anybody going to bogota?

[papi]

I'd like to get an ATM card to my novia for her English classes. Anybody going to bogota in the next 30 days?

[bigstew33]

just a thought.  You can always send her the money via Xoom.com   Similar to western union/ Moneygram only cheaper.  like 3-4 bucks.  You can set it up for her to pick it up or go into a bank account.  Check it out

[papi]

$3-4 is not bad...i will check it out. thanks

[Calipro]

I'd like to get an ATM card to my novia for her English classes. Anybody going to bogota in the next 30 days?

Best card I have found is PayPal Visa debit card. You can get 500,000 pesos at Davivienda for only a one dollar ATM transaction fee.

[sean126]

Calipro,

Is info about paypal's debit card on their website?  I assume it will work at most banks in Colombia?

[papi]

i looked at Xoom. Definitely cheaper than western union but it costs $5.00 to send $100 and they make a lager % than the bank on the exchange. I think it is better to get her an ATM card like the one CP is suggesting or just open a checking account here for her and send the card. I will probably just Fed Ex her the card along with some papers she's going to need unless someone is going to bogota soon and can help a fellow gringo

[Calipro]

Calipro,

Is info about paypal's debit card on their website?  I assume it will work at most banks in Colombia?

I don't have to look at the website to know that PayPal debit cards work at most all banks in Colombia. I have one.

I usually take money from BanColombia ATM because you can withdraw 400,000 pesos at one time but the best place is to withdraw money from DAVIVIENDA because you can withdraw 500,000 pesos per transaction.

PayPal charges $1 per transaction no matter what amount you take out so the more the better.

[sean126]

Thanks.  That sounds better than them using my bankcard.

[papi]

Bigstew, i decided to give Xoom a try. thanks again!

[jediknight]

good info on the paypal card. my wife tried it at davivienda and they charged alot less than sending it from one of the places i usually send it through which charges 3%. dinero seguro from the post office is an alternative for larger sums like $2000 they charge 1%
JK

[Frank Rizzo]

Calipro, how is the exchange rate on the pay pal cards?? It seems Western Union always has a crappy exchange compared to what is posted on the internet for the day.

[papi]

i always get the best exchange on my bank ATM card but in the meantime am trying out Xoom. It is far cheaper than western union