foreigners in El Centro, and who do you think are all the victims in El Centro. Where do you think someone will come up from behind to steal from me in the crowd because I wear shorts? You know there is another poster living there like me. He is more a centro rat then me.

My point is that if your wearing shorts in Centro you may be assumed to be a foreigner, not that you may be robbed for wearing shorts. And yes, since the Pandemic ended there are a lot more foreigners in Centro, yet the victims of crime in Centro are primarily locals versus foreigners if that's what your asking.

[Nounce]

in-call

Should be outcall.

[Nounce]

...
As an example, if your walking in Centro and someone sees you from behind, not being able to see your front side meaning your face, etc. You may be assumed to be a foreigner versus in Poblado where it's common place to see people wearing shorts.

You are describing it like there is no foreigners in El Centro, and who do you think are all the victims in El Centro. Where do you think someone will come up from behind to steal from me in the crowd because I wear shorts? You know there is another poster living there like me. He is more a centro rat then me.

[Nounce]

Just judging by your definition it sounds like I would just love medellin more and I should just revisit it. Panama sounds fun but just too much like vegas. I really enjoy the club scene pick up....

The city that probably fits you is Sao Paulo. Go check out the Sao Paulo thread. Their clubs are larger and more luxurious than what you see in Medellin. You need to prepare for a larger budget. Just to give you an idea, the cover ranges from 10 USD to 100 USD. You will see more than 100 girls in the popular ones on most nights. In the best clubs, most girls will have no problem making out with you like a girlfriends before the session to get your business, and you are unlikely to have a bad session because of that. I asked do you like to kiss, she said yes, then I said show me, next we are on the sofa making out. LOL I paid 3 times as much for in-call in Sao Paulo than in Medelln for the girl from the clubs. I can find cheaper if I want to spend the time but it will still be more than twice the cost of Medellin after all said and done.

[Oterri]

My understanding is that it is required when flying from Colombia to CR except when you have stayed in major cities like Bogota, Medellin and Cali.

1. Can someone please confirm if it is so?

2. If I do decide to get one in Medellin, will it be "easy" to have it back dated a few days so as to get past the 10 days before arrival in CR issue?

TIA for sharing your experiences.

[Oterri]

You are ahead of the game. Dual SIM phones are always unlocked. They are also a good option for guys who are afraid to take their more expensive phones on the street because they can use them with their home SIM card and a local SIM. I've seen them sold for as little as 150,000 in the Opera mall.

Dual SIM has nothing to do with region locks. I have a dual sim phone that was region locked and hell of a time to get it unlocked. A real nightmare. Region locks are used to prevent sellers buying brand new phones from cheaper countries and selling them in where costs are higher. To remove region lock one must insert a local sim and make a 5 minutes call, then the phone is no longer brand new in the box.

But if someone has bought samsung a series phones in Colombia, never made any call in Colombia and still managed to use the phone in US then they are not region locked. If they work in Costa Rica but not in US they are region locked.