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Medellin … World Class Medical Care and Services
January 26th, 2012
Medellin, once famous for its drug cartel, has left the violence behind and is now one of the most thriving cities in South America. Its mild climate gave it the byname “City of Eternal Spring” and if you had a chance to visit the city you will agree. More and more tourists distrust the awful image of drugs and violence Hollywood Movies gave the city and discover the true Medellin. Having been a true disruptive innovator in public transportation projects, Medellin is the first city worldwide that has taken funiculars and turned them into a network of mass transportation.
Looking for love in Medellin just got easier
October 6th, 2011
Looking for friendship or love in Medellin? Don’t pack your stuff and get on the first flight to Medellin just yet. You’re probably asking yourself, what is this guy talking about. Well you might find out in Medellin that the language barrier, not being familiar with the culture and the place can make it very difficult to find friends and especially love. So what do I do? Well improve your Spanish, learn about Medellin and start meeting women online. Fortunately for you there is a new website in town called Colombiancharm.com that will give you the opportunity to meet several women and get to know them better before actually meeting them in person. You may look at the women’s profiles, contact them and even instant message them. The best part about it is that is completely free. So put your wallet away! Join www.colombiancharm.com now and start meeting women online now.
World Cup Sub-20 Medellin: England handed Argentine draw
April 30th, 2011The draw for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup finals in Colombia has been made and England have been drawn with old enemies Argentina.
The Argentines have a formidable record at this level, having taken the trophy five out of the last eight times. England have never made the final with their best previous showing coming in 1993 when they finished third in Australia. Brian Eastick’s side have also been drawn alongside Mexico and North Korea in what looks a tough grouping. Eastick’s men will begin their campaign against North Korea in Medellin on 29th July, before taking on Argentina on 1st August and then finishing the group fixtures against Mexico on 4th August. A number of stars who have already been in England’s senior squad, such as Jack Wilshere, Jack Rodwell, Chris Smalling,Kyle Walker, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, would all be eligible to play but it remains to be seen if the Football Association will press for their inclusion with the tournament coming just a couple of weeks ahead of the new Premier League season.
7 games will be held in Medellin including one of the semi-finals. For the complete match schedule, follow this link to the official website:
House Hunters International TV show will be in Medellin
March 14th, 2011
Home & Garden TV -HGTV- network will be filming a new episode in Colombia of the popular show House Hunters Internationals. The first city in Colombia chosen by the producers is Medellin and they have plans to make at least another two episodes in Cartagena and Bogota. Shooting will take place in second half of April and the final show is expected to be on air in July 2011.
“Medellin is starting to get attraction from a large and diverse ex-pat population not only from US and Canada but also from different type of investors around the world that have seen the potential of the city, in terms of low cost of living, friendly and open locals, health care, security, accessible and reasonable real estate.” says Mauricio Jaimes , BuyColombiaRealty.com Executive Director, a web-based real estate company specialized in promoting real estate investments in Colombia to international buyers, and who will be acting as the real estate agent for the Medellin show.
House Hunters Internationals is a half-hour documentary style show that features real estate agents and their home-buying clients as they hunt for that perfect new home in a foreign country.
Although House Hunters International show is on air since 2006, this is the first time filming will take place in a Colombian city. It represents a great opportunity to expose the good moment the country currently is experiencing, since it provides exposure to over 97 million households in the United States, as well as several countries around the world, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland and the Middle East.
In Latin America, particularly in Colombia, the program can be seen on pay cable channel FOX Life.
Medellin’s Mining Boom Brings the World Mining Expo to Town
March 4th, 2011
The Colombian mining industry remains one of the most dynamic and promising sectors of the country, in just one year mining investment has reached record figures in excess of 2,000 million dollars and the trend in the short term will continue.
This sector contributes to the economic growth and social development of the country and the development of the regions where the mining activity is located. In addition this contribution to social and environmental development of the country is higher than the industry average.
This year again, Medellin presents the VII INTERNATIONAL MINING SHOW – COLOMBIA MINING 2011, in association with the Colombian mining sector and of course with their main representatives: producers, suppliers, traders, investors, mining institutions and academia, in an ideal place to the information exchange and trade integration.
The Mining Show offers an exhibition area greater than 1.882 m2, with over 170 booths available in the white, yellow and blue Pavilions at Exhibition Palace – Plaza Mayor in the city of Medellin – Colombia. And additional for this year, we have fitted out the Blue Pavillon for the International companies from our 6 guest countries (Canada, Australia, South Korea, Germany, Chile and Poland). Therefore, we invite you to have a presence with your company from August 31 to September 2, 2011.
Location: Medellín, Colombia
Contact: bgota-td@international.gc.ca
Website: www.miningcolombia.com
New Survey Reveals 99% of Visitors are Highly Satisfied with Medellin
March 4th, 2011
I recent survey carried out by the Ministry of Tourism between October and November last year revealed that Medellin ranks higher than just about any other city in the world for tourist satisfaction and confirms Medellin’s position as one of the most important tourist destinations in Colombia.
Medellin is currently the third most visited destination in Colombia after Bogota and Cartagena, attracting around 11% of foreigners who visit the country.
Below are the complete results to the survey in English.
1. 63% of the surveyed were between 25 and 44 years old
2. 71% of the surveyed were men.
3. 50% are from Central and South America, 25% are from Europe and 20% from North America
4. 55% of the surveyed answered that the reason of their trip was rest and tourism. It is important to notice that this percentage is in that way because 94% of the surveys were made in touristic places and only 6% in hotels.
5. 55% of the surveyed stayed in Medellin more than 4 days.
6. 46% of the surveyed arrived to Medellin directly and 34% arrived through Bogota.
7. Before arriving to Medellin the surveyed visited: Cartagena 26%, Bogota 23%, Cali 16%, Santa Marta 13% and Manizales 10%.
8. For the 69% of the surveyed it was their first visit to Medellin.
9. 33% of the surveyed said that they chose to come to Medellin for the references given by friends and relatives
10. 99% of the surveyed said that they leave Medellin with a high degree of satisfaction.
11. 85% of the surveyed said that the services offer in Medellin is very good
12. 95% of the surveyed said that there is a high probability that they recommend Medellin to their friends and relatives.
13. 95% of the surveyed said that they are going to visit Medellin again, and from that 95%, 40% said that they are going to visit Medellin the next year.
14. 58% of the surveyed stayed in a hotel or an apartments, 28% in a friend’s house and 13% in a hostel.
15. 92% of the surveyed said that the accommodation offer was very good
16. 68% of the surveyed had previous tourist information about Medellin.
17. 47% of the surveyed said that the information that they got about the city was provided by a friend, 17% by WebPages and 15% due previous trips.
18. 95% of the surveyed used Medellin public transport
19. 92% of the surveyed used Taxi, and 86% used the Metro system.
20. 95% of the surveyed said that the public transport in Medellin is very efficient.
21. Los 4 lugares visitados por el 50% ò + de los encuestados fueron en su orden, el Metro, Plaza Botero, El parque lleras y el Parque Explora (Acuario). More than 50% of the surveyed visited the Metro, Plaza Botero, Parque Lleras and Parque Explora (aquarium).
22. 52% of the surveyed said that the average expenses in a day without including accommodation and food was between 1USD and 50 USD and 28% said that was between 51 USD and 100USD.
23. What visitors like more about the city is: its kind people, its weather, the mountains and its beautiful people.
24. What visitors do not like about the city is: the traffic jams, the homeless people, the crime and the lack of tourist information stands in the streets.
25. They suggest to the tourism authorities, more tourism information stands, more security, more information, English speaking guides and less homeless people.
26. 86% of the visitors have a professional title or more.
The Best-Kept Retirement Secret in the Americas
January 11th, 2011
Medellin, Colombia offers the best overall quality of life of any city in Latin America at a super-affordable price. Real estate is a screaming bargain.
This beautiful, pleasant, clean, safe, and sophisticated city is home to friendly, polite, and well-mannered people who greet you in passing and go out of their way to offer assistance. Medellin is the literary and artistic hub of Colombia, with museums, art galleries, cafes, and other trappings of a lively cosmopolitan center. It’s also the leafiest city I know. Everywhere there are trees, hedges, gardens, and parks of many descriptions, all well maintained.
[See 10 Tips for Retirement Overseas.]
Coming into town from the international airport, you drive around and down inside the giant bowl that holds the city, making for a dramatic first impression. Viewed from this height, Medellin appears to be a sea of green and red—the green of the treetops and the red of the brick and clay tiles that are used for nearly all construction. Here are a couple of other reasons you should consider retirement in Medellin.
A temperate climate year-round. The city is known as a land of eternal spring. I’m not sure I buy that description because I’ve been in Medellin on days when temperatures have risen into the 80′s. But that’s as warm as it gets, and humidity is low year-round. Certainly, you could live here with neither heating or air conditioning, if you chose, meaning your utility costs could be well controlled.
[See The World’s Top Retirement Havens For 2011.]
A great diversity of cultural and recreational offerings. Living in Medellin, you’d never want for something fun and interesting to do. On any given day, you could go hiking or bike riding. You could visit a museum, park, or one of the many shopping malls. You could also see a tango show or an opera. Come evening, you could dance the night away and sample the local rum in one of the bawdy nightclubs or enjoy a fine meal and white-glove service at one of the many international-standard restaurants.
Infrastructure of a first world standard. This is one thing that I was not prepared for on my first visit. Medellin’s infrastructure is more solid than I expected and more developed than in other parts of Colombia. The roadways are wide and well-paved, and wireless Internet is ever-present and free is many public areas. Plus there’s a user-friendly Metro that offers service across the city for less than $1 per ride.
A very affordable cost-of-living. Not only are day-to-day costs low, but, thanks to the climate, your monthly utility expenses can be nominal. Electricity, for example, could cost as little as $15 per month.
Real estate prices, both for sales and rentals, are seriously under-valued. You can rent a furnished apartment in a good location for less than $400 or $500 a month. And you can buy a two-bedroom apartment in a nice building for as little as $70,000 or $80,000. These prices are low, not only compared with prices in other developed cities in the region, but especially because of the quality of life they buy you.
Costs in Medellin remind me of those in Panama City a decade or more ago, before the Panamanian capital developed into the globally recognized offshore and retirement haven it is today. Medellin is an emerging market. It’s not yet very foreign retiree-friendly. You really need to speak at least some Spanish to get around. This is changing. The younger generation is learning English in school and with the help of American television.
[See How to Choose an Overseas Retirement Haven.]
Retirees will also have some currency risk. The U.S. dollar lost about 10 percent of its buying power against the Colombian peso in the third quarter of 2010, but regained it in the final three months of 2010. Currency fluctuations are a moving target and can work in your favor or against it. When the dollar moves up, as it is right now, real estate values become even more tempting.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. With more than 25 years experience covering this beat, Kathleen reports daily on current opportunities for living, retiring, and investing overseas in her free e-letter. Her book, How To Retire Overseas—Everything You Need To Know To Live Well Abroad For Less, was recently released by Penguin Books.
A Perfect Day in Medellin, Colombia
January 9th, 2011
Medellin, Colombia is an increasingly cosmopolitan city. The city’s struggle to fight crime and stay clean has actually yielded certain benefits for those visiting the city. With an ongoing campaign to modernize the city while simultaneously keeping the attractions affordable, you won’t have any problem carving out the perfect day in Medellin.
During a recent visit to the city, I versed myself, unintentionally of course, in How to Make The Most of A Day in Medellin. Check it out.
1. The Botanical Gardens. Start your day off with a stroll through these lush gardens. Boasting free entry and more than 5,000 individual plants, you won’t find urban nature organized this well anywhere else in Medellin. Pack a breakfast and picnic beside the water. Tip: You can find some slightly overpriced but still not that expensive stuff worth buying in the gift shop. From attractive leather wallets to a tiny little rag doll key chain (now hanging on my niece’s backpack), this gift shop isn’t nearly as mundane as what I’m used to.
2. Once you’re through with breakfasting and plant-admiring, why not soak in even more beauty? Take a trip to the Medellin Museum of Modern Art where you’ll be impressed with the architecture, gift shop, and yes, you guessed it, even the modern design of the building itself. Tip: If the Botanical Gardens gift shop is cool, the museum’s gift shop is ridiculously cool. From vinyl record coasters to earrings I would definitely wear, my only complaint about my experience with the museum’s gift shop was that I didn’t have enough time to buy everything I wanted to buy. And while you’re there, check out the graffiti across the street from the museum.
3. For lunch, try out En Casa de Oliva. It’s this so-cute-it’s-kind-of-kitschy but still impressively authentic restaurant in Poblado. It’s open-aired and as you dine, you can ease your eyes with the surrounding beauty that takes shape as a casual indoor garden. I tried a little bit of everything here and I recommend it all-especially the lemonade. Tip: The portions here are big. Consider sharing.
4. After lunch, take a walk. This section of town is optimal for shopping. You’ll find boutiques, clubs, salons, coffee shops, and other specialty stores in this area. Make sure you stop by a grocery store while out shopping. You won’t regret picking up some coffee or chocolate for the folks back home. Tip: The security at Medellin’s airport can be surprisingly strict. Keep this in mind when you’re buying goods to take home. A few bags of coffee is cool. A suitcase full of coffee might cost you some time.
5. Take yourself and any respective travel companions on a 70 cent cable car ride. You can pick up the cable car from the Medellin Metro and ride it to its peak. The cars ascend into the Andes and the ride up is breathtaking. The cars can fit 6-8 people, but you can snatch one just for yourself if you’re sly and have good timing. Plan it so you’re on this thing around sunset and you’ll catch a picture-perfect view of Medellin glistening in the valley on your ride down. Tip: if you’re thirsty, hungry, or curious at the top, there are usually vendors around up there. And by the way, ‘up there’ is currently a giant park still under construction.
6. Drop down to Parque Lleras in the Poblado area for dinner. Bijao has excellent food and a superb wine selection. My personal recommendation: the tuna.Tip: Definitely use the toilets here. They’re luxurious in a way you’ll only understand after you use them.
7. Have your nightcap at any one of the nearby bars or clubs. This district is a nightlife hotspot, so don’t be shy. Tip: Keep your wits about you. Medellin is a big city and just like other big cities, you’re going to have to be aware of your surroundings, and your belongings, if you want to stay safe.
Have other suggestions for a perfect day in Medellin? Share it with the rest of us via comment.
by Elizabeth Seward on Jan 4th 2011 at 2:00PM via A Day in Medellin, Colombia | Gadling.com.
The Christmas Lights of Medellin, Colombia 2010
December 29th, 2010
Christmas time in Medellin, Colombia is a time of celebration and holiday spirit as the city begins to light up with amazing decorations. Citizens decorate their yards, balconies and homes with festive decor as everybody prepares for the month of December and its various celebrations.
Another big highlight every December is when the city turns on the Christmas lights that they have been busy preparing the entire month of November. This event traditionally begins on the night of December 7th of every year, but varies from time to time depending on the weather, etc. These Christmas lights adorn the entire city and are setup along major thoroughfares, roads, parks and especially along the Medellin River.
The concentration of Christmas lights along the Medellin River is truly a sight to be seen as millions of dollars are spent every year creating unique themes that are different from the previous season’s theme. Families come out to visit the Medellin River area as it comes alive with thousands of people who revel in the fantastic array of colors and designs that make up the area. There are vendors selling everything from cotton candy, fast foods, beverages of every sort and flavor as well as street performers who come out to entertain the crowds that include tourists who flock to the city to see the sites and more than 500 different activities and 80 events that take place throughout the entire month.
via City of Lights – Medellin, Colombia | Travel – Resorts, List, Photo.
Colombia Reports 2010 Christmas Drive – Please Help!
December 9th, 2010
Colombia Reports and Angeles de Medellin (Angles of Medellin) have teamed up for our 2nd Annual Christmas Charity Drive.
Angeles de Medellin helps poor and displaced children and families that have settled in Medellin by providing much needed food, clothing and medical supplies during the holidays.
With your generous donations, Angeles de Medellin will to buy food and toys for children and their families who would otherwise go without this Christmas.
Angeles de Medellin hopes to raise $7,500 this year which will buy presents for 3,000 children and 1,000 families.
We at Colombia Reports wholeheartedly support Angeles de Medellin’s charity work, and hope you show your solidarity with this excellent cause by donating this holiday season. Every dollar helps, so consider making a donation in the name of a family member or friend instead of buying them a gift. Your loved one will be touched to know your gift in their honor truly went to help families in need.
CR pays all credit card/PayPal fees, so every penny you donate goes directly to buy “in bulk” items for Medellin’s neediest children and their families. Thank you for your support of Angeles de Medellin and their important work this holiday season!
Follow this link to make a donation: CR 2010 Christmas Drive – Colombia news | Colombia Reports.
