The Passport

Welcome to The Passport

Because One Country Isn’t Enough.

Matt · May 17, 2026

Welcome to The Passport

Hey everyone — Matt here. Welcome to The Passport. If you're reading this, you're one of the first 30 people I invited in to test this out, and I appreciate you being here.Right now this community is all about Colombia. I've been here long enough to know what I wish someone...

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Amanda Rivera · May 17, 2026

Hola from Cartagena — Amanda, travel writer

Hey hey, Amanda, 29, in Bocagrande for 4 months. I write for travel publications and I'm using this base to cover the Caribbean coast. The heat is real, the people are extraordinary, and I'm slowly building a life that doesn't revolve around hotel rooms. Coffee shops here...

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Posted in 💬Introductions

David Henderson · May 17, 2026

David from Brooklyn — Medellín move in 4 weeks

Hi all, David, 35, freelance video editor in Brooklyn. Flight booked for Medellín in 4 weeks. I'm in panic-research mode about: which neighborhood as a non-Spanish-speaker (yes I know I should learn — I'm trying), Wise vs Revolut for receiving USD, and whether to bring my own...

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Posted in 💬Visas & Immigration

Marcus Williamson · May 17, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Anyone done the retirement visa through the Houston consulate recently?

Pre-move research mode. I'm Houston-based, planning the M-pensionado route. I've heard the Houston consulate is fast but I want first-hand from someone who's been through it in the last year. Timeline, document gotchas, anything you'd do differently?

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Posted in 💬Introductions

James Patterson · May 16, 2026

James in Medellín — Laureles, 1 year in, real estate

James Patterson, 45, Charlotte NC originally. In Laureles for a year. I invest in real estate here (no, I'm not selling you anything, no I won't DM you a hot deal). Happy to be candid about what working in property here is actually like — including the parts that are harder...

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Posted in 🎬Free Resources

Matt · May 16, 2026

The Colombian Visa Cheat Sheet — free PDF

Free download: the cheat sheet I wish someone had given me before I moved. Covers M visa, R visa (retirement), V visa categories, processing times, document checklists, and which consulate routes are fastest right now.[Download: Colombian Visa Cheat Sheet PDF]If you're paying...

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Tom Walker · May 16, 2026

Tom in Santa Marta — 67, retired Air Force, 2 years in

Tom Walker, 67, Air Force retired, been in Santa Marta 2 years now. Came after my wife passed; it was time for a change. Santa Marta surprised me — quieter than people expect, beach is right there, healthcare has been excellent. VIP member, happy to be in the Inner Circle....

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Posted in 💬Remote Work & Business

D Daniel Rojas · May 16, 2026

Coworking spaces I've toured in Medellín (Laureles + Poblado)

Toured 4 spots — ranked by how I actually use them. Names lightly anonymised; DM for specifics.

We Work Poblado

Manila branch. Fastest wifi I've measured, real community, day passes available.

Boutique cowork (Laureles, near 1ra Sur)

Quieter, plant-filled, fewer events. Best for heads-down weeks.

Bigger Poblado spot

Fancier, more expensive, more events — good if you want the networking.

View full list (4) →

Posted in 💬Introductions

Rachel Brennan · May 16, 2026

Rachel — Portland to Bogotá, 2 months in, UX designer

Hi! Rachel, 27, UX at a US startup, in Usaquén for 2 months. Came on M visa. The thing nobody told me: Bogotá weather is its whole own personality and you have to dress in 4 layers always. Loving it though. Looking for design community here (or not — open to any community).

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Sarah Kowalski · May 16, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

El Poblado vs Laureles vs Envigado — my 4-week neighborhood hunt

I've been in El Poblado 3 months and I'm planning my move. Spent the last 4 weeks walking around Laureles and Envigado and here's my real take:El Poblado: amenities are amazing, English everywhere, you'll never feel "in Colombia" exactly — feels like an expat island. Pricey....

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Linda Greene · May 16, 2026

Linda — Phoenix, planning Santa Marta in 2 years

Hi all, Linda, 64, husband and I are pre-retirees and Santa Marta is where we're aiming when he finishes work. We've visited twice. Slow research mode. I appreciate everyone who posts the boring practical stuff — that's exactly what I need.

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Posted in 💬Food & Recipes

M María Camila Restrepo · May 16, 2026

My grandma's ajiaco bogotano

Traditional Bogotá chicken-potato soup with three potato types. My grandmother made this every Sunday and now I make it for my staff once a month.

6 servings 110 min medium Colombian

View recipe →

Posted in 💰Cost of Living

Chris Davidson · May 15, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

My $1,500/month budget in Medellín — 2-week update

2 weeks in. Pre-tax breakdown of week 1-2 actuals:Furnished 1BR El Poblado: $850/moGroceries (cooking 5-6 nights): $90 so far → est $180/moEating out (10x in 2 weeks): $130 → est $260/moCoworking day passes: $40Transportation (Uber + Metro): $35Phone (Claro plan):...

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Posted in 💬Expat Wins & Fails

James Whitmore · May 15, 2026 🇨🇴 Bogotá, Colombia

WIN: Got my cédula extranjería on the first try

After three years of visa renewals, I finally went through the full cédula extranjería process and got it on the first appointment. Key was having all documents apostilled fresh (within 6 months), bringing physical copies of everything (not phone scans), and arriving 30...

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Posted in 💬City Showdowns

M Matt · May 15, 2026

Which Colombian city is your Colombia?

33 votes View discussion →

Posted in 💬Introductions

Chris Davidson · May 15, 2026

Chris — Nashville to Medellín, just landed

Hi! Chris, 33, music producer, landed in Medellín 2 weeks ago. Everything is new. Everything is hard. Everything is also amazing. I'm in El Poblado for now while I figure out where I actually want to be. Tell me which neighborhood you'd pick at month 6.

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Karen Stevens · May 15, 2026

Karen from Seattle — Bogotá Chicó, 8 months in, semi-retired

Hi everyone, Karen, 56, was a healthcare consultant in Seattle, semi-retired now. Chicó for 8 months. I've used the Colombian healthcare system 5 times so far (once in earnest — kidney stone, long story) and I have a lot of practical info to share when relevant. Looking...

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Posted in 💬Remote Work & Business

María Camila Restrepo · May 15, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Setting up an S.A.S. in Colombia — what foreigners ask me about

As an attorney I set these up regularly for foreign-owned small businesses. Top questions I get:Can a foreigner own 100%? Yes.Do I need a Colombian partner? No.What does it cost? ~$1,500 USD all-in for incorporation, opening accounts, RUT.Timeline? 2-3 weeks if you have...

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Posted in 🎬Free Resources

Matt · May 15, 2026

Banking checklist for new arrivals — what to bring

Opening a Colombian bank account as a foreigner is annoying but doable. This PDF lists exactly what you need (cédula extranjería, proof of address, RUT registration, etc.) for each of the major banks: Bancolombia, Davivienda, BBVA, Banco de Bogotá.[Download: Banking Checklist PDF]

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Brian Fisher · May 15, 2026

Brian from Atlanta — Bogotá, 1 year in, backend engineer

Brian, 44, engineer at a US fintech, fully remote, in Bogotá about a year. I post data. I love spreadsheets. I have a real running cost-of-living tracker I'll share once I clean it up. Bogotá-curious folks: I have answers in numbers.

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