Medellin Reports

[URL]https://noticias.caracoltv.com/medellin/ciudadano-extranjero-fue-encontrado-muerto-al-interior-de-un-apartamento-en-el-poblado[/URL]

[QUOTE=Questner;2112361]Last time I had an early flight out of Meddy at about 8 am. It has never crossed my mind to walk myself at dawn with luggage to Poblado metro station, then take a metro to the city centre, then take a public van to the airport if it even were available so early, and then to fear it may stuck somewhere in traffic for whatever reason and I would miss my flight.[/QUOTE]If someone is staying anywhere near Parque Lleras, they can take a taxi to the bus stop just outside the San Diego mall. It cost about 8,000. They can then take the airport bus to the airport for 9,500. The airport bus starts running very early, I think at 4:30 am.

Probably all of us who visit Medellin can afford to pay a taxi to take us to the airport, but why do that? I am not in the habit of paying four times more than I have to for anything.

[QUOTE=Questner;2112361]Last time I had an early flight out of Meddy at about 8 am. It has never crossed my mind to walk myself at dawn with luggage to Poblado metro station, then take a metro to the city centre, then take a public van to the airport if it even were available so early, and then to fear it may stuck somewhere in traffic for whatever reason and I would miss my flight. So, that's why I call busing to and from airport a BS, the same sort of advice given earlier in the thread to protect oneself in the city centre with 'a full size umbrella with a sharpened point as a possible weapon you can carry anywhere without trouble'[/QUOTE]This is simply a YMMV situation. I occasionally take a 2 or 3 day trip to Bogota and travel with just a carry on. I will take a taxi to the airport, because I have more control over my arrival time. In Bogota, I'll walk out hop on the free bus to the El Dorado Transmilenio portal, take the Transmilenio and then walk 5 to 10 minutes to my hotel, if I'm arriving during daylight. Costs me 2000 pesos and it's the same amount of time as a taxi.

Returning, I'll take the Transmilenio back to the airport, and then hop the bus to San Diego Mall, walk through the mall hop on the bus which drops me within a 3 minute walk of my apartment. I save a bit over 100 k and it takes the same amount of time.

Now if I'm traveling with more luggage I'll take the taxi.

I just did a check for this month and the price is only $35, but remember, the prices fluctuate. Who are you checking with? They are definitely trying to overcharge you.

[QUOTE=TjBrazil;2112312]I checked that hotel Dorado and came up with 75 a night for March. Where you getting 43?[/QUOTE]

Mariana.

This place is a casa that I found through an advertisement. 150000 pesos for 1 hour.

My experience was not good. She was a "don't touch my breasts type" girl so I cut off the session after 15 minutes and went to another casa. I don't know the general phone number to see the lineup. I think 4 or 5 chicas work here. Facility was nice. I think I found her on photosprepagos.

Picture is real but she has tattoos. You can see her image on Whatsapp. Unable to copy image.

Carrera 80 b#32 ee37.

This casa is the cleanest best facility of anywhere I went.

If you are staying in Poblado this is located within easy walking distance.

Unfortunately, these chicas are not the best in bed. They seem kind of inexperienced. Valentina gave an excellent strong massage if you are interested in that service. It might be worth checking out occasionally to see if the lineup improves.

150000 pesos per hour.

Whatsapp +57 xxxx571842.

Address: Calle 14.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;2112397][URL]Chicaspunto.com[/URL] and the place a floor above it are just around the corner from your favorite place.[/QUOTE]Yep have done a Chicopunto run, but I kinda like the laid back party atmosphere they get at Yakuza, dudes on couches drinking beers with the girls. I wander in and out of there several times a day usually to see who's working. And 45 k to my hotel is hard to be for the occasional cutie they have working.

[QUOTE=JoeFlaxman;2112337]I totally agree. Centro Medellin is totally safe during the day and up to 11 pm at night. Anyone who says it is dangerous needs to tell their own personnel story and stop spreading rumors.

Put it in writing. I was out near the Vera Cruz Church and Parque Botero every evening for 7 days up to 11 pm and never had any problems. I even went across the street from Parque Botero twice at 10 pm and walked by all the bars in the Zona Rosa. It was kind of seedy but no one bothered me. Also there were no beggars or touts around this part of town at night either unlike Ermita in Manila. Folks don't believe what others are writing. Just go there and see for yourself. I even walked from Parque Berrio to the San Antonio metro station one night at 11 pm and no one bothered me.[/QUOTE]There ya go. Totally safe. Thanks for the update.

By the way, What happens after 11 pm?

[QUOTE=IguanaSix;2112430]I'm planning a trip to MDE. My passport is valid, but will expire shortly after my planned arrival and departure. I know that some countries have requirements that your passport be valid for a certain time period beyond your entry date. Does anyone know what it is for Colombia?[/QUOTE]Pretty sure it has to be valid for duration of stay. I'd get a new one ASAP.

How long have you known El Centro?

[QUOTE=JoeFlaxman;2112337]I totally agree. Centro Medellin is totally safe during the day and up to 11 pm at night. Anyone who says it is dangerous needs to tell their own personnel story and stop spreading rumors.

Put it in writing. I was out near the Vera Cruz Church and Parque Botero every evening for 7 days up to 11 pm and never had any problems. I even went across the street from Parque Botero twice at 10 pm and walked by all the bars in the Zona Rosa. It was kind of seedy but no one bothered me. Also there were no beggars or touts around this part of town at night either unlike Ermita in Manila. Folks don't believe what others are writing. Just go there and see for yourself. I even walked from Parque Berrio to the San Antonio metro station one night at 11 pm and no one bothered me.[/QUOTE]

You typically need to have at least six months of validity to be admitted to most countries or to get a visa. You will be allowed to leave as long as you have at least 24 hours validity. The USA will admit you with at least 24 hours validity left on the passport. I agree with the advice to renew it before you go.

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2112581]Pretty sure it has to be valid for duration of stay. I'd get a new one ASAP.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=JoeFlaxman;2112337]I totally agree. Centro Medellin is totally safe during the day and up to 11 pm at night. Anyone who says it is dangerous needs to tell their own personnel story and stop spreading rumors.
Put it in writing. I was out near the Vera Cruz Church and Parque Botero every evening for 7 days up to 11 pm and never had any problems. I even went across the street from Parque Botero twice at 10 pm and walked by all the bars in the Zona Rosa. It was kind of seedy but no one bothered me. Also there were no beggars or touts around this part of town at night either unlike Ermita in Manila. Folks don't believe what others are writing. Just go there and see for yourself. I even walked from Parque Berrio to the San Antonio metro station one night at 11 pm and no one bothered me.[/QUOTE]What, you work for the Colombian Tourist Board or what? LOL.

I have stayed in Centro almost 3 weeks and walked everywhere and at no point did I think it was safe, just less unsafe sometimes. And I have been out solo on foot till 2 am. Personal anecdotes are a poor way to judge safety. Yes you are fine in Centro till you aren't. Then bad things might happen.

"Crime Statistics by Neighborhood in Medellin.

Last year the El Colombiano newspaper had an article the broke out reported crime statistics by comuna in Medellin.

Robberies / thefts of people reported in Medellin between January 1 and May 14,2016, were 13 percent less than the same period in the previous year. 49 percent of these robberies / thefts during the period were in El Centro. The second most common comuna for a robbery was Laureles followed by El Poblado.

If you normalize these counts by population El Poblado and Laureles have a similar population of about 125,000 while El Centro has a lower population of about 85,000 but it also has many visitors during the day doing shopping.

The most common items stolen were cell phones, followed by money and clothes and jewelry.

In El Poblado, robberies / thefts totaled 220 during the reporting period, which was up 15% compared to the same period in 2015. This may be due to thieves targeting the wealthy area of Medellin and tourists in the area.

La Candelaria (El Centro) remains the most dangerous part of Medellin with the highest counts of robberies / thefts, motorcycle thefts, homicides and sexual offences. That is why you will see an increased police presence in El Centro.

In terms of homicides, the highest counts during the period between January 1 and May 14, 2016 were found in La Candelaria with 28, Robledo with 21 and Castilla with 19. During this reporting period only 2 of the 171 homicides in Medellin were in El Poblado."

[URL]https://medellinliving.com/2017-security-in-medellin/[/URL]

There is a bit of new information in this video report. It happened on calle 10 near Parque Lleras in what appears to be a pretty modest apartment. The reporters said the victim was with a girl of illegal age, whose boyfriend came to the apartment. The boyfriend is the presumed suspect. The reporters and a law enforcement official they interviewed went on to mention sex tourism and the "companion's" age. You all know the rest.

[QUOTE=Kick123;2112431][URL]https://noticias.caracoltv.com/medellin/ciudadano-extranjero-fue-encontrado-muerto-al-interior-de-un-apartamento-en-el-poblado[/URL][/QUOTE]

Latest news indicate it seems he was trying to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123][CodeWord123][/url] a minor and his boyfriend came into help:

[URL]http://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/seguridad/asesinan-a-ciudadano-americano-en-el-poblado-de-medellin-JJ7803380[/URL]

[QUOTE=Balboa;2112573]There ya go. Totally safe. Thanks for the update.

By the way, What happens after 11 pm?[/QUOTE]The area does become very seedy after 11 pm. Up until 11 pm no problems. Colombian National Police were present every night in the area up until 11 pm. Like I said I never felt threatened and no one bothered me such as touts, beggars or pickpocketers.