Cartagena Reports

[Hilltopper]

I agree that LDV is a business and people should respect that, I do and I definitely do not mind spending money to keep a place open that provides the opportunities found there. To tell you how long it has been since I was there, the first time I went the generally understood rule was a girl was not supposed to leave with a guy until he had bought her a couple of drinks, later I was told there was a drink minimum of some untold peso amount. I do not drink very often. So I then would go in and start walking up to the hottest 10 or so chicas and ask what they liked to drink, and start buying drinks for them, taking the opportunity to also get a close up appraisal of the chicas. Its not like Thailand where you pay a bar fine, so the establishment needs to make a profit somehow. I certainly do not want them to go out of business and would like to see more of them.

There you go, nice touch. The World turns more smoothly on its axis because of decent folks like you, Mojo Bandit.

As far as LDV, be it the former location or the one in the historical city, in all the times I've been I've never been made aware of any minimums, etc. I will admit that it's most likely because I'm a recognizable patron who has had no problem buying bottles, etc. , on prior visits. While others may scoff at it, tipping the bar staff or the door man the equivalent of $2 - $3 can go a long way as well. The next time you are there, they clear off or out a table for you as soon as you walk-in, tell you which chicas are trouble / bad actors, basically keep a good look out for you, etc. , etc. Not every Colombian is out to scam the tourist; in fact, many are just decent folk living off a lot less than most of us could do without crying "uncle".

[Hilltopper]

Hey old Buddy are you still smoking your cigars on the beach?

I was in CTG last Feb. I liked the new LDV after making a fool of myself trying to make the taxi man take me to the old location. I guess that tells you how long it's been since I have set foot in CTG.

Anyway I had no problem getting a table with a beer in my hand that I bought at the bar. For me nothing beats having a hot Chica dancing with me to make me want to take her for a spin. I was really interested in dancing only so I picked two different girls, and danced with them for quite a while. Since I had no real desire to take them out I just slipped them 50 K,and said good by to them. They seemed surprised, but were not unhappy with me. Sure I could of walked out, and gave them nothing. Hey for around $15 bucks I was happy, and to me that's what I go to Latin America for. To be happy.

No more daily cigar. There's story behind the quitting, but I'll spare you the boring details!

Don't get to the beach as frequently either, but do always at least swing thru one day if for nothing more to say Hello, or to get a pedicure from Emily or Luz Marie.

You had fun and they were able to eat the next day from your show of appreciation-ain't nothing wrong with that!

Best wishes and happy travels to you, John Gault.

[Mojo Bandit]

I know it and other venues can change with the way the wind blows. I'd force the tight wads to buy as well......how the hell is a place supposed to pay the electric bill if all the guys are cheap charlies?

You're in a bar that makes money from selling alcohol......patronize the place by buying what they sell or go elsewhere. It ain't always about being a "taker". One meets some odd, finicky guys during his travels.

I agree that LDV is a business and people should respect that, I do and I definitely do not mind spending money to keep a place open that provides the opportunities found there. To tell you how long it has been since I was there, the first time I went the generally understood rule was a girl was not supposed to leave with a guy until he had bought her a couple of drinks, later I was told there was a drink minimum of some untold peso amount. I do not drink very often. So I then would go in and start walking up to the hottest 10 or so chicas and ask what they liked to drink, and start buying drinks for them, taking the opportunity to also get a close up appraisal of the chicas. Its not like Thailand where you pay a bar fine, so the establishment needs to make a profit somehow. I certainly do not want them to go out of business and would like to see more of them.

[YippieKayay]

Anyway I had no problem getting a table with a beer in my hand that I bought at the bar. For me nothing beats having a hot Chica dancing with me to make me want to take her for a spin. I was really interested in dancing only so I picked two different girls, and danced with them for quite a while. Since I had no real desire to take them out I just slipped them 50 K,and said good by to them. They seemed surprised, but were not unhappy with me. Sure I could of walked out, and gave them nothing. Hey for around $15 bucks I was happy, and to me that's what I go to Latin America for. To be happy.

Evidently a lot of guys are doing this. Dancing, drinking, tipping and leaving. Like a chica told me: "mucha fiesta no mucho trabajo. " They want 200 k (or more) after fucking you. During good times these chicas would get more than one customer and take them to a nearby hotel. That's beginning to change with so many Venezuelans around.

[John Gault]

I know it and other venues can change with the way the wind blows. Have reported such over the past 12 years of coming to Cartagena when guys want to say such and such night is no good or such and such month is no good. Have to roll my eyes often.

I went by myself, which is typically the case as I find most guys are too tight or too loud-mouthed or too-something, but I have no problem in buying a bottle and did so. If I don't want to drink alone or don't want to drink the entire bottle, I share the bottle with chicas (more often than not). Usually invite other dudes who are staring to have a shot, but damn if they aren't too tight and won't loosen up a little and try some guaro. Goodness, life is too short----sharing shots with Colombianas or Venezuelanas is a blast!!

Oh, and over the years I've heard guys report you have to buy a drink or you have to buy a bottle to get a table. Nonsense.......they only do that to guys who just want to come in there and benefit from the venue and not spend a dime. When they know you are a good guy who doesn't always come in there and not spend, you can have a table and not buy a bottle, etc. I'd force the tight wads to buy as well......how the hell is a place supposed to pay the electric bill if all the guys are cheap charlies?

You're in a bar that makes money from selling alcohol......patronize the place by buying what they sell or go elsewhere. It ain't always about being a "taker". One meets some odd, finicky guys during his travels.

Hey old Buddy are you still smoking your cigars on the beach?

I was in CTG last Feb. I liked the new LDV after making a fool of myself trying to make the taxi man take me to the old location. I guess that tells you how long it's been since I have set foot in CTG.

Anyway I had no problem getting a table with a beer in my hand that I bought at the bar. For me nothing beats having a hot Chica dancing with me to make me want to take her for a spin. I was really interested in dancing only so I picked two different girls, and danced with them for quite a while. Since I had no real desire to take them out I just slipped them 50 K,and said good by to them. They seemed surprised, but were not unhappy with me. Sure I could of walked out, and gave them nothing. Hey for around $15 bucks I was happy, and to me that's what I go to Latin America for. To be happy.

[Tomasb]

That reminds of a time in Medellin where I had met a rather attractive lady at that famous hooker bar — whose name escapes me at the moment— but it has some gorgeous looking hookers there. In fact, the bar only has hookers. This girl I met looked a bit like Gwen Paltrow though she had no idea who that was. I brought her over to my hotel in Parque Lleras late one evening and had a great time, so great that I invited her back a few nights later.

The second time time she showed up at my hotel wearing some kind of funky odd multi colored leggings up to just below her knees over a pair of tight blue jeans. After the deed, we went out for a bit of a stroll in Parque Lleras and I heard various locals sniggering at her outfit and a few making not so nice comments. They appeared to recognize her profession due to her lack of fashion sense. I was a bit embarrassed for her. I heard later from a mutual acquaintance that she got out of the biz, maybe due to that experience. Of course, this occurred in Parque Lleras, not exactly a ho free environment, so I can imagine what might have occurred in a normal type area.

I know someone is surprised to hear this, and can hardly understand it, but Colombians do not like to see prostitutes mixed with their "real life environment".

They do go with prostitutes, but in places that are very well separated from where they live their normal life with friends and family. There are "zonas de tolerancia", there are love motels (think about Santa Fe and the love hotels in Chapinero, Bogota), but all this is separated from where high stratum people lives, has business, goes out for having fun and a drink with their friends.

No way you can take a WG to an upper class hotel. The hotel would be immediately discredited, and all good regular guests would complain, if a prostitute enters the lobby. It does not matter how is she dressed: people understands who is a bitchy girlfriend and who is a girlfriendly bitchh.

Same for condos. If a Colombian family pays the rent of an apartment to spend holidays, they do not want to see sex tourists with girls. Period.

Once a Colombian told me this: "we too like to go with prostitutes, but what we do not understand is why foreigners like to take them out to dinner!" I nodded my agreement (of course I did not reveale that I did the same, some times regrettably).

[Hilltopper]

It changes night to night. I've seen it dead empty. I've been in there where you couldn't breathe properly at all due to the number of bodies. Last time was in June and they expected everyone at a table to order bottle service. This made it impossible for me since I'm alone and don't want to order an entire bottle.

The closing of Elektra means LDV just has more chicas in it. It's pretty much LDV and Space in the old city that are hooker joints. We need a third place to help move the bodies around.

I know it and other venues can change with the way the wind blows. Have reported such over the past 12 years of coming to Cartagena when guys want to say such and such night is no good or such and such month is no good. Have to roll my eyes often.

I went by myself, which is typically the case as I find most guys are too tight or too loud-mouthed or too-something, but I have no problem in buying a bottle and did so. If I don't want to drink alone or don't want to drink the entire bottle, I share the bottle with chicas (more often than not). Usually invite other dudes who are staring to have a shot, but damn if they aren't too tight and won't loosen up a little and try some guaro. Goodness, life is too short----sharing shots with Colombianas or Venezuelanas is a blast!!

Oh, and over the years I've heard guys report you have to buy a drink or you have to buy a bottle to get a table. Nonsense.......they only do that to guys who just want to come in there and benefit from the venue and not spend a dime. When they know you are a good guy who doesn't always come in there and not spend, you can have a table and not buy a bottle, etc. I'd force the tight wads to buy as well......how the hell is a place supposed to pay the electric bill if all the guys are cheap charlies?

You're in a bar that makes money from selling alcohol......patronize the place by buying what they sell or go elsewhere. It ain't always about being a "taker". One meets some odd, finicky guys during his travels.

[YippieKayay]

Just a quick note that I stopped-in LDV this past Monday evening. Lots of chicas, plenty of guys (which you need in order for the chicas to stay for the potential of a client); overall more chicas than dudes. Lots of dudes standing around acting like they are scared to spend pesos and blocking the view of guys like myself who don't have a problem grabbing a table and getting bottle service. Oh well, to each their own. I enjoyed myself and lucked into my selection being an absolute stellar performer who kept getting the Johnson revved back up for more!! So much fun when the chica wants and knows how to bring Johnson back to attention multiple times rather quickly for the over 55 crowd jajajaja!!

It changes night to night. I've seen it dead empty. I've been in there where you couldn't breathe properly at all due to the number of bodies. Last time was in June and they expected everyone at a table to order bottle service. This made it impossible for me since I'm alone and don't want to order an entire bottle.

The closing of Elektra means LDV just has more chicas in it. It's pretty much LDV and Space in the old city that are hooker joints. We need a third place to help move the bodies around.

[Hilltopper]

Just a quick note that I stopped-in LDV this past Monday evening. Lots of chicas, plenty of guys (which you need in order for the chicas to stay for the potential of a client); overall more chicas than dudes. Lots of dudes standing around acting like they are scared to spend pesos and blocking the view of guys like myself who don't have a problem grabbing a table and getting bottle service. Oh well, to each their own. I enjoyed myself and lucked into my selection being an absolute stellar performer who kept getting the Johnson revved back up for more!! So much fun when the chica wants and knows how to bring Johnson back to attention multiple times rather quickly for the over 55 crowd jajajaja!!

[Black Page]

I would like to set a few things straight.

Try Cuzco and Santisimo. Youl'll want to offer me a beer to thank me.

[Hotrod10]

I would like to set a few things straight. When I have dinner at a street stall I never choose a poor street stall I only eat at upscale elegant street stalls. Its hard to find good ANIMELLES at a regular food stall. Also, I very seldom order a steak when I dine at a restaurant. With that said there was the time when I was in the Loire Valley having dinner with a friend, who was a local and she insisted that I try a steak raised by a local farm of the Charolais breed. She claimed it was as good as, if not better than a Kobe steak. She was right it was delicious. I didn't have the hart to tell her that I have had Charolais beef many times as it has been raised here in the USA for many years. I was here in France waiting for a group of friends to take a barge cruise on the Nivernais canal. If you have never had the chance to take a barge cruise I would highly recommend it. I should mention I almost didn't get in this restaurant due to their dress code but finally they let me in although I was wearing a faded white t shirt, camouflage short pants and flip flops. Just something to think about.

[Black Page]

I have been to Peru several times and first of all my favorite pet when I was growing up was Harry he was my Guinea pig. I'm sure you know that grilled Guinea pig is normally the most expensive dish on a Peruvian menu. My first trip to Peru I learned to never order CUY or QUWI or CUYO.

With all due respect, I have the impression you have seldom traveled outside USA, or at least in South America. Your idea of Peruvian food seems something near poor street stalls. Nothing wronger than that. A Chinese may think that "American food" in NYC means having a burger at McD for 10 bucks, but that Chinese should learn that there is also Smith & Wollensky, and for a steak and a bottle of good wine the bill there could be 200 bucks for person.

First thing, in South America Peruvian and Peruvian Fusion is considered one of the most sophisticated and trendy styles. Of course, we are not talking about street food, but high cuisine.

Second, you will find cuyo only on Andes. In Lima, food means seafood.

Last, try to go to CUZCO in Cartagena. Dress well, because it's upscale and will not allow people to enter with shorts (I am not saying you would, but to give an idea). Do not try to tell them to keep cuyo away from your table. They will not even know what it is (staff is local). Wherever you go in Colombia, if a high-level restaurant shows "Peruvian", it means it is the place where to have seafood.

Another excellent place is SANTISIMO, but I have reported some other good restaurants in this thread already along the years. No hope to find a good one in Bocagrande. The only decent is maybe Carbon de Palo, for a grilled steak.

[JoeqNight]

Checking out the first 100 of 200 apartments available on airbnb in the Bocagrande area I found 11 possibilities and sent each a question (may I bring a friend to the apartment for a short time not all night). Out of the first 8 replies 7 said no number 8 said yes so I took it. In the house rules section one actually said no prostitutes. Some said all guests must be out by 10 pm or expect a charge. Reading the comments on this site was the only reason I sent the question. What a surprise. In all of my travels I have never asked this.

Went through the same thing as well. I asked alot of questions and found a building previous mentioned in this forum. The walled city probably is the most difficult but you can search in the El Laguito area.

[Black Page]

What a surprise. In all of my travels I have never asked this.

I know someone is surprised to hear this, and can hardly understand it, but Colombians do not like to see prostitutes mixed with their "real life environment".

They do go with prostitutes, but in places that are very well separated from where they live their normal life with friends and family. There are "zonas de tolerancia", there are love motels (think about Santa Fe and the love hotels in Chapinero, Bogota), but all this is separated from where high stratum people lives, has business, goes out for having fun and a drink with their friends.

No way you can take a WG to an upper class hotel. The hotel would be immediately discredited, and all good regular guests would complain, if a prostitute enters the lobby. It does not matter how is she dressed: people understands who is a bitchy girlfriend and who is a girlfriendly bitchh.

Same for condos. If a Colombian family pays the rent of an apartment to spend holidays, they do not want to see sex tourists with girls. Period.

Once a Colombian told me this: "we too like to go with prostitutes, but what we do not understand is why foreigners like to take them out to dinner!" I nodded my agreement (of course I did not reveale that I did the same, some times regrettably).

[Hotrod10]

I'm on my way back to CTG but I will be there before you. This will be my second time. My first trip was just a few weeks ago and was a disaster. I now think a visitor should have a nice room with a pool. For me the pool is mandatory. This city gets hot and I think it will be nice to spend the afternoon at the pool. The walled city is a place to spend a day maybe even a guided walking tour. Its like nothing I have ever seen. The wall covers a very large area and I'm told it has many nice restaurants. At night just find yourself a place to sit and watch. Many hookers of every size, color, and age. Have a great time.

Hotrod 10.