Barranquilla Reports

[Hoof Hunter]

Someone asked for specific info. I provided official info, not an opinion. Even confirmed the info with some friends in BAQ, before posting. The link had already being posted by me. Go back and observe some more.

I've been to BAQ many times, including Carnaval. I am still no expert, but willing to freely share info that I've attained.

Feel free to observe some more, OR contribute anything of worth to the BAQ thread. Taking shots at someone on your 1st post on ISG, in the BAQ thread of all threads, is pretty suspicious.

We look forward to your contributions here.

I have been an observer for sometime and I have noticed that your posts are based on what you read rather than your own experiences, in this carnival case wouldn`t it save you time to just give us link instead of just cutting and posting?

[John05]

I have worked for large corporations all my life and none of them offer 2 vacations per year. I wonder what fools are sending their wives on a vacation while they work their tails off? Doesn't sound very smart does it? If you go then she goes. If you work then she works. That is life.

I see that you said you went there twice but you did not say that you send a wife there twice to party while you were working. Smart man. Some things are easy to say but hard to do.

[Belldude2]

To be honest with you, it makes perfect sense. You want your wife to be happy. If she is desperately missing her family, country and everything she left behind to be with you, she will be depressed. I myself went to Cartagena twice in 2005, and I am not rich. I fully intend on my fiancee to go back to Colombia 2-3 times a year just to keep her happy and giving "Good Luvn" to me.

Been reading the agency dos and don'ts for Colombian girls you bring back with you. It said that you should bring her back twice a year for a vacation. I never had 2 vacations in one year in my life. Do Colombians have a lot of vacations or does the agency just think that all gringos are rich and have nothing to do but travel?

[Hoof Hunter]

There are Carnaval events prior to the actual Carnaval weekend. Most of these pre-Carnaval events/parties occur on the weekends leading up to the final weekend. They're kinda like adult pep rallies, but in the spirit of Carnaval. It's the same as in Brasil. You know Latinos love to party.

The main days/parades for Carnaval will be during this weekend:

Febrero 25 Batalla de Flores
Febrero 25 Desfile del Rey Momo
Febrero 25 Carnavalada Presentación de Comedias
Febrero 26 Gran Parada de Tradición - main parade of Carnaval
Febrero 27 Gran Parada de Fantasía
Febrero 27 Festival de Orquestas
Febrero 28 Festival de Danzas de Relación, Especiales y Comedia.
Febrero 28 Encuentro de Letanías
Febrero 28 Joselito se va con las Cenizas
Febrero 28 Cierre Rumbero del Carnaval

During this weekend is when the parties will be non-stop. If you're expecting Brasilian-styled Carnaval debauchery, lower your expectations now.

Hey guys,

After reading the forum, I am still a little unclear about some things for carnaval. In particular, I visited the website mentioned lower down on this thread (http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org), and it appears that there are carnval events going on for an entire month!

I was wondering which are the big days, or key events? I am particularly interested in the big, day-time parades and beauty contests. Or is this really a month-long 24-hour-a-day party?!

Any help would be appreciated!

SL

[Salsero Loco]

Hey guys,

After reading the forum, I am still a little unclear about some things for carnaval. In particular, I visited the website mentioned lower down on this thread (http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org), and it appears that there are carnval events going on for an entire month!

I was wondering which are the big days, or key events? I am particularly interested in the big, day-time parades and beauty contests. Or is this really a month-long 24-hour-a-day party?!

Any help would be appreciated!

SL

[Latina Passion]

A buddy of mine just got back from BAQ, went down there to do a toy drive for the kids of S. BAQ!

I was telling him to be careful because so BAQ is no place to play around! Well, all went great he did his hell of a good deed, got a shit loads of punany, then the fucker comes back to the States with a case of DENGUE FEVER!

Hospitalized for over a week!

So make sure you guys get all your shots and please wear your bug spray!

[Latina Passion]

Oh hell yes, I'm always down for finding a diamond in the rough! But you do know our first trip could be our LAST!

I can read the headlines now! Stupid Gringos, they bring a knife to a gun fight!

PM me your dates!

Latina passion,

I'll be down for Carnival. Doin the Barnquilla/cartagena/san andreas (maybe)deal. Stayin in El prado.

I've read your post on the cites. Excellent.

I don't have alot of info, but I've made some connections with "myspace" "amigos""poorbuthappy".

My one connect, will be introducing me to some of the barrio's what he call's "real broke" colombiana's. At Some reall hardcore grindng & winding reggatone, no lights, outdoor throwdown parties in the hood he's grown up in.

You sound like you might be up fo dat! He's given me the 411 on the assktion! Its definitly the expirience I would like to try. NO pay. But lots of play if ya games tight. !

I'll keep the line tight with info on it. Lets gather a posse. !

[Mars Blackmon]

Latina passion,

I'll be down for Carnival. Doin the Barnquilla/cartagena/san andreas (maybe)deal. Stayin in El prado.

I've read your post on the cites. Excellent.

I don't have alot of info, but I've made some connections with "myspace" "amigos""poorbuthappy".

My one connect, will be introducing me to some of the barrio's what he call's "real broke" colombiana's. At Some reall hardcore grindng & winding reggatone, no lights, outdoor throwdown parties in the hood he's grown up in.

You sound like you might be up fo dat! He's given me the 411 on the assktion! Its definitly the expirience I would like to try. NO pay. But lots of play if ya games tight. !

I'll keep the line tight with info on it. Lets gather a posse. !

[Latina Passion]

Who has first hand knowledge about Carnival, as far as the crowds go the chicas and the overall party experience?

I'm in the process of finding an Apartment for a month down there after I book I will post findings! Hell I can't let you guys sweep up my place before me!

[Cream on Top]

Good bretheren,

I am contemplating a Barranquilla Carnival trip. I usually roam the streets of Cartagena but Im curious about the carnival. I am accustomed to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnivals, but I am looking to try something new.

My Costena (CTG) has expressed an interest so maybe it is time. When exactly is this ? Does anyone know the exact dates in Feb ? As I am brining my gf, should I bother with an apt or just deal with a hotel ?

Can be found on this link :

http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/2005/mas/51.php

pictures of last BAQ carneval

http://www.pbase.com/semensoy/barranquilla

[Latina Passion]

If you guys do not mind being 15 to 20 minutes from town then I strongly recommend the Hotel I posted about 5 months ago! This place is in Puerto de Colombia and on the ocean, the cabin I guess you would call it sit on top of a hill over looking the ocean!

Has a small club and from what I understand one of the most popular in Puerto, but hell that does not say much! The price was around 80K i think that included breakfast for two and they have hammocks
for the more adventurous Monger to do the nasty with his girl!

So where is everyone going to be in February? I'm thinking about heading to Aussie's Mansion for a few days then heading up north, any of you guys going to be in the neighborhood PM me!

LP

Thanks for the Alvaro Jesus Apartments link ; it seems a VERY good option.

As the place has no pool, do you know if the Prado's pool is accessible to non-guests with a fee ?

Cheers

[Sylvester]

Good bretheren,

I am contemplating a Barranquilla Carnival trip. I usually roam the streets of Cartagena but Im curious about the carnival. I am accustomed to the Trinidad and Tobago Carnivals, but I am looking to try something new.

My Costena (CTG) has expressed an interest so maybe it is time. When exactly is this ? Does anyone know the exact dates in Feb ? As I am brining my gf, should I bother with an apt or just deal with a hotel ?

[Hoof Hunter]

Great apartment info, LP!!! Thx!!!

Cell: I would try to find an Apartment a bit cheaper but just as nice as most Hotels! HH posted around 40 Hotles on page five of this thread! I posted a Hotel that was on the beach in Puerto de Colombia about 15 minutes by Taxi from BAQ, this place was on the beach and had a little charm to it as well around 80,000. As far as the El Prado over priced and the beds suck!

If you don't speak espanol you can still book on line just use an online translator www.altavista.com

http://www.apartamentosalvarojesus.com/

[Hoof Hunter]

Only advice I could give you is NEVER trust an agency. They will say pretty much anything to close the transaction. Your money, or the hot chick as a lure.

Who do you think plays up the "all gringos are rich" stereotype that is prevalent in Latin America, Asia, Russia, etc.? Hence all these hot chicks on their sites. I would venture to say that, by far, many of these "relationships" don't work due to false promises. The hot sweet innocent righteous chick, if she exists at the agency, would be blurred out by the pros, green card sharks, party girls, etc. Get some liquor in them and the truth always comes out as to who you're dealing with.

2 vacations in a year? Yeah right. There are a lot of Colombian holidays. At least, one a month, making for many 3 day weekends. And they do get time off during the Christmas/New Years time, as well as Semana Santa (Easter week). I know that BAQ is pretty much shut down, business-wise, during Carnaval. So the time is available, but....

Look at it from this perspective. The standard Colombian monthly wage is about $200USD, maybe $250USD. At least 60% (generously low %) of the Colombian population is living at that standard wage or lower. Most Colombian dudes aren't doing that. Maybe a trip to the beach with his girl if they are on the coast, or to a finca if they are inland. Maybe 1 family trip a year. A round-trip ticket per person from Cali or Medellin to Cartagena is approx. $200USD. San Andres more pricey. Panama City even more. I state all of this to say, there ain't no 2 "vacations" a year going on, unless someone rich is entirely sponsoring it. Get the point?

If you're serious about bringing a girl back with you, I suggest you read the Marrying Foreign Women forum on this site. Most dudes won't say when they've been scammed in one way or another. That's just a point of life, even though we all been there too, LOL!!! However, several former (maybe still) mongers have been successful and offer some sage advice there.

Been reading the agency dos and don'ts for Colombian girls you bring back with you. It said that you should bring her back twice a year for a vacation. I never had 2 vacations in one year in my life. Do Colombians have a lot of vacations or does the agency just think that all gringos are rich and have nothing to do but travel?

[Prosal]

LP

Thanks for the Alvaro Jesus Apartments link ; it seems a VERY good option.

As the place has no pool, do you know if the Prado's pool is accessible to non-guests with a fee ?

Cheers