Medellin Reports

[Davidb3069]

I just signed onto "chase mobile" which will allow me access to my checking account balance and credit card statements as I am roaming. I've tried it here in the states and it works great. It works on the sms text message system so it should work anywhere I have service.

As long as I have access to my information I would feel a little better about using my credit card. I totally agree with tom 33 but cc's get really tempting to use when you travel. The fees they charge you are not nearly as high as atm fees. At least not with my account.

I have decided to suck it up and put aside money for atm fees. It really pisses me off but I do not want it to be the focal point of my trip. Getting my face into some morena snatch is way more important.

I like my Bank of America ATM card. They send me an email with EVERY transaction. If anything funny is going on, I will know right away. And it has a limit of up to $1,500 per day (you have to ask for this limit).

David

[Tom 33]

If you have problems with credit card and and ATM fees, try CapitalOne. There are no fees with their cards, not even an international transaction fee. I have been using both cards (CC and ATM) in Colombia since October. And you even get FF miles on the CC.

[Jose Lima]

You might want to be careful using CCs in restaurants. There is too great an opportunity for cloning. I mostly just use CCs for stores and hotels where they swipe the card in front of me and hand it back.

I agree My AMEX got cloned in colombia they ended up getting $7,000 before amex stopped the charges. Exito,liquor store, all kinds of crap. I try to stay with cash or ask for that wireless machine that they bring out.

[Artisttyp]

You might want to be careful using CCs in restaurants. There is too great an opportunity for cloning. I mostly just use CCs for stores and hotels where they swipe the card in front of me and hand it back.

I just signed onto "chase mobile" which will allow me access to my checking account balance and credit card statements as I am roaming. I've tried it here in the states and it works great. It works on the sms text message system so it should work anywhere I have service.

As long as I have access to my information I would feel a little better about using my credit card. I totally agree with tom 33 but cc's get really tempting to use when you travel. The fees they charge you are not nearly as high as atm fees. At least not with my account.

I have decided to suck it up and put aside money for atm fees. It really pisses me off but I do not want it to be the focal point of my trip. Getting my face into some morena snatch is way more important.

[Shafty 7]

I don't think I ever spent $400 a day in Medellin. The casas are only $15 - $25 and an all nighter runs about $60-$70?

All restaurants take credit cards if need be.

I seldom use my credit cards in foreign countries if at all possible due to many problems (admittedly anecdotal) I have witnessed with the card numbers being used for identity theft and aslo because of the fees that my American miles card charges for currency exchange.

I don't want to get into another pointless price wars argument here but, there is a continuum of p4p pricing in medellin and the $15-$25 casa is near the low end of that price continuum. By definition that means some folks are paying more.

Shafty7

[Tom 33]

All restaurants take credit cards if need be.

You might want to be careful using CCs in restaurants. There is too great an opportunity for cloning. I mostly just use CCs for stores and hotels where they swipe the card in front of me and hand it back.

[George0724]

Ok, I've got the message. I won't use Dollars. I appreciate all the answers, I'm glad I asked first.

Anther question. I found out Verizon doesnt work in Medellin. Does anyone have ideas what I can do? Is renting a phone a hassle? Or does anyone have any experience with the track phone. Meaning is it compatible to use a SIM card from Medellin. The phone I have has a blocked SIM card. So I can't switch it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm off to Medellin tomorrow morning.

Thanks

Bring an unlocked GSM phone with you. If you don't have one, buy one on Ebay.

You can get a sim card for 10K down there and buy regular tarjetas.

I was staying at the mansion and they did this for me. (They sent nando)

[Malodr]

This is simple. Don't bring Dollars to medellin for spending money on your trips unless you plan to spend more than $400 (or whatever your daily debit card limit is) per day.

Use your debit card at the ubiquitous (thats english for everywhere) ATMs all over the city for these reasons:

1. Its easy and readily available no matter where you are staying.

2. You get the best rate...period.

3. You will never have to worry about where to keep all the money you have either before you change in your dollars or after because you will only be walking around with $400 plus whatever you didn't spend for previous days.

Now lots of folks post stuff like, "In the (insert name of place other than medellin here) I pay with (insert name of currency other than colombian pesos here) or dollars it doesn't matter".

That is wonderful information for (insert name of place other than medellin here), but it is just a fabulous waste of spce and time on the MEDELLIN reports thread.

I sometimes spend more than $400 when I am there and I still don't bring any dollars. I simply opened another bank account at the bank right down the street from my house. Before my trips, (next time May 28 - June 2 YAY!) I take out some cash from my regular bank and deposit it in the bank near my home. While I am there I tell them that I am going to be traveling to medellin so they don't get froggy when the see the money getting taken out of my US account in a foreign country and shut down the card.

Presto! I can now spend $800 per day if I want or need to. At some banks you can just get them to raise the daily limit on your debit card and not have to involve a second bank at all.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "Self, why should I spend the time opening a whole new bank account when I can just spend that time changing the dollars once I get to Medellin?"

The answer to that very good question is (in addition to the 3 reasons listed above) is that you want to waste time doing silly errands during you regular life NOT while you are on vacation.

Look at it this way...you can spend time doing silly errands when you would otherwise be sitting at home in front of the TV or computer...or you you can waste time doing silly errands when you would otherwise be banging ridiculously hot, young paisas...your call.

Shafty7

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

I don't think I ever spent $400 a day in Medellin. The casas are only $15 - $25 and an all nighter runs about $60-$70?

All restaurants take credit cards if need be.

[Artisttyp]

Ok, I've got the message. I won't use Dollars. I appreciate all the answers, I'm glad I asked first.

Anther question. I found out Verizon doesnt work in Medellin. Does anyone have ideas what I can do? Is renting a phone a hassle? Or does anyone have any experience with the track phone. Meaning is it compatible to use a SIM card from Medellin. The phone I have has a blocked SIM card. So I can't switch it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm off to Medellin tomorrow morning.

Thanks

I find AT&T to have the best service in South America. Verizon has very limited coverage.

[Davidb3069]

Nah, Then we just have to agree to disagree! Having a non chalant attitude / complacincy can lead future problems. A smart monger / tourist or whatever you are will surely lead to prosperarity.

The main thing is use common sense. I have traveled to Colombia a number of times and the people that get themselves in trouble are usually the ones getting totally skunked or stupid (or careless / or showing off).

David

[Davidb3069]

I don't understand your comment. I was asking about the *fee per $100 changed.

Thanks

I was commenting on the comment someone made about their money getting counted, being fingerprinted and getting their passport copied.

David

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Not sure it deserves such drama, however, it would not be smart to pay girls in dollars right now as you'd be taking a big hit. With the dollar so poor, the girls aren't going to favor it anyways more than likely. The smarter ones will demand a suitable exchange rate (i've had them do this before).

Not everyone with dollars is a gringo. I live in Ecuador where the dollar is used as the country's currency. There's plenty of reasons why people would be carrying dollars.

I wouldn't flash my money in public and show off, but I believe you're being a bit paranoid.

David

Nah, Then we just have to agree to disagree! Having a non chalant attitude / complacincy can lead future problems. A smart monger / tourist or whatever you are will surely lead to prosperarity.

[Shafty 7]

That has to be the worst news I've ever heard while planning a trip. I am there for a month.

Can you tell me what kind of a fee they charge per $100 ?

What can I do ? Are there certain machines that let you take out more than others ?

This is horrible.

This is simple. Don't bring Dollars to medellin for spending money on your trips unless you plan to spend more than $400 (or whatever your daily debit card limit is) per day.

Use your debit card at the ubiquitous (thats english for everywhere) ATMs all over the city for these reasons:

1. Its easy and readily available no matter where you are staying.

2. You get the best rate...period.

3. You will never have to worry about where to keep all the money you have either before you change in your dollars or after because you will only be walking around with $400 plus whatever you didn't spend for previous days.

Now lots of folks post stuff like, "In the (insert name of place other than medellin here) I pay with (insert name of currency other than colombian pesos here) or dollars it doesn't matter".

That is wonderful information for (insert name of place other than medellin here), but it is just a fabulous waste of spce and time on the MEDELLIN reports thread.

I sometimes spend more than $400 when I am there and I still don't bring any dollars. I simply opened another bank account at the bank right down the street from my house. Before my trips, (next time May 28 - June 2 YAY!) I take out some cash from my regular bank and deposit it in the bank near my home. While I am there I tell them that I am going to be traveling to medellin so they don't get froggy when the see the money getting taken out of my US account in a foreign country and shut down the card.

Presto! I can now spend $800 per day if I want or need to. At some banks you can just get them to raise the daily limit on your debit card and not have to involve a second bank at all.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "Self, why should I spend the time opening a whole new bank account when I can just spend that time changing the dollars once I get to Medellin?"

The answer to that very good question is (in addition to the 3 reasons listed above) is that you want to waste time doing silly errands during you regular life NOT while you are on vacation.

Look at it this way...you can spend time doing silly errands when you would otherwise be sitting at home in front of the TV or computer...or you you can waste time doing silly errands when you would otherwise be banging ridiculously hot, young paisas...your call.

Shafty7

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Sixpaku Too]

Ok, I've got the message. I won't use Dollars. I appreciate all the answers, I'm glad I asked first.

Anther question. I found out Verizon doesnt work in Medellin. Does anyone have ideas what I can do? Is renting a phone a hassle? Or does anyone have any experience with the track phone. Meaning is it compatible to use a SIM card from Medellin. The phone I have has a blocked SIM card. So I can't switch it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm off to Medellin tomorrow morning.

Thanks

[Artisttyp]

I've never had them even look at my money before. I break it up between locations (on me, carry on, etc.).

Sounds like some bad luck.

David

I don't understand your comment. I was asking about the *fee per $100 changed.

Thanks