Cartagena Reports

[Ty Down]

My buddy just booked this Airbnb in Centro Historico. 5 star, "guest friendly". Guys name is Juan, he said no problem bringing guest to apartment, but NO Parties!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4679894...sts=1&adults=1

[AlwaysHorny 2]

Thanks guys! I did a little more research and it doesn't seem as expensive as I thought. I guess those prices of $200+ are for a private boat. I don't need that. I'm ok with a group ferry.

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day. Here is the link - https://reservadeplayas.cartagena.gov.co. I plan on going on a Thursday so I shouldn't have too much of an issue. The problem is that I can only make a reservation for 1 person. I would like to option to bring a chica with me if I found someone that seemed cool and low maintenance enough to tag along.

The pictures of the beach proves it is exactly what I'm looking for. Punta Arenas, seems to be a step down and I actually want something a little less crowded.

AmorPorFavor, how much did you pay for the private driver for the day? If reasonable, that might be a viable option. Nice scenery in those pics! LOL.

[Mojo Bandit]

Bendita Beach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQjXYEpEw-8

Playa Blanca.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXLTlMjTtZQ

Cholóand is a tiny island located just off Barú.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMkotpUaLME

Islas del Rosario Cartagena 4 K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eunZ5BQ_Hpk

BORA BORA Cartagena Tour con Pasaporte Express "Bora Bora is an Island in Cartagena Colombia where you can spend a great day out".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bEyQwqy-Tc

[AmorPorFavor]

Here's some pictures I took in Jan 2020. This is about a mile or 2 down from Playa Blanca. We took a lancha there from Playa Blanca. Its nicer down there with much less people around and no hawkers about. I hired a taxi driver for the day to take us there and be my valet for whatever we needed. We had food and drinks, massages and rented a jet ski. I also had a lot of great meals in Cartagena for about 2/3 what I would pay here in a major US city.

[Kafka]

I definitely went to the wrong one. But I think I know the one you're talking about. Yes these leeches attach themselves to you in Cuba they call them jinteros. Jockeys.

It was a short boat ride from Laquito where I stayed. The beach was nice and practically empty, the water is clean, and there are a couple of restaurants. One mistake we made was to let the touts from the "mainland" cross with us because they attached themselves to us like leeches and tried to handle everything from beach chairs to food. It wasn't too bad, but we were hungry and had to bargain hard to slash their ridiculous prices by half.

If I were to travel there again, there is a nice little beachfront hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and beach beds. I asked the manager if they'd let me stay for the day for the consumption, and he countered with 50 mil. I'm sure I could've bargained it down, but there wasn't enough time for us left to enjoy it. Even at 50 mil that's already a bargain for using all the facilities and clean bathrooms, IMHO.

[Xpartan]

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I'm not concerned about mongering opportunities. I enjoy passing time relaxing in a beach chair. Hopefully, I get at least one day without overcast so I can catch some rays. I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Thanks.

It was a short boat ride from Laquito where I stayed. The beach was nice and practically empty, the water is clean, and there are a couple of restaurants. One mistake we made was to let the touts from the "mainland" cross with us because they attached themselves to us like leeches and tried to handle everything from beach chairs to food. It wasn't too bad, but we were hungry and had to bargain hard to slash their ridiculous prices by half.

If I were to travel there again, there is a nice little beachfront hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and beach beds. I asked the manager if they'd let me stay for the day for the consumption, and he countered with 50 mil. I'm sure I could've bargained it down, but there wasn't enough time for us left to enjoy it. Even at 50 mil that's already a bargain for using all the facilities and clean bathrooms, IMHO.

[Mr Enternational]

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Well here is a picture that I took in December at Playa Blanca. It is my favorite beach in Colombia other than the ones in San Andres. If you have ever been to, or google the other 2 beaches you mentioned, then you will know it is well worth the trip. It may be cheaper to rent a car and drive than to go by other methods.

[Kafka]

Everything is on the phone PCR test boarding passes, immigration form filled out for tomorrow departure. I'll have everything backed up on paper just in case. I'm taking Spirit airlines everything looks pretty good I didn't select any seats but they put me in windows and the whole plane looks socially distant. I'll be around through next week probably won't do any reports till after.

[Kafka]

Absolutely. Maricon away usually works, after being nice of course. The worst thing you can do is be rude right off the bat.

I agree 100%.

I have been in the whole coast of Colombia (Caribbean) numerous times including Cartagena. I know all the aggressive punks and it can be relentless.

My rule, I give one "no gracias", if they continue I firmly say with eyes looking directly at them "no gracias, no thanks", if they continue I call them a molesting fucking maricon, get away from me you fagot queer, and if they happen to touch me, invade my space I take a swing at them, no shit this is the only thing that works.

The Tall Man.

[Kafka]

It's all the same--Playa Hollywood, Bocagrande. Some places have fancy chairs or you can pay a little extra and hang out with Tony and the chicas....lol. That's usually pretty entertaining... but he is a pain in the ass


Don't go to Playa Blanca on weekends it's a mob scene, at least it was pre-covid. Also there are numerous Playa Blancas. As far as getting to a really good beach I would definitely look into some of the excursions from the boat harbor which go to some amazing locations offshore. This is probably your best bet as far as getting to the kind of water that you're probably thinking of.

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I'm not concerned about mongering opportunities. I enjoy passing time relaxing in a beach chair. Hopefully, I get at least one day without overcast so I can catch some rays. I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Thanks.

[AlwaysHorny 2]

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I'm not concerned about mongering opportunities. I enjoy passing time relaxing in a beach chair. Hopefully, I get at least one day without overcast so I can catch some rays. I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Thanks.

[The Tall Man]

Unfortunately, Cartagena is in the league of its own, and 'no thanks' rarely did the trick in my experience unless you repeat it over and over again. Nowhere in the world have I experienced this kind of never-ending harassment. The thing is, though, I read enough about Cartagena before my trip and was mentally prepared for it, and Cartagena is worth the effort, IMHO. Beautiful, historic city and plentiful mongering opportunities for those who are patient and willing to learn the ropes.

I agree 100%.

I have been in the whole coast of Colombia (Caribbean) numerous times including Cartagena. I know all the aggressive punks and it can be relentless.

My rule, I give one "no gracias", if they continue I firmly say with eyes looking directly at them "no gracias, no thanks", if they continue I call them a molesting fucking maricon, get away from me you fagot queer, and if they happen to touch me, invade my space I take a swing at them, no shit this is the only thing that works.

The Tall Man.

[Kafka]

Yes and Juan Valdez. Great spot for non pro-hoes.
And there's a Lebanese dessert place right near Juan Valdez couple blocks down towards Laguito beach side.... Also people should not miss the ceviche they have at the Sombrero place just off the old city...... Also the fruit madres that sell it on the beach...

The following are are the places that I always return to but I also like to try new places when I go because the restaurant scene has exploded since I started going there in 2009. Speaking of which I am fairly sure that you Mr Kafka were posting in the Cartagena thread back then and I think I remember (which is a stretch for me LOL) that even at that time you already talked like a person that knew Cartagena very well, so I suspect you have seen more changes than I have. There used to be another board that I followed back then also, I cannot remember the name but the word "chica" was in it and it covered primarily Colombia and DR.

You probably know the rest of my go-to places already. Some of which are not as cheap as that Italian joint. I never fail to hit up a Crepes & Waffles, whether it is the one in Bocagrande On Calle 9/ Carrera 2 or the one in Centro three buildings north but opposite of Santuario de San Pedro Claver and then just across from Santuario de San Pedro Claver on the plaza San Pedro Claver is San Pedro Cafe that has gourmet seafood and high end dishes and is more pricey. Riquisimo in Laguito has good baby beef grilled over wood coals, served up Argentinian style with chimichurri. That is about the only meal I get at Riquisimo, the empanadas are just alright.

I had the best grilled fish I ever had was at a restaurant that a chica took me to on the beach on at the end by Laguito the one beyond Playa Hollywood that faces west almost toward Isla de Tierra Bomba. There used to be a guy renting a wave runner down there too.

I visited a restaurant a few times back years ago that was ran by a French women, the place is called Oh La La. I used to try to date non-pro chicas off of ColombianCupid before I switched it up to just guaranteed pussy with p4 p, but this was a go to spot then, good date spot. They were in the old city but have since moved over too Getsemani.

One place that says on Google Maps that it is permanently closed is another place I used to visit on every trip, that was Mila Postres, I have eaten their tacos but they were famous for their desserts, and decent coffee too, so I would go for the tacos as an excuse to eat a dessert with a coffee.

Another place I miss is this place that was on the main commercial street in Bocagrande that sold arepas stuffed with spicy ground meat and cheese, damn they were good. The place had a walk up window and tables outside. I had them around 2010, and 2011 but then just didn't go for a while, thought about last trip but couldn't find the place.

Some photos of food and then one of the take home variety of dessert.

[Mojo Bandit]

Any other suggestions appreciated.

The following are are the places that I always return to but I also like to try new places when I go because the restaurant scene has exploded since I started going there in 2009. Speaking of which I am fairly sure that you Mr Kafka were posting in the Cartagena thread back then and I think I remember (which is a stretch for me LOL) that even at that time you already talked like a person that knew Cartagena very well, so I suspect you have seen more changes than I have. There used to be another board that I followed back then also, I cannot remember the name but the word "chica" was in it and it covered primarily Colombia and DR.

You probably know the rest of my go-to places already. Some of which are not as cheap as that Italian joint. I never fail to hit up a Crepes & Waffles, whether it is the one in Bocagrande On Calle 9/ Carrera 2 or the one in Centro three buildings north but opposite of Santuario de San Pedro Claver and then just across from Santuario de San Pedro Claver on the plaza San Pedro Claver is San Pedro Cafe that has gourmet seafood and high end dishes and is more pricey. Riquisimo in Laguito has good baby beef grilled over wood coals, served up Argentinian style with chimichurri. That is about the only meal I get at Riquisimo, the empanadas are just alright.

I had the best grilled fish I ever had was at a restaurant that a chica took me to on the beach on at the end by Laguito the one beyond Playa Hollywood that faces west almost toward Isla de Tierra Bomba. There used to be a guy renting a wave runner down there too.

I visited a restaurant a few times back years ago that was ran by a French women, the place is called Oh La La. I used to try to date non-pro chicas off of ColombianCupid before I switched it up to just guaranteed pussy with p4 p, but this was a go to spot then, good date spot. They were in the old city but have since moved over too Getsemani.

One place that says on Google Maps that it is permanently closed is another place I used to visit on every trip, that was Mila Postres, I have eaten their tacos but they were famous for their desserts, and decent coffee too, so I would go for the tacos as an excuse to eat a dessert with a coffee.

Another place I miss is this place that was on the main commercial street in Bocagrande that sold arepas stuffed with spicy ground meat and cheese, damn they were good. The place had a walk up window and tables outside. I had them around 2010, and 2011 but then just didn't go for a while, thought about last trip but couldn't find the place.

Some photos of food and then one of the take home variety of dessert.

[Xpartan]

People are trying to sell you stuff all the time of course they're trying to make a living all you have to do is politely say no thanks. Once they sense that it's getting under your skin they're not going to stop. They're going to bother you till you give the money or leave.

Unfortunately, Cartagena is in the league of its own, and 'no thanks' rarely did the trick in my experience unless you repeat it over and over again. Nowhere in the world have I experienced this kind of never-ending harassment. The thing is, though, I read enough about Cartagena before my trip and was mentally prepared for it, and Cartagena is worth the effort, IMHO. Beautiful, historic city and plentiful mongering opportunities for those who are patient and willing to learn the ropes.