Cali Reports

[Winner71]

That is the big issue... still be bright-eyed and bushytailed when I arrive in Barranquilla and last through thewhole day and night of Carnivales after pretty much no sleep as you can see on Saturday night after not a whole lot of sleep on Friday night etiher (I have an early engagement on Saturday morning before my flight). Thus I'll have to take it easy... and won;t be in the mood for a long cab ride to Juanchito... a few hours there to do what? Meet someone and then what? No time. Thus I thought Escoces would be the better option. But now you have me thinking... is Escoces a dance club? I thought it would be some sort of topless bar (chicas fluttering around in lingerie) as sopposed to a dance club or a casa (type where you go in a room and they line up and you choose). Don't get me wrong.. I absolutely love hitting the discos, but I'll be just too tired and won't be able to make it through the night and still be fresh and ready to go in the am. So, is Escoces a disco also? Is Escoces where you mention you've never had a chance to make it up there? By the words.. up there.. I would assume Juanchito. Fill me in. Heck it's almost making me wonder if I should make my flgiht back have a few days stopover in Cali, as Iver really never had the chance to go at it solo in Cali. If I did, it;d have to be during the week though... I.e. Wed and Thurs night type of deal. Ricker, maybe you can chime in... is Cali a thumbs up or thumbs down during the week?

embarrassed to say I never made it up there either despite the best intentions LOL

It does not get going until 11pm so arriving about midnight would be perfect. The question is whether you can stay up all night with no sleep and still be bright eyed and bushytailed when you arrive in BAQ. I know I couldn't but you are younger I think LOL

These are regular dance clubs though, not strip joints like Treasures.

[Surfer]

embarrassed to say I never made it up there either despite the best intentions LOL

It does not get going until 11pm so arriving about midnight would be perfect. The question is whether you can stay up all night with no sleep and still be bright eyed and bushytailed when you arrive in BAQ. I know I couldn't but you are younger I think LOL

These are regular dance clubs though, not strip joints like Treasures.

[Winner71]

That's where I was going to go last time I was there 3 years ago... but got sidetracked with a hot little chica and I told her to make the itinerary... and we didn't end up in Juanchito. I'd say I'd try it this time, but do you think it's a good idea since I'll be getting into airport at 8:40... then customs and Immigration, then a cab to area around Intercontinental Hotel area.. thus it's now what 11pm.. then I have to be back at the airport by 5am for my 6am flight. Is Juanchito a good idea still? What about Escoces? I was getting pretty hyped about going to a bar in Cali with chicas walking around in Lingerie. I guess what I'd really like is kind of like a "Treasures", "The Men's Club" or "Ricks" of Houston.. type of atmosphere.. but in Colombia. I.e. Eye candy all over, chicas to chitchat with and drink. Ultimately I have to get on a plane at 6am and arrive to my girlfriend at the airport in BArranquilla at 10am.. so I'd rather not have that face of.. I just got shitfaced last night in Cali.

Thoughts?

WINNER wrote:

what I;d really like is a place to just got sit and enjoy my time watching some hot chicas dance.

There is only one real choice then, the salsatecas in Juanchito which is considered the "cradle of salsa" Worldwide. A bit of background:


Research Article

Record grooves and salsa dance moves: the viejoteca phenomenon in Cali, Colombia
LISE WAXER

Abstract

Disfrutar recordando tiempos de ayer al compás de música aprendida a fuerza de bailarla. Revivir la emoción de aquellos Momentos involvidables y sentir que somos los mismos . . .

To enjoy while remembering moments of yesteryear to the rhythm of music learned by force of dancing to it. To live again the emotion of those unforgettable moments and feel that we are the same . . .

Slogan on a poster for Changó Viejoteca, 1995

In the southwest Colombian metropolis of Cali, recorded music has come to exert an unusually strong force on local popular culture in this century. Not only did recordings play a key role in establishing Cuban music, and later, salsa, as the principal musical style of the city, they also became the basis for the record-centred dance scene that predominated in Cali during the 1940s through to the 1970s, and continued to be important as the live scene flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. The centrality of recorded music for Caleños (the inhabitants of Cali) challenges the privileging, in most scholarly work, of live performance as more ‘real’ or ‘authentic’ than its mediated versions. Indeed, for many decades, ‘playing music’ in Cali literally meant putting on a record, as a source of music for other social and expressive activities. The term disco (literally, record disc) still exists as a local synonym for ‘song’, even when it is a live rendition of a song, e.g. ‘vamos a tocar ese disco’ (let's perform that song).

[Surfer]

WINNER wrote:

what I;d really like is a place to just got sit and enjoy my time watching some hot chicas dance.

There is only one real choice then, the salsatecas in Juanchito which is considered the "cradle of salsa" Worldwide. A bit of background:


Research Article

Record grooves and salsa dance moves: the viejoteca phenomenon in Cali, Colombia
LISE WAXER

Abstract

Disfrutar recordando tiempos de ayer al compás de música aprendida a fuerza de bailarla. Revivir la emoción de aquellos Momentos involvidables y sentir que somos los mismos . . .

To enjoy while remembering moments of yesteryear to the rhythm of music learned by force of dancing to it. To live again the emotion of those unforgettable moments and feel that we are the same . . .

Slogan on a poster for Changó Viejoteca, 1995

In the southwest Colombian metropolis of Cali, recorded music has come to exert an unusually strong force on local popular culture in this century. Not only did recordings play a key role in establishing Cuban music, and later, salsa, as the principal musical style of the city, they also became the basis for the record-centred dance scene that predominated in Cali during the 1940s through to the 1970s, and continued to be important as the live scene flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. The centrality of recorded music for Caleños (the inhabitants of Cali) challenges the privileging, in most scholarly work, of live performance as more ‘real’ or ‘authentic’ than its mediated versions. Indeed, for many decades, ‘playing music’ in Cali literally meant putting on a record, as a source of music for other social and expressive activities. The term disco (literally, record disc) still exists as a local synonym for ‘song’, even when it is a live rendition of a song, e.g. ‘vamos a tocar ese disco’ (let's perform that song).

[Blastoff]

Winner71,

If you wil be staying near the Intercontinental, I think your best use of time is to go to Escoces. It's just down the block from there (around the corner from the Dann Carlton.

The girls are friendly and very pretty. Sure it's a little more pricey than let's say the cheap casas but definately not as expensive as Frescades Flores (who's girls have real shitty attitudes these days).

The fact that all the girls are in lingerie instead of clothes also gives you a heads up as to the body as well.

If you can wait til closing (2am) you can negotiate a price with the girl outside of paying the bar fine. However if you have an early flight then pay the barfine and leave rather than wasting time sitting around drinking and dancing. Plenty more time to dance in your own bed, I always say.
Cubanut

Cheers,

Thanks for that. It has been two years since I have been to Colombia. How much will I have to pay for the bar fine plus the girls tip there these days?

Cheers

[Winner71]

Kinda wierd.. I first posted this post and it didnt get posted...

Hey Cubanut,

Thanks for the tip. This is actually perfect as I really was thinking to myself that opposed to going and hitting the discos or mongering as I have a gal and I'm pretty faithful, what I;d really like is a place to just got sit and enjoy my time watching some hot chicas dance. I'll probably have a ball there, assuming they are cool with me just drinking and enjoying the scenario. And you say it's close to Intercontinental so it must be close to Pension Stein as I walked to Interrcontinental last time.

Thanks

Winner71,

If you wil be staying near the Intercontinental, I think your best use of time is to go to Escoces. It's just down the block from there (around the corner from the Dann Carlton.

The girls are friendly and very pretty. Sure it's a little more pricey than let's say the cheap casas but definately not as expensive as Frescades Flores (who's girls have real shitty attitudes these days).

The fact that all the girls are in lingerie instead of clothes also gives you a heads up as to the body as well.

If you can wait til closing (2am) you can negotiate a price with the girl outside of paying the bar fine. However if you have an early flight then pay the barfine and leave rather than wasting time sitting around drinking and dancing. Plenty more time to dance in your own bed, I always say.


Cheers,


Cubanut

[Winner71]

Ah.. Cubanut. Not that I'm frugal, but could you kindly give me an idea on prices at Escoces? Like I said, this sounds perfect and is really right down my alley for what I was looking for. So I'm there regardless of the prices since you recommend it. But, I'd also prefer not to pay the gringo tax and since I'll be alone and havent been to Cali in years, any info you might have so I'll know if Im being taken behind the woodshed would be fantastic.

Winner71,

If you wil be staying near the Intercontinental, I think your best use of time is to go to Escoces. It's just down the block from there (around the corner from the Dann Carlton.

The girls are friendly and very pretty. Sure it's a little more pricey than let's say the cheap casas but definately not as expensive as Frescades Flores (who's girls have real shitty attitudes these days).

The fact that all the girls are in lingerie instead of clothes also gives you a heads up as to the body as well.

If you can wait til closing (2am) you can negotiate a price with the girl outside of paying the bar fine. However if you have an early flight then pay the barfine and leave rather than wasting time sitting around drinking and dancing. Plenty more time to dance in your own bed, I always say.


Cheers,


Cubanut

[Winner71]

Hey Cubanut,

Thanks for the tip. This is actually perfect as I really was thinking to myself that opposed to going and hitting the discos or mongering as I have a gal and I'm pretty faithful, what I;d really like is a place to just got sit and enjoy my time watching some hot chicas dance. I'll probably have a ball there, assuming they are cool with me just drinking and enjoying the scenario. And you say it's close to Intercontinental so it must be close to Pension Stein as I walked to Interrcontinental last time.

Thanks

Winner71,

If you wil be staying near the Intercontinental, I think your best use of time is to go to Escoces. It's just down the block from there (around the corner from the Dann Carlton.

The girls are friendly and very pretty. Sure it's a little more pricey than let's say the cheap casas but definately not as expensive as Frescades Flores (who's girls have real shitty attitudes these days).

The fact that all the girls are in lingerie instead of clothes also gives you a heads up as to the body as well.

If you can wait til closing (2am) you can negotiate a price with the girl outside of paying the bar fine. However if you have an early flight then pay the barfine and leave rather than wasting time sitting around drinking and dancing. Plenty more time to dance in your own bed, I always say.

Cheers,

Cubanut

[Cubanut]

Will anyone be in Cali on Saturday Feb 17? It's been a few years since I have been to Cali and I have a stopover there on my way to Barranquillla. I get there around 8: 40pm and I am leaving in the morning so not much time. But if anyone wants to hit the town, let me know. Not sure where I am going to stay yet. Possibly Pension Stein by the Intercontinental. I enjoyed it there last time I was in Cali. I had someone refer me to a hostal there as well. Hostal santa rita. Anyone know anything about it? That could be a good choice as it's probably just a place to hold the luggage till my morning flight out. Since I probably won't sleep anyways. Of course if anyone knows of any decent apartments in a central part of town, let me know as that wouldnt be so bad either if I do decide to get some shuteye.

Winner71,

If you wil be staying near the Intercontinental, I think your best use of time is to go to Escoces. It's just down the block from there (around the corner from the Dann Carlton.

The girls are friendly and very pretty. Sure it's a little more pricey than let's say the cheap casas but definately not as expensive as Frescades Flores (who's girls have real shitty attitudes these days).

The fact that all the girls are in lingerie instead of clothes also gives you a heads up as to the body as well.

If you can wait til closing (2am) you can negotiate a price with the girl outside of paying the bar fine. However if you have an early flight then pay the barfine and leave rather than wasting time sitting around drinking and dancing. Plenty more time to dance in your own bed, I always say.


Cheers,


Cubanut

[Winner71]

Will anyone be in Cali on Saturday Feb 17? It's been a few years since I have been to Cali and I have a stopover there on my way to Barranquillla. I get there around 8: 40pm and I am leaving in the morning so not much time. But if anyone wants to hit the town, let me know. Not sure where I am going to stay yet. Possibly Pension Stein by the Intercontinental. I enjoyed it there last time I was in Cali. I had someone refer me to a hostal there as well. Hostal santa rita. Anyone know anything about it? That could be a good choice as it's probably just a place to hold the luggage till my morning flight out. Since I probably won't sleep anyways. Of course if anyone knows of any decent apartments in a central part of town, let me know as that wouldnt be so bad either if I do decide to get some shuteye.

[Surfer]

ST visitors often do not incur the charge at Don Jaime even if they leave later than 10 but one of the great things about Cali is the availability and cost of LT and it irks me. They only started pulling that guest fee garbage about a year and a half ago.

CaliPlaza's biggest drawback is NOISE (to his credit, Claude is very honest about this). And not just at night from the Carrill nightclub across the street, but also from traffic on the Sexta starting early in the morning.

It is VERY well furnished with flat screen TVs and fixtures befitting a 4 star hotel. Decoration is lovely and the location unbeatable (as long as you like LOTS of noise, which I don't as I am a light sleeper).

Catire: I am emailing you Freeze's email.

[Cubanut]

I'll be heading to Cali shortly for about a week. I've been searching this forum to get the names of some recommended places to stay. I'd prefer a weekly-rental apartment. Or any "Chica-friendly" hotels ($20.00/night for an extra "guest" is fine).
Any recommendations?

Stannyj,

I rented an apartment on Ave 8 norte #10-98 at $140,000 cop a day. However I came across the Cali Plaza Hotel and feel it is a good if not great place to be based out of.

The Cali Plaza is owned by an American named Claude from Tennesse. Great guy and very hospitable. The hotel rooms ad apartments are excellent and a good value. The hotel is just three doors off the corner of Ave Sexta and calle 15 The corner of the Viejo Barrill #1). There is an ATM directly across the street as well.

You could not ask to be any closer to the party area of Sexta.

The restaurant at the Cali Plaza is modern clean and serves real good food from burgers to spaghetti to Oriental chicken and chili as well. All recipes brought in by Claude. Very tasty meals and great shakes. They also have a good selection of beer. Big screen TV inside and a smaller LCD in the outdoor area for sporting events also The restaurant is open til 10pm but open til 1am on the weekends.

The big plus is the Cali Plaza does not charge any guest fee. This alone adds to the value.

Claude also offers free Wi Fi service and free use of a cellular pre paid card phone to all guests.

I will come right out and say this is what the future Cali Mansion that Robert is establishing soon should aspire to be.

The hotel rooms start (in usd $ including tax) at $60.50 single bedroom per night and the single bedroom apartments are $88 and there is a three bedroom apartment at $154 per night. I believe one of the rooms in the 3 bedroom apartment did not have air conditioning but I think all the single rooms do. All the rooms and apartments are beautifully decorated with modern LCD televisions and refrigerators. The rooms/apartments facing Calle 15 have cute mini balconies as well. All rooms/apartments have electronic safes.

A 24 guard is on duty and although they don't wash clothes on premise they will send out/return clothes at cost with no added service fee.

Claude is very attentitive to emails so making a reservation is easy. I plan om using this hotel on my next visit to Cali.

BTW- Unlike the future Cali Mansion, the Cali Plaza does not offer naughty tours or guides to monger places or airport pickups or drop offs. So read up on Cali here on ISG before going if you are a newbie.

Pics and contact info Cali Plaza can be found at www(dot)caliplaza(dot)com


Cheers,


Cubanut

[Catire]

suggestions as to accomodations?

I'd prefer to alquiler, a lo colombiano, but I guess it'd be difficult to do that unless it's a longer term lease.

any good gyms in the city? and what would be a good part of town to live in (away from gringos please, by good I mean close to action, do not want upper class, middle class area is perfect)

any other ideas/suggestions you can pass along?

you can always pm me or email me.

[StannyJ]

I'll be heading to Cali shortly for about a week. I've been searching this forum to get the names of some recommended places to stay. I'd prefer a weekly-rental apartment. Or any "Chica-friendly" hotels ($20.00/night for an extra "guest" is fine).
Any recommendations?

[Cubanut]

Sheraton is good location and nice hotel BUT they charge about $20 for EACH visitor (even if ST only) according to Kdog. I have stayed at 4 points in Medellin, also a GREAT location adjacent to Oviedo Mall, but had a GF the whole time so I cannot speak to guest charges there. Hotel Don Jaime never USED to pull that stunt but now they do.

Gents,

Just as an addem to Surfer's note about Don Jaime. I was passing in front of the hotel Don Jaime on Sexta (between calle 15th and 16th) 2 weeks ago then decided to ask if they imposed a guest fee for visitors. I was told that there is no fee if the visitor is in and out anytime before 10pm. After 10pm it is a $32,000 cop guest fee.


Cheers,


Cubanut