Cartagena Reports

[Old Parr]

Canyon,

When do you plan on being in Cartagena? The reason I ask is that I am now basically living in Santa Marta, but do make it back to Cartagena on occasions to enjoy the nightlife and meet up with friends, but if you happen to be in Cartagena when I am there, I could possibly meet up with you.

As far as Playa Hollywood goes, I have not been there in a very long time, as I go to another area that is much better, and serves the same purpose for me. If you do not want to go to Playa Hollywood, my suggestion is to find an apartment in the walled city, and wander around that area, as you will find someone to meet your needs.

[Old Parr]

I like to get to bed fairly early, so in Asia, I usually like to find my girl between 8 and 9 o'clock. Are there places to go where you can find a chica at that hour and where is it? I prefer the younger, unjaded ones if I can find them. Loco mentioned part-time girls who are university students. Is it possible to find them and where?

Canyon

Your only place would be Playa Hollywood, or the clock tower / walled city area. If you are staying in Laguito you can also find girls from 3 to 5 in the afternoon walking on the sidewalk, and they are easily approachable, or often they will approach you. You could also go to the casa Rocio, but that is 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from the Bocagrande / Laguito area.

Cartagena comes alive late at night.

[Canyon]

Tomasb,

Thank you for your excellent description of CTG. You are an excellent writer-clear, concise and informative. It seems as if you're careful, CTG is safe. I'm very careful, myself, and have never had problems. It seems like if you stay away from the beach and resist the touts, you'll be OK. I do speak Spanish, but it's a bit rusty, and it's rather formal and academic, so I don't know a lot of the sex words, but I suppose I could learn before I go.

Old Parr:

Thank you for your excellent suggestions.

John Gault:

I appreciate the realistic assessment.

Right now, I'm still considering the trip and I appreciate the advice. One thing I've noticed is that it seems like all the activity is late at night. I like to get to bed fairly early, so in Asia, I usually like to find my girl between 8 and 9 o'clock. Are there places to go where you can find a chica at that hour and where is it? I prefer the younger, unjaded ones if I can find them. Loco mentioned part-time girls who are university students. Is it possible to find them and where?

Canyon.

[Old Parr]

Excellent post Tomasb. You know Cartagena very well.

[John Gault]

Most of the time, I like to go to Asia: Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saigon and Jakarta. I just started going to Latin America a couple of years ago (Buenos Aires and Rio). Last year, I started thinking about Cartagena. I heard it was an interesting place, located on the ocean, had charming architecture, a lot of history and beautiful women. Now that I've been reading the forum, that picture is beginning to change. It seems like it's a place where pickpockets steal from you, police shake you down, annoying vendors pester you and rip you off, the beach is polluted and the nice hotels won't allow you to bring your female companion back to your room. I would appreciate it if some of you veterans would let me know which description is correct? Should I keep planning my trip to Cartagena or should I continue my adventures in Asia?

CTG has many more drawbacks than most other city's in Latin America. Since you have already been to Rio, and BA I would suggest a visit to Lima. Except for the cold ocean water it beats CTG. As far as Colombian girls, Lima gets it's share working in the better clubs.

[Old Parr]

Most of the time, I like to go to Asia: Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saigon and Jakarta. I just started going to Latin America a couple of years ago (Buenos Aires and Rio). Last year, I started thinking about Cartagena. I heard it was an interesting place, located on the ocean, had charming architecture, a lot of history and beautiful women. Now that I've been reading the forum, that picture is beginning to change. It seems like it's a place where pickpockets steal from you, police shake you down, annoying vendors pester you and rip you off, the beach is polluted and the nice hotels won't allow you to bring your female companion back to your room. I would appreciate it if some of you veterans would let me know which description is correct? Should I keep planning my trip to Cartagena or should I continue my adventures in Asia?

* Very simply the beaches and ocean waters in Cartagena are dirty and the water is the same, as the sewage drains into the ocean. To get to the nice beaches and ocean waters you have to get out of Cartagena.

* The vendors are a big annoyance, and they are not only on Playa Hollywood, but you will find them walking around in Laguito and Bocagrande. You will also encounter the husslers inside the walled city / the clock tower area that has been mentioned here quite frequently.

* As far as crime goes and shake downs, I have found these happening in all my travels throughout the world. There is also not much to do in the way of sight seeing in Cartagena. You can see all you want to see in one day in the actual city of Cartagena.

* Many people who have been to Rio think that Cartagena is going to be comparable, and that is most definitely not the case, not even close, so do not come thinking Cartagena is a little Rio de Janiero.

* More than likely the girls you are going to meet are going to be the seasoned pros, as most first time visitors hangout at LDV. You can meet some decent girls in the wall city / clock tower area, but keep your guard up, as it is no different than picking a girl up off the street.

* Also beware that Cartagena is a very expensive city especially so if you like to play in the bars and nightclubs.

* Do not come expecting to find English speaking girls, as they are far and few in between.

Positives:

* I like the nightlife scene, as you will find many bars and nightclubs, and if you can speak Spanish there is a good possibility you can pick me a non-working girl at one of these places.

* Cartagena also offers many great restaurants and it is an enjoyable time walking around inside the walled city watching the people, and enjoying the free entertainment that is provided.

* I like the fact the airport is just a short distance to the area you want to stay in.

* The tourist sites that Cartagena offers are interesting.

Personally I much prefer Thailand over Colombia, as it offers so much more, but the distance factor for me is to great to be a frequent visitor, so I only make a yearly 3 to 4 week trip.

[Tomasb]

I am quite sure you will receive a lot of opinions about your inquiry.

Since I am currently in Bangkok and have already visited or will visit your Asian cities listed and am intimately familiar with CTG and South America, allow me to respond.

First, regarding safety. Cartagena old city also known as El Centro is one of the safest tourists destinations in South America. However, an uncautious friend had his cell phone lifted by some LB's last July. So one still needs to be alert. Also, police do sometimes illegally conduct searches in El Centro of tourists. Needless to say, both of these situations can easily materialize in Bangkok. However, there is little violent crime generated towards tourists in CTG. Outside El Centro, additional care is advised but it's still its not too bad.

The beaches within the city suck. Only one visit and most prefer sitting by their hotel pool. The only reason to go is to find girls but you have to deal with lots of touts, heat, and general disorder. There are nice beaches off shore accessed by boats but no reason to stay overnight.

Right, most of the nice hotels in CTG are not GF. It's too bad because there are a lot of nice boutique hotels there. The only way around this is to rent an apartment. They are few and far between in El Centro but you can find some on Air BnB. Also, Cartagena, in my view, is significantly more expensive for hotels, restaurants etc. Than Asia, with the exception of Sin and HKG, but there are ways around it. For example, you can sit in the central plaza known as the El Reloj or clock tower and buy a rum and coke for $2 USD and a beer for even less.

Here, just inside the old city walls, you can engage the girls in convo in a relaxed environment whilst sitting on park benches. Usually, they start arriving around 11 pm. Some real hotties and lots of MILFs but naturally YMMV depending on the night, time, and season. Long time is rarely on table and these girls will suggest short time hotels nearby. Most have kids or families waiting for them at home. Some are from CTG too and don't want to arrive home at sunrise and gossipy neighbors. Of course, there are the local clubs and discos well discussed on this thread. This is another widely used option to find chicas.

One other caveat: most girls speak little or no English. In fact, though I speak Spanish, I find talking to Asian girls to be easier overall as their English is better. If you don't speak Spanish, you are at a disadvantage in many ways.

Prices? Usually, for short time, you can pay as little as $40 or $50 for short time. Plus the room. No BF and lady drinks unless you go to LDV. As in Asia,(and everywhere), they sometimes quote outrageous prices to see if they can ensnare the gullible monger.

On the plus side is I really like the look and variety of Colombian girls. Beautiful complexion, great bundas, and a variety of skin color and hair types on display. They can also be a lot of fun I find them prettier overall than Asian girls.

Most of the time, I like to go to Asia: Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saigon and Jakarta. I just started going to Latin America a couple of years ago (Buenos Aires and Rio). Last year, I started thinking about Cartagena. I heard it was an interesting place, located on the ocean, had charming architecture, a lot of history and beautiful women. Now that I've been reading the forum, that picture is beginning to change. It seems like it's a place where pickpockets steal from you, police shake you down, annoying vendors pester you and rip you off, the beach is polluted and the nice hotels won't allow you to bring your female companion back to your room. I would appreciate it if some of you veterans would let me know which description is correct? Should I keep planning my trip to Cartagena or should I continue my adventures in Asia?

[Canyon]

Most of the time, I like to go to Asia: Bangkok, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saigon and Jakarta. I just started going to Latin America a couple of years ago (Buenos Aires and Rio). Last year, I started thinking about Cartagena. I heard it was an interesting place, located on the ocean, had charming architecture, a lot of history and beautiful women. Now that I've been reading the forum, that picture is beginning to change. It seems like it's a place where pickpockets steal from you, police shake you down, annoying vendors pester you and rip you off, the beach is polluted and the nice hotels won't allow you to bring your female companion back to your room. I would appreciate it if some of you veterans would let me know which description is correct? Should I keep planning my trip to Cartagena or should I continue my adventures in Asia?

[Canyon]

Loco,

Send me a PM with the details on your place.

Canyon.

[LocoGringo]

Thank you, Speedboat. The pictures look very nice. However, there was no information on pricing or location on the link. How can I get this information?

Canyon.

Juan rents my apts also, at least up to now. Pirate apt will start upgrades next month, will only rent to gringoes with a positive history. I am spending $75,000 on renovations on the one next door, plan to live there so I will be selective. My apt now will also be for rent or sale, really upgraded in TorreMarina. Problem with most rentals is that they are not maintained like the ones at Poblado rentals in Medellin. Inho, too many things don't work.

[TomJackin]

Thank you, Speedboat. The pictures look very nice. However, there was no information on pricing or location on the link. How can I get this information?

Canyon.

Just e-mail him with you dates and he will tell you what is available.

And the prices as well.

[Canyon]

http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.htm Connect with this guy. He's the best.

Thank you, Speedboat. The pictures look very nice. However, there was no information on pricing or location on the link. How can I get this information?

Canyon.

[Speedbump]

I just finished reading more of the forum after posting my high-end hotel question. I've decided it's not a good idea to take a girl back to your room in a high-end hotel. Can anyone recommend a good-quality apartment I could rent for a week? I would like something close in. I'm reluctant to book on-line, since there's no way of knowing the quality until you see it. I would appreciate a suggestion from someone who has actually stayed in a nice apartment.

Thank you,

Canyon.

http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.htm Connect with this guy. He's the best.

[Canyon]

I just finished reading more of the forum after posting my high-end hotel question. I've decided it's not a good idea to take a girl back to your room in a high-end hotel. Can anyone recommend a good-quality apartment I could rent for a week? I would like something close in. I'm reluctant to book on-line, since there's no way of knowing the quality until you see it. I would appreciate a suggestion from someone who has actually stayed in a nice apartment.

Thank you,

Canyon.

[Canyon]

I am now planning my first trip to Cartagena. I didn't realize that many hotels are not guest-friendly. I would like to stay at a high-end hotel, perhaps the Sofitel. Does anyone know of high-end hotels that are guest friendly? I would appreciate any suggestions.

I was surprised to hear about this problem in Cartagena. I thought most hotels would be guest-friendly. In Vietnam, high-end hotels are difficult for guests, but you can work around it. On the other hand, almost all the high-end hotels in Bangkok are guest-friendly.