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ATM's

I see a lot of posts related to ATM's in Colombia; which one to use, which bank's card to use, etc.

I don't see any mention of Citibank's Colombian ATM's. At least in Bogota, and maybe in other cities, Citibank ATM's allow withdrawals up to 1.5 Million pesos. You can withdraw this amount over and over without re-inserting your card (just enter your PIN for each new 1.5 Million pesos).

The withdrawal is a mixture of 50k and 20k notes. Sometimes the machine is low on cash and the limit is less, maybe 800k.

I've found no other Colombian ATM allowing more than 1.5 Million pesos. If you know of an ATM that allows more, please let everyone know.

Of course, debit cards have withdrawal limits ranging from a low around $300 USD up to whatever amount you and your bank have agreed to. If your current limit is too low for your lifestyle, you can quite easily instruct the bank to raise the limit.

If you are using a check card, there are actually two limits that can be tailored to your liking. First is the daily cash withdrawal limit and then a separate limit for POS transactions.

Standard withdrawal limits at my bank range from $200 to $100,000 USD. Daily POS limits can range from $2,500 to $10 Million. A new card is set at $500 for withdrawals and $5,000 for POS. A phone call can raise (or lower) the initial limits.

So, as you can see, nothing is set in stone regarding debit card limits. Even the above maximum amounts can be raised.

The only other item worth mentioning is specific to Colombia. There appears to be a maximum limit that you can withdraw with one card during a given time. This limit is not related to a specific ATM or even a specific bank's (or network's) ATM's. And it's not your limit or your bank's fault; they cant fix the problem . . . It appears the Colombian government (Central Bank, or whatever) imposes a limit on how much one card can withdraw during a given period.

I understand the motivation, stop the flow of drug money, but nonetheless it is very annoying.

The solution is multiple cards - it does not matter if the card is tied to the same bank account.

Happy ATM-ing!

By twmcm on Jun 15, 2008, 08:04 in Friendly Talkzone.

miamimike says on Jun 15, 2008, 08:47:

Not True! If you perform a Google Search here you would see Citi Bank ATM withdrwals in Bogota has been mentioned quite a bit in the not so distant past!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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rocinante says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:01:

Yeah and also here it has been advised to have multiple no fee ATM accounts. I carry 3 - Frontier, Affinity and Commerce. I can blast out a bazillion pesos daily from the same machine. For instance without having to go the 3 citi locations I can hit Davivienda (hundreds of those) and do 500K,300K for each card that has a standard USD500 limit 3 times. Commerce will let you up that limit to a 1000.00. With that one can get 3,200.00 in one shot at today's exchange rate of 1702

It's not the ATM bank or Colombian Central Bank, but rather it's the bank attached to your card. Colombia assumes that bank overseas is doing its due dilligence (know your customer) and not allowing dirty money over there in the US.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Gator says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:02:

As I have stated many times we use Citibank Colombia and their ATM's. Our branch is at Cr 7 No 72 very close to where we live. Our in-country bank is Bancolombia, through default, when they assumed control over Conavi,

The bank imposes the limit not the central bank or any government agency. Our limit at Citibank is 500.000 cpo but we could have it increased but see no need-we can make at least three withdrawals in a row. Never hear of a $1.500.000 peso withdrawl (roughly $880 USD) Other than Mrs. Gator's purse don't know where we would stick 40/50 bills

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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robi666 says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:07:

In Medellin Citibank the limit is 800,000 per withdrawal.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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rocinante says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:12:

Davi is 500K - so you have to swipe more than once. If there are no ATM fees it's just having to do extra work. There are Davis all over the place comapred to the Citi in Sandiego - Robi is there another Citi somewhere else? Gotta be one somewhere in Poblado.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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robi666 says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:14:

There is a Citibank in Blockbuster in front of Oviedo and one in Avenida del Poblado in front of La Strada crossing the road.

I cannot have a zero fee ATM (there is none in Italy) and so I pay a % with an upper limit per shot.
So it is Citibank for me. Davivienda is the next good one and the one I use in Santa Marta.

My card, for some strange reason, works anywhere but not in Bancolombia ("no connection with your bank"). Mistery... Anybody experienced the same?

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rocinante says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:15:

There's a Citibank crossing the road? To get to the other side I bet!

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Jun 15, 2008, 09:15:

Thanks Robi.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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bopenyan says on Jun 15, 2008, 16:10:

In Cali, my choice is Davivienda. Bancolombia not only does not work, it appears to process the transaction, but then no money comes out. I had to phone my bank to confirm that funds were not debited from my account.

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sloopskipper says on Jun 15, 2008, 16:39:

I had no problems with Bancolombia in Cartagena.

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Atrevido says on Jun 15, 2008, 17:14:

Where are the citibank ATMs in Cali? Never seen one.

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NCMike says on Jun 15, 2008, 17:27:

Could someone tell me which banks' ATMs dispense a good mixture of denominations. I remember one bank in Cali I favored off the sexta, because when I went to take out 200,000, it would give me a mix, I think 3 50,000, two 20,000 and 1 10,000, or something like that. I found other ATMs only gave 50,000s. The taxi drivers hate those! You always need sencillos!! Anyone know?

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Gator says on Jun 15, 2008, 18:23:

Citiban-Cali. Cl 11 No 3 50 Cali; Santa Monica, Av 6A Norte No 25A N 71 both have 24-hour ATM access. Watch your back at night on the one on Av 6

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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panthdave says on Jun 15, 2008, 18:54:

I see many posts on Citibank ATM's which is my main choice along with Colpatria..First I don't come close to those limits even with my monthly bills in Castropol so I must be one poor son of a bitch...but a Happy Camper...

panthdave Miami

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tomtom33 says on Jun 16, 2008, 06:21:

Bancolombia, Bancafe, and BBVA give 20s except BBVA usually gives 2 10s with the 20s.

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