General Info

[QUOTE=Napalm;1572539]Has anyone had Colombian immigration give them more time than the 180 days per year on a tourist visa? I've been here since January, only left the country for 2 days and by my math that should put me at 180 days on July 1st. When I extended my visa at immigration in Medellin they wrote in 26 Juli 14, which I take to mean July 26th. That is definitely over 180 days so will immigration at the airport catch that if I tried to leave on July 26th? The extra days would be convenient, but not if they hand me a nice fat multa on the way out.

I guess I could go back to immigration and ask them but since it looks like they goofed up in the first place I'm not sure I will get a correct answer out of them...[/QUOTE]I have seen a few of these situations and I will give you the best answer I can.

If you enter the country over 180 without proper documents you will not get in.

In your situation I would leave on July 26th. I have had friends that have done it many times. These guys have entered the country with minimal time, let's say 2 weeks to 6 weeks, and applied for extensions and received them from immigration for 60 days. Upon leaving, no problems. The airport is going to see a form stamped from immigration through July 26. You applied for an extension and received it through this date. You can always call immigration and ask them what date they show you good through. I would not alert them and lead them to this error.

I am going to be up against it this year. If return after late August, which I don't plan to, I will have 15 days left. I will immediately go to immigration and apply for extension. I have nothing to lose. If they give extra days I won't hesitate to take them.

On a different note, I stayed 100 consecutive days once and knew I was over the limit. All I needed to do was go to immigration to apply for extension. I was too disorganized and never made. Paid two fines which totaled $280. I read a few articles online that stated this would happen and it did.

Don't hesitate to call immigration or US Embassy offices to find things out and ask "off the record" questions. Be vague and don't give your info. Present your situation, of them stamping over by less than a month, and see what they say. I actually tried to call a US Embassy abroad today but they were closed for Memorial Day.

No guarantees when you are finding loopholes. Buena Suerte.

[URL]http://www.colombia.travel/en/international-tourist/practical-information/travel-to-colombia-information-and-advice/upon-departure[/URL]

[QUOTE=Gimmedub;1572571]Hands down you will be fined and possibly barred from entering the country again.[/QUOTE]No way. Yes he will be fined but he won't be banned from entering the country again.

Thanks for the replies and input. As it turns out it will be just as convenient to take my ass out of country on time, so that is what I will do. No point in rocking the boat if you don't need to!

[QUOTE=VegasJeff;1572662]I have seen a few of these situations and I will give you the best answer I can.

In your situation I would leave on July 26th. I have had friends that have done it many times. These guys have entered the country with minimal time, let's say 2 weeks to 6 weeks, and applied for extensions and received them from immigration for 60 days. Upon leaving, no problems. The airport is going to see a form stamped from immigration through July 26. You applied for an extension and received it through this date. You can always call immigration and ask them what date they show you good through. I would not alert them and lead them to this error.
[/QUOTE]That's what it seems like to me, that if they stamp my passport through July 26th, that I should be good through July 26th. But then again this is Colombia, and what I think doesn't count for much! I do recall now that the lady even told me when I was at immigration that I didn't have 90 days left, then she goes and gives me like 100 days.

Hey gents, Member here on ISG and for years have been looking to take a step from good ol Tijuana to something more distant and thrilling. Even contemplated Thailand, but as luck would have it I got word at work that I will need to be in Colombia for 2 days on business! I am still in awe and really excited. I will have a partner but after 2 days he can head back or do whatever the hell he wants because I sure as hell am staying a few more days and take advantage!

Here is the question, I will be in Medellin and not sure if I should stay there or take a flight to Cartagena or any other place in Colombia. I have Read the Forum and know there is good action to be had in Medellin.

Keep in mind I would be a complete rookie and have never been to Colombia.

Pros:

I know spanish.

Not new to mongering.

Cons:

Going solo.

Have 5 days only.

Never been here and do not know where to stay or where to go.

Obviously I will read more and more from the forum, but any advice for this Colombia newbie would be greatly appreciated.

That depends on where you are working.

Cartagena would be the last choice. Because it is too time consuming to find action.

If you are working in Bogota, start there. There is much to see and do there. See my lists and maps for action.

[QUOTE=SlickVick;1579365]Hey gents, Member here on ISG and for years have been looking to take a step from good ol Tijuana to something more distant and thrilling. Even contemplated Thailand, but as luck would have it I got word at work that I will need to be in Colombia for 2 days on business! I am still in awe and really excited. I will have a partner but after 2 days he can head back or do whatever the hell he wants because I sure as hell am staying a few more days and take advantage!

Here is the question, I will be in Medellin and not sure if I should stay there or take a flight to Cartagena or any other place in Colombia. I have Read the Forum and know there is good action to be had in Medellin.

Keep in mind I would be a complete rookie and have never been to Colombia.

Pros:

I know spanish.

Not new to mongering.

Cons:

Going solo.

Have 5 days only.

Never been here and do not know where to stay or where to go.

Obviously I will read more and more from the forum, but any advice for this Colombia newbie would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;1579639]That depends on where you are working.

Cartagena would be the last choice. Because it is too time consuming to find action.

If you are working in Bogota, start there. There is much to see and do there. See my lists and maps for action.[/QUOTE]I will be staying in Medellin. So from reading up it seems that I should just stay put since it seems a good place.

[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;1579639]That depends on where you are working.

Cartagena would be the last choice. Because it is too time consuming to find action.

If you are working in Bogota, start there. There is much to see and do there. See my lists and maps for action.[/QUOTE]Hey guys,

Quick question. I wonder why Cartagena would be the last choice. I was recently there. I could not find it any easier to pick up girls. Actually there were some I just didn't have the time for and are mow on my list for next time. I do agree if you are already in MDE stay there. No need to go elsewhere. But I don't understand why it woukd be hard to find girls in CTG. Just curious.

If you look on the List and Maps you will see that there are very few places to find action.

Most of the action is at night.

It is also more expensive.

It is a tourist and port town, so prices are higher.

I do like Cartagena for tourist things to see and do.

[QUOTE=NCal2014;1579878]Hey guys,

Quick question. I wonder why Cartagena would be the last choice. I was recently there. I could not find it any easier to pick up girls. Actually there were some I just didn't have the time for and are mow on my list for next time. I do agree if you are already in MDE stay there. No need to go elsewhere. But I don't understand why it woukd be hard to find girls in CTG. Just curious.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=SlickVick;1579661]I will be staying in Medellin. So from reading up it seems that I should just stay put since it seems a good place.[/QUOTE]Yeah, that's the best plan. There is only about one day's worth of general sightseeing stuff, so that plus nightime activities make a two day Medellin free time perfect. (I assume that the two days are free time, in addition to your work responsibilities). Cartagena is a nice tourist desetination, but very mediocre for punting. Its not worth the effort. Save Cartagena for another trip in the future. Paisas are better anyway.

Make sure to go on the Pablo Escobar tour. Not only is it interesting, but its also a decent general tour of the city.

[QUOTE=NCal2014;1579878]Hey guys,

Quick question. I wonder why Cartagena would be the last choice. I was recently there. I could not find it any easier to pick up girls. Actually there were some I just didn't have the time for and are mow on my list for next time. I do agree if you are already in MDE stay there. No need to go elsewhere. But I don't understand why it woukd be hard to find girls in CTG. Just curious.[/QUOTE]Cartagena is great as well, and easy to find women. As most guys know though, it's just different.

For the inexperienced especially, can be much more expensive.

I like Cartagena, and have fun there, for me however, it's good for a couple or few days only.

Medellin is home base for me.

For the guy that's already in Medellin already for work.

I suggest, like others have, to stay put and enjoy the scene there.

Have fun!!

Vai Brasil na Copa!!

Thanks for the tips guys. Great starting point and now I will focus on reading up on MDE. I am not sure just yet what hotel I will be put up at, but after my work is done and I stay longer I want to stay somewhere close to the action. I have read over and over that Masion is the best bet, but is this the only option to make things easy? Are there any nice hotels by the best casas? I am very much more into getting girls into my room.

I am pretty well comfortable now with the currency conversion and as I said, speaking good spanish is a plus.

Colombia just beat Japan 4-1 in the World Cup soccer championships. They all 3 games in their bracket, have 9 points, and will go on to the round of 16. Who knows how far they will go. Congrats to their team.

[QUOTE=BayBoy;1585873]Colombia just beat Japan 4-1 in the World Cup soccer championships. They all 3 games in their bracket, have 9 points, and will go on to the round of 16. Who knows how far they will go. Congrats to their team.[/QUOTE]I was at a bar with a young CO couple, they were so excited, nice kids. Like most Paisas they were nice.

[QUOTE=Belvaros;1585914]I was at a bar with a young CO couple, they were so excited, nice kids. Like most Paisas they were nice.[/QUOTE]So far 10 countries have made it to the World Cup round of 16. Seven are Latin American countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and host Brazil. Its home continent advantage.