The Passport

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Because One Country Isn’t Enough.

Rachel Brennan · May 12, 2026 🇨🇴 Bogotá, Colombia

Grocery price shock — Carulla vs Éxito vs D1

Same shopping list (eggs, milk, bread, chicken, vegetables, basics for the week):Carulla (Chicó): 142,000 COP (~$35)Éxito (Chapinero): 96,000 COP (~$24)D1 (corner store): 71,000 COP (~$18)For identical items. Carulla is a pleasant grocery experience. D1 is a no-frills box....

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Posted in 💬Expat Wins & Fails

Amanda Rivera · May 12, 2026 🇨🇴 Cartagena, Colombia

WIN: First Colombian friend invited me to family Christmas

A coworker invited me to her family's Christmas dinner in December. I almost said no because I felt like I was intruding. I said yes. It was the best night of my whole year here. They made buñuelos, we sang villancicos, her grandmother taught me to dance pasillo (badly).Say...

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Posted in 💬Visas & Immigration

María Camila Restrepo · May 12, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Migración Colombia appointment system — practical tips

As an attorney who books these constantly: the appointment system opens fresh slots at midnight Bogotá time. The 6am-10am Monday/Wednesday slots fill within minutes. If you can't get Bogotá, try Tunja or Ibagué — the offices are smaller and the appointments are easier.Bring...

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Chris Davidson · May 12, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

Furnished rental: what's actually included (and what isn't)

Just signed for a furnished apartment in El Poblado. "Furnished" included: bed, couch, dining table, kitchen basics, washing machine.Did NOT include: sheets, pillows, towels, kitchen utensils, dishes, anything you'd actually use to make coffee. First week was rough.Ask...

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Posted in 💬Water Cooler

Karen Stevens · May 12, 2026

Movies/shows that helped you understand Colombia better

Not "Narcos" (we all watched it, we all have opinions, let's move past it).I just watched Encanto with my niece visiting and was genuinely surprised how much Colombian texture is in it — the houses, the food, the family dynamics. Anyone have other recommendations?...

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Posted in 🎬Free Resources

Matt · May 12, 2026

Bogotá vs Medellín at-a-glance comparison PDF

Side-by-side comparison: weather, cost of living, neighborhoods, expat density, healthcare, vibe. This is the question I get asked most. Now it's a PDF.[Download: Bogotá vs Medellín PDF]

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Posted in 🇵🇦Panama

Linda Greene · May 12, 2026 🇵🇦 Panama

Considered Panama before picking Colombia — here's why I switched

For the Panama-curious: I researched Panama hard before landing on Colombia.Panama pros: dollarized economy (easier for Americans), Pensionado visa is famous and well-established, banking infrastructure, English more common.Why I shifted to Colombia: cost of living...

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Posted in 💬Introductions

James Whitmore · May 12, 2026

James — London to Bogotá, 3 years in, married a Colombian

James Whitmore, 47, English, in Bogotá three years. Married my wife here, two stepkids (teenagers, terrifying). Communications consultant. I'm in the Inner Circle, happy to be a long-timer voice when the newer arrivals are panicking about something I panicked about 2.5 years...

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Posted in 💬Barranquilla

Liam Byrne · May 12, 2026 🇨🇴 Barranquilla, Colombia

Carnaval 2026 planning — who's going?

Barranquilla Carnaval in February is one of the most extraordinary things in this country. Book your flights and hotels 4-6 months out (so basically now). Crowds are massive, prices triple, and it's worth every peso.Anyone here planning to go?

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Daniel Rojas · May 12, 2026

Daniel — Paisa, runs a coworking in Laureles

Hola, Daniel Rojas, 42, born and raised in Medellín. I run a coworking in Laureles, mostly serves foreigners. I see people land here every week with the same questions, so I figured: come help directly. Ask me anything about Medellín, especially Laureles (the correct...

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Posted in 💬Cali

Pierre Gagnon · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Cali, Colombia

Cali safety — what's true and what's overblown

2 years in. Cali has a reputation. Some of it is real. Most of it isn't current. Honest read:Real: Some neighborhoods are not for evening walks. Don't flash phones or watches in non-touristy areas. Petty crime is more common than in Medellín.Overblown: The "violent crime hub"...

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Posted in 🏖️Cartagena

Kevin O'Brien · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Cartagena, Colombia

Best months to actually live in Cartagena (not visit)

Tourist take: Cartagena is great in December-February (dry season). Lived-here take: those are the BUSIEST, MOST EXPENSIVE, MOST CROWDED months. As a resident I prefer August-October — quieter, rents are 20% lower, the heat is still real but you actually own your city...

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Posted in 🇨🇴Colombia

Daniel Rojas · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

Football 101 — picking your team (don't pick the wrong one)

If you live here, you're going to be asked which fútbol team you support. Pick wisely — it matters socially.Bogotá: Millonarios or Santa Fe. (Millonarios is bigger; Santa Fe is older. Both have devoted fans. Choose one and stick with it.)Medellín: Atlético Nacional or...

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Posted in 💬Medellín

Daniel Rojas · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

Power outage last night — anyone else?

Two hours, Laureles. Came back on around 11pm. Anyone in El Poblado or Envigado get hit too?

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Posted in 💬Housing & Real Estate

Brian Fisher · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Bogotá, Colombia

Buying property as a foreigner in Colombia — early-stage questions

One year in Bogotá and I'm starting to look at buying. The basics I've learned so far: foreigners can own freely (no special restrictions), you need RUT registration and a Colombian bank account for the transaction, and the seller's title history matters way more than I...

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Posted in 💬Santa Marta

Linda Greene · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Santa Marta, Colombia

Looking for English-speaking expat group in Santa Marta

Pre-move, planning for 2 years out. Are there organized expat groups in Santa Marta? My husband and I will rely on community while our Spanish ramps up.

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Posted in 💬Introductions

Carlos Mendez · May 11, 2026

Carlos — San Diego-born, Mexican-American, in Medellín 2 years

Hi everyone, Carlos Mendez, 38. Mexican-American, born/raised in San Diego, fluent Spanish. I lived in CDMX for 4 years before moving to Medellín 2 years ago. I'll be the one comparing the two when relevant. Both are great. Medellín won for me.

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Posted in 💬Coffee Axis

Stephanie Mitchell · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Manizales, Colombia

Manizales vs Pereira for actual living — researching

Yoga instructor planning a Coffee Axis move. Manizales vs Pereira:Manizales: smaller, university town, cooler climate (it's higher).Pereira: larger, more amenities, hotter.Anyone lived in either as an expat? Which is more livable long-term?

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Posted in 🇨🇴Colombia

Tyler Jansen · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Colombia

The handshake/cheek-kiss/hug rules — please someone explain

My scout trip is in 2 weeks and I'm pre-stressed about greeting protocol. Handshake for new people? Cheek kiss for women only? Both cheeks or one? When do hugs happen? Asking as a Minnesotan who is genuinely confused.

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Posted in 💰Cost of Living

Sarah Kowalski · May 11, 2026 🇨🇴 Medellín, Colombia

Cost of furnishing an apartment from scratch — Medellín numbers

When I move out of El Poblado, I'm going unfurnished. Did the math on what it'd cost to furnish a 1BR from zero (basics only, IKEA-equivalent quality):Bed + mattress: $400-600Couch (used or budget): $200-400Dining table + 2 chairs: $150-250Kitchen basics (set + pots/pans):...

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