18+ stories

Many people know Latin American women are often striking, and Colombia is no exception - one of the countries where you see a lot of them. We went to the old town one day to walk around and sit in a café. When it got dark, some Filipino colleagues wanted to go “enjoy the ladies of the night.” I went along - we had one driver for everyone. We ended up at a brothel in the Armenia district. I had not known such an area existed in the city.

Inside it was a bit grimy, but there were tables and women. We sat down; everyone ordered beer, I ordered Coca-Cola. They started picking women. One asked why I was not choosing anyone; I said I was married. She said she had a sister who would come soon. About ten minutes later the sister arrived - striking, good English. I said right away she would not talk me into anything, but I bought her a beer. I was curious how women in that line live and how she got there. She agreed to tell me.

“In Cartagena client flow is good - a tourist city. Off cruise season: USD 150–200 a day; in season: USD 400–600 net.”

She had worked as a masseuse in a small town; her boyfriend was a policeman. She got pregnant - he refused the child. She gave birth, money was tight, she tried to get something from the father - things got worse. The salon fired her. She chose this path and moved to Bogotá, leaving the child with her parents. She worked in Bogotá, then Mexico and China, and settled in Cartagena. China had the harshest conditions and smallest income despite the ads.

This brothel is on the cheap side: the woman gets USD 50 per hour; the client pays at least USD 80 (50 to her, 30 for the room and service). Accounts go through “Mama” - what she called the manager. Big income comes from volume and tips; sometimes one client leaves USD 500. The women look well kept - expensive clothes, jewelry, brand bags - on the street you might take them for “Instagram types.” No one forces you: work if you want, don’t if you don’t. The child lives with grandparents; she wants to earn enough for a house and the child’s future. Inside, friendly relations with bouncers and colleagues; with Mama it is formal. Work is profitable and not too stressful; bad clients exist - then the bouncers step in, and that is what they are paid for.

That is how I ended up in a brothel.

The writer said he avoided sex workers, drugs, dating apps, and bringing anyone to his room. The meet was “organic” - a convenience store in a mountain town, daytime. She introduced herself as a psychologist, had dinner with him and a local couple: no red flags.

Days later in Medellín he was filming in Comuna 13; she joined. Midday, tourist crowds, beers on the way up. He was focused on the camera and did not think a drink could be spiked in a crowded public space.

“It was midday, people everywhere, it felt like a normal way to get to know someone. The idea that she slipped me something never crossed my mind.”

After three beers his speech slurred. On the footage he handed her his beer “finish it for the camera” - she barely sipped. Memory blanks after that. The cab went the wrong way; driver and companion talked like old friends. He tried to leave at a light, was talked into staying. On the highway he opened the door and screamed until the driver stopped - then he escaped.

His takeaway is blunt: even a “safe” script in tourist Medellín is not a guarantee. For this guide it is not anti-Colombia propaganda - it is a reminder to keep distance with new acquaintances and watch your drink, including in daylight.