# Colombia!

Hey Carlos!

I'm so excited you and your sister are visiting Colombia. I've never been anywhere quite like it. I loved my time there for so many reasons and I'm so excited for y'all.

### Tips
* **Taxis > Uber** - Uber is actually illegal. If you have to use it, sit in the front seat so it's not obvious and you don't get pulled over. Taxis are also very safe and cheap.
* **Get a Claro SIM card** - for some reason you have to show your passport to do this (even prepaid), so bring that. This is the best option for all of Colombia.
* **Emergency number is 123** - yeah, it's not 911. Weird.

## Medellín

### Tips

* **NO SMOKING** - it's the fucking BEST. No smoking inside, on patios or terraces or really anywhere but the street. It's magic. Rules bend late at night and at after hours clubs but generally you get to eat in peace (I miss this!).
* **Credit cards are widely accepted** - cash is always handy, but don't worry about it too much, you'll be able to get by mostly on cards. Notable exception: taxis.
* **The airport is really far** - like an hour. It's actually a pretty ride but yeah...long.
* **Don't buy coca from the street hustlers** - As a white dude walking around, people will approach you trying to sell you cocaine. A lot. Not telling you what to do, just don't buy it from those guys.
* **Eating out** - You generally have to wave down or holler for your server. Waiting is pointless - make your intentions known.

### Hostels


[Hostel Rango](http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hostel-Rango-Boutique/Medellin/275821) - Boutique, modern hostel with a great restaurant and proper craft cocktails. The dog's name is Rango and I miss him very much. It's near Parque Lleras which is the backpacker's/tourist/etc area which is the most fun if you're only there for a few days. If you want a cool hostel outside of Poblado, try [Hostel Ondas](http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Hostel-Ondas-Medellin/Medellin/269644).


[Selina Medellín](http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Selina-Medellin/Medellin/277778) - Awesome backup. Amazing art. I stayed there for two nights during their soft opening. Maybe it's cooler than Rango now but probably not.

### Bars and Cafes and Such

[The Victoria Wine & Food](https://goo.gl/maps/SATHpX4xDgB2) - there's a whole stretch of restaurants back here that are nice and a little off the regular beaten tourist path and away from the drunken backpackers.

[Cafe Cliche](https://goo.gl/maps/HmRKU55Ko9z) - French cafe run by French people where you hear more French than Spanish. It's adorable and I spent a lot of time reading here.


[Cafe Velvet](https://goo.gl/maps/1Z1QAi5Nnh42) - Coffee by day, wine by night, v popular amongst digital nomads. Very strong hipster coffee culture.

[Pergamino](https://goo.gl/maps/yi1Q3ATtdFR2) - I wouldn't be upset if you brought some of this coffee home...best Colombian coffee and you can get espresso, chemex, aeropress, like 6 other kinds of ways to make coffee. Exceptional.


[Mercado del Rio](https://goo.gl/maps/WLWWWmxwmhq) - yummy

[Clandestino](https://goo.gl/maps/q4dn8v1BPvN2) - I LOVE THIS PLACE. The door is hidden and there's foliage all around the patio so it's hard to figure out how to get in...get it? Clandestino? Anyway - this is how you get in:

1. Find Criminal Taqueria (maybe eat a taco - they're delicious)
2. Look to the left for a door that sort looks like a service door
3. Look for the button
4. Press the button
5. Open the door
6. Be amazed
7. Drink delicious cocktails
8. Eat yummy food (if you aren't already full of tacos)

### Clubs

There's just salsa everywhere and I don't care about salsa - you'll find plenty of that. And reggaeton. Ugh.

These places can be hit or miss but they're often pretty good. Obviously by good I mean tech house, deep house, acid house, Nu-disco, indie dance, or yahknow, some other genre of house music. I could go on forever.

[Calle 9+1](https://www.facebook.com/calle9mas1/) - sometimes great, mostly dependably mediocre but it's pretty much always an option if everything else is going sideways.

[MUTE](https://www.facebook.com/mutemedellin/) - away from the toursit area, more Colombians, smaller crowds, better music.

[Top Secret](https://goo.gl/maps/QiEpMPq4Z8R2) - totally illegal, super fun after hours club. You just walk around until you hear music, knock on the door and pay a very small cover and you can dance until well past sunrise.


[Salón Amador](https://www.facebook.com/salonamador/) - Best for last. This is the best one. Bring ear plugs. It's loud. Pro tip: there's often cheaper or free cover early in the night and you can get a stamp and then grab some cheap beers or something and then come back later.

### Cool Stuff


[La Piedra del Peñol/Guatape](https://goo.gl/maps/akhP75xBLay) - 740 steps the top! Get sunburnt! Get a Michelada at the top. Eat at [Don de Sam](https://goo.gl/maps/g2q5g2sN4su) before or after - he's the nicest guy and will make you literally anything and it's all delicious. Stay at [Lake View Hostel](http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Lake-View-Hostel/Guatape/46317) - or at least go to the Thai restaurant upstairs. Everything is food with me.


[Botanical Garden of Medellín](https://www.botanicomedellin.org/) - So much pretty.

# Have Fun!!!

I'm so jealous rn.