Mexico vs. Colombia -- Need advice

cazadorez says on Jul 3, 2008, 12:37:

Well I think both places are good locations, but if your looking for Beach activities I would definetley go to Mexico. But, do not go to Cancun,Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, or Cabo if you are on a budget and are not looking for touristy places. You need to go to Virgin Beaches like in Ixtapa which is in the state of Guerrero or Veracruz on the gulf/carribean side or even puerto escondido in Oaxaca and many in the state of Chiapas. These are off the touristy list and are very beautiful locations with easy access to ancient pyramids. With a budget of 2,000 a month you can go very far and live very comfortable. Flights are easy in and out from a close major city in Mexico to the same in California, you will have to bus shuttle out. I have been to almost all the major cities in colombia, but for beach locations only Cartagena and Baranquilla which are several hours away from each other and I was not very impressed.

Which ever one you pick...good luck to you and have fun!

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gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 3, 2008, 13:23:

I think Colombia is probably cheaper than Mexico, in general, but the Colombian peso seems more volatile than the Mexican peso, so that could be the problem. Colombia would definitely be a good trip, but Mexico is pretty awesome and there might be more in Mexico... that judgement could be wrong.

I recommend Tulum and Zipolite - both awesome and beautiful cheap beaches. You could probably live on $20 a day - I did without drinking alcohol... more expensive with alcohol.

check out www.bambaexperience.com for transportation and making things a little easier while still keeping your independance.

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alfredeneuman says on Jul 4, 2008, 07:52:

Those are excellent ideas, cazadorez and gamm2! Just what I was asking for. Mexico does indeed seem more suited to my needs. Tulum looks especially inviting, as does $20 a day living. But just gotta throw in a beer or two--or maybe one of those giant margaritas.

You nailed it about the COP. I definitely get a sense of apprehension from reading the posts on the Colombian section. Their peso does sound shaky. In the 2 months I've been reading that section, it has gone up and down dramatically. Of course, none of them are good right now with the weak US dollar and all.

If Colombia doesn't have much of a beach section, then it wouldn't be for me. I know from visiting Central America twice that the hill/mountain scene just doesn't cut it for me personally.

Thanks again & cheers!

When she said, "Lips that touch whiskey will never touch mine," I reached for my bottle and took a long, slow pull on it.

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gabolicious says on Jul 5, 2008, 12:39:

I think Colombia is cheaper than Mexico.

If Mexico is more suitable to your needs then go for it... but you should also try Colombia (at least for vacation) then later you decide according to your own experiences.

Take care dude

Elección no canonización....

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SandraBaldion says on Jul 7, 2008, 20:42:

I totally agree with you gabolicious, actually Alfred, in Cartagena for instance you could find rooms for 8-10 USD by night (of course not infront of the beach) they are kind of backpacks ones, besides Cartagena is really gorgeous in all senses ...but what about if you have a look anyway at: "El Rodadero" one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Santa Marta just an hour and something from Cartagena...well, whether Mexico or the first biodiversity on birds Country you chose up...I hope you have fun. ;)

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gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 8, 2008, 08:10:

MitchAlvarez says on Jul 15, 2008, 12:15:

mexico is a lot more expensive

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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El Vato Loco says on Jul 17, 2008, 00:17:

Hmm... I rented a 2 bedroom house in Puerto Vallarta for about 5 months back in 2005-2006 (I was there from late November 2005 to the end of March 2006. I paid a total of $2,500 Mexican Pesos per month (less than $250 USD, the exchange rate was about 10.50 to 1 USD at that time).

The house was unfurnished, it was not in a "high class" neighborhood, but it wasn't "low class" either -- it was a medium class neighborhood -- people had cars, a wealthy family of beach clothiers lived 4 houses down from me and the other houses on the street were mostly local families, workers and children. It was about a 15 to 20 minute walk to the beach, though (Or a 7 minute bus ride on a small bus). It was an unfurnished house, but I was able to buy plenty of used, quality furnishings by looking at a local weekly paper that has nothing but stuff for sale (and job listings). It's in Spanish though, but here's their website. They went online last year!

www.manoamano.com.mx

Puerto Vallarta is a great place to live, especially in the winter months, but you have to live like a local and not buy stuff at expensive rip-off tourist trap areas. You will have to do some searching in local newspapers and (I'd strongly recommend) Mano-a-mano.

I think you can live well for $2000 USD a month! I was living like a king on $1000 USD a month, and I spent less than that while in Puerto Vallarta. I bought my alcohol in Guadalajara and brought it with me on the bus, but that was only because you cannot find "Mil Agaves Tequila" in Puerto Vallarta. The cost of a good bottle of tequila outside of the toursity trap zone is not much more than in Guadalajara.

Also, the weather was so nice in Puerto Vallarta it was awesome! No mosquitoes either (I hate those critters to no end) and the ocean is still warm for swimming, but be careful where you swim. Some areas are polluted due to hotel "run-off" (you can see it at playa de los muertos when you are out on a boat.. it's a sickly looking brown stain on the water that alludes to what that "stain" is :(

Puerto Vallarta is excellent for those who have little Spanish ability. Most people there speak English or know someone who speaks good English. They have a great hospital services and I lived just 5 minutes from the Red Cross Hospital, which in Mexico is a hospital that will treat you and only charge you the medication they used on you. They don't charge a lot of $$$, but they are limited on things - they don't do major surgeries, but if you get food poisoning they can be of great help (I took someone there who got food poisoning from eating shellfish -- we were there from 3pm to after midnight and they gave her 3 types of medication through an IV and when she had recovered enough they let her go. Total cost: $370 Mexican Pesos ($35 USD at the time) and the doctor was really good as were all the staff. I went by there another day to thank them and brought them some supplies I had (basic things, nothing special) and they were really appreciative and really cool.

But it boils down to what you want to do... are you planning on eating out every morning, noon and night? Do you want to drive? Would you be willing to take public transit or are you only interested in taxis (taxis are VERY expensive in Puerto Vallarta... the WORST I have seen in Mexico... close to U.S. prices... Buses are cheap at 5 pesos a ride (50 cents USD) Walking is free and you get to enjoy the people and the places and it's pretty much safe at most hours... but after 1AM you should really be taking a taxi, especially if you have been drinking. You are more likely to fall down and hurt yourself rather than be mugged... but why take the chance of either?

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El Vato Loco says on Jul 17, 2008, 00:43:

I always like knowing this info about other countries...

Cost of Living:

Income:

Minimum Wage in Mexico is $50 pesos for a full DAY of work. (approx $5 USD)

A registered nurse with a 4 year degree, fully licensed and credentialled makes $120 pesos a day in a private hospital. They get more if they work in the government, but those jobs are EXTREMELY hard to get, you have to have a relative working in the government to get in! (I was lucky enough to date a very cute nurse in 2005-2006 who lived in Michoacan and was able to visit me in Puerto Vallarta :)

Gas costs less than in the U.S., but not by much... maybe about $3 to $3.20 USD per gallon now according to a friend in Guadalajara.

A 2 liter bottle of soda (pop) costs about the same as in the U.S. $1 to $1.50 USD -- Pepsi, Coke, Squirt, Sprite, etc.. and you cannot find Rootbeer :(

A Domino's pizza costs you $100 pesos ($10 USD) for a large 2 topping. You can get 2 of them for that price on certain days, like on Tuesdays for promotion.

U.S. candy is very expensive... a regular size pack of M&M's costs $7 or $8 pesos (about 75 cents USD)

The cost to develop standard film is cheap... they don't have any of the chemical use and disposal restrictions they have in the U.S. and it makes it cheaper as well as labor costs. I have taken many of my old negatives to Mexico to have amplifications made 8x10's and such -- excellent quality and for a fraction of what it costs here in the U.S. They can do it with digital pics too :)

OK... that's all -- I know more about Mexico but I wish I knew all this about Colombia...

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cazadorez says on Jul 17, 2008, 14:41:

El Vato Loco......very good information! I aplaud you and your data and effort to inform folks...Looking back at my comment I recall Puerto Vallarta and almost all the touristy cities I mentioned in my comment before......The reason is this......No matter where you go..it is easy to get caught up as a tourist..if you go and act like a tourist and get caught up as a tourist you tend to be spending more and living in the plush atmosphere enviorment. If you are going to go live there. It is a whole new vibe which in my eyes is really experiencing the country..ie. doing what the locals do, eating where the locals eat, dancing where the locals dance, drinking a late or coffee where the locals gossip..etc....etc....... with that in mind I believe you stretch your budget far, by many means and really have a culture vacation and learn alot......... Colombia and Mexico are very similiar as far as culture, people and music.....you can find Mariachi in downtown Medellin and on the outskirts like lets say tropicanna or on the other side like envigado......just as easy as finding mariachi music in Guanajauto or Guadalajara.....same goes for cumbia's. Viva Colombia y Mexico...paisanos con mucho honor y sabor!!!!!!

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alfredeneuman says on Jul 23, 2008, 08:18:

I've been posting on travel forums for about 5 years and just wanted to say that the responses I have received here to my question have been the most helpful, most respectful I have ever received.

Thank you.

When she said, "Lips that touch whiskey will never touch mine," I reached for my bottle and took a long, slow pull on it.

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turnmeon says on Jul 23, 2008, 16:47:

you can go to cartagena, colombia a nice colonial city enxt to the beach, travel to anta marta a small city with white sand beaches, and barranquilla a big city with alot of malls, good food, very cosmopoliatn, all within one hour of travel, you can also find cheap hotels, not the five stars one but decent one without payg too much, visit a travel agency before you take your decition

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machin1967 says on Sep 5, 2008, 11:07:

Are you interested in chasing women or at least exercising your eyeballs???? Then I would have to say that Colombia is #1 by far. There are some of the most exotic women in the world there on the coast of Colombia. And if you stayed in Barranquilla.....which has the cheapest rent.....you could go in one direction 1 1/2 hours by bus and be at the beautiful Santa Marta/Tyrona Park area......and if you go in the other direction along the coast 1 1/2 hours you could be in Cartagena.....which is simply fascinating...but more expensive. And Barranquilla has a lot of nice restaurants.....big city things....but the beaches there suck!

I was thinking of moving there for a while...Barranquilla....because of the overabundance of gorgeous women....and the central location. I have been there like 8 times without problems of any kind.

Just for your information.....you can get a nice 3 bedroom/2bath apartment in a Estrato 4 area...for about $240/month....plus about $70 for "administration".....and another $50-100 for utilities. And this is in a building with security, underground parking, etc.

For cheap hotels....and best beach.....Santa Marta/Rodadero/Tanganga.

Prices for flights have gone up drastically in the last year. Now is like $1,000 RT from LAX. Unless you use Spirit Air....which I have not ever done yet.

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coloradodad says on Sep 5, 2008, 15:18:

I have traveled quite a bit in both countries, and Colombia is definitely cheaper. IMHO, some of the best beaches in the world are in the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia. They are less commercial that Mexico and the diving is fantastic. You can get there from San Jose, Panama City, or Bogota. I don't know what others think, but you can live well on $50 US a day.

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Tejeringo says on Sep 8, 2008, 22:34:

Hey machin, I was once in Barranquilla and even spent a whole day and never found that exotic woman, every barranquillero is proud about, I've seen a far better good looking in venezuela.

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p0gue says on Sep 16, 2008, 14:59:

Good lord, $500US a week would be a fortune to me in either country. Though I travel quite cheap. If you have an adventurous spirit and dont require constant luxury youll be fine. Colombia was less than half the price of Mexico when I was last there a few years ago, Im sure the Colombian peso has closed the gap a bit.

There are AMAZING, GREAT low-budget beach options in both countries. Look into the previously-mentioned Oaxaca coast in Mexico and in Colombia the previously-mentioned Tyrona park has to be the most beautiful pristine piece of coastline Ive ever seen.

Mexico's got food, pyramids, and the best sense of humor. Colombia's got the untouristed stunning geography, and...the Colombians, the most welcoming people I know.

Flip a coin, you are loving life either way.

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monkeykilla says on Sep 26, 2008, 17:12:

what the hell are you guys talking about! Mexico is cheaper then colombia! get your facts straight. I stay in a Hotel last month in acapulco for only $23 USD per night and was nice. DOnt go to Medellin because it is exspensive, dont go to bogota because its even more exspensive. dont go to Mexico D.F. because that shit is too exspensive. GO to.....cancun or oxaca. VERY NICE BEACHES! and girls

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 26, 2008, 22:03:

I know Cancun and I know Oaxaca, the former is a wall of skyscraper shithole hotels costing over $200/night, the latetr an older city with some decent budget options.

There's no doubt that Mexcian food is better than Colombian but since NAFTA was passed fuel/food prices in Mexico have doubled and doubled again-in that sense Colombia is a better deal no matter the exchange.

As to girls-I have yet to meet a Mexican woman who had anything resembling a waistline-short stolid peasants is what they are-some great moustaches too-if you like kissing your abuelito(!)

' a la orden!'

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michcarr87 says on Oct 25, 2008, 16:36:

not sure if its too late for the post but i thought i'd give it a shot.

so my family is from colombia and this summer i spent my whole summer in mexico. so i have experience in both countries. although the flight to Colombia is more expensive the cost of food, transportation and housing is cheaper.

in mexico lots of places accept the dollar and make the value lower. if you do decided to go to mexico be sure that if you pay in US $ that they return your money in US $ or else you are getting ripped off.

in colombia there are places where u can get a lunch for $1. these are called almuerzo ejecutivo or sometimes more expensive but not much. its a beautiful country and has lots to offer.

also if you decided you want to go to MEX i suggest that you go to Meridad, which i heard is great if you want to go to the ocean. to San Luis Potosi if you want a feel for mexico with the church as the center of the city and traditional. DF if you want busy city life and Monterrey if you want to party.

hope this helps!

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Trvlr says on Oct 31, 2008, 17:12:

I have a friend from Colombia and he tells me the most beautiful latinas live in Medellin! plus it is a fact that its cheaper.. I think mexico is pretty good but colombia seems like a lost paradise to me, may be a lot of people know mexico but its worth to consider colombia as something different..
I've heard people is really friendly and for what I've seen(through internet sadly..) its a beautiful place..
I found this site, seems new but pretty good info plus its in english.. in case you're still considering colombia www.thisismedellin.com

hope you have fun anywhere you choose!!!

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Felix says on Nov 22, 2008, 13:27:

Colombia is a bit cheaper than Mexico.

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saddlespur says on Dec 2, 2008, 15:58:

Depending on your age...$2,000 doesn't seem like much to take yourself out of the working environment. Inflation through the years should make that amount look and feel even smaller. Imagine trying to supplement that later in life with no working skills to bring to the table?

Then again I'm relating your soon to be situation with the lifestyle I enjoy. Personally I'd have to at least double that each month so I could save as much as I spend.

To Get What You Never Had...You Must Do What You've Never Done.

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