Alvero an english speaking taxi driver in Medellin, that I have mentioned before, has branched out. He has purchased a new much larger car and is providing side trips outside of Medellin around Colombia. I talked to him yesterday and he asked me to spread the information that he is more than willing to take you on excursions to Manizales, Pereira, Armenia etc. to enhance your Colombian mongering experience.

Here is his contact information:
This is Alvero's cell number from Medellin:
316-252-2882

From the U.S.:
011-57-316-252-2882

Tell him Ron from Calif. referred you.

Send me your e-mail address & I’ll send you a picture of him.

I can also vouch for Alvaro - he is very knowledgeable about Medellin and all of the casas. He won't try to rip you off and is straightforward to deal with. Call him to arrange a pickup when you arrive.

Fernando from the medellin mansion is highly recommended. I used him recently, he knows all the mongering places as well as hidden places. Very professional and honest. Speaks spanish only.

From the U.S.A.
Cell: 011-57-310-826-7678
011-57-300-475-25-04

I thought Fernando was taking english lessons, I know he loves to freak mongers out by taking them to see the TV's. He gets a big kick out of watching the reactions on their faces.

Also forgot to mention that Alvaro speaks fluent english, so no difficulties in communication. He's also no prude and you can be straight up about what you're there for. If you're not a newbie, then call him 1 month before your departure and he can set up reasonable accomadation for you, at better prices than VIP or the Mansion.

Mind you, he's not a charity so treat him like a professional.

does anyone know the cost for an airport pickup?

A taxi will cost 50K. So you can look for any airport pickup to run 65K and up.

A safe alternative if you leave the terminal before 8:00 pm is the minibus. It costs 6K to el Centro. As soon as you leave the terminal, you will see the minibus. It will leave when it is full or when the next bus comes.

Looking for a good, trustworthy, driver when in medellin this week, english prefered but really looking for security, wingman driver to join me when hitting the clubs at night.

Recommendation?
Thanks guys.

Minibus now 7K. Takes you to the San Diego area, from there plenty of taxis to where you want to go. Total to get you to your place can be half of taxi directly from airport.

Taxi back to airport running bet 55 to 60K.

Minibus from the airport? Where do you catch it?

I've always had pickup arranged, but that's around 60K. 6K's delightfully cheap.

Hunterman, outside of baggage claim. If I recall right, they are all painted green and off-white. They don't leave until the bus get's filled up, luggage too, and I have used them in the past.

I cannot vouch for taking them to the San Diego area. I alway's took them to the downtown area.

Very economical price wise, but not time wise, as they make many stops along the way to drop off passengers.

Hunterman if you are a heavy packer like me with 3 or 4 or more bags that you have to keep an eye on (including hand luggage) Better off just taking the cab for securities sake. If you are a backpacker then it's just perfect.

Thanks, guys. It's not like the airport shuttles here, I guess, so I'll stick with my current M.O.--either have a friend pick me up if possible, or arrange for a known driver I can talk with on the way into town (I have a couple). The inconvenience of longer time to get to the chicas/many stops, plus having to take another taxi after drop-off, is not worth the savings for me, although I know others have different values.

Have fun!

BTW, of the downtown strip bars Maracaibo had quite a few choice chicks. The other two were weak. This just a week ago.

Anyone know if Alvaro is still in business? I need to hire a driver for a day to travel to Segovia.