@Markcol
American expat in Colombia
Forum
22 posts
Contacts
3
About me
American
Lives in Bucaramanga
Registration: 06 July 2013
Activity
Environmental protection in Colombia by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Colombia? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective ...
When I lived in Medellin I noticed that the City was usually very clean and my neighbors recycled. In Bucaramanga, not so much. In Barranquilla, NOT AT ALL.. The drainage canals are filled on a daily basis with old furniture, garbage bags, ... Read More
Essentials to live in Colombia by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Colombia, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Colombia? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
Clothing - Shirts and jeans. the cost and the QUALITY much better from the States. Electronics - the same. I'm not just talking about cells and computers either, but kitchen appliances. Until I moved to Colombia over 7 years ago I never ... Read More
Best cities to live in Colombia by Julien
Hi, Its not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Colombia. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
I have lived in Medellin, Bucaramanga, and Barranquilla.. Medellin was by far the BEST of the 3.. There is no comparison in my opinion.. Read More
Teaching for more than 6 months of the year by KermitTheFrog
It's come to my attention that I can only stay in Colombia for six months of the year on a tourist visa. I'm guessing some schools will help with a work visa. The problem with that is, since most of the schools do not hire in advance, I have ...
Nancy3030, Go to Computrabajo.com to find the latest teaching jobs available. Just select Colombia and then the area you are interested in. There are new listings almost everyday. I recommend you deal directly with the schools. BEWARE of ... Read More
Driving in Colombia by Maximilien
Hi, What do you think of the way people drive in Colombia? How different is it from your home country? Respecting the road safety rules, driving etiquette such as general courtesy, speed excess what are the characteristics of the driving ...
Since Colombia has No traffic laws or rules that I know of, it's best in my opinion to use public transportation.. Let the bus co or taxi driver pay for the repairs.when they crash into someone (or someone crashes into them).. I actually ... Read More
Healthcare in Colombia by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Colombia ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Colombia? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Peter, So glad to hear about your recovery and wonderful experience.. Read More
Healthcare in Colombia by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Colombia ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Colombia? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
OK, my 2 cents. I have EPS Sanitas and I can't say enough good things about them. I called my Doctor in Florida and he told me to see a doctor right away wherever I was at. I had surgery in Bucaramanga 3 weeks later. Total out of pocket ... Read More
Teaching for more than 6 months of the year by KermitTheFrog
It's come to my attention that I can only stay in Colombia for six months of the year on a tourist visa. I'm guessing some schools will help with a work visa. The problem with that is, since most of the schools do not hire in advance, I have ...
Kermit, I have lived in Colombia for over 6 years and I heard that Colombia needs English teachers before I moved here also.. What people don't tell you is that Institutes pay very little as a rule.. There are those exceptions out there I will ... Read More
Top 5 tips to live in Colombia by expat.com
Hi, When you are going to live abroad, you may have a lot of questions. Hence to facilitate you in this process, we are inviting expats to share their top 5 tips with regards to settling and living in Colombia. What recommendations would you ...
If you have never lived in a so called 3rd world country, WELCOME. I left the U.S. over 6 years ago and landed in Medellin. After 2 and a half years I moved to Bucaramanga and then after another 2.5 years moved to Barranquilla. I should have ... Read More
looking to start a business in santa marta colombia by mikeljoseph
hello , well I have been thinking about starting a business santa marta and would like to know more about this city.. what are some of the do's and don'ts to get an idea to see if some of my business ideas would be successful.. Please if ...
Mikel, Since you are from the States you know that people wanting to open a business have a VISION.. Aren't afraid to try new things, new products, new ideas.. In Colombia you will find that pretty much business is a clone of another ... Read More
Retiring in Medallin by Offthetreadmill
Hey souls of change. I'm a retired musician from toronto canada and I'm looking to retire in Medallin Columbia. Last year I went to Cuenca Ecuador and it was very nice as well but may be a little to old for my liking. I am interested in ...
I moved to Medellin from the States and brought my drums, keyboards, and PA system (and a lot more) as UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE.. Everything was boxed and then put onto pallets at TCC in Miami.. If you are flying within 10-14 days of shipping this ... Read More
What cities have english language centers for young adults/adults? by DDrunn
I am moving to Colombia soon to teach. Formerly, I was an English teacher in Bangkok, Thailand who taught mostly adults, university-age students, and corporate students in English institutes or learning centers. I'm not too into the whole, ...
There are English institutes in every city in Colombia. Don't be too surprised when nobody speaks English at many of the institutes. It's common. Bogota pays better than the other cities from what I have found and have many more ... Read More
Do people do 'Visa Runs' to stay longer in Colombia? by wanderingsalsero
I'm investigating my options for staying in Colombia longer that the 3 months which I understand is what Americans automatically get. That is correct isn't it...it's 3 months automatically at the airport? Either way I'm still ...
I have lived in Medellin and I am now in Barranquilla. Everyday I find myself wishing I had never left Medellin.. You have to request 90 days when you arrive at the airport and it's not always given.. Sometimes only 30 days.. Then you will ... Read More
Certificado de Solteria - how to get such document without returning? by dbossman11
Just told by Notary in Bucaramanga, Colombia that I needed to prove that I was now single, even though I presented him with both apostilized Divorce papers. Question: Does this requirement vary from Notary to Notary? Are Notaries more flexible in ...
444.46.59 or 310.359.40.64 Talk to Martha.. She is a Notary and has a highly recommended Visa service also.. Remember that in Colombia the laws change on a very regular basis, so she knows what can be done.. You can tell her that Mark in ... Read More