Any advice regarding best/most useful

Man Tequila says on May 6, 2007, 11:28:

For many Canadians and Americans, it makes sense to use ATM machines (cajeros). This has smaller risks and means you don't have to carry too much cash until you can better estimate your needs. Traveller's checks are hard to change in Colombia.

Taxis, museum prices and food can be fairly cheap. Much depends on whether you wish to buy souvenirs, want to eat at fancier places, etc. In Colombia in particular, it is good to pay for things with small bills to minimize the chance of not getting your correct change.

More important than the amount you carry is how you carry it. Use a money belt! Consider leaving either your debit card at the hotel unless you specifically need to use the ATM nachine. Distribute your money between various pockets, the money belt and your socks or under your shoe inserts.

As for how much you need, a beginning estimate would be $5000 for a medium distance taxi ride, $20000 for a good meal, $10000 or less for museum fees, snacks, etc. If you go to a bar, you might spend $5000 per drink or more in a Zona Rosa type place.

** These estimates are deliberately high, many of these prices could be much cheaper and it depends where you go. Some places are more expensive too. When I go out, I like to carry about $50000 on me in small bills plus a couple 20Ks. I am not on a tight budget. The numbers are meant to be a starting point, you'll quickly decide how much money you need. **

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Portena says on May 6, 2007, 11:36:

Thanks, MT! That was very helpful. I read somewhere else on PBH that the ATMS in Colombia only take cards with PINS that have 4 numbers. I never use ATMS so I don't have a PIN at the moment. Is 4 numbers the rule?

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lochdhu says on May 6, 2007, 11:49:

but what sucks is the ATM machines will normally dispense 50k bills when taking out 300-700k cop, and getting anyone to change a 50k bill for a small price item can take some time, and getting a large amount of 1k 5k and 10k bills was always difficult for me. especially if the banks are closed.

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Man Tequila says on May 6, 2007, 11:56:

Canadian banks obnly use 4 digits PINs, so for me the question has never come up.

For any purchase over $13K at a big store, pay with a $50K bill in order to get change. Much easier at Exito than an arepa stand.

I worded things badly in my first reply -- I often carry a total of $50K, with at least $10K in small bills and a couple of $20K bills. If I have been to the ATM recently, I might carry a $50K bill as well in the hope of getting it changed.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Buongone says on May 6, 2007, 13:43:

When in Doubt is what I always do is carry one of those small, credit card size calculators with me. There are times when it comes in really handy. The calculator don't lie. Figure out the exchange rate, add a few peso's to that, and you are in the ballpark. Pretty soon you will have some small stuff to buy cheap things with, like snacks, drinks and such. Always carry enough to make it back to wherever you are staying by Taxi. The Taxi ride is probably the most important thing I want covered. Most places have some kind of security to stash your money. Either a safe box or safe in your room. Better get the 4 # pin before going down. LOL.

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Man Tequila says on May 6, 2007, 14:02:

All the PINs I saw were four digits. I assumed this was to match my card (also four digits), but I guess I was wrong.

You always want the option of being able to take a taxi back, for sure. Unless you are Rubito. Some of the cities, notably Medellín and Bogotá have good public transit.

I've never had trouble using a Canadian credit card for hotel stays or fancy restaurants in Colombia. (Ironically, I've never been able to successfully use my Canadian credit card in Argentina, which has annoyed me greatly. Damn CIBC.) Since I know I am going to pay for hotels and big items with the credit card, I leave it in the hotel safe. Again, it is perhaps safer to carry a little more money and leave the ATM card at home unless you know you will be withdrawing money. Some people have an ATM card with a very small daily limit that they use for travelling in Colombia.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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rjstuff says on May 6, 2007, 14:12:

Davivienda is the best It allows you to withdraw the most money (almost $400 if I remember correctly). Some others will let you withdraw less but you can do 2 or 3 transactions at the same time to withdraw the whole daily max. I never had problems using the 50k notes - most grocery stores, restaurants and even some cabs were Ok with it - some cabs may not have change so ask before getting in with 50k bills only. My ATM card has 4 numbers for PIN so don't know about that. But using ATMs was real easy and I recommend that highly - the charges are far cheaper than bank charges for converting cash. Have Fun

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Man Tequila says on May 6, 2007, 14:32:

IIRC Most DaVivienda cajeros allowed you to take out up to 500k pesos at a time, as opposed to most other cajeros which had a 300k limit.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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tomtom33 says on May 6, 2007, 14:39:

If you pay the taxi with a 50K note, you stand a great chance of getting counterfeit money in change. Only use 50's at larger stores and restaurants.

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tomtom33 says on May 6, 2007, 14:41:

Bancolombia has a 400K limit as does Servibanca.

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Portena says on May 6, 2007, 17:44:

Thanks, everyone! Really appreciate the advice. :)

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Robert Jorge says on May 6, 2007, 18:12:

My biggest challenge was accumulating small bills. I was always needing 1,2,5 mil bills. Taxi drivers never seemed to have the change for a larger bill - if 20.000 is considered large. I always tried to have enough money to pay for something little, but unexpected, and then just enough cash to cover what I had planned for the day. The key in my opinion is to just plan a little ahead. In Colombia, I think about how much I will need before leaving. In the US, you just grab your wallet and go - no planning.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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mecca says on May 6, 2007, 18:21:

Hey AB, have you ever told your "hot sauce" story on the board?? jajaajaja

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