General Info

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2237220]I prefer ATMs, you get best rate and general convenience. Do we have 'reliable / safe' ATMs without fees etc. Citi or BoA ATMs?

What is the difference in cash exch for $100 vs ATM rate?

Are there ATMs on the way out of airport.

Thanks.

Sam.[/QUOTE]In Medellin, Davivienda and BBVA do not charge ATM fees. Those are the only ones I know of.

I just checked on the internet three different exchange places and the rate is 2780/1 at two of the places, and 2785/1 at the other place. [URL]Xe.com[/URL] rate is 3067/1. So you should get at least 3060/1 at the ATM's. So, for $100 at the ATM, you would get 306,000; at the exchange houses, you'd get 285,000. Just about 10% difference.

There are two Bancolombia ATM's outside the baggage claim area at the MDE airport. Bancolombia charges a fee. The other banks' ATM's are on the second floor (up the stairs from baggage claim).

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2237318]In Medellin, Davivienda and BBVA do not charge ATM fees. Those are the only ones I know of.

I just checked on the internet three different exchange places and the rate is 2780/1 at two of the places, and 2785/1 at the other place. [URL]Xe.com[/URL] rate is 3067/1. So you should get at least 3060/1 at the ATM's. So, for $100 at the ATM, you would get 306,000; at the exchange houses, you'd get 285,000. Just about 10% difference.

There are two Bancolombia ATM's outside the baggage claim area at the MDE airport. Bancolombia charges a fee. The other banks' ATM's are on the second floor (up the stairs from baggage claim).[/QUOTE]
I will get some via ATM at Airport and later look for fee free ATMs in the city, will carry some USD just in case. 2 or 3% ATM fee is better than 8 -10% cash haircut

SIM card- what is the best place to get SIM card, will carry a unlocked iPhone.

Taxi to city- Read some place you can get a standard cab to city at fixed price like 50 K or something? Is that the way to go? Hotels are indicating airport shuttle- one had indicated a silly price like US $75!

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2236303]Follow back to the original post to read about the 3 most frequented areas in Medellin.

It appears the hotel is chica friendly.

Every place where you can rent a room in Medellin is close to the action. It all depends on which action you are looking for.

If the action you want is street girls, casas and low end strip clubs, and you want to be close to it, stay in El Centro. Disclaimer: many first time visitors to Medellin cower in their El Centro hotel room for 1 night and then run to El Poblado. El Centro can be scary.

If the action you want is Facebook girls, mileroticos and photosprepagos girls, along with a more expensive casa experience (or if you know how to use taxis, Uber and / or public transportation and want all the above plus the El Centro action, and want to avoid gringos) stay in Laureles.

If you want the closest experience to staying in the US, stay in El Poblado. You'll pay a little more. You'll spend more time in taxis, but you'll find many people speaking English.[/QUOTE]
Booked Hotel Poblado Plaza for 3 nights, will see after that.

What all action is nearby? Thanks.

Sam.

Any Safety Security Issues to worry about in Medellin. Any areas and stuff etc to avoid.

Thanks.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2237555]I will get some via ATM at Airport and later look for fee free ATMs in the city, will carry some USD just in case. 2 or 3% ATM fee is better than 8 -10% cash haircut

SIM card- what is the best place to get SIM card, will carry a unlocked iPhone.

Taxi to city- Read some place you can get a standard cab to city at fixed price like 50 K or something? Is that the way to go? Hotels are indicating airport shuttle- one had indicated a silly price like US $75![/QUOTE]If you use a Bancolombia ATM, get the largest amount possible because they charge per transaction, not a percentage.

I haven't bought a sim card in many years. The Monterrey Mall at the bottom of the hill on Calle 10 is an electronics mall. There should be numerous places there to buy a sim card. Take your passport and your phone with you.

The white taxis from the airport charge 65 K (I think) to Poblado. The yellow taxis are 70 K, I think. As a first timer, taxis are the way to go from the airport. You can also get Uber, but my experience has been they charge more than a taxi.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2237643]If you use a Bancolombia ATM, get the largest amount possible because they charge per transaction, not a percentage.

I haven't bought a sim card in many years. The Monterrey Mall at the bottom of the hill on Calle 10 is an electronics mall. There should be numerous places there to buy a sim card. Take your passport and your phone with you.

The white taxis from the airport charge 65 K (I think) to Poblado. The yellow taxis are 70 K, I think. As a first timer, taxis are the way to go from the airport. You can also get Uber, but my experience has been they charge more than a taxi.[/QUOTE]Taxi- In the PDF there is mention of Pvt Taxis: "Yellow (private) taxi: fixed price 50000 k (some quote 52000 k), see sticker in the window. Toll is included and they drive you to anywhere in Medellin. " 50/52 k sounds fine to me- Is this not correct?

Uber- within the city is Uber the way to go or local cabs?

SIM card- so this will be little bit of effort, I will try get a Int'l plan on my phone. How much do the SIM cards cards cost? Just add some / any amount?

Bancolombia ATM- What is the charge anyway?

Thanks.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2237680]Taxi- In the PDF there is mention of Pvt Taxis: "Yellow (private) taxi: fixed price 50000 k (some quote 52000 k), see sticker in the window. Toll is included and they drive you to anywhere in Medellin. " 50/52 k sounds fine to me- Is this not correct?

Uber- within the city is Uber the way to go or local cabs?

SIM card- so this will be little bit of effort, I will try get a Int'l plan on my phone. How much do the SIM cards cards cost? Just add some / any amount?

Bancolombia ATM- What is the charge anyway?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]The information about taxis is outdated by years. The yellow taxis are now 70,000, I am pretty sure.

Uber in the city is almost always the best way to go. If I am going for a short distance, I usually just flag down a yellow taxi. It's easier than trying to connect with an Uber. Sometimes in busy areas, it is difficult to get the Uber to the proper address. There is a minimum charge for both Uber and the taxis. Taxis are between 5,000 and 6,000, I don't know the exact amount. Uber is a little less than 5,000. Sometimes, late at night when it is raining, taxis are cheaper than Uber.

There's very little effort involved in getting a sim card. They are cheap, something around 15,000 which includes some minutes. You can add minutes at many places, even from sidewalk vendors. Sim cards and minutes are much cheaper than international cell plans.

I think the ATM charge at Bancolombia is about 12,000.

I'd advise people to download ATM hero app for ATM fees, max withdrawal information etc.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2237961]The information about taxis is outdated by years. The yellow taxis are now 70,000, I am pretty sure..[/QUOTE]Correct [URL]https://www.medellin.gov.co/normograma/docs/r_smmed_14136_2017.htm[/URL].

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[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2237961]The information about taxis is outdated by years. The yellow taxis are now 70,000, I am pretty sure.

Uber in the city is almost always the best way to go. If I am going for a short distance, I usually just flag down a yellow taxi. It's easier than trying to connect with an Uber. Sometimes in busy areas, it is difficult to get the Uber to the proper address. There is a minimum charge for both Uber and the taxis. Taxis are between 5,000 and 6,000, I don't know the exact amount. Uber is a little less than 5,000. Sometimes, late at night when it is raining, taxis are cheaper than Uber.

There's very little effort involved in getting a sim card. They are cheap, something around 15,000 which includes some minutes. You can add minutes at many places, even from sidewalk vendors. Sim cards and minutes are much cheaper than international cell plans.

I think the ATM charge at Bancolombia is about 12,000.[/QUOTE]Thanks.

All sounds fine:

Airport cab 70 k (24 $) - assuming it is flat rate, and these take cash only. So will have to use ATM at Airport, shouldn't be an issue. There is some mention of shared taxis. Is that a practical option?

Distance to airport is indicated as 10-12 miles, so 24 $ is not exactly cheap, but whatever.

Local Cabs - 5/6 K - 2 $ - Great. Assuming it is cash. Will carry cash bills. What kind of bills do have here: 1, 5, 10,20, 50,100?

15 K /5 $ SIM would hopefully get you thru a week? Yes Int'l plans are costly- especially AT&T. I earlier had TMobile, it included Int'l data and text (but no voice) - Text and WhatsApp would work fine, but other data (incl Uber) would be crappy. So any local vendor for would be fine? Claro is indicated as good provider?

Bancolombia /12 k per tran. Sounds OK.

Here I come - 27th - 3rd. Anybody else?

Sam.

Sorry dumb question, what the heck is prepagos? Google translate says prepaid?

But it being used here as 'hooker". Does this term has any specific special meaning: SW, FL, MP, whatever?

Sam.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2238046]Sorry dumb question, what the heck is prepagos? Google translate says prepaid?

But it being used here as 'hooker". Does this term has any specific special meaning: SW, FL, MP, whatever?

Sam.[/QUOTE]It means Escort. A guy in a fb group that I am cussed a chick out when she told him she was a prepago. He said there was no way he would pay in advance. We laughed at him. I guess that is where having some idea of local colloquiums come in.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2238032]Thanks.

All sounds fine:

Airport cab 70 k (24 $) - assuming it is flat rate, and these take cash only. So will have to use ATM at Airport, shouldn't be an issue. There is some mention of shared taxis. Is that a practical option?

Distance to airport is indicated as 10-12 miles, so 24 $ is not exactly cheap, but whatever.

Local Cabs - 5/6 K - 2 $ - Great. Assuming it is cash. Will carry cash bills. What kind of bills do have here: 1, 5, 10,20, 50,100?

15 K /5 $ SIM would hopefully get you thru a week? Yes Int'l plans are costly- especially AT&T. I earlier had TMobile, it included Int'l data and text (but no voice) - Text and WhatsApp would work fine, but other data (incl Uber) would be crappy. So any local vendor for would be fine? Claro is indicated as good provider?

Bancolombia /12 k per tran. Sounds OK.

Here I come - 27th - 3rd. Anybody else?

Sam.[/QUOTE]If we are talking about Medellin I always take the airport bus to town, it's like 9,500 p or $3. Then take a cab from it's last stop. One route goes to downtown Centro and ends up behind the Hotel Nutribara (the Autopista route) and the other I believe ends up at the San Diego Mall.

When you get to the airport as you step outside you will see these mini-buses, it's a hour ride to the city depending on traffic. The buses say "Combuses SA" on the side. Luggage goes in the trunk and they give you a numbered luggage tag.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2238032]Thanks.

All sounds fine:

Airport cab 70 k (24 $) - assuming it is flat rate, and these take cash only. So will have to use ATM at Airport, shouldn't be an issue. There is some mention of shared taxis. Is that a practical option?

Distance to airport is indicated as 10-12 miles, so 24 $ is not exactly cheap, but whatever.

Local Cabs - 5/6 K - 2 $ - Great. Assuming it is cash. Will carry cash bills. What kind of bills do have here: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50,100?

15 K /5 $ SIM would hopefully get you thru a week? Yes Int'l plans are costly- especially AT&T. I earlier had TMobile, it included Int'l data and text (but no voice) - Text and WhatsApp would work fine, but other data (incl Uber) would be crappy. So any local vendor for would be fine? Claro is indicated as good provider?

Bancolombia /12 k per tran. Sounds OK.

Here I come - 27th - 3rd. Anybody else?

Sam.[/QUOTE]Shared taxis from the airport is not a viable option. You have to wait for two or three other people to share the ride with. Another option is the bus. It will take you to Medellin for 9,500. Then you can get a taxi to Poblado from the bus stop for about 10,000. If you decide to take the bus, ask which bus goes to San Diego. Travel time to / from the airport is 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. So 70,000 is not bad because that includes the toll.

Bill denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 K. There are few 1 K bills because they are being replaced by a coin. Try to get small bills. From the ATM's, you don't have a choice. You will get mostly 50 K bills. Taxi drivers and local restaurants will probably not have change for a 50. In and around Medellin, most ATM's are attached to a bank. After getting the 50's from the ATM, go inside the bank and change some of the 50's for smaller bills. Most restaurants around Parque Lleras can give you change from a 50.

The minutes / data you get with the sim card will probably not last a week. You can recharge it for any amount you want. Claro is probably the largest carrier, but any of them are good.