Medellin Reports

[Lucky Nuts]

I never want to have a lot of cash on me, as in bringing cash from home to exchange when I'm there. So I always just withdraw pesos using my debit card. My bank charges 5 bucks for foreign withdrawals. Normal for Canadian banks, and no matter how you get your money you also are charged for exchanging the money based on the rate they give you. Not a direct charge.

Banks will often say. Oh, we have no fees. But the exchange rate they give you is less than the quoted exchange rates, which are the mid-market rates. In Canada the banks have to disclose what this difference is, and depending on which bank is 2. 5 or 3. 5 percent. In the USA I'm not sure they are required to disclose that so, if not, you could look up the rate you got and compare it by looking up the actual rate for that day (or the day before, some banks use the rate from the previous day).

As for exchanging actual cash, yes, there are exchange places all over, especially in Poblado, with several in Santa Fe mall especially.

I'm with you man on only using ATMs but I'm familiar with the currency exchanges for my friends that come with cash so I answered the question.

On the topic of ATMs it's weird how different ATMs from the same bank will treat you differently. I only use BancoColombia ATMs out of habit and knowing I've been treated fairly over several years. Like full exchange rate fairly! So I still use them. But some of their machines will not give cash unless you accept an unfair exchange rate. I always decline it of course and they will end the transaction there. Other BancoColombia ATMs will offer a second option of cash withdrawal without the unfair exchange rate. And still other ATMs will just give the fair exchange rate without even asking if you want to be shafted with the unfair exchange rate. And each time I return to Colombia I never know which ATMs will react which way. It's sort of like slot machines jajajaa. What a weird banking system LOL!

[MiamiBoy1]

I'm in doubt between the 2 here in Laureles. I have never been there so I cannot judge if one location is better than the other.

1) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50138082.

2) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15704875.

I'm looking for a quiet, comfy place to have guests (they are both guest friendly). I just prefer to stay lower than USD65/ night.

I rented the first one, and it was great! Chicas loved it. Quiet residential neighborhood, great cafe downstairs to have breakfast or lunch.

[Paulie97]

Sting for what? Get caught for what?

You said she was of legal age.

Your post #49309 talks of an under age scam, then you say she's of legal age but running a sting with police.

Sometimes (often, LOL) you make no sense.

That and how did he manage to flush the Tusi down the toilet right in front of the cops, and after they had already found it? And were they successful in their attempt to extort the 7 million? I suppose we will have to wait on the next round of Tusi induced hallucinations in order to find out.

Osteoknot glad you are coming home. Make it a time of reflection and evaluation. Have a safe trip.

[RamDavidson84]

You may recall my computer is still broken, and I'm using an old Samsung pre-Galaxy phone to post everything for the past month or so. Then, after the recent internet crash my phone has a glitch whether I type or use voice to text, it's a total PITA to post anything. That is why my posts have sounded so wonky lately and I've mentioned it several times. After having to retype the same sentence retype 5 or 6 times after a while I just have to give up. Plus, sometimes I'm stoned out of my mind but I think that is some of my best work when I read back, jaja.

As a PSA I wanted to get the word out rapidly before anybody else fell prey to Mini Vennie.

At this moment my voice dictation is working pretty good.

There were four cops in my hotel room pointing their guns at me initially while telling me that I would be going away to prison for a long time, for infantile porn in my phone and for having an underage girl in my room, who they dragged back in as part of the act, even though none of it was true. They are using a 19 year old girl for the sting and all the photos in my phone are of adults.

I managed to flush all my Tussy after they found it and while the cops were still in the room at the same time. If I do say so myself that took some steel Kahuna's but they were more interested in extorting several million pesos from me than anything else. More to come but hopefully that's enough to convince you to stay away from her.

Board owes you a thank you for sharing such a story. Important everyone is aware of all possible dangers in Medellin. My best advice to anyone visiting Latin America for any reason, especially mongering. Keep your act clean / legal, don't carry too much party supplies, and always check IDs. Keep your head down, don't make a scene, and enjoy the ride. Just my two cents. Once again, thanks for the warning Osteo.

[Zeos1]

Well in the gringoland of Poblado they might just be called "Currency Exchange" LOL. If the sign is in spanish it will probably say Cambio. You will find at least a couple each in Sante Fe Mall and Oviedo Mall. And a few more are on calle 10 just east of Poblado Avenue. Yeah there are quite a few around Poblado.

I never want to have a lot of cash on me, as in bringing cash from home to exchange when I'm there. So I always just withdraw pesos using my debit card. My bank charges 5 bucks for foreign withdrawals. Normal for Canadian banks, and no matter how you get your money you also are charged for exchanging the money based on the rate they give you. Not a direct charge.

Banks will often say. Oh, we have no fees. But the exchange rate they give you is less than the quoted exchange rates, which are the mid-market rates. In Canada the banks have to disclose what this difference is, and depending on which bank is 2. 5 or 3. 5 percent. In the USA I'm not sure they are required to disclose that so, if not, you could look up the rate you got and compare it by looking up the actual rate for that day (or the day before, some banks use the rate from the previous day).

As for exchanging actual cash, yes, there are exchange places all over, especially in Poblado, with several in Santa Fe mall especially.

[IamLookin]

The noise outside of San Peter has greatly increased since the last review in arbnb. I suggest asking what room number this is in light it doesn't have sound proof windows.

The second one, San Peter, is neither very quiet late at night or very comfy furniture wise. I'm not familiar with the first one but if it's chica friendly it's an easy choice.

.

[Lucky Nuts]

I'm in doubt between the 2 here in Laureles. I have never been there so I cannot judge if one location is better than the other.

1) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50138082.

2) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15704875.

I'm looking for a quiet, comfy place to have guests (they are both guest friendly). I just prefer to stay lower than USD65/ night.

The second one, San Peter, is neither very quiet late at night or very comfy furniture wise. I'm not familiar with the first one but if it's chica friendly it's an easy choice.

[Lucky Nuts]

On that note, what are money exchange places called in Medellin? Are there a lot of them? In malls? Free standing offices?

Thanks.

Well in the gringoland of Poblado they might just be called "Currency Exchange" LOL. If the sign is in spanish it will probably say Cambio. You will find at least a couple each in Sante Fe Mall and Oviedo Mall. And a few more are on calle 10 just east of Poblado Avenue. Yeah there are quite a few around Poblado.

[Knowledge]

I've been very lucky to avoid it so far. I've had close calls but managed to avoid problems. If and when it happens I don't think I would have a problem sharing the pain. I don't know what I could tell anyone that hasn't been told many times before.

True, I have posted something similar way back in this thread. Many of us will never admit to being robbed or taken advantage of. I think it important to mention all the schemes people come up with to take advantage of other people.

I just have to say, if you're really new at this, you really need to be very, very careful, read as much as possible, and talk to as many people as possible about the subject. Loosing a cheap phone or a few pesos is nothing, things could be alot worse.

Its also good to exact locations and details when something like this happens, so others can learn from this unfortunate incident.

[Bleble]

On that note, what are money exchange places called in Medellin? Are there a lot of them? In malls? Free standing offices?

Thanks.

My suggestion is to get a Schwab debit card, and withdraw $. Don't accept the bank's rate when asked. There is no withdrawal fee with this card.

If you want to exchange money, it is bit troublesome. They ask for passport, and then give you a bad rate. It also takes a long time as compared to getting money from ATM. You can even get money at airport ATM. It's so much easier using this card. I have exchanged money in Colombia before, and it's a big hassle.

[Litmus Smut]

Taxi will take dollars but at a lower rate than if you exchange it. This happens everywhere, Mexico, Peru, etc. It will be considered an exchange tax From the airport, I had my taxi cab pull up to Exchange along the route and exchanged money for a few days.

On that note, what are money exchange places called in Medellin? Are there a lot of them? In malls? Free standing offices?

Thanks.

[Fun Luvr]

I'm in doubt between the 2 here in Laureles. I have never been there so I cannot judge if one location is better than the other.

1) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50138082.

2) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15704875.

I'm looking for a quiet, comfy place to have guests (they are both guest friendly). I just prefer to stay lower than USD65/ night.

The second one is in the San Peter building. For the price listed, I don't think it is one with noise blocking windows. Thus, it is not quiet. It is less than a half block from La 70 (the party, noisy street). The first one is in a quiet area. It is a taxi ride from La 70 at night. Between the two, I would go with the first one. Both have a security desk.

[FlowState985]

1) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50138082.

2) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15704875.

Both are good location. The 2nd one is San Peter Apartment right off 70 street (Setenta), where the locals go for drinks / food / entertainment. Some people says depend on the room you get, you might be facing the street and a bit hard to sleep. Search this forum for more info. If you don't mind the noise, the 2nd location is better because it is central to Laureles, close to ATMs, drugstores, liquor store, chica stores, Exito market, and also cheaper. You might also meet your fellow ISG or gringos staying at San Peter.

[Osteoknot]

You may recall my computer is still broken, and I'm using an old Samsung pre-Galaxy phone to post everything for the past month or so. Then, after the recent internet crash my phone has a glitch whether I type or use voice to text, it's a total PITA to post anything. That is why my posts have sounded so wonky lately and I've mentioned it several times. After having to retype the same sentence retype 5 or 6 times after a while I just have to give up. Plus, sometimes I'm stoned out of my mind but I think that is some of my best work when I read back, jaja.

As a PSA I wanted to get the word out rapidly before anybody else fell prey to Mini Vennie.

At this moment my voice dictation is working pretty good.

There were four cops in my hotel room pointing their guns at me initially while telling me that I would be going away to prison for a long time, for infantile porn in my phone and for having an underage girl in my room, who they dragged back in as part of the act, even though none of it was true. They are using a 19 year old girl for the sting and all the photos in my phone are of adults.

I managed to flush all my Tussy after they found it and while the cops were still in the room at the same time. If I do say so myself that took some steel Kahuna's but they were more interested in extorting several million pesos from me than anything else. More to come but hopefully that's enough to convince you to stay away from her.

Feel free to take your pot shots on how stupid I was or that I got what I deserved, I don't pay much attention to feedback like that but if it makes you feel better, go for it. And I don't directly respond to any posts here mainly because it was taking too much time away from my fucking and getting sucked. I am thrilled with how things turned out and I'm in a great mood about flying out of here tomorrow so I can get my Affairs in order back in the States and get back here as soon as possible. You got to keep on keepin' on! What else can you do?

[Just Incognito]

Sting for what? Get caught for what?

You said she was of legal age.

Your post #49309 talks of an under age scam, then you say she's of legal age but running a sting with police.

Sometimes (often, LOL) you make no sense.

Drug sting with tussi?