General Info

[MjTravelLove]

Does anybody know of a similar site but a Colombian version. Feel free to PM me. I am not disturbing sh_t here. I pay for this site and like it, but need a more well-rounded view.

THANKS!

[JjBee62]

I've written about this before and have shared these thoughts with a few others who appreciated them. I was reading through some old messages this morning and realized unreasonable expectations is what started the current row in the stupid shit thread.

My first visit to a restaurant in Colombia, a little place in Bogota, near Parque 93, left me frustrated. Simply put, I expected to receive US restaurant service in Colombia. As everyone knows, service in Colombia is much different. I expected a waiter to check on me 4 minutes after handing me the menu, and every 5 minutes after that. As you already know, that ain't happening.

It took me several days to adjust. When I did, I learned something. The waiters and waitresses were being polite, by Colombian standards. To interrupt someone with a mouthful of food, just to ask a basic question is rude.

When we're traveling, especially to common mongering destinations, it's easy to treat it just like home. At home, nobody is going to show up 90 minutes late without any effort to inform you of the delay. At home, the cashiers keep the lines moving. Waiters swoop down on you every 5 minutes. If you let them, these things can ruin your day. Even worse, these things are unavoidable.

No matter where you go, or what you do in Colombia, you're going to have interactions with the locals. That's why most of us go there. I've listened to several guys gripe about how annoying it can be dealing with Colombians. My response is, "stop expecting them to be north Americans."

You can yell all you want at the girl who showed up late, or who didn't tell you she was on her period, but it won't change anything, except for your mood. She's going to be late for the next guy. Screaming at the cashier or waitress won't accomplish anything either. Neither will complaining about them to me.

I'm almost always going to side with the Colombian. They are just being Colombian. If your dog shits in the wrong spot, I'm on the dog's side. To him, it smelled like the right place to shit. He's just following his instincts. It's not right or wrong, it's just different. There are things you can't change.

How you handle all the situations that come up is your decision. However, if you accept that these things are inevitable, you can learn to work around them or to deal with them without letting them affect your mood.

The Paisas are going to be the same next week, next month and next year.

[ReefTip]

In Medellin you can usually find some gringos hanging out at Patrick's. They also cluster at the Parque Lleras Juan Valdez.

Thanks for the info.

I actually found a another good bar that I like to hang – out at, and I will recommend this place as being worth a visit.

Philly Sports Bar it's on the ground floor of the San Peter Apartment building in Laureles.

Bill the expat owner and his sidekick chef Victor are excellent hosts.

[World Travel 69]

I guess you should stay home.

Or use two condoms.

You're right about HSV-1. The majority of people have it in most (but not all) countries. Where a large percentage of genital herpes is HSV-1, low HSV-2 incidence rates don't tell you much. However, in most parts of the world, most genital herpes is HSV-2. I think the 57% HSV-2 incidence rate in women in Colombia versus the 4% HSV-2 incidence in women in Spain is significant, as is the 5% HSV-2 incidence rate in women in the UK and Isreal, and 13% incidence rate in women in Canada. When in countries with a high incidence rate, like Colombia, more caution may be advisable: See my reports in the Safe Sex forum. On the other hand, if you've already got genital herpes or get it in the future and decide to look for a long-term relationship, a country like Colombia where most women already have the same STI you have might be your best place to look.

[Param Ahmad]

That means Colombia is not much different from any other country. You and I both probably have HSV-1 and HSV-2. As the Wikipedia article shows, these virus are very common.

You're right about HSV-1. The majority of people have it in most (but not all) countries. Where a large percentage of genital herpes is HSV-1, low HSV-2 incidence rates don't tell you much. However, in most parts of the world, most genital herpes is HSV-2. I think the 57% HSV-2 incidence rate in women in Colombia versus the 4% HSV-2 incidence in women in Spain is significant, as is the 5% HSV-2 incidence rate in women in the UK and Isreal, and 13% incidence rate in women in Canada. When in countries with a high incidence rate, like Colombia, more caution may be advisable: See my reports in the Safe Sex forum. On the other hand, if you've already got genital herpes or get it in the future and decide to look for a long-term relationship, a country like Colombia where most women already have the same STI you have might be your best place to look.

[Arcangel]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epid...herpes_simplex

According to this Wikipedia article, 57% of women in Colombia are seropositive for HSV-2, suggesting 57% of women in Colombia have genital herpes. However, also according to this article, 89% (men and women) in Colombia are seropositive for HSV-1 (which is elsewhere said to be responsible for the majority of genital herpes in some parts of the world).

That means Colombia is not much different from any other country. You and I both probably have HSV-1 and HSV-2. As the Wikipedia article shows, these virus are very common.

[Param Ahmad]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epid...herpes_simplex

According to this Wikipedia article, 57% of women in Colombia are seropositive for HSV-2, suggesting 57% of women in Colombia have genital herpes. However, also according to this article, 89% (men and women) in Colombia are seropositive for HSV-1 (which is elsewhere said to be responsible for the majority of genital herpes in some parts of the world).

[Arcangel]

I forgot to mention: if you use your Credit or Debit Card to pay for goods or services, make sure they charge you in COP and not in USD, EUR or whatever your card's currency. I have paid in better hotels by card (when I didn't have enough cash in pocket) and most times I had to insist that they charge me the proper amount in COP, because when the machine sees a foreign card, by default it converts at its own crappy rate to your currency, costing you around 5% more. Some hotel staff didn't know how to tell the machine charge to in COP and had to get help. Always check the amount on the screen and insist on COP.

Even some ATMs offer to charge you in your currency. Don't do it.

[JjBee62]

Firstly thanks to all of the people who have made contributions to this forum. Your information has been most useful.

I am used to traveling in Asia, and there always seems to be a bar where expats in the area like to hang out and a new face is made welcome. I have not seen any place like this mentioned on these forums maybe I missed the post? I tried to find Jenson's bar last night before I discovered it was closed.

In Medellin you can usually find some gringos hanging out at Patrick's. They also cluster at the Parque Lleras Juan Valdez.

[Arcangel]

but if you need to pay 2 million pesos upfront for an apartment because its owned by too small of a business to accept credit cards you're stuck bringing cash or wiring the money.

This is Colombia, small business is flexible. What I would do in this situation is tell the people that I'm happy to pay the 2 million but that I cannot get it out of the ATM all on the first day, that I'll pay half the first day and half on the second day. I'd be surprised if they were to turn around and say: get out of here, it's all or nothing.

[YippieKayay]

The ATM discussion is in full swing again on the Bogota thread, when it really belongs here.

The topic always flares up again when some newbie wants to bring cash. The only valid reason I can see to bring cash is if you have ilicit money that you cannot put into a bank account and you'd rather just spend it in Colombia. Other than that, use ATMs, it's the most cost-effective, safe and convenient method.

Yes for average amounts but if you need to pay 2 million pesos upfront for an apartment because its owned by too small of a business to accept credit cards you're stuck bringing cash or wiring the money. I'll be fucked if I'm going to wire money to Colombia. That shit probably raises enough red flags on its own. So I'll bring just enough to get 2 million pesos to the airport in Bogota and check the cambios for the best rate. There are several of them right when you exit customs and one in the baggage area.

[Arcangel]

The ATM discussion is in full swing again on the Bogota thread, when it really belongs here.

The topic always flares up again when some newbie wants to bring cash. The only valid reason I can see to bring cash is if you have ilicit money that you cannot put into a bank account and you'd rather just spend it in Colombia. Other than that, use ATMs, it's the most cost-effective, safe and convenient method.

Don't be a chump and let your bank rip you off. Shop around in your country of residence for a Visa or Mastercard (or preferably both) that does not add a fee or commision for foreign currency cash withdrawals. Read the small print.

Credit cards normally charge you a high rate of interest from the day of cash withdrawal. You can avoid this by paying money into your credit card account ahead of time, so you're not actually getting credit.

In Colombia get your cash from ATMs that don't add a fee for foreign issued cards. Most ATMs, including BanColombia and RedAVAL charge around 13 k COP.

Davivienda: free withdrawals, limit 400 k COP, repeat as necessary.

Banco Caja Social (This has never been mentioned on this forum, I believe): free withdrawals, limit 700 k COP (on my card anyway).

You can repeat withdrawals on the same day up to a limit that is set by the issuing bank, I believe. One time I got 1200 k a day out of Davivienda several days in a row, no problem.

I try and avoid using my cards other than in ATMs. The risk in a shop is that your card data gets stolen. Even if you don't get a fraudulent charge on your account, the bank may block your card and you are left without money until you get hold of your replacement card. For this reason, always have a second card as backup. Last year my main card got blocked and reissued. My bank wouldn't tell me what happened, but I suspect it may be because I used the card to buy an airticket online for someone other than me (for a girl).

Another thing to avoid is to arrive in a country like Colombia and max out your card in the first ATM. This is likely to trigger your bank's fraud algorithm and block your card. This happened to me once in Brasil.

[Balboa]

Firstly thanks to all of the people who have made contributions to this forum. Your information has been most useful.

I am used to traveling in Asia, and there always seems to be a bar where expats in the area like to hang out and a new face is made welcome. I have not seen any place like this mentioned on these forums maybe I missed the post? I tried to find Jenson's bar last night before I discovered it was closed.

Actually Jenson's didn't close, it was sold to another Gringo, and he changed the name, and the ambiance of the bar to try and attract more of the young Colombianos (as) with money to come, as a cool spot for them.

[ReefTip]

Firstly thanks to all of the people who have made contributions to this forum. Your information has been most useful.

I am used to traveling in Asia, and there always seems to be a bar where expats in the area like to hang out and a new face is made welcome. I have not seen any place like this mentioned on these forums – maybe I missed the post? I tried to find Jenson's bar last night before I discovered it was closed.

[Bango Cheito]

The question about trying to retire to Colombia on $2200/ month has me thinking. I'm willing to prove it can be done. I know some of you have more than enough money to finance the attempt. I'm betting some of you have an accountant who knows how to make it completely deductible. Who wants to fund the experiment?

It comes to $26,400 for the year. Add in money to pay taxes on the $26.4 k and that brings it to about $34 k. I'll have to wait 6 or 7 months to begin, unless you want to pitch in another $8 k for my current obligations.

For my part I'll keep a complete record of every peso spent, write updates at least weekly and document all experiences. I'll also make an effort to find and review chica friendly hotels, love motels, restaurants, attractions worth visiting, casas, and various girls. As a bonus, at the end of the year I'll give you my complete chica Facebook list, which I should be able to at least double in size. That would be about 500 girls.

I'm certain some of you marketing gurus can figure out a way to turn a profit off of the experiment. I already have a few ideas.

How about it? Anyone want to give it a shot?

I'we been living in Bogota on and off since 2005 now. I've almost never spent more than 2 million a month for my own expenses. Some leaner months I got by on a million pesos or less.

The trick is to live in Estrato 3. Getting around on a bicycle or motorcycle is also a good option; it works out to even cheaper than taking the bus!

I don't even feel that I'm missing much from life up north, even when I've had to just scrape by.