12is12

Wow Jeremy: planning 5 months in advance! I salute u!! 
I havent been there; was hoping to b there now, but it didnt work out. 
Both hotels u mentioned r in Makati, an area recommended for apps action, but r rather expensive, no? 
PS - June is monsoon season....
Happy planning (-: 

M happy u r in a good mood; u r certainly contributing to ours.   (-: 
I m not an introvert, and really love having unscriptured encounters, as long as my money is deep inside a hidden pocket.

Tartegogo is right.
There r 3 forums (men, businesses, members) for posting about brazil, without anyone really paying attention about what's supposed to b the dfrnc btw them.
For example: u can find info on a certain establishment or citiy in all 3. 
Its very confusing, and VERY unhelpful for those wishing to research.
This is true not only regarding brazil.

Tartegogo is right.
There r 3 forums (men, businesses, members) for posting about brazil, without anyone really paying attention about what's supposed to b the dfrnc btw them.
For example: u can find info on a certain establishment or citiy in all 3. 
Its very confusing, and VERY unhelpful for those wishing to research.
This is true not only regarding brazil.

Tartegogo is right.
There r 3 forums (men, businesses, members) for posting about brazil, without anyone really paying attention about what's supposed to b the dfrnc btw them.
For example: u can find info on a certain establishment or citiy in all 3. 
Its very confusing, and VERY unhelpful for those wishing to research.
This is true not only regarding brazil.

Yes
I already marked them on the map.
Prblm: the closer they r to Thermas, the farther they r from main attractions to the northwest. There IS more to brcln than 3 afternoon hours of sexcapades.....   (-:

I took the liberty of putting together these tips, offered seperately by three forum members. Under this new title , newbies might find them better. Apologies if I trespassed.
 
Latbear4blk:
·         Pack light. I made the mistake to plan for a week wearing two layers (underwear t-shirt and shirt), but it is just too hot for that. No top underwear is needed. Short pants are fine. I had read that the locals are not fond of casual, comfy clothing, but it is not true. Like Buenos Aires, this is probably changing. Casual wear is appropriate everywhere I went to. Temperature is very pleasant between 5pm and 11 am. Between 11 am and 5 pm, it was unpleasant to me. 
·         About rain, it was forecasted every single day I was here. However, it did not rain every day and when it rained it was just for as few minutes. Raining was not an obstacle for my plans, bur rather a very much welcomed refreshing event.
·         Look for open, shady spaces. Even in the hottest hours (the issue is not really temperature but humidity) there is almost always a very nice and refreshing breeze. 
·         Be aware that if you are a foreigner, you are a target. Not necessarily of a crime, but many people will try to take advantage from you. If you are wealthy and your bank account is generous, you should not worry. Even the over prices are pretty affordable. I am probably the poorest contributor in these forums, and I found everything cheap. The most noticeable over price I suffered were the apanados. I paid 10K for each, when they cost 3.5 to 4K. Yet, when I saw what I got for 60K (16 bucks), I could not refrain a smile of happiness. The guy scamming mr noticed it and laugh with me. Max Avila told me that his current boyfriend lived in Medellin for two years without realizing he was paying twice the local prices. When they started dating, he learned about it.
·         There are huge differences on pricing in different areas. El Poblado’s prices were considerable high than Laureles’. Even inside Laureles, you can notice the difference between the most gentrified areas around both Parque Laureles, and the least gentrified area around Avda San Juan (Calle 44) and La Setenta (Carrera 70). 
·         Bisexual friends, women are available for 60K, and straight prostitution is much more extended.
·         There seem to be two “classic” gay concentrations. You have fancy bars and one discoteca at El Poblado, and you have a few bars and sex clubs in Centro (I have not yet explore the latter). Then you have a more contemporaneous and mixed gay places in Laureles, with a flagship in the dance club Industry. I have not been there, and will probably not be, considering my ears are still bussing after Club Oraculo.
·         They will probably ask you, but make sure you provide the name of your building when you schedule a delivery or a guy. Something is wrong with the city’s nomenclatura, the boys tell me, and you may be sending someone to the wrong place.
·         None of the guys I hang out with knew how to speak in English. There are guys who know, but I am sure it is a commodity that comes with a price.
·         Older, hairy, overweighted men, the typical bear type, is a popular fetiche amongst young and hot men. I got a lot of sex for free, I mean very good sex with mostly very hot guys, but all above average guys, all younger than 25, without paying a dime. Even the boys that hang out with me for long hours and even stayed overnight, only expected me to pay all the bills while together. Indeed, it is transactional. However, my one grindr hook up, a fuck and leave, was zero transactional. The boy was a hot webcam boy, and he liked me. He kept contacting me at 2 am, when I was sleeping or out.
·         Try to bond or deal with at least one guy you trust, and stick with him. He will play the role of the “espantamoros” i Morocco, and help you with good tips and recommendations, keeping you safe and from over paying. My boys did an amazing job at protecting and taking care of me. The Costeño has already checked me three times today, and there is nothing he can get from it. 
·         If you happen to be with two boys, and they are not clicking, ask them for their favorite songs. Immediately, they will start singing together, and bonding, and the ice will be broken.
·         Respectfully, I think the reports about insecurity are overblown. Like in any big city, you should not walk alone at night. Comuna 13 is 100% safe. Centro insecurity at night is true. The killings targeting lonely gay guys are just a temporary issue, and the whole community is working hard to get the killers. Paisas are learning that tourism is a source of endless money, and are really focus on making their city more welcoming and safe for foreigners.
·         If you are looking for an airbnb, anything in El Poblado, Laureles, Provenza, and the South is safe. Make sure you rent above the 5th floor, as you will have more breeze. Try to rent above 10th and with a balcony or terrace. You will have a better view (the valley is beautiful specially at night), and you will be sure there is a working elevator. I have seen 6th floors buildings without an elevator. 
·         Street food is delicious and very cheap. Just avoid beef, usually the cuts are very poor quality, hard to chew and even cut. Chicken, beef in small pieces, and (I guess, because I do not eat it) fish are good. 
·         Uber sucks. Download an alternative application. I will download again Didi for the next trip, I am told it works better. 
 
joizy:
1.  It may have been said elsewhere, but I'd like to emphasize that you should speak some Spanish. I found very few people who spoke English. Definitely learn the basics and keep trying to communicate in Spanish - translator apps work well and people will appreciate the effort on your part.
2. If your cellphone plan doesn't allow an option for international use - look at Airalo e-sim card. It's an electronic sim. You can download the app before you leave, purchase your sim and have it ready to go when you land. I found out about this when the sim I had installed on an old phone stopped working. Wish I'd known before I left home.
3.  Look for a card that allows cash withdrawals without fees. I have a Charles Schwab investor "checking" account. I transfer money into this account and use it for travel. Best exchange rates and ATM fees are reimbursed.
4. Use Rappi - it's a delivery service that will deliver anything - food, medicine, whatever you want.
5.  Approach Grindr with caution. Too many guys that seemed too good to be true. Ask for verification photos if you're not convinced. Some words that indicate a financial exchange - liga, disponible, solvente.
6.  Use Uber instead of taxis if you can. They are unauthorized, so you sit in the front seat - just a "friend giving you a ride". You can plug in your destination and you know the fare. Their goal is to get you to your destination in the most efficient way, whereas taxis might take the scenic route if they figure out you're not from there. With all cars, close the doors gently. They are surprisingly light. If you use the same force you use at home, it will slam. Taxi drivers are especially unhappy when this happens.
7. Be careful at ATMs - I used the ATM inside of a supermarket. Don't flash your cash.
8. Beware of people slipping you drugs. I didn't read about this happening to gay men (though there were a few gay murders that I think are still unsolved), but I read on numerous forums about straight guys being drugged by women and ending up in the ER - of course with their valuables gone. While I had ZERO problems there, the hotness and availability of the men might lower your normal sense of caution.
9. Look for a local to show you around and help with your Spanish. I paid a guy to be my tour guide. He threw in some extras. I had the best experiences with him. Met him on Grindr.
10. Have fun. Medellin is a beautiful city and the people are lovely. Keep your wits about you, show some cultural sensitivity, and you'll have a great time.
  
Macdaddi:
 #6 - Absolutely the #1 taxi issue with foreigners is slamming the car door.  I like to remind new visitors to Medellin of the rules: its ColOmbia, not ColUmbia;  always acknowledge others with food by saying "Buen provecho"'; learn to use "Buenos días", "buenas tardes", y "buenas noches" at the appropriate time of day; never slam the car door when exiting; and you certainly do NOT talk about Bruno.

Jason, what's a blackjack cum drinking party?

Axel 2: behind the 4.3 stars reviews, there r a lot of off-putting reports; especially about AC, thin walls and brkfst.

Chucky, does that mean that u enjoyed 3-4 of them in one afternoon?

Axel 2: behind the 4.3 stars reviews, there r a lot of off-putting reports; especially about AC, thin walls and brkfst.

Cld u pls also get permission to provide contact info for him and or the procuror? 

Cld u pls also get permission to provide contact info for him and or the procuror? 

Where do u guys stay when visiting?
How do u get to the sauna? Metro? Uber?
Thx (-:
 

I meant the problem of conversation prohibiting and ears hurting, while seating at the bars.

I meant the problem of conversation prohibiting and ears hurting, while seating at the bars.

Tomtravel, it happened to me once. 
After getting my young companion's permission, I said to them (smilingly) something like: 
"I guess u r wondering why he is with me; is it just sex for money or more; how disgusting I m; etc..... right?"
They both blushed deeply, and apologized. (-:

Jason, what's a blackjack cum drinking party?

Jason,    "I have fantasised of offing a few guys and just getting them to walk around naked in my hotel room. But I think they will feel weirded out and uncomfortable. And I don't know how to tell them..." 
I humbly submit it's quite simple: thru either ggl trnsltr or mamasan, explain exactly what u desire. If they dont feel like it, they'll say no. I suspect they'll jump at the suggestion of easy money: three friends hanging out in a roon, while a farang just looks at them admiringly.....
 

TotallyOz, I m really curious: 
How can one feel safe after being robbed at gun point 3 times? 
I mean, at the very least u must feel that it can happen again. That's the definition of NOT feeling safe; isnt it?
Furthermore, who's to say that on the 4th time the gun won't go on?
I've been to brazil 3 times and to clmbia - 4. I like them, not only for the sex. 
M quite sure that if I was gun robbed once - I wldnt return )-:

TotallyOz, I m really curious: 
How can one feel safe after being robbed at gun point 3 times? 
I mean, at the very least u must feel that it can happen again. That's the definition of NOT feeling safe; isnt it?
Furthermore, who's to say that on the 4th time the gun won't go on?
I've been to brazil 3 times and to clmbia - 4. I like them, not only for the sex. 
M quite sure that if I was gun robbed once - I wldnt return )-:

Guess I should count myself lucky. I've travelled to more than 70 countries; have never been robbed. 

TotallyOz, I m really curious: 
How can one feel safe after being robbed at gun point 3 times? 
I mean, at the very least u must feel that it can happen again. That's the definition of NOT feeling safe; isnt it?
Furthermore, who's to say that on the 4th time the gun won't go on?
I've been to brazil 3 times and to clmbia - 4. I like them, not only for the sex. 
M quite sure that if I was gun robbed once - I wldnt return )-:

Guess I should count myself lucky. I've travelled to more than 70 countries; have never been robbed. 

Guess I should count myself lucky. I've travelled to more than 70 countries; have never been robbed.