General Info

Yes, there are a few in Sta Marta centro that allow 2 million. But its not all machines. You just need to check. For example, the one on the corner of Pqe Bolivar and the Malecon allows 2 million. On La 5, one machine allows, whereas the other doesn't. Am talking here of Davivienda ATMs. Same with the bank of ATMs in the small square on calle 13/14.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2573720]Last night I came across an ATM that allowed 2 million pesos and no fee. It was the Davivienda here in El Rodadero, Santa Marta. I walked up to the machine that the cars drive up to. Maybe the machines inside have a different protocol?[/QUOTE]

Bold move.

[URL]https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57619929.amp[/URL]

Appreciate if anyone can confirm the curfew restriction on cities below.

Cartagena- curfew at 9 pm.

Medellin- No curfew.

Bogota- curfew at 9 pm.

[QUOTE=PussyRiot;2575449]Appreciate if anyone can confirm the curfew restriction on cities below.

Cartagena- curfew at 9 pm.

Medellin- No curfew.

Bogota- curfew at 9 pm.[/QUOTE]I can confirm there is no curfew in Medellin. I don't know about the other two cities.

For anyone interested in renting a car and driving in Colombia, here's my 10 day experience.

First thing, it's an additional and almost completely unnecessary expense, plus there are added risks. If driving back home stresses you out, you shouldn't even consider it.

There were 3 components to my driving experience, Medellin, Bogota and driving outside of the cities. Driving in Medellin wasn't bad at all. Traffic was a problem, crazy people on motos were a problem, but it wasn't significantly worse than dealing with the traffic in any major city. What helped was my knowledge of Medellin. I already had a good idea how to get to the places I wanted to go. One issue which popped up, paying at parking garages. I expected to be able to pay on my way out, and ended up blocking the exit for 10 minutes, while I ran back to the payment machine.

The streets in Medellin are mostly in good condition. Potholes weren't too much of a problem, although one in the south end of Itagui snuck up on me. Just make sure to keep your eyes open for the speed bumps. Some of them will destroy a car. I didn't have any issues finding parking. A good spot I found near Parque Lleras was Valet Pro, right across the street from Hooters. If you come in from Calle 7 you can avoid all the traffic.

Driving in Bogota, I didn't do too much. Mainly driving out of and back into the city. One noticeable difference, drivers in Bogota are more impatient. Expect to hear more horns and to have more close encounters with motos. Also, the roads in Bogota are terrible. I've seen potholes that are more than a foot deep. I would rate them as the worst city streets I've seen.

Driving outside of the cities is not for the timid. Although most of the roads were decent, there are many narrow, steep and twisting roads where the trucks are going 5 mph. Passing is a game of Russian Roulette. I had a few close encounters with oncoming traffic, one close enough that I'm pretty sure one guy needed a change of underwear. There are construction zones where they will stop all traffic for 30 minutes or more. All you can do is sit and wait.

The worst problem I encountered was from Google Maps. It directed me off the highway and onto a dirt, one lane road which I was stuck on for 30 miles. Many times I had to stop and back up to find a spot wide enough for 2 vehicles. At least there weren't any tolls.

Speaking of tolls, expect a lot of them. They usually cost about 12 k. It's a good way to get rid of some of your coins.

To me, the biggest advantage was being able to go where I wanted, when I wanted. I took several trips to places outside of Medellin, including Guatape. While I know several girls with cars, I'm much more relaxed driving than riding with someone who is indecisive. I probably won't rent a car again, but I'm happy with my experience.

Almost ready to book my trip to Colombia.

Planning on going from 17th of August until at least 15th of September, possibly longer depending on re-entry rules back to the UK.

Here's my plan, just wanted to know if you lot think I should skip Cartagena and spend more time in Bogota or Medellin instead.

The architecture looks beautiful and I like to walk a lot so the fact it's safer, especially at night, is appealing but I'm not a huge fan of very hot weather or beaches.

This is my plan if I do go to Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

11 nights Medellin.

6 nights Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

My trip must begin and end in Bogota as it's much cheaper for me and less flights.

Would you lot stick to that or change it?

Also do people know gyms near Parque Lleras, Santa Fe and near the Walled City where you can pay per session or for a short period?

Thank you in advance.

My last time I was in Medellin I met a guy who has been visiting Medellin for the past 15 years.

He said that it was much easier to get dates with locals and girls were so interested in getting to know him.

Now with foreigners visiting Medellin by the thousands and girls' making a typical monthly salary in just one night, what are your opinions on how Medellin will change in the coming years in terms of mongering and meeting local girls for dating?

Let me know what you guys think.

[QUOTE=LionBacker;2577627]Now with foreigners visiting Medellin by the thousands and girls' making a typical monthly salary in just one night, what are your opinions on how Medellin will change in the coming years in terms of mongering and meeting local girls for dating?

Let me know what you guys think.[/QUOTE]In terms of prices, the Venzlas are a real blessing. They are going to keep the prices down for a long time yet.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2577520]Almost ready to book my trip to Colombia.

Planning on going from 17th of August until at least 15th of September, possibly longer depending on re-entry rules back to the UK.

Here's my plan, just wanted to know if you lot think I should skip Cartagena and spend more time in Bogota or Medellin instead.

The architecture looks beautiful and I like to walk a lot so the fact it's safer, especially at night, is appealing but I'm not a huge fan of very hot weather or beaches.

This is my plan if I do go to Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

11 nights Medellin.

6 nights Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

My trip must begin and end in Bogota as it's much cheaper for me and less flights.

Would you lot stick to that or change it?

Also do people know gyms near Parque Lleras, Santa Fe and near the Walled City where you can pay per session or for a short period?

Thank you in advance.[/QUOTE]12 days in Bogota sounds too much unless you have connections or family there or an elaborate plan on travel; 4 nights is more than enough. You can add to Antioquia (Medellin plus).

[QUOTE=LionBacker;2577627]My last time I was in Medellin I met a guy who has been visiting Medellin for the past 15 years.

He said that it was much easier to get dates with locals and girls were so interested in getting to know him.

Now with foreigners visiting Medellin by the thousands and girls' making a typical monthly salary in just one night, what are your opinions on how Medellin will change in the coming years in terms of mongering and meeting local girls for dating?

Let me know what you guys think.[/QUOTE]I've read a lot of veteran hobbyists are pivoting to Brazil. Of course this is before covid, not sure it's a good idea to visit there now.

[QUOTE=Questner;2577725]12 days in Bogota sounds too much unless you have connections or family there or an elaborate plan on travel; 4 nights is more than enough. You can add to Antioquia (Medellin plus).[/QUOTE]Ah OK, thanks. Might cut off Cartagena and do 3 weeks in Medellin and 6 nights in Bogota.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2577520]Almost ready to book my trip to Colombia.

Planning on going from 17th of August until at least 15th of September, possibly longer depending on re-entry rules back to the UK.

Here's my plan, just wanted to know if you lot think I should skip Cartagena and spend more time in Bogota or Medellin instead.

The architecture looks beautiful and I like to walk a lot so the fact it's safer, especially at night, is appealing but I'm not a huge fan of very hot weather or beaches.

This is my plan if I do go to Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

11 nights Medellin.

6 nights Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota..[/QUOTE]Agree with what another poster said about 12 nights in Bogota. A few days is all you really need. Of course, you could always venture out of Bogota for some of that time to some of the surrounding areas like Villa de Leyva (really nice), Melgar, or Girardot. Yes, walking around the of Cartagena is really nice, but the heat can be oppressive. Cartagena is also more expensive because of it being more touristy.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2577848]Ah OK, thanks. Might cut off Cartagena and do 3 weeks in Medellin and 6 nights in Bogota.[/QUOTE]Check and see if dates have been made for the Fest. If it's same time as your vacation, book well ahead, it may be very crowded and keep in mind prices will be a little higher for rooms at that time. Medellin usually is very crowded during this time with travellers from all over especially Europe. Pluses and minuses but It's really never a bad time there.

[QUOTE=SoberHans69;2577520]Almost ready to book my trip to Colombia.

Planning on going from 17th of August until at least 15th of September, possibly longer depending on re-entry rules back to the UK.

Here's my plan, just wanted to know if you lot think I should skip Cartagena and spend more time in Bogota or Medellin instead.

The architecture looks beautiful and I like to walk a lot so the fact it's safer, especially at night, is appealing but I'm not a huge fan of very hot weather or beaches.

This is my plan if I do go to Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

11 nights Medellin.

6 nights Cartagena.

6 nights Bogota.

My trip must begin and end in Bogota as it's much cheaper for me and less flights.

Would you lot stick to that or change it?

Also do people know gyms near Parque Lleras, Santa Fe and near the Walled City where you can pay per session or for a short period?

Thank you in advance.[/QUOTE]Just my two cents, but this is the worst time to be on the coast. If you want beach, fly to San Andres (there are always breezes on the island- inside the walled city can be so hot, humid, and still it'll crush your soul) from Bogota- it's only about $100 RT. That being said, there are lots of great places in the highlands besides Bogota. I plan to fly to Pereira, rent a car, and tool around El Eje Cafetero. Regardless of how good you think the coffee in Bogota or Medellin is, it's a fraction as good as the stuff they're brewing at the little restaurants around the central highlands. It's also nice and cool- so much so you'll want your blankey at night. There's a couple maps on this site for the major cities of Manizales, Armenia, and Pereira with some monger information; a quick look at photoprepagos and a couple other sites show some pretty decent prospects. If you do go to the coast, consider Santa Marta, as you can get away to Minca and the villages / archeological sites there, as the geography lifts really quickly to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the highest peaks in Colombia. Anyway, that's my plan and I'll report when I get back as to whether it's a good one or not.

As for the Festival de las Flores in Medellin, it's Aug 6-20 this year. I'm booked in Laureles from Aug 12-16, so I look forward to seeing some of the goin's ONS!

[QUOTE=MiamiSammy;2578705]Just my two cents, but this is the worst time to be on the coast. If you want beach, fly to San Andres[/QUOTE]Chick I was with 2 days ago in Bogota said this is the worst time to be in San Andres due to the hurricanes that hit recently.