General Info

[Fun Luvr]

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

Uber is easy to use after you get used to it. I set it up on a cash basis, instead of using a credit card.

The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to find a bank that doesn't charge fees. I don't know what is available in the UK. Otherwise, you should take cash (preferably US dollars) and exchange at any of the many exchange stores. Shop around for exchanges, because they all have different rates. They are called cambios. You get a better rate at ATM's, but transaction fees take away that advantage. When I used the exchange stores, I found that Inter Dolar near Parque Lleras in Poblado usually had the best rates.

I have found many airbnb apartments that allow guests, but many don't. https://www.apartmentinternational.c...tions/medellin has many short-term rental apartments, and almost all are guest friendly. They are professional apartment managers.

[CimFan]

Hi,

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

Hi Sober,

Another newbie to Colombia here. Don't know about your first two questions but I have seen a few people recommend https://www.pobladorentals.com/Home/index was actually just looking at the site. I believe they have a good guest policy.

[SoberHans69]

Hi,

Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Never used Uber before and my bank account charges a fortune for any foreign currency transactions. What's the best way around this?

Also not sure if anyone travels from the UK here? Am I better off taking cash over (sterling, dollars or Euros) or just using card abroad and paying the fees?

Finally going to get a condo in El Poblado, apart from Airbnb are there any other good rental sites? Most of the Airbnb ones are none guest friendly.

[Drifter47]

Yes. Mil is the same as thousands.

I'll making a trip to Medellin soon so I want to get this currency thing straight. I am getting session quotes in Mils. Is 150 K the same as 150 mil?

[MrFour4]

I'll making a trip to Medellin soon so I want to get this currency thing straight. I am getting session quotes in Mils. Is 150 K the same as 150 mil?

[JjBee62]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?

The Davivienda ATM at CC Santa Fe had a 2 million limit last time I used it, with no fees. Banco Pichincha had a 1 million limit, but you can make multiple withdrawals on the same transaction. Also no fees. However, I think there are only 2 locations in Medellin and they don't work with all cards. One is located on Avenida Poblado south of CC Santa Fe, across the street from the DHL building.

[Kazeu]

Has anyone else been having trouble with Citibank ATMs in Medellin. All of their ATM's have been giving my an error "Sorry, I can't do that right now" when I try to withdraw cash. I've always had good experience in the past with Citibank because they usually let me withdraw 2. 000.000. The weird thing is, Citibank ATM's in Bogota were working just fine when I was there 2 weeks ago, but here in Medellin. No luck. Any advice on high withdrawal limit banks?

[MrFour4]

Hello guys,

I want to thank everyone for their contribution. This site has been extremely helpful in planning my upcoming trip to Medellin. I have a few question, thanks in advance for you assistance.

1. Where to change currency? Once we land, should we do it at the airport or is there a better option?

2. Rides from the airport? Anyone know a reliable driver or better yet chica that does pickups?

3. Cell service? Whats the most reliable service (voice & Data) to go with and can it be purchased at the airport?

4. I land around 2 pm where the best place to check out once I settle in?

Thanks guys!

[Dccpa]

I am planning to visit Colombia for about 20 days on January. Do you thing ciudad perdida worths a visit or you can see more interesting places? As the trek lasts for about 4 days.

Look at you tube videos of the hike and destination. I looked into a trip 3-4 years ago. The buildings were not made of stone and the lost city looks like a bunch of golf greens. I believe there are choices ranging from shorter to longer than 4 days. I love history and nature, but I decided to pass.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ciudad+perdida+Colombia+.

[AlexWP]

I am planning to visit Colombia for about 20 days on January. Do you thing ciudad perdida worths a visit or you can see more interesting places? As the trek lasts for about 4 days.

[BigAzzLuvr]

Hey guys,

I'm making my first trip to Colombia soon and had a question about cell phone service. AT&T has an international plan for $10 a day or $60 a month. Just wondering if I should sign up for 1 of those plans or just buy a local SIM card upon arrival. My phone is unlocked but haven't seen much information on this topic. Appreciate any help.

As FunLuvr stated getting a local sim is the way to go. You have wifi at the airport do you can use Uber from airport to hotel / location. Once you are in Centro just stop by one of those cell Kiosks.

For 15 K pesos I just received a Tigo Sim Card for 7 days of service and 1 GB of data. Tigo provides more data than Claro.

[Wolf662]

You can get to Medellin from Miami as cheap as $180 sometimes, I flew down last year for $220:

https://vivaair.com/en-co

[Gertsch700]

Am in the process of planning my trip to Colombia for January 2019. Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena.

[ForkTruck]

I am very limited in my Spanish language skills. Can I get by with English? Is there any city / location better than another for English speakers?

[Fun Luvr]

... However, I was wondering if any of you seasoned guys can recommend, by name, some of the bars or clubs within the Poblado area that these semi-pros might be most likely to hang out. Other than Gusto's, I can't seem to find any other bars by name reference either on this or any other boards.

I haven't been to either, but there are reports that Jensen's (Cra 37 #10-29) and Hacienda (Cra 38 #8 A-08) have some working ladies. They are very close to Parque Lleras.