Medellin Reports

OK. So I am Canadian (which is not anyone's fault, even my own) - once the weather hits 20 deg see. We want our shorts on. I know this is not really done here. I went to Centro yesterday in my long pants. I was wishing I had shorts on especially after the Venni I found marched me all over the map getting a hotel room. More on that later- I only saw two other males wearing shorts (both gringos) - I mean there is no disguising who I am or what I'm up to. I'm Caucasian AF, built on a larger scale, 60 yo single male so it is not really a matter of fitting in. Ain't going to happen- but I don't want to be disrespectful and I don't want to be thought of as an ugly tourist. Though come to think of it that would be a fair description. I was here about 5 years ago and I didn't worry about it much and there were times my bare legs did make me a bit uncomfortable. Any thoughts comments?

If you aren't a resident you can get in with at least one vaccine and a negative PCR test. Both have to happen within the established time limits of 14 or more days before the date of flight for the vaccine and no more than 72 hours before the flight for thee PCR test. Pro tip: don't rely on dodgy translations from Chinese web sites for information about Colombia.

[QUOTE=Huacho;2636247]No, last COVID shot must not have been within 14 days of arrival. Last COVID shot has to be MORE than 14 days from the date of arrival. Or else you must be tested. To put another way, you have to complete the vaccination cycle at least 14 days before you arrive in Colombia.[/QUOTE]

Crikey, you are a full on Centro rat.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2636173]After viewing a dozen huge women in New Life, I walked to P Botero which is only 800 meters or 20 minutes away per Maps, but Maps is useful only if you can fix North, South headings, difficult any time of the day as Colombia is right next to the equator on the South side. My navigation skills went to shit. Fortunately people in Medellin is very nice and helpful. An old lady stuck half her body out of the moving bus' window to shout directions to me. This people has class. I really like them.

Got in Hato Viejo, one of the best rated rest in town for lunch. It was crowded with an upper class clientele. Seeing how hard they were cutting their steaks, I tried fried fish, which was good. They served chicharron, nuggets of fried pork bellies, as snack. They were hard as rock. 49 K for fish plus 12.5 K cops for a local beer, way too expensive and not as good as street food..[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Turgid;2636415]Mexico is in danger of losing a regular.[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, this is an understatement.

Many of the SEA guys, and now the Tijuana guys, who have spent some time here, will most probably not be spending as much time in Tijuana or in SEA when it fully re-opens.

Case in point, I have a buddy here who before the Pandemic was an Angeles City and Bangkok guy. And he swore how the Philippines was the best place on the planet for women. Know he has changed his tune, and says he likes Colombia more, and would rather be in Colombia versus SEA. Easy to understand why, it's close, and inexpensive.

Can you blame anyone who show's up here, see's what can be had, and not like the place. The two big issues for everyone though, and not obstacles that can't be overcome, are danger and the language.

[QUOTE=Norbert61;2636469]I was here about 5 years ago and I didn't worry about it much and there were times my bare legs did make me a bit uncomfortable. Any thoughts comments?[/QUOTE]When in Rome do as the Romans. Don't wear shorts in Medellin except at the swimming pool. It is not only disrespectful, it pegs you as not just a foreigner, but a clueless one.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2636288]UBER driver drove me to Plaza Botero. All shops had closed, the entire area looked dark and deserted. The driver warned me, this area very dangerous, no cabbies would drive to this area at night, I could be stuck without a safe way to get out of the area among hundreds shady people.

I asked driver to park and wait for me 5 minutes, walked to the church area to survey the situation. The streets were totally dark. Dozens guys scurried around with about 20 bad-looking girls leaning on walls. There were no signs of policia presence. This area looks obviously very high risk. If you cannot find a taxi to get out, you may not live to tell the story.

Driver said girls and their pimps in this area would beat up and rob guys. Locals never go here at night. .[/QUOTE]Whatever the UBER driver told you makes no sense at all.

There are no pimps working with the girls you witnessed. In other words, the girls don't have Padrotes like the street girls do in Tijuana.

Additionally, very few girls are out working late in the area described for fear of being robbed, so the girls you witnessed are primarily hard core druggies, and sacaleros, who of course are available, which you could have your way with if you wanted to, and we are talking like in the 15-20 K range as they would be so spaced out they would have no clue what they were doing.

You also said you were concerned about getting stuck among hundreds of shady people, yet said it was deserted. ?

And your correct that locals don't visit that area in the evenings because the place transforms with all the sacaleros, zombies, druggies, and homeless people out. There actually also out there during the day as well, but hardly noticeable, because there are so many other people out.

Your smart to stay away from the Veracruz area in the later evenings when everything is shut down.

[QUOTE=ErrolFlynn;2636490]When in Rome do as the Romans. Don't wear shorts in Medellin except at the swimming pool. It is not only disrespectful, it pegs you as not just a foreigner, but a clueless one.[/QUOTE]Actually lots of people wear shorts on Sundays and Holidays.

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2636485]Unfortunately, this is an understatement.

Many of the SEA guys, and now the Tijuana guys, who have spent some time here, will most probably not be spending as much time in Tijuana or in SEA when it fully re-opens.

Case in point, I have a buddy here who before the Pandemic was an Angeles City and Bangkok guy. And he swore how the Philippines was the best place on the planet for women. Know he has changed his tune, and says he likes Colombia more, and would rather be in Colombia versus SEA. Easy to understand why, it's close, and inexpensive.

Can you blame anyone who show's up here, see's what can be had, and not like the place. The two big issues for everyone though, and not obstacles that can't be overcome, are danger and the language.[/QUOTE]To each his own. But imo the girls in Pi are just average unattractive vs Colombians. I think its more of a low hanging fruit mentality. No language barrier and cheap but unattractive girls surrounding you asking for your $ for a cheap lay.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;2636459]Next time at that hour try Conejitas, Barra Ejecutiva, which are both very close to Plaza Botero. The taxista did not suggest them because he would lose the fare for the trip to Laureles. 80 K room included or you can take them out for a little more than twice that amount.[/QUOTE]Agreed, there are decent bars and clubs near Botero, including: Conejitas, Grill Nueva, Bar Maracaibo, and Barra Ejecutiva, all within walking distance of Plaza Botero.

[QUOTE=ChuchoLoco;2636438]After refusing the conversion rate what next? Is there another option or just proceed? Do they give the conversion rate that they are offering and is it that much lower than what you get after refusing? It's been a couple years since I've been there and I just don't remember being offered a conversion rate. But knowing all this now will help when I get back next month. Thanks.[/QUOTE]Most machines will dispense the cash after declining the conversion. Some will terminate the transaction. You will get the exchange network (either Visa or Mastercard) rate, which is much better than the bank's rate. I think the ATM's that offer the exchange rates have only been doing that within the last year or two. Some don't offer.

[QUOTE=FunLuvr;2636512]Most machines will dispense the cash after declining the conversion. Some will terminate the transaction. You will get the exchange network (either Visa or Mastercard) rate, which is much better than the bank's rate. I think the ATM's that offer the exchange rates have only been doing that within the last year or two. Some don't offer.[/QUOTE]Perfect answer. Thanks FL. Hopefully the one across the street will be fine. Bancolombia I think. 3 machines available.

[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2636454]Nounce.

I was there until about 9 pm. 3 groups of guys were sitting with girls, but fee people bought drinks.

I saw about 20 girls, all too heavy for me. The girls selection, fun and sexy factors are about 30 percent of Hong Kong club in Tijuana.[/QUOTE]Much too early. I would say after 1 am is probably the peak time. In my opinion, La Isla isn't really a good destination if you're going solo. Go with a group of friends, get a bottle, enjoy the show and spend 3 or 4 hours, before picking a girl, or don't pick one at all.

If you're going early, or going solo, Club Maracaibo in El Centro is a better option, although it will also have a limited selection if you're too early.

Medellin is no longer a secret haha. Even if Medellin gets overrun by gringos, which has been discussed for years now in pre pandemic times, there's still lots of surrounding areas that will probably never be on any gringo's list. I'm sure you guys know what area I'm talking about. Yup, Bello! Just take that metro on the Niquia line, get off at Madera, Bello, or Niquia and you'll have a blast! Everything is calmer and cheaper and more authentic and more dangerous (wink, wink). And hot non pros can be had if you have some game, speak decent Spanish, can make them laugh, and not an old fart (no offense).

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2636485]Unfortunately, this is an understatement.

Many of the SEA guys, and now the Tijuana guys, who have spent some time here, will most probably not be spending as much time in Tijuana or in SEA when it fully re-opens.

Case in point, I have a buddy here who before the Pandemic was an Angeles City and Bangkok guy. And he swore how the Philippines was the best place on the planet for women. Know he has changed his tune, and says he likes Colombia more, and would rather be in Colombia versus SEA. Easy to understand why, it's close, and inexpensive.

Can you blame anyone who show's up here, see's what can be had, and not like the place. The two big issues for everyone though, and not obstacles that can't be overcome, are danger and the language.[/QUOTE]

RiceRocket.

Allegedly a few bars cater to truckers near the wholesale market, but not too many girls and not too attractive.

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I last checked out Seeking Arrangements. I'm noticing that a large number of profiles are written in English now. The last time I visited the site just a couple months ago I do not recall it being this extreme. I clearly recall using Google translate to read most girls profiles. Now it seems just about every girls profile is written in English. Is the site banning non-English profiles now? Could definitely just be me but if I didn't know any better SA would almost make me believe every Colombiana is an English major hahah. Just curious if any other users have noticed less SA profiles written 100% in Spanish?