Medellin Reports

[Wolf662]

I like the look of some of the rooms but my biggest question is, are these hotels girl friendly and allow you to bring girls back to the room?

Not sure about the Grand but I think the other 2 might be Love Motels that also rent short time so I would think for sure with them. But I would check with them to be sure.

[JjBee62]

I don't speak much spanish and now I live in Medellin part time! Speaking spanish is over rated. You can use the translation programs on your cell phone. Even though very few people speak English there, most people are very cooperative. I would go to MDE.

It's certainly possible to get by using translation apps, but speaking the local language is not overrated. If anything, it's underrated.

Without knowing at least the basics of the local language, you've placed strict limits on every experience. You've decided "this is good enough. " Coming from the US, good enough seems great, but it gets so much better when you add the ability to communicate without constantly reaching for your phone.

Unfortunately, learning the language isn't easy. It takes time to be able to hear and understand what the natives are saying. It's difficult remembering which tense to use. Then there's pronunciation. However, once you reach a certain point it becomes easier. You begin to recognize enough words to figure out meanings of words you don't know. You'll find that there are hundreds of words you already know, except the spelling is different, or different.

It's the difference between listening to a song on a cheap music box or listening to the same song performed live.

[Lefeu]

I don't speak much spanish and now I live in Medellin part time! Speaking spanish is over rated. You can use the translation programs on your cell phone...

Indeed, it is not necessary to speak Spanish in order to enjoy one self in that city, but the ability to speak Spanish greatly enhances the experience, by an order of magnitude.

On my first trip to Cartagena 20 years ago, I did not speak any Spanish, but managed to have a good time. My Spanish is better now and likewise my experience is a whole lot better.

[PolloNegro]

There are a few, just don't know their Chica policy, here's some:

(I want to walk a short a distance as possible to the Centro strip clubs and airport bus so I stick with Botero).

Grand Hotel $60+ has pool.

Calle 54 No. 45 - 92.

Hotel Mi Colombia $35+.

Calle 50 No 46- 14.

Hotel 47 Medellin Street $32+.

Calle 47 #45-47.

I like the look of some of the rooms but my biggest question is, are these hotels girl friendly and allow you to bring girls back to the room?

[TimeKeeper281]

Obviously it depends on you. While Laureles is a relatively nice neighborhood, there is a fair amount of street crime. If you're visiting alone, you're likely going to want to walk around the neighborhood you're staying in. Walking alone on La Setenta or la 33 (two party streets in Laureles) after dark is problematic. Whereas walking alone around Poblado at night is generally fine (though certain areas like Patio Bonito and Manila can be a bit dangerous).

IMO for a first visit, Poblado is better.

I appreciate the response. I am going to do Poblado, even though in the future I suspect I will prefer Laureles. I am just having hell picking an airbnb in Poblado. I want something really nice. I guess Blux, but I am not even sure if I will run into issues there with girls, even though it says guests are OK.

[Knowledge]

It helps, definitely.

Right on the money amigo!

How can anyone really believe that speaking the native language is not a HUGE advantage with everything.

[Dickhead]

I hung out all times of the night and didn't have one problem. I truly believe no one wants to scuffle with anyone who can really scuffle.

Especially if they have unlimited amounts of money to get themselves out of whatever they get themselves into. Ja ja.

[PolloNegro]

A lot of people on this board are scared of El Centro and some of their fears are unreasonable. However, walking around El Centro lost, at 3 am is not something that should be encouraged. There's a fair amount of ugly just a block or 2 away from all of the downtown strip clubs and around 8 to 8:30 pm the cops all disappear. Not that many cops hang out on the worst streets.

It's not too difficult to avoid problems in El Centro. It's also not too difficult to find problems in El Centro and at 3 am, if you don't know where you're at, problems are easier to find and harder to avoid.

I hung out all times of the night and didn't have one problem. I truly believe no one wants to scuffle with anyone who can really scuffle.

[Bdb013]

Sure, SecretBenefits, WhatsYourPrice, SeekingArrangements, SugarDaddie.com have all been useful. I still like SA the best though.

SA has always been good to me as well. I'm planning a trip in July. I already have about a dozen newbies lined up. The hard part will be picking the ones I can get to. I won't be able to get to them all.

[Turgid]

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is, it depends on where in Laureles. There are areas at the fringes of Poblado where you probably don't want to go, especially after dark. The same is true in Laureles, especially in the area between Laureles and El Centro. Fortunately, there's no real reason to go to those areas, except to pass through in a taxi.

The detailed answer:

I spent 9 months living in Poblado and frequently walked from the south end at La Frontera, to Parque Lleras, or walked back. Several times I made the walk after midnight (waiting until the bars close to try and catch a taxi is a bad idea). At no time did I have any problems.

I've spent the last 2 months living in Laureles. During this time, I've spent a lot of time walking around. I've done a fair amount of walking after dark and haven't had any problems. Maybe it's just me.

If you stay in Laureles, stay in the area between Avenida Bolivariana, Calle 33, Avenida Nutibara and Calle 44, unless you're staying along Carrera 70. Then you can stay north of Calle 44 just stay south of the metro station at Estadio.

Along Carrera 70 are plenty of bars and restaurants, most are inexpensive. Plenty of people out at night, especially Thursday thru Saturday. Huge crowds and serious party atmosphere whenever Atletico Nacional has a home game. Heavy police presence on those nights. There are a few girls who work the street and clubs at night, but they're harder to spot than the girls in Parque Lleras. They keep a much lower profile.

Except for Calle 44 and Calle 33, the side streets within the area defined above are nice, residential streets with plenty of small restaurants and stores scattered around. My street has a security guard who rides through on a bicycle all night long.

Parque Lleras is the upper class party area. Everything is more expensive. It has more food and party options. La Setenta (Carrera 70) is the middle class party area. Beer costs about 1/2 of the Lleras price, same with food. The hotel options in Laureles are more reasonable.

One rarely mentioned advantage of Laureles, no hills. Almost anywhere in Poblado you'll be walking up and down the hills. If you're coming from sea level, are older and not in good physical condition, you're going to end up taking a lot of short taxi rides because of the hills.

If you want more glitz and glamour and want to be around more gringos, spend the money and stay in Poblado near Parque Lleras. If you want the party atmosphere with a decent level of comfort, stay in Laureles and save 20 - 30%. If you want the cheapest of everything, save 50% and stay in El Centro.

I like Laureles. However, I've never found a good hotel to stay in there. There has always been one problem or another the major one being noise. If I find a nice hotel in Laureles suitable for my needs (quiet, good wifi, fridge, good breakfast, safe, etc.) I would certainly stay there.

[JjBee62]

Lucky how? That is normal downtown. I think people on this board are just scared of how it looks.

A lot of people on this board are scared of El Centro and some of their fears are unreasonable. However, walking around El Centro lost, at 3 am is not something that should be encouraged. There's a fair amount of ugly just a block or 2 away from all of the downtown strip clubs and around 8 to 8:30 pm the cops all disappear. Not that many cops hang out on the worst streets.

It's not too difficult to avoid problems in El Centro. It's also not too difficult to find problems in El Centro and at 3 am, if you don't know where you're at, problems are easier to find and harder to avoid.

[Mr Enternational]

I have been lost in MDE Centro at 3 AM, and all I got was help to find the strip club I was looking for. Yes I was lucky,

Lucky how? That is normal downtown. I think people on this board are just scared of how it looks.

[Balboa]

It's only overrated if you are the one that doesn't speak it. My first trip to Colombia 12 years ago I did not have more than ten words of Spanish and I had a great time but now that I speak pretty good Spanish it is a million times better.

Right on the money amigo!

How can anyone really believe that speaking the native language is not a HUGE advantage with everything.

[ColombiaLover]

I used to use William also. For airport trips and trips out of town. But he got himself on one of the USA TV shows a while back. And has been trying to focus on doing tours for regular folks. His daughter was working with him. He starting farming me out on cab rides or just cancelling, so I stopped using him. I also rented a few apartments from him. I thought of him as a friend at the time also. I have no idea if he will do a casa or strip club tour any more. If guess if he's not busy and the money is right, he'd do it. But I bet you can get the same service much cheaper from others.

When I first went to Medellin about 6 or 7 years ago I used a guy named William. He knows all the places. But I think in the last couple years he has been doing good just doing regular tourist stuff. So, I don't think he does the tours of lady places so much anymore. But I know he will still do it. He probably charges more these days though, and the last couple years he always seems busy. You can Google Best Guide Medellin. He will be the first listed website. Since he always seems busy I don't even tell him when I go to Medellin anymore. We used to be pretty close as friends for awhile.

[JjBee62]

Why would I take a taxi from the airport when there is a perfectly good bus for 1/20 of the price? I take chicas to love motels until I know them better. How would the guy bagging my groceries know where I lived?

Why would anyone pay 190 k for a taxi from the airport? Or where's the bus for 3250 COP?

If you need to get out 2 blocks away or hide where you're staying from everyone, maybe you're staying in the wrong place. Even without a porter, I have no worries about anyone knowing where I live. Unless someone wants to lob a grenade up from the street, I think I'll be okay.