PLACES TO STAY IN COLOMBIA?

[Guest Tommy3103]

1st Timer Colombia here from Amsterdam.

I am planning a trip to Colombia and will visit BOGOTA, MEDELLIN AND SANTA MARTA.

Can anyone advise  about places to stay? I am looking at Airbnb in Chapinero but maybe it is safer and better to stay in a hotel? Same counts for Medellin, Poblado? Airbnb or hotel? I read about 61 Prado guesthouse in Medellin. It is cheap and people are very positive about it. It's 5 minutes walking to metrostation PRADO. Not sure if the area is safer than Poblado? The area is called "La Candelaria" so if anyone has some feedback it is highly appreciated. Many guys talk about CLUB TOBI but is it easy to find? I don't understand the EAST side and the WEST side of the Cathedral. The WEST side is really bad so how can I avoid ending up there? So how to get to CLUB TOBI...the taxi drivers would know how to get there? I met a nice guy on CB and after a while he gave me his Whatsapp and we are still talking on the Whatsapp. He even showed himself on the videocall so he is as real as it gets. You guys surely have seen him on CB but anyway... I am not keeping my hopes up that he actually will meet me in Medellin. So guys, any advice on places to stay, etc. etc.  This is the guy from CB that is texting me daily on my whatsapp. Cheers and have fun you all!!

[Guest KevinC]

yes I saw this guy on CB almost everyday. Did you discuss his rate for his in-person service yet?  Don't forget, hot guys cost more, and to them, it's all about money. 

[Guest Tommy3103]

To be honest... we didn't spoke about money at all. He is bi-sexual he says... he is more into girls than in guys but he likes sex with men too. If it comes down to money we will see... he is worth a try isn't he?  :-)     

[likeohmygod]

Umh...what's his nickname on CB? I can't recall him.

[snwbrdr015]

@Tommy3103:La Candelaria (and Prado) are definitely not safer than Poblado; in fact the city centre is fine by day (pick pockets allert) but sketchy after 18.30. That's when the centre drains from the workers going home and it gets deserted. Not recommended.

Poblado is een good option if you are a first timer. Very safe, also at night. Most tourists and expats live here. Its more upscale so to say. This doesn't make for a top notch Colombian experience, but hey, you don't need worrying on safety concerns if you want to get laid right?

Another good option is Lauraless/Estadio. More Colombian, stil higher end of the spectrum as a neighborhood. 

The 'Cathedral' is Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Medellín (Cra. 56 #48-26, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia). Once again: by day be vigilant ( a la Barcelona...pick pocket wise), after 18.30/19.00: avoid. On the west side -this is west of Av. Oriental) there are some gay hotspots. After dark use taxi's. On the east side is better. Stil use taxi's after dark in La Candelaria.

Places I liked (not for the faint hearted...): 
Men's video club at Cra. 43 #56-25
La Casa Inclinada at Cra. 44 #46-38

Grindrrrrrrrr! Medellin boys are fucking models! Oh, the CB guy will be easy to meet. It's business for him, no worrie

 

[Guest Tommy3103]

@snwbrdr015 thanks for your comments. Your reports and insights are so helpful I read them all. Do you suggest to stay in a hotel as a 1st timer or can I try airbnb? Of course I will take your advice and meet they guys 1st in a cafe or another public place before deciding to invite them over. Do they have the motel by the hour as well in Medellin? (Must be..silly question I guess?) The latino boys are sure on the top of my "to-do" list but I also want to experience Colombia's beauty as for architecture, the colonial styles, zona cafetaria etc. Maybe meet a boy 1st and if he is what I am looking for taking him as my tour guide or just companion along the trip. Anyway your help is much appreciated. Your contributions here highly highly appreciated by everyone for sure. I have 4 weeks to spend in Colombia so I gues the major time should be spend in Medellin yes? Bogota is good for 3 or 4 days? I definitely want to see Theatron in Bogota...heard so much about it. If you have any more suggestions please let me know. Oh yeah.. Club Tobi ..Medellin... taxi drivers will know where it is? I can speak  a reasonable amount of Spanish but  not sure if they would know what it is. Any experiences with UBER in Medellin? Thanks again.  

[Guest inkaras]

For the first timer I would definitely advise booking hotel. Most hotels are ok with visitors although cheaper ones will often charge you 40 000 COP for each guest going to your room. Prado and Candelaria aren't the safest areas - Poblado and Laureles are much better options. Motels are everywhere in Latin America, but stay clear of the cheapest ones.

To be honest, you can find hot guys all over Colombia so any big city is a good option. No need to stay in Medellin for too long. Tourists don't go to Barranquilla, but it's a super fun place if visiting on weekends for gay clubs and grindr hook ups. Colombia has an awesome gay scene in most big cities, but if you older you might feel out of place - crowd tends to be younger. Teatron is superb - Saturday is the big night - 13 rooms and up to 10 000 clubbers. Easily the biggest gay club in the world.

In Medellin the biggest gay club is called VIVA, but I did not go there. In Bogota, apart from Teatron, there is also El Mozzo and some good saunas. In Cartagena D8 is very stylish gay club and in Barranquilla you can either go to Rumours or Lives. All the places are packed solid on weekends and in case of Teatron and Lives you talking thousands of people.

Club Tobi is in the city centre - ok day time, but edgy after dark. Few escorts and plenty of old guys. Make sure you got the address - its super discreet - only an open door and the stairwell leading up. Taxi drivers will not know exactly, but they will use the address.

[tassojunior]

The west side of the cathedral has a couple allegedly gay spots but is incredibly dangerous, even in daytime. ie: Expect you will be mugged.

The east side of the cathedral west of Oriental Ave. is where the gay hustler bars and the sex hotel are. Pretty safe being right on the main street. But ugly guys.

The east side of Oriental is fine and a much better more residential in-town neighborhood. I actually stayed in the Gran Hotel there. Was about $30 but a perfectly clean decent family/tourist hotel. ( I imagined a revolving-door of guys from the hustler bars----boy was I disappointed).

Club Tobi only has a number out front. You have to have the address. It's 2 or 3 blocks east of Oriental (the main street) in the center of downtown. Not unsafe at all and 100% worth going there first. 

There are several saunas with masseurs in Bogota, but the prices are double and the guys are at best half as good looking as Club Tobi.  And they just mostly massage in Bogota. Club Tobi is full sex on a massage table beginning to end for like $30 by very good looking guys. I'd go to M just for Club Tobi. 

[BiLatin]

As usual, I went with airbnb on my recent trip to Medellin. As always, great place and great location!!! I stayed at Poblado Suites. They have their own website (http://www.pobladosuites.com/) but it was cheaper through airbnb. I stayed at the tokyo suite apartment. Highly recommend!!! Private, excellent location and I brought all the boys there without any issues whatsoever. Although none stayed the night, they couldve if I had wanted. I booked for two people.

 

[Guest Tommy3103]

@inkaras  @tassojunior  @BiLatin  thanks guys for your feedback and tips. Really helpful and appreciated a lot.

On CB the boys are asking for tokens now before giving out their whatsapp number.... that's new to me.  

 

[snwbrdr015]

@tassojunior: I didn't feel too uncomfortably during daytime on the west side of Av. Oriental. There were quite some people walking the streets minding their own business. I walked to La Casa Inclinada and Mes Video club; around 16.00. Felt fine.  Was I naive in your view?

[tassojunior]

The west side sidewalk of Oriental Avenue, the main street is fine. It's the west side of the cathedral , a few blocks over, that's ridiculously dangerous.

[snwbrdr015]

ah ok, get what you mean. However, I walked to and from Prado station, along Calle 57. I wouldn't wonder further west though, to the other side of the metro line. Those barrio's are indeed sketchy. 

It's hard to imagine for non-Colombians that one block can be OK and the next is AYOR or even worse. I had a guy over who asked me for an Uber in Bogota to cross Av. Caracas (cr. 14): my apartment was on one side, his was on the other, one block further. As I asked him if the Uber was really necessary for those  80(!) metres he looked at me: "Duh! Yes! Nobody wants to cross Caracas after eight!". Hmmm ok......I did the night before.....lol.

 

 

[brockmiller]

@Tommy3103 so how is colombia treating you

[Guest Tommy3103]

I have not been there yet. It is still pending but I booked my ticket already yes :-)

[Guest bobbalino]

On 2017-05-22 at 5:32 PM, Tommy3103 said:

1st Timer Colombia here from Amsterdam.

I am planning a trip to Colombia and will visit BOGOTA, MEDELLIN AND SANTA MARTA.

Can anyone advise  about places to stay? I am looking at Airbnb in Chapinero but maybe it is safer and better to stay in a hotel? Same counts for Medellin, Poblado? Airbnb or hotel? I read about 61 Prado guesthouse in Medellin. It is cheap and people are very positive about it. It's 5 minutes walking to metrostation PRADO. Not sure if the area is safer than Poblado? The area is called "La Candelaria" so if anyone has some feedback it is highly appreciated. Many guys talk about CLUB TOBI but is it easy to find? I don't understand the EAST side and the WEST side of the Cathedral. The WEST side is really bad so how can I avoid ending up there? So how to get to CLUB TOBI...the taxi drivers would know how to get there? I met a nice guy on CB and after a while he gave me his Whatsapp and we are still talking on the Whatsapp. He even showed himself on the videocall so he is as real as it gets. You guys surely have seen him on CB but anyway... I am not keeping my hopes up that he actually will meet me in Medellin. So guys, any advice on places to stay, etc. etc.  This is the guy from CB that is texting me daily on my whatsapp. Cheers and have fun you all!!

I think the CB guy is Terceo Muscle on boytoyflirt and other cam programs that direct to his room.

[branleur]

How to find your way in Colombian cities.

Is not easy to find an address in Colombian cities, even asking, and even asking in Spanish. 

Two "types" of streets:

Calle  - running from East to West

Carrera (Cra, K, Ka) - running from South to North

 

Ex.: in Medellin "Club 55" address is:  CALLE 55 #45 - 44

Look for Calle 55 and Carrera 45, from this corner you have to go 44 metres toward Carrera 46. And Club 55 is at your right (even numbers right, uneven numbers left)

Calle 55 is named Perú also, but just a few streets have a name.

 

Ex.: "Donde aquellos Bar" address is: Cra. 38 #9A - 26

You have to go 26 metres on Carrera 38 toward Calle 10 (the next after 9A) the bar is on your right and we can have a drink!

Just a trivial details but it can help.

 

[tassojunior]

Club Tobi is just 4 short blocks off the main street (Oriental) in the center of Medellin. It's just an address/street number outside. A must-see.

Bogota is a huge European-like city. Several saunas with boys. Unfortunately it's European-like prices and the guys in Bogota are not attractive.

The Gold Museum in Bogota is a must-see tourist spot.

Medellin is completely different. Very inexpensive, great looking friendly guys. Grindr works well- they post as "Prepaygo"- slang from prepaid phones that means escort. Poblado is further down from the center than the Lauriel neighborhood.