Medellin Reports

[Gary Groundwork]

Question to the drug aficionado's here. I dont do drugs and live a pretty clean lifestyle,but i was wondering, what does coke cost americans in colombia.What would 100.00 of coke in the us cost in medellin.Do you pay a gringo tax? Whenever i go to colombia, i would like to chew on a couple of leaves to see what it's like. Where would i go to try that. I have no interest in doing coke, but from what i understand the leaves are pretty harmless.it's when you turn it into powder that it is dangerous. Anyone try the leaves? what was it like?

Coke costs about 10,000 pesos a gram!! so whats that $6 USD

and a couple of lines of coke is HARDLY dangerous.

[Gonzo]

I have been to Costa Rica many times and am in Medellin, on my first trip now so I will offer my opinions. I hit a range of places from high end casas and hooker bars to cheap, local strip clubs, casas and street girls. My Spanish is OK but not very good.(snip)

A few things I'd add this this very nice initial post:

-it is cheaper to get to SJ than Medellin by air, important for a budget traveler.

-there's absolutely no comparison between SJ and Medellin in terms of city life. SJ is a podunk town and Medellin is a world-class, growing city, very attractive in its red-brick motif.

-the women are so beautiful in Colombia, but SJ has its lookers also. One problem with both places, being relatively wealthy, that is an increasing # of gorditas due to the availability of Mickey Ds, KFC and assorted other fast food restaurants. The poorer city of CTG has better shaped women in general, for example.

-The less gringos and the more spanish spoken the better. But that's me. Just can't seem to go back to SJ, preferring CO and Peru in general, but if airfares keep rising dramatically, I will revisit that opinion.

[Count Dante]

I have been to Costa Rica many times and am in Medellin, on my first trip now so I will offer my opinions. I hit a range of places from high end casas and hooker bars to cheap, local strip clubs, casas and street girls. My Spanish is OK but not very good. This will be primarily from a mongering perspective. On one hand, I don't have nearly as much experience in Medellin as many on this board. On the other hand, since I am a Medellin newbie, perhaps my experience will be closer to that of other first timers, as opposed to those who live here/travel here frequently and know all of the tricks.

The simplest answer to compare San Jose to Medellin is that the women are FAR better looking in Medellin than Costa Rica. All other things being equal, for the same price you can find a much better looking girl. The price structure of the two countries is actually very similar, but the quality is better.

Girls
As I said earlier, the girls are FAR better looking at comparable price ranges. The women tend to have nicer curves, prettier faces, and keep themselves in better shape. I'm not saying there are no gorditas. However, you will find a higher percentage of quality girls. Even the top tier Colombianas that we get at the Del Rey are not at the level of the top girls in the local strip clubs in Medellin that you can have for the same price or less.

I tend to get more of a GFE type experience from the Ticas and Nicas in San Jose, however that, IMHO, can be attributed to the fact that I am a frequent visitor, used to their dialect of Spanish, and have built “relationships” with these girls. If I spend more time in the city, I have no doubt that I could acomplish the same in Medellin.

Mongering Locations
Both countries have a thriving massage parlor scene with a wide price range. Prices between the two countries are comparable. Costa Rica has a much more developed bar/club scene with places like the Del Rey, Key Largo, Sportsman's Lodge, and the smaller one's like Sonny's (now “the garden's), New York Bar, etc. There are some after hours bars in Medellin, but I'm am going to have to explore them more thoroughly to offer my opinion.

Colombia, on the other hand, has a MUCH better street scene. You can find some amazingly hot chica in Mayorista and guys that live here know other areas to troll where one can get an even better deal. One girl was willing to do a BJ party for 10K (about $5.50) per guy. For 20K, I'm sure she would let you fuck her brains out and video the whole thing. This chica was 18 years old and if you put her in some nicer clothes and maybe got her hair done, guys would fall over themselves to pay her cien for an hour in the hotel Del Rey.

There are also a lot more strip clubs in Medellin than San Jose, and some wonderful chicas can be found there. I love the tico strip clubs in Costa Rica like molino rojo but the Medellin clubs blow them away. Girls that I ignore in the Medellin clubs I would jump at if they were in San Jose.

Safety
In many ways Medellin is safer than the San Jose. I would have to say that, specifically, the monger hangouts in Medellin are safer than “gringo gultch” and the places where the tico strip clubs and massage parlors are.

First, there are more people out and stores open late at night in Medellin around monger areas than San Jose. An area with a lot of people and a lot of stores open means multiple witnesses and multiple areas for escape that potential victims can use. It just gives us more options if we see potential problems. This is most true comparing the strip clubs/night action that cater to locals in both countries.

Second, because of the lack of gringos, there are nowhere near as many criminals that make their living targeting tourists in Medellin as San Jose. A criminal in San Jose can (and probably do) make a nice living simply waiting at the most popular routes to and from the hotel Del Rey, looking for some drunk out of his mind gringo stumbling home. The street where New York Bar is might as well be a shark tank. While there are certainly criminals on the streets of Medellin, they are not out hunting SPECIFICALLY us as tourists/mongers.

Third, the government of Medellin has as MUCH MUCH more heightened police presence in and around monger areas than San Jose. Many feel that the government/police just don't care when some monger gets robbed, as opposed to a backpacker or eco-tourist. For example, how many stories have the frequent Costa Rica travelers heard of gringos getting robbed in and around New York Bar. You would think that they would put at least one police car there at night to protect tourists, but they don't. I don't trust the San Jose police as far as I can throw them.

Contrast that with Medellin, where it is not uncommon to see, not only police, but the army patrolling the streets at night. During my last el centro strip club tour there was one area where there weren't quite as many people around and stores open as I would like and I became a bit concerned. Right at that moment about 10 soldiers carrying Galil assault rifles walk down the street in formation. Sure it was coincidence, but the fact that they have these patrols gives me some comfort.

Language
You definitely need more Spanish in Medellin than San Jose. Simply put, you really don't need Spanish in San Jose, although it helps. Even the folks in the low end, tico bars/massage parlors may speak some English and are used to Gringos coming in. It is more difficult and requires a higher proficiency in Spanish to move around in Medellin, as opposed to San Jose. People are less used to speaking with poor/non-Spanish speakers and don't do as good a job adjusting their language to our limits. Also, expect a few days to get used to the dialect/accent change if you have primarily used your Spanish in Costa Rica.

Accommodations
This is another area were Costa Rica beats Medellin. There are tons of places that are known to be Chica friendly in Costa Rica. The same is probably true for Medellin, but they just are not very well known. Also, you can get a decent room, in a decent hotel, in a good area, close to the chica action, with English speaking staff, that is chica friendly for $35 in Costa Rica. While that may also be true for Medellin, it is much more difficult for a first time visitor to find that type of hotel here. Best choice here, IMHO, is stay at one of the well known places initially and then spend a day looking for other places to stay if you are really looking for a way to save money. My first night I was in a Condo, the next night was VIP2, the rest have been in the Castillo and I intend to finish my trip here.

Later, I will post my opinions on the people, getting around and how much gringo/monger influence I am seeing. Just remember, I'm a newbie and YMMV :).

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.

[Sailor2006]

Didn't know about the shooting, shit happens. Seems kinda like the shit they pulled at school, misbehave and you get put on curfew, comon its B. S. It doesnt work and is stupid only hurts the bars, and old gringos looking for tail. Was just wondering what we did to invoke the curfew.

Nothing new, 2 people were shot at Resturant Triada last year, also a persdons out side Mango's not so long ago.

Aussie Greg.

[Malodr]

I have never been to Colombia (not yet), but the girls I have met around the world that are from Colombia are HOT.

I have been to Thailand, Costa Rica, Brazil, Dubai, China, Honk Kong, Singapore for mongering. This is just going to be a quick trip so I am planning to either go back to Costa Rica which I know pretty well or check out Medellin (Probably at the Mansion) for the first time.

Can anyone help compare the two for me? Which you prefer and why?

Thanks.

That could take weeks, if not months.

[JuiceGuy]

I have never been to Colombia (not yet), but the girls I have met around the world that are from Colombia are HOT.

I have been to Thailand, Costa Rica, Brazil, Dubai, China, Honk Kong, Singapore for mongering. This is just going to be a quick trip so I am planning to either go back to Costa Rica which I know pretty well or check out Medellin (Probably at the Mansion) for the first time.

Can anyone help compare the two for me? Which you prefer and why?

Thanks.

[Sailor2006]

Park L was open and busy Friday night at 0300, wonder why it was dead on Thursday! O well

[Aussie Greg]

Nothing new, 2 people were shot at Resturant Triada last year, also a persdons out side Mango's not so long ago.

Aussie Greg.

I thought I was back in school, driving by park illares on a Thursday night at 0130 and it was dead, closed shop! Apparently something happend and the mayor or police are paying tough and shut the place down! Rumor is somebody was shot or something anybody shed some light on the subject?

[Sailor2006]

I thought I was back in school, driving by park illares on a Thursday night at 0130 and it was dead, closed shop! Apparently something happend and the mayor or police are paying tough and shut the place down! Rumor is somebody was shot or something anybody shed some light on the subject?

[George0724]

I know there is no NEXTEL direct connect in COLOMBIA, I know there is in Peru, Argentina and Brazil. BUT on the other hand I know they have some kind off push to talk service because ive seen people using it. As far as cell service it IS available but only with like special QUAD BAND phones and its like $2/min plus taxes.. But every time I get off the plane and turn my Nextel on, It teases me because I get (5 bars) but it says "restricted service"

I know that there is no regular Nextel service there. I don't mind that because I'm used to it. I just need to know about Nextel international service either being in Medellin or not.

I have a Nextel international phone, so as long as the international service is available, I'm all set. At $2/min., I don't like the bill I get when I return, but until I do something else, there's nothing I can do about that.

Nextel's service maps for their international plan mention some cities in Colombia, but don't mention Medellin. On their map, the colored service lines converge in what looks like Medellin. That was the source of my confusion and frustration. Nextel Customer Service couldn't tell me, if you can believe it.

I was thinking of getting into a Skype phone so that no matter where I go, I can use the phone to place, receive, and get voice mail.

I wouldn't mind hearing from a skype user on how I could use that to solve my problem.

[Justafool]

We have to expect a little cost of living increase but not a jump. Unless you are so into the lady that you have to have her, we need to stand firm on the price. Take it or leave it because someone will be around the corner will to acept (and she might just be a nicer, prettier and better service).

Anchors away Sailor; help keep Colombia affordable.

Apparently she was unpleased with where I took her, and the fact that she left with out money, although honestly she didn't look upset that night, but sure didn't sound too happy on the phone. (these women are excellent fakers) I told her she shouldnt have expected anything becuase it was our first meeting, and there won't be a second one so she doesnt have to worry. I kinda felt bad about her being dragged out of the house to meet me for work and not get paid but what can you expect when you want 200K (weeks worth of money) for 1 or 2 hours. Plus she wasnt that pretty, more plain looking then anything eles.

Prostituion is a tough bussniess anywhere in the world, especially for us "johns" this has been a tough stay in Colombia normally I find one or two cutties who are cheap and tariffic in bed but not this trip! I found some nice girls who suck in bed, some kool girls to hang out with also not great in bed, and I am finding more greedy hoes, who think I am stupid! I think its getting alittle harder to find resonably priced good chicas. I wll continue to try!

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Has anyone used Nextel (on roaming) in Medellin?

I am wondering about whether I need to make other arrangements or not.

I intend to buy a sim card for my unlocked GSM phone for calling Paisitas, but I need calls for work to eminate from "my phone"

I know there is no NEXTEL direct connect in COLOMBIA, I know there is in Peru, Argentina and Brazil. BUT on the other hand I know they have some kind off push to talk service because ive seen people using it. As far as cell service it IS available but only with like special QUAD BAND phones and its like $2/min plus taxes.. But every time I get off the plane and turn my Nextel on, It teases me because I get (5 bars) but it says "restricted service"

[George0724]

Has anyone used Nextel (on roaming) in Medellin?

I am wondering about whether I need to make other arrangements or not.

I intend to buy a sim card for my unlocked GSM phone for calling Paisitas, but I need calls for work to eminate from "my phone"

[Holiday27]

I just arrived in Medellin this afternoon and am here for 2 days. Looking to see if anyone else is in town to live out some fantasies. Let me know a. S. A. P

[Sailor2006]

Apparently she was unpleased with where I took her, and the fact that she left with out money, although honestly she didn't look upset that night, but sure didn't sound too happy on the phone. (these women are excellent fakers) I told her she shouldnt have expected anything becuase it was our first meeting, and there won't be a second one so she doesnt have to worry. I kinda felt bad about her being dragged out of the house to meet me for work and not get paid but what can you expect when you want 200K (weeks worth of money) for 1 or 2 hours. Plus she wasnt that pretty, more plain looking then anything eles.

Prostituion is a tough bussniess anywhere in the world, especially for us "johns" this has been a tough stay in Colombia normally I find one or two cutties who are cheap and tariffic in bed but not this trip! I found some nice girls who suck in bed, some kool girls to hang out with also not great in bed, and I am finding more greedy hoes, who think I am stupid! I think its getting alittle harder to find resonably priced good chicas. I wll continue to try!

Good for you. The more of us who say NO to these stupid prices the better. Come on guys: do your bit to get more pussy per dollar.