General Info

[JjBee62]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?

The Davivienda ATM at CC Santa Fe had a 2 million limit last time I used it, with no fees. Banco Pichincha had a 1 million limit, but you can make multiple withdrawals on the same transaction. Also no fees. However, I think there are only 2 locations in Medellin and they don't work with all cards. One is located on Avenida Poblado south of CC Santa Fe, across the street from the DHL building.

[Kazeu]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?

[MrFour4]

Hello guys,

I want to thank everyone for their contribution. This site has been extremely helpful in planning my upcoming trip to Medellin. I have a few question, thanks in advance for you assistance.

1. Where to change currency? Once we land, should we do it at the airport or is there a better option?

2. Rides from the airport? Anyone know a reliable driver or better yet chica that does pickups?

3. Cell service? Whats the most reliable service (voice & Data) to go with and can it be purchased at the airport?

4. I land around 2 pm where the best place to check out once I settle in?

Thanks guys!

[Dccpa]

I am planning to visit Colombia for about 20 days on January. Do you thing ciudad perdida worths a visit or you can see more interesting places? As the trek lasts for about 4 days.

Look at you tube videos of the hike and destination. I looked into a trip 3-4 years ago. The buildings were not made of stone and the lost city looks like a bunch of golf greens. I believe there are choices ranging from shorter to longer than 4 days. I love history and nature, but I decided to pass.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ciudad+perdida+Colombia+.

[AlexWP]

I am planning to visit Colombia for about 20 days on January. Do you thing ciudad perdida worths a visit or you can see more interesting places? As the trek lasts for about 4 days.

[BigAzzLuvr]

Hey guys,

I'm making my first trip to Colombia soon and had a question about cell phone service. AT&T has an international plan for $10 a day or $60 a month. Just wondering if I should sign up for 1 of those plans or just buy a local SIM card upon arrival. My phone is unlocked but haven't seen much information on this topic. Appreciate any help.

As FunLuvr stated getting a local sim is the way to go. You have wifi at the airport do you can use Uber from airport to hotel / location. Once you are in Centro just stop by one of those cell Kiosks.

For 15 K pesos I just received a Tigo Sim Card for 7 days of service and 1 GB of data. Tigo provides more data than Claro.

[Wolf662]

You can get to Medellin from Miami as cheap as $180 sometimes, I flew down last year for $220:

https://vivaair.com/en-co

[Gertsch700]

Am in the process of planning my trip to Colombia for January 2019. Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena.

[ForkTruck]

I am very limited in my Spanish language skills. Can I get by with English? Is there any city / location better than another for English speakers?

[Fun Luvr]

... However, I was wondering if any of you seasoned guys can recommend, by name, some of the bars or clubs within the Poblado area that these semi-pros might be most likely to hang out. Other than Gusto's, I can't seem to find any other bars by name reference either on this or any other boards.

I haven't been to either, but there are reports that Jensen's (Cra 37 #10-29) and Hacienda (Cra 38 #8 A-08) have some working ladies. They are very close to Parque Lleras.

[Deplorable]

Being new to this forum, I apologize ahead of time if this is not the right place to post this question. I a veteran monger in Panama taking my rookie trip to Medellin in a week and a half. Personally, I prefer to go and find Prepagos, semi-pros, etc. Out at the bars so that I can sit and drink, laugh with my buddies and get to know the girls a bit before we head back to the hotel. Don't get me wrong, the massage parlors are definitely good for daytime entertainment and the strip bars have value as well. However, I was wondering if any of you seasoned guys can recommend, by name, some of the bars or clubs within the Poblado area that these semi-pros might be most likely to hang out. Other than Gusto's, I can't seem to find any other bars by name reference either on this or any other boards. For those of you that are familiar with Panama, I'm wondering if a place like Habanos exists in Medellin. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I will have a great trip report to post upon my return.

[Fun Luvr]

Hey guys,

I'm making my first trip to Colombia soon and had a question about cell phone service. AT&T has an international plan for $10 a day or $60 a month. Just wondering if I should sign up for 1 of those plans or just buy a local SIM card upon arrival. My phone is unlocked but haven't seen much information on this topic. Appreciate any help.

Be sure to install Whatsapp on your phone before going. You must be able to receive a text message to the number you register with Whatsapp in order to activate it.

A sim card in Colombia is very cheap, I think about $5. Sometimes it is handy to have a local phone. Not "everybody" uses Whatsapp.

[MedellinGringo]

If you book uber somewhere near clubs entry or next to many other taxi drivers or somewhere on street where have police try to make pick up point not so close to them because driver will see this things when he will be arriving and will cancel the trip. It happens for me at medellin next to fase doss 2 drivers cancel the trips when they was near me already and last night at santa fe next to the paisas club driver was almost near paisas and suddenly cancel the trip because it was many taxi drivers around and police.

This is true. Uber drivers are leery of taxis and the cops.

I usually have a line up of taxis very close to my apartment and when I want to use Uber I text or call the driver to let him know and tell him not to worry. I always offer to get in the front passenger seat so it looks like we are just friends instead of getting into the back seat which is a dead give away that he is an Uber driver.

[MedellinGringo]

Hey guys,

I'm making my first trip to Colombia soon and had a question about cell phone service. AT&T has an international plan for $10 a day or $60 a month. Just wondering if I should sign up for 1 of those plans or just buy a local SIM card upon arrival. My phone is unlocked but haven't seen much information on this topic. Appreciate any help.

No reason to get a SIM card upon arrival. Especially if AT&T offers 3 G for the $10 bucks a day or $60 a month international service.

I have T mobile and I get free 2 G international roaming. It is OK for chatting on Whatsapp and Messenger but I have to connect to WIFI if I want to make a call using Whatsapp.

Bottom line is everybody uses Whatsapp in Colombia. No reason to get a SIM if you have international data.

[Wynn3877]

Hey guys,

I'm making my first trip to Colombia soon and had a question about cell phone service. AT&T has an international plan for $10 a day or $60 a month. Just wondering if I should sign up for 1 of those plans or just buy a local SIM card upon arrival. My phone is unlocked but haven't seen much information on this topic. Appreciate any help.