Medellin Reports

[MedellinGringo]

Data packages from Tigo, Claro, etc. Are cheaper than most any data roaming deals. Even the free roaming deals from google, T-Mobile and others are throttled at 3 G or less. Some of them give you a small allowance at 4 G or LTE. That doesn't matter for social media and whatsapp but it's a pain in the butt for video streaming or work related applications.

I use google fi right now because T-mobile cut off my data service for being out of the country too long.

They did me a big favor. Google fi is faster than T-mobile but not quite as fast as having data from Claro or Movistar.

I like Google Fi because it is fast enough to have skype or whatsapp calls and calls to the USA Are free if connected to WIFI or 20 cents to call or receive calls from the USA If not connected to WIFI.

Google Fi also gives you a data only SIM that you can use in an other device. I use it in my Ipad that I keep in my car. It works great to stream music. But it cut out on me a few times driving to the airport so coverage for the data only SIM isn't as good as the phone it seems.

I use about 12 GB a month and pay 60 bucks plus tax for the data portion of my phone bill. Google charges 10 bucks per GB up until 6 GB and it is free after that.

I haven't checked what Claro or Movistar charge for 12 GBs of data but I don't think they offer free calls to the USA When connected to WIFI.

The down side to using a USA Phone is Colombia is there is no good way to call local landlines or to call cell phones that are not on whatsapp.

I don't know a single chick here that doesn't have whatsapp but sometimes they don't buy data and aren't connected to the internet so that is a drawback.

I can text their phones for free with Google Fi but they can't can't respond. But at least they know to get to WIFI so we can communicate.

[Chicafan]

I live in Medellin but I'm a huge fan of Centro. I've never had any problems.

All the clubs I've been to have rooms onsite. You don't need to leave with the girl.

Are we talking night time action? Where do you like to go. I was under the impression that the three major strip clubs I read about have short term hotels close but I think that would be too much for those newer to the MDE scene.

[Knowledge]

Data packages from Tigo, Claro, etc. Are cheaper than most any data roaming deals. Even the free roaming deals from google, T-Mobile and others are throttled at 3 G or less. Some of them give you a small allowance at 4 G or LTE. That doesn't matter for social media and whatsapp but it's a pain in the butt for video streaming or work related applications.

Yeah data and WhatsApp what do you any good if you don't have a smart phone jajaja.

It's been a long time since a Colombian gave me a cell number that I couldn't call with WhatsApp.

I only use a Colombia cell to call landlines when I'm away from my apartment.

For those that don't know data roaming is free in Colombia if you have T-Mobile or google fi.

Google fi is a lot faster than T-Mobile here.

[MedellinGringo]

Thank you for the 11 pm info.

For the rest, I don't want international data roaming, as my operator is too expensive. I don't want to change sim card on my phone. I connect to the wifi of my MIFI, with local SIM card.

I am very experienced with being online on wifi and roaming. I have been travelling in all the world since 15 years.

And of course, not everybody uses WA. I DO NEED a local SIM card for SMS and local calls, on my second phone.

Needless to mention, I don't bring my smart phone with me when I go out in Centro, night or day. I use a GSM phone which costs less than 50 k.

Yeah data and WhatsApp what do you any good if you don't have a smart phone jajaja.

It's been a long time since a Colombian gave me a cell number that I couldn't call with WhatsApp.

I only use a Colombia cell to call landlines when I'm away from my apartment.

For those that don't know data roaming is free in Colombia if you have T-Mobile or google fi.

Google fi is a lot faster than T-Mobile here.

[Black Page]

Most, and maybe all, carriers give you a grace period, although it is short like 48 hours. If you were there in June and did not have any problems, you should not have any problems now. The registration enforcement has been going on for a while. It is primarily for new sim cards, and when you move the sim card to a different phone.

I think you have to have your passport, or a copy, to register; not just the number.

I have an update, maybe useful to others.

I followed the procedure on the Movistar web site to register the IMEI of the old Nokia GSM phone. It asked lots of info, but the invoice of purchase is optional. I was able to enter my foreign passport number, specifying the city and country of issuance (I do not plan to organize any illegal activity using this phone, so I am not concerned about this), but I had to enter an address of Colombia. I entered a hotel in Medellin. I got a receipt, but no ACK by email yet.

Then I spent half an hour trying to contact the linea of atencion al cliente of Movistar. Finally, a very nice lady responded. She said:

1) My name is not associated to the SIM card, which is registered under the name of some Colombian. Of course, he must be the owner of the shop where I bought it many years ago. I should go to a Movistar office to register it, but of course I will not, as it seems not necessary.

2) The IMEI was successfully registered today on the web site. So, at least this problem should be solved.

3) She suggested to top up my SIM card using the Movistar web site.

I tried to top up on the Movistar web site. My card was charged for 20 k COP, but the recarga was not successful. WTF! It says it will keep trying later. I hope it will work.

The MIFI should not need to be registered, as it comes from an operator of my country (branded equipment). At least, this is stated on the FAQ of the Movistar web site. I hope this is true.

[Duncan216]

I did the halloween one week trip.

Before / During Halloween:

New life: 6's and below. Use to be only 8's and 9's, not sure what happened. Was very confused as there was even a very overweight girl working. If I meet these girls in a club, I'd prob pass. Every time I went there were like 5 guys hanging out there. I really don't like to go after another guy on the same day. I get more starfishes. I figure there were no 8's and 9's and if there were they had already been used up. I went in the morning, afternoon and night and it was the same. Tons of guys waiting and a bunch of 6's or below.

Divi group: also 6's and below except for one 7. I had her like 4 times because there wasn't enough options. Also was getting charged 45 k but got some kind of 10 punch card thing where the 10th is free or something.

Photoprepagos: I know I was suppose to wait outside and have the girl greet me to make sure it was not a bait and switch but she insisted I greet her inside her bedroom. I went up and meet a 5 or 6. I gave her the money up front and she left the room for like 10 minutes. She came back and started. I paid 20 k extra for a really bad BBBJ, then when I went in, she looked like she was in pain. I figure she had been working hard for days. I finished fast and she left the room and came back after like 15 minutes. I was pretty unfulfilled but wanted to try photoprepagos again. My sample size was small.

Facebook: I hooked up with a facebook girl Paula Andrea Garcia. I feel like she's a 9 in her facebook photos and her face looks almost exactly like her in real life. She was def not a starfish and she had the best moves I've seen in Medellin but she does have a little loose skin around her belly area (baby damage probably). Damage was 200 k plus cab (gave her 50 k, she was happy with that).

After Halloween:

New life: I went in right when it opened figuring maybe I'll get a unused 7 or something. I didn't see any guys waiting. I was then greeted with a few 8's and what I'd consider a 9 but most of you guys would consider 7's and 8's. I went back in the afternoon and night and the other times I was greeted with 8's and 9's. I was pretty happy with new life for the rest of the trip since I only had a few days after Halloween.

I guess the moral of this story was every monger goes out on Halloween and most girls either go to parties or take their kids out for trick or treating or day of the dead stuff or something. Prob going to skip out on holiday mongering from now on.

Street girls: so I passed by what I thought was a new location for street girls on an uber ride but couldn't speak Spanish so couldn't get dropped off quick to investigate.

[Duncan216]

Dear all,

I will be arriving to Medellin next week, late at night. I asked this days ago, but nobody responded: anyone knows if at the MDE airport there is any shop selling SIM cards or recargas, open after 11 pm?

I am now struggling with the problem of IMEI registration.
Yes, I RTFF and I have read several posts on this topic. All wanted to help, but I noted some confusion of terms and some contradictions.

I think the only way is to call the service line of an operator, but still I hope that someone here has survived this ordeal and has fresh information and updates to provide.
Some detailed information is posted here, which is my current best source of information:.

At first I got UK Three (one year 12 gb service) for like 50 bucks. It didn't work for me with an unlocked iPhone.

I then went to a cell shop to buy a tigo sim card and then to gana to fill it up. I knew that my phone would be denied service eventually if I didn't register it (I think the grace period is over a week). I went on the tigo website and just registered my phone with my passport ID number. I also needed the invoice that proved that I bought my phone (good thing apple emails you a receipt). I pulled that sucker up and registered it then got a text message that said my registration was completed OK within a few minutes.

I think this was the URL.

https://www.tigo.com.co/atencion-al-...stra-tu-equipo

Since I was just in Colombia for a week, I don't know for sure if my phone will get blocked when I return to Colombia though. I didn't need a photo of my passport or anything like that.

[Knowledge]

Two questions:

1. Why don't you put a data plan on the Colombian SIM card and be done with it? It's not expensive.

2. Why not upgrade your 50 k phone so you don't have to deal with the mifi? Your phone you use at home is no more likely to be stolen than the cheap phone you use in Colombia, assuming your 15 years of experience means you know better than to flaunt it.

Thank you for the 11 pm info.

For the rest, I don't want international data roaming, as my operator is too expensive. I don't want to change sim card on my phone. I connect to the wifi of my MIFI, with local SIM card.

I am very experienced with being online on wifi and roaming. I have been travelling in all the world since 15 years.

And of course, not everybody uses WA. I DO NEED a local SIM card for SMS and local calls, on my second phone.

Needless to mention, I don't bring my smart phone with me when I go out in Centro, night or day. I use a GSM phone which costs less than 50 k.

[Knowledge]

I registered over the Internet using a passport number. I was out of the country when I did it. I use a Claro SIM card.

Most, and maybe all, carriers give you a grace period, although it is short like 48 hours. If you were there in June and did not have any problems, you should not have any problems now. The registration enforcement has been going on for a while. It is primarily for new sim cards, and when you move the sim card to a different phone.

I think you have to have your passport, or a copy, to register; not just the number.

[Fun Luvr]

1) I always use an old GSM Nokia dualband phone, tried over the years in many countries of Latin America. Maybe bought in Colombia many years ago, maybe somewhere else.
I have a Movistar SIM card, which never expires and I am used to top up on my arrival. Do I have a grace period, or on my arrival this phone will not work if the IMEI is not registered? How many days before being blocked as "stolen"?
Last time I used this phone with this SIM card was last June.

3) To register, I understand that a passport number is enough. Correct? (a tourist does not have a cedula).

Most, and maybe all, carriers give you a grace period, although it is short like 48 hours. If you were there in June and did not have any problems, you should not have any problems now. The registration enforcement has been going on for a while. It is primarily for new sim cards, and when you move the sim card to a different phone.

I think you have to have your passport, or a copy, to register; not just the number.

[Black Page]

There are no shops selling SIMs after 11 pm.
And there really isn't any reason to purchase a SIM card anyway.
If you have international data roaming. You have everything you need to communicate with women.
Just add them to your whatsapp and use it to write and call them. Or you can do the same using facebook and messenger.

Thank you for the 11 pm info.

For the rest, I don't want international data roaming, as my operator is too expensive. I don't want to change sim card on my phone. I connect to the wifi of my MIFI, with local SIM card.

I am very experienced with being online on wifi and roaming. I have been travelling in all the world since 15 years.

And of course, not everybody uses WA. I DO NEED a local SIM card for SMS and local calls, on my second phone.

Needless to mention, I don't bring my smart phone with me when I go out in Centro, night or day. I use a GSM phone which costs less than 50 k.

[MedellinGringo]

Dear all,

I will be arriving to Medellin next week, late at night. I asked this days ago, but nobody responded: anyone knows if at the MDE airport there is any shop selling SIM cards or recargas, open after 11 pm?

I am now struggling with the problem of IMEI registration.
Yes, I RTFF and I have read several posts on this topic. All wanted to help, but I noted some confusion of terms and some contradictions.

I think the only way is to call the service line of an operator, but still I hope that someone here has survived this ordeal and has fresh information and updates to provide.
Some detailed information is posted here, which is my current best source of information:
http://atencionalcliente.movistar.co...de_terminales/

I would like to understand the following.

1) I always use an old GSM Nokia dualband phone, tried over the years in many countries of Latin America. Maybe bought in Colombia many years ago, maybe somewhere else.
I have a Movistar SIM card, which never expires and I am used to top up on my arrival. Do I have a grace period, or on my arrival this phone will not work if the IMEI is not registered? How many days before being blocked as "stolen"?
Last time I used this phone with this SIM card was last June.

2) Same question for a mobile wifi router (MIFI), which I use with a SIM card with a data plan (Claro, usually).

3) To register, I understand that a passport number is enough. Correct? (a tourist does not have a cedula).

I hope to fix everything online or on phone before travelling. Thanks!

There are no shops selling SIMs after 11 pm.

And there really isn't any reason to purchase a SIM card anyway.

If you have international data roaming. You have everything you need to communicate with women.

Just add them to your whatsapp and use it to write and call them. Or you can do the same using facebook and messenger.

[Horny Goats]

I've never needed to go to Centro at night but it works for some people. The problem for one new to Medellin is that Centro at night is probably intimidating and I believe you have to leave with the girl and rent a hotel room or take her to your place.

I live in Medellin but I'm a huge fan of Centro. I've never had any problems.

All the clubs I've been to have rooms onsite. You don't need to leave with the girl.

[Mr Enternational]

So always go to her apt, someone you've never met, in a foreign country, in a city you are unfamiliar with, in a language that is not your first language and take the risk of having her or her novio or crew waiting for you in the other room to rob / drug / beat you. Hmmmmmm!

No. Just go outside before you tell her something that she may not like. When you are with a chick that you came to no specific price with then walk them outside before you pay them, unlike the guy in Sosua last week.

I am on the side of you never know. But after a couple thousand chicks I have only had problems with less than 10. And none of those involved some boyfriend or crew trying to rob me.

[Chicafan]

So always go to her apt, someone you've never met, in a foreign country, in a city you are unfamiliar with, in a language that is not your first language and take the risk of having her or her novio or crew waiting for you in the other room to rob / drug / beat you. Hmmmmmm!

Right. A condescending comment without advice is useless. It was obvious the OP was looking for help. The-know-it-alls could shorten their comments to "I'm so smart".

You take a chance either way. Sh*t can go south in a heartbeat. At your hotel, at her hotel, your apt or her apt. Point is be vigilant, be careful, be cognizant, be aware, trust your gut and always have an exit strategy.

Even a girl you know can go south. One visit she's pristine and adorable then the next she's been on drugs for six months. But we are talking about phone order prepagos so yes, screening, gut feel, communication and be ready to disengage before she gets in a taxi. I would imagine she would send photos through wpp for verification and usually you can tell if she's attentive and polite. Short term hotels are an option for strangers or prepagos but that is a hassle as well unless it's safe walking distance from your apartment. The idea is not to work too hard, stress or go out of one's way. It's easier, less time consuming and about the same cost just to go to casas and strip clubs even Gusto or Lleres at night but naturally people want girls to come to the apartment they are spending so much money to rent. For daytime, if a newbie, I would just go to casas. There's always two or three with a good group and that's enough for daytime action if you don't have a base. Don't be greedy. Go out, find a perfect 6 and enjoy the rest of your day after you banged a girl for $25.

If one is coming every month or two the strategy changes and you invest building your book by going out and meeting girls in venues like the strip clubs, get their number, talk to them later. But if you are just coming for a trial and don't have a base sometimes you have to accept risk but I doubt there is that much risk with a prepago if you screen properly. But if you have an apartment without security you have to be more protective.

Night time action seems more murky for the first timers. Absent a base from Facebook or staying at the Mansion what are the options? Strip clubs, Gusto, Nancy's place (Casa Piedro?) ? I would say Centro strip clubs as well. I've never needed to go to Centro at night but it works for some people. The problem for one new to Medellin is that Centro at night is probably intimidating and I believe you have to leave with the girl and rent a hotel room or take her to your place.

FWIW I always make a girl I do not know well take a yellow taxi, never uber. I pay the extra to make sure whoever she arrives with is not a potential accomplice.