General Info

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2192947]Hi,

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.[/QUOTE]Hi Sober,

Another newbie to Colombia here. Don't know about your first two questions but I have seen a few people recommend [URL]https://www.pobladorentals.com/Home/index[/URL] was actually just looking at the site. I believe they have a good guest policy.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2192947]Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.[/QUOTE]Uber is easy to use after you get used to it. I set it up on a cash basis, instead of using a credit card.

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

I have found many airbnb apartments that allow guests, but many don't. [URL]https://www.apartmentinternational.com/en/destinations/medellin[/URL] has many short-term rental apartments, and almost all are guest friendly. They are professional apartment managers.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2193198]Thanks I'll take a look now.[/QUOTE]I have rented from Poblado rentals. Barry is a good guy to deal with.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2193419]Uber is easy to use after you get used to it. I set it up on a cash basis, instead of using a credit card.

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

I have found many airbnb apartments that allow guests, but many don't. [URL]https://www.apartmentinternational.com/en/destinations/medellin[/URL] has many short-term rental apartments, and almost all are guest friendly. They are professional apartment managers.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the advice.

Not bothered about paying a small fee withdrawing money every few days just don't want to pay a fee everytime I use a taxi.

Never knew you could use cash with Uber, I'll have to read up on it.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2193419]The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.
[/QUOTE]You might try "World Remit". I believe this is a British company and you can send currency to yourself in Colombia. The rates seem quite decent compared to other services. I use my Charles Schwab card to make withdrawals when I am in Colombia and this company refunds any service charge fees along with ensuring a fair (I. E. Current exchange rate). But they may not have British branches.

I disagree with Luvr. I would never use a money exchange house. Use your debit card in Colombia. Mine is free. No ATM charge. Even with a 3 or 4 percent ATM charge it is the best way to get cash. And safe and easy.

I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.

[QUOTE=Koslord;2194070]I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.[/QUOTE]Anywhere you go when you click Uber Pool, most of the time the driver does not even pick up another person. Fun? It is a ride. Is riding in a bus or taxi fun?

[QUOTE=PirateMorgan;2193465]I disagree with Luvr. I would never use a money exchange house. Use your debit card in Colombia. Mine is free. No ATM charge. Even with a 3 or 4 percent ATM charge it is the best way to get cash. And safe and easy.[/QUOTE]I Agree.

Using the casas de cambio is a smart idea if you wind up holding a large a mount of COP near the end of your trip and you need to change it back. Cambios Vancouver in Salitre Plaza is usually the best bet in Bogota in these cases.

To get COP, using an ATM is by far the best. If you are US based, get a Schwab checking account and a Capital One visa. You'll never pay another fee.

[QUOTE=KosLord;2194070]I was checking out how much an Uber would cost from the airport to where I'm staying and I noticed the option for Uber pool. Has anyone used that? Is it fun riding with others to your destination in Colombia? I doubt I'd use it but I'm curious if anyone has.[/QUOTE]Uber Pool saves relatively little money compared to just taking Uber X, and you can potentially wind up with a trip taking 3-4 x longer, especially if there's any problems picking up the other passengers.

The only potential advantage is if you're looking to pull some girl who's a potential other passenger, although if you push the wrong button, she could report you to Uber and get your account deactivated.

You can also download Tappsi and use it to hail the yellow taxis in most Colombian cities.

Personally I prefer to have everything electronic and not have any cash changing hands, because of the convenience but also because it avoids any potential scams with taxi drivers.

[QUOTE=Dccpa;2188791]Look at you tube videos of the hike and destination. I looked into a trip 3-4 years ago. The buildings were not made of stone and the lost city looks like a bunch of golf greens. I believe there are choices ranging from shorter to longer than 4 days. I love history and nature, but I decided to pass.

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ciudad[/URL]+perdida+Colombia+.[/QUOTE]You have to be in excellent physical shape to even consider this. It amounts to a good solid week of 10 hours per day hiking up and down some very steep hills in sometimes high heat and humility.

[QUOTE=MedellinGringo;2170895]No reason to get a SIM card upon arrival. Especially if AT&T offers 3 G for the $10 bucks a day or $60 a month international service.

I have T mobile and I get free 2 G international roaming. It is OK for chatting on Whatsapp and Messenger but I have to connect to WIFI if I want to make a call using Whatsapp.

Bottom line is everybody uses Whatsapp in Colombia. No reason to get a SIM if you have international data.[/QUOTE]Couldn't disagree more.

You can get a Colombian SIM and for $10 USD or so have data for the whole month, possibly even less if you use enough wifi.

Just remember to call in and register your phone the first time you do this.

[QUOTE=BangoCheito;2195725]I Agree.

Using the casas de cambio is a smart idea if you wind up holding a large a mount of COP near the end of your trip and you need to change it back. Cambios Vancouver in Salitre Plaza is usually the best bet in Bogota in these cases.

To get COP, using an ATM is by far the best. If you are US based, get a Schwab checking account and a Capital One visa. You'll never pay another fee.[/QUOTE]Myself if I have pesos left over I keep them for the next trip. Saves you from hitting the ATM after you get off the plane. Also at almost 3,000 pesos per $ I. 00 am very happy to keep them at that rate.

First trip to Colombia this coming September. I am having a difficult time with web searches and scanning ISG posts for chica hotels to stay at in Bogota and Cartagena. I am looking for good location, roomy, under $75/ night. Thanks,

I am headed to Colombia with some friends we are interested in renting a home for a week and throwing crazy parties every night would love 10 to 15 hot looking Colombian girls. Do you guys have a recommendation as to what city would be best we were considering Cartagena. And where do I go to get 1015 girls at once man that's an undertaking any help would be truly appreciated trying to create the ultimate animal house party for a week madness all week long!