Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Colombia Expat Forum

Guatape

New Topic Newest First
texasmike
  2/26/2017 21:21 EST

Thinking about moving there from El Retiro. Can anyone living there, or anywhere close by, give me some advice. Thanks.

joemindwarp
  3/4/2017 19:17 EST

I spent 1 day there, I would say if you like being far away from larger towns it may suit you. I would visit for a few days before considering a relo. Much better places in Medellin and all connected with the Metro rail

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

SunsetSteve
  3/4/2017 20:27 EST

Don't need no stinkin' metro rail in Guatape. Fresh air, water sports, and 3-wheel cabs. None of that in Medellin!

novato1953
  3/4/2017 20:56 EST

It can be a relaxing town. I've spent a few weeks there over several trips. It is, however, too quiet to make it a permanent address for me.

dumluk
  3/5/2017 12:19 EST

There are citypeople and there are country people.....Thank God Im a country boy..........I will take fresh air and beauty and peace any day......go to the city once a week to make the buys and look for a new novia........kinda of a long way from the beach tho..........

Bobfrozen1
  3/5/2017 18:35 EST

Steve,

What is it with your continued assault on Medellin?

You do not like big cities fine. But you fly into Colombia spend two maybe three days in Medellin, have a pancake and declare it unfit for human habitation.

Get real!!

Many people love Medellin including the Colombians.

Of course you would not know that because all your information is from this forum and a what 10 day visit to the country?

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

SunsetSteve
  3/5/2017 19:07 EST

Bob, gimme a break! I have taken great care to make it clear that my decision to not settle in Medellin - or Pereira, or Armenia for that matter - is almost strictly on account of my love for low traffic, clean mountain air, bountiful nature, village mentality. Other than the occasional air pollution I don't think I have made a negative comment about Medellin per se. But to me it was a city and as such could not fill my heart with glee.

Others - the majority of others - have piped up that they much prefer the action and activities that a city such as Medellin has to offer. I have never argued against that POV - it would be stupid of me to do so, since people like what they like.

I have spent the far greater portion of my life in very nice and liveable cities which I enjoyed to the fullest at those stages of my life. But been there done that and had enough. Went down to my boathouse today to check the boat and the ice, and two beavers scared the sh1t out of me! They plopped off the inside apron of the boathouse onto the water, each about 70 lbs of fur and big teeth. That is my reality, not screeching streetcars and honking cabs.

Bobfrozen1
  3/5/2017 19:27 EST

No I am not going to give you a break.

You do not like Medellin fine! But that is no reason to insult it. Not everyone follows "Steves adventures" and knows you are a hermit who hates cities.

Its really simple don't insult my city, or lifestyle and I wont insult yours.

I respect your city, country, and lifestyle. You continually disrespect my home country, and my resident city.

In Spanish,

Tu hablas mucho de mierda

SunsetSteve
  3/5/2017 20:20 EST

Disappointed you have chosen to take such an inappropriate attitude Bob. And let me express my regret for having responded to you politely. My mistake.

SunsetSteve
  3/5/2017 20:25 EST

And Bob - I wonder whether my reference to Treasure of the Sierra Madre flew right over your head? Is it the reference to "stinkin':that set you off? If so, you need to brush up on American movie culture.

texasmike
  3/5/2017 20:31 EST

Thanks to all for your input. I visited Guatape, and Penal, for a couple of days this week. Very scenic, and met some very nice people. But it's a little touristy. My next prospect to move to is San Antonio, outside of Rio Negro. Any feedback on that?

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

cccmedia
  3/6/2017 03:14 EST

@Texas Mike...

Outside Río Negro:

Cool air, away from big-city traffic and pollution .. yet close enough to drive into Medellín fairly easily during non-traffic hours.

Downside: some folks need more contact with fellow Gringos than S.A. might provide. Fortunately for them, several organizations are currently offering meetups in the city.

Did I mention cool air? The higher altitude is a plus for some, not so much for others.

Being close to MDE airport has advantages for travelers .. and puts the Río Negro area in the path of progress.

Still there's plenty of room in the environs for living in the 'manera campestre.'

What's more delightful than visiting a farmer's market to pick up next week's fruits and veggies on a sunny day outside Río Negro!

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

dumluk
  3/6/2017 11:03 EST

Only walkin outside your back door out into the garden and pickin your own pineapples, oranges, avocados, guanabanas, bananas, etc............but a trip to the local open air market is nice.........and you cant grown everything...........btw, are there avocados all year round in Colombia?

cccmedia
  3/6/2017 13:07 EST

Yes!

Hass avocados -- known as "the year-round avocado" -- is grown in the heart of COL avocado country -- Antioquia, including El Retiro.

It's named after a California grower and marketer of avocados who took out his patent in 1935.

-- avocadocentral.com

afarestegui
  3/6/2017 14:01 EST

I know this is not part of the topic, yet, avocados were mentioned. Avocados, not in Colombia. I've tried every variety in Colombia. Best avocados in the world, try the region near Uruapan-Michoacan in Mexico., there is just no comparison. There are however, many other delicious fruits in this beautiful country, Colombia.

WhoaNellie
  3/6/2017 14:03 EST

There are over a dozen different varieties of avocados grown commercially in Colombia. Although the main harvest season is from December to April and the off-season is June to August, they're on the market year-round since their is some importation from other countries. Large companies now investing in Colombia to cultivate the Haas avocados and others believe they can get the harvest up to around 10 months out of each year.

This is a great slide presentation, in Spanish:

https://www.slideshare.net/Gaviria1992/cultivo-de-aguacate-en-colombia

dumluk
  3/6/2017 21:30 EST

I personally have a good variety...Lets see, theres Mantaquilla, Bagala and Pesqueso, the long necked one......and I smuggled in a Sharwell from Maui a long time ago which is doing well but not producing.......Ive tried and am still trying with Hass but have not had much luck with them. Dont know why.....Maybe too much rain here.....Cant be that it s too cool....They grow in Escondido Calif just fine.......There are no Hass avos on the market here in Panama, but in C.R. thats about all you find, and little ones run about a buck.........

SkyMan
  3/7/2017 13:33 EST

Gentlemen.....Please take off your boxing gloves, please. Everyone has different wants, needs, desires as to where and how they want & can afford to live.
I am not a New York City guy, who wants the "big-city-life". I just enjoy Medellin(Poblado) & the environs for different things: Dining, Shopping, Cultural Events, Art...and especially in December(with all the lights, etc). To me Medellin has always had a very energetic, good vibe...just from the way the residents treat expats/tourists. And yes.....I have lived in another country in S. America, so I have some understanding of the difference in Colombia...than other Latin countries. The Colombian Expat Exchange has mostly been a very calm site...to share information, etc. so.....let's try to keep it real, calm and a site that actually does what is intended: that of information, information sharing w/Questions & Answers.
I personally do not criticize anyone for wanting a small-town atmosphere nor someone desiring the clubs/bars in a large city. All sizes do not fit everyone.
So in the thought of calmness & tranquility...let's try to keep it impersonal. Try it...you might like it. Buena Suerte !

novato1953
  3/7/2017 13:37 EST

What's wrong with talking about avocados? You are the sensitive sort, I guess, skyman.

WhoaNellie
  3/7/2017 14:23 EST

I love avocados. But I don't like champús which seems to be almost a sin, with my wife's family. At least, every time I've tried it, I don't like it, so I stopped even trying it...They are always incredulously asking, "You don't like champús?"

stevesawyer1895
  3/8/2017 08:58 EST

I am totally there with Steve. We are looking the same thing and cooler climate at least 5k ft to start. We leave Panama at the end of the month after 2 years of traveling the country and not finding anyplace that works for us. We are on to the next. We'll see after a short stay in AZ for some medical treatment. We hope to see you on the road.

SkyMan
  3/8/2017 11:46 EST

It wasn't about avocados...it was about the feud between the two(2) posters concerning negative comments about Medellin. I enjoy avocados myself. I have read of their health benefits. No offense intended. and no...I am not sensitive.

joemindwarp
  3/8/2017 13:16 EST

Speaking of Avocados, how about those bs moon missions?

eltecnicoingenioso
  3/8/2017 15:37 EST

Eh? Avo's to moon shots? Straw Man argument or example of cognitive dissonance?

(if emoli's were enabled I'd post a "wink" - - )

joemindwarp
  3/8/2017 17:13 EST

Just making a segue from Guatape to avocados to something else, are you in Colombia discussing fruits and vegetables, not at all interesting, my wife may talk about that with her friends but ; what do you think about the avocados in yada yada yada is like a letter opener in the ear and I've tried it several times after listening to the constant bickering on this site
looking forward to inane replies bitches

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Living in Colombia GuideLiving in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in ColombiaHealthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in ColombiaCost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to ColombiaMoving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in ColombiaReal Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros Cons of Living in ColombiaPros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in ColombiaRetiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

William Russell
William Russell

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal