Best place to Exchange American Dollars once in Medellin

Zach says on Aug 8, 2008, 13:39:

At the airport.

How are are going to get to Medellin without pesos?

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august says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:10:

Better yet, if it´s not too late, just pull cash out of an ATM at the airport and then keep using ATMs in the city, as long as your bank fees aren´t so steep. Everyone else will rip you off - better to save your dollars for when you get back to the States.

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jdixon150 says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:15:

Use the ATM, as good or better exchange than Airport or City Cambia

"Life is not a dress rehearsal" Rose Tremain..

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pedro says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:18:

If you want to exchange US Dollar cash in Colombia, be prepared to get about 10% less than the interbank rate.

que nota!

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:19:

I made the same rookie mistake the first time I went to Locombia. Bringing US dollars down is a waste of time unless you don't mind getting fleeced by the casa de cambio's. Best to heed the advice given above and use your ATM card(s). And be sure to bring a back up card or two. I was stuck for almost two weeks without cash on one of my subsequent visits due to my ATM card not working and not having a plan "B".

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gorgonabob says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:21:

only an idiot would exchange US dollars in colombia... not to say that you are an idiot but just trying to press a point... when you change US$ you are battling against billions of dollars in drug money... US$ are not in big demand here and as such youlll lose 10% easily..

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poco says on Aug 8, 2008, 14:36:

Quote: only an idiot would exchange US dollars in colombia...

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Not exactly true,, ignorant is better,, but it seems folks confuse that with,, stupid ? Anyway,, clueless is best.

Don't take any Foreign currency to Colombia !!!!! OK,, you need a little bit. I take about $200 and NEVER spend a single cent of it in Colombia. Not one peso,, never have exchanged (well,, once) any hard currency money and never will.

Gosh,, you show up with nothing but USD,, well,, they have ATM's in the airport. I'd get about 3 or 5 hundred thousand pesos when you arrive.

What if the ATM doesn't work,, well,, you will be shit out of luck,, right at that moment,, so,,a little cash will get you to,, where ?? Hotel ?

Next day find out why your card does not work. Oh,, it best to call the security number on the back of your DEBIT card and tell them the dates you will be in Colombia. They just might block your card if there is suspicious activity, like it's being used in Colombia.

You should have two different ATM cards,, at different banks,, you probably won't need two cards but,, what the heck,, you're not going to Colombia to spend time on the phone talking to your debit card companies.

AS A BACKUP,, you should have a credit card,,, with a PIN number for cash,, expensive but,, you do need some money,,, worse case scenario,, go to bank and get a CASH advance.

Meeting a girl ? Well,, send her about,, just enough to make sure she gets to the airport,,, so,,, $100 USD by moneygram and make arrangements to pay the hotel before you go,, frankly,, have the hotel arrange for a cab to meet you, if the hotel has your money,, they will PAY FOR THE CAB have the girl take the cab to meet you,, that's what I do.

Better yet,, have her,, or someone else make reservations,, then she can check-in,, go to the airport to meet you and back to the hotel room for a change of clothes and a shower,, oh,, make sure they have hot water.

BTW: Take a roll of saran wrap,,, I came in from overseas about 30 years and my GF was wrapped in saran wrap with a little bow,, very memorable,,

Frankly I can't think of a reason someone would just show up,, clueless,, at the airport. Nor can I think of a reason why a loner would go to Colombia w/o a good reason. Like meeting or looking for women, or back packing and looking for women, or dancing and looking for women or drinking and looking for women or sight seeing and looking for women or ??? some other similar activity that would requiring someone helping you in advance.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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360Degrees says on Aug 8, 2008, 15:12:

How would you handle First - Last - and Security Deposit on an apartment? I was just going to bring cash.

Lets say you didn't have an ATM card for daily withdrawls. How would you exchange your initial hunk of cash you bring with you? How would you replenish this cash if someone on the US side was sending you more cash?

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 8, 2008, 15:15:

360Degrees,

BanColombia normally give a good rate.

Western Union for somebody to send you cash.

All more expensive than using a good Debit card at the ATM.

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Gringo Spy says on Aug 8, 2008, 15:45:

360: "Lets say you didn't have an ATM card for daily withdrawls."

Then GET AN ATM CARD! Go to Capital One online and open a Money Market plus account and put your cash in that account and use the ATM card that comes with the account.

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Ctg Bound says on Aug 8, 2008, 15:55:

360Degrees,

I recomend listening to Gringo Spy, wether its capital one or another povider, a small amount of time in the US, will save LOTS of dollars in Colombia.

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spigrimace says on Aug 8, 2008, 16:19:

where r u renting in Colombia that does first, last, security?? You may need cosignors that own a preoperty outright even if the rent is a few hundred thousand pesos.

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august says on Aug 8, 2008, 17:26:

I don't like to judge, but my sense is that 360Degrees is up to no good in Colombia.

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360Degrees says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:31:

LOL august! What makes you have that sense?

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mcheasley says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:33:

I'm still thinking about the Saran Wrap!!!!

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jdixon150 says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:33:

Many ATM cards will give you $800 a day, have a backup card. If you are going thru more than $1600 a day you won' tlast long anyway, how many prepago's is that.

"Life is not a dress rehearsal" Rose Tremain..

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360Degrees says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:41:

I'm actually a little confused on the saran wrap thing. So is the idea that it is see though? And did she wear that to the airport ( you said she took a taxi to meet you at the airport) ?

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august says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:43:

Just sayin man. I can only imagine so many situations that involve these "hypothetical" circumstances you describe.

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360Degrees says on Aug 8, 2008, 18:46:

Just a tourist going to look at the Botero sculptures. Promise. My visa says so.

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poco says on Aug 8, 2008, 19:17:

Quote: Many ATM cards will give you $800 a day, have a backup card. If you are going thru more than $1600 a day you won' tlast long anyway, how many prepago's is that.
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There was a PrePago place in Bogota that Rubito recommended, they charged by the inch,, so I guess he could have a good time on the cheap.

I'd be careful,, a fellow with $800 could die on two fer night. Me,, well,, it didn't seem all that cheap.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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