Medellin Reports

[Always Randy]

Use Bancolombia because that bank doesn't charge any fees (but your bank probably will). The rate right now is 2200 COP per CAD.

In short: just use your ATM card. At most bring a couple of hundred USD to change at the airport in Bogota if that's where you are landing.

Bancolombia used to be my go to bank until this year. They are not part of the Plus network anymore so my ATM card no longer worked. Davienda and BBBV ATMs work with no fees to use their machines, although Davienda lets you take more out per transaction.

Agree an ATM card is the way to go with the best exchange rate. There are ATMs at airport. Never use money exchangers, their rates are the worst. But it's a good idea to have a couple hundred bucks as back up in case you have trouble with your ATM card.

[JjBee62]

There is also a CitiBank ATM in Rio Sur Mall across the street from Olviedo.

I like CitiBank because they let me take out 1. 5 million at a pop. But they do have an ATM fee that is about 6 bucks. If I didn't have a fidelity card that reimbursed me for ATM fees I might be tempted to use another bank.

There's a few Citibank ATMS. One at the Jumbo on Avenida Las Vegas, another inside CC Oviedo and a branch further up Avenida Poblado.

[MedellinGringo]

I use Citibank because that's what I have in the USA And there is conveniently an ATM on the second floor of the airport as you exit. In addition there is a Citibank on Carrera 43 in Poblado. I am routinely able to get 1,200,000 to 1,600,000 per withdrawal. If you have a Citibank account they only charge you the 3% conversion fee and I've found the rate they give to always be slightly above the forex official rate, surprising I know.

There is also a CitiBank ATM in Rio Sur Mall across the street from Olviedo.

I like CitiBank because they let me take out 1. 5 million at a pop. But they do have an ATM fee that is about 6 bucks. If I didn't have a fidelity card that reimbursed me for ATM fees I might be tempted to use another bank.

[Chicago85]

Davivienda also doesn't charge a fee and allows up to 720 k withdrawals with foreign cards.

I use Citibank because that's what I have in the USA And there is conveniently an ATM on the second floor of the airport as you exit. In addition there is a Citibank on Carrera 43 in Poblado. I am routinely able to get 1,200,000 to 1,600,000 per withdrawal. If you have a Citibank account they only charge you the 3% conversion fee and I've found the rate they give to always be slightly above the forex official rate, surprising I know.

[Gallant555]

Citibank ATM in Oviedo mail provided best rates for CDN to COP last year, Cash (even US to COP) changed does not offer best rates.

[Kozak]

Davivienda also doesn't charge a fee and allows up to 720 k withdrawals with foreign cards.

Thanks Yippie and JJBee for the info. I was hoping not to change CDN to US as the exchange is almost 35%. I will need to ask about the international fee as was not aware of that and also have a ball park on the exchange when I get there. Thanks again.

[JjBee62]

ATM works fine with Canadian ATM cards. Depending on your plan you might be dinged 5 CAD per transactions. Use Bancolombia because that bank doesn't charge any fees (but your bank probably will). The rate right now is 2200 COP per CAD. The maximum Bancolombia will let you take in one transaction is 600,000 COP. That's less than 300 dollars. You would see a withdrawal in and around 270 CAD for 600,000 COP. Then if your plan doesn't have free withdrawals on international ATMs the fee can be as high as 5 CAD. For 275 CAD all together for 600,000 COP. You will find that is still better than going to a money changer be it in Colombia or outside.

In short: just use your ATM card. At most bring a couple of hundred USD to change at the airport in Bogota if that's where you are landing.

Caution: exchange rates can change by the time you get to Colombia so you'll need to redo these calculations if you want to see what the final amount is.

Davivienda also doesn't charge a fee and allows up to 720 k withdrawals with foreign cards.

[YippieKayay]

So I have my first trip coming up in about 2 weeks and wanted to know if any recent Canadians or anyone in MDE at this time knows if the Currency Changers or Banks exchange Canadian and what the rate is. I have been on a Currency Exchange site and they quoted me about 1 cdn = 2000 cop if I was to order about 500.00 cdn. I will be checking with my bank about service charges from the ATM and from everything I read ATM is the way to go. I would just feel better with both some cash and rest on the ATM. Any info would be appreciated.

ATM works fine with Canadian ATM cards. Depending on your plan you might be dinged 5 CAD per transactions. Use Bancolombia because that bank doesn't charge any fees (but your bank probably will). The rate right now is 2200 COP per CAD. The maximum Bancolombia will let you take in one transaction is 600,000 COP. That's less than 300 dollars. You would see a withdrawal in and around 270 CAD for 600,000 COP. Then if your plan doesn't have free withdrawals on international ATMs the fee can be as high as 5 CAD. For 275 CAD all together for 600,000 COP. You will find that is still better than going to a money changer be it in Colombia or outside.

In short: just use your ATM card. At most bring a couple of hundred USD to change at the airport in Bogota if that's where you are landing.

Caution: exchange rates can change by the time you get to Colombia so you'll need to redo these calculations if you want to see what the final amount is.

[Kozak]

So I have my first trip coming up in about 2 weeks and wanted to know if any recent Canadians or anyone in MDE at this time knows if the Currency Changers or Banks exchange Canadian and what the rate is. I have been on a Currency Exchange site and they quoted me about 1 cdn = 2000 cop if I was to order about 500.00 cdn. I will be checking with my bank about service charges from the ATM and from everything I read ATM is the way to go. I would just feel better with both some cash and rest on the ATM. Any info would be appreciated.

[Black Page]

There are some big transvestites that hang by the church and the glue sniffers along the street on the side of the Museum that can be very aggressive and can become violent in a heartbeat.

Someone complains if in the harmony of this thread some people (incl. Me) is very straightforward in making assessments and call names, but for sure street people at Centro has a different and more physical approach in discussing etiquette and point out what is wrong. Beware!

[LovSex]

These are the addresses from the map at which there was no casas.

Sarita, Calle 55 #43-72.

?Name, Carrera 35 # 7-65.

This one is not on the Map.

Traviesas Sexi, Calle 58 No 45 the 104.

Please add it.

[LovSex]

Good choice, Pamela has an amazing body..

Agreed and she has awesome service as well. She also does very good massage. I took one hour and had a good massage after the session. She said she went to Massage school at some point in her life.

[LovSex]

I went to Traviesas Sexi today (calle 58 No 45 the 104 Pink Door) and they had the 2 chica special for 70 k for 40 minutes.

They had a decent selection and I went with Linda, a 18 year old blond and Nicole - 24 year old brunette. Linda had a nice young tight body with perky boobs and she was good. On the other hand, I would not recommend Nicole. Not very good service.

[Knowledge]

I think you are 100% correct on all three points.

If any of the Chicas or others in the video that was taken had been aware that they were being filmed, the person taking the video would of been of harassed and possibly mugged and beat up. There are some big transvestites that hang by the church and the glue sniffers along the street on the side of the Museum that can be very aggressive and can become violent in a heartbeat.

[Knowledge]

I'm neutral on the subject but it is worthwhile to point / remind that Google Maps blurs faces and license plates, and it is not valid to compare a red light district to an amusement park. In case the latter point is not clear, put yourself in the situation of having to explain your presence in a video of a red light district versus your appearance at an amusement park.

I suppose you don't approve of Google Maps, or people videoing at amusement parks.