Medellin Reports

[Surfer500]

The cambiar houses are going for around 3250 to 1.

Chase is giving me the same once all the fees are added up.

I'the Banco Colombia offers the same rather change out the usd I have here.

You will always get a better rate using an ATM versus exchanging USD in Colombia for Pesos. I understand some guys won't do that for personal reasons like a wife at home who handles the finances, guys not wanting anybody to be able to see the withdrawals being made, but in an emergency, such as the ATM cards not working, or being lost / stolen, it is always a good idea to have some USD while outside the USA. I personally have at least $ 2,000 in USD locked up in my security box, and carry two ATM's from different banks in case one doesn't work, and two credit cards as well, but unless I'm making a major purchase for something, I always pay in cash.

[Rextor]

Excellent explanation of a confusing process. Some ATMs will exit the transaction when you decline the offered rate. Most Bancolombia cajeros will carry out the transaction after you decline the USD conversion offered. But, some of their machines do not continue if you decline the conversion. It may be a software issue. Download the OANDA currency converter app to follow exchange and commission rates daily.

God, my dumb ass has been being ripped off consistently for the past year then. When I'm paying at a restaurant with my credit card I always decline the conversion, but didn't know I can decline for ATMs too. As you said, maybe I just need to try a few more that don't decline me if I reject the conversion.

[Sangnyc21]

Bancolombia will exchange USD to COP for non-account holders, albeit they will hose you on the exchange rate.

The cambiar houses are going for around 3250 to 1.

Chase is giving me the same once all the fees are added up.

I'the Banco Colombia offers the same rather change out the usd I have here.

[SpiderRider]

I was looking at prepago ads on Milroticos and Photoprepagos I am seeing ads for some top-tier looking prepagos for average 60,000 COP for an hour?! That's like $17.00 USD!

Is this for real? Have the prepagos really become this desparate? That really puts the pandemic into economic perspective for Colombia. WOW!

You're catching on. And, those rates are nothing new with the alleged virus problem. The economy here is weak to say the least. Have fun, show respect and gratitude, and don't be an ass.

[SpiderRider]

Yes. This is a worldwide thing not just Colombia. There are usually two options when you make a withdrawal. One is that the local bank does the conversion at a bad rate. The other is that YOUR bank does the conversion at the competitive spot rate more or less. They try to word it so it confuses you and you pick the wrong one imo!

You want the one that is something like "bill in Pesos" or whatever the local currency is. If you choose the one that is "convert USD" or whatever that's the local rip off. Read carefully. But in essence you want to withdrawal pesos billed in Pesos. Anything that is conversion or has USD on it is likely the bad one.

Excellent explanation of a confusing process. Some ATMs will exit the transaction when you decline the offered rate. Most Bancolombia cajeros will carry out the transaction after you decline the USD conversion offered. But, some of their machines do not continue if you decline the conversion. It may be a software issue. Download the OANDA currency converter app to follow exchange and commission rates daily.

[ColombiaLover]

It's all about the porteros or security. Just treat them well and you probably won't have an issue. Tell the girls to dress normal, not like a hooker. Maybe you meet them outside and accompany them in. When I rent, I always rent for two people. Be careful of buildings that limit the number of guests you can have in your time there.

I kind of feel the same about the pretty faces younger and good hygiene. Can't blame those standards.

But. He does have a question the board might help with. I have been looking at Airbnbs and almost all now are "no prostitution" And that sucks, but that seems to be the most common policy. How to get around that? You can rent an airbnb for under 1 k easy for the month, but you are only doing incall at most of these places from the reading of things.

Even if this topic has been covered it is relevant as of 2021 so what is work around?

[OldSchool318]

Really appreciate the reply. I will definitely spend some more time reading up on things in the forum. In general I am quite "adventurous" when it comes to new places and not knowing the language. I tried the p2 p scene in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and loved it.

Pretty face good hygiene and young age are really my only requirements.

Anyway I appreciate the help and will read up some more.

I kind of feel the same about the pretty faces younger and good hygiene. Can't blame those standards.

But. He does have a question the board might help with. I have been looking at Airbnbs and almost all now are "no prostitution" And that sucks, but that seems to be the most common policy. How to get around that? You can rent an airbnb for under 1 k easy for the month, but you are only doing incall at most of these places from the reading of things.

Even if this topic has been covered it is relevant as of 2021 so what is work around?

[VsebudetNY]

I was looking at prepago ads on Milroticos and Photoprepagos I am seeing ads for some top-tier looking prepagos for average 60,000 COP for an hour?! That's like $17.00 USD!

Is this for real? Have the prepagos really become this desparate? That really puts the pandemic into economic perspective for Colombia. WOW!

It is real: here is the screenshot of Whatsapp convo with Eros Spa (2 month ago before they started charging additional 10 K for the room) and some of the pictures they sent.
P.S. And that hour includes CBJ and 2 leches (if you can do it), 30K additional for BBBJ.

[Surfer500]

This is how I understand it:

- 90-Day maximum stay.

- 180 days maximum in a calendar year.

- 90-Day permit can be extended online to 180 days.

My question is:

Can I leave the country on Day 90, and return for another 90, without applying for an extension? I believe the answer to be yes, but maybe some one knows for sure or has done this before.

My current apartment lease & my 90 days coincide. I was thinking about going to Brazil for a week or two, then coming back for another 3 months. Then, maybe looking into a longer-term visa option.

Technically speaking, once you exit the Country, upon re-entering, you would not be able to extend your previous visa upon entry.

So I think your question is, and what you meant is, "upon leaving the Country, and returning back within a few weeks, is there going to be an issue with Migracion giving you another visa for 90 days. And I don't know the answer to that.

[Argo1990]

You really, really need to invest some time in reading the forum. There's a great deal you should learn before taking the plunge. Once you have a better grasp of the fundamentals you can ask targeted questions about specific subjects.

While you're at it do an honest assessment of what you want. What's your comfort zone? Not knowing the language or the country can be intimidating and frustrating. What's your ideal experience?

To answer your question, I usually pay around $60 for a girl I would consider comparable. Depending on my mood and schedule she'll stay from 1 to 4 hours, even longer at times.

Finding a girl on Tinder who will do pay for play is about as hard as finding a fat woman at an Alabama Walmart. There have been some safety concerns involving Tinder girls in recent years.

The only thing underground in Medellin are parking garages and the Grill Nueva strip club. Prostitution is mainstream.

My preferred source for women is Facebook. Scroll back through the messages and you'll find Nounce's post with a link to my post on how to get started.

Really appreciate the reply. I will definitely spend some more time reading up on things in the forum. In general I am quite "adventurous" when it comes to new places and not knowing the language. I tried the p2 p scene in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and loved it.

Been to Ukraine and Thailand multiple times but Ukraine didn't blow my mind in terms of service and Thailand is getting stale at this point (been 7 times).

What I'm looking for is preferrably young girls (20-24) with pretty faces and decent bodies on a budget. Not necessarily because I don't have money but rather if I already decide to go on a mongering trip then I really want to go ham and have like 3-4 girls a day (if I have the power for it) and tip for good service. Not really feasible for me if the starting fees are already 100 USD plus for example.

Thats why I think Colombia might be a good fit for me if I don't end up getting robbed or stabbed.

Pretty face good hygiene and young age are really my only requirements.

Anyway I appreciate the help and will read up some more.

[Surfer500]

I suspect that Colombian banks, if they will do currency exchange will only do it for their account holders. From my research 2 years ago I found that US banks were all over the place with exchange rates. Huge differences.

If I need currency exchange in Medellin, I go to Oviedo mall. There are several Cambios and most have their current rate displayed, so you can compare without going inside.

100 mil notes? Give me 50's. They're easier to break so I can get enough small bills.

Bancolombia will exchange USD to COP for non-account holders, albeit they will hose you on the exchange rate.

[Steve 9696]

Wait, so you're saying that I have an option of declining the conversion rate that the ATM displays? The ATM usually informs me that in addition to the flat fee (which Schwab reimburses) there is a 5-7% conversion fee. We can actually decline that and still get cash out of Colombian ATMs? I was under the impression that declining the rate means that you the transaction wouldn't be processed.

Yes. This is a worldwide thing not just Colombia. There are usually two options when you make a withdrawal. One is that the local bank does the conversion at a bad rate. The other is that YOUR bank does the conversion at the competitive spot rate more or less. They try to word it so it confuses you and you pick the wrong one imo!

You want the one that is something like "bill in Pesos" or whatever the local currency is. If you choose the one that is "convert USD" or whatever that's the local rip off. Read carefully. But in essence you want to withdrawal pesos billed in Pesos. Anything that is conversion or has USD on it is likely the bad one.

[Orgasm Donor]

I had some work done in Medellin, a crown and a couple fillings redone. At this particular office there must have been 5 or 6 chairs, a dentist working each one. So I wasn't sure of the skill of the dentist that was assigned to me. The fitting of the crown was just adequate. Maybe their strong point is cosmetic dentistry? Anyhow, fast forward a year I went to Tijuana to get a emergency root canal (try finding a San Diego dentist on a Saturday) got an appointment, root canal and permanent crown and was out of there in 5 hours! The really made it great was the crown was computer modeled in a machine and was a PERFECT FIT on the first try! That is the hard part with crowns is when you already been in the chair for hours and you are exhausted and doing that painfully tedious final fitting you have to live with. Just saying if you can find an office with computer modeled crowns that is the ticket. I don't know if they have that technology in Medellin yet. Oh, and in Tijuana it was $700. In the USA it could have been $7000.

Yes and No, I came to Medellin to meet girls, in the process, I found out that many of the girls in Medellin had perfect teeth, I wanted to know how they did it and was introduced to a cosmetic dentist. I did a consult, got a price and the rest is history, I am more than satisfied with my results. Most of the people who see me in the US are amazed at the quality of work that the dentist in Medellin did, if you would like his information you'll have to PM me, if not a member then it will be difficult to make contact. There are many dentist you can see in Medellin, I am more than pleased with the once I was recommended. Hope this helped out a little bit, Pollo Negro is out!

[Mr Enternational]

Wait, so you're saying that I have an option of declining the conversion rate that the ATM displays? The ATM usually informs me that in addition to the flat fee (which Schwab reimburses) there is a 5-7% conversion fee. We can actually decline that and still get cash out of Colombian ATMs? I was under the impression that declining the rate means that you the transaction wouldn't be processed.

LOL. Declining the rate does not mean declining the transaction. Accepting the rate means consenting to being ripped off.

[Mr Enternational]

I was looking at prepago ads on Milroticos and Photoprepagos I am seeing ads for some top-tier looking prepagos for average 60,000 COP for an hour?! That's like $17.00 USD!

Is this for real? Have the prepagos really become this desparate? That really puts the pandemic into economic perspective for Colombia. WOW!

That is not desperate. That is a normal price if you are a local. Foreigners have been paying a jacked up price for so long, that when they see the normal price they think something is wrong.