Cartagena Reports

[LeyenLouvain]

It's clear from this thread that Cartagena is getting towards Cancun prices but in terms of safety is there anything to worry about? I mean in comparison to Bogota and Medellin where you have to watch out for motos / guns / knives. Thank you.

[Kafka]

I'm going to wait till next year.

It's difficult enough to avoid the hustlers in normal times, but with everybody stressed out and taking it out on the few gringos that are there. I just don't think I'm going to find that and enjoyable experience. I can' do without the pussy for now

[SlapShot10]

It was actually lobster, shrimp, fish and salad.

Haha I didn't mean whatever you ate. I was just riffing. I don't eat fish in a nice restaurant, let alone something that looks like it accidentally jumped on a kayak and got whacked. It actually is a unique experience for those that want to try. There's just no way you could convince me to order a gringo-priced canoe-fish.

[YippieKayay]

I also don't eat some fuckin plate of lagoon trout and rice.

It was actually lobster, shrimp, fish and salad.

[SlapShot10]

Great info, thanks for that.

I've heard things are still pretty locked down in Colombia but it should be opening up by start of December. Have you checked out the Clock Tower at all? Interested if it's back in action properly now.

Clock Tower wasn't a ghost town, that's for sure. On the weekends, it appeared to be bumping, all things considered. Even on a Wednesday, there were plenty of options.

Beware of the trips to the islands, especially Baru. Once you get there they serve you fish. And no prices. When you try to pay you are paying New York City prices for cheap fish they caught themselves. And the girl you took with you will bargain on behalf of the Colombians, not you. I will never go again to these islands. The people have ruined the island trips.

As always, ask questions and understand what to expect. You should discuss all of this, prior to ordering anything, anywhere. It's the same on the beach, it's the same for the carriage rides, etc etc etc. I always tell the touts that roll with me that I'll buy them lunch, but there's no fucking way I'm paying the sticker price. I'll pay that for the girl (s), but not them. I also don't eat some fuckin plate of lagoon trout and rice. I'll wait to get back on land. I tell the girls they're not getting the coconut drink, they can have 20 of whatever I brought them, instead.

[YippieKayay]

Beware of the trips to the islands, especially Baru. Once you get there they serve you fish. And no prices. When you try to pay you are paying New York City prices for cheap fish they caught themselves. And the girl you took with you will bargain on behalf of the Colombians, not you. I will never go again to these islands. The people have ruined the island trips.

It's actually the price of things at tourist traps like Cholon. You can end up spending 1-2 million on food and drinks and just not know it. There's no escaping it because that's what they charge. I went to Cholon both times I took 2 million pesos with me. The first time I done fucked up and ordered drinks. The second time I agreed to the exact price for a plate of seafood, rice and salad for myself, my two chicas, and the two crew members. That's five plates. It was around 800 k. Say yeah, at pre-COVID prices you're paying 50 USD per person. We brought our own alcohol and there isn't a damn thing the touts there can do if you drink it on your vessel.

Gruta Azul was a lot nicer but I don't think there's a restaurant there. It's a lagoon with a few vendors. You can get ceviche from a vendor there but watch the indigestion. It's more of a stop on the way to Cholon.

I never went to Playa Blanca by boat (Isla Baru). I did go to Playa Linda which is off the side of Isla Tierra Del Bomba (if my memory serves me right). There's practically no cell phone service and very few people there. It's SUPER quite. Just me and my chica, and its reachable by speed boat. Three touts hopped into the boat with us. 40 k each (80 k total) for transport to and from. I ended up paying 500 k for some fifteen beers and two large sierra fish that was grilled for us fresh. I bought the touts a beer each and the bastards added two beers each for themselves on top of that. Still at 500 k that's not bad (a little over a hundred bucks). The touts were grinning as if they'd ripped me off but I felt the price was fair given a full day at a secluded beach, fresh fish, and all the beer I could ever drink.

You can get to Punta Arenas by speedboat as well. The prices are always higher off the mainland. If I remember correctly its 5 k pesos for a beer in a Bocagrande beach, or there abouts. It's 8 k on Punta Arenas. If you make nice with a trustworthy tout he will tell you the prices everywhere or what to expect. Usually when you ask them for prices they try to change the subject.

[NeilGeorge]

Juan Carlos, Chino, & Yankee all work under Tony at Hollywood, which is now shifted one section north of their normal spot. You should be able to ask any of the touts for Chino or Yankee. Tell them Blanquito sent you.

They can also set you up with a boat to the islands, which I highly-recommend. They'll load up a cooler with whatever you want, meet you at the dock, and accompany you for the day. Depending on your level of Spanish, it might be wise to have some one with you for all the haggling, ordering lunch in Cholon, communicating with the boat captain, etc. With the current exchange rate, and all-day trip is less than $400 USD for the private boat, gas, all the beer / etc you can drink, and lunch (I always buy lunch for the crew).

Beware of the trips to the islands, especially Baru. Once you get there they serve you fish. And no prices. When you try to pay you are paying New York City prices for cheap fish they caught themselves. And the girl you took with you will bargain on behalf of the Colombians, not you. I will never go again to these islands. The people have ruined the island trips.

[AHighlander]

Juan Carlos, Chino, & Yankee all work under Tony at Hollywood, which is now shifted one section north of their normal spot. You should be able to ask any of the touts for Chino or Yankee. Tell them Blanquito sent you.

Be aware, it's tough times for all, and you need to know the costs of everything. If not, they'll show up with some bill at 430 p that you think is overpriced, and there you are on the beach haggling for no reason. Juan Carlos was messaging me yesterday asking for $20 to buy his family dinner for his birthday. I had just sent him 150.000 COP to settle an outstanding beach tab of maybe 100.000-120.000.

They can also set you up with a boat to the islands, which I highly-recommend. They'll load up a cooler with whatever you want, meet you at the dock, and accompany you for the day. Depending on your level of Spanish, it might be wise to have some one with you for all the haggling, ordering lunch in Cholon, communicating with the boat captain, etc. With the current exchange rate, and all-day trip is less than $400 USD for the private boat, gas, all the beer / etc you can drink, and lunch (I always buy lunch for the crew).

Anyone interested can PM me for contact info. I don't know if they're any better or cheaper than the other touts, but they're good guys and attentive.

Great info, thanks for that.

I've heard things are still pretty locked down in Colombia but it should be opening up by start of December. Have you checked out the Clock Tower at all? Interested if it's back in action properly now.

[SlapShot10]

So am I correct in understanding that Yankee works with Tony and Juan Carlo and Chino have their own bars?

Juan Carlos, Chino, & Yankee all work under Tony at Hollywood, which is now shifted one section north of their normal spot. You should be able to ask any of the touts for Chino or Yankee. Tell them Blanquito sent you.

Be aware, it's tough times for all, and you need to know the costs of everything. If not, they'll show up with some bill at 430 p that you think is overpriced, and there you are on the beach haggling for no reason. Juan Carlos was messaging me yesterday asking for $20 to buy his family dinner for his birthday. I had just sent him 150.000 COP to settle an outstanding beach tab of maybe 100.000-120.000.

They can also set you up with a boat to the islands, which I highly-recommend. They'll load up a cooler with whatever you want, meet you at the dock, and accompany you for the day. Depending on your level of Spanish, it might be wise to have some one with you for all the haggling, ordering lunch in Cholon, communicating with the boat captain, etc. With the current exchange rate, and all-day trip is less than $400 USD for the private boat, gas, all the beer / etc you can drink, and lunch (I always buy lunch for the crew).

Anyone interested can PM me for contact info. I don't know if they're any better or cheaper than the other touts, but they're good guys and attentive.

[Brother P]

I was recently there, and can shed light on my personal experience. I rented via AirBnB. It was a large building in the walled city, behind Cafe del Mar. The owner made a point to say no unregistered visitors, or parties, because of COVID. It was a family type spot, no other gringo renters from what I could see. I registered 2 girls. One traveled with me, the other was her local friend. I wasn't with the girl the first time she came in. When we arrived, it was the show up in a taxi with luggage, have your temperature checked, confirm the rental reservation, grab the keys, and go. Every time, and there was many, that the girl walked in with us, there was no checking of anything; no questions. She often arrived solo to meet us, and again, no inspection. So, although I didn't attempt it, I would think bringing an unregistered girl back would have been ok. Now, again, this is not the typical gringo-rental type of place, so maybe it would normally be more strict, but has temporarily become less strict. If you know Tony, maybe you could ask him to have some one check with the porteria or front desk of buildings you are considering. Boots on the ground intel.

As far as Hollywood, HOLLYWOOD is not open. The section next to it is, and that is where they have condensed 3-4 of the normal sections into one large area that is patrolled heavily. The umbrella rental prices are up, and everyone is quick to let you know they haven't had work in 6 months. It's a funny way to think about it. Rather than being appreciative of your business, they try to guilt you into paying for the 4 other gringos that aren't there. It will be long days of saying no, even more so than usual, and plenty of masajista hands trying to suck you in with the free foot massage, or quick shoulder rub.

Anyhow, I always use Juan Carlos, Chino, & Yankee at Tony's spot. Tony is too loud for me, and begs too much. The others aren't afraid to ask for a beer or tip, but I feel we have a better understanding. You can PM me for contact info. They will take care of you with entry so you don't need to waste time with a reservation each day, or bullshit with the cops or umbrella guys.

Enjoy.

So am I correct in understanding that Yankee works with Tony and Juan Carlo and Chino have their own bars?

[YippieKayay]

The umbrella rental prices are up, and everyone is quick to let you know they haven't had work in 6 months. It's a funny way to think about it. Rather than being appreciative of your business, they try to guilt you into paying for the 4 other gringos that aren't there. It will be long days of saying no, even more so than usual, and plenty of masajista hands trying to suck you in with the free foot massage, or quick shoulder rub.

Of course they are, hahaha. And I never deal directly with Tony. I refuse to.

Thanks for the info on the no visitors rule. Very informative.

[SlapShot10]

I'm not looking for building names and would prefer you don't post them in the forum. Two real estate agents I use told me flat out that the law makes it illegal for visitors now in the buildings (I rent in Bocagrande). One went as far as saying its the law for all hotels and apartments that they do not allow additional visitors. My chicas are telling me that their friends are servicing clients in the apartment buildings just fine.

I'm not looking for an argument or speculation. If you're there, have you brought back a VISITOR (not registered as a guest) to the building and registered them for a visit only?



Are you there? Because I just spoke to Tony and he told me the beach (Playa Hollywood) isn't open until this coming Friday.

I was recently there, and can shed light on my personal experience. I rented via AirBnB. It was a large building in the walled city, behind Cafe del Mar. The owner made a point to say no unregistered visitors, or parties, because of COVID. It was a family type spot, no other gringo renters from what I could see. I registered 2 girls. One traveled with me, the other was her local friend. I wasn't with the girl the first time she came in. When we arrived, it was the show up in a taxi with luggage, have your temperature checked, confirm the rental reservation, grab the keys, and go. Every time, and there was many, that the girl walked in with us, there was no checking of anything; no questions. She often arrived solo to meet us, and again, no inspection. So, although I didn't attempt it, I would think bringing an unregistered girl back would have been ok. Now, again, this is not the typical gringo-rental type of place, so maybe it would normally be more strict, but has temporarily become less strict. If you know Tony, maybe you could ask him to have some one check with the porteria or front desk of buildings you are considering. Boots on the ground intel.

As far as Hollywood, HOLLYWOOD is not open. The section next to it is, and that is where they have condensed 3-4 of the normal sections into one large area that is patrolled heavily. The umbrella rental prices are up, and everyone is quick to let you know they haven't had work in 6 months. It's a funny way to think about it. Rather than being appreciative of your business, they try to guilt you into paying for the 4 other gringos that aren't there. It will be long days of saying no, even more so than usual, and plenty of masajista hands trying to suck you in with the free foot massage, or quick shoulder rub.

Anyhow, I always use Juan Carlos, Chino, & Yankee at Tony's spot. Tony is too loud for me, and begs too much. The others aren't afraid to ask for a beer or tip, but I feel we have a better understanding. You can PM me for contact info. They will take care of you with entry so you don't need to waste time with a reservation each day, or bullshit with the cops or umbrella guys.

Enjoy.

[AmorPorFavor]

I'm not looking for building names and would prefer you don't post them in the forum. Two real estate agents I use told me flat out that the law makes it illegal for visitors now in the buildings (I rent in Bocagrande). One went as far as saying its the law for all hotels and apartments that they do not allow additional visitors. My chicas are telling me that their friends are servicing clients in the apartment buildings just fine.

I'm not looking for an argument or speculation. If you're there, have you brought back a VISITOR (not registered as a guest) to the building and registered them for a visit only?.

Can you give out contact info for your RE agents. Maybe a PM?

[YippieKayay]

I'm not looking for building names and would prefer you don't post them in the forum. Two real estate agents I use told me flat out that the law makes it illegal for visitors now in the buildings (I rent in Bocagrande). One went as far as saying its the law for all hotels and apartments that they do not allow additional visitors. My chicas are telling me that their friends are servicing clients in the apartment buildings just fine.

I'm not looking for an argument or speculation. If you're there, have you brought back a VISITOR (not registered as a guest) to the building and registered them for a visit only?

Tony is open at Playa Hollywood same variety as before. Also sad to report Gloria the fruit madre passed away from diabetes.

Are you there? Because I just spoke to Tony and he told me the beach (Playa Hollywood) isn't open until this coming Friday.

[Kafka]

Tony is open at Playa Hollywood same variety as before. Also sad to report Gloria the fruit madre passed away from diabetes.