Canadian Debit Card & Carrying Passport Rule

adrimm says on Aug 1, 2005, 12:16:

Plus network Yes atms with this logo should work on your card. I actually have used TC on my past visits and am looking fwd to using the atm my next time round, but elsewhere that I have travelled (outside of Canada) I'd say about 1/2 to 2/3 of the atms had the PLUS logo. Make sure that you have a 4 digit-pin too. There is alot of info on the site about using your interac (debit) card in Colombia, fees and precuations that one should take.

To use your credit card to withdraw cash you need to get a PIN # for it as well (4 digit), you can use it at atms at home to withdraw cash too.

I'll leave the passport question to someone else - mine usually stays at the home of whoever I am visiting, and I take some other photo ID (driver's liscence etc).

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brunito says on Aug 1, 2005, 12:28:

Passport use What I've always done and it's worked for me is to leave my passport at the hotel period. To tell you the truth, I've never needed my passport with me while in Colombia, States or Mexico except when taking planes between 2 cities or, more recently, while in NYC for an Apple corporate training to gain access to the CitiCorp building since that's the only piece of identity they would accept from foreigners.

Remember that contrary to what people think, a true used canadian passport can be worth upwards of 10,000 USD on the black market (also very popular with the 'Mossad/CIA's of this world) and for that reason and others, I never carry it with me but leave it in a 'safe' place where I'm staying.

Also, your passport is not your property, it is the Crown's (read the notes on it carefully) and if you happen to loose it or have it stolen prepare for some serious questioning by Canadian Embassy as well as RCMP...

I can say that I've never had that misfortune and I wish that it will never happen to me either...

As for ATM cards, Cirrus is a much more present ATM network in Colombia than Plus is. If I remember correctly, Cirrus is available pretty much anywhere (Conavi, Citibank, Bancafe) whereas Plus is only offered trough Banco de Colombia and to my surprise there aren't that many branches in Cartagena (there's one on San Martin near DeCameron Hotel crossing street if I remember correctly)

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cali373 says on Aug 1, 2005, 13:10:

The debit card I used in Colombia had a Cirrus and Star logo and I was able to withdraw cash from several banks. It also had a Visa logo. I used the card for my entire stay in Colombia, but I also took $200 in cash and a credit card that allowed for cash advances, just in case.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Sylvie says on Aug 1, 2005, 13:19:

My debit from CIBC has the Plus logo and worked pretty much every where I went in colombia.

As for the credit card. DOn't do it!!!!!!!!!! I think they start charging you interest the minute you take that cash out. Or atleast that is what my dad told me. He may have been lying to me to stop me from withdrawing one grand to buy some Jimmy Choos......

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adrimm says on Aug 1, 2005, 13:21:

Other consideration If you use a larger financial institution over a more localised institution (credit union), you'll likely get faster and better service should problems arise. Larger institutions may have better network options with their cards too, which makes life a lot easier if you happen upon a PLUS-devoid area. I keep an account at RBC for my travels, and it has come in handy.

I also somewtimes pack a couple of TC's and some USD bills around under the insoles of my shoes along with my photocopy of ids. etc. I doubt I'll ever use it but it is some peace of mind knowing I have something available if I get mugged.

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vicshere says on Aug 1, 2005, 13:39:

sen passport regarding the passport
always leave your passport in hotel or home
go to a notary and ask them to make a photocopy ..you can even ask to have them miniaturized to fit in your wallet
if you have a visa also make a copy miniaturized to fit wallet
have theme authenticate it...the notary will authenticate the copy is a true copy of the documents she/he will stamp and sign the copies....you are now ready to have them laminated and slips into your wallet....carry this instead of the original passport documents....this has worked for me for 2 1/2 years and I have been stopped many time by the military/police de carretera/DAS and so on.....hope that helps Vic



listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic
homepage
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jacintoplace

listo

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sen says on Aug 1, 2005, 14:34:

Credit Card Interest Your dad is right, Sylvie.
The CC company charges (mine a whopping 20 percent) the moment you draw the cash.
I have a TD Debit Card with the Plus sign.

thanks again.

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bkelly says on Aug 1, 2005, 16:27:

Passport To repeat what others have said, leave the passport at the hotel or the place you are staying. I have a photocopy that I bring with me when I travel within Colombia, but I have never ever needed it in the day to day travelings within my city. I think I have only been asked for my ID once in 5+ years of living here.

--bkelly

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DCShoeCo says on Aug 1, 2005, 17:04:

Agreed Leave your passport locked up, and take a photocopy with you. I´ve needed it a couple times at police stop-checks when taking intercity buses. No problems.

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Lostgringo says on Aug 1, 2005, 17:12:

photo copy passport and notorize it. Hi: do you have any particular place to go to in Bogota where this can be done?
thanks, Frank

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.

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vicshere says on Aug 1, 2005, 17:21:

any notary will do there is at least one in every neighbour hood.....dont know Bogota that well to tell you where

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic
homepage
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jacintoplace

listo

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Peter Miami says on Aug 1, 2005, 19:29:

The Colombian police stop me once and I gave them a copy of my passport. They told me I either need my passport or a copy that is notarized. This is while you travel in the city. But when you travel between cities you definitely need the passport. I ask a bunch of military, police and transportation authority while on the road and this is what they told me.

Peter Miami

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Colombiche says on Aug 1, 2005, 19:41:

Sen When I visited Colombia last, I took my TD Canada Trust access card and it worked perfectly with most colombian ATM's (the ones with the plus). My CIBC credit card was accepted everywhere as well and it has the plus logo as well. You should be ok with any Canadian debit card.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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sen says on Aug 1, 2005, 19:48:

Travelling between cities What is inter-city travel? say, if i were to travel between Santa Marta and Barranquilla or Cartagena, would it be considered as inter-city travel with security checks? Or is it more like the Bogota-Medellin land route?

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Hunter says on Aug 1, 2005, 23:28:

sen There are plenty of ATMs with the PLUS sign on them.

I never carry my passport (or ID card) unless I am travelling between Cities in Colombia.

Hunter

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