General Info

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2235654]Let's start with tourism. Enough to fill a week, without going full tourist mode.

Bogota: Monserrat, The gold museum, the salt Cathedral, several museums in La Candelaria area, the flea market in Usaquen, graffiti tour, the transmilenio, ciclovia.

Medellin: Parque Arvi, Guatape, Botero Plaza, a few museums in El Centro, the castle museum, graffiti tour, Comuna 13, the Metro and Metrocable, ciclovia.

The Metro and Metrocable is Medellin's better answer to mass transportation. The ride is smooth and not bumpy, the crowding isn't as bad as the transmilenio and it's much more comfortable. There are 2 trains, a grounded monorail and I think 5 aerial trams (Metrocable). You'll spend a little more to take the full trip, but you still can experience much of the city, take in some great views and be safe and comfortable for less than a good lunch in the US.

There are plenty of other tourist options, so you shouldn't get bored in a week.

If you don't speak Spanish, in Medellin you probably should look for a hotel in El Poblado. You'll find more hotels with English speaking staff. Hotel Poblado Plaza was chica friendly, but I don't know if they still are, or if they charge extra. I think they're 4 star, but the price is not too bad, about $75 per night. Check the Medellin Hotels thread for other options.[/QUOTE]Thanks JjBee, so El Poblado would be a good location for the hotel? The hotel thread didn't help- all the talk is about Air BnB and apartments etc.

Airport hotel commute- taxi or is there any public transport? Most hotels seem to be have airport shuttle - is that free?

What is the best site for booking hotels here?

Anyone has any specific names of girl friendly hotels?

Thanks much,

Salt mine is one of the places with different entry fees for nationals and foreigners (something that I don't like. Reverse discrimination), and foreigners fee is 50 K as I recall. I paid also 120 K for a taxi and a guide and we also visited a nearby town.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2235754]Thanks JjBee, so El Poblado would be a good location for the hotel? The hotel thread didn't help- all the talk is about Air BnB and apartments etc.

Airport hotel commute- taxi or is there any public transport? Most hotels seem to be have airport shuttle - is that free?

What is the best site for booking hotels here?

Anyone has any specific names of girl friendly hotels?

Thanks much,[/QUOTE]Is Hotel San Fernando Plaza a good and girl friendly hotel? It is described as "Family-friendly" (?)

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2235835]Is Hotel San Fernando Plaza a good and girl friendly hotel? It is described as "Family-friendly" (?)[/QUOTE]Anyone can help on this. Plus is El Poblado is the right area. Hopefully able to walk (or easy cab) around to the action places? Or any other locations are better?

Thanks.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2236227]Anyone can help on this. Plus is El Poblado is the right area. Hopefully able to walk (or easy cab) around to the action places? Or any other locations are better?

Thanks.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=JjBee62;2231428]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. [/QUOTE]Follow back to the original post to read about the 3 most frequented areas in Medellin.

[QUOTE=BkkBadBoy;2203400]My 4 night stay at Hotel San Fernando in EL Poblado was great! $64 a night, great breakfast, nice pool, good location. Chica friendly, walk in during the day. At night must have ID. Had to do an alternate for one night as one of the girls didn't have ID. Went to Las Cabannas 6 min away by taxi. 50 k per person, entry gate, stripper poles and big tubs, Sex chair and mini bar with everything you need. No ID required. Las Cabannas might be cheeper pre-booked.[/QUOTE]It appears the hotel is chica friendly.

Every place where you can rent a room in Medellin is close to the action. It all depends on which action you are looking for.

If the action you want is street girls, casas and low end strip clubs, and you want to be close to it, stay in El Centro. Disclaimer: many first time visitors to Medellin cower in their El Centro hotel room for 1 night and then run to El Poblado. El Centro can be scary.

If the action you want is Facebook girls, mileroticos and photosprepagos girls, along with a more expensive casa experience (or if you know how to use taxis, Uber and / or public transportation and want all the above plus the El Centro action, and want to avoid gringos) stay in Laureles.

If you want the closest experience to staying in the US, stay in El Poblado. You'll pay a little more. You'll spend more time in taxis, but you'll find many people speaking English.

I've rtff and I've seen a post stating USD isn't an advantage here?

I like to carry cash, lots of it.

If I have to stick a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills inside a condom up my ass I will.

I don't like to leave home without it, lots of it.

That said, can anyone say why this is a really bad idea?

I'm not worried about getting robbed.

Except for maybe the policia.

I don't want ATM skimmers robbing me.

Or ATMs declining my cards.

I've had these issues before in different countries.

Thanks everyone, you have a great thread.

[QUOTE=CzarNicholas;2236538]I've rtff and I've seen a post stating USD isn't an advantage here?

I like to carry cash, lots of it.

If I have to stick a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills inside a condom up my ass I will.

I don't like to leave home without it, lots of it.

That said, can anyone say why this is a really bad idea?

I'm not worried about getting robbed.

Except for maybe the policia.

I don't want ATM skimmers robbing me.

Or ATMs declining my cards.

I've had these issues before in different countries.

Thanks everyone, you have a great thread.[/QUOTE]Funny, I couldn't be more different about my money habits.

I hate carrying more cash than I must.

Not just because you can be robbed, but also pickpocketed. I have a budget when traveling. I'd hate to go over that budget due to a stupid mistake.

But if you need a more persuasive reason against carrying rolls of USD in Colombia, it's that I didn't notice a free exchange of USD for goods or services other than a couple emerald stores in Cartagena. Peso is Colombia national currency, so why carry dollars in the first place?

I don't know if it's a bad idea, just very impractical. Carry wads of pesos if you insist.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;2236566]Funny, I couldn't be more different about my money habits.

I hate carrying more cash than I must.

Not just because you can be robbed, but also pickpocketed. I have a budget when traveling. I'd hate to go over that budget due to a stupid mistake.

But if you need a more persuasive reason against carrying rolls of USD in Colombia, it's that I didn't notice a free exchange of USD for goods or services other than a couple emerald stores in Cartagena. Peso is Colombia national currency, so why carry dollars in the first place?

I don't know if it's a bad idea, just very impractical. Carry wads of pesos if you insist.[/QUOTE]I would never have cash where a pickpocket could jack it, why carry USD? To exchange for kcop! $500-$1000 at a time.

Cash is the world's greatest aphrodisiac.

[QUOTE=CzarNicholas;2236538]
If I have to stick a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills inside a condom up my ass I will.
[/QUOTE]Whatever rocks your boat, man. But if that turns you on, why come to Colombia? Because a fat roll of 50.000 COP bills is much cheaper I guess.

Seriously, take two or three debit cards for ATMs. Unless you enjoy the excitement of not knowing whether your cash will still be with you in the morning.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;2236566]Funny, I couldn't be more different about my money habits.

I hate carrying more cash than I must.

Not just because you can be robbed, but also pickpocketed. I have a budget when traveling. I'd hate to go over that budget due to a stupid mistake.

But if you need a more persuasive reason against carrying rolls of USD in Colombia, it's that I didn't notice a free exchange of USD for goods or services other than a couple emerald stores in Cartagena. Peso is Colombia national currency, so why carry dollars in the first place?

I don't know if it's a bad idea, just very impractical. Carry wads of pesos if you insist.[/QUOTE]It's a good idea, just like sticking a raw steak in your underwear before diving into shark infested waters is a good idea.

There are plenty of places that might take dollars, but you'll probably lose 25% off the exchange rate. Prepagos will take $100 bills, but they don't give change. Plus it seems silly to pay $100, $200, or $300 for someone you could get for $50 or less.

Of course the big drawback to carrying "a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills" is that "a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills" looks very tempting to anyone living on about $6 per day.

[QUOTE=CzarNicholas;2236600]I would never have cash where a pickpocket could jack it, why carry USD? To exchange for kcop! $500-$1000 at a time.[/QUOTE]Unless you are walking around buying land everywhere you go, Colombia is very cheap and does not require a bunch of money. I fucked 5 chicks in Santa Fe the other night and only spent $65. Each said they would do all night for $65. If you go to a nice restaurant you might spend $30 for 2 people. Me and my girlfriend went to a small town Saturday and I paid a taxi driver $40 for 4 and a half hours to take us around doing tourist stuff.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2236762]Unless you are walking around buying land everywhere you go, Colombia is very cheap and does not require a bunch of money. I fucked 5 chicks in Santa Fe the other night and only spent $65. Each said they would do all night for $65. If you go to a nice restaurant you might spend $30 for 2 people. Me and my girlfriend went to a small town Saturday and I paid a taxi driver $40 for 4 and a half hours to take us around doing tourist stuff.[/QUOTE]5 for $65 - 40 k Per. Sounds great- but not really much cheaper than the generally indicated rate for 50 K. I am yet to visit Med'and but not sure what quality you get for this- 5- 10- if you could comment?

Based on girl and location prices could vary (a lot).

Sam.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2236694]It's a good idea, just like sticking a raw steak in your underwear before diving into shark infested waters is a good idea.

There are plenty of places that might take dollars, but you'll probably lose 25% off the exchange rate. Prepagos will take $100 bills, but they don't give change. Plus it seems silly to pay $100, $200, or $300 for someone you could get for $50 or less.

Of course the big drawback to carrying "a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills" is that "a very fat roll of 100 dollar bills" looks very tempting to anyone living on about $6 per day.[/QUOTE]I prefer ATMs, you get best rate and general convenience. Do we have 'reliable / safe' ATMs without fees etc. Citi or BoA ATMs?

What is the difference in cash exch for $100 vs ATM rate?

Are there ATMs on the way out of airport.

Thanks.

Sam.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2237220]I prefer ATMs, you get best rate and general convenience. Do we have 'reliable / safe' ATMs without fees etc. Citi or BoA ATMs?

What is the difference in cash exch for $100 vs ATM rate?

Are there ATMs on the way out of airport.

Thanks.

Sam.[/QUOTE]ATM tends to be 2-3% better than exchange places. There are ATMs at the airport. There are many ATM options including Citibank, Davivienda, Banco de Bogota, and others. The amount per withdrawal varies and some charge a service fee.

I prefer to use ATMs at the banks, or inside a shopping mall.

[QUOTE=SBTiger;2237220]I prefer ATMs, you get best rate and general convenience. Do we have 'reliable / safe' ATMs without fees etc. Citi or BoA ATMs?

What is the difference in cash exch for $100 vs ATM rate?

Are there ATMs on the way out of airport.

Thanks.

Sam.[/QUOTE]I use schwab debit visa to withdraw cash from ATM's as schwab refunds the fee. You need to set a travel notice with them before you leave. I have been to Bogota 4 times and never had a problem at an ATM. Some will have armed guards near them. Oil.