Medellin Reports

[ChuchoLoco]

Most machines will dispense the cash after declining the conversion. Some will terminate the transaction. You will get the exchange network (either Visa or Mastercard) rate, which is much better than the bank's rate. I think the ATM's that offer the exchange rates have only been doing that within the last year or two. Some don't offer.

Perfect answer. Thanks FL. Hopefully the one across the street will be fine. Bancolombia I think. 3 machines available.

[Fun Luvr]

After refusing the conversion rate what next? Is there another option or just proceed? Do they give the conversion rate that they are offering and is it that much lower than what you get after refusing? It's been a couple years since I've been there and I just don't remember being offered a conversion rate. But knowing all this now will help when I get back next month. Thanks.

Most machines will dispense the cash after declining the conversion. Some will terminate the transaction. You will get the exchange network (either Visa or Mastercard) rate, which is much better than the bank's rate. I think the ATM's that offer the exchange rates have only been doing that within the last year or two. Some don't offer.

[Frogg]

Next time at that hour try Conejitas, Barra Ejecutiva, which are both very close to Plaza Botero. The taxista did not suggest them because he would lose the fare for the trip to Laureles. 80 K room included or you can take them out for a little more than twice that amount.

Agreed, there are decent bars and clubs near Botero, including: Conejitas, Grill Nueva, Bar Maracaibo, and Barra Ejecutiva, all within walking distance of Plaza Botero.

[Maelstrom]

Unfortunately, this is an understatement.

Many of the SEA guys, and now the Tijuana guys, who have spent some time here, will most probably not be spending as much time in Tijuana or in SEA when it fully re-opens.

Case in point, I have a buddy here who before the Pandemic was an Angeles City and Bangkok guy. And he swore how the Philippines was the best place on the planet for women. Know he has changed his tune, and says he likes Colombia more, and would rather be in Colombia versus SEA. Easy to understand why, it's close, and inexpensive.

Can you blame anyone who show's up here, see's what can be had, and not like the place. The two big issues for everyone though, and not obstacles that can't be overcome, are danger and the language.

To each his own. But imo the girls in Pi are just average unattractive vs Colombians. I think its more of a low hanging fruit mentality. No language barrier and cheap but unattractive girls surrounding you asking for your $ for a cheap lay.

[Surfer500]

When in Rome do as the Romans. Don't wear shorts in Medellin except at the swimming pool. It is not only disrespectful, it pegs you as not just a foreigner, but a clueless one.

Actually lots of people wear shorts on Sundays and Holidays.

[Surfer500]

UBER driver drove me to Plaza Botero. All shops had closed, the entire area looked dark and deserted. The driver warned me, this area very dangerous, no cabbies would drive to this area at night, I could be stuck without a safe way to get out of the area among hundreds shady people.

I asked driver to park and wait for me 5 minutes, walked to the church area to survey the situation. The streets were totally dark. Dozens guys scurried around with about 20 bad-looking girls leaning on walls. There were no signs of policia presence. This area looks obviously very high risk. If you cannot find a taxi to get out, you may not live to tell the story.

Driver said girls and their pimps in this area would beat up and rob guys. Locals never go here at night. .

Whatever the UBER driver told you makes no sense at all.

There are no pimps working with the girls you witnessed. In other words, the girls don't have Padrotes like the street girls do in Tijuana.

Additionally, very few girls are out working late in the area described for fear of being robbed, so the girls you witnessed are primarily hard core druggies, and sacaleros, who of course are available, which you could have your way with if you wanted to, and we are talking like in the 15-20 K range as they would be so spaced out they would have no clue what they were doing.

You also said you were concerned about getting stuck among hundreds of shady people, yet said it was deserted. ?

And your correct that locals don't visit that area in the evenings because the place transforms with all the sacaleros, zombies, druggies, and homeless people out. There actually also out there during the day as well, but hardly noticeable, because there are so many other people out.

Your smart to stay away from the Veracruz area in the later evenings when everything is shut down.

[Errol Flynn]

I was here about 5 years ago and I didn't worry about it much and there were times my bare legs did make me a bit uncomfortable. Any thoughts comments?

When in Rome do as the Romans. Don't wear shorts in Medellin except at the swimming pool. It is not only disrespectful, it pegs you as not just a foreigner, but a clueless one.

[Surfer500]

Mexico is in danger of losing a regular.

Unfortunately, this is an understatement.

Many of the SEA guys, and now the Tijuana guys, who have spent some time here, will most probably not be spending as much time in Tijuana or in SEA when it fully re-opens.

Case in point, I have a buddy here who before the Pandemic was an Angeles City and Bangkok guy. And he swore how the Philippines was the best place on the planet for women. Know he has changed his tune, and says he likes Colombia more, and would rather be in Colombia versus SEA. Easy to understand why, it's close, and inexpensive.

Can you blame anyone who show's up here, see's what can be had, and not like the place. The two big issues for everyone though, and not obstacles that can't be overcome, are danger and the language.

[Knowledge]

Crikey, you are a full on Centro rat.

After viewing a dozen huge women in New Life, I walked to P Botero which is only 800 meters or 20 minutes away per Maps, but Maps is useful only if you can fix North, South headings, difficult any time of the day as Colombia is right next to the equator on the South side. My navigation skills went to shit. Fortunately people in Medellin is very nice and helpful. An old lady stuck half her body out of the moving bus' window to shout directions to me. This people has class. I really like them.

Got in Hato Viejo, one of the best rated rest in town for lunch. It was crowded with an upper class clientele. Seeing how hard they were cutting their steaks, I tried fried fish, which was good. They served chicharron, nuggets of fried pork bellies, as snack. They were hard as rock. 49 K for fish plus 12.5 K cops for a local beer, way too expensive and not as good as street food..

[Knowledge]

If you aren't a resident you can get in with at least one vaccine and a negative PCR test. Both have to happen within the established time limits of 14 or more days before the date of flight for the vaccine and no more than 72 hours before the flight for thee PCR test. Pro tip: don't rely on dodgy translations from Chinese web sites for information about Colombia.

No, last COVID shot must not have been within 14 days of arrival. Last COVID shot has to be MORE than 14 days from the date of arrival. Or else you must be tested. To put another way, you have to complete the vaccination cycle at least 14 days before you arrive in Colombia.

[Norbert61]

OK. So I am Canadian (which is not anyone's fault, even my own) - once the weather hits 20 deg see. We want our shorts on. I know this is not really done here. I went to Centro yesterday in my long pants. I was wishing I had shorts on especially after the Venni I found marched me all over the map getting a hotel room. More on that later- I only saw two other males wearing shorts (both gringos) - I mean there is no disguising who I am or what I'm up to. I'm Caucasian AF, built on a larger scale, 60 yo single male so it is not really a matter of fitting in. Ain't going to happen- but I don't want to be disrespectful and I don't want to be thought of as an ugly tourist. Though come to think of it that would be a fair description. I was here about 5 years ago and I didn't worry about it much and there were times my bare legs did make me a bit uncomfortable. Any thoughts comments?

[NapataJohn]

Unless something has changed, I think you went too early.

You went too early. Best after 11.

[Knowledge]

Next time at that hour try Conejitas, Barra Ejecutiva, which are both very close to Plaza Botero. The taxista did not suggest them because he would lose the fare for the trip to Laureles. 80 K room included or you can take them out for a little more than twice that amount.

Had a hard time finding UBER drivers for La Isla at 7. They kept canceling due to congested traffic to the tunnel heading to the airport. Finally found one, after much congested traffic go to La Isla about 8.

20 M Cops ($5) cover. The club is a converted warehouse w high ceiling, about 6,000 SF with a strip stage in the center, booths and long lounging couches around, flat lightings, no decorations. Music was thumping but there was no show, only 6 guys and 2 girls in dresses sitting idly. I felt disappointed. 6 to 8 meseros were sitting on couches not dong anything, not pushing me to buy drinks.

Girls kept coming in to work through the back door to their dressing room. I sneaked a view and found a dozen girls with their street clothes off, putting on make up. They were almost all hefty with big butts, big boobs, thick thighs, lots of tats, plain faces, a few blacks. Beers are 33 M cops or $8 for guys and girls. Session costs 320 M cops or $80 including room. There were 2 skinny girls but their faces looked old, bodies plastered with tats, not interested..

[Knowledge]

On behalf of the brotherhood of Centro rats, Mexico's loss is our gain.

Mexico is in danger of losing a regular.

[Knowledge]

You can negotiate better deals at Luna during daytime hours. They do operate 24/7. I guess it boils down to whether the goal is the girls or the lights, music, and the bro show.

I went to both clubs on my last two trip. Went to Luna first at 8 pm. Bouncer told me that most of girls start arriving between 10 and 11 pm. So went to Isla right from there. Same situation. That's why joint was not humming. Locals and girls start coming in after 10. Day time conejitas in centro not bad. But always buys due to central location.