What would one expect to pay for...in Colombia

bartolo_colon says on Dec 8, 2007, 03:40:

Particular name brand shoes, especialy Puma and Adidas are pretty much exactly the same price in Colombia as in the states.

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

JimA says on Dec 8, 2007, 03:46:

Thanks, that's all i needed to know, cheers!!

"Life is under no obligation to give us what we want."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Dec 8, 2007, 07:46:

What's a good gift to bring down to friends? What's worth more here in the states?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:00:

Beware of imitations in Colombia. Probably beware everyware.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:02:

My family loves the 2lb bags of pistacios I used to bring from Panama.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:24:

That might look kind of funny. Hey guys! I know I haven't seen you in like a year, but here-- I brought you Nuts!! J/k

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:49:

Electronics are MUCH cheaper in the USA, everything from laptops to harddrives to ipods, cameras, you name it. At least, last time I checked.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:50:

Actually a lot of things are cheaper in the us, or of better quality. Colombian families tend to take things like garden tools, toys for kids, you name it.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:50:

and clothes of course.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Dec 8, 2007, 08:55:

Yeah, I was thinking clothes more for the ease of packing them. Electronics can be dangerous. Thanks!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Tinto (Moderator) says on Dec 8, 2007, 09:01:

If you had read some of Lowell's comments about certain in-laws, you'd think "nuts for the nuts" was a most appropriate gift.

Authentic perfume and high end imported cosmetics carrry a really high mark-up in Colombia, so if you know the recipient well that might be an option. For host/hostess gifts, good quality boxed chocolates are well received. They are available in Colombia, but the selection is limited and the prices are quite high.

Some people say good whiskey/scotch/bourbon is expensive in Colombia, but I'm not a fan and can't comment. If you know someone likes French or California wines, that might be an option, but it's heavy in your luggage and there is already plenty of good wine from Chile and Argentina.

From business acquaintances and people that did a couple of favors for me, I think I've received the most profuse thanks for chocolates and a dozen of the most expensive golf balls I could find (Titleist ProV or something like that...they cost $50 in the US, I have no idea what they cost in Colombia).

The comments above about electronics, athletic shoes and branded clothing are on the mark, too.

One more: If you know someone's reading tastes, buy hardcover books in English or Spanish in the US. I am surprised (and saddened for the kids and for the families) that people have to pay a small fortune for books in Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Dec 8, 2007, 09:20:

US designer brand clothing is extremely expensive in Colombia. I gave my brother in law a pair of Levi's 501s. I asked how much they would cost in Colombia. He said around 500.000 COP in Bogota - (for the real thing). I paid $35 usd at Sears! Brands like Polo Ralph Loren, Tommy, and even Aeropostale are well recognized in Colombia and stupid expensive. Any brand name piece of clothing, especially if the brand name is shown, will be a special gift. Go to an outlet mall and hit the Aeropostale clearance racks. T-shirts for a $2.00!

--"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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

nueva york bombero says on Dec 8, 2007, 09:23:

Great ideas! I need to start shopping... You guys need anything while I'm out?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lowell says on Dec 8, 2007, 10:35:

The nuts for the nuts were just part of what we brought very year before moving here.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Dec 8, 2007, 11:25:

you would be surprised prices of Electronics in Colombia are dropping like a rock...I would say they are almost comparable to the US...5 years ago they were pretty expensive

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

travelingirl says on Dec 8, 2007, 12:12:

If you need some leather shoes (dress or casual) you'll probably find them for a good price in Bogota. They aren't even knock-offs or cheaply made. I found some in Unicentro cheaper than what I would expect to pay in America. I saw a guy buy two pair for a total of 90 or 100 USD. Not sure if they were on sale but they were really nice shoes.

Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

GregYohn says on Dec 8, 2007, 12:16:

Hola!

Omega 3 capsules and Aspirin are so well loved. The elderly use them to lower their blood pressure. Studies show that pregnant women and their babies also benefit using Omega 3!

I bought a 120 capsule Omega 3 bottle with 1200 mg for $5 on sale in the US and my GF's friend bought it for $20. They sell 60 capsules of 1000 mg strength for $10 there. We got them 20% more mgs and we made $15.

Aspirin costs about 1000 pesos for 6 of them, since Bayer owns the Aspirin Trade name. You can get 100 for $1 in the USA!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Dec 8, 2007, 13:39:

When I take gifts to random relatives, I usually get them at a place like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. You can usually get Polo, Nautica, Tommy, etc clothes for a ton less. They tend to have the staples that are always the same, but technically from the previous season, etc. Also, there is an outlet mall nearby. They love the presents because those same brands are much more expensive in Colombia.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ColombianoGringo says on Dec 8, 2007, 13:42:

Sadly, the quality of mens shoes in Colombia has dropped dramatically. I used to by lots of shoes there since I was a kid. In the last 5-10 years, the quality has gotten awful. My biggest complaint is that the leather on the top of the shoe cracks very quickly and looks old fast.

There are a few expensive brands that are still good, but I much prefer shoes made in Europe. The quality of the leather and workmanship far exceeds anything they now sell in Colombia. They are more expensive, but skimping on shoes in never a good buy. One exceptionally good brand is Ecco from Denmark(Not the ghetto Ecko brand). You can get a very comfortable and well made shoe that lasts a long time for between $125 - $250.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Dec 8, 2007, 14:48:

Agree with ColombianoGringo,
I have bought many a great gift out these outlet stores for friends in Medellinl. I also try to keep in mind not to buy anthing that is looked upon as too expensive of a gift, even though I'm paying pennies in the US, only because I do not want to spoil anyone who has nothing, How do they keep up appearances after you leave town?

I bought baseball caps, small stuffed animals, throw fleece blankets, and my mother donated a lot of AVON samples. Also hit the dollar store and found key chains, coloring books, crayons and coffee mugs. All the gifts were greatly appreciated. Especially all the ones I recieved from my Paisa friends in Medellin.

I would also like to suggest, when purchasing gifts for kids, do not get anything that would make the other kids in the nieghborhood envious and/or jealous because this creates more problems then anything else for all the kids.

DO NOT PLAY DADDY WARBUCKS!

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Dec 8, 2007, 18:32:

Depends on the electronic items you want to purchase and take.... Right now there are a ton of sales on electronics in the U.S.

My cousin bought a tv, 42" Sony LCD in Bogota for 6 million cop, here in the states it's like 1,200 and dropping....

They do love Reese Peanut Butter cups..... It's a cheap candy in the U.S., but not found in Colombia and they do love the taste.... I always take a few 12 packs and give them to the neighborhood kids.... They love them....

But, yes, jeans and some quality shirts are always a good gift....

My grandmother always asks me to send her Advil and glucosomine (joint vitamins)... $20 bucks at Costco, I have no idea how much it cost in Colombia, but 2 bottles will last her 1 year...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Dec 8, 2007, 18:37:

M-
Thanks for the Reeses Peanut Butter, I'll try to remember for my next trip.

I had an older women asking me about vitamins and I thought it was strange, but I guess everything is expensive in Colombia.

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Dec 8, 2007, 18:42:

MT, definately the Reese's, I was surprised at the big hit they were... I was also a little on the mean side, I picked up some Mexican spicy candy and gave people pieces.... LMAO... You know colombians, they have a hard time handling spicy.... It was hysterical, my aunt turn red and started to choke....

But, vitamins... and Advil..... and the Calcium vitamins... there's some cool chocolate calcium vitamins that they like.... I can't remember what they are called right now, but they're next to all the other calcium pills but they're chewable and covered in chocolate...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Dec 8, 2007, 19:57:

msaucey, that is funny you mentioned "spicy". Mrs. RJ thinks A1 steak sauce and even some ketchup here in the US is picante. She has asked: "Why is every food in the US either spicy or sweet?"

--"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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

msaucey says on Dec 8, 2007, 20:00:

lol.. when my grandmother was visiting... I added a little bit of BLACK Pepper to clam chowder and she thought THAT was spicy.... lol.... Yup, my grandma agrees, all food here is pretty spicy.....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

0 funny, 0 helpful.

slguy says on Dec 8, 2007, 20:01:

I'm a Texas Pete addict. It goes where I go. My first trip to Bogota, I was accused of terrible things for persuading my lady friend's family to try a little. All I could think was what a bunch of wussies!" - but turns out, they're the norm in Colombia....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Medellin Traveler says on Dec 8, 2007, 20:47:

What a surprise it was for me when I first traveled to Costa Rica and then Colombia to discover, to my amazement, that not all Latinos love it spicy!!

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on Dec 8, 2007, 21:02:

that was a particularly good discovery for me about Colombia. My friends in the US still don't believe that Colombians don't like spicy foods.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on Dec 8, 2007, 21:23:

as far as prices generally in Colombia versus the US, our usual frame of reference here, north Bogota seems the same or slightly higher than the US. The malls are a bit higher than in the US, for most stuff. Restaurants are a bit less. In the smaller towns, mall prices stay the same, a bit higher than in the US, restaurant prices, though, are much less. Hotel prices are similar in Bogota to US prices, much less in smaller cities there.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

0 funny, 0 helpful.