Cartagena Reports

[Black Page]

As I mentioned below, BBVA is one of two that don't extract "juice" from you, with Caja Social being the other. I don't recall ever using a Colpatria. Davivienda will take you for a ride on the exchange rate they give you; they get you about the same as most currency exchanges places. I consider that Davivienda charges a fee, the worst kind, non-disclosed; they're a clip joint.

It is important to always REJECT the exchange proposed by the ATM, but select the "no conversion" option, which means that the exchange rate will be the official XE rate of that day +1. 75% (or 1. 5%? I don't remember), as by the official Maestro policy regardless the ATM's specific bank. The official inter-bank rate +1. 5% is simply unbeatable by any change booth.

I usually opt for Servibanca (the green ones), as they allow to withdraw up to 720 k instead of 600 k (but they charge 17 k as fixed commission, as I believe most others).

Just back from Cartegena.
The exchange rate at the two booths as you exit the international arrival at the airport were both paying 2900 pesos to 1 USA Dollar. The international exchange rate at the time was about 3250.

Amazing. In the airport there is no ATM? And once in the city you insisted to change instead of going to an ATM? They are everywhere. Uncommentable.
So you paid an interesting 11% exchange fee.

P.S.: your auto-corrector changes Cartagena into "Cartegena"?

[Scubatoo]

Just back from Cartegena. The exchange rate at the two booths as you exit the international arrival at the airport were both paying 2900 pesos to 1 USA Dollar. The international exchange rate at the time was about 3250. I had to get some Pesos to take a cab ride into Cartegena, so I did not have any option but to take the exchange. So it cost me about $22 US to exchange $200 US. I did one other transaction inside the Walled City on the street. The exchange was 3000 pesos. I only did $100 US, so that cost me about $7. I used MC for restaurants and other larger purchases. I did not have occasion to check out the banks, but in my travels is usually the way to go. One way to find locations for banks / bank ATMs is to do a googlemaps.com search and bring up the area you are interested in. Then, without changing the map, type in "BBVA" or "Caja Social" and hit search. All the locations within the map will show up. If you change the map area, repeat the search.

[Hilltopper]

Can someone please recommend currency exchange place with decent rates in El Laguito, Bocagrande or other area. If you know the website of this casa de cambio, please post it. I know ATM is the best way to go at the moment, still there is a reason why I need it.

On free withdrawals from ATMs: (don't know if the information is up to date).

https://atmhero.net/countries/atm/colombia/ Shows BBVA 600 K, Colpatria Red Multibanca 900 K, Davivienda 800 K.

I got in touch with Mery; it just takes long to get a response from her.

As I mentioned below, BBVA is one of two that don't extract "juice" from you, with Caja Social being the other. I don't recall ever using a Colpatria. Davivienda will take you for a ride on the exchange rate they give you; they get you about the same as most currency exchanges places. I consider that Davivienda charges a fee, the worst kind, non-disclosed; they're a clip joint.

Hey, it's not like Mery is looking at her cell phone at all times, replying to texts and emails almost instantly like many folks do these days. The trade-off is that she'll probably live to be a 100 as a result of taking the non-rushed approach to life. .

If you're renting from Mery, she knows the exchange houses that give the best rates. Her taxi driver actually knows a guy who has provided a really good rate in the past.

[BMo814]

There is no way out just to post and ask for response, it's just important to book at the right place. Have stayed in the past in MDL (Mirador Del Laguito), is it still GF? What about other Laguito buildings: Playa, Marin and Torres and others? Any suggestion and recent examples are welcome; I know it's boring but essential. Thank you.

Yes MDL still chica friendly, stayed there in November. Matter fact met a cutie in LVD that was staying a couple floors up from where I was staying with a couple of her buddies. No problem bringing any chicas back.

[BMo814]

I stayed at this building a few weeks ago. I booked it on "Booking". Here's the skinny. I first messaged someone with an apartment on Air BNB. I messaged him directly and he told me the building is guest friendly. I wound up finding a better looking apartment in the same building on "booking". I went with that. 1st mistake. Booking doesn't actually charge your credit card. It's just a hold. So when I arrived at the apartment I had to pay the total cost in cash. What a waste of pesos that could be chica bait haha. Then I asked the from desk (guy and girl) the guest policy. Any chica can come in before 10 pm. If you want to bring someone in later that night, she has to be pre registered before 10 pm and then you can bring her back. Do if the girl is a chick you met and took on a date and plan on bringing back your good. But if you met her out in the clubs. You 50/50. O walked over to the doorman before leaving that evening to dinner ND asked him the business. He said yes no problem if I leave him a tip. Across the lobby was a check in desk and I could tell he was whispering. I went to dinner, came home changes and headed out. When I walking out the same guard and the girl were standing in the entrance smoking a cigarette. Hey said " hey buddy, sorry no guest tonight". The girl had a look that spelled "not on my watch". Disaster. Wound up coming home alone and calling over a morning session. The next night before going out he was there again and a different brown skin girl at the main desk, he stood up and said buddy tonight no problem! I gave him a high five and brought home two chicas. I tipped him 60 k. Problem was it was about 3 am. He said they must be gone before 5 am when he leaves shift. At 4:40 am he started calling my room. Every 5 minutes. Amazing threesome but they were drunk and him calling caused me to leave them alone multiple times to answer the calls. They stole; my Alexa speaker, Sonic Care tooth brush, a fake watch, a Diesel t shirt, and even popped the mop closet lock. Hahaha all of which I didn't realize until the next day. I laughed it off and chalked it too a learning experience. I didn't report it because technically they were not supposed to be in there in the first place. So that's the sacrifice and headache at the Palmetto Eliptic.

Them 2 Vennies got you mane? Smh.

[YippieKayay]

Can someone please recommend currency exchange place with decent rates in El Laguito, Bocagrande or other area. If you know the website of this casa de cambio, please post it. I know ATM is the best way to go at the moment, still there is a reason why I need it.

In Bocagrande you can find them starting on Calle 4, Carrera 2. Many of them will be on Carrera 2 as you go northward and will post the rates outside their window. I haven't seen rates better than a 10% commission so I never use them. I can live with 3% or less if I needed to but not 10%.

Let us know how it goes. There are a number of banks along that street. You can try there too but I have never tried exchanging at a bank.

Bring your passport. It's required for tourists when changing money.

[Questner]

Can someone please recommend currency exchange place with decent rates in El Laguito, Bocagrande or other area. If you know the website of this casa de cambio, please post it. I know ATM is the best way to go at the moment, still there is a reason why I need it.

On free withdrawals from ATMs: (don't know if the information is up to date).

https://atmhero.net/countries/atm/colombia/ Shows BBVA 600 K, Colpatria Red Multibanca 900 K, Davivienda 800 K.

I got in touch with Mery; it just takes long to get a response from her.

[Hilltopper]

I guess my real question, which in part has been answered, was how would they know who we bring in and out. I should have also specified we are looking for more of a whole unit / home / townhome type of rental, so I'm thinking as it would likely be in America, once I have the keys to a private house, how do they know who goes in and out? I suppose if there's some security guard I could understand.

The posts and responses are in re to "buildings" with multiple units, not a private home. If you rent a private home, you are correct, but there tends to be "staff" that live on site who will let the owner know should you break the "rules" that you agreed to as part of your agreement with the owner.

All that being said, the times I've rented or been an invited guest of an entire single-family home, we did not encounter any of the "restrictions" that are the topic of much discussion in the thread.

[Hilltopper]

I'm headed to Cartagena in January. This is my first trip to Colombia. The forum has been a great source of info, thanks guys. Can anybody help me out with which bank ATM's charge the lowest transaction fees to get cash?

Caja Social and BBVA.

[Hilltopper]

Is Mery Salence is still in rental business? I rented from her in the past too, just can't recall what has been since.

Yes. Contact info the same as in the past.

[Just Incognito]

Hahahaha! No one will tell you! It's like an Easter egg hunt! Enjoy it. I have a good 6.3 in Boca Grande and 2 in the old City. You know how I found them?

Don't don't Duuuuuun. Chicas! They have all the knowledge! Go in Miller Erticos ir Photoprepaggos or Tender or Facebook! Message and flirt with them and tell them you want to see them. Ask them their favorite hotels that the have seen clients that weren't love motels. They know all the places as this is their business. Just make it appear you want to meet them at a really nice guest friendly hotel. She will not tell you a place that she cannot get into. Just customize the place. Tell her you want to meet up with her at 11 pm so it cannot have time restraints. I don't know about your success but I sent the same message to lots of girls. Received lots of feedback. The palmetto was a big one so this new rule change must be recent. But overall these are just leads and a lot more than you will get here. These are out precious gems! I know I'm not sharing LOL.

She may also tell you about hotels with lax security or people working there that she knows so she can rob you.

Only get hotel knowledge from girls you have previously had positive and safe experiences with-girls that you have already seen register with their cedula at a nice hotel then gave good service and have a real social media presense--like with pics of their families on their facebooks. Those AR the ones that give safe and real advice IMO.

[Just Incognito]

The reason the change happened is people posted that building's name several times in this thread. It got popular and then something bad happened and now the rules changed.

No offense but you're not doing it right. You had to bribe doormen and they still shut you down. When you finally get a chica (s) into the building they rob you. That sounds like a complete mess. Next time find a building that actually registers them so you don't get robbed.

Why would anyone stay at a place that doesn't register all guests if they are bringing strangers back who hustle money and sell pussy for a living? It's so worth the 'chica fee' which is never more than 20-25 bucks and is usually around 10-15 bucks to ave her registered and to have the hotel security on notice just in case. You can always ask the hotel front desk to call you if she leaves the room alone! There are cameras in the halls and elevators and the front desk is usually by the main exit. I look at the 'chica fee' as me paying for her to be not able to leave without confirmation that I am all good and not robbed, drugged or bothered in any negative way when she is leaving. Its insurance. And a warning. Just tell the girl that the hotel will call and check on you when she leaves--especially if she leaves the room alone. Tell her that before you take her back--when you double check that she actually has a cedula. Or on whatsapp or FB messenger or whatever you are using (tinder etc). No chica with bad intentions like drugging or robbing you is going to want to go back to a hotel that you tell them has security, they have to register, security watches on camera until you are in the room and checks on guests when people leave the room--especially if the guest leaves alone.

People spend money on flights, hotels, drugs, restaurants, pussy, then skimp on safety where their valuables are. Makes no sense. Pick a place with good security. Follow the rules--if the rules don't work for you--pick another spot. Be nice to front desk, security and housekeeping. Tip, leave online reviews and treat people well. That's always my method-and I never have issues in my hotel.

[RMundi000]

Does anyone know the difference in ID's between the actual cards and laminated cards? The place I stayed were fine if the girls had the actual card. But they wouldn't let girls in if they had the laminated card.

[Mojo Bandit]

Just got back from staying in the Palmetto elliptic apts. Rules are no unregistered guests after 10 pm but a quiet talk with the night guard and 50 k took care of the problem. Best to arrange before you head off to the clock tower. Be aware that the owner said the building rules were all quests welcome no rules when I asked before booking. Some will tell you what you want to hear to get you to book so be aware. Have used Juan's and they are okay but are very dated and don't compare with the elliptic which was nice. Maybe someone out there has names of other buildings that are cooperative.

I stayed at this building a few weeks ago. I booked it on "Booking". Here's the skinny. I first messaged someone with an apartment on Air BNB. I messaged him directly and he told me the building is guest friendly. I wound up finding a better looking apartment in the same building on "booking". I went with that. 1st mistake. Booking doesn't actually charge your credit card. It's just a hold. So when I arrived at the apartment I had to pay the total cost in cash. What a waste of pesos that could be chica bait haha. Then I asked the from desk (guy and girl) the guest policy. Any chica can come in before 10 pm. If you want to bring someone in later that night, she has to be pre registered before 10 pm and then you can bring her back. Do if the girl is a chick you met and took on a date and plan on bringing back your good. But if you met her out in the clubs. You 50/50. O walked over to the doorman before leaving that evening to dinner ND asked him the business. He said yes no problem if I leave him a tip. Across the lobby was a check in desk and I could tell he was whispering. I went to dinner, came home changes and headed out. When I walking out the same guard and the girl were standing in the entrance smoking a cigarette. Hey said " hey buddy, sorry no guest tonight". The girl had a look that spelled "not on my watch". Disaster. Wound up coming home alone and calling over a morning session. The next night before going out he was there again and a different brown skin girl at the main desk, he stood up and said buddy tonight no problem! I gave him a high five and brought home two chicas. I tipped him 60 k. Problem was it was about 3 am. He said they must be gone before 5 am when he leaves shift. At 4:40 am he started calling my room. Every 5 minutes. Amazing threesome but they were drunk and him calling caused me to leave them alone multiple times to answer the calls. They stole; my Alexa speaker, Sonic Care tooth brush, a fake watch, a Diesel t shirt, and even popped the mop closet lock. Hahaha all of which I didn't realize until the next day. I laughed it off and chalked it too a learning experience. I didn't report it because technically they were not supposed to be in there in the first place. So that's the sacrifice and headache at the Palmetto Eliptic.

Exhibit A on fucking it up for others.

I am trying to figure out the gist of your post, both of you did the exact same thing, bribe a doorman. So how is his action Exhibit A? What am I missing here? In your post you are responding to MongerHunger who was complaining about people mentioning the name of the building which you did in the post that TheCarlAnthony was responding to. You copied and pasted his report instead of multi quoting him and Mongerhunger so to anyone who had not read TheCarlAnthony's post it now looks like you are the original writer of the post. As is evidenced by AmorPorFavor responding to your post in regard to threesomes.

[AmorPorFavor]

I stayed at this building a few weeks ago. I booked it on "Booking". Here's the skinny. I first messaged someone with an apartment on Air BNB. I messaged him directly and he told me the building is guest friendly. I wound up finding a better looking apartment in the same building on "booking". I went with that. 1st mistake. Booking doesn't actually charge your credit card. It's just a hold. So when I arrived at the apartment I had to pay the total cost in cash. What a waste of pesos that could be chica bait haha. Then I asked the from desk (guy and girl) the guest policy. Any chica can come in before 10 pm. If you want to bring someone in later that night, she has to be pre registered before 10 pm and then you can bring her back. Do if the girl is a chick you met and took on a date and plan on bringing back your good. But if you met her out in the clubs. You 50/50. O walked over to the doorman before leaving that evening to dinner ND asked him the business. He said yes no problem if I leave him a tip. Across the lobby was a check in desk and I could tell he was whispering. I went to dinner, came home changes and headed out. When I walking out the same guard and the girl were standing in the entrance smoking a cigarette. Hey said " hey buddy, sorry no guest tonight". The girl had a look that spelled "not on my watch". Disaster. Wound up coming home alone and calling over a morning session. The next night before going out he was there again and a different brown skin girl at the main desk, he stood up and said buddy tonight no problem! I gave him a high five and brought home two chicas. I tipped him 60 k. Problem was it was about 3 am. He said they must be gone before 5 am when he leaves shift. At 4:40 am he started calling my room. Every 5 minutes. Amazing threesome but they were drunk and him calling caused me to leave them alone multiple times to answer the calls. They stole; my Alexa speaker, Sonic Care tooth brush, a fake watch, a Diesel t shirt, and even popped the mop closet lock. Hahaha all of which I didn't realize until the next day.

Threesomes are great if you know the chicas well. Otherwise you are just asking for trouble because it is much easier for one of them to rip off you while you are occupied with the other one.