General Info

[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;2230466]One thing I noticed a few weeks ago in Bogota, was the lack of good cell phones, not to mention not so many girls pecking at their phones mindlessly. I guess I should be happy for that. A few girls I encountered at the houses of pleasure and night time venues I visited had some archaic and old "dumb" phones. Though, a pair of Venezolanas I met at Chicas Milenio had nicer smart phones and were deep into them when they were not trying to fleece me. I'm not sure if they reflects poverty or more so the expense of owning a smart phone with a data plan. In Asia, smart phones are ubiquitous in poorer nations. However, they also are at the source of cheap electronics and I figure that is a factor on the other side of the Pacific.

That said, is a cheap, outmoded but unlocked Android phone an item in demand or of some value in Colombia? I have at least three of those things lying around in my drawer. We're talking nothing older than Android Lollipop, at least one loaded with Nougat but still outmoded. I could probably sell them on Ebay but wouldn't get much for them. So, I took one along on my last two trips in case of a problem with my preferred phone. I have read reports of guys on other forums who closed the deal with a girl (or upgraded the services) by giving them a cheap smart phone of little value back home. Anyone done that in Colombia?[/QUOTE]I haven't given smartphones to any girls in Columbia. But I am planning a trip to Medellin and joined columbiancupid so I can make some whatapp contacts. When I ask some give me their numbers but I've had three say that they need a new phone in order to text. In those cases I just continue to talk to them on the website. I'm thinking about bringing a cheap android to use when I go out to el centro day or night and leave my iPhone in my safe at the hotel, maybe I'm being over cautious but just in case.

LionBacker.

[QUOTE=LionBacker;2229148]Is it risky to take a girl back to your place even when they check ID at the front desk? I was thinking of locking my things up (wallet, phone, passport). I just like the convenience of her taking a taxi to your place instead of going to centro to meet her and have to stay in a subpar motel.[/QUOTE]I hate short term hotels. In my opinion (30 years) if you use some degree of caution, don't leave anything in plain site, and NEVER share a drink in a situation where you could be drugged. You should be fine. Similar for escorts in the US.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2230645]It's unlikely you'll get more out of them than you could get selling them locally.
The girls will appreciate the phones, but if you're thinking of turning a profit, you're going to be disappointed.[/QUOTE]Thanks for your input. But, I don't recall saying anything about selling them. I'm only interested in using them as leverage in a P4P agreement.

I've never owned an expensive phone and never plan to. I only buy used phones in good condition that do what I need them to do. One reason I don't own nice phones is because they do get stolen or broken, everywhere. But, at least they are cheap enough to keep a serviceable backup around.

[QUOTE=LionBacker;2230686]I haven't given smartphones to any girls in Columbia. But I am planning a trip to Medellin and joined columbiancupid so I can make some whatapp contacts. When I ask some give me their numbers but I've had three say that they need a new phone in order to text. In those cases I just continue to talk to them on the website. I'm thinking about bringing a cheap android to use when I go out to el centro day or night and leave my iPhone in my safe at the hotel, maybe I'm being over cautious but just in case.

LionBacker.[/QUOTE]Since March 2018. Most of my pics are with my Galaxy S8+. I haven't upgraded because I'm waiting on the Galaxy S10. I won't even comment on the phone situation, what I will say is this, a good cell phone in Colombia is worth its weight in gold. Any Galaxy starting at the Galaxy S5 will bring you top coin if you still have the box it comes in. Many on this board will steer you down a 1 way street with no exit and watch you fail. Any American item with an American logo on it will bring top coin, especially in Centro. If you're afraid of street people stay in Poblado. Parque Lleras is nothing but an over priced place for tourist, mostly Americans. Your best deals, girls, phones, purses, selfie sticks, liquor, smoke, ect. Will be found in Centro! Get out and meet people, if your Spanish is limited, give the phone, unlocked to a girl of your liking, she will appreciate it. Pollo negro is out!

[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;2230808]Thanks for your input. But, I don't recall saying anything about selling them. I'm only interested in using them as leverage in a P4P agreement.

I've never owned an expensive phone and never plan to. I only buy used phones in good condition that do what I need them to do. One reason I don't own nice phones is because they do get stolen or broken, everywhere. But, at least they are cheap enough to keep a serviceable backup around.[/QUOTE]I don't recall replying to you. So whether you were considering selling them, or grinding them up and creating cellphone suppositories has nothing to do with my response.

However, if you plan on using a cheap smartphone for leverage for P4P, you're unlikely to get your money's worth, in the Medellin economy. If she wants 200 k plus 20 k for a taxi, she might take a cheap phone and 180 k plus 20 k for a taxi. Maybe even 150 k. Then she's going to try to get a 50 k tip out of you, or give you lousy service.

She's not going to orgasm over a 2 or 3 year old smartphone.

They are cheap to buy and unlocked. There is no need to bring a phone.

[QUOTE=QuackUp;2211676]Just got back from Medellin yesterday. Thanks to all the contributors, especially the ones who suggested staying in Laureles. Really fun part of town and feeling pretty safe at all hours or the day. Also from our hotel, taxi fares to the places we wanted to get to were $8000 cop or less with the exception during traffic hour. [/QUOTE]Great trip report. You really make me want to book a ticket! Was curious as to what the appeal is with Laureles for shorter term stays? It seems far from the action of El Poblado. Do you recommend it for a first time Medellin visitor?

[QUOTE=FlappyGilmore;2231237]Great trip report. You really make me want to book a ticket! Was curious as to what the appeal is with Laureles for shorter term stays? It seems far from the action of El Poblado. Do you recommend it for a first time Medellin visitor?[/QUOTE]There are 3 areas of Medellin that are frequently discussed. Each has its own merits. There are several other areas worth visiting. However, most short time visitors don't have the time or desire to explore.

[B]El Poblado[/B]

El Poblado is the home of Parque Lleras, the zona rosa of Medellin. I frequently refer to it as "Parque de Los Gringos", which gets a laugh out of taxi drivers. Most south American cities have a zona rosa, pink zone in English. It's the entertainment center of the city, where you'll find the biggest concentration of night clubs and restaurants.

El Poblado itself is where the new money in Medellin lives. It continues to grow with a lot of ongoing construction projects. Worth visiting in the area is El Castillo Museo. You may want to bring an interpreter, as the tour is in Spanish.

Other than a couple of not well reviewed massage parlors, the chica action is limited to the girls who hang out around Parque Lleras, either walking the streets, or hanging out in the clubs. There's also La Isla, the most expensive strip club in Medellin up the hill in El Poblado, and Fase 2, in the San Diego area, near the border of El Centro. Another strip club, San Diego grill straddles the line between El Poblado and Laureles.

El Poblado is the most expensive area of the city to visit. If you prefer a more modern area and are looking for English speakers, it's your best bet.

[B] Laureles [/B]

Laureles is where the old money in Medellin resides. El Centro is the original heart of the city. The early wealth moved across the river to escape the city, but eventually the city swallowed them up. It's less flashy than El Poblado, quieter and generally cheaper.

The most active area of Laureles is La Setenta, Carrera 70 south of the Estadio metro station. The avenue is lined with bars, clubs and restaurants. The party atmosphere in El Poblado is more frantic, than Laureles. It's also flashier. The people in Laureles don't need to advertise their wealth, so it has a friendlier vibe.

The chica action is less obvious in Laureles. Besides Luna Lunera, a strip club, there's arguably the best casa in the city, Energy. Technically it's a spa, but whatever massage is offered isn't worth writing about. There's another strip club, recently reviewed that I'm not familiar with and 2 other spas. There are also a lot of girls running services in different Laureles apartments.

Worth visiting is the stadium. It's a multi-sport complex built around the main soccer stadium. There are areas for all types of sports and admission to everything except the soccer stadium is free. I've watched soccer, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts and cheerleading competitions there. Also worth visiting are las escaleras of Comuna 13.

[B]El Centro[/B]

El Centro is the heart of Medellin. It's also where you'll find the most and cheapest chica action. If you want an authentic experience, this is the place to stay. It's also the place to stay if you want to have plenty of cheap sex without spending money on taxis.

Anything and everything is for sale in El Centro, at some of the lowest prices in the city. Like the heart of most cities, there are a lot of bad areas in El Centro. Walking random streets isn't advised.

There are some night clubs in El Centro, but they aren't frequented by many tourists. Perhaps worth exploring for the more adventurous? Mostly it's bars, lots of bars. There are a few blocks which are nothing but bars.

El Centro is home to most of the casas in Medellin and it's where you'll find the streetwalkers. There are also several strip clubs, although gringos tend to only visit 2 or 3. In my opinion they're missing out, but most would rather go to a club with 20-30 girls than one with 3-5 girls.

If you're on a budget, El Centro is cheap. You can get food and lodging for under $25 per day. Add in another $25 and you can get laid twice.

Worth visiting is Plaza Botero. You can take lots of pictures to convince the people back home that you did something other than visit brothels.

Hi Flappy, tried to pm you but you don't have pm. Anyways, Jj did a great write up for you and others. The only thing I can add is that if you are a seasoned traveler, any of these three areas will be fine. I have never stayed in Centro but do go to the casa's and strip clubs. If your Spanish isn't at least (get by) like me, then I would probably say it would be better for you to stay in Poblado. Just my observation, but whatever you do, yes buy your ticket, I don't think you will be disappointed.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2230993]I don't recall replying to you. So whether you were considering selling them, or grinding them up and creating cellphone suppositories has nothing to do with my response.
[/QUOTE]Actually, you did reply to my post. Perhaps you should look about four or five posts down and that will jog your memory a bit. Again, thanks for your input.

[QUOTE=PirateMorgan;2231015]They are cheap to buy and unlocked. There is no need to bring a phone.[/QUOTE]If I need to catch a ride Uber or have a friend to pick me up at the airport, I will probably need to take my phone with me. Right? If I want something to kill time with, while I am waiting on my flight, it will also help to have my phone, right? So if I have this unlocked Android phone I am well familiar with, why would I (or anyone else) need to buy a new phone in a foreign country?

Registering a phone is not the same as homologating it. Homologated phone means that a specific model (technical features) is approved by the authorities. The model in this case doesn't mean the commercial model, like iPhone 8, because there are many variations of this model. You can find your iPhones model going to Settings, General, About and scrolling down to model. You can also find your phone's IMEI there. For Android, consult your owner's manual. In theory all the homologated models can be found here [URL]http://www.siust.gov.co/siic/publico/terminal-homologada[/URL] but it seems to be under "maintenance".

It looks like our colleague had a phone model that is not homologated (approved) in Colombia and therefore it was blocked. A phone model that is not homologated cannot be registered. If this happened to me, I wouldn't bother to homologate my phone, but I bought myself some cheap phone over there.

All this information and more can be found at this Columbian government's page [URL]https://www.crcom.gov.co/es/pagina/como-registrar-tu-celular[/URL].

Cheers and keep studying Spanish, it helps.

Personally I buy or bring a 2nd phone so I'm not such a target. If you have a new $1000 phone it is not the smartest move to be out and about using it. Also doubles as a something to trade or gift. I got months of use and 2 tln on my last 2 nights for my $90 phone I brought.

[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;2231679]If I need to catch a ride Uber or have a friend to pick me up at the airport, I will probably need to take my phone with me. Right? If I want something to kill time with, while I am waiting on my flight, it will also help to have my phone, right? So if I have this unlocked Android phone I am well familiar with, why would I (or anyone else) need to buy a new phone in a foreign country?[/QUOTE].

I have a few days and a limited budget to make one more trip in November. I've only been to Medellin and it was a very short trip so I can definitely don't mind going again.

For those of you that have been to both places, can you please comment on the below:

1) which is generally cheaper in taking out girls?

2) which is cheaper for food and hotel?

3) which is easier to navigate through?

4) finally and I know this can be subjective, which has pretty girls?

[QUOTE=TheBiller22;2232338]I have a few days and a limited budget to make one more trip in November. I've only been to Medellin and it was a very short trip so I can definitely don't mind going again.

For those of you that have been to both places, can you please comment on the below:

1) which is generally cheaper in taking out girls?

2) which is cheaper for food and hotel?

3) which is easier to navigate through?

4) finally and I know this can be subjective, which has pretty girls?[/QUOTE]In order to get a comparison between 2 cities, you need to list 2 cities.

However, if you have a limited time and a limited budget, the biggest factors are airfare and flight time. Unless you're flying out of Miami you'll probably spend at least half on airfare.

Here's the other problem. The people who think Medellin is best will tell you Medellin is best. The people who like Cartagena, or Bogota will suggest which ever they prefer.

Yet another problem. Cheapest assumes you don't care about anything else, including safety. In Bogota and Medellin I can find lodging for $10 per night and I can find food for under $3 per meal. Food I would eat and a room I would stay in. I could probably cut another 15%, but that's outside of my comfort zone.

Where's your comfort zone? How many passed out glue sniffers will you step over before running back to civilization? Are you going to need air conditioning and heat?

I have no problem getting around in Bogota or Medellin. I usually walk or use public transportation, although I also use Uber and taxis.

There are 2 ways to get some useful responses. You can give your budget for each city, after airfare, give the number of days you wish to stay, give your food preferences and lodging requirements and how many girls you want to see each day. Then ask for recommendations within your budget.

Or you can say what's most important for you on this trip and ask how you can achieve your goals and stay under budget.