Medellin Reports

The poor quality of food is my number 1 enduring frustration about living in Medellin. There are probably 15 to 20 restaurants I consider worth my while. If you are ok with bland and tasteless dishes that are heavy on starch, grease and salt then you will have no problem. Most of the Peruvian places are good (Mistura, Rocoto, Cuzco, etc.), there are a couple of good Colombian restaurants in Poblado (Idilico, oci. Mde, Sambombi). I honestly can't think of another Colombian restaurant worth a visit. Mwanwhile, locals wait on liine to get into Mondongos and Crepes and Waffles (a watered copy of the Cheesecake Factory). There are a few good ethnic restaurants around town. I spend more time cooking than I would like but the other advantages of the city outweigh all that.

[QUOTE=MoonShot;3058260]This is my longest trip to Medellin. It has been 5 months already and I probably will be here for another 2 months. I left the country in January for a week so I was able to reset the 6 month limit for the year. You could actually extend to a year if you spend the last 6 months here before the end of the year and then leave for a short while and come back the beginning of the next year and that would be a year. I did the online extension after 3 months and it was relatively easy.

The weather is nice except for a lot of rain from time to time. City of Eternal Spring is true.

Food is average. Some guys like it but I think that most of my meals have been average to subpar. If you pay up a bit more, you can get better food. Pizza, hamburgers, fried chicken and pasta are generally your best bets but not the healthiest.[/QUOTE]

I've been visiting el Centro since I first came to Medellin, 10 years ago. It's one of my favorite parts of the city because of the atmosphere (gritty, but vibrant), the low cost, and the kinds of women I can meet there.

I usually walk on the side of the Veracruz church and up Carrera 53 for a block. I'll often stop in a cafe or bar there and watch the women walking around. Sometimes, it takes me a while to find a woman to go with. I avoid women sniffing the white or pink powder on the street. I'll talk with a woman, but then sometimes get suspicious they might be trans, or it seems they are too drunk or drugged out for my taste. Some women are too high pressure, or won't do what I want for the price. It will often take an hour or two walking around, looking and talking to 2 or 3 women before I go up to the room. I offer a woman 50 k for a half hour. Sometimes they ask for a little more (60 k-70 k total). I don't try to bargain. I do tell them a couple things I like in bed.

I've been going to the same love hotel right there. I like that they check the woman's ID. Some women won't go with me because they don't have their ID to get into this hotel. Short-time in the hotel is 14 k pesos. It's supposedly for a half hour, but they often won't knock unless the woman asks them to. I will usually offer the woman a beverage from the hotel (5-10 k). Sex is usually good, sometimes great. Many of the women I go with have excellent bodies and faces. I'll admit that I had to get used to all the tattoos some women have. Most women are patient with me and do several positions. I often get oral sex with no condom, for no additional cost. I generally tip 20 k for satisfactory service, and up to 50 k for exceptional service with a woman I want to continue with. I always pay after sex. Sometimes they ask for payment before, but I say no and they don't press the issue. Some women are ok with their photo being taken and will give me their phone number.

I've only had a handful of bad experiences over the years. Sometimes the sex isn't very good. One time, the sex was great, but then the woman wanted 200 k when I expected to pay her 80 k. There was a loud argument and hotel staff got involved. I wound up just paying her the 200 k to avoid further drama. Even at that price, the sex was well worth it. I know other people have been drugged, had their phones and wallets stolen etc. The young men on the corner, watching your every movement, are also a potential risk should you let yourself be vulnerable.

While the risks in el Centro are real, they are usually avoidable. Depending on your tastes, the great pleasures of el Centro are almost guaranteed.

My budget for a woman in el Centro:

50 k. Charge for half hour.

20 k. Tip.

8 k. Beverage for her.

14 k. Hotel.

92 k. Total ($25 usd).

[QUOTE=Manizales911;3058408]I am a Colombian tax resident and I just don't see the big deal. Your info is already all over the place and if you have nothing to hide then what's the big deal?[/QUOTE]I am a resident of Colombia. Yet I work really hard not to become a tax resident.

May not be a big deal if you only have retirement income or a modest salary. But if you have a successful business or investments, world income would leave you nothing left.

Also it is not 183 days in a year it is in the last 12 months. If you stayed 4 months say Late August, left for Christmas, returned in Feb and stayed 3 months you would already be over.

You might not trigger it on your departure. Coming back in would. Would have to wait to return until the prior August days had all fallen off, best below 180.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;3058777]The poor quality of food is my number 1 enduring frustration about living in Medellin. There are probably 15 to 20 restaurants I consider worth my while. If you are ok with bland and tasteless dishes that are heavy on starch, grease and salt then you will have no problem. Most of the Peruvian places are good (Mistura, Rocoto, Cuzco, etc.), there are a couple of good Colombian restaurants in Poblado (Idilico, oci. Mde, Sambombi). I honestly can't think of another Colombian restaurant worth a visit. Mwanwhile, locals wait on liine to get into Mondongos and Crepes and Waffles (a watered copy of the Cheesecake Factory). There are a few good ethnic restaurants around town. I spend more time cooking than I would like but the other advantages of the city outweigh all that.[/QUOTE]Try:

* Mundo verde (el tesoro) healty and great food.

* Olivia (el tesoro) if you just want a pizza, really great ones.

* Simah, awesome ambiance, great food.

* San Carbon if you want meat.

* Entre Maderos, just order appetizers.

* Esperitu.

* La Provincia.

* Naan, if you like Indian food.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;3058777]The poor quality of food is my number 1 enduring frustration about living in Medellin. There are probably 15 to 20 restaurants I consider worth my while. If you are ok with bland and tasteless dishes that are heavy on starch, grease and salt then you will have no problem. Most of the Peruvian places are good (Mistura, Rocoto, Cuzco, etc.), there are a couple of good Colombian restaurants in Poblado (Idilico, oci. Mde, Sambombi). I honestly can't think of another Colombian restaurant worth a visit. Mwanwhile, locals wait on liine to get into Mondongos and Crepes and Waffles (a watered copy of the Cheesecake Factory). There are a few good ethnic restaurants around town. I spend more time cooking than I would like but the other advantages of the city outweigh all that.[/QUOTE]Agree 100%. I've found some good places around town that have quality food and tasty, but in general, you are spot on. Most tourists will probably wind up going to chains. If you spend enough time in Medellin, you can find a few hidden gems. Weekends can be tough, especially on Sundays, because it's family day and just about every restaurant will be crowded. I tend to like the food on the coast more than Antioquia, but I do like the soups here. In general, it tends to be a positive experience, although the customer service and consistency can sometimes be lacking.

After chatting up with a few girls. I decided to do a price check starting with the 200 k that they say is 200 mil. 90 percent was fine with it immediately or after a little haggling. I soughta felt like I could have dipped lower. Don't try it at home precaution, I am still attractive and fit for 61. So there could be different results. Found a spot seems to be centrally located. Gym on the rooftop. The girls seem to be very aggressive wanting to know when I arrive. Like they want to be first. What's the dynamics with that since its paid sex? What are the flags to abort an arrangement? I took an HIV test negative. Starting truvada today. Anyone with experience with it. What's the first spa I should entertain. The plan is spa a day, visitor a day.

I just bought my ticket to Medellin for April. It's only my 2nd visit. My 1st was in 2022 and I stayed in Airbnb's. I had no trouble with them and found a great place that didn't have security staff. Now that scopolamine is more prevalent, would I be better off with a hotel or Airbnb with security? Did it make a difference? On my 1st visit I used tinder and parque Lleras to find women. That may make me an amateur in many of your eyes, and I am, but I was very pleased with the results I got. Anyways the 2 questions are, best places to stay, best way to find women. If anyone is willing to mentor, please pm me. I'll give you my number and maybe we can chat. Thank you.

[QUOTE=Orgasmico;3058914]Agree 100%. I've found some good places around town that have quality food and tasty, but in general, you are spot on. Most tourists will probably wind up going to chains. If you spend enough time in Medellin, you can find a few hidden gems. Weekends can be tough, especially on Sundays, because it's family day and just about every restaurant will be crowded. I tend to like the food on the coast more than Antioquia, but I do like the soups here. In general, it tends to be a positive experience, although the customer service and consistency can sometimes be lacking.[/QUOTE]I have been to 66 countries and would rank Colombia approximately #60 in restaurant quality. El Salvador is worse, Iceland is worse, and Paraguay is worse. Probably a couple of others if I run through the whole list. Arepas suck.

[QUOTE=Villainy;3058669]Since you don't live here (I do) you don't know what financial information you would be sharing. The truth is very little is required. The US form 1040 without supporting schedules or documents. So the only information that you would be sharing is your 'social security number'. Not your bank accounts, not your place of employment, not your investment accounts, not your net worth.

Being cautious is prudent in any country. But despite your 'advice' I think most people are more likely to be scammed in the US vs a foreign country.[/QUOTE]I'd rather be cautious as it makes me feel better. Being scammed in the US is completely different than being scammed in a country that is not your own, especially one where laws are not enforced well. Espeically one where you can hire an assassin to for a couple K usd. Probably even yes.

I've spent as much time as I could in Colombia without being a tax resident. Since you seem to have more experience than I, maybe you could fill us in with what it really means to be a tax resident, because it doesn't seem possible that they will only ask you for a 1040. Being a tax resident as a foreigner means that if you have significant assets in any part of the world, you will be taxed on the total value of all your assets. Provided that the total value meets some threshold. A 1040 only provides information on income, it doesn't provide information on assets at all so it doesn't make sense to me.

[QUOTE=RedKing18;3058931]I just bought my ticket to Medellin for April. It's only my 2nd visit. My 1st was in 2022 and I stayed in Airbnb's. I had no trouble with them and found a great place that didn't have security staff. Now that scopolamine is more prevalent, would I be better off with a hotel or Airbnb with security? Did it make a difference? On my 1st visit I used tinder and parque Lleras to find women. That may make me an amateur in many of your eyes, and I am, but I was very pleased with the results I got. Anyways the 2 questions are, best places to stay, best way to find women. If anyone is willing to mentor, please pm me. I'll give you my number and maybe we can chat. Thank you.[/QUOTE]I like to stay at San Peter Apartments in Laureles. They have 24-hour security and check IDs. At the ground floor is the Medellin Sports Bar where you can watch sports and hang out with other gringos, and a pretty good hamburger place across from it. Check it out.

I am a resident here. Honestly don't do much P4P as meet plenty of non pros who want a relationship on Tinder.

Yet, I hear FB a lot. If I had a huge list of young Colombian girls as friends. My real friends would know something is up.

So do guys not care about family, have 2 accounts?

Would appreciate info on how you pull it off!

[QUOTE=LvZooMan211;3058985]I like to stay at San Peter Apartments in Laureles. They have 24-hour security and check IDs. At the ground floor is the Medellin Sports Bar where you can watch sports and hang out with other gringos, and a pretty good hamburger place across from it. Check it out.[/QUOTE]The street / club noise there from La 70 is ridiculous at night no matter what floor you're on and that sports bar is pretty small.

[QUOTE=ClamEater;3058989]I am a resident here. Honestly don't do much P4P as meet plenty of non pros who want a relationship on Tinder.

Yet, I hear FB a lot. If I had a huge list of young Colombian girls as friends. My real friends would know something is up.

So do guys not care about family, have 2 accounts?

Would appreciate info on how you pull it off![/QUOTE]What do you mean your real friends would know something is up? Do they not know that you like women? Also you can block people from seeing your friends list.

[QUOTE=ClamEater;3058989]I am a resident here. Honestly don't do much P4P as meet plenty of non pros who want a relationship on Tinder.

Yet, I hear FB a lot. If I had a huge list of young Colombian girls as friends. My real friends would know something is up.

So do guys not care about family, have 2 accounts?

Would appreciate info on how you pull it off![/QUOTE]Yes, I've had 2 accounts for years. I do the same with IG and also have two phones and use multiple browsers. You have to be increasingly careful as the algorithms will analyze your social media trends, location, proximity, and web browsing to match you to others.

Naan is super bland and ordinary. Zaaika (Poblado and Envigado) and The Curry Lounge are world's better and authentic. Indians who visit Medellin are regular customers. You will never find an Indian in Naan.

I agree Olivia is a good option. Their menu is not very creative but they use quality ingredients and maintain good food safety.

La Provincia has consistently been one of the city's very best restaurants.

I've been to the rest of the places on your list. They are a cut above the standard Colombian restaurants but that is not saying much. I would probably like them more if I were a big red meat eater.

[QUOTE=Medclubber;3058879]Try:

* Mundo verde (el tesoro) healty and great food.

* Olivia (el tesoro) if you just want a pizza, really great ones.

* Simah, awesome ambiance, great food.

* San Carbon if you want meat.

* Entre Maderos, just order appetizers.

* Esperitu.

* La Provincia.

* Naan, if you like Indian food.[/QUOTE]