I`m colombian born but i have lived all my life in the USA. Last year I decided to look for my colombian roots and come back home after all these years, especifically to Medellin.Someone told me about this club called Fase Dos.Well I wsa ineterested to see the local girls in action, so a cosin of mine took me there. My god! there were a lot of women blacks, brunnetes, blondes, latin and they say they were up for everything you can desire, so I choose apair, they were bisexual and told me if i pay the price I can laid with three of them , so I did it!! It was The Experience of my life and my cousin pay for it. This palce is near of Medellin`s industrial zone, and let me tell you the women were gorgeous and I`ll ne back soon. because it worth it!!!

Has anyone visited Medellin lately that can post a current report?

I live in Medellin, any questions that you want to know fire away.

If I can't answer them, I will pass you onto a somebody else who can.

Hunter

Hunter, it is great to see you posting again!

LM

Hunter, thanks in advance for your info!

"Yo amo las Paisas", and I am planning to visit MDE for the first time around the 3rd week in Oct? My trip will be a quick 3 or 4 nite mid-week sojourn to hobby:-), and to see the Paisas in there own environment! I have already visited CTG, BOG, and Cali.

What hotel do you recommend I stay at to hobby? I have a free night coupon to stay at a Westin/Sheraton Four Points hotel. Should I stay my entire time there? Or somewhere else?

And of course, where do I hobby the Paisas:-))))?

Yo hablo Espanol, y espero que nos podemos conocer cuando llego? Te invito a un trago, o una cena? sf4dfish

If you are coming for 3/4 days, I would recomend Thursday to Sunday, they are good discos to go to on those nights, Monday - Wednesday there are not any that I am aware of. I would guess that the Casas etc are every night.

I don't bother with the working girls in Medellin, apart from my first 2 weeks here in November 2002. So I can't help you on that front, I have 2 friends American friends that are regularly in Medellin, I will ask the other guy, who is not in the City at the moment to post his e-mail here so he can help you and others out. Robert says that if you have any questions you can e-mail him below.

chgo01@aol.com

Regarding the hotel, if you have a Sheraton free day coupon, use it, but then I would move to the Hotel Plaza Rosa. If you e-mail me closer to the time, I will speak to the head receptionist, I will probably be able to get you a discount on the Suites from 130,000 pesos down to 100,000 pesos OR a room from 80,000 pesos down to 60,000 pesos. They charge a guest fee on top of this 20/30,000 pesos, I will tell you what it is closer to the time.

My Spanish is limited, but more than enough to get by, I am learning the language slowly, very slowly seeing as I have been here 1.5 years out of the last 2 years. Just to dam lazy. I do not normally go to restaurants with my femail friends, just to discos, so then I don't need to talk so much, just dance a lot.

See you in Medellin one day Lamuerte, Bonvat says that you like dancing as well.

Hunter

Una vez, muchas gracias Hunter. sf4dfish

BTW Hunter (or anyone else), do you know the dates for this year's Reinado (Srta Colombia) in CTG? Gracias.

Another thing on my "wish to do" list! sf4dfish

Hunter - how can i contact you viua e-mail? I tried CH, but your handle does not appear - strange...anyway - I am a Cali vet been there 0ver 10x and speak fluent spanish. I have very good luck with Cali non-pros and I am wondering if MDE woudl be somwhat the same as far as sex with non-pros.

I will look into the dates of Miss Colombia in Cartagena and let the board know.

I have never been to Cali, although I lived in Cartagena for about 11 months. From what I have been told about Caleñas they are as easy to approach and date as the women in Cartagena.

Medellin is a differant ball game, they are very conservative on the outside at least. So it might look that they are not interested from afar, but if you go over and talk to them, presuming that they are available there is little problem dating very pretty women here.

Regarding availability,I wouldn't ask any girl if she has a boyfriend, very few don't. The girls here do not like to be without a boyfriend, so if they are interested in you they will go out on a date, if they believe that you are sincere, after a number of dates, they will drop their old boyfriend and move onto the new.

My e-mail is below, any questions end me an e-mail or post on Clubhombre.

hjones64@hotmail.com

Hunter

Miss Colombia will be held in Cartagena between 10th to 17th November this year.

Hunter

Cool My B'day is Nov. 11th what a great way to celebrate and welcome another year of hombre travel adventures <grin>

Batman, are you really planning to be there for the Reinado? I might change my plan's of going to COL next month for Nov? If I go I would only be able to spend three or four nites there:-)

Room rates at the CTG Hilton will not be cheap during the Reinado. sf4dfish

Yep. I will be there since I have to travel to see my main novia in Cali on the 26th of Nov. shoot me an e-mail via CH and let's talk about details of our trip if interested. I'm pretty sure that Hilton will not be cheap maybe 300US a night, but I'm sure there will be good alternatives around the Hilton...it is not necessary to stay at the Hilton - The Almirante has always been an excellent choice and it's a very, very nice hotel.

I'm hoping to escape to Cali, Medellin and Venezuela afterwards. I will most likely only spend 4 nights too in Cartagena during teh Coronado - just enough to cherry pick all the girls in the hotel lobby of the Hilton as they arrive.

I am fluent in spanish - so this will help a great deal!

Batman/wingman, I gonna work on my travel arrangements to go to CTG during the Reinado.

I'm pretty sure I can get a room at the Hilton for under $200 a nite, as I personally know the reservations mgr and will e-mail her directly.

I want to stay there during the week because the contestants do a swim suit thing and also if they have free time they may hang out pool side and elsewhere? Would be nice to be parked at ground zero!

Keep in touch! sf4dfish

great - well if you do get some goo drates - try to see if you can hook me up as well ;-)

I will be in Medellin from 3/10/04 to 3/14/04. I have made a reservation at the Hotel Plaza Rosa. However, after reading some post, maybe an apartment would be better. How reliable is Roberto and what would I need to make a reservation? Please Help?

Roberto is 100% reliable. I am here using his computer at the moment. He says that that your dates are no problem. Just send an e-mail to the address below to confirm with him.

chgo01@aol.com

Hunter

Thanks Hunter!

I appreciate your help.

Warning: this post is a little off topic...

I heard that the grave of Pablo Escobar is a "tourist attraction". Is this true? Is the area safe for a gringo to walk around and be a tourist?


If anybody is looking for some reading material, "Killing Pablo" by Mark Bowden, safe guy that wrote "Black Hawk Down" gives a nice short history of crime and culture in Columbia starting in the 1950's to present.

Wall Street - just want to emphasize how I am really loking forward to your Medellin report. I am glad someone is about to shed some light on this city with beautiful women that remains untapped.

Thanks, BM. I'll do the best I can. Medellin has really peaked my interest - it'll be interesting to see if it lives up to the hype.

On the day train from Bogota to Zipaquira ... you can see a stone castle built by Pablo Escabar which he used to stash his drugs. It’s now owned by the government.



See castle hidden behind tree - picture taken from train

Medellin has a Botero museum which is worth checking out.

Here is a blowup view which makes in easier to see the castle.

Interesting pics Jodi. Any information you can share regarding single male travel to Medellin?

I was with my novia so didn’t have the opportunity to explore other opportunities. But, the women looked about the same as Bogota although the paises are suppose to be taller and have lighter skin. I wouldn’t recommend going alone just for women – because it’s a long trip, the airport is over an hour from the town, and it has dangerous areas. I think any large town in Mexico would be just as good. I have heard that the town for mongering in Colombia is Pereia. But, I would advise hooking up with a local to show you around.

Is there a venue like LDV in CTG in Medellin, Bogota, or Cali? Where you can go in, pick a semi-pro and give her a "gift" of $100-150k peso for the evening. Thanks

From what I hear - there is no place like LDV to pick-up semi-pros. However, you can easily p/u what they call "grillas" in Medellin; which is essentially a non-pro who will fuck for nice clothes gifts etc walking the malls, discos etc. Maybe Hunter can elaborate on this a bit more.

(Message edited by batman on July 08, 2004)

But Batman, this is a nonpro, not really a semi... and don't you agree you would need some game (e.g. Spanish, or ability to 'pick up', and some physical looks) to be successful?

Thus, not at all what I think Slug is asking about.

well i'm already working the non-pro angle w/ match.com & amigos.com, but I was hoping for LDV type place for those first couple of dates where i'm not scoring w/ non-pro. I do plan to hit couple of the strip joint & massage parlor that were mention.

Batman, how come Cali takeout prices (120k/2hrs or 200k/4hrs) are more expensive than CTG? I mean even Manila house in CTG is $260k/24hrs. Or maybe I didn't go to the right place. Anyplace in Cali/Medellin/Bogota I can get something like that & with a 7 or 8? I thought CTG was tourist price & the rest of Colombia must cheaper.

Slug - In Cali everything is negotiable, and to my surprise it all depends on how well the hooker likes you as well. Some may be willing to go down in price; other will not budge and charge you gringo rates. However; I know first hand that local colombian men DO NOT pay the same price for the same girl, again it all depends on your "game" as it is becoming known on this board with both pros and non-pros. Nowadays, I am seeing Cali becoming more and more visited by Americans since I first visited back in 2000. Hence; some hombres do not want to bother w/ negotiations and pay whatever price comes out of the girls mouth w/o hesitating. You can see how this puts us all in a situation of higher prices as we are considered by Cali hookers to have the money to pay more.
My advise is too move on to the next one if a pro insists on charging you max gringo rates. Most likely she will turn out to be a really bad session anyway.

Everything is negotiable in Colombia from girls to food, depending on your haggling skills and your Spanish. If you haggle with a working girl it may or may not affect her performance.

The good massage parlours like the Loutron, Wallstreet has quoted the prices, the Loutron is the only expensive massage parlour that I have been to and that was only once.

The cheap massage parlours prices are roughly as follows, for 20 mins 20,000 pesos for the girl and 15,000 pesos for the house. For 30 mins 30,000 pesos for the girl, 15,000 pesos for the house. For 45 minutes 40,000 pesos for the girl and 20,000 pesos for the house. There are dozens of these places spread over Medellin, I have only been to one about 6 times, but a good friend who researched a lot of them says the prices are pretty standard.

Expensive casas, the girls go for about 100,000 pesos or more for all night and 50,000 pesos for the house.

Never been to the strip clubs.

Pre paids, which I haven't tried are 100,000 pesos or more for all night.

Top models are 250,000 pesos to a million pesos for all night, not tried this one either.

I have never seen a LDV type place here, there is a street of about 20 cheap bars and a dozen hotels a few minutes behind Mangos in a taxi, sorry I can't remember the name. The street has several hundred cheap hookers, most of them I wouldn't look at twice, but there are a few diamonds in the rough there. I have been there twice and taken two girls for 40,000 pesos for all night. I would not recomend this place until you have found your Colombian legs.

Picking up ordinary girls on the street and in the malls, I don't do this in Medellin because I live here and I am asking trouble in my opiniun. But most of you guys are just visiting short term, so I would do it then, but with the following safeguards, I would not recomend that you go anywhere with her that you don't know is safe OR somebody you know and trust tells you it is safe, even if you have been with the girl for a few weeks. Medellin is a very safe place, but you have to stick to the safe areas, if the girl takes you off to a dodgy area, you might come out in your underwear if you are lucky.

I hope this information helps, sorry I can't help much on directions, because I just know where the places are and just tell the taxi left, right etc.

Hunter

Last time I was in Cali, I met an American living there for the past 4 yrs. He's plan is to put an ad in the paper or through other sources for a non-exclusive female companion(ie, student, office worker,etc.,). He was planning to pay them a "retainer", like $200k peso/month for the privilege of calling them to go out, wine/dine & do his business, probably 3-10 times/month. But as a business transaction not as a girlfriend. Talk about amortizing your cost! I heard in Russia & Japan they have this. Has any of you guys done this in Colombia? If so I love to hear how to set it up, because I plan to work in Colombia next year.

Sounds like a deal Jackson arranged in BA. And he screen hundred through a web page and then narrowed to about 40 with photos submitted, and from there interviews, and from there I hear the strategy worked quite well.

You guys might want to check out www.playboy-penthouse.com if you're going to visit Medellin. It has WAY more services and amenities than a Hotel, and once you consider all the perks and free stuff like free international calls, laundry, breakfast, no guest fee, etc. It's way cheaper than a hotel... and way more fun too!

Hey guys, I just wanted to clearify that I'm personaly involved with the Playboy Penthouse. I'll answer any questions you guys have and truely wish you a great time when you visit Medellin. I know you may consider my opinion biased, but even so, the Playboy Penthouse is a great place to stay. I'll be working on putting together some pictures and reports on the girls and the places that make this city such a great place.

Hi, guys!
After reading some of the excellent reports, and thinking of what to do on my upcoming vacation, I more-or-less decided on Colombia (March 18-27). The time is a bit too short for a much longer trip anyway, and I have not seen Colombia, and the girls...Now, I am looking at what is available in flights from NYC (especially non-stop), and I see a nice non-stop round trip to Medellin for $765. I am inclined to book this, but before I do, I would like to seek your learned advice: a) is it a good choice for the first-timer in Colombia, considering that I do not speak Spanish (except for a few words/phrases). Can I spend 8-9 days there and have fun and find things to do, apart from chasing girls (which certaily remains a #1 goal)? Is it safe to go on excursions into the surrounding countryside? I like the idea of a non-touristy place, and the weather which is not hot and humid. Or do you think for the first-timer in Colombia, Cartagena is more interesting and appropriate? The beach is nice, but I have been on a beutiful beach in January, so I can do without, especially if it is really unpleasant in terms of humidity...Would any of you be in Medellin March 18-27? Having a chance to meet with someone from the Club would be real nice.
Give me the last push -- I need to make a decision!
Thanks!

Considering you're going for 9 nights, I would consider doing both.

That $765 flights sounds like Avianca's early morning flight from JFK - good choice flying directly into Medellin. I know Avianca has a special right now for Medellin - Cartagena for $50 each way - one of the reasons you might consider both.

I've been to each twice, but prefer Medellin.

To answer your questions:

My Spanish isn't great, although it has improved after four trips. My first trip was to Medellin and I had an awesome time - most people would steer first-timers to CTG, but I can tell you from experience that isn't necessary.

I rented a 4x4 and drove (with a girl) to Santa Fe de Antiquoia, which is the oldest settled town in Colombia. Took about 3-4 hours each way though winding (and I mean winding) mountainside. One of the best trips I've ever done. You won't meet many (if any) gringos up the the mountains and I like that.

Is it safe? I didn't have or see any problems.

There are plenty of great restaurants in Medellin - much better quality than in CTG, IMHO.

So I would give the nod to MDE, knowing that CTG is a very short flight away, and this time of year you can get an apartment in CTG on no notice for $50 a day on average for a decent air-conditioned place. CTG is as hot and humid as they say and the touts are even more annoying than you can imagine. But that comes with the territory in a tourist town.

Good luck!

Thank you, Wallstreet, most helpful. I found that the same ticket, if purchased through the Avianca web site, would cost me only $615 (so much for Travelocity claims to provide the best prices). I am going to do this. If I feel bored, which I doubt, I'll probably get a round trip to Gartagena from Medellin. Incidentally, does it have to be purchased ahead of time? probably not...I do not think Avianca presently offers a special promotion for the flights inside the country included in the main ticket.

I was intrigued with your mention of a travel in a 4x4. Please tell me more about this: I thought that one strong advice one always gets about Colombia is not to travel in the country, in buses, and, I assumed even more so, by car. Are you quite sure that this was not just your luck that you were not stopped by some Revolutionary Army guys or plain robbers (which may be the same thing...)? Or is it all blown out of proportion? I bet it is. I am very inclined to beleive that; but it would be nice to get your thoughts. You did not have any trouble, but is there some knowledge that several (many) travelers have done that without bad consequences? I am sort of "drilling" you on that because this is exactly the kind of thing I would love to do, and if it is not too crazy, I will do it! Did you rent the car in Medellin, or ahead of time, from the States? Is having 4x4 essential because of the roads?

Now that I am practically in Medellin, I can use any additional advice you may give me, or even some girl's telephone numbers, if you are comfortable sharing them. You have spent time with that magnificent Tatiana -- I am even afraid to ask for her telephone...I will now re-read your report, and everything else that is available on Medellin. places to stay which are "girl friendly" and nice at the same time? People to connect to? Was it Roberto? I will read your report.
Anyway,
I thank you very much. I wish you could come at the same time. Can you?

A question which came up: I was told that March 24-28 is a dead time in Medellin. Is this the Easter holiday? Can someone advise on the situation in a bit more detail: how bad is it (everything closed? Clubs, massage parlors, strip clubs, etc.?) How about other cities in Colombia, such as the more touristy CTG? This may be a big problem for me, if true, since I can not change my dates of March 18-27. I can still cancell the whole thing, though.
If this is really bad in Colombia, what about Brazil? Or is it all the same in S. America?
Religion getting in the way of a hobby!
Please advise, I need to cancel by Monday the latest.
Thanks, guys!

The only time that I have noticed it more quite than normal in Medellin is just after Chritmas and the first week or so of the New Year.

Hunter

Kingtut and all,

That is Easter weekend, in Colombia (and most other Latin places) it is called Semana Santa.

The 'holiday' is Thursday and Friday (so Good Friday?), and I know religious (or not so religous) girls that have told me they wouldn't have sex those two days.

Thus, I would avoid going to Colombia on those days.

But, I have no personal experience being in Colombia on those dates (although I may plan to hit Aruba those dates) - can anyone provide first-hand experience?

FLhobbyer, never noticed any differance in Medellin.

In fact for Ctg I always prefered Easter to any other period of the year, the place has a lot more Colombian tourists than normal, but not packed out like Christmas and Miss Colombia.

As to girls not giving it out, maybe some don't give it out for those two days of Easter, but I expect the majority do, whenever it comes to something like this people say one thing, then do the opposite.

Hunter

Thank you, Hunter. I think I will go than. Additionally, I was able to my own surprize to get a free ticket on Delta frequent flyer program; I have to fly through Bogota; the only thing missing is the flight from Melellin to Bogota returning back; I figure I will see what happends towards the end of my stay; I may be travelling for a couple of days towards the end of my trip and getting back to Medellin from, for example, CTG. Please confirm, if you know the situation, that flights inside the country can be purchased on the spot -- I think I saw something like that in one of the posts; this will be the end of Easter, however. Is the bus route from Medellin to Bogota OK?

My dates now are March 17-27.
I would like to meet with anybody who wants to meet with me in Medellin during this time, for a drink and a chat. Any additional ideas are most welcome. I may try to contact the "Playboy Penthouse Suites" guys, to get some assistance and a place to stay, at least for the first couple of nights.

For those of you who tried to study Spanish in a hurry (as I do for the third time in my life, without much success) -- what is your favorite and most practical course? I have short Pimsler. I figure if I try I can spend about an hour a day for the next two weeks.

Those "prepaid cell girls" (was it meant to be "call girls"?) we read about in reports : how do you arrange to meet them? Have anyone tried?
When I went to Buenos Aires, there were several lined-up dates with highly recommended senoritas, which makes a traveller happy. Can it be done here, with some outstanding beauty, to start the trip on a right note the first night?

I must confess that I am something of a picky type when it comes to women. Alas, may be it is my old age (I am 47). Some of the girl photos people referre to as "hotties" and "beauties" make me take 3 mg of melatonin at night, to sleep better, without nightmares.

I am asking a lot of questions. Maybe I will write a report on Medellin to pay back for the kindness of Club Members...
Thanks to all, be well.

You can buy air tickets on the day of departure, I have a couple of times. Obviously they may not have any seats on the flight you want, but out of peak season, you should get on the first or second flight that you want reasonably easy.

The bus from Bogota to Medellin in the daytime is pretty safe, but I always prefer to fly.

Hunter

Kingtut,

First let me be perfectly clear about safety and going up into the mountains - I really don't know how safe it is or isn't. I was told that the route from Medellin to Sante Fe was safe, at least during the day.

Night fell about midway through my trip back, and if I wasn't going back home that morning, I probably would have pulled over and stayed at one
of the many small hotels that dotted the mountainside.

Also as an indication of whether the route was safe or not, I told the car rental agent exactly where I was going and he had no problem
renting me the vehicle - so I guess he figured it was safe and he'd get his car back.

I rented two cars while in MDE. The first I booked through the hotel concierge. It's not like they give you a lot of vehicle choices. I got
some piece of crap Renault for $50. I used it to do a little local sightseeing like up the mountain to Le Fe. It was a 4 cylinder stick shift and it would have been very difficult to go up the mountain towards Sante Fe - the inclines were unreal.

That's why I rented the 4x4 which I got just by chance picking up the business card in the hotel lobby on Sunday morning. I called them up and the guy gave me an address to meet. It was an independant rental agency, can't remember the name, and it cost $100 to rent for the day - and he agreed to pick up the car at the hotel the next morning.

The guy was really nice - when I told him I wanted to go to Sante Fe, he said it was hard to find the entrance of the mountain and that he
would lead me to it. He just closed up his office, jumped into a car and I followed him - it was a good 5 miles from his office.

Probably the most danger you'll find is other drivers. These guys have no problem passing on a blind curve on a mountain with no guardrails -
just a straight drop down.

But the scenary is awesome and the little roadside stands along the way
are incredible. Some of my best memories from Medellin.

As to Tatiana's phone number, I can't give that out. But I can tell you last time I talked to her she was in Cartagena and worked out of LDV.

I don't think you'll have any problem finding plenty of other girls - I sure haven't - that's why I keep going back.

Good luck!

Welcome aboard KingTUT!

While we are touching on the topic of mongering in S. America on Easter weekend anyone have any idea what Rio is like anytime after Good Friday? I'm a Rio Veteran (ten trips in 2.5yrs) but have never gone at that time.

Thanks Wallstreet, and thanks for the welcome Kingtuttheslut (we must be some distant relatives...)

WS, good to know about your experience with rented cars and in the mountains.

I studied some MDE topics on the WSA forum, and came across a heated discussion about Colombian safety. Hunter was involved in that, and I must say his contributions were consistently cool and to the point; reminded me of Clint Eastwood stile in some sense.
The real issue in my opinion is not how many murders and kidnappings are committed in Colombia per year (which by itself is nothing good, obviously), but rather what % of tourist like us got in serious trouble (such as got killed, kidnapped or disappeared). I did not get that statistics from the discussion I have seen; perhaps it is hard to obtain, I do not know. However, it seems that the % is not large at all, or we would hear a lot more about this.

On another subject: I am trying to contact Roberto from the Playboy Penthouse, and getting no reply by e-mail. Anybody knows his cell phone number?
Best
Kingtutbutnottheslut

From the "LINKS" Page
info@playboy-penthouse.com
From USA dial: 1-312-546-4301

Kingtut, Colombia has one of the highest non war zone murder rates in the world, but it is between Colombians, it very rarely touchs on foreigners. There is the chance of petty crime as in any other Latin American Country. The odd executive or foreign oil worker gets kidnapped, the only tourists I have seen mentioned, is the ones in late 2003 that were visiting the lost City in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, not a particular safe area. There was also some butterfly hunters, in the Darien gap about 3 or 4 years, an extremly dangerouse area.

I can't find the stats at the moment, I would post the question on the General discussion board of the site below, or look in its archives, I have seen links to the stats several times over the last few months:

http://poorbuthappy.com/

There are some people who are out to write half truths in an attempt to keep tourists out of Colombia, so they have the field to themselves. About a year ago I was involved in a thread where they started to discuss this, their plan was to start posting on differant boards that Colombia is to dangerouse to visit apart from Ctg, there is no way I would play along with this and I left that private chat board a short while later.

The funniest thing is that if I was to play along with it, my company would potentially profit from it, seeing it has some apts for rent in Ctg to tourists, but nowhere else for tourists in Colombia.

Regarding the Playboy Penthouse, Robert is not an internet person, I would try Richards e-mail:

flux21@hotmail.com

Nobody has ever called me Clint Eastwood, I certainly don't act or look like him, I have the same coloured here as him when he was younger, thats about it. If I meet you for coffee later this month you will be able to confirm this for yourself.

Hunter