Cartagena Reports

[Hilltopper]

Hilltopper,

You prefer the Cartagena taxi rate system to a meter? With all due respect, I can't go along with you. When I've been in taxis in other Colombian cities, the meter speaks loud and clear and there's never a debate. Long lights and traffic jams are almost never an issue, they hardly add more than few pesos to your fare. Now, Cartagena on the other hand, is always a crap shoot. I have downloaded the pdf you linked to, and it's invaluable, you have given great advice for travelers to download it and become familiar with it. However, you cannot carry it with you at all times, and then just whip it out at 4 AM as you're leaving Space or wherever. You can memorize the most common fares, and then quote them to the driver, but if you don't have exact fare at all times you're in for a debate, and who wants to debate at 4 AM when you've got a chica with you and you're just wanting to get her back to your place or wherever. You can argue over 2 mil pesos if you want, but I prefer not to face the prospect of a confrontation each time I take a taxi. In my experience a huge percentage of the taxi drivers in Cartagena are ladrones, and they love to overcharge you any opportunity they can. Give me a meter any day!

TheShadow, yeah I really do prefer it. Shamester, I've never carried a copy of the rates with me, LOL. I already know what the fares are as everyday knowledge and then check each January for any changes. I don't argue with 'them, I just give the correct fare. If I only have a 10 mil bill, I ask them if they can change it when I first open the door to the taxi. If a taxi driver is right at the the door of a disco where I'm exiting at 4 am, I have no problem with a 1 to 2 mil upcharge for the convenience. The times I've been in cities such as Bogota and Medillin, it never fails that a driver or two gets lost or there's a traffic jam, etc. Have you ever been in Cartagena when it rains or There is a big event and been in traffic at a standstill for 30 minutes? I have many times and it's never cost a cent more.

Knowing the fare from and to El Laguito or Boca Grande to the various zones traveled is easy and it doesn't change for the rest of the year so when one comes back multiple times, it becomes second nature. I much prefer the taxi drivers in Cartagena than compared to the ones I've had in Bog and Medellin. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Shamester]

Agree- meters are better. Who wants to carry around a rule book and constantly debate about mileage rates? Silly.

[TheShadow2]

Yeah I understand your point of view, but then again, I don't recall the airports I fly into in the States as having ATM's within the international flight arrivals area. I've always had to completely clear the USA Customs area and then go to a different area to find services such as restaurants, ATMs, etc. Rafael Nez International Airport isn't very large and the walk from the final security clearance to find the "services area" for the ATMs is a relatively short trek. I've certainly walked much further in other places.

Oh, for those traveling to Cartagena who are taken aback by the taxis not having meters, below is a link to the fares set annually by the Mayor's office for all of 2015. Note that there is an additional charge of 500 pesos at night starting at 9 pm until 5 am. For those grabbing a taxi at 4 - 6 am right off the curb outside places such as L'Opera and Space, expect the driver to tack on a 1 to 2 mil premium. You choose if you want to pay for the convenience of having a taxi right there at 5 am ready to scurry you and your chica away as soon as you step out the door.

I like not having a meter. I don't have to worry about being "long-hauled", traffic jams, long stop lights, detours, etc. I can relax and know that I'm going to pay an established price no matter the hiccup. If I hand the driver the correct price as set by the Mayor and he wants to say I owe more, I exit his taxi without a care knowing that I paid him the right fare.

Here you go, learn them if you choose: http://www.transitocartagena.gov.co/...ecreto0035.PDF.

Hilltopper,

You prefer the Cartagena taxi rate system to a meter? With all due respect, I can't go along with you. When I've been in taxis in other Colombian cities, the meter speaks loud and clear and there's never a debate. Long lights and traffic jams are almost never an issue, they hardly add more than few pesos to your fare. Now, Cartagena on the other hand, is always a crap shoot. I have downloaded the pdf you linked to, and it's invaluable, you have given great advice for travelers to download it and become familiar with it. However, you cannot carry it with you at all times, and then just whip it out at 4 AM as you're leaving Space or wherever. You can memorize the most common fares, and then quote them to the driver, but if you don't have exact fare at all times you're in for a debate, and who wants to debate at 4 AM when you've got a chica with you and you're just wanting to get her back to your place or wherever. You can argue over 2 mil pesos if you want, but I prefer not to face the prospect of a confrontation each time I take a taxi. In my experience a huge percentage of the taxi drivers in Cartagena are ladrones, and they love to overcharge you any opportunity they can. Give me a meter any day!

[LocoGringo]

Thanks for the information. But having ATMs in the departures area seem to be silly at say the least. The airport should have at least one ATM in the arrival area. I got there late night on Thursday, and did not want to explore the rest of the airport.

Once again, thank you.

Think, maybe, they are hoping you use the cambio at the exit? It usually gives 20,000-40,000 less per $100 as opposed to cambios in the city. They have cambios in the luggage retrieval area in Bogota, no ATM's. When you leave customs in Bogota you get a better rate at the cambios there. Convienence is expensive.

But it works.

[Hilltopper]

Thanks for the information. But having ATMs in the departures area seem to be silly at say the least. The airport should have at least one ATM in the arrival area. I got there late night on Thursday, and did not want to explore the rest of the airport.

Once again, thank you.

Yeah I understand your point of view, but then again, I don't recall the airports I fly into in the States as having ATM's within the international flight arrivals area. I've always had to completely clear the USA Customs area and then go to a different area to find services such as restaurants, ATMs, etc. Rafael Núñez International Airport isn't very large and the walk from the final security clearance to find the "services area" for the ATMs is a relatively short trek. I've certainly walked much further in other places.

Oh, for those traveling to Cartagena who are taken aback by the taxis not having meters, below is a link to the fares set annually by the Mayor's office for all of 2015. Note that there is an additional charge of 500 pesos at night starting at 9 pm until 5 am. For those grabbing a taxi at 4 - 6 am right off the curb outside places such as L'Opera and Space, expect the driver to tack on a 1 to 2 mil premium. You choose if you want to pay for the convenience of having a taxi right there at 5 am ready to scurry you and your chica away as soon as you step out the door.

I like not having a meter. I don't have to worry about being "long-hauled", traffic jams, long stop lights, detours, etc. I can relax and know that I'm going to pay an established price no matter the hiccup. If I hand the driver the correct price as set by the Mayor and he wants to say I owe more, I exit his taxi without a care knowing that I paid him the right fare.

Here you go, learn them if you choose: http://www.transitocartagena.gov.co/...ecreto0035.PDF.

[TomJackin]

They are located in the departures area of the airport.

Thanks for the information. But having ATMs in the departures area seem to be silly at say the least. The airport should have at least one ATM in the arrival area. I got there late night on Thursday, and did not want to explore the rest of the airport.

Once again, thank you.

[Hilltopper]

I posted a trip report in this thread, but somehow it became my own blog at the bottom of the Colombia section.

For those interested, here is the link:

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...s-in-Cartagena!

Enjoyed reading your trip report-well done! One item of note in re to locating the ATM machines at the airport. They are located in the departures area of the airport. Once you get outside after clearing the last security area for international arrivals, turn left and walk down the sidewalk 40 yards or so and then enter back into the building once you reach the departures area. There are two different locations with a row of multiple ATM machines inside the main area of the airport (one on the side closest to where you go for international departures and the other closest to the side for domestic departures/domestic arrivals).

[You Can]

My man great report. Nice pic. Massage girl is nice. I use her sister Luce marina.

Logistics:

Flight:

I flew United round trip from San Diego for $980 and some change. On the way over, a stop in Denver, and a stop in Panama; around 9 hours flight time. On the way back, stop in Panama, a stop in Houston, about the same flight time.

Airport:

The airport in Cartagena is small. There was no ATM that I could find. But there was a place to exchange money, so I exchanged enough for the taxi and one night on the town. Taxi was 25 K to the apartment, and 18 K when I returned.

Money:

The currency in Cartagena is Pesos. The airport rate sucked, but I was in need for the evening. The exchange place I used in town was 2140 pesos to one dollar. Passport was required! When I ran out of dollars / pesos, I abused the ATMs nearby my apartment.

Apartment / Juan:

I stay at one of Juan's rental apartments. It was a big 2 bedroom located on the beach in El Laguito for $90 per night. I had a large balcony overlooking the pool and beach / ocean. Apartment was equipped with WiFi, wide screen TV, A / see in each room, and 24 hour security. Security check the IDs of all the girls and logged their information in a ledger. There was housekeeper service available, but I did not need the service.

I arrived late night Thursday and the security guy knew who I was when my Gringo face appeared. Juan came by the following day at noon. I paid the remaining amount and he answered all my silly questions, as well as giving me his contact information. On Sunday, the A / see in the living room went out. I called Juan, and he had a A / see tech at the apartment within 30 minutes. I went to lunch and when I returned, the A / see was up and running. In summary, Juan is the upmost professional and I would rent from him again!

Sim Card:

I got a sim card from Claro in Bocagrande for 5 K. I put 10 K of minutes on the card, and that was plenty enough. Passport was required!

Transportation:

Taxis were always available and quite cheap; 5, 6, and 7 K was the norm around town.

Safety:

I felt completely safe walking around the various areas I visited. Cartagena is the tourist capital of Colombia. On the weekend, many families poured into town from all over Colombia.

Food:

I ate several restaurants; here are my thoughts:

Monte Sacro. Excellent.

Bacco Trattoria. Excellent.

Crepes & Waffles. Very good.

Riquisimo BBQ. Very good.

Cazbon Antioqueno. Good.

Anaflecha. Good late night drunk food.

Street food in the Walled City. Excellent.

BTW, there was Subway in the Walled City; oh the shame!

The Beach:

Playa Hollywood had a very mixed crowd. When facing the ocean, the gay section is on the left, and all others are to the right. I read and noted a lot about the beach in advance. BUT, I still had issues with the massage bitches. I came off the main road and down the path to the beach. I was greeted by One-Tooth Alex. I asked about Fao and Tony, but he told me they were not there today; fucking liar! Sat in one of the chairs and the massage bitches came in flocks. They kept sitting in front or in back of me rubbing my calf or back with lotion. No, No gracias, and No fucking gracias, did not seem to slow them down! Finally I told One-Tooth Alex to keep these bitches away from me or I would walk; that worked!

One-Tooth Alex brought over a hottie and she sat next to me for a bit. She was hot, but her attitude sucked big time; big turn off for me. I asked her about Fao and Tony and she replied in English, "Tony is a mother fucker!" I wanted to ask her how she really felt, but it would have been a waste of time. I sent her on her unhappy way. Out of nowhere, another massage woman attacked me from the rear. As I told One-Tooth Alex, I walked!

As I'm walking down the beach, I run dead into Fat Tony. I asked about Fao, but he lied as well. But I stood my ground and continue to walk. Tony caved in and brought me over to Fao's section. I had the pleasure of meeting Fao and Emily. Fao offered me his personal chair and I talked to Emily and her sister (Fao did not charge me for anything except the drinks that I ordered). One of the better looking massage girls showed up and it turns out she was one of Emily's friends; she was happy to come to my apartment after sunset. She was one of the best fucks I had during my stay.

I looked around the beach for 4 days, but saw very little freelancer action. I sat in Fao's section and had some great massages from Emily and Emily was always on the lookout for freelancers. She brought one over that was a complete hottie, but I had a date within a couple of hours; so I passed. Thus, there was some beach action, but after I researched the topic, I guess I expected more. All and all, Fao and Emily are hard working honest folks and I highly recommend them to anyone that visits Playa Hollywood.

Other venues:

La Dulce Vita. I was in stumbling distance of the club. I was there every night to check out the action. The first night, I pull a dark skin hottie out of there for 200 K, and I tipped her as well. The talent in there was off the hook. Beautiful women with great bodies from all over Colombia. Some girls were asking for 300,400, 500, and 600 K for a couple of hours. One night, I met a girl sitting outside the club, and off we went for 150 K. There was also a hot MILF that I talked to a couple of times and she met me the last night that I was there for dinner and rack operations later.

Tu Candela Bar. Inside the Walled City near the clock tower. I went there a couple of times, but I must have been too early because there was only a few freelancers there each time.

Just inside the Clock Tower. What a scene! I walked out of Tu Candela Bar one night and there were freelancers all over the place. The girls were asking for 100/150/200 K per hour. Some of the girls were hot, others were just scary. I pulled two girls from the place and both were a blast in the apartment.

Cupid Girls. I had three lined up to meet, one was a no show, one showed but wasn't worth my time or effort, and one was a direct hit! She was a blast in the restaurant and in the apartment!

Conclusion:

Cartagena had a lot more to offer, I barely scratched the surface of clubs and the girls. I feel like I let down the monger community because I did not explore more; sorry guys. But I did have a great time and I will return someday, when, not sure. I feel that knowing some Spanish is a must because many of these girls speak no English. At times, I felt challenged with the Spanish that I know. I felt completely safe throughout the entire trip. Yes, the place is a tad expensive compared to other monger destinations, but I just had to check the place out; and I'm glad I did!

[Astreix]

Seeing and reading all these reviews really tempts me to visit the place. For me ISG is my new travel advisor. Read all the info and based on it plan your next visit. I wish they come with statistical map of rating. I can bet it will increase the visit count.

[TomJackin]

I posted a trip report in this thread, but somehow it became my own blog at the bottom of the Colombia section.

For those interested, here is the link:

http://www.internationalsexguide.inf...s-in-Cartagena!

[You Can]

I prefer punts arena to take a chica. Very nice and I get a place right on private beach. Very nice.

Playa Blanca is a place to take a chica, not find one. The actual beach at Boca Grande is not nice at all compared to Playa Blanca. But there is action down the beach past where Boca Grande ends and where El Laguito begins. Its called Hollywood Beach, you have to avoid the touts. The guys who say they can get you chicas. And wait until the right chica makes eye contact and smiles. Then call her over. If she is hanging on Hollywood Beach and eager to talk to extranos (foreigners) then she is most likely working.

Always remember to plan your trip to Cartagena using the magic mongering map created and provided by the Great Cartagena Mongering Master Hillbilly69. I provide a link below but if the link does not work than copy and paste it into your browser address window and it is located in Cartagena List section of this Colombia Forum it is post number 435.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ie=UTF&msa=0&mid=zkLg5yUiZlc4.kWUZD-kV8nF8

[World Travel 69]

They open easier in Google Chrome.

This should show the beaches.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=10.3...classic&dg=brw

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.kWUZD-kV8nF8

Playa Blanca is a place to take a chica, not find one. The actual beach at Boca Grande is not nice at all compared to Playa Blanca. But there is action down the beach past where Boca Grande ends and where El Laguito begins. Its called Hollywood Beach, you have to avoid the touts. The guys who say they can get you chicas. And wait until the right chica makes eye contact and smiles. Then call her over. If she is hanging on Hollywood Beach and eager to talk to extranos (foreigners) then she is most likely working.

Always remember to plan your trip to Cartagena using the magic mongering map created and provided by the Great Cartagena Mongering Master Hillbilly69. I provide a link below but if the link does not work than copy and paste it into your browser address window and it is located in Cartagena List section of this Colombia Forum it is post number 435.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ie=UTF&msa=0&mid=zkLg5yUiZlc4.kWUZD-kV8nF8

[Mojo Bandit]

I guess that the worst week to go to CTG, if one aims at girls, is the Semana Santa, right?

I just realized that I should change plans for my business trip to Colombia, ending right on that week.

Anybody tried CTG on that week?

All the girls go home to their own cities during that time so unless you already know some local girls it is dead.

[Mojo Bandit]

Playa Blanca sucks. It's crowded, not that great, and the people are not attractive. I only saw the Boca Grande beach from a distance, but it looked *much* better. Not seeing the daytime action in Boca Grande was my biggest regret. I also wish I had gone back to LDV during prime time. I'd rather have gotten there at midnight to see the best options there.

Playa Blanca is a place to take a chica, not find one. The actual beach at Boca Grande is not nice at all compared to Playa Blanca. But there is action down the beach past where Boca Grande ends and where El Laguito begins. Its called Hollywood Beach, you have to avoid the touts. The guys who say they can get you chicas. And wait until the right chica makes eye contact and smiles. Then call her over. If she is hanging on Hollywood Beach and eager to talk to extranos (foreigners) then she is most likely working.

Always remember to plan your trip to Cartagena using the magic mongering map created and provided by the Great Cartagena Mongering Master Hillbilly69. I provide a link below but if the link does not work than copy and paste it into your browser address window and it is located in Cartagena List section of this Colombia Forum it is post number 435.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ie=UTF&msa=0&mid=zkLg5yUiZlc4.kWUZD-kV8nF8

[You Can]

Thanks for your report. I been to Cartagena many times. Had some great threesomes but I new the girls for a couple years. It's hard to just wing it. 99.9 Percent of time I get total GFE. It seems like you went the hardest way with the girls and the rooms. I am heading back next month March 3 and can't wait!

I spent 5 days in Cartagena in early December. I was there with a friend who wasn't interested in prepagas, so I wasn't able to engage as much as I otherwise would have, but I thought I'd include some of my experiences to give back to the board as the board gave me so much.

Night 1 of prepagas (a Wednesday). I went out late. I arrived at LDV at approx 2 am. I'd say 20 girls and 6-8 guys. The quality varied from 5 to 9. I didn't want to rush so I got a vodka tonic for 28 k and sat down to look. I looked around, not being too eager, and got another vodka tonic for 28 k. I'm noting the cost of course as it was 1) expensive and 2) I was aware of the concept of a spending minimum. A lot of guys complain on this board about LDV being full of silicone. So what? I love that shit. If you like small tits, choose a destination other than Colombia. Anyway, at 2:30 am, the place starts to clear out including the two I was thinking about approaching. Shit. I grabbed the best looking prepaga left, a 6. 5 named Jennifer. She started at 300 k for 2 hours. I countered with 200 k, and we settled at 250 k. The negotiations were done outside of LDV. Since it seemed like exit time for everyone, no one asked or seemed to care about my drink minimum. I clearly didn't care since I had spent 56 k on two vodka tonics (which I think were entirely tonic). I was in a hotel that was not chica friendly, so she suggested some spot in el centro (I think it was sol why Mar.). Hard to believe you have to go that far (from LDV) to find a place to get down, but it was what it was. I paid 68 k for 2 hours in room - 30 k per hour plus a beer for her and a water for me. Later, I negotiated another 100 k (350 k total) for el culo. It was something I hadn't done before, so I wanted to try it. For those who haven't, I think it's a waste. It's not that different. Overall, she was sweet. Nice fake cans, but a little too skinny for my taste. She said she was in town for 11 days to make money to support her family.

Night 2 of prepagas (a Friday). I wanted to try el reloj. Maybe 30 girls of varying quality. Tonight, I wanted a threesome. Again, something I haven't done before. Or at least each time it wasn't the experience I wanted (aka the shit you see in porn where the girls are as much into each other as they are into the guy). I looked around and found what I thought was a pretty good looking girl named Carol. It looks like you'll find her there every night as she was there when I went back later another day (there are at least two prepagas in front of el reloj named Carol, this one has almond eyes). She seemed like a 6. 5, but I'd bring that down to a 5 when she got undressed with her pancake tits. Anyway, I told her what I wanted, and she brought over her friend. A negra fea with braces. I told her I wasn't interested. She bought over someone else. Also a fea. I told her we'd find someone attractive together. We found this gorgeous girl, whose name I don't remember. It ended in INA. She was gorgeous. I'd say she was a 8, but then with clothes off. She was a 9. Perfect 22 year old body. Anyway. I made it clear (or tried to) what I wanted. I negotiated 300 k for each prepaga for 3 hours. Of note. I always negotiate unlimited polvos. I've been burned by that before. So Carol takes us to sol e Mar., I think, where the prices are insane. They wanted 45 k per hour because there were three of us. The other girl whose name I can't remember took us to another place where it was 40 k (I think) for the whole time. It was not too far. Overall, the girls, as you can imagine were minimally into each other. The girl, Carol, got fucking jealous because I was concentrating on the other girl. Why the fuck does a prepaga get jealous? It was also kind of lame because the hot one claimed she was tired and her chucha hurt. Overall, two polvos, and a fair threesome. I'll have to cross it off my bucket list since I'll never get what I want with prepagas.

Night 3 of prepagas (a Saturday). I decided to see what was in Tu Candela. I found a gorgeous girl named Sol, and we settled on 300 k for 2 hours. This was a quick find, I didn't look around too much (more coming on Tu Candela). Interestingly, I saw Jennifer from the first night and the super the super hot girl from the threesome. Sol was very sweet. A solid 8 in my eyes. Short, but pretty with nice sized fake tetas. She had an apartment in Laguito, and we sessioned there. Overall, it was pretty standard. One funny thing she said was that she had a baby when she was 15, which she said is very common in Colombia. Such girls usually take two paths. The ugly ones work in offices and the pretty one become prepagas. Like Jennifer from the first night, Sol was in town from Cali for a couple weeks to make money.

Night 4 of attempted prepagas (Sunday). This night, I went back to Tu Candela. I saw Carol outside of Tu Candela who wanted me to go with her, but I wanted something better. I was unimpressed with all the options in front of el reloj so I said let's go to Tu Candela. She said they wouldn't let her into Tu Candela because of her shorts. So I said see ya later. I went into Tu Candela, and I looked for prepagas, but everywhere I looked, it seemed to be couples. I found some locals who brought me over and bought me a drink. They were normal people, and I just sat and talked for a while. All of a sudden. The place is closing (I had been there a couple of hours). I think it was 4 am. Now it gets weird. I go looking for Elektra. Which Jennifer generally pointed out to me the first night. I'm walking down some street in el centro. Two cops on a motorcycle come riding down the street. They want to search me for perico, which I was prepared for after reading this board. I was also prepared to potentially be accosted / robbed by transvestites, which Carol also told me was a possibility. This is what sucks. The cops stole from me. I had my money in my pocket, and the cops, who seemed very friendly, asked me to take everything out of my pockets. I give them my money, hotel key, credit card, etc, and they hand it all back to me eventually. Well, I later discover that I'm short 150 k and $100. They took all my bills with 50 denominations, my 50 k peso bills and my $50 bills. I didn't realize it until later, but I wonder what I would have done if I had noticed in real time at 4 am on a deserted street with two cops in a foreign country. Anyway. I go looking for a place for prepagas. I find myself at this place with about 8 prepagas and 3 guys. None of the girls interest me, so I head home. Was it Elektra or Elektrika? Or Paparika? Or something else? I don't know. I didn't ask.

Separately, I also arranged a trip to Playa Blanca in my hotel. We stopped off at some other island first for snorkeling and some other stuff. Several notes - 1) it's a long trip to Playa Blanca. It's 45 minutes each way over some really choppy water (ie not an enjoyable trip). Playa Blanca sucks. It's crowded, not that great, and the people are not attractive. I only saw the Boca Grande beach from a distance, but it looked *much* better. Not seeing the daytime action in Boca Grande was my biggest regret. I also wish I had gone back to LDV during prime time. I'd rather have gotten there at midnight to see the best options there.