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Safety advice for Medellin trip

Hello all,

While I have been to Cartagena many times, this will be my first trip to Medellin. The impression that I'm getting is that Medellin is not anywhere as safe as Cartagena. I have some questions regarding security issues during my stay.

1. To get the best exchange rates, I plan on using multiple ATM cards to withdraw large amounts of pesos for my entire stay in one day. For safety and convenience sakes, I was thinking about doing all this the first day when I arrive and most likely inside the banks. Any suggestions on where to go for the ATMs and how to avoid any potential muggings?

2. It seems in MDE, it's best to call taxis. I like to spend some afternoons just browsing and shopping at the stores/malls. I really don't want to have a taxi waiting on me. I'm getting mixed messages reading into taxi drivers. Is it safe to just hail from the streets and use my judgement?

3. Is it perfectly safe to use the taxis that are lined up at the airport? I will be arriving late in the evenings.

Thanks very much for your pointers.

By monger69 on Oct 9, 2007, 11:32 in Friendly Talkzone.

Peter (Moderator) says on Oct 9, 2007, 12:36:

1. Just go in the bank, change and take a taxi home and deposit the money. That's safe.

2. You can easily walk around or take buses too, but taxis are also very convenient. Yes, it's safe to hail from the street. Also, outside of malls there's usually a line of taxis. Perfectly safe.

3. Yes, taxis at the airport are safe too.

Don't worry, Medellin's very safe.

Poor but snappy

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dwmte7 says on Oct 9, 2007, 12:39:

amen to peter's words. hang up the fears and enjoy yourself. medellin is a member of the modern world. i wouldn't load up on cash and haul it around. get a couple hundred thousand pesos and that will serve you.

don't be foolish....go to areas that you learn are safe. get a residence in envigado, poblado, or laureles.

enjoy.

dwmte

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wjp0180 says on Oct 9, 2007, 13:35:

Just make sure that when the wallet inspector ask to see your wallet, that you give it to him promptly and without questions.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 9, 2007, 13:44:

Airport taxis are not safe. A friend of mine who lives here was kidnapped by a taxista from the line at the airport in Jan. of 2005. I will not take any taxi from the line at Rio Negro. I don't have the experience here that Douglas does, but I have lived here for nearly a year and for 4 years in Cartagena prior to that.

I am very careful hailing cabs from the street especially when I am alone.

I agree that many parts of MDE are quite safe, and I do not go where it is not safe. If I was a taxista looking for a target, I would go to Rio Negro or Poblado. The incidence of problems with taxis has decreased, but the Paisas are still careful.

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Pappassito says on Oct 9, 2007, 14:04:

I agree totally with TomTom.... and don`t forget your rubbers!

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dwmte7 says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:03:

well, i don't want to add to the alarm, so i'll just tell it as i know it. in 19 years, i only had one wierd experience with a 'hac' and that was in barranquilla. not worth telling the story.
however, i can't count the times i've been at maria cordova airport and never had anything other that just a odd type, a time or two. and the odd types are just odd people, not bad people, and hell, there's probably some that would put me in that catagory. maybe i'd put you in there, who knows.

but to think about safety in taxis is really the last place i'd put my worries. first of all, they have a special tag to wait in line at the airport. their registered. but even that aside, it's just not the area you should preoccupy yourself. think more about your actions in general in the street. get to know your way around, know where you're going and know what you plan on doing when you get there. avoid places like lower medellin centro, barrios niqitau and triste. outside of that, just conduct yourself with a good measure of common sense and don't be offensive nor foolish. both can get you in bad shape.

dwmte

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morphus says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:04:

You think Cartagena is safe because you stay in Laguito/Boca Grande/Old City. There are barrios in Cartagena where they will eat you like fish. Most tourists don't go there.

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curramberochris says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:10:

I was thinking the same thing.....If you go outside of the el centro and bocagrande areas, you will see the real Cartagena, and it´s not a pretty picture........

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:12:

If you have "Citibank" you can go inside any Blockbusters, they have ATM there, so you look like you are just renting a movie.

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coffee beaner says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:17:

WOW... I had no clue we had blockbusters in Medellin, news to me!

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chrispej says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:23:

Medellin is extremely dangerous! I would stay away.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 9, 2007, 15:37:

somethin about that last post--chrispej--sounds a bit like a loss-leader.

dwmte

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poco says on Oct 9, 2007, 16:48:

Quote: 1. To get the best exchange rates, I plan on using multiple ATM cards to withdraw large amounts of pesos for my entire stay in one day. For safety and convenience sakes, I was thinking about doing all this the first day when I arrive and most likely inside the banks. Any suggestions on where to go for the ATMs and how to avoid any potential muggings?

What is the amount of pesos?

I don't see how this would would reduce your exchange rate, unless you KNOW the peso will go down.

I don't see any convenience savings. ATM's are everywhere.

If you are anticipating a LARGE withdrawal you can consider sending yourself a MoneyGram.

Do you have NO FEE cards? Most machines vend 300,000 or 400,000 or 500,000 pesos per transaction. Most are 300,000 or 400,000 at BanColombia and 500,000 at Davienda.

I am curious about the DEPOSIT,, deposit it where?

"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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Medellin Traveler says on Oct 9, 2007, 16:51:

DO NOT TAKE A TAXI FROM THE AIRPORT!

It is best to call a taxista that has been recommended by someone who has had personal experience with the driver in the past. Taking taxis during the day should be no problem at all.

There are many ATM in the malls, so you should have no serious problems taking money out. Yes, Blockbuster has invaded Medellin, Colombia, and like mentioned above, you can go in and get money at the cash station and look like you were just renting a movie. But remember, paranoia will destroy ya'. It's relatively safe in many parts of Medellin.

Send me a pm if you have any specific questions. I may have the answers you may have questions to... but are afraid to ask.

Also check out my blog for more info on traveling to Medellin at http://medellin-colombia.blogspot.com

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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robi666 says on Oct 9, 2007, 16:52:

800,000 at Citybank.

"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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pedro says on Oct 9, 2007, 17:14:

Taking out all your cash on the first day is not very wise.

In general

- Take out money as you need it, walk around with 200k to 300k maximum.

- Don't bring anything to Colombia that you can't cheerfully afford to lose.

- If you're mugged, give up whatever it is you're carrying.

- With a name like monger69, you are probably going to be in the prostitution scene. Basically watch your step with that. Always pay, and be careful to avoid problematic people. Do not invite random people back to your apartment, use motels if necessary.

- Be careful about being under the influence of booze or drugs. If you must buy drugs, be extra careful when doing that.

- Don't walk around in bad neighbourhoods, use extra caution about where you go at night.

- Don't disrespect people.

- Don't make problems with the police.

- Don't completely trust random people on the street -- they need to show you they're trustworthy.

- Be a little careful with your drinks in a bar... it's a very small risk, but take simple precautions so that you don't get slipped a drug.

- I am pretty relaxed about taxis. If you need one off the street, choose one that is driving by (not stationary in front of the bar), it should not be old and beaten up, and preferably has a phone number on the side showing it's affiliated with one of the radio taxi fleets. Lock the car doors from the inside if you're driving through a sketchy neighbourhood.

If you follow those basic guidelines, everything else should take care of itself. Don't worry about the airport taxi, should be fine to just walk up and take the official taxi you find waiting. Goes without saying that you should have your first night's destination clear when you arrive. You don't want to driving round with you bags, looking for a place to stay.

que nota!

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poco says on Oct 9, 2007, 17:40:

Darn, pedro outlined WHAT you should do.

This is what you should do if you want to do what you are thinking of doing so now you can do what you want to do.

Quote: 2. It seems in MDE, it's best to call taxis.

I doubt you will be traveling directly from the airport to the bank, like what to do with the luggage?. My hotel arranges for a cab to meet me at the airport. This is good because the cab knows where to take me.

Ask someone where a bank is located, what block or street number or ???. Wander out into the street (well, not IN the street) and hail a cab and tell him you’re going to some location CLOSE, but DON'T say BANK,,, gezzzz. Walk to the bank, get the money, walk a distance maybe go have a cup of coffee, shop, etc. hail a cab.

I usually send my wife to get money and I hang out drinking coffee. That way, if there is trouble, I can call 911. She’s kind of lumpy looking anyway so a million or so can be concealed in her jeans. If you’re getting a LOT,,, you might need to go to the bank wearing an Academy 4 pocket shirt and slacks. The machine spits out some money, put it into one pocket, keep going until you fill up, not enough? Wear a cod piece or stuff it into your briefs (suggest the front).

The ONLY (well, there was another) American who was KILLED in the last 4 years was a Cali Colombian professor with dual citizenship (his wife was american). He went to a BANK, withdrew 4 million pesos (at the teller) went outside got in a cab and after a few blocks a couple of guys on a moto. stopped the cab, opened the door, asked for the money (you need a paper bag), got nervous when he reached for the bag and SHOT HIM DEAD, DEAD, DEAD. Who knows, maybe there was another?

They caught the perps after a few months. They had accomplices INSIDE THE BANK watching the tellers. Saw the money, cellphone the guys and he was robbed and shot, DEAD, DEAD, DEAD. Police found this out by reviewing the bank video camera tape.

That is why I avoid banks if possible, never had more than the amount of the withdrawal and DEFINITELY don’t keep more than 200 or 300K around the house.

"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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Lisa Zee says on Oct 9, 2007, 18:10:

Use your ATM to pay at restaurants, bars, hotels most places will take it. We used our ATM 90% of the time.
Remember the golden rule, "NO DAR PAPAYA"!.
And all the rules we have been talking about, aply in many places in the world. I would not be caught dead in down town Los Angeles at night, or many others cities in the world eather.

Pedro: great advise!

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Mike19 says on Oct 9, 2007, 18:49:

great advice all - Thanks for the site medellin traveler.

I never been to colombia but heard the EL POBLADO area is real nice and safe? There is a EL Tesoro mall that is modern also?

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 9, 2007, 19:06:

Yes it is, and it is beautiful, if you like malls.

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SFJohn says on Oct 9, 2007, 19:09:

My two cents... I spent the month of August in Medellin, and I felt as safe (in general) there as in Cartagena, and more safe than in Bogota. I think pedro above has some very good advice.

I stayed in Poblado and got ATM withdrawals with no problem (there are a million ATM machines), and I hailed taxis all the time during the day. The locals recommended that I call a taxi at night and have someone write down the car number.

I would arrange a driver from the airport if for no other reason that it will be nice to have someone waiting for you.

The most interesting security-related issue that came up in Medellin was when I hung out one night with some locals in a couple of the more poor barrios. The locals told me before we got into a taxi to not speak. Apparently my English or mangled Spanish would expose me as a rich gringo and potentially make us a target. Seemed overcautious to me, but they were serious as a heart-attack.

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Mike19 says on Oct 9, 2007, 19:15:

thanks Lisa Zee...I plan on going to Colombia one day and visiting a friend from medellin (el poblado area). I will go once i get through the fear..haha...

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Man Tequila says on Oct 9, 2007, 23:07:

I spent a week and a half in Medallo. I took a lot of taxis from the street, often alone. On two occasions I felt the need for heightened alertness. One was when the taxi driver took a conversational interest in the type of car I drove back in Canada -- answer: a 1998 Toyota Corolla, of course... do they have Toyota Corollas in Colombia? ;) The other when the driver started speeding, and really very fast, past my destination... I was sitting beside him on the front seat, and asked him where we were going? Both of these situations probably would have led to nothing, but in Colombia it is better to be a little careful, because you never know.

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 Oct 10, 2007, 04:23:

Lisa, I rarely make such extensive use of an ATM card because of potential cloning. I especially don't lke to lose sight of my card.

CTG is 10 times more dangerous than MDE? Anyone with the handle of monger is going to spend nearly all of his time in the tourist zone which is easily the safest place in Colombia. Is Poco Rojo(CTG) more dangerous than la Sierra(MDE)? I have spent time in Poco Rojo, but have no plans to ever even set foot in la Sierra.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 10, 2007, 04:59:

tomtom...where is la sierra. been around medallo for years and never heard of it. thanks

dwmte

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coffee beaner says on Oct 10, 2007, 08:15:

dwmte7, La Sierra is in Comuna 8 in the outer part of Medellin... I doubt any gringos venture into Medellin even though is not dangerous like it was about 8-9 years ago.

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Medellin Traveler says on Oct 10, 2007, 15:43:

If you warch the documentary "La Sierra" you will no desire to travel to Medellin.

Attached is a link to a 53 minute video... ENJOY!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7685078585995594634&q=La Sierra in Medellin&total=11&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 10, 2007, 17:33:

I was told just the other day that :El Poblado is not Medellin, I wonder if this "La Sierra" ( which I neve heard of ) is Medellin??????????????????????????????????????????????

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lpdiver says on Oct 10, 2007, 20:06:

Monger69,

Would you go to say Sarasota Florida? A nice little civilized gringo city. A paisa friend of mine saw a man gunned down by the police yesterday there.

My paisa sister-in-law has seen four people gunned down in Medellin.

You CAN find trouble where ever you go. Somewhere along the line you just have to feel fatalistic and say when your lotto ticket gets punched...your lotto ticket gets punched.

I never felt at great risk in Medellin and I went places most don't. I did always have a family member with me steering me.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Medellin Traveler says on Oct 10, 2007, 20:12:

Lisa Zee -

It seems from reading your replies to several of my post is that you have trouble living in reality, or at least can't handle the truth.

What is digusting about the video?

El Poblado and La Sierra are BOTH MEDELLN!!

And now you have heard about "LA SIERRA!"

Hopefully, you watched the entire documentary to discover that there is a happy ending, in t he end.

I travelled through many poor barrios up in the hillside of Medellin and never felt threatend, or unsafe as I ventured off the beaten path. I slept up in the hillside a few nights, as well as out on the street another night.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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coffee beaner says on Oct 10, 2007, 20:51:

Lisa Zee, El Poblado is very Americanized and almost every gringo that goes to Medellin lands there... basically the meaning of "El Poblado not being Medellin" refers to Medellin having more to offer then just gringo invaded Poblado!

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john_stark says on Oct 10, 2007, 21:15:

Come on, what do you expect from a Colombian who hasn't lived in Colombia in God knows how many years? At this point they are so Americanized they think El Poblado is the best of Medellin rather than the worst.

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john_stark says on Oct 10, 2007, 22:36:

The film should be required viewing for everyone on PBH. It might actually open their eyes to the reality instead of the fantasies (sexual and otherwise) with which they entertain themselves. Here is a web page in English about the film: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lasierra/film.html And for those who can actually read Spanish: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloque_Metro

For the curious, La Sierra is a barrio in the extreme eastern part of Communa 8 near Las Estancias and Barrios de Jesus. As the crow flies it's really not that far from El Poblado but it may as well be a million miles away.

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 10, 2007, 22:54:

***DELETED***
Not that I need to explain, but I live in the States for 20 years but I go to Medellin, every year, and twice sometimes and I spend months at a time, my entire family lives there and I communicate with them daily. I actually never lived in "El Poblado" I own property there, but I stay at fincas when I go. and commute to Medellin.

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john_stark says on Oct 10, 2007, 23:00:

Bueno pues.

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 11, 2007, 01:01:

Watched the video ... pretty eye opening.

The barrio reminds me of my in-laws barrio in Bogota (Portal) ... kind of. I didn't see guys firing AR 15s off into the neighborhood at night. But the houses, the people, the atmosphere - pretty much the same. It is amazing the difference between the gringo friendly areas and the barrios, where such as this film, was made. There is a prison, at the base of barrio Portal, which nobody has been able to enlighten me as to it's name, that Mrs. RJ witnessed a FARC attack. She said the FARC bombed and lobbed rounds into the prison; in hopes of freeing jailed comrades. She said they came over and down the mountain, and it was quite a scene. And this is shit that happened in Bogota proper! Not too long ago.

I have always said that I have felt very comfortable and safe in the places that I have spent time in and lived in Colombia. But on the other hand, one would have to be foolish to ignore or deny the reality of what goes on in certain areas and neighborhoods. The parts of Medellin that the average gringo would go to would be as safe as the zona rosa area of Bogota I would imagine. But, you don't have to go far to find the Wild West. In either city, or in any area of Colombia.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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juli says on Oct 11, 2007, 06:15:

My best friend got robbed 2 weeks ago at gunpoint in broad daylight in front of a University in the heart of Poblado (Avenida Las Vegas). Other than that she is doing fine. Taking out all of your money in one shot is not really the smartest idea. Are you sure you want to come here? FYI there is no beach.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 10:07:

juli...FYI avenida las vegas is not the heart of poblado....hardly. the heart of el exito and on the periferi of poblado viejo, but not poblado which is east of ave oriental (poblado). some years ago, a female senadora was at her drs office one block below parke lleras and was sequestered right there...two of her guards were killed as well. now that's poblado.

in '89 when first in medellin, above poblado in las palmas, staying at the hotel intercontinental, some of pablo e. cohorts bombed a wing of the hotel trying to kill someone. that was exciting...to say the least. and when one would go to the various estaderos along ave. las palmas. one would find capos and coke whores with as many as a dozen espaldas on motos (sicarios) hanging out outside. didn't keep me from going in and eating, but did keep me from comin on to the gals.
dw.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 10:09:

lisa zee...where's the finca? our's is in llano grande.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 10:13:

alright already....now where the hell is barrio las estancias and barrio de jesus? i just asked my wife--born there-- and i've lived there 19 years and i'm still clueless... same goes for la sierra. some body take me street by street so i know where the hell you're talking about

dwmte

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coffee beaner says on Oct 11, 2007, 10:32:

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

See where it says Villa Hermosa? thats where la comuna 8 is at and La Sierra is half way to the top of that map. By the way although la comuna 8 is not one of the safest places in Medellin neither is it as bad as it was back in 2004. This video is about la comuna 13 but ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRCEpHl5xIk ) basically the same military ops take place today in la comuna 8.

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 11, 2007, 11:06:

dwmte7: I love Llano Grande, the weather is the best in the world!, where I stay is in "Cabezeras" right there in "LLano Grande", I also stay in "EL Penol", sometimes at "San Jeronimo" I prefer the country side, I don`t like big cities. But if you do business you need to be at the city.

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mranderson says on Oct 11, 2007, 15:01:

Great map of medellin! I've been here for 8 months and take taxis without problems, even late night like 3 am.

A couple suggestions, especially for late night. Always have small bills available, like several 2k peso bills and a couple mil peso bills. Traveling by taxi at night is always more expensive.(expect the fare to be rounded up to the next 1k) Drivers don't like to make change late at night(or so it seems to me). Make sure they turn on the meter, will save you from arguing a made up price. If your spanish is bad and they haven't turned on the meter just tap it with your finger and say senor, sometimes they just forget.(that's what I do anyway) When you're arriving to your destination look at the meter before you say "por aca". Sometimes they turn off the meter as soon as you tell them to stop and ask for a few thousand more pesos. Whenever they do this to me I always argue and never pay more than what the meter said. I argue in my really bad spanish too.

In the last 8 months only about 3 times has the driver tried to get more money. For the most part I think taxi drivers in Medellin are very friendly. But I rarely take taxis. I think it's expensive compared to the metro or the bus. I only take taxis late night when the bus or metro is unavailable and usaully not alone. Or when traveling in groups of 4, splitting a cab can be almost as cheap as the bus.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 15:10:

fricken computer...)(*&(*&^^&%$%# at just deleted a post/comment before i posted it.

lisa...our finca is about half way between gualanday the centro commercio next to tutucan and the road up to the airport, close to tablaso. they raise paso finos there. i always stay up in the finca...the city now is a bore. the wife and kids stay with the family in envigado but me...no cities for me, anymore. give me home on the range. up country, one can have REAL friends. in the city, REAL friends are as rare as hen's teeth.

i go back to when poblado had dirt streets and lleras was no more than a patch of grass, one block long. no bars, no restaurants, zip. a juice bar at the bottom and a house that had converted itself into a club at the top. nothing more. and over by the stream that runs down from la eglesia de la divina eucharistia, is la casa de los cinco puertos. a real 'dump' in todays terms, but real poblado...it's been there for about 50 years. love the joint.

another REALLY dumpy place is downtown, south of the nutibara, down by the metro, called acalare (sp) (reunion de brujos). a real jueco de caca with a two headed calf (ternera) above the bar. wooooo. wanna show off to your friends, take em there.ah! medallo...

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 15:15:

thanks, beaner...must admit, areas i never hung much in but now i know where and what your talking about. it's the area along the road to santa elena. peter used to live somewhere up there if i remember right. Peter??? aint that right?

dwmte

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 11, 2007, 15:50:

I love the weather in Rionegro!. Lucky you to have a place there.
Few years ago one of my brothers, his wife and I, hiked up from up Buenos Aires, on a mule trail, all the way to Santa Elena, it was breath taking!!!, there was as big waterfall with a swimming hole, creeks all along the way and all kinds of wild orchids, the view from the city was incredible. It was very quiet and safe, I would like to do it again.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 11, 2007, 16:01:

FYI, "La Sierra" is available via Net Flix, it won some kind of documentary award at a Latin Film festival (in Miami, I think), and it was shown on Colombian television last week (RCN or Caracol).

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 11, 2007, 17:43:

DWMTE7, I know esactly where your finca is. I liked the "panaderia" at "Gualanday". Such a beautiful area!.
Yes "EL Poblado" was very different long ago, there was green everywhere, with all those big homes, not so many buildings. I always wanted to live there. Now I finaly bought an apt. acorss from "El Club Cmpestre". I will go live there when I am more "vieja".

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 19:20:

hell, lisa....i'll go live there...i'm already viejo...viejo, viejo.

just yesterday, i was 35,or so, now, i've been on social security for 3 years. where did i lose all those years.
do you know tablaso? isn't it great (if you do) so quiet, quaint, one (sort of) bar with a billiard table. pablo was born about 200 mtrs from that pool table.

where are you living now?

dwmte

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robi666 says on Oct 11, 2007, 19:28:

Lisa, I live across El Club Campestre. It's a wonderful spot!
And Douglas I was having a few mohitos en la casa de las cinco puertas just last Saturday.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

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dwmte7 says on Oct 11, 2007, 19:34:

robi...how did you know about the 'casa? from me or you just happened on it. i've been telling folks about it forever and you're the very first person who's said they went there. that's what all of poblado was like 20 yrs ago. very cool. did you like it? by the way, what's a mohito?

dwmte

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robi666 says on Oct 11, 2007, 19:40:

The mohito is made of ron, water, ice, lime, mint leaves and sugar. Typical cuban.
The casa was really cool and... I heard it from you! ;-)

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john_stark says on Oct 11, 2007, 21:51:

Looking at the map above. La Sierra is in Communa 8 at the very top next to Communa 9. Barrios de Jesus is in Communa 9. Las Estancias is in Communa 8 next to it.

How to get there? Go to the barrio of Boston in Communa 10 and continue due east through the barrios of Sucre, El Pinal, La Libertad, Villa Tina and Las Estancias. The next one after that is La Sierra. It's barely within the city limits of Medellin. After that you're out in Media Luna. The road to Santa Elena runs a little south of La Sierra but in that general vicinity.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 04:59:

You can go up from Avenida La Playa, just follow the main route to the east, 3 kms up to barrio La Toma, 1 km to "La Strechura". Remember that in La Strechura you have to drive like if you're in England for 200 meters, and then back in the normal way. No sign for that, everybody just know that. Finally, 1 km up and you get there.

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morphus says on Oct 12, 2007, 05:02:

I been to La Sierra. Its nothing compared to Poblado.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 05:49:

About living and not visiting as a tourist:

If you have the money to do it, Poblado is the best part in town to live in, and then Envigado, Laureles and Sabaneta.

Sabaneta could be better if you look for a mix of rural life and city.

If you are an hippy or an intellectual kind of person, you may prefer other barrios, no matter the money.

Llanogrande's area is the best, and, of course, the most expensive for a finca. And then El Retiro. Santa Fe is nice too.

That's so simple!

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john_stark says on Oct 12, 2007, 05:53:

How can you say that? You gringos and your obsession with Poblado, prepago capital of the world.

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morphus says on Oct 12, 2007, 05:59:

"If you are a hippy or an intellectual type, you may prefer other barrios, no matter the money"

I already lived in the worse neigborhoods in Bronx/Yonkers New York. I had enough enlightenment. In Colombia, I want to live in the best areas.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:00:

Well, John, I always knew you were an intellectual. :-)

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john_stark says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:03:

Yeah, you're right. Mangos is filled with intellectuals every night discussing Camus and Sartre.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:07:

Infact, just the contrary. Tried Vinacure in Caldas?

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dwmte7 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:15:

mangos....camus y sarte...right.

robi....you're so right on in observations i'm gonna let you make my posts from here on it.

enlighten me on vinacure?

dwmte

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morphus says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:15:

If there are prepagos in Poblado, I never noticed. I met a lot of friendly girls though. Cartagena has a better selection.

In theory, all women are prepago. Why else would a Colombiana marry a foreigner? Just imagine you have a good looking sister in the U.S. A guy comes from Romania on vacation. He barely speaks English and your sister falls in love with him. They get married a couple of weeks later and she leaves the U.S. to live with him in Romania. He has to get back to his plumbers job. It would'nt make sense even if he had a big chorizo.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:18:

Morphus, you are forgetting the story of Dracula...

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:23:

Vinacure is a strange crazy place. Made up by an artist. A gay, too. (And, probably, a traqueto?)
http://www.vinacure.com/ is "en remodelacion"... I don't know about the place, last time I was there 4 months ago...
Worth to visit. It's on the way to Caldas, before get to the pueblo, on the right side of the road, you can't miss it.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:27:

fricken computer deleted a comment before it made it to history.

are you talking about caldas, south east of envigado or in la zona cafetero?

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:29:

hows this for a computer's idea of a post?.....

>
-
-

dwmte7 says on Friday October 12th, 2007 6:27: edit
fricken computer deleted a comment before it made it to history.

are you talking about caldas, south east of envigado or in la zona cafetero?
douglas w martin, the elder

]]>

-

dwmte

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:29:

El municipio de Caldas, just outside Medellin, after Itaguì and yes, south east Envigado.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:36:

ah! itagui....what can one say.

one of my sister's suitors was one javier gatcha. not certain, but i think his dad, rodrigo, was boarding there in the carcel for awhile

robi...aint all them cheap, 'short-time' motels there on the curve of the road nice? makes you want to stop in and smell the sheets...barf.

dwmte

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:38:

Yes, just follow the road after the cheap motels. Something like 5 kms.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 12, 2007, 06:48:

used to be a pretty nice estadero along that stretch there, before caldas, steak a la plancha, and other comida tipica..good eats, cheap. i'm fond of estaderos. there's a nice one out in front of the airport, el encanto, owned by friends and a previous drinkin hole as i lived a while on a finca a stones throw from there. too, a friend, juan-luis toro, owner of zenu, national de chocolate and some other biggie, used to hang there with me and guaro ourselves into a temporary oblivion. not drunk, mind you, just blurry.

dwmte

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 12, 2007, 10:53:

Hey guys it is very simple: if this individual J.S. says that El Poblado is only for gringos and prepagos, and he likes so much La Sierra and the comunas, so he should visit his relatives there and enjoy this barrios, and perhaps swimming in el rio Medellin, we like El Poblado and the beaches in Cartagena, it is a mater of choice.
I live in S California by the beach, when I visit Medellin I stay with my family in EL Poblado or Envigado, but mostly in Llano Grande.
There is nothing wrong with liking and specific barrio. We go where or we choose where we can afford.
My apartment is rented out so I can not go there. By the way, I have people asking me about once or twice a week if I have it available. I tell them to look at PBH. I don`t know where to send them.

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morphus says on Oct 12, 2007, 11:07:

J.S. es medio loco. Poblado is great! Walking up the hills is good exercise. When i'm in Medellin, you can spot me every morning walking up calle 10 out of the city.

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 12, 2007, 11:16:

Medio loco y ENVIDIOSO!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 12, 2007, 11:22:

Lisa Zee - You and John Stark/Utopia Cowboy should just put each other on "ignore." Apparently there's some bad blood from long ago. I don't know the history but it's obvious you still dislike one another. So put him on ignore or refrain from talking about him. Further disparaging comments (in either direction) will be deleted.

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morphus says on Oct 12, 2007, 11:26:

Si, especialmente de los hombres con las munecas mas bonitas.

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juli says on Oct 12, 2007, 12:08:

Poblado is great if you want to hang out with tourists and foreigners. Same goes for Laureles. I can't understand why people come here and want to live in a steel shed with foreigners. I got the same treatment when I went to New York. My cousins set me straight and instructed me to get out of Time Square and leave that for the clueless. When you go to New York I recommend The Lower East Side, The East Village, Harlem and other aresa rich in culture - the real New York. Jackson Heights was not my cup of tea : (

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 12, 2007, 12:18:

I have lived in the USA for so long that I feel like a foreigner when I am in Medellin. I live in a very safe, modern and clean area in California, so I feel the same when I go to EL Poblado.
Like I said before "it is a mater of preference, or what you like"

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Medellin Traveler says on Oct 12, 2007, 14:32:

I have to say El Pobaldo is nice, but the fact that the streets are mostly dead in the neighborhood, makes it less appealing for me to consider living there permanantly.

I love being out and about, surrounded byl ocals, and making the most of my day by walking and exploring the streets by day. That's why I like Itagui; the locals, shops, shopping discricts for miles, and the smell of Colombian food in the air, the cool joints where you can have a Pilsen and enjoy the parade of Paisas walking past, is what I truly enjoy about Medellin.

Whenever I'm in Medellin, I stay in El Poblado, but that would probably change if I ever made the moved there permanantly. Unless of course, I ended up living at a friend's family home in El Poblado, very cheap!!

What do you guys think about Barrio Estadio?

I checked it out on my last trip and thought it was a great area to live. There are many things to do within walking distance, and you have two metro stops very close together.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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Mike19 says on Oct 12, 2007, 15:39:

thanks for the info on El Poblado.

I have alot of people in El Poblado want me to visit after I met this girl from Medellin. I'm just a bit worried about my safety.I guess I would need a full colombiana escorting me around as soon i get off the plane..hahah..She told me she saw gringos near the el tesoro mall walking around with a "BROOKLYN NY" t-shirt. I was told to try to blend in when you dress in colombia and dont flaunt anything.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 12, 2007, 15:57:

MT, Estadio is walking distance from my place in Conquistadores. I'm closer to the Sur Americana station. I pretty much stay in the greater Laureles/Estadio/Belen area. This is heaven to me.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 16:03:

Tom is right. Estadio's area is really nice.
If you have to find electronics in Medellin, you go to El Diamante, just there.
It is obviously worse when it is a football game's day.

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coffee beaner says on Oct 12, 2007, 16:16:

I live about 7 blocks from El Diamante in Los Colores area. I love all the Estadio are.... I am close to the Metro, Stadium, la 70, Carrefour and la 33 isn't far either.

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robi666 says on Oct 12, 2007, 16:36:

"I live about 7 blocks from El Diamante in Los Colores area"
Yes, but still something like 400 kms from the beach... ;-)

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coffee beaner says on Oct 12, 2007, 16:42:

hahaha yea! God a beach in Medellin... Just imagine watching paisitas like this from my apartment
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

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john_stark says on Oct 12, 2007, 22:49:

"I love being out and about, surrounded by locals, and making the most of my day by walking and exploring the streets by day. That's why I like Itagui; the locals, shops, shopping discricts for miles, and the smell of Colombian food in the air, the cool joints where you can have a Pilsen and enjoy the parade of Paisas walking past, is what I truly enjoy about Medellin."

De acuerdo, Senor!

"What do you guys think about Barrio Estadio?"

Estadio gets a thumbs up from me.

And by the way, the entire city is divided into 16 comunas. El Pobaldo is Comuna 14.

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goin_south says on Oct 12, 2007, 22:54:

paisita? I think that's brazilianhottie, no?
oh, well... seen one, seen all.

pero, una mas, por favor!

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 05:34:

I will be happy when those 'fly eyes' sunglasses go out of fashion.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 13, 2007, 05:54:

What sunglasses?

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dwmte7 says on Oct 13, 2007, 06:04:

rob...don'[t be lettin on to folks the way to the beach. lets keep it under wraps.

el estadio...nice, young blooded place. used to be a club/haunt called 'beethovens' there,nice little club. but how many years has it been since i was there??? on the wkends between estadio and diamante, there are countless runners, hangers-outers, cyclists, etc. pretty nice. i'm just a lazy old fart, to old to chase the chicas--too, too married--so i get up in the a.m. if in envigado with the family or poblado, and go to el portal and have a cappucino royale. a cap with r. medellin. great to get you 'slow-going'
age takes it's toll on memory, but there's a nice smaller hotel on the same side of the street as oviedo--before you get to oviedo--about 3 stories high. great breakfast. ham and eggs, colombian style, where they fry the eggs insema de la lamina de jamon. add to that, another cap and ron and croissants with fresh butter, and i'm good to go back to the house...one or the other and find out what the family wants to do. or, just forget about them and head for the finca and go to gualanday and pass the day hanging out with my friends and eating.
GOD, i love colombia.

when i was livin alone up in the mtns..separated from the mrs.--i'd come down to san diego a couple of times a week to hook up with mom and laurita--la nena--then hitch-hike back up to llano grande. folks in colombia are odd about hitch hikers. they don't even understand what you'fe doing out there with your thumb out...

it's so interesting...so many memories...first time in colombia, i had money, lots of it. paid $5,500.00 to stay in a suite at the intercontinental for 5 or 6 weeks before getting a luxury condo in between poblado and envigado...then years later, being fricken broke, livin alone in the east of antioquia...teaching english to the kids of the campesinos for food and shelter. what a ride! anybody think that shit don't happen, might be in for a big surprise. what's that old saying, i been rich and i been poor and believe me, rich is better. wouldn't anyone rather fly 1st class rather than cattle-class? i sure do. but, had it not been for a number of financial 'reversals' and 'adjustments', i NEVER would have seen the colombia i have known and grown to love. los paisas son buenos, verdad. they kept my ass alive. i refused to go to the family for help, choosing, rather to alienate myself from them--whom i love dearly--and their oft-times 'bon-ton' ways...grew my hair, grew my beard and was all but unrecognizeable. the net result was i got to see/know/live colombia as few--if any--foreigners do. los campesinos became my family...major domos en la dia, y ponga sus camo en la noche...maybe blow up a torre or two during the night hours. they're so tired of being ripped off and pissed on by corrupt officials and finceros (landowners)
but, now, it's back with the family, being a good ole boy, and not fricken with the status quo.
cest la vie.

dwmte

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 13, 2007, 09:58:

Dwmte7 WOW, That is quit a story, I enjoyed reading that very much, you should be proud of yourself!. Now you are very fortunate, to have friends like the campesinos, they are very real and honest.
Enjoy your family and the finca in RIonegro.(:

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robi666 says on Oct 13, 2007, 10:29:

"but there's a nice smaller hotel on the same side of the street as oviedo--before you get to oviedo--about 3 stories high. great breakfast. ham and eggs, colombian style, where they fry the eggs insema de la lamina de jamon."

Douglas, you may be talking about Hotel La Habana Vieja, on la Milla de Oro before getting to Oviedo... nice and cheap (to be in el Poblado)... but you're giving away too many secrets my friend... :-)

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morphus says on Oct 13, 2007, 11:08:

I stayed in Estadio before. I rented a Pieza in a nice house for a 100,000 COP a week. It included breakfast and lunch. There was no privacy though. The house maid ratted me out. She told my girl I was out all night and came home drunk 11am in the morning. I was suppose to pick up my girl at the university. The maid let her barge in my room around 3pm. She thought I was dead...LOL. I guess that was the beginning of the end of our love affair :)

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poco says on Oct 13, 2007, 12:33:

I've never been to Medellin but minor details like that shouldn't keep me from posting.

Hadn't seen the bario map before so now I've got it saved. Thanks

Safety - This is a Taxi drivers map showing SAFE AREAS in blue.

Want information about Medellin? Then go to the main page,,,,
http://www.medellininfo.com
CAUTION: Some info is OLD ie: 2700 COP to the Dollar but at least it's STATED. What a guy.

This site has been referenced and linked on PBH but having being discussed before isn't important in the overall scheme of things. Always new information.

"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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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 13, 2007, 12:59:

I've never been to Medellin but minor details like that shouldn't keep me from posting (about it).

----------------------------

Good candidate for the "one-liner" thread in the off-topic section.

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manINred says on Oct 13, 2007, 18:20:

La Sierra is fine, I stayed there with no problems, 2 months, but was careful later on at night, and kept my head down because it was a bit dodgy. I prefer Fatima though.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 13, 2007, 20:10:

Lisa...glad you found the read enjoyable. you didn't say if you've been to el tablaso? too, where are you now.

robi..no, this hotel is anything but cheap. you drive in and up to the door and the door man opens your door, etc. not cheap, but good. i'll keep the secrets between you and me. there's a funky, way-cool dive along a river in the out back of sabaneta i'll hip you to as soon as i can get my wife to remind me how to get there. there's money (bills) from all over the world tacked to the walls. maybe a few of you restless explorers know whereof i speak????
my wife said it's either 'yoconda' or 'por si loven'. duh? when i asked her where it was, the street, she said , ".....it's back there." right, that helps. it's been so many years since we were there that THE GOOD LORD KNOWS, that that selva, then, might well be a high rise condo, now.cest la vie

dwmte

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 13, 2007, 22:15:

I hear of El Tablaso, but I don`t really know it. I am in S. California. Where are you?

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dwmte7 says on Oct 14, 2007, 05:03:

currently in daytona beach as the youngest is in private school here..we don't want her to study in colombia. unfortunately, this keeps mom and i in exile here. it's nice, the folks are certainly nice enough, but what they call culture, here, is motorcycles, tattoos and nascar. i have none of the above. just an old man that would like to go back home and relax and grow old...like medellin traveller so pleasantly discribes...'amongst the locals.

traveller...your posts are commendable en re paisas and colombia. they deserve the kind words and good press you desiminate. unfortunately, many might find mine more 'offish' as they point out some of the bleaker aspects of colombian culture and life. not meant as slights, rather as thoughts/comments/observations made over many many years living very close to colobians. too, that the foolish, sex traveller, and bar hopper might discover more of what is really colombia, rather than those low items, so high on their adjendas. too, to keep the unfamiliar safe...at least until they've developed ships legs.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 14, 2007, 05:18:

robi....maybe the name is 'poblado plaza'...haven't been there for a number of years, because, as i've said many times, i don't hang out in town much any more. will visit the stores of the sisters in envigado and of course be with the family there, also, i'll go have a coffee and treat at el portal in poblado and visit a few friends...and of coursel, go for a drink in the late afternoon at la casa de los cinco puertos, but that's about it for me in medellin..ooops, forgot...i when i'm down the hill for a few days, will go downtown and sit upstairs in a pizza parlor where junin runs into the parke de la basilica. still enjoy the stream of humanity that passes there. lovely young ladies and lasses, driven by their youth and desire, blooming with their nice energy. i really enjoy it, after all these years.

here's a note for all ya'll...go visit the new (reasonably) eco park in envigado. it's wonderful, a testiment and step forward for the city. i feel that envigado has really pulled itself out of the narco shadow that prevailed and drove the community for years. it's now vibrant, youthful and fun. if you're at the park infront of the church in envigado, opposite the church, across the park is a restaurant, el paraiso...hasn't changed a nick in 20 years. it was the first place i sat and had a drink in envigado. used to be crawling with narcos--day and night. now it's just locals and in the evenings the mariachis walk along the sidewalk willing to sing your favorite ballads. i still go there and hang out with my suegro, meet up with the sisters or my wife. as my day interests aren't necessarily theirs so we just hook up when its convenient.

dwmte

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robi666 says on Oct 14, 2007, 06:03:

Douglas, Poblado Plaza is not 3 stories high. Now it is a scrape-sky... :-)
That's why I imagined that you were talking about the other hotel I was mentioning, which is small and just by Poblado Plaza.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 14, 2007, 07:11:

thanks, rob...i never got off the first floor...just used the john and ate countless times in the patio restaurant. great haunt for snob appeal. but, as i said, the eggs fried on the slice of ham is great...especially with croissants and butter.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 14, 2007, 07:12:

scrape-sky??? hmmm

dwmte

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john_stark says on Oct 14, 2007, 07:42:

That "taxi drivers" map of the safe areas of Medellin has been floating around for a while. I doubt it was ever accurate.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 14, 2007, 15:39:

UC, a friend of mine and fellow PBHer, Jim Bone interviewed a number a taxistas a couple of years ago to arrive at that map. No, it isn't perfect and things change on a regular basis. But I know the person and his methodology. It is a guide. No more, no less.

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john_stark says on Oct 14, 2007, 21:29:

OK, do you think it is accurate?

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christobeldawg says on Oct 14, 2007, 21:30:

got one for Bogota?

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

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tomtom33 says on Oct 15, 2007, 00:55:

I doubt that an "accurate" map can be drawn. What is safe? What is accurate? I've gotten into taxis in MDE and asked to go to Centro. The taxista didn't know how to get there. I know Laureles and Centro, but I really can't comment on Manrique. Jim lives in Cartagena.

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john_stark says on Oct 15, 2007, 04:55:

Well I can look at it and see areas that are absolutely perfectly safe, as safe or safer than the areas highlighted as "safe".

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morphus says on Oct 15, 2007, 04:57:

Just stay in Poblado and you will be ok.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 15, 2007, 07:19:

john....have to take issue with "areas that are perfectly safe" same simply don't exist in medellin. granted threre are areas that certainly qualify for 'safe'...but perfectly safe, don't buy that. if someone wants to, they'll shoot your ass in lleras if needs be. count on it.

medellin, as calm--relatively--as it is now, is NEVER to be underestimated, anywhere. granted, poblado is a light year safer than nikitau or triste, but they still use body bags there every now and then. folks should always keep on their toes while travelling about.

last summer, there was a shooting/killing on cl 10. so the proofs in the pudding, buyer just be wise, not foolish, use common sense all the time and don't go where you don't know and make it a habit of travelling about with friends if you're a new comer. there's no comparison with the crime of the early 90's (5,000 homicides a year) with now. but lets be real, dead is dead especially if you're one of the statistics. better,safe than dead, that's allstates stand. are you in good hands?

dwmte

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mranderson says on Oct 15, 2007, 09:56:

A taxista didn't know how to get to Centro from MDE? That seems very bizarre. I would not use that taxi. Anyway my wife says Manrique is dangerous but I have a couple friends that actually live there who say it's not dangerous. I've been there twice and it seems fine to me.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 15, 2007, 14:20:

Correct, UC. Remember that this map is for someone who has never been here. The real question is, "Are there any areas marked safe that are not?" If you need to look at the map to see what is safe, it is not that important that a few safe areas are not so marked.

And yeah, DW. If you let your meat loaf in MDE, you could have your chorizo fed to you.

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Lisa Zee says on Oct 15, 2007, 15:50:

Just stay in Poblado or Evigado, you will find anything you need and want.

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manINred says on Oct 15, 2007, 18:48:

Except the true culture and beauty of Medellin

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john_stark says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:14:

You got that right, ManlNred. I just have to wonder what impression a person would have of Medellin if all they did was hang around Poblado.

Yeah, you're right, DW. And looking at it from the POV of someone who knows absolutely nothing about the city and is going to err of the side of caution, I guess the map would serve its purpose.

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:19:

I hang out in Centro to absorb the true culture and beauty of Medellin.

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:22:

More Medellin culture... I'll take a shit in front of your house in the middle of the night.

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elmodefoque says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:34:

sorry, wrong place

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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morphus says on Oct 16, 2007, 05:49:

It looked a little like Cuba.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:04:

screw it all....i think sex is like bridge, if you don't have a good partner, you better have a good hand...r.williams

dwmte

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drdouche says on Oct 26, 2007, 08:57:

I live 20 miles from Detroit, is Medellin more or less safe than Detroit Michigan?
and how about the red light district? we don't have one we half to go to Canada where it is legal but very expensive (300 dollars).

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coffee beaner says on Oct 26, 2007, 10:34:

I can't tell you if it's safer then Detroit but it's pretty safe compared to NYC. The red light district is not expensive compared to anywhere in the US, Canada or even Mexico. You probably will be staying in Poblado or in the vicinity so I wouldn't worry to much about safety unless you are going to be staying in a really poor neighborhood.

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