General Info

[Xpartan]

I've rtff and I've seen a post stating USD isn't an advantage here?

I like to carry cash, lots of it.

If I have to stick a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills inside a condom up my ass I will.

I don't like to leave home without it, lots of it.

That said, can anyone say why this is a really bad idea?

I'm not worried about getting robbed.

Except for maybe the policia.

I don't want ATM skimmers robbing me.

Or ATMs declining my cards.

I've had these issues before in different countries.

Thanks everyone, you have a great thread.

Funny, I couldn't be more different about my money habits.

I hate carrying more cash than I must.

Not just because you can be robbed, but also pickpocketed. I have a budget when traveling. I'd hate to go over that budget due to a stupid mistake.

But if you need a more persuasive reason against carrying rolls of USD in Colombia, it's that I didn't notice a free exchange of USD for goods or services other than a couple emerald stores in Cartagena. Peso is Colombia national currency, so why carry dollars in the first place?

I don't know if it's a bad idea, just very impractical. Carry wads of pesos if you insist.

[CzarNicholas]

I've rtff and I've seen a post stating USD isn't an advantage here?

I like to carry cash, lots of it.

If I have to stick a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills inside a condom up my ass I will.

I don't like to leave home without it, lots of it.

That said, can anyone say why this is a really bad idea?

I'm not worried about getting robbed.

Except for maybe the policia.

I don't want ATM skimmers robbing me.

Or ATMs declining my cards.

I've had these issues before in different countries.

Thanks everyone, you have a great thread.

[JjBee62]

Anyone can help on this. Plus is El Poblado is the right area. Hopefully able to walk (or easy cab) around to the action places? Or any other locations are better?

Thanks.

There are 3 areas of Medellin that are frequently discussed. Each has its own merits. There are several other areas worth visiting. However, most short time visitors don't have the time or desire to explore.

Follow back to the original post to read about the 3 most frequented areas in Medellin.

My 4 night stay at Hotel San Fernando in EL Poblado was great! $64 a night, great breakfast, nice pool, good location. Chica friendly, walk in during the day. At night must have ID. Had to do an alternate for one night as one of the girls didn't have ID. Went to Las Cabannas 6 min away by taxi. 50 k per person, entry gate, stripper poles and big tubs, Sex chair and mini bar with everything you need. No ID required. Las Cabannas might be cheeper pre-booked.

It appears the hotel is chica friendly.

Every place where you can rent a room in Medellin is close to the action. It all depends on which action you are looking for.

If the action you want is street girls, casas and low end strip clubs, and you want to be close to it, stay in El Centro. Disclaimer: many first time visitors to Medellin cower in their El Centro hotel room for 1 night and then run to El Poblado. El Centro can be scary.

If the action you want is Facebook girls, mileroticos and photosprepagos girls, along with a more expensive casa experience (or if you know how to use taxis, Uber and / or public transportation and want all the above plus the El Centro action, and want to avoid gringos) stay in Laureles.

If you want the closest experience to staying in the US, stay in El Poblado. You'll pay a little more. You'll spend more time in taxis, but you'll find many people speaking English.

[SBTiger]

Is Hotel San Fernando Plaza a good and girl friendly hotel? It is described as "Family-friendly" (?)

Anyone can help on this. Plus is El Poblado is the right area. Hopefully able to walk (or easy cab) around to the action places? Or any other locations are better?

Thanks.

[SBTiger]

Thanks JjBee, so El Poblado would be a good location for the hotel? The hotel thread didn't help- all the talk is about Air BnB and apartments etc.

Airport hotel commute- taxi or is there any public transport? Most hotels seem to be have airport shuttle - is that free?

What is the best site for booking hotels here?

Anyone has any specific names of girl friendly hotels?

Thanks much,

Is Hotel San Fernando Plaza a good and girl friendly hotel? It is described as "Family-friendly" (?)

[Questner]

Salt mine is one of the places with different entry fees for nationals and foreigners (something that I don't like. Reverse discrimination), and foreigners fee is 50 K as I recall. I paid also 120 K for a taxi and a guide and we also visited a nearby town.

[SBTiger]

Let's start with tourism. Enough to fill a week, without going full tourist mode.

Bogota: Monserrat, The gold museum, the salt Cathedral, several museums in La Candelaria area, the flea market in Usaquen, graffiti tour, the transmilenio, ciclovia.

Medellin: Parque Arvi, Guatape, Botero Plaza, a few museums in El Centro, the castle museum, graffiti tour, Comuna 13, the Metro and Metrocable, ciclovia.

The Metro and Metrocable is Medellin's better answer to mass transportation. The ride is smooth and not bumpy, the crowding isn't as bad as the transmilenio and it's much more comfortable. There are 2 trains, a grounded monorail and I think 5 aerial trams (Metrocable). You'll spend a little more to take the full trip, but you still can experience much of the city, take in some great views and be safe and comfortable for less than a good lunch in the US.

There are plenty of other tourist options, so you shouldn't get bored in a week.

If you don't speak Spanish, in Medellin you probably should look for a hotel in El Poblado. You'll find more hotels with English speaking staff. Hotel Poblado Plaza was chica friendly, but I don't know if they still are, or if they charge extra. I think they're 4 star, but the price is not too bad, about $75 per night. Check the Medellin Hotels thread for other options.

Thanks JjBee, so El Poblado would be a good location for the hotel? The hotel thread didn't help- all the talk is about Air BnB and apartments etc.

Airport hotel commute- taxi or is there any public transport? Most hotels seem to be have airport shuttle - is that free?

What is the best site for booking hotels here?

Anyone has any specific names of girl friendly hotels?

Thanks much,

[JjBee62]

At JjBee. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I really did not mean 'don't care for tourism' - I actually do. I of course (no longer) can do girls all day.

What I meant is. Is there enough in Med'and for a week (and I don't mean girls) for a week, or should I plan to an additional city. And would that be- easy to go from Med'and.

Any location and hotel recommendations in Med'and (3* - GF and decent / convenient.

Thanks again,

Sam.

Let's start with tourism. Enough to fill a week, without going full tourist mode.

Bogota: Monserrat, The gold museum, the salt Cathedral, several museums in La Candelaria area, the flea market in Usaquen, graffiti tour, the transmilenio, ciclovia.

Medellin: Parque Arvi, Guatape, Botero Plaza, a few museums in El Centro, the castle museum, graffiti tour, Comuna 13, the Metro and Metrocable, ciclovia.

Guatape and the salt Cathedral require travel outside the city. Both will eat up most of a day.

The transmilenio is Bogota's public mass transit system. For a very small price you can get on, ride to the end of the line, ride to the other end, switch to another line, etc. You can cover a lot of the city for less than the cost of a beer. The ride is bumpy, the driver's believe that the brake and gas pedal only work if you stomp on them, and during rush hour the buses are packed beyond anything you can imagine. But if you plan it right you can spend half a day in reasonable comfort and see quite a bit.

The Metro and Metrocable is Medellin's better answer to mass transportation. The ride is smooth and not bumpy, the crowding isn't as bad as the transmilenio and it's much more comfortable. There are 2 trains, a grounded monorail and I think 5 aerial trams (Metrocable). You'll spend a little more to take the full trip, but you still can experience much of the city, take in some great views and be safe and comfortable for less than a good lunch in the US.

Ciclovia is a national fitness initiative in Colombia. Every Sunday and most holidays streets are blocked off and opened up for all non-motorized activities. You'll see joggers, runners, bicyclists, rollerbladers, skateboarders, walkers, people with their dogs and kids. Lots of people out enjoying the weather and getting some good exercise. I refer to it as camel toe appreciation day. Just get out and walk, and enjoy the scenery. Find a cafe for some brunch, take in some coffee and be amazed at how many beautiful women are walking by.

There are plenty of other tourist options, so you shouldn't get bored in a week.

If you don't speak Spanish, in Medellin you probably should look for a hotel in El Poblado. You'll find more hotels with English speaking staff. Hotel Poblado Plaza was chica friendly, but I don't know if they still are, or if they charge extra. I think they're 4 star, but the price is not too bad, about $75 per night. Check the Medellin Hotels thread for other options.

[SBTiger]

At JjBee. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I really did not mean 'don't care for tourism' - I actually do. I wish, but of course no longer can do girls all day.

What I meant is. Is there enough in Med'n for a week and I don't mean girls, or should I plan to an additional city. And would that be- easy to go from Med'n

Any location and hotel recommendations in Med'n 3*+ - Girl Friendly and decent / convenient - Laureles, El Poblado, City center?

Thanks again,

Sam.

Just to further add I don't know a single word of Spanish.

Thanks.

Sam.

[SBTiger]

I would answer yes, no, probably, maybe and I'm not sure.

If you have minimal tourist interests, why go to Colombia? To fuck Colombians? There are Colombians in every Colombian city, so does it really matter which city you go to?

It probably does matter which city you go to, but that's not a decision anyone can make for you. It's going to require some research on your part. Which climate would you prefer? Which city makes sense for what you plan to do? Which one best fits your budget? What type of chica scene are you looking for? How much effort are you going to put into it?

Is a week too long for 1 city? Cartagena has 1 million people. Medellin had 4 or 5 million. Bogota has over 10 million. I'm pretty sure you won't run out of women in 1 week.

At JjBee. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I really did not mean 'don't care for tourism' - I actually do. I of course (no longer) can do girls all day.

What I meant is. Is there enough in Med'and for a week (and I don't mean girls) for a week, or should I plan to an additional city. And would that be- easy to go from Med'and.

Any location and hotel recommendations in Med'and (3* - GF and decent / convenient.

Thanks again,

Sam.

[JjBee62]

Planning a week trip Colombia end of month. First question. Medellien or Cartagana (or Bogota) or both?

If only 1 place. Is a week too much? (I have minimal tourist interests).

Thanks much,

Sam.

I would answer yes, no, probably, maybe and I'm not sure.

If you have minimal tourist interests, why go to Colombia? To fuck Colombians? There are Colombians in every Colombian city, so does it really matter which city you go to?

It probably does matter which city you go to, but that's not a decision anyone can make for you. It's going to require some research on your part. Which climate would you prefer? Which city makes sense for what you plan to do? Which one best fits your budget? What type of chica scene are you looking for? How much effort are you going to put into it?

Is a week too long for 1 city? Cartagena has 1 million people. Medellin had 4 or 5 million. Bogota has over 10 million. I'm pretty sure you won't run out of women in 1 week.

[Mr Enternational]

Since the subject is up, here is a cartoon that my buddy sent me the other day.

[SBTiger]

Planning a week trip Colombia end of month. First question. Medellien or Cartagana (or Bogota) or both?

If only 1 place. Is a week too much? (I have minimal tourist interests).

Thanks much,

Sam.

[JjBee62]

Is Viagra or anything like that available at the pharmacy or do you need a doctors prescription? What's the good stuff?

You can get Viagra, or the generic, sildenafilo, at any pharmacy. No prescription is needed. It is available in 50 and 100 MG doses. You can also get Cialis, generic tadalafilo. Prices vary widely.

[TropicalDave]

Is Viagra or anything like that available at the pharmacy or do you need a doctors prescription? What's the good stuff?