Medellin Reports

[Knowledge]

Change the WhatsApp phone number to one that can receive text messages.

I am going back to Medellin this week. I just bought a new phone in US, slipped in my claro SIM, transferred all my data including whatsapp. I am unable to get the verification code for whatsapp here in US for the claro number. My regular recharged 10 mil pesos yesterday but that looks like it was data only recharge and no SMS. Is there an amount of recharge that can give messages and calls so I can get whatsapp verified here while on roaming. I think claro connects via Verizon here.

[Bdd1124]

I have been living in Santa Marta for a year now and always feel safe but I also don't put myself in situations that could be dangerous.

The area around carrera 3 and Calle 17-18 is where all the night action is lots of bars restaurants really packed on the weekends is pretty safe just don't be stupid and you'll be fine.

My only concern is that Santa Marta is not safe (according to the local girl that I know). Not sure if it has always been like that or just got worse recently.

Why did you keep coming back to San Andres though?

[Dcrist0527]

I've found that outside of party weekends you are paying a serious premium for the opportunity to meet a FEW young ladies in comfort. Still great for a first timer to Colombia who is alone and speaks no Spanish.

I agree, first timers and English only should really value that place. I am neither. It just fits my style. I'm not a high quantity guy. More often than not I max out at 2 dates per day. I also put an emphasis on service over finding a 10. And perhaps the most attractive feature to me is the ability to sit and talk with a girl. I know many don't agree with my style. But getting to know the girl a bit leads to a vastly better session in my experience. At the mansion, you could sit at the pool and flirt with a girl without spending a dime. That "interview" helps me identify the ones that will work out better in the room. At least that's my experience. But as I said, it's not for everyone.

[WankingDead]

I know roach motels are cheap so wondering if they are air conditioned? Are there any quickie hotels in that area that have AC?

No but most have fans.

[ElPostino]

Airport did not ask for covid information or the imagration but I think they would sporadically so make sure you tick all the boxes. They asked for my address where I was staying in Medellin.

When exiting the arrivals on ground floor I went up to 1st floor. Departures / domestics and got a sim card for my phone. Lots of ATM's there but also lots of ques.

Revolut. Tips.

Nong Khai.

They did not bother to check MASK in my previous trips if I remember correctly but in my last trip, they insisted on having mask on. So please make sure you have couple of masks ready, you can help others out, before the immigration when you arrive. In fact, you need one before departure too at the immigration.

They kept no-maskers in the line waiting, not sure what happened to them. Luckily, fellow traveler loaned me one.

[Hunglow1625]

You said there were more guys then girls at M1 but then you said all the rooms were vacant? Its been over a year since I stayed there but have been staying there since 2006. Last time I was there it was very busy with the ladies.

I usually stay at M1 for just a night or 2 then get an Airbnb. If its that slow I may not stay on my next trip. Its a great location for sure. Pretty high rates if your getting a nice room there w / Jacuzzi.

My issue now is trying to find decent flights anymore! They all suck!

I hope I'm not repeating information others have reported. (When I'm boots on the ground, I don't keep up with ISG as well.)

I just returned from my latest MDE trip. I stayed at the mansion (M1). People seem to have a strong opinion on the value, with fair arguments on either side. I am a fan myself. This past week, there was a good group of guys that made the down time enjoyable. The problem was that there were more guys than girls. What makes the mansion so nice to me is the ability to sit and chat with the girls at the pool. There were days that there were literally two girls there all day. I'm not sure how long this will go on. In talking with some girls I trust, the hotel has clamped down on who can enter. Essentially, a girl needs a date to get in. Honestly, that sucked! The more I think about it, the more angry I get. No one goes there for the luxury accommodations. So I don't see a bright future for them if they keep this up..

[JohnnyWalker55]

I do not hate Parque Lleras. But I hate many of the foreigner guys that frequently go there. The ones that need constant attention "look at me look at me" syndrome. They overspend and then bring that to Centro and to other cities because most are 2 week millionaires.

Yep, I avoid Lleras / Poblado at all costs because of second hand embarrassment from weekend warriors who "ball out".

There's a large influx of mid thirties early 40's guys who don't speak a lick of Spanish, backwards hats, full tatted sleeves, gold plated watch, etc. And are the opposite of discreet when it comes to mongering.

They get drunk and can't keep it together, expect to get laid just because of their passport, talk to the waiters in English as if they understand, I've seen it too many times.

IMO this is also the stereotype that working girls, taxi drivers, and locals have of gringos, much to my dismay.

Even though paisas are extremely kind, I'd say they resent the aforementioned weekend warrior types, treating the city like an amusement park.

[Huacho]

I think we all know this, but to be clear, I understand US and Canadian citizens are governed by the laws of our countries even when overseas. So EVEN IF no money exchanges hands you can still be prosecuted if the girl is under 18.

Yep. The legal term is 'exterritoriality.'

[Surfer500]

I know roach motels are cheap so wondering if they are air conditioned? Are there any quickie hotels in that area that have AC?

Good question, you got me stumped, I'm not aware of any.

[Chicago85]

Yes I ask them for ages and they do say 17. FYI legal consent age in Colombia is 14, and many get in trouble for it bc they assume it's the same for working girls LOL. Consent age for working girl is 18, so if you're paying she better be 18.

I think we all know this, but to be clear, I understand US and Canadian citizens are governed by the laws of our countries even when overseas. So EVEN IF no money exchanges hands you can still be prosecuted if the girl is under 18.

[Surfer500]

I don't think the weekend warriors drive the market beyond Parque Lleras. They drive the market in Parque Lleras because they are the market in Parque Lleras. I've been to Centro from time to time. I don't notice much movement in market rates. Whether or not the quantity and quality of providers is different than it was once is debatable but there is no objective evidence of costs going up because of weekend warriors or any other reason.

I don't agree with this, or perhaps I'm just misunderstanding what your saying, but the "weekend warriors" have done the same in Centro as some of the SW's there deal totally different with the majority of the foreigners they encounter, "meaning higher prices."

[SankarShetty]

I am going back to Medellin this week. I just bought a new phone in US, slipped in my claro SIM, transferred all my data including whatsapp. I am unable to get the verification code for whatsapp here in US for the claro number. My regular recharged 10 mil pesos yesterday but that looks like it was data only recharge and no SMS. Is there an amount of recharge that can give messages and calls so I can get whatsapp verified here while on roaming. I think claro connects via Verizon here.

[Plan77]

I know roach motels are cheap so wondering if they are air conditioned? Are there any quickie hotels in that area that have AC?

[Plan77]

I found the cost to be quite high, specially in laureless area. The German pharmacy on cr 70 was the most expensive asking 13 K for one 100 MG tablet! Ouch. Others quoted 12 K for one.

Centro was better, most places did not have 100 MG but a few that had offered it 2 for 12. The best price was around 46 and 52 which offered 2 100 mgs tablets for 8 K, still double the rate I could get it for in India or Thailand.

Does anyone know any cheap place to buy it from in centro or laureles? And what brand is the best?

[WankingDead]

I hope I'm not repeating information others have reported. (When I'm boots on the ground, I don't keep up with ISG as well.)

I just returned from my latest MDE trip. I stayed at the mansion (M1). People seem to have a strong opinion on the value, with fair arguments on either side. I am a fan myself. This past week, there was a good group of guys that made the down time enjoyable. The problem was that there were more guys than girls. What makes the mansion so nice to me is the ability to sit and chat with the girls at the pool. There were days that there were literally two girls there all day. I'm not sure how long this will go on. In talking with some girls I trust, the hotel has clamped down on who can enter. Essentially, a girl needs a date to get in. Honestly, that sucked! The more I think about it, the more angry I get. No one goes there for the luxury accommodations. So I don't see a bright future for them if they keep this up.

I'll call this a bit of educated speculation. But apparently, several days back, a disgruntled girl called the police and reported some illegal activity in the hotel. That brought the police in, caused some inspections and some big headaches for the hotel. So maybe a crackdown is part of the process. But it sucked. The bar downstairs was slightly less impacted but there were significantly less people. I'll also mention that most of the rooms at M1 were completely vacant last week. So take that for what it's worth. But it was very disappointing.

I was there when the inspection happened, it took the whole day and no girls were allowed that day till late in the day, luckily it was my penultimate day but my chica told me no girls are allowed in without a date for the next 15 days.