Medellin Reports

[Knowledge]

My opinion is it is very difficult to predict how the peso and US dollar will interact post election. The fact is the peso has not strengthened very much since it was at 4100+ during the days before the first round vote (3910 today). The conventional wisdom is the peso will strengthen with a Rodolfo Hernandez win and weaken with a Gustavo Petro win. But again, it is very difficult to predict. We will soon know.

After the 1st round of elections, the COP has become stronger. How do you think Sunday's election will affect the course? Who has a reasoned opinion on this?

[Huacho]

Sorry 250 USD per night.

Are you crazy?

[Huacho]

Please stop with false statements like "you can't" and telling people stuff that not true, again I've done it very recently as many many other people have, thanks for the site for one way tickets but not for me, but good to know about bud, not sure way they ask some people and not others for proof! Sounds like you been flagged or something, but definitely not impossible and the stopping by front gate is a must is wrong!

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra.../Colombia.html

"You may be denied entry to Colombia if you do not have a return ticket. ".

But do what you want.

[Knowledge]

Assuming you are willing to use something other than a Pixel or an iPhone, there is an easier way. A dual SIM (two physical SIM cards), or a single SIM phone that is network unlocked and a spare new SIM card from your home carrier will allow you to remotely move your service to any other network unlocked phone while you are in Colombia. As with any phone used for the first time with a Colombia SIM card, you will have to register the new phone within 30 to 90 days of the date you begin to use it. I'm happy to respond to questions about what could make it more difficult than it sounds.

The last time I was in Medellin I used a Pixel 4 that is also eSIM compatible and it went smoothly. I'm using the Pixel 6 now and am very happy with it. To swap eSIMs from my Pixel 4 to my Pixel 6, my provider had to issue a new eSIM. For whatever reason (maybe because they're a MVNO), they had difficulties and it took over a week for them to do so. They sent the e-mail with the new eSIM without warning, in the middle of the day, when I only had my old Pixel 4 with me. When they issue the new one, the old one gets disabled right away. So I was without a phone until I got home and was able to set up the Pixel 6.

As I understand it, if I want to a different phone, I need to get them to issue a new eSIM (my carrier charges a nominal charge for multiple eSIM swaps in a calendar year). So if you change phones rarely, like less than once a year, an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you need a replacement SIM internationally (like when your phone gets stolen), an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you want to use a Google phone during the week, an iPhone on the weekends, and a burner phone when you venture into bad areas, an eSIM is a terrible idea.

[Osteoknot]

The last time I was in Medellin I used a Pixel 4 that is also eSIM compatible and it went smoothly. I'm using the Pixel 6 now and am very happy with it. To swap eSIMs from my Pixel 4 to my Pixel 6, my provider had to issue a new eSIM. For whatever reason (maybe because they're a MVNO), they had difficulties and it took over a week for them to do so. They sent the e-mail with the new eSIM without warning, in the middle of the day, when I only had my old Pixel 4 with me. When they issue the new one, the old one gets disabled right away. So I was without a phone until I got home and was able to set up the Pixel 6.

As I understand it, if I want to a different phone, I need to get them to issue a new eSIM (my carrier charges a nominal charge for multiple eSIM swaps in a calendar year). So if you change phones rarely, like less than once a year, an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you need a replacement SIM internationally (like when your phone gets stolen), an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you want to use a Google phone during the week, an iPhone on the weekends, and a burner phone when you venture into bad areas, an eSIM is a terrible idea.

Now I don't feel so stupid for not getting it the first time, jeje. This will be my last question, I hope. I still don't get your last sentence. I think you were making an extreme example, but why wouldn't I still want to use a Pixel phone as my primary and carry a burner phone when I am venturing into bad areas outside of the country? Thanks again.

[RacShack]

I said it is harder not impossible because more and more airlines direct you to self service kiosk. Is this not true?

Because self service kiosk is automated so there is no way to get around it if it is programmed to ask for onward ticket. That is the condition of the can't. Is this not true? Please share if you know a way to get around it when you have to use it.

Whether you will be asked for onward ticket or not is not absolute. Sometime they do, sometimes they don't. Everything I said here is from personal experience. Like you also speak from personal experience but I do not attack you because your experience is different.

That's where we're losing each other I haven't been to a check in kiosk in over 10 -15 years, never never ever I always always check in online always the night before! In fact now I think about it besides checking in for my business class tickets Emirates to Bkk I haven't been in a line for check in counter in lots and lots of years! Sorry if you feel I attack you but was just trying to be clear, some of the words you use make it sound like it's impossible, stay safe have fun bud!

[L00PY]

Could you please elaborate a bit more about "can't swap phones very easily"?

My provider is recommending a Google Phone and I have my eyes on a Pixel 6, with the eSIM and a physical slot for travel, as is yours. Sounds ideal to me but I have never tried it. I usually avoid the newest model phones, I like the ones that have been out a year or two with the bugs worked out, and a price drop. And the Pixel 6 model is what elevated Google from a joke in the phone market to something worth considering.

The last time I was in Medellin I used a Pixel 4 that is also eSIM compatible and it went smoothly. I'm using the Pixel 6 now and am very happy with it. To swap eSIMs from my Pixel 4 to my Pixel 6, my provider had to issue a new eSIM. For whatever reason (maybe because they're a MVNO), they had difficulties and it took over a week for them to do so. They sent the e-mail with the new eSIM without warning, in the middle of the day, when I only had my old Pixel 4 with me. When they issue the new one, the old one gets disabled right away. So I was without a phone until I got home and was able to set up the Pixel 6.

As I understand it, if I want to a different phone, I need to get them to issue a new eSIM (my carrier charges a nominal charge for multiple eSIM swaps in a calendar year). So if you change phones rarely, like less than once a year, an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you need a replacement SIM internationally (like when your phone gets stolen), an eSIM makes a lot of sense. If you want to use a Google phone during the week, an iPhone on the weekends, and a burner phone when you venture into bad areas, an eSIM is a terrible idea.

[Nounce]

Please stop with false statements like "you can't" and telling people stuff that not true, again I've done it very recently as many many other people have, thanks for the site for one way tickets but not for me, but good to know about bud, not sure way they ask some people and not others for proof! Sounds like you been flagged or something, but definitely not impossible and the stopping by front gate is a must is wrong!

I said it is harder not impossible because more and more airlines direct you to self service kiosk. Is this not true?

Because self service kiosk is automated so there is no way to get around it if it is programmed to ask for onward ticket. That is the condition of the can't. Is this not true? Please share if you know a way to get around it when you have to use it.

Whether you will be asked for onward ticket or not is not absolute. Sometime they do, sometimes they don't. Everything I said here is from personal experience. Like you also speak from personal experience but I do not attack you because your experience is different.

[RacShack]

It's harder now because you can't pass the self service kiosk without it.

Please stop with false statements like "you can't" and telling people stuff that not true, again I've done it very recently as many many other people have, thanks for the site for one way tickets but not for me, but good to know about bud, not sure way they ask some people and not others for proof! Sounds like you been flagged or something, but definitely not impossible and the stopping by front gate is a must is wrong!

[Hossi36]

After the 1st round of elections, the COP has become stronger. How do you think Sunday's election will affect the course? Who has a reasoned opinion on this?

[Osteoknot]

I'm using a phone with eSIM capabilities. It's mostly good, provided your provider has their shit together. The good is that you can get a replacement eSIM easily and get it onto your new phone via an e-mail or QR code. The biggest downside is you can't swap phones very easily.

I've got an eSIM from my local provider installed on my phone. I use the physical slot for whatever country I'm travelling to.

Could you please elaborate a bit more about "can't swap phones very easily"?

My provider is recommending a Google Phone and I have my eyes on a Pixel 6, with the eSIM and a physical slot for travel, as is yours. Sounds ideal to me but I have never tried it. I usually avoid the newest model phones, I like the ones that have been out a year or two with the bugs worked out, and a price drop. And the Pixel 6 model is what elevated Google from a joke in the phone market to something worth considering.

[DonMedellin]

Currently living in Sabaneta, love the local vibes, but I am a tall gringo which draws unwanted attentions, especially when I am with a paisa chick. Would love to move to Manila neihborhood, can anyone recommmend a hotel (with kitchen) or airbnb? Thanks.

[Mr Enternational]

I won't give cash to every non-pro. It just depends.

We cannot all be like Mr E who must have a great personality, great body, charm, and wit such that girls are falling over him to fuck him for free. But even if I was, I would probably still give them at least a little money....as opposed to counting out exact change.

Amazing. Did you not at first say these chicks were fucking you for free? So you must have the same great personality, great body, charm, and wit as I do. But it seems your lack of self-efficacy sometimes gets in the way because you at times think surely these chicks could not want to be with me on the sole basis that I am me. Or this chick really was not what I was expecting or hoping her to be. Then in true Westerner fashion you decide that your money will make amends to a chick for being with you when you thought you were not worthy or in an effort to "buy the chick off" thereby resolving you of your admitted guilt.

That is like a burglar breaking into houses stealing and leaving a thank you note with a smiley face. To the burglar, the note makes the homeowner feel better about being violated and stolen from and absolves the burglar of his crimes of robbing houses. How does the person doing the wrong get to decide the punishment for a crime they themselves committed? How do you get to decide that money makes up for the fact that you (by your own admission) used these women for sex?

[Ravi50]

My budget is 250 K per night for the hotel / airbnb.

Sorry 250 USD per night.

[L00PY]

My usual cellular provider will not ship a SIM card or a phone to me here in Colombia. One thing I have not seen mentioned here is the newer phones with eSIM cards preinstalled, no physical chip required. Only certain phones have them but that seems like the wave of the future to me. Anyone using a phone with eSIM?

I'm using a phone with eSIM capabilities. It's mostly good, provided your provider has their shit together. The good is that you can get a replacement eSIM easily and get it onto your new phone via an e-mail or QR code. The biggest downside is you can't swap phones very easily.

I've got an eSIM from my local provider installed on my phone. I use the physical slot for whatever country I'm travelling to.