I don't know, so I am going to ask.

[Canadian]

I am planning on going to Colombia soon. I know, I know, it's "nuts"

Some questions.

Are  the electrical connections the same as in North America?
110 volts/60Hz. In other words, will my electric razor work?

I plan to bring a digital camera. What are the chances of finding a computer to download the pictures on and "burn" them to a CD?

Do cell phones work? What is the best way to call to North America? (Canada in my case). Calling cards? Collect?

Are ATMs the way to go for money?

[Canadian]

... in response to I don't know, so I am going to ask., posted by Canadian on Apr 18, 2002

 

[Pete E]

... in response to I don't know, so I am going to ask., posted by Canadian on Apr 18, 2002

Small appliances work just like here.
You can take a cell phone and have it programmed with a local number for about $20.You can then buy calling cards to call out,incoming is free.Not all cell phones can be programmed.In December they could program my wifes phone but not mine,they said it was somehow blocked.They were similar dual mode phones about a year old.
The best way to call north America is to get north america to call you.Its much cheaper to call in using a card or a discount number.My wife gets about 3 hours on a $10 card.E-mail them ,have them call you,even to the cell phone.
Someone else may be able to tell you how to call out cheapest,but it will be more $$.Calling collect is expensive.My relatives know not to do that unless its very important.
Yes,ATM's are the way to go.We gave my mother in law an ATM card.She used it yesterday,got 2240 pesos to the dollar,plus $1 tranaction fee.Go to the malls to use them,there is lots of security.Its a better rate and less trouble than cash or travelers checks,cash is the worst excange rate.Have 2 or 3 cards in case one doesn't work or gets suspended when your card company sees lots of ATM charges out of Cali.
If you have a problem finding a computer let me know,I will hook you up with my brother in law.

Pete

[tommi]

... in response to I don't know, so I am going to ask., posted by Canadian on Apr 18, 2002

Forget the cell phone part; unless you get one in Cali with service established. If your ATM card is with a major bank...no problem. There is always Citibank in downtown where you can make Visa / MC withdrawals. Be careful with the calling cards. Some work...some don't, and there is no refund for the bogus ones. Use the internet cafes for both long distance calls and computer needs. They're plentiful in Cali.

[mudd]

... in response to I don't know, so I am going to ask., posted by Canadian on Apr 18, 2002

electrical connection is the same. in bogota, it would not be a big problem finding a computer to do it. try an internet cafe, or a friend at a university could do it for you. cell phones, forget it. you would have to rent one in the city that you would be in. calling cards are easy to get, but it is not very cheap, compared to calling south, from north. credit cards with PIN# are the best. some ATM, or check cards do not work down there. hope this helps. oh, and you are probably nuts!!!! HA HA, just had to throw that in. :-)