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This reply assumes both parties have already contacted PayPal and told them where they both are. Travel Alerts are often necessary for these money-handling companies.

As long as the Travel Alerts are in... just send money via PayPal... it's built-in, nothing extra to do.

Sorry if the response is vague, it's because the question is vague. Maybe post some more specifics or error messages, so that we can help you better.

Cheers!

I have seen on some gringo forums in Ecuador from time to time where Ecuadorians are looking to transfer dollars from their PayPal account to a gringo with a Paypal account.  I have both a U.S. based PayPal account and an Ecuadorian PayPal account, although I haven't logged on to my Ecuadorian account in years. There was a time years back when I had to send money to my Ecuadorian PayPal account from my U.S. PayPal in order to buy calling credits for a calling app I use. I attributed this to cross-border banking regulations, although wasn't sure.

One thing I remember about my Ecuador account was I couldn't link it to my Ecuadorian savings accounts--I needed a credit card I recall. In any case, I imagine Ecuadorians still may have issues with linking to their bank accounts(?) which is why I see them occasionally asking for somebody to lend them a hand in getting money out of their PayPal account.

Of course, none of this may be relevant in Colombia........

Also, cross-country PayPal transfers cost SO MUCH. The fees and exchange rates are horrendous.

Why anyone would use PayPal or Western Union to transfer money is beyond me when there are better, faster and cheaper ways to do this.

@Modloft-HR

I'm not so sure.  It's the PayPal app that is blocked if it knows (via IP address or similar) that you are out of the US or other countries that are allowed.

I couldn't pay a family member with PayPal while I was in Colombia, even though all the banking for me and my family member was in the US.

C'mon Ray, don't leave us in the dark.

Tell us your favoritos.

cccmedia

@cccmedia What do you suggest? Xoom, debit card or other?

If it was a large amount -- for instance I bought

a new car in 2016 in Ecuador -- I wrote a check

to myself on my USA bank account and gave

the check to the Quito dealership.  It took

over two weeks to clear.

For smaller amounts I rely on my bank cards --

I maintain three accounts between Ecuador and

the States for usual and  just-in-case scenarios.

When Wells Fargo canceled my checking account

this year (2022), I started using my new

co-operativa card so that I maintained

three active cards. NB, I avoid carrying all

three cards at any time except on

international travel days.

As long as my plastic is working, I don't find

I require Xoom etc. to move money around.

However, I am limited by banking requirements

to 5K per transaction on international moves.

For further guidance, I defer to CaliRay.

cccmedia

Wells Fargo may cancel your account.

The reason this bank canceled my longtime

checking account this year is for lack of a

residential address in the USA.

Various financial institutions avoid having

USA clients who are overseas Expats

because of FinCEN, FATCA and other

requirements that could result in fines and

sanctions by the U.S. under certain

circumstances.

cccmedia

@cccmedia  I routinely send money from my US bank directly to a Bancolombia account owned by a person who handles all of my bill paying in Colombia. The fee I pay varies slighlty depending on the amount transferred. My last 2 transfers, each $800 or more, cost 0.023% of the amount sent and took on average 10 seconds for the money to arrive in the destination account.

The company also will issue, on request and a small fee, a Mastercard debit card. It can be sent to only certain countries, but can be used almost anywhere.  I use this card, issued to me when I was in the US , for purchases in Colombia without any problem.

I know this isn't a full disclosure, but because I possibly could earn a fee by referring people to the service I use, I don't think it is something I should post here.  I'll answer any PMs about it. I was so glad to find this and get away from the high fees and inconvenience of PayPal and Western Union.

We keep an account in a US bank.  The credit card associated with that account is in Colombia and used by family members at any ATM or cajero automático.  We put money in the account as needed and they are able to get cash as needed.

This particular US bank refunds any/all ATM fees, so family can use the card at any ATM without worrying about any usage fees at all.  In addition, the card can be used as a regular credit card in Colombia in many places.

We've done this for over a dozen years now without any problems whatsoever - we generally personally carry down to Colombia any credit card(s) to replace those that are expiring, every few years.

My last 2 transfers, each $800 or more, cost 0.023%

@CaliRay

800 x .023% = 18 cents?

The $800 transfer I intend to submit tomorrow via Remitly to my Ecuadorian bank account will be $5 (.625%). Since I am going to select the  "economy" transfer, it will take 3-5 business days. 

Here is a link for team expat.com:

/en/money-transfer … /colombia/

@louis_e XOOM ....a PayPal company has been working for me for several years now. Distibution of sent funds can be picked up in numerous location...Carulla...EXITO...Bancolombia....Davivienda... etc.  and it usually arrives in less than an hour for pickup. Cost is if I remember less than $10 USA for $1000.00 USA....Good luck

@louis_e XOOM ....a PayPal company has been working for me for several years now. Distibution of sent funds can be picked up in numerous location...Carulla...EXITO...Bancolombia....Davivienda... etc. and it usually arrives in less than an hour for pickup. Cost is if I remember less than $10 USA for $1000.00 USA....Good luck
-@USAmario

It would be nice if as a tourist, you could transfer that money to one of the many Fintech apps in Colombia.