Cataract surgery in Pasto--living in Pasto

80POSTS

last year

Over the past few years I have lived in Cotacachi Ec.聽 Over the past year my聽 vision has gotten worse and worse. After repeated bad experiences with聽 Ophthalmologists聽 in Ecuador I found Unigarro clinic in聽 Pasto, went there, had the cataract surgery聽 and can see better than I have ever been able to in my life.聽 I am a cyclist and climber and surfed until the Ecuadorian coast got too dangerous due to cartels and gangs聽 for expats to go there.聽 If you need聽 them I recommend you consider Unigarro clinic聽 in Pasto.....Basically聽 a little less聽 than half the cost of聽 clinics here in Ecuador for the triple vision聽 interocular lens.

Went for the surgery, stayed a couple of weeks and love the city. Like life there much more than where I live in Cotacachi. Pasto is clean, no public urination on the street during daylight(common in Ecuador)聽 people seem better educated and the natives dont seem to want to rape the expats pricewise like here. I have already been to the cancillera.gov.co website and all of that seems straightforward.聽 I am seriously considering moving there.聽 One question that I do have is money. During the 2 weeks I spent in Pasto聽 I used the ATM's at Banco Colombia.聽 I do understand that there is going to be a difference in quoted exchange rates between say, XE.com and what one is going to receive at an ATM. Having said that, the Banco Colombia exchange offering wasnt great at all and聽 aside from the foreign聽聽exchange聽 transaction fees, there was a $7 fee per transaction no matter how much money one took out. So the question is, how and where does one get聽 money from the US in the most efficient and beneficial way?

罢丑补苍办蝉.听

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OsageArcher Colombia Expert

1660POSTS

last year

Depending on your needs you may be able to get all the cash necessary for daily living expenses from ATMs.聽 For instance Bancolombia has a daily limit of 2.7 million COP, almost $620 USD.聽 Just make sure you decline the exchange rate the machine offers, and continue - that way you will get a better rate.

If you use a card like those from USAA or Schwab, your ATM fees will be reimbursed each month.聽 I don't know what other cards offer reimbursement but there may be a few.

2 members reacted to this post

ChineduOpara Serial expat

433POSTS

last year

@expat42451

You can pay for almost everything in most big shops in Colombia using regular credit cards, so I suggest using any of your credit cards that offers "points". If you prefer to use your USA bank debit card, try to use one that has "maximum transaction amount" limit, so that you can shield your core funds from accidental (legitimate errors) or "accidental" (fraudulent) overcharges.

For money transfers directly to your Bancolombia account, Remitly (app) has the best rates. But this path (regular incoming transfers) only makes sense if you plan to live in Colombia long-term, pay rent, etc. because some transactions will only go through if you use your Bancolombia debit card, or cash (which you can pull out from any Bancolombia ATM).

2 members reacted to this post

nico peligro Serial expat

957POSTS

last year

Dont know where you are from, but if you are US citizen can get capital one or Charles Schwab accout and cards oand use ATMs.Some countries like Canada also聽聽have zero charge Fintec cards and credit cards .

Best.rates seem to be at Davavienda, but they charge you.26 mil per withdrawal and thhe ATM used all depends on what card you.use, from which country , and the amount.of one.time withdrawsl allowed ( To limit the effect of the transaction聽 fee..26 mil.in Davaviendas case, higher at Bancolombia聽 and other banks)

Of Course always reject the banks exchange rate at ATMs. Big scam for 7 to 9% extra.

If you intend to get a visa and live in Colombia, get Bancolombia聽 and Davavienda聽 bank accounts.

I agree with your opinion of Pasto. Pasto and Manizales聽 are the best cities in Colombia.bia.Pasto is remote though, closer to Quito than many Colombian cities

3 members reacted to this post

nico peligro Serial expat

957POSTS

last year

Charles Schwab ( US citizens聽 only) apparently reimburses the fees ( for now)

So bank ATM is irrelevant

Dont know how long this will comtinUe with Colombian banks jacking up.fees

2 members reacted to this post

expat42451 Active member

80POSTS

last year

Sorry I have been聽 late getting back but I will say thanks to all of you聽 for the kindness, interest and great information in the replies. Last few days/week have been getting rid of聽 stuff accumulated in almost 5 years in Cotacachi. Plan now is to turn over the key to my apartment Tuesday and be out of here for the border and Pasto that day.聽 Just about completely packed. Really looking forward to being in Pasto. First order of business聽 there will be finding an inexpensive apartment. Again many thanks to all of you for the help.