Cartagena Reports

[Gipse]

Thank you to all who have contributed here for making my trip utterly enjoyable. Below are the experience and opinions of the author, that’s me, so please don’t take them as judgments or absolute.

With the rebels, the paramilitary, the drugs lords, the armed civilians, and corrupt cops, Colombia did not seem like a wise destination for a vacation. After reading glowing recommendations from notable members, I decided to take a chance and experience Colombia for myself – destination Cartagena, a safe haven for tourists.

My excitement of reaching Colombia lasted only, a few minutes, until I entered the airport. A sniffing dog accompanied with an armed soldier welcomed me as I entered the door. If that was not enough, there was a video camera man smack in front of me tapping my surprised reaction, and behind him were more soldiers with bigger guns. There was no reason for me to be nervous standing in the crawling immigration and custom lines, but I was while the custom agents thoroughly searched every bag of every passenger. Once outside the airport, the fun began.

Spent a night each at Hotel Charlotte ($60) and Hotel San Martin ($65) before renting an apartment ($50) in Laguito, the best way to go. Preferred Hotel San Marin over Hotel Charlotte. These were low season rates.

The most I paid for taxi was 12,000 pesos ($5.5) across town and from the airport to Laguito. The typical fares were 4,000p ($1.80) and 5,000p ($2.30) at night. There were no meters in the taxi’s so I asked for the fare before I took one.

Exchanged a few dollars at the airport at the rate of 2,100 pesos per dollar. Exchange rate at most cambios on Avenida San Martin (Carrera 2) in Boca Grande was 2,100. One was exchanging at 2,000. The cambio in the Carulla grocery store in front of the naval base was exchanged at 2,200. ATMs had the best rate and were the most convenient.

The city is small, at least the tourist areas. Laguito is tiny with a single road down the middle. The walk from La Dolce Vita on one end to Hilton Hotel on the other end is 5 minutes. Boca Grande is larger with most hotels and restaurants on Avenida San Martin a block away from the beach. The beaches along Avenida de Malecon are segmented into small patches. The Old Town or Walled City in Centro is exciting and interesting. Rosario Islands about an hour boat ride away are worth a trip but with a companion.

I had a great few days in Cartagena mostly because of the girls, best Girl Friend Experience thus far surpassing Brasil, Thailand, and Romania. La Dolce Vita was my favorite hangout. The popular and experienced girls started negotiations at 200,000p but settled for 150,000p for all night (120,000 for a couple of hours). Others started at 150,000 but were happy with 120,000p for all night. Knowing the pricing structure before hand made the negotiations easier and effective.

Enjoyed spending time in both Tu Candela and Mr. Babillas. Took a while to realize that the semi-pro/pro sections in Tu Candela is upstairs and in Mr. Babillas is the bar area to the right. Made a hands off, at least for now, friend in Mr. Babillas, and spent a memorable night with a semi-pro from Tu Candela, total GFE and a sweet heart. Visited Giro Mato and Trippleterra but did not find what I was looking for. Pleyboy was only good for a drink the night I went.

As for dance places for working locals, Bololo is great. It is huge with a lot of people. During the night, the performers get on top of the bar and dance for the audience. Picking up someone here will depend on your talents but some conversational Spanish is a must. Burladera on Pedro de Heredia Avenue is a nice romantic dance place to take a girl. The night I was there, everyone was coming in as couples. Karamba a few blocks away was not worth the trip. It was small, loud, and crowded.

Loved spending dinner time at Plaza de Santo Domingo. Food was decent but relatively expensive and I did not care since I was willing to pay more for flirting with the cute waitresses.

[Member #4603]

I'm getting ready for a trip to South America, I've lived in Rio de Janeiro for a year and visited Buenos Aires but have never been to Colombia.

For those in the know, I have a couple questions:

1) How do the Colombian ladies stack up against the Cariocas (women from Rio)?

2) If I were to visit only on city in Colombia with the goal, which has the most beautiful, accesible women? I'm considering Baranquilla, Cartegena, Medellin, and Cail.

What say you fellow mongers?

Thanks in advance,

Sweetlemon

[Surfer]

A few LATE at night on the corner and by bottom of stairs leading to La Perla Casino & LDV. These are higher priced and more used to gringos. WAY more in the Plaza de Coches (near the clocktower) and in Getsumani (but a riskier area of town to walk around at night), but you will likely need to negotiate in Spanish.

[Trendy Andy]

I can only speak for the discos.

Mr. Babillas is fine only on Mondays. Most of regular, cartagena women inside.

IMHO Tu Candela is overrated. Expensive drinks and entrance fee´s. Colombian women with their with local rich colombian men.

If you like electronic music, giro matto is the place to be! It starts late (02.00.am opening, crowdly at 03.00 am, funny at 04.00 am, closes 05.30/06.00 am.) A lot of pro´s from LDV, tourists, semi pros´s, non pro´s and a really good party. Cover charge is different, during my stay I was 14 nights theres - I had to pay cover only the first nights. It is running by an italian guy. Also they sell pintada´s!

Important: For all those place is basic spain a must; I swear , best spain - best fun. And a little more style (clothes, haircut) is also higly recommended.

[HotTraveler]

I´ll go to Cartagena in October.

Where is possible to find streetwalkers (young girls)?

I've heard names like Playboy Club, Manila House, Casa de Muñencas.

How much girls are in those clubs?

There are girls in the beach at day?

Thanks you for the information.

[Young & Restless]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback and those that PM'd me too. Should be fun!

Thanks again,

Y & R

[Tom 33]

I don't recall LDV being closed during Easter. But I don't get there that much any more even though I live two blocks away. I also can't recall any clubs serving alcohol being closed for any holidays.

They did shut all alcohol sales off for about three days in Feb. because of a trade conference. Seems that some union activists staged a small riot a few months earlier during a similar conference. You don't fuck with the authorities or embarass the government.

[Ngp477]

LDV is great every night of the week. Starts about 11 pm. Best time is midnight. ONly closed on religious holidays. Closed for 2 days around ash wednesday and closed some of the week during Easter. Of course all night clubs that serve alcohol are closed also on these days. You can always try the ***** house behind Pleyboy club on religous holidays because they do not serve alcohol. Enjoy.

[Surfer]

Often better than Saturday, ESPECIALLY if it is a puente. So I gotta disagree with Cachorro (though I agree Sunday nights are deadsville). Maybe Cartagena is different, especially Laguito (which is NOT the real Colombia IMHO). I like it mind you, but it is DEFINITELY a different scene than anywhere else in the country.

[Tom 33]

closes at 3:00 am. If you are still looking around 4:00am, stand around outside of Giro Matto. There is a 10K cover. The chicas wait for someone to pay for them or to hook up.

The idea of looking for an apartment while you are there is very good.

[Cachorro]

Pretty good summary, Y & R. I'll just add my thoughts.

Discos -
Giro Matto is the only real late night spot (after 2am). But there's really not much to recommend it IMO. Don't worry if you never get there. Best strategy is to have your girl chosen by around 1:30am or so. LDV is really the standout place in Cartagena for pros.

Remember that non-pro nightlife even in big cities in Colombia is good on Fridays and Saturdays, marginal on Thursdays and Sundays, and really no good the rest of the week.

Avoid - all guides.

[Digits]

I booked Hilton for $115 about three weeks ago (not sure whether it includes breakfast). Interestingly enough, on the same day, Hilton's own website was quoting the same type room for $215. I booked through Orbitz.

I plan to do exactly that: I expect to walk around and check out the apts and get one for the remaining three days.

Thanks for your answers and the detailed information.

[Young & Restless]

Hi everyone,

I’m just trying to finalize my list. If any of you gents feel up to checking my homework, I would appreciate all feedback. Based on previous post, the p4p scene in CTG seems to revolve around LDV, casas and freelancers on the beach. Please let me know if I have left off anything on my list that one would not want to miss in CTG. Also, for any of you that are familiar with Bogotá, I have posted a very brief checklist in the Bogotá section, if you don’t mind taking a look at my checklist for that city too:


Clubs:
La Dolce Vita (El Laguito closes at 2am)

Discos:
Mr. Babillas
Barbar
Tu Candela
Giro Matto
La Tripletera

Casas:
Casa de Munecas
Casa del Marino
The International
Pleyboy Club
Manila House

Avoid???:
Aeropostale
Noches de America
Any others??

Thanks in advance,

Y & R

[Sylvester]

I'm considering a trip to Cartagena in Jan or Feb for 2 weeks. I can either get an air only deal on a charter on an all inclusive for not much more. I know I wont be able to bring chicas into the AI. I read through a lot of posts here and I know most people say apts are the way to go. action than the clubs.

Can you stay overnight on one of the nearby islands, are there girls there or do you bring one?

I wouldn't go just for the pussy, there has to be more. I'm not thrilled with the reports on the quality of the beach but the walled city sounds interesting and I could go on a couple of island day trips.


Thanks in advance, I'll let you know what I decide.

Methos

Starting in December you will be able to get direct flights from Toronto to CTG. The most reasonable AI package will probably be at the Decameron in Boca Grande.

I cannot stress enough that the AI is NOT the way to go. Get an apartment !
You will be more comfortable and have a place to bring your daytime and nighttime chicas to. Why waste time and money on by the hour rooms when you can bang your chica in the comfort of your own apt. Make sure you have the fridge stocked with booze and see how a ST chica becomes TLN.

As for the nearby islands such as the Rosarios, you certainly can stay there for a night or two, I would recommend bringing some proven talent with you.

As for Margarita, I been toying with the idea of taking one of my regulars over there for a break.

[Methos]

I'm considering a trip to Cartagena in Jan or Feb for 2 weeks. I've been to Cuba numerous times, Mexico & the DR but not too many other places. I can either get an air only deal on a charter on an all inclusive for not much more. I know I wont be able to bring chicas into the AI. I read through a lot of posts here and I know most people say apts are the way to go. If I go AI, are there places to get some action during the day? If I meet a girl on the beach or in the old city is she going to have a place to go? I read that there aren't any mp's. What do you guys think about going in with a place booked for one night and just finding an apt while there. I might want to stay in the old city part of the time and the beach another part, maybe even a few days in Baranquilla (sp?). I'm sure all the touts are a pain in the ass but I think I'd find a cheaper apt while I'm there than ahead of time - also I'll know where I want to be. I'm much more into the beach/semi-pro action than the clubs.

Can you stay overnight on one of the nearby islands, are there girls there or do you bring one?

I wouldn't go just for the pussy, there has to be more. I'm not thrilled with the reports on the quality of the beach but the walled city sounds interesting and I could go on a couple of island day trips.

I might go to Margarita Island, Venezuela instead. I went there last year. I thought it was really good for the tourist stuff - but the girls were dissapointing. If I go there again I'll have to figure out how to run an ad in the paper before I get there. Cuba is incredible for girls, but I've been there lots of times and I want to go somewhere else this winter. Budget is a concern, and the charters are pretty affordable from Canada.

Thanks in advance, I'll let you know what I decide.

Methos