General Info

[QUOTE=VsebudetNY;2380931]Ayenda 1235 Botero Hotel. Steps from Botero Plaza, Yakuza casa just across the street, most of El Centro's casas within walking distance.

Please check Wolf662's perfect report (Hotel Botero Medellin was the old name) for details:

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/forum/showthread.php?2654-Medellin-Hotels-and-Rental-Apartments&p=2151246&viewfull=1[/URL]#post2151246.[/QUOTE]I spent a week in the Hotel Calle Real, about 50 yards from Parque Berrio Metro station and a little more than half a block from Botero Plaza. This has been about five years ago, but security was very good and it was uber convenient. I've walked by a few time since then and it doesn't look to have changed much. You can check out my review in TripAdviser.

Hey,

Did a quick search and didn't really find anything useful. What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.

[QUOTE=BedWetter;2388331]Hey,

Did a quick search and didn't really find anything useful. What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.[/QUOTE]Most of the girls are fine with the cheap Alguila Light, although they'll also drink Corona if you want to spend the extra money. Smirnoff Ice coolers are also pretty popular. Rum and Bailey's are usually acceptable.

[QUOTE=BedWetter;2388331]What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.[/QUOTE]Water. Most chicks (non-pros) that I know only drink water and coffee sometimes.

[QUOTE=BedWetter;2388331]Hey,

Did a quick search and didn't really find anything useful. What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.[/QUOTE]OK, thank you!

I have used 2 Spanish schools in Laurles Colombia Immersion and EleFun. Colombia Immersion was much bigger many people classes larger 6+ and more expensive. My last trip I stayed a few blocks from Elefun it was great. Only a few people my classes were only me and one other guy from Brasil. I think it is new but great vibe and the cost is less than CI and they include a beginners Salsa class with the tuition and food on Wed. So I would totally recommend Elefun. It is well worth the money. I might be around in early Dec if you want to pm me. I know laurles / estadio really well.

[QUOTE=CuriousFun;2386816]Hi!

My Spanish is very poor, and on my next trip in Dec I was thinking of taking some Spanish classes during the day. I have found several options in Laureles including Colombia Imersion school, Prime, Elefun, OSLA international and Ondas. Anyone have any recommendations?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BedWetter;2388331]Hey,

Did a quick search and didn't really find anything useful. What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.[/QUOTE]I usually buy a couple of bottles of red wine, open them up with the chica there. The good sessions are the ones where we polish off at least one bottle. I also usually stock some strawberries, chocolates, whip cream etc.

Ok, so my fellow punters who may have gone thru this, help me!

I got claro sim which I bought and registered phone with them in my last trip. I had prepaid package so expired after few weeks; Now I'm going to be back in haven within next few weeks and was looking to recharge my sim (I am signed up on claro app), and while attempting to recharge, it ask for "Colombian ID" when entering CC / Debit card info. One option is Cedula, other is foreign ID and 3rd is Tax ID.

Given I don't have 1st or 3rd option, I tried 2nd and entered my US passport credential (as I used that when registered my sim and phone IMEI initially), but it's not letting me thru (charge) on credit card charge.

Anyone who had same situation, can you share what you did and how I can recharge my sim from USA?

My main intent is to have a working phone when I land (As I land after 10 p) and wanted to utilize Uber / In driver option to be picked up from airport and get to poblado.

Gracis.

[QUOTE=MushElvii;2389330]Ok, so my fellow punters who may have gone thru this, help me!

I got claro sim which I bought and registered phone with them in my last trip. I had prepaid package so expired after few weeks; Now I'm going to be back in haven within next few weeks and was looking to recharge my sim (I am signed up on claro app), and while attempting to recharge, it ask for "Colombian ID" when entering CC / Debit card info. One option is Cedula, other is foreign ID and 3rd is Tax ID.

Given I don't have 1st or 3rd option, I tried 2nd and entered my US passport credential (as I used that when registered my sim and phone IMEI initially), but it's not letting me thru (charge) on credit card charge.

Anyone who had same situation, can you share what you did and how I can recharge my sim from USA?

My main intent is to have a working phone when I land (As I land after 10 p) and wanted to utilize Uber / In driver option to be picked up from airport and get to poblado.

Gracis.[/QUOTE]I have found that many of the online sites will not accept foreign credit cards, but they will gladly accept the card in person. There are online sites where you can recharge. One is [URL]mobilerecharge.com[/URL]. Another option is to use the free wifi at the airport to order an Uber, then buy minutes when you are in Medellin. If you have a chica friend, you can ask her to buy a couple mil minutes for your number.

[QUOTE=BedWetter;2388331]Hey,

Did a quick search and didn't really find anything useful. What kind of drinks do you guys usually stock up when you first arrive.

Looking for user friendly beer / alcohol to stock for the ladies and friends that stop by.[/QUOTE]As my first post I think its good to have 1. Something you like and want to drink, for me I always have vodka at the ready since I don't drink anything else and for the girls I normally offer a combination of beer, wine, coffee, or aguardiente (some love it some hate it). I always like to keep a bottle of water available. If you do that you've got everyone covered from a pro to non pro. Don't forget to have something worth snacking on either. Chocolates work.

[QUOTE=Jbj64;2389158]I have used 2 Spanish schools in Laurles Colombia Immersion and EleFun. Colombia Immersion was much bigger many people classes larger 6+ and more expensive. My last trip I stayed a few blocks from Elefun it was great. Only a few people my classes were only me and one other guy from Brasil. I think it is new but great vibe and the cost is less than CI and they include a beginners Salsa class with the tuition and food on Wed. So I would totally recommend Elefun. It is well worth the money. I might be around in early Dec if you want to pm me. I know laurles / estadio really well.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I contaced Elefun and I think they will be a great fit, and also only a 10 min walk from where I'm staying.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2389357]I have found that many of the online sites will not accept foreign credit cards, but they will gladly accept the card in person. There are online sites where you can recharge. One is [URL]mobilerecharge.com[/URL]. Another option is to use the free wifi at the airport to order an Uber, then buy minutes when you are in Medellin. If you have a chica friend, you can ask her to buy a couple mil minutes for your number.[/QUOTE]This is most probably the reason. Even living here if I want to recharge Tigo from my phone or pay my bill it won't accept foreign credit cards. My solution was to open a Nequi account and recharge from there and when I travel just leave a bit in the Nequi account to recharge my Colombian SIM before I get there. Not sure if you can get Nequi without a cedula though; worth looking into.

That international SIM they posted here may work for some but won't work for me, because I NEED to be able to use the hotspot option. I now work a lot online and I need to have a plan be in case the internet craps out wherever I am.

Anyone know why flight has been more expensive this year than last year??

Usually flight with Copa and their price has been at least $100 more expensive than usual this year.

[QUOTE=OldBelly69;2393185]Anyone know why flight has been more expensive this year than last year??

Usually flight with Copa and their price has been at least $100 more expensive than usual this year.[/QUOTE]Usually has to do with fuel prices or when you booked the flight.

Book the flight seven weeks in advance.

Buy at the best time: Tuesdays at 3 pm EST.

Fly on the cheapest days, which are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Fly out early.

[QUOTE=OldBelly69;2393185]Anyone know why flight has been more expensive this year than last year??

Usually flight with Copa and their price has been at least $100 more expensive than usual this year.[/QUOTE]It has to do with the mandatory grounding of the Boeing made planes. Airfares are up for all carriers whose fleets were all or mostly the grounded Boeings.

I'm in same situation. COPA is my favorite and prices for me are up much more than $100.