Export Profits From Colombia—and They’re Legal

Monday, Aug. 4, 2008

Learn more about making money overseas in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Dear International Living Reader,

Nicaraguan pottery, Colombian leather, Mexican silver, Ecuadorian roses.

The prices are ridiculously low where they’re produced. But get them to the U.S. and Europe, and they sell for huge profits.

Steenie Harvey, our import-export guru, talks to people who are doing just that. Read on below.

Dan Prescher
Publisher, International Living

Spotlight on...Cartagena, Colombia

by Lee Harrison

“Colombia? Are you crazy? They hate Americans, and if you ever have to fly into Bogotá, the murder rate is one in 100.”

“Are you ignoring the government warnings? I’ll be reporting you to the proper authorities in the State Department!”

“What about the drug lords?”

Stereotypes: they’re at the root of many a good property deal. If it weren’t for negative stereotypes, the investors who bought beachfronts lots in Nicaragua for less than $30,000 would have never reaped such handsome returns.

I Would Rather Not Have to Write This…

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007
Bogotá, Colombia

Read more about Colombia in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

In many ways, I would rather not have to write this, as I would much prefer to keep my recent experience in Colombia a secret. However, given the many readers who may be misinformed about Colombia, I feel compelled to share my story.

“Colombia? Are You Crazy?”

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007

Learn more about Colombia in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

“Colombia? Are you crazy? They hate Americans, and if you ever have to fly into Bogotá, the murder rate is one in 100.”

My recent Postcard from Popayán, Colombia, drew a large and energetic reader response. Many of you wrote for additional information on Popayán. I also heard from a number of IL readers living in Colombia who enjoyed reading about their adopted country…

Why You Should Move to Colombia

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007
Popayán, Colombia

Learn more about South America in International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Sparkling clean, vibrant, and well-maintained, Popayán (Colombia) has just about everything you could hope to find in a Spanish colonial city. The consistently bright white buildings and the high architectural standard doesn’t just extend for a few blocks around the central plaza, but rather covers the whole downtown area.

Colombia the Retirement Haven…?

As we exited, the women were corralled into a tight group while the men were lined up against the side of the bus. “Manos arriba,” our handler said quietly, and we obediently raised our arms.

Property from $11,000 and utilities from $50-live on your monthly social security in the Colombian Sierra

The modern bus slowed from the cruising speed we'd been enjoying along the Pan American highway, south of Cali. Craning to see out the window, I could just make out the four machete-bearing Colombians dragging a freshly-cut tree across the road, stopping us in our tracks, while a handful of men dressed in camouflage emerged from the bush. Most of them waited outside, while the two who had boarded indicated silently with their machine-gun barrels that we should get off. As we exited, the women were corralled into a tight group while the men were lined up against the side of the bus. "Manos arriba," our handler said quietly, and we obediently raised our arms.

A Merry Christmas in Medellin

As the plane descends through the heavy white cumulus clouds that drift over northwestern Colombia, you can see through a bright blue sky the green hills of Antioquia. Below, evergreen forests hide streams where brown-speckled trout swim freely and deer come to drink along the moss banks. The plane corkscrews around Rio Negro and prepares to land at Jose Maria Cordoba Airport in Medellin.