General Info

[Eszpresszo]

As a rule, expect all Colombia-based banks' ATM's to require a chip card. You may find one that doesn't; but as Eszpresszo reported, it may work one day but not the next. Most of the ATM's have a message on the screen telling you a chip card is required, but the message is only in Spanish. I think Citibank ATM's will accept non-chip cards, but you have to pay the ridiculous ATM fees if you are not a Citibank customer. Also, Eszpresszo reported that BBVA ATM's accept non-chip cards.

Contrary to Eszpresszo's thinking about third-world banking, it is the US banking system that is technologically "third-world". Most of the civilized countries are now requiring all cards, debit and credit, to have a chip. The magnetic stripe is out-dated technology.

It was only my credit union debit card that doesn't have the chip yet. All my other cards, from US based banks (both credit cards and a Wells Fargo debit card I have from another checking account) have chips. However, the Wells debit card didn't work in the Colombian banks either, despite it being brand new and having a chip. But the WF card is only my backup card, while I have my reasons for preferring to use my credit union's debit card, with its magnetic stripe and all (and it never works that well at home, either). I recall seeing the locals having trouble with their cards, as well.

[Fun Luvr]

As a rule, expect all Colombia-based banks' ATM's to require a chip card. You may find one that doesn't; but as Eszpresszo reported, it may work one day but not the next. Most of the ATM's have a message on the screen telling you a chip card is required, but the message is only in Spanish. I think Citibank ATM's will accept non-chip cards, but you have to pay the ridiculous ATM fees if you are not a Citibank customer. Also, Eszpresszo reported that BBVA ATM's accept non-chip cards.

Contrary to Eszpresszo's thinking about third-world banking, it is the US banking system that is technologically "third-world". Most of the civilized countries are now requiring all cards, debit and credit, to have a chip. The magnetic stripe is out-dated technology.

[JjBee62]

Arriving in MDE for the first time this week, actually first time in Colombia, I made a first-time ATM withdrawal at the airport. No problem, once you understand you have to MOVE FAST or the machine will cancel the transaction if you dally. I tried a few other ATMs with no problems this week, including a Banco Bogota, next to Relax on Carrera 74. However, on Thursday night I needed cash, and I found two ATMs from two different Colombian banks on Carrera 70 rejected my card. I was getting a little worried and then tried the ATM at a nearby BBVA branch, and I withdrew money with no other problems. The next morning I decided to have a last session at Relax, and I tried to get cash out of the ATM, I had previously used. No dice. The ATM rejected the transaction, though it had given me money three nights earlier. I walked down the block to the BBVA branch and got money from their ATM with no hassle.

What made BBVA different from the Colombian banks? I am assuming that being a gigantic, global, "First World" bank might have been a factor. But, the lesson is that if one bank rejects your card, that doesn't mean all of them will. And if a bank's ATM does accept your ATM once, there is not guarantee it will accept it again, despite having adequate funds. So, if you are experiencing trouble using your Yanqui credit union debit card that still doesn't have a chip in it, you are not alone. You just need to find a better bank.

I had the same problem in Bogota, except the only ATM that worked for me was Citibank. I was about ready to panic after failing at 8 different ATMs.

Hoping that now I have a chipped card that won't be an issue next time.

[Eszpresszo]

Arriving in MDE for the first time this week, actually first time in Colombia, I made a first-time ATM withdrawal at the airport. No problem, once you understand you have to MOVE FAST or the machine will cancel the transaction if you dally. I tried a few other ATMs with no problems this week, including a Banco Bogota, next to Relax on Carrera 74. However, on Thursday night I needed cash, and I found two ATMs from two different Colombian banks on Carrera 70 rejected my card. I was getting a little worried and then tried the ATM at a nearby BBVA branch, and I withdrew money with no other problems. The next morning I decided to have a last session at Relax, and I tried to get cash out of the ATM, I had previously used. No dice. The ATM rejected the transaction, though it had given me money three nights earlier. I walked down the block to the BBVA branch and got money from their ATM with no hassle.

What made BBVA different from the Colombian banks? I am assuming that being a gigantic, global, "First World" bank might have been a factor. But, the lesson is that if one bank rejects your card, that doesn't mean all of them will. And if a bank's ATM does accept your ATM once, there is not guarantee it will accept it again, despite having adequate funds. So, if you are experiencing trouble using your Yanqui credit union debit card that still doesn't have a chip in it, you are not alone. You just need to find a better bank.

[World Jockey]

Thanks for this sir!

I have never seen this site before.

Nice to see many of them have whatsapp.

There is much conversation about Venezolanas in Medellin thread but I think more of them are in Bogota. On my recent trip in Bogota 3 of the 7 chicas I was with were Venezolanas. On the same trip, I did not meet any Venezolanas in Medellin.

Here is a sample from one source which I did not use. I actually met them in the casas.

http://www.photoprepagos.com/prepago...ar.venezolanas

[Jdit]

Here is a sample from one source which I did not use. I actually met them in the casas.
http://www.photoprepagos.com/prepago...ar.venezolanas

Nice link. I took a look for the Medellin area (Antioquia). That site looks. Hmm. Interesting. I'll be there at the end of the month and may try it.

Thanks!

[World Jockey]

if they came to Atlanta they would not blend in.

LOL they would fit in on Buford highway, Dekalb farmers market or Duluth. Hell just last week they were looking at me funny on Buford.

LOL jokes aside yes they would stand out like a sore thumb in Atlanta.

You are right. It did not matter what I wore in China, Thailand, Korea or Japan, I did not fit in.
But, Central, South American and the Caribbean it is possible to not stand out in a lot of areas.

It's Asia in general. Anyone from the west with our pale or "chocolate man" skin height and big noses stand out there immediately. As soon as they see us we might as well be in wheelchair with our hair dyed green.

Even their peripheral vision will spot us as an oddity.

We can't even pretend we are from the "far east" just roll with it.

With Latin America its a mixed bag. If someone with an eye for detail is studying you and paying close attention they will know. Despite what you wear or how you behave. They will see through it.

Others who are busy or just not thinking that much about you may ignore you and you fly under the radar.

What are the safe areas? How would a newbie going to a strange country know?

Do you know where a list is of the Gringo bars also and how to get to them safely?

Medellin isn't really a big gringo tourist destination. Yeah we go but most tourists are from like Panama or other Latin American countries.

Like Mr. Enternational said just use the taxis. They are pretty standard and safe. If you get a chance download an app called "easy taxi" its pretty popular there. It lets you ring up a taxi like uber.

[Big Boss Man]

There is much conversation about Venezolanas in Medellin thread but I think more of them are in Bogota. On my recent trip in Bogota 3 of the 7 chicas I was with were Venezolanas. On the same trip, I did not meet any Venezolanas in Medellin.

Here is a sample from one source which I did not use. I actually met them in the casas.

http://www.photoprepagos.com/prepago...ar.venezolanas

[Dickhead]

However, you will find warnings about the current political situation, specific dangers to US citizens, disease risks and crime trends as they relate to tourism. For a first time visitor, or an infrequent visitor, this is good information to have.

They tend towards the conservative side on some things, especially those things which may be illegal, but that's to be expected. For any new international traveler, that should be the first stop, especially since you can find passport, visa, entry requirements and length of stay rules there.

Keep drinking the Kool-Aid, my friend.

[You Can]

In all the trip research and traveling I have done especially traveling to Colombia and many other places, the last place I ever thought of going were the safest places. No way do I want to see the safest places I would rather me dead. .

What are the safe areas? How would a newbie going to a strange country know?

Do you know where a list is of the Gringo bars also and how to get to them safely?

[JjBee62]

rotflmfao.

Why do you find that funny?

Notice, I didn't say the state department is a good place for mongering information. You won't find current prepago rates posted there (but I'm sure someone knows them). You won't find where the hottest girls are, or even where to buy condoms.

However, you will find warnings about the current political situation, specific dangers to US citizens, disease risks and crime trends as they relate to tourism. For a first time visitor, or an infrequent visitor, this is good information to have.

They tend towards the conservative side on some things, especially those things which may be illegal, but that's to be expected. For any new international traveler, that should be the first stop, especially since you can find passport, visa, entry requirements and length of stay rules there.

[Dickhead]

the us state department website has lots of good information

rotflmfao.

[Mr Enternational]

What are the safe areas? How would a newbie going to a strange country know?

Do you know where a list is of the Gringo bars also and how to get to them safely?

Problem is that the safe areas aren't the fun/cheap areas. If it is somewhere I am not familiar with then I just literally get in a taxi and say "Where the bit-ches aaaattttt?"

[JjBee62]

What are the safe areas? How would a newbie going to a strange country know?

Do you know where a list is of the Gringo bars also and how to get to them safely?

How does a newbie find the safe areas in any country? Do some research. The US State Department website has lots of good information on most countries. They include things such as suggested or required vaccinations, current scams or criminal trends and areas of the country to avoid. That's a starting point.

From there, there are many travel blogs which report on current events in different cities and of course there is ISG. There's more information than you will have time to read.

Another source is review websites such as TripAdvisor. With everything, evaluate what you read. One hotel I recently read reviews on had several recent bad reviews. The hotel is used by some sex vacation companies, where an escort will meet and stay with a tourist for several days (for a hefty fee). All the bad reviews came from members of a Christian missionary group who thought a beach hotel in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic would be a pure, wholesome place to pray. Oops.

If you're sociable, get on some different international matchmaking websites. You can find women who you might not have any interest in, but who are nice to talk to. Some are happy just to have a person to help improve their English. They can be very helpful by informing you of things which never make the news. Often they are a great source of information, not only about safety, but about things you never thought about, but could cause you problems.

As a general rule, stick to the beaten path. If you can book a flight to a city from your local airport, with 2 or less transfers, it's probably safe to visit. That doesn't mean the whole city is like a trip to Disneyworld, there are always areas best avoided.

[World Travel 69]

You are right. It did not matter what I wore in China, Thailand, Korea or Japan, I did not fit in.

But, Central, South American and the Caribbean it is possible to not stand out in a lot of areas.

I disagree about Atlanta. The people from D. R. could fit in, so long as they dress the same. But of course the language would give them away.
Same as it would give me away.

That is funny advice. I was in Nha Trang 3 years ago. As a Black guy from Georgia I do not think it mattered what I wore; I was NOT going to blend in. As a matter of fact, the only other Black guy I saw during my 10 day and 4 city tour of Vietnam was a guy in Hanoi who was from Washington, DC. I know this is an extreme example, but no matter how much you think you are blending in, they know their own people.

Think of it in reverse. If they came to your city (other than New York and Miami) would they blend in? I am in Dominican Republic now, and with all of the Black people that live here, if they came to Atlanta they would not blend in. There is nothing about them that says Black American, especially Black American from Atlanta.

By the way, I tell people I am from Thailand. I live there and have a driver's license from there. Nobody questions it because they really don't give a fuck. You could say you are from Mars and get the same response. It is one of those questions the same as how are you doing; just a form of being polite or breaking the ice.