Cartagena Reports

[World Travel 69]

Sorry, that you did not see the hours that are posted on the List.

I am still confused by what you said "on the main road"?

I see Diagonal 31, and Carretera De La Cordialidad. I guess you mean Diagonal 31, right?

There is also a Casino Bar San Pedro and a Terraza bar La Sede shown on the Google Map in the area.

Hey Gents,

I recently was asking if anyone knew if the clubs in the area of El Amparo have daytime action. There wasn't much info so I vouched to do some research on my recent trip. So here is the intel.

Unfortunately the answer was no, the clubs do not start filling with chicas until around 8 PM. There 4 clubs relatively close to each other. Allondro and Travesuras is right on the main Avenida. Then if you make a right at the Texaco you will see Cacique Club and Chicas Lindas.

Prices range from 70 k in Cacique but girls are fatter, bigger butts etc. Allondros and Travesuras ranged from 80 k to 100 k for BBBJ included and had much better looking girls. A taxi from Centro will run around 12 K.

Be WARNED that this is NOT THE BEST AREA. There is not the police presence to protect the gringo tourists. I would not go unless you are with a local. Might be a better bet to STICK TO THE KNOWN PLACES which have alot better options.

So my search for daytime action did not stop there. I found Europa which advertised as 24 hrs of pleasure. It is located close to where all the buses pick up outside of Getsamani. I went in and was approached right away by a beautiful costena from Santa Marta named Solame. Priced me 250 K.

I was not staying anyway but she was gorgeous. I soon left since I was meeting a local chica I know, but the place is worth exploring.

Hope this helps.

Flaco.

[Miami Bob]

I appreciate your "local know how" makes one less thing for me to think about.

Jet blue has these us $250. Are / t fares. It is just so easy to pop over from Miami. I like the chica I know from Medellin. This is a very big deal for her to fly to CTG. If it works well, I will do it again and again.

I have always had good luck with Jet Blue flying in the USA. I hope it is all smooth to CTG.

When I leave, my chica's flight is 3 hours before mine. Anything to do neaR the airport. Are we better off leaving separately and I'll hand at the hotel for a few hours. Asmall airport with no a / see and poor internet is not my idea of a pleasant three hours.

Any good restaurants near hotel Dann or recommended in the old city? I tend to prefer plain food which is not too greasy.

[Mappatt]

In all reality its a great bargain. Remember we are talking about stunners. 350 k to 500 k LT. That means you get to enjoy that stunner for 12 to 15 hours. You pick her up lets say 11 pm, she is not going home till 1 or 2 in the afternoon the next day and if she really likes you she will stay till she has to work about 6 - 7 pm. In USA stunners are running you about $200 an hour. 350 to 500 K for 12 hours bargain.

What you really don't understand is that you are not in the USA! Why you should pay so much money for few hours when 99% of people in south America live with salaries around 300 dollars a month or less!

Other people around the world want to fuck Colombians too but they have not USA salaries and everywhere you gringos go with that mentality prices keep going up. Same will happen in Cuba as soon as Americans will massively go there after the embargo lift.

I mean you should try to pay local prices and not exaggerate thinking of how cheap that is compared to the USA because you can not compare USA with a 3rd world country.

I also understand that as soon as the chica looks at the gringo she will ask 4-5 times more, but you have to be aware of the prices and possibly negotiate as all of people in south america do.

Unfortunately in my experience everywhere gringos settle, prices are rising and a lot! This is not referred to chicas but to properties and services as well. So you'd better be aware of that which is affecting other people too.

And try to understand what the real prices and costs are.

[Flaco Loco]

Hey Gents,

I recently was asking if anyone knew if the clubs in the area of El Amparo have daytime action. There wasn't much info so I vouched to do some research on my recent trip. So here is the intel.

Unfortunately the answer was no, the clubs do not start filling with chicas until around 8 PM. There 4 clubs relatively close to each other. Allondro and Travesuras is right on the main Avenida. Then if you make a right at the Texaco you will see Cacique Club and Chicas Lindas.

Prices range from 70 k in Cacique but girls are fatter, bigger butts etc. Allondros and Travesuras ranged from 80 k to 100 k for BBBJ included and had much better looking girls. A taxi from Centro will run around 12 K.

Be WARNED that this is NOT THE BEST AREA. There is not the police presence to protect the gringo tourists. I would not go unless you are with a local. Might be a better bet to STICK TO THE KNOWN PLACES which have alot better options.

So my search for daytime action did not stop there. I found Europa which advertised as 24 hrs of pleasure. It is located close to where all the buses pick up outside of Getsamani. I went in and was approached right away by a beautiful costena from Santa Marta named Solame. Priced me 250 K.

I was not staying anyway but she was gorgeous. I soon left since I was meeting a local chica I know, but the place is worth exploring.

Hope this helps.

Flaco.

[Hilltopper]

The best way is to get a Schwab card. They refund all ATM fees and give you roughly the XE rate. My favorite ATM is the green Servibanca. They let you withdraw 800 k maximum. There is one next to LDV by the Horus Casino. It used to be 24 hours I believe. Sadly it only works after 6 pm when the casino opens now. There is another one in the Olympica supermarket in BocaGrande. There are many exchange places in BocaGrande. I don't believe there are any in Laguito. It is a short 10-15 minute walk past the infamous Caribe Hotel (or you can take a taxi for the minimum 5 k).

There are at least 3 money exchange places that I know of in Laguito. They offer better rates than the airport exchange house and if you need to change more than a small amount it can certainly add up.

The max in one pull from a Servibanca ATM is actually 780 mil pesos and they also charge a fee of around 8 mill per withdraw.

How recently has the Servibanca next to LDV not worked before 6 pm? I don't recall using it in July, so I must have last used it in June and don't remember it not working during the day then.

I can confirm that there is a Bancolombia ATM in the mini Exito that Loco Gringo mentioned in his post below. There is also an ATM inside the Hotel Caribe. I've walked in to use on several occasions over the years and never had a problem. So those are the 3 closest ATMs to the Hotel Dann: inside the mini Exito across the street; upstairs on the 2nd floor of la perla plaza next to LDV; and inside Hotel Caribe. Can't tell you if there's one inside Hotel Dann, never been inside.

To Miami Bob, if you need pesos and want to hit an ATM at the airport, there is a row of them inside the main terminal. Whhen you clear customs and exit the international arrivsls area to get outside, just turn to your left and start walking down the sidewalk toward the main departure area of the airport. Once you've walked 30 yards or so, enter back inside and you will see all the airline departure check in counters. Inside keep walking in the same direction you were on the sidewalk toward the domestic gates and that end of the airline counters. At that end of the main terminal, along the back wall will be a row of 6 or so ATMs. Will take you all of 5 minutes walk there max. Look for your ATM network logo didplayed on a particular machine. Bancolombia and Servibanca typically are compatible with most popular ATM networks from the Ststes. You can typically take multiple pulls from most machines (not all) up to reaching your own bank's daily max.

[Hioctane]

Appreciate the intel for a first timer. Cannot easily get a decent exchange rate near hotel? So use ATM and credit cards. Visa after fees is about 2800:1.

The best way is to get a Schwab card. They refund all ATM fees and give you roughly the XE rate. My favorite ATM is the green Servibanca. They let you withdraw 800 k maximum. There is one next to LDV by the Horus Casino. It used to be 24 hours I believe. Sadly it only works after 6 pm when the casino opens now. There is another one in the Olympica supermarket in BocaGrande. There are many exchange places in BocaGrande. I don't believe there are any in Laguito. It is a short 10-15 minute walk past the infamous Caribe Hotel (or you can take a taxi for the minimum 5 k).

[John Gault]

So that is why she had the balls to ask for $15 and he was like hell no, $5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BlpecFVIq8.

That is one of the greatest clips in movie history.

On the MDE board a guy is saying (hey it's your money spend it like you want.) Very sad how some guys just don't see the big picture.

[Miami Bob]

Appreciate the intel for a first timer. Cannot easily get a decent exchange rate near hotel? So use ATM and credit cards. Visa after fees is about 2800:1.

[LocoGringo]

I am importing my chica from Medellin and the Hotel Dann has some great specials so I will be there. 4 nights with one diner, breakfast daily, fast WiFi, suite with balcony 1, 330,000. Cop including everything or about us $458. I know that this is not an ideal mongering place.

Exchanging money? Safe, ease and good rate? At airport is there any special place? Near hotel, is there any specific place? My visa after fees is exchanging at just under $2900=us $1.

Citibank or other recommended ATM near Hotel Dann?

Sim card purchase at airport or near hotel. Looking for easy more than to save us $2.

Hotel for airport pick-up wants cop $29,000. + tax. Which cab or airport car services are reliable, safe and reasonably priced?

Place to buy a case of bottled water near Hotel Dann?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Bob.

Also posting in Cartagena Hotels / Apart.

Accross from the Dann is an Exito Express, believe there is an ATM there, BankColombia, 600,000 each time. Citibank is in Centro, they also charge the highest fees and give the worst exchange rates. Lots of $ exchange places nearby, malo exchange rates, 2600/ Catch a taxi to Tigo beside Carulla in Castille / Boca Grande for a sim card, also at Carulla there is a BankColombia ATM and any supplies you want. Pick a good taxi from the airport 17,000 to Laguito.

[Old Parr]

I am importing my chica from Medellin and the Hotel Dann has some great specials so I will be there. 4 nights with one diner, breakfast daily, fast WiFi, suite with balcony 1, 330,000. Cop including everything or about us $458. I know that this is not an ideal mongering place.

Exchanging money? Safe, ease and good rate? At airport is there any special place? Near hotel, is there any specific place? My visa after fees is exchanging at just under $2900=us $1.

Citibank or other recommended ATM near Hotel Dann?

Sim card purchase at airport or near hotel. Looking for easy more than to save us $2.

Hotel for airport pick-up wants cop $29,000. + tax. Which cab or airport car services are reliable, safe and reasonably priced?

Place to buy a case of bottled water near Hotel Dann?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Bob.

Also posting in Cartagena Hotels / Apart.

Everything you want is steps and walking distance from your door. Do not waste your time with the hotel pick up as it is not necessary. The airport in Cartagena is a 15 minute ride to your hotel and the taxis at the airport are safe, reliable and cheaper.

[Combo]

Exactly. But when these guys get through not minding paying 300,000 now because it is only $100 and way cheaper than home and it is their money and they are on vacation, then they leave having set a precedent and the shit swings back to 1650 then everybody else is stuck paying $181.

Unfortunately, this is lost on some folks. The exchange rate can swing back quickly, and when it does, the girls won't likely adjust their rate down to compensate.

I concede this doesn't matter for the one-time or once a year visitor. But for those of us that plan on returning, it's a legitimate point.

[CrazyDreamer]

Hello Bob.,

Just in front of the Hotel you will see an "Exito" it is a supermarket (it si in the mall "Pierino Gallo" where LDV is).

I think that the taxi fee is OK.

I know that there are many exchange places all along of the "avenida san martin".

[Miami Bob]

I am importing my chica from Medellin and the Hotel Dann has some great specials so I will be there. 4 nights with one diner, breakfast daily, fast WiFi, suite with balcony 1, 330,000. Cop including everything or about us $458. I know that this is not an ideal mongering place.

Exchanging money? Safe, ease and good rate? At airport is there any special place? Near hotel, is there any specific place? My visa after fees is exchanging at just under $2900=us $1.

Citibank or other recommended ATM near Hotel Dann?

Sim card purchase at airport or near hotel. Looking for easy more than to save us $2.

Hotel for airport pick-up wants cop $29,000. + tax. Which cab or airport car services are reliable, safe and reasonably priced?

Place to buy a case of bottled water near Hotel Dann?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Bob.

Also posting in Cartagena Hotels / Apart.

[Mr Enternational]

By the way, 200,000 is about $70 today. I remember when the peso was 1650, enjoy it now.

Exactly. But when these guys get through not minding paying 300,000 now because it is only $100 and way cheaper than home and it is their money and they are on vacation, then they leave having set a precedent and the shit swings back to 1650 then everybody else is stuck paying $181.

[Mr Enternational]

I agree with you 100%. A very good example although dated is the Viet Nam war. The price of pussy at the start was $5. It did not take long for the price to become $20.

So that is why she had the balls to ask for $15 and he was like hell no, $5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BlpecFVIq8.