Cartagena Reports

[Hotrod10]

I would like to set a few things straight. When I have dinner at a street stall I never choose a poor street stall I only eat at upscale elegant street stalls. Its hard to find good ANIMELLES at a regular food stall. Also, I very seldom order a steak when I dine at a restaurant. With that said there was the time when I was in the Loire Valley having dinner with a friend, who was a local and she insisted that I try a steak raised by a local farm of the Charolais breed. She claimed it was as good as, if not better than a Kobe steak. She was right it was delicious. I didn't have the hart to tell her that I have had Charolais beef many times as it has been raised here in the USA for many years. I was here in France waiting for a group of friends to take a barge cruise on the Nivernais canal. If you have never had the chance to take a barge cruise I would highly recommend it. I should mention I almost didn't get in this restaurant due to their dress code but finally they let me in although I was wearing a faded white t shirt, camouflage short pants and flip flops. Just something to think about.

[Black Page]

I have been to Peru several times and first of all my favorite pet when I was growing up was Harry he was my Guinea pig. I'm sure you know that grilled Guinea pig is normally the most expensive dish on a Peruvian menu. My first trip to Peru I learned to never order CUY or QUWI or CUYO.

With all due respect, I have the impression you have seldom traveled outside USA, or at least in South America. Your idea of Peruvian food seems something near poor street stalls. Nothing wronger than that. A Chinese may think that "American food" in NYC means having a burger at McD for 10 bucks, but that Chinese should learn that there is also Smith & Wollensky, and for a steak and a bottle of good wine the bill there could be 200 bucks for person.

First thing, in South America Peruvian and Peruvian Fusion is considered one of the most sophisticated and trendy styles. Of course, we are not talking about street food, but high cuisine.

Second, you will find cuyo only on Andes. In Lima, food means seafood.

Last, try to go to CUZCO in Cartagena. Dress well, because it's upscale and will not allow people to enter with shorts (I am not saying you would, but to give an idea). Do not try to tell them to keep cuyo away from your table. They will not even know what it is (staff is local). Wherever you go in Colombia, if a high-level restaurant shows "Peruvian", it means it is the place where to have seafood.

Another excellent place is SANTISIMO, but I have reported some other good restaurants in this thread already along the years. No hope to find a good one in Bocagrande. The only decent is maybe Carbon de Palo, for a grilled steak.

[JoeqNight]

Checking out the first 100 of 200 apartments available on airbnb in the Bocagrande area I found 11 possibilities and sent each a question (may I bring a friend to the apartment for a short time not all night). Out of the first 8 replies 7 said no number 8 said yes so I took it. In the house rules section one actually said no prostitutes. Some said all guests must be out by 10 pm or expect a charge. Reading the comments on this site was the only reason I sent the question. What a surprise. In all of my travels I have never asked this.

Went through the same thing as well. I asked alot of questions and found a building previous mentioned in this forum. The walled city probably is the most difficult but you can search in the El Laguito area.

[Black Page]

What a surprise. In all of my travels I have never asked this.

I know someone is surprised to hear this, and can hardly understand it, but Colombians do not like to see prostitutes mixed with their "real life environment".

They do go with prostitutes, but in places that are very well separated from where they live their normal life with friends and family. There are "zonas de tolerancia", there are love motels (think about Santa Fe and the love hotels in Chapinero, Bogota), but all this is separated from where high stratum people lives, has business, goes out for having fun and a drink with their friends.

No way you can take a WG to an upper class hotel. The hotel would be immediately discredited, and all good regular guests would complain, if a prostitute enters the lobby. It does not matter how is she dressed: people understands who is a bitchy girlfriend and who is a girlfriendly bitchh.

Same for condos. If a Colombian family pays the rent of an apartment to spend holidays, they do not want to see sex tourists with girls. Period.

Once a Colombian told me this: "we too like to go with prostitutes, but what we do not understand is why foreigners like to take them out to dinner!" I nodded my agreement (of course I did not reveale that I did the same, some times regrettably).

[Hotrod10]

I'm on my way back to CTG but I will be there before you. This will be my second time. My first trip was just a few weeks ago and was a disaster. I now think a visitor should have a nice room with a pool. For me the pool is mandatory. This city gets hot and I think it will be nice to spend the afternoon at the pool. The walled city is a place to spend a day maybe even a guided walking tour. Its like nothing I have ever seen. The wall covers a very large area and I'm told it has many nice restaurants. At night just find yourself a place to sit and watch. Many hookers of every size, color, and age. Have a great time.

Hotrod 10.

[Hotrod10]

Checking out the first 100 of 200 apartments available on airbnb in the Bocagrande area I found 11 possibilities and sent each a question (may I bring a friend to the apartment for a short time not all night). Out of the first 8 replies 7 said no number 8 said yes so I took it. In the house rules section one actually said no prostitutes. Some said all guests must be out by 10 pm or expect a charge. Reading the comments on this site was the only reason I sent the question. What a surprise. In all of my travels I have never asked this.

[YippieKayay]

While in Ctq I made 2 trips looking for Hollywood beach. After reading a few posts that mentioned chicas on this beach I thought it was worth a look see. I am still wondering if I made it to the right beach. The beach I went to on both trips was dirty with not very many people It had a drainage ditch down the center of the beach and had many tents for swimmers to block the sun. A taxi driver call it Bocagrande beach. It wasn't what I expected.

That's not drainage. The river opens up into the sea so all the water near the city has a slight greenish color. It's perfectly safe to swim in. Lots of people do with no issues including me.

That being said, if you want azure colored water one option is Playa Blanca. You can get there by a boat ticket, or private boat (more expensive). It's about a half hour by boat, and 1 hour and a half by bus. You can buy tickets at any of the tourist stores in Bocagrande or elsewhere. They book you, sell you a ticket, and tell you where to catch the boat or bus the next morning. It's all tourists and families going there so bring your own chica.

If you want something faster, I recommend Punta Arenas. It's across from Laguito. Go to El Muelle Restaurante Bar, in Laguito, and just ask where the boats to Punta Arenas are. You'll get on a boat with other people and a couple of guys will likely escort you. They are your servers when you get to the island. They will bring you drinks and food from the restaurant at whichever beach you land at. The water there has no greenish color and is more blue but not as nice as Playa Blanca. It is vastly calmer than Bocagrande.

Hope this helps.

[Mojo Bandit]

While in Ctq I made 2 trips looking for Hollywood beach. After reading a few posts that mentioned chicas on this beach I thought it was worth a look see. I am still wondering if I made it to the right beach. The beach I went to on both trips was dirty with not very many people It had a drainage ditch down the center of the beach and had many tents for swimmers to block the sun. A taxi driver call it Bocagrande beach. It wasn't what I expected.

Playa Hollywood is almost at the end of the peninsula You have to go down past where Carrera 1 passes in from of Hotel Caribe, go barely past the next building and the entrance to Playa Hollywood is in across the street (once inside this entrance I'm fairly certain you want to go to the left). These are directions from Bocagrande, If you are staying in El Laguito, then you just go straight north (as the crow flies) on the outer road (Calle 1 B) that starts at the Hilton hotel that leads from the out along the coast, when this road forks, go right a short distance and it ends / merges to Carrera 1 and the entrance is about 260 feet on the left.

Playa Hollywood is labeled on Google maps with a pink marker, but I think the marker is off a little to the northeast, so I put an X nearer to where it is behind the area of the Hotel Dann. There is a supermarket near the entrance called "Supermercado La Estrella" that might help a taxi driver know what you are looking for.

[Hotrod10]

While in Ctq I made 2 trips looking for Hollywood beach. After reading a few posts that mentioned chicas on this beach I thought it was worth a look see. I am still wondering if I made it to the right beach. The beach I went to on both trips was dirty with not very many people It had a drainage ditch down the center of the beach and had many tents for swimmers to block the sun. A taxi driver call it Bocagrande beach. It wasn't what I expected.

[Hotrod10]

Black Page,

Regarding your comments about my report on Ctg. When I'm traveling with a friend I like nothing better than a great dinner in a new city. My first trip to ctg was not good. But, now that I have been home for a week I'm thinking about a return trip within the next 2 weeks. I have a good Idea of what to expect and how to deal with it. This time I will look for a nice apartment with a pool. And no I didn't get a refund from AIRBNB as it turns out it was my fault. Enough said. Also you mentioned a Peruvian restaurant in the walled city. I have been to Peru several times and first of all my favorite pet when I was growing up was Harry he was my Guinea pig. I'm sure you know that grilled Guinea pig is normally the most expensive dish on a Peruvian menu. My first trip to Peru I learned to never order CUY or QUWI or CUYO.

[JoeqNight]

I am excited to go to CTG for the first time. I been to Medellin a few times so this will be a cool change of pace. If any vet will be there the 3rd week of September, let me know. I am of Hispanic origin and Semi Fluent in Spanish.

[Black Page]

If you like seafood this is your heaven. A restaurant called HARVEYS has the best seafood I have ever had.

You must come from Des Moines then. <evil grin> (nothing against the good people living there, but I am not sure seafood there is the best in USA).
Seriously, that is just a bit more than a fast food (comida rapida).

Once you have seen the old town wall, that really in amazing there isn't much else to see..

One thing you seem to have missed inside the walls is the good restaurants.
Once again (find my previous poist for details) I recommend to try CUZCO, or SANTISIMO, or even JUAN DEL MAR (not "Cafe del Mar".
Cuzco is fabulous, for ambience and quality of dishes. It's Peruan / Fusion style. I am looking at my credit card statement now. I had a fabulous dinner for 35-40 EUR. So expensive in Colombia, but nothing compared to European capital cities.

[Hotrod10]

YIPPIEKAYAY you are right. My time in CTG was a very stressful time and I didn't do much sightseeing. The walled city was magnificent. In Europe I have visited many cities that claimed to have the best well preserve cities in old Europe. I guess if you frame it like that it's true, but the walled city in ctg is the best.

[Mike963]

Hello mates,

Its a bit delayed report, got busy with normal chaos!! Of life.

First, I don't speak Spanish and travelling from Europe. Tried to learn few words, the trouble was I never understood what they replied!! However I only learned few words though.

The only word that came to my help is "cambio" which mean change, and it was useful on all the strip clubs, as you need to get change from the bartender. To tip the girls.

Google translator is well and good, and is more than enough to talk to girls. !!

1) Booked in Ibis, which is between Airport and the old City, 10-12 K in taxi, its has good view to the beach!

There are few local restaurants near by. Fairly priced, however they recommend not to venture to the right side of the hotel to far. As there is a risk of getting mugged.

Hotel is girl friendly, they expect us to register your guest at the reception, no need for us to come down. Just let the girl know our name and room number.

Once registered, the reception even calls and let us know the guest is on the way to our room! Cool I liked it.

2) tried to get in touch with girls in Facebook, SA, webcam girls, nothing actually worked out. Other than a SA girls who showed up two hours late.

And she has to return the same evening, as her daughter got an accident!! I wasn't worried much if its true or not. Seemed so!!

3) there are lots of yacht rental, not with in my budget, if you have lots of money to spend I will recommend it.

4) Clock tower. As many have mentioned, every one will find one for your taste!! 150/200 mil.

5) Went to "Paraiso del Marino" not much activity, may be I went a bit early. Took a taxi and headed to Pley Club, .

I should say the girls here are too good, they are passionate, to a level to drain you out.

300 mil, she left in the room to and returned dressed in white gown, bra and panty. I guess that was the theme going on.

Finally I went to the IsSa club, which is again 300 mil, but what I understood is as it gets to the closing time, nealy 3 AM, some of the girls offer an Outcall service for 180 mil + taxi at your hotel.

That seems to a good option, if you like the girl.

6) Lessons learned, no need to go early!! Probably only after 10 or 11 PM, learning Spanish helps with taxi guys, Uber is not always helpful.

The moment they understand you don't know, Spanish. The price sky rockets. From Ibis to el Parasio I was asked to pay 65 k, finally negotiated to 25 K, I guess that should be something between 15 -20 K.

There is always some taxi's available in front of the Ibis, I also check with the reception about the average price for the trip where I am heading to (off course not mentioning the club name, but I guess its obvious in many cases).

Finally, thanks a lot for the helping hands here. All your post's have been very helpful.

Cheers.

[YippieKayay]

Just returned from 4 days in CTG. I have used airbnb at least 30 times. Had a few minor problems most were of my one making but nothing like I just experienced. I rented and paid for a nice place in a condo complex near the walled city but airbnb sent me the wrong address. I won't bore you with the details but it wasn't pretty. This was my first time in CTG and no matter how many times I have read how hot it is I was not ready for the sauna that I experienced. From the airport I spent 2-3 hours in a taxi (no AC) looking for an address that doesn't exist. Finally I checked into a different hotel with AC just to cool down. First night I checked out the clock tower. 10 pm - 20 chicks, midnight 40-50 chicks most 5-6 some 7 a few 8. Still this was amazing to see. They were everywhere every color, size and age and many grabbing at spike and asking for sex. I settled for a 30 something 6 with a 10 attitude. Spent an hour with her for 200 mil and after a 20 min DATY my entire head was wet. Night 3, I picked a tiny blond that looked so young I asked to see her ID. She was 21 but looked 16. WOW what a night. This city has everything a person could want. If you like seafood this is your heaven. A restaurant called HARVEYS has the best seafood I have ever had. Its an outside cafe so go late and try the seafood stew. Once you have seen the old town wall, that really in amazing there isn't much else to see. Will I go back probably not.

Sorry to hear about the airbnb bullshit. I hope you get a refund. I've always stayed in Bocagrande. Never had an issue.

I'm surprised you say there isn't much to see. There's the old city, the museums, churches, islands, beaches (on those islands too of course). You can take a party chiva bus and they will take you into Cartagena at night and drop you off at locations with street parties.

Also if you're up for it go to Palanque. You have to rent a car or get a bus there. It's further south. It's where the slaves escaped and built a fortress. Their music is very unique and very influential. Those women you see with fruits are called "Palanqueras" because back in the day the women from Palanque would travel up to Cartagena and sell fruit to the locals.