General Info

[Manizales911]

So today when I went through the immigration line, I asked the officer if Checkmig was no longer needed. He said that everyone still needs to complete it. Funny thing is that I do not remember the last time I did it. Definitely did not do it today.

I flew out of Colombia yesterday and it was the first time that I was not asked for it. I will continue to do it just because it takes five minutes to complete and I don't want to end up doing it on the fly using my phone on the chance that they do ask for it.

[Mr Enternational]

So today when I went through the immigration line, I asked the officer if Checkmig was no longer needed. He said that everyone still needs to complete it. Funny thing is that I do not remember the last time I did it. Definitely did not do it today.

[Aaragon2022]

Apologies if I should be posting this somewhere else. I tried finding the information and couldn't.

1) Are they still checking phones in immigration?

2) has anyone used an eSIM? I am thinking of getting a SIM from the airport. Is there a waiting period for the SIM to be active?

3) I am going to stay in a hotel in Poblado. The plan is to get 2 girls to the room everyday. We are there for 3 days. When I booked the room, I booked it for 2 guests. Will the hotel create a stink if I am getting multiple people? The hotel is Hampton inn in Poblado.

4) At this point I have lined up a bunch of dates with girls I have met on seeking. I don't fuck SW's or escorts. Just my thing.

[IamLookin]

CheckMig is working for me. I was able to log on just now.

I went to Medellin in late May on United Airlines from Newark and I was asked for the CheckMig form.

When you go thru immigration in Medellin, they will electronically see if you have registered when you hand over your passport.

On the way back in early June, I filled out the form but was not asked for it at the Medellin airport. I asked the flight check-in about that and she told me they now see it electronically.

Best to ask the airlines if there is any doubt and not make assumptions that you don't need it.

I guess Checkmig is a thing of the past. Last time I did not do it and nobody said anything. This time I tried to do it and it let me do a couple of screens of info before finally saying bad gateway. Did the same on my phone and laptop. Nobody said anything about it on either end. The immigration guy just said Hello, scanned my passport, stamped it, then gave it back.

[Fun Luvr]

I guess Checkmig is a thing of the past. Last time I did not do it and nobody said anything. This time I tried to do it and it let me do a couple of screens of info before finally saying bad gateway. Did the same on my phone and laptop. Nobody said anything about it on either end. The immigration guy just said Hello, scanned my passport, stamped it, then gave it back.

The only way I have gotten Check-Mig to work is by putting in all the information in Spanish. If I use English or Frequent Traveler, I get the bad gateway message. They do collect the information because the last time I arrived, I offered the agent my local address and he said it was already in the system. I was staying at a different place, so the address had not been put in on a previous trip. Anyhow, less than 30 seconds with the agent.

[Mr Enternational]

I guess Checkmig is a thing of the past. Last time I did not do it and nobody said anything. This time I tried to do it and it let me do a couple of screens of info before finally saying bad gateway. Did the same on my phone and laptop. Nobody said anything about it on either end. The immigration guy just said Hello, scanned my passport, stamped it, then gave it back.

[GeorgeCarta22]

Is New York LOS Angeles?

Oops I think the symbol didn't come out.

I meant to type.

Is Cali GREATER / better than bogata in your opinion (your being general forum opinion).

[Zeos1]

I don't speak spanish but they tell me its very dangerous with cartel activity. Actually my one friend's extended family who does work for home for a big tech company in america moved down to Cali (hes colombian) even he told me not to come to Cali and just go to medellin. I don't know if that's just a danger thing or what. Anyway. Now I feel like I should check out Cali.

Is Cali Bogota?

Is New York LOS Angeles?

[GeorgeCarta22]

Why do they say to avoid Cali? I have been going there almost 20 years and do not really see a reason to avoid it. Unless maybe you do not speak Spanish and are looking for more of a tourist vacation spot.

I've been to Cali 15 times. Never been robbed or hassled or anything bad. I usually stay in the Granada area most of the time. That's north of the Cali river, a more upscale part of town. Lots of restaurants around there. For sexo I go to the San Nicholas area. Usually to Bar La 20, and Son Sonero. And the streets around there.

I don't speak spanish but they tell me its very dangerous with cartel activity. Actually my one friend's extended family who does work for home for a big tech company in america moved down to Cali (hes colombian) even he told me not to come to Cali and just go to medellin. I don't know if that's just a danger thing or what. Anyway. Now I feel like I should check out Cali.

Is Cali Bogota?

[MongerHunger]

I've been to Cali 15 times. Never been robbed or hassled or anything bad. I usually stay in the Granada area most of the time. That's north of the Cali river, a more upscale part of town. Lots of restaurants around there. For sexo I go to the San Nicholas area. Usually to Bar La 20, and Son Sonero. And the streets around there.

When I was in Cali I also stayed in the Granada neighborhood on Avenida 9 right down from Container Park / Plazoleta de Comidas. It a complex with a lot of food choices inside. Pretty decent selection. Cali was the first place that I tried Chonta Duro con sal, limon why miel even though I had been seeing it in Colombia for years. I'm not a fan. It doesn't look like the way it taste. I didn't have any problems while in Cali and I walked around at night. Nobody ever warned me about the fangers of going to Cali but instead I was told about the many curvy morenas, darker skinned chicas and the love of Salsa dancing there.

[MongerHunger]

I agree w you. The last couple of years I've made Pereira my base of operations. It's a nice / friendly easy going / safe mid size town. And has a number of monger options as well. Plus the food. I also go to Cali for a couple of days as well. And lately I've been taking the bus to Armenia. Another friendly / safe mid size town w monger options as well. Never been to Manizales yet. I like the atmosphere in these places.

I have also taken the bus from Pereira to Armenia a few times. I use the company called TransArmenia / TransportesArmenia. They will get you to Armenia for about 11 k COP. I also use the same bus company from Pereira to Manizales. When you get to the Main Terminal Transportes in Manizales you can take the cable car up the mountains to el centro. You can start out at nearby Parque Caldas and the Caldas Mall across the street. It's a pretty lively area with things to do and see.

[Fun Luvr]

I doubt they were actual police. But good actors. Chatting away with the one guy, talking about some construction across the street. Then he tells me he is undercover investigating something, and eventually that he wants to talk to me about it. Showed me some sort of ID, fake no doubt, and I started to get doubts when he was asking me about money. By then his buddy had come into the conversation, also with ID in his wallet...

I had a very similar experience years ago in Patio Bonito. I was out for a morning walk when a guy stopped me. I spoke very, very little Spanish. He showed me some type of ID in his wallet that he said was police ID. Then his buddy showed up. They asked how much money I had. I reached in my pocket and pulled out all I had, coins and all, which was less than 10 mil. The buddy then opened his wallet and showed me a US bill, I think it was $50, and asked if I had any of those. I told him no. After some more discussion, they wrote an address on a piece of paper and said that was the police substation and I needed to report there later that day. I walked away and never went to that address. On another occasion, a guy stopped me near the Viva Exito in Laureles. He spoke some English. He started with just a conversation, then it turned to the same thing. As soon as he showed me the ID in his wallet, I told him I had things to do and walked away. All three of those wore plain clothes.

[Mr Enternational]

All my local colombian friends tell me to avoid Cali.

Why do they say to avoid Cali? I have been going there almost 20 years and do not really see a reason to avoid it. Unless maybe you do not speak Spanish and are looking for more of a tourist vacation spot.

[BayBoy]

All my local colombian friends tell me to avoid Cali.

I'm wondering now if its just like all the reports telling me to avoid medellin.

I've been to Cali 15 times. Never been robbed or hassled or anything bad. I usually stay in the Granada area most of the time. That's north of the Cali river, a more upscale part of town. Lots of restaurants around there. For sexo I go to the San Nicholas area. Usually to Bar La 20, and Son Sonero. And the streets around there.

[GeorgeCarta22]

I agree w you. The last couple of years I've made Pereira my base of operations. It's a nice / friendly easy going / safe mid size town. And has a number of monger options as well. Plus the food. I also go to Cali for a couple of days as well. And lately I've been taking the bus to Armenia. Another friendly / safe mid size town w monger options as well. Never been to Manizales yet. I like the atmosphere in these places.

All my local colombian friends tell me to avoid Cali.

I'm wondering now if its just like all the reports telling me to avoid medellin.