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Prices in Cali

Hi. I am going to Cali in January. I will be there for probably 3 weeks. I am staying in a friend's home. I would like to know how much money to bring for three weeks (factor in day trips, food, souvenirs, misc. expenses, etc.) I know the American dollar is much more powerful in Colombia, but I'd like to know exactly how much I'll probably use.

Also, what are prices like there? For a meal a a decent restaurant? A movie ticket? Shampoo? Phone cards? Etc.? And how does it work when you've going back on the plane? Call me ignorant, but I don't know what "duty-free" means? Do you have to pay taxes on what you bring back to the US? How much weigh can you normally bring (I'll carry it right on me if I have to or doesn't it matter?).

Thanks

By BxUnika on Nov 3, 2004, 08:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lauthra (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 3, 2004, 08:34:

Prices Hi, a decent meal could be around 20.000 per person, in a place like Crepes & Waffles, nothing too fancy. A movie ticket in Chipichape or Unicentro is around 8.000 and 11.500, depending on the day of the week. I'd say you'd spend about 30.000 in a night out clubbing, per person, includig taxis, also depends if you drink aguardiente or tequila :)
I'd say a good shampoo would be around 9.000 pesos, you could find some for 5.000 though. There are phone cards from 10.000 to 50.000 pesos.
I think duty free is what you buy at the airport and it's supposedly tax free, but what I found out is that what they sell is more expensive than it usually is, in the end I didn't have to pay any taxes to what I was taking out, just some fags and beer. The weight limit is given to you by the airline, they also have a size limit for hang luggage.
I would have no idea on an pocket money estimate though.
Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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BxUnika says on Nov 3, 2004, 12:06:

Exchange Ok. I'm trying to figure out how much money I should bring or if I should just get an ATM card for 3 weeks. LIke, is $200USD too little? $400USD? What is a good amount to have for taht amount of time? Is there anywhere in the NYC where I can exchange USD for pesos for a good exchange?

Also, what things in Colombia are more expensive in USD than in the US and what things are much, much cheaper (That I probably should take advantage of while there)?

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brunito says on Nov 3, 2004, 13:10:

If you go to San Andres... Practically everything in electronics or clothing is cheaper since it's a free trade zone. I was there 2 weeks ago and my novia saved 70,000 COP on the purchase of perfume at a duty free shop in the airport. If she'd bought it at Decameron San Luis like I wanted her to do, we would have saved another 20,000 COP...

We've been told though that for other articles, price is actually higher...

That's of course when you compare pricing to Medellin, Cartagena or Santa Marta/Baranquilla...

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Miguel says on Nov 3, 2004, 22:50:

Tarjeta Tarjeta Tarjeta Take the ATM card...much more efficient.

"There is nothing lower than the human race...except for the French." - Mark Twain 1878-79

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 4, 2004, 09:48:

ATM CARD IS YOUR BEST BET 1. Having an atm card is definitely better. Not only is it safer, but it's extremely conveniant. Many stores in Cali, especially in the malls allow you to make purchases using your credit/debit card.

Just make sure you have extra funds in your accounts as you might spend more than expected...(it always happens to me when I go)

Goodluck and I hope you have a great time.

Who knows maybe we will bump into each other out there. I went the last 2 years to Cali for the feria and I'll be back this year ... I can't get enough of it.... see yaaaa. ;)

Poor but snappy

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caslug says on Nov 4, 2004, 10:10:

atm card Make sure your Bank DOES NOT charge a withdrawl fee for taking money out of ATM that are not part of their Bank. BofA did this to me on my last trip and it cost me $60 USD in ATM fee. Citibank is in COL, so if you have a Citibank account, you won't have this problem. If you do not have to pay for hotel, then you can probably get by w/ $50/day for taxi/food/etc., Of course if your boyfriend and his family pays for everything and your always eat at home, then you'll just need to bring enough money to buy stuff for yourself.

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