Safety Tips for Medellin Trip With Gringo Boyfriend

Roncita says on May 14, 2004, 03:57:

your trip to Medellin Hi,

In answer to your questions: (I lived in Medellin from 2001 till last year.)

I never stayed in the Dann Carlton or the Inter-Continental, but I did go to a reception organised by the British Embassy in the latter and it certainly seemed very luxurious. The main difference is, I suppose, that the Dann Carlton is a very tall building, right in the heart of Poblado, whereas the I-C is not so tall, but big anyway, slightly outside the city on Las Palmas, the road up to the airport.

If you get taxis from outside your hotel, or from the taxi stand in Parque del Poblado, it's fine. I didn't use to flag down taxis in the street very often because I was worried about security/being conned, but when I did do it, it was OK, and I knew the route anyway and how much it would cost. Familiarise yourselves with the tarifa minima and make sure your boyfriend doesn't speak. When I first arrived in Medellin my paisa boyfriend and I would take taxis and the fare would double when the driver realised I was a foreigner. So ever since then, I would never talk when I got into a taxi, if I could help it (other than to give directions if I was travelling alone, and then obviously the driver would know I was foreign!).

It is pretty safe to walk around Laureles and Poblado - Poblado is probably the safest part of the city, and Laureles one of the safest. I certainly used to walk around both.

Your boyfriend sounds like a Colombian from the physical description! He shouldn't have problems. Just be vigilant when walking around, and if you go into the city centre, walk fast and look like you know where you're going. Also don't look obviously like tourists ie carry cameras etc (in the centre especially).

I can't really think of any bars/clubs/restaurants to recommend in particular because I can never remember names, but there are lots of those places in Calle 10 in El Poblado and around the area, and lots of bars in Parque Lleras, a couple of blocks up from Parque del Poblado. J&C Delicias, a chain, specialises in arepas - dressing them up like pizzas - and is very good. There's one in Poblado (near the Dann Carlton) and one in Laureles. There's also a great outside grill place near the beginning of Calle 10 with live music, but I can't remember the name.

Have fun and I hope your boyfriend enjoys it!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombiaBoard says on May 14, 2004, 07:53:

Medellin I agree with everything Roncita says, I´d like to add the following:
- Dann Carlton would be a better choice because it´s withing walking distance from Parque Lleras area (where all the nice bars, cafes, restaurants, discos are).
- Try to go to Oviedo Mall and El Tesoro Mall. Oviedo is a huge Mall within walking distance from Dann Carlton to the south along Avenida El Poblado, this area is called the golden mile because there are many office buildings, banks, hotels, etc. Oviedo is very nice with a new "wing" of restaurants and cineplex. From El Tesoro Mall you get a great view of the city.
- Laureles is very quiet and nice, you can walk all over Laureles, something you can´t do well in El Poblado because as you surely remember it´s mostly steep streets.
- Well, yes, you could tell your boyfriend to keep his mouth shut while he´s in a taxi, now, about the fares, well, check that the driver has the meter "on", in Medellin you don´t have to negotitate the rate before you get in the taxi, just look for the meter, it´s usually on the center of the dashboard.
- In three days you won´t have much time to do anything, what about four days and preferrable on a weekend?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Metatron says on May 15, 2004, 11:29:

Medellin I have spent much time at the Dann Carlton. It is a fine hotel and is close to all the action.

I have not stayed at the IC but it seems OK. Right across the street from it is probably the best Paisa restaurant in Medellin. You should visit it - can't remember the name.

I found Medellin to be pretty safe - no worse than any other large South American city. Just remember that the traffic is far more dangerous than most of the kidnap/robbery things. If you survive the drive into the city from the airport all the rest is a cakewalk. Incidently, it is best to do this in daylight. Nightime can be scary.

There is a very nice, large horticultural park which is very worthwhile visiting during the day. This place is HUGE.

Have a nice trip and enjoy!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jelsaad says on May 15, 2004, 12:26:

Uh-oh...We'll be arriving at 9 pm, so we'll have to undertake the drive from the airport to the city at night. Should we have my relatives pick us up, or should we arrange for a private taxi from the hotel?

Do the rooms at the Dann Carlton have nice views? It seems that the sole advantage of the IC is its majestic views....

Is the horticultural park the same one that houses the orchid display --the botanical gardens?

Thanks for your help -- We're terrified of the prospect of being kidnapped or even just mugged...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vladimiro says on May 15, 2004, 12:37:

Medellin Hato Viejo is the restaurant in front of the Intercontinental, which is located up in a hillside area called Las Palmas. The area has a lot of night-clubs and an awesome view of Medellin.

Another Hotel in the same class, but slightly cheaper, is Four Points Sheraton in El Poblado. It's not in the hills but in an exclusive area of Medellin called "the golden mile" and is conviniently located next to the upscale Oviedo mall where the rich and beatiful Colombianas shop and show off. The Sheraton is also 2 minutes from Parque LLeras. Parque LLeras is ringed by nice restaurants and clubs and its streets are packed on the weekends.

You should definately visit both Las Palmas and Parque Lleras.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vladimiro says on May 15, 2004, 12:44:

Oh...and don't worry about the safety; seeing military around and having your car checked for bombs might catch you off guard initially, but you'll see how safe and enjoyable Medellin is. I suggest you check out the artilcle on Medellin by the creator of the site.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombiaBoard says on May 15, 2004, 16:35:

More comments I wonder what´s the horticultural park Metatron mentions, I can´t think of any such park. Perhaps he means the botanical gardens.
If you have relatives that can pick you up at the airport then that´s better, besides you´ll save about 32,000 pesos (about 12 dollars)which will be very useful for some partying at the Parque Lleras.
Don´t feel too scared by arriving so late, if your spanish is OK then there won´t be any problems. Tell the driver to take "Las Palmas" and not "Santa Helena". Las Palmas takes you directly to El Poblado.
You lived in Medellin so try to remember everything about it. Once you get there you´ll feel home again.
If you want a nice view of the city from the Dann Carlton ask for a room on the higher floors. The hotel has a revolving restaurant on the last floor, the view from there is spectacular.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Sam Salmon says on May 15, 2004, 22:21:

Be prepared for tug on your heart as you walk the lovely calm streets of beautiful Medellin.

When the morning mist burns burns off and the sun shines on the majestic hills circling the city you will turn to your Amor-see the light in his eyes-and say "Do you think we could live here"?





' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

0 funny, 0 helpful.

go2pr says on May 16, 2004, 02:09:

Just a question, most posters mention the Dann carlton or Sheraton for those who want to stay in Poblado area ; I reserved in the Poblado Plaza, what about this hotel, is it farest from the others or less nice ?

Thanks

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vladimiro says on May 16, 2004, 02:38:

Poblado Plaza is a nice hotel right by the Sheraton.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

p0gue says on May 16, 2004, 14:50:

Dont worry about it...
I recently stayed in Medellin a couple weeks and found it quite safe, friendly and relaxed for how big and bustling a place it is and I very much appear to be a tall blond blue-eyed Anglo. I publicly mentioned my US citizenship in public on several occasions and even got out my video-unit to tape the Botero bronzes right in the heart of the city. I encountered nothing but general acceptance and goodwill. Walked everywhere in the center, day and night, never once felt threatened. Nice folks the Paisas.

I wouldnt worry too much about your boyfriend's American-ness.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

comboamerican says on Aug 3, 2005, 18:55:

listen lady as you can remember people from medellin are white so your gringo boyfriend is going to be ok. first of all dont worry about having an acent in spanish because, u have only lived in the us for 6 years. Trust me that is not enought for u to loose ur accent completely. and dont worry about getting kidnapped or mugged, because colombia people are only interested in people w class, money, and good posture. I dont think u are going to be in trouble because u r not american. u r colombian. And not even ur boyfriend may be in trouble since in the way u described him he seems to me like he looks like a Mexican.
i hope you have a great time!

p.s:nobody uses dicsern in america anymore.
that is so ingles sin barreras.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Colombiche says on Aug 3, 2005, 19:00:

Hu? I don't understand... are you colombian and only been out of the country for 6 yrs?

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jelsaad says on Aug 3, 2005, 21:07:

I'm not Colombian, I'm American of Lebanese and Colombian ancestry. I hope this helps.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

caslug says on Aug 3, 2005, 21:17:

here´s what i´ve learn and been doing to keep all my fingers and toes safe, not to mention other important body parts..

1) don´t rob anyone(unless you can outrun a 5 or 6 guys chasing you, who then proceed to kick your ass before calling the cops). Saw this happen..
2) avoid strip clubs(because he´ll get charged gringo pricing, which is 2 or 3 times what local pay).. i take the 5th on how i know this..
3) since he´s with you, in public he should keep his mouth shut and use hand gesture or write notes.. BECAUSE the moment he speaks they´ll know he´s a foriegn and he´ll GET STARES from pretty girls EVEN if you are BY HIS SIDE..since we don´t want him to be hurt(by you) it´s safer for him..Personal experience
4) take taxis as night unless it´s a completely safe area, and if you can especially at night call for one from restaruant or hotel.
5) DONT stay in the center, because at night everything close except the casino.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Colombiche says on Aug 4, 2005, 10:59:

LOL You have lived in colombia though, right? You have been there a fair bit. Don't worry.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Diez Y Siete says on Aug 4, 2005, 11:14:

Same stuff im kinda in the same situation im a gringa visiting a colombian bf any diffrent advice for me? some people have told me to not talk, because i will get charged alot more for things? and will people really hit on your just beacsue you are a gringa? even if my bf is with me?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 4, 2005, 12:23:

Hell, I've had chicks look at me while I am walking with my wife and if I had shown the slightest inclination, they'd have given me a bj right there in front of her. They don't seem to display much respect for existing relationships but who knows? Maybe I just look like I need a bj.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Diez Y Siete says on Aug 4, 2005, 12:28:

that was good jejeje.. maybe you do?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

NorwegianMale says on Aug 12, 2005, 05:25:

I lived downtown Medellin for 5 months. When i arrived I didn't speak a word spanish, when i left i spoke gringo-spanish. My experiences were:

1. Taxis are very safe, day and night. I took taxis close to 1000 times, and never had any problems. EVERY taxi automatically used the taxameter which made the rides very cheap.

2. I really can recommend the disco "Blue" in El Poblado. Plays north american/european rock and roll. Best disco I have ever been to, tons of nice colombianas. Bottle of Vodka or Tequilla...cheap as hell. Actually Colombia ruined my nightlife...I get easily very bored when I go out in Norway.

3. Downtown is a little bit unsafe after 22.00. I think the army/police guys quit at that time and you also see "normal" people leave downtown. I was out after 22.00 many times, nothing happened to me, but I guess it is not recommendable.

4. At the bigging I was overcautious about security. Always left for the streets without my camera and my VISA-card. At the end of my stay I always had those things with me...Medellin isn't as unsafe as many people say.

5. Overpricing is no problem whatsoever in Colombia. For Scandinavians the problem is 10 times worse in countries like Italia, Spain and Portugal!

6. When you go out at nighttime: Be prepared to talk alot. The Colombians, both men and women, are all over you! And contrary to many other poor countries, they do not seem to get in touch with you in order to get some advantages because you are rich. To me it seemed like they had a genuine interest in talking with me. Colombians are the greatsest people I have met!!

That all, enjoy your stay!

0 funny, 0 helpful.