Cartagena Reports

[NoDramaNoStress]

Yeah, there are many places, but you'll get what you pay for. There are plenty of hostels, hotel rooms, and apartments you can get for less than $70 to $80, but more times than not you won't be getting working air cond, wifi, a washer / dryer, two private bedrooms and 2 full private bathrooms, etc. Another option would be to consider sharing the expense of a 2 bdrm with a wingman. Also, with you going quite frequently, you can pursue the option of just staying out in the barrios with your local friends, I. E, crashing on their sofa or making a pallet on the floor, catching a bus when you want to go to the old city or la playa, etc.

I can't provide you any photos or links, but you won't have any problem finding many places once you are there on the ground. Just start walking around with your luggage and asking people; tell them you're looking for an apartment or hotel room for around 60 to 80 mil pesos and you'll get to see your options before renting. Or check-in to a hostel first for one night, and then spend your time scouting while knowing you have the hostel to go back to should your search not turn up anything.

Personally, I enjoy the amenities, cleanliness, building security, security safes, etc, that come with an $80 to $100 apartment, but I can remember a time in my life when my budget dictated that I stayed in dorm-like rooms with no air con and slept on a twin bed with a mattress consisting of a piece of 3-4 inch thick foam rubber.

All the best in finding what you are looking for.

HT

Thanks for that input. Checking out a hostal for my first night there is a great idea! Going to try that.

I would really recommend Mery Salence and Juan Venturas apartments. Their numbers are all over this site. But since I'm staying two weeks this time, I need a something a little cheaper. So during my search. I found these sites that might be of help: www.airbnb/rooms/270672 Also www.apartamentosbacanos.com.

Yes. I did the whole LDV thing. I was impressed. But I had some free kitty cat that I had access to. (I had some kitty cat that I treat as a girlfriend) so actually I indirectly still pay. LDV is a must go for first timers I still haven't made it to Electra after all this time.

Another place that I have noticed that doesn't get much publicity on here is Pley Club. That place is the shyt in my opinion. If you like hips and azz, this is the spot. I've never seen asses like this on white women. Damn! Wondering if they were butt implants. If they are who cares.

On the way to Pley Club, all I could think about was this taxi driver is about to kidnap me because we were going through some rough looking neighboords to get there. But once we arrived, it was heaven on earth. I didn't buy anything in there, but I wanted to. I didn't because my night was still young. I recommend Pley Club over LDV. Taking nothing against LDV.

These are the things I recommend rookies or (vets) do. Go to your local liquor and buy some powdered margaritta mix because I don't think its even sold in Colombia. If so its hell to find. The chicas love this. Plus you can put the powdered margaritta nix in your carry on and its light and cheap ($6) and get a Colombian friend to buy a bottle of Tequilla for you to avoid being overcharged. Its actually cheaper in the city than in duty-free in the airport.

I would also recommend frequent travelers to go to spirit air website and study the luggage size and requirements. And invest in the hardshell luggage because you can pack it full and it still won't go over the size limits to avoid getting screwed.

I know we all are here mongering. And you can't trust everyone. But I recommend everyone get one trust-worthy, non-puta chica to always go to incase of emergency. Just my opinion.

I used to think grocery shopping versus cooking would be more economical. Wronggggggg! I eat at the bakery across from Torre Centaro apartments for breakfast lunch and dinner. Average about $3 per meal.

Big recommendation for non-english speaking rookies. Listennnnnnn: I recommend you get an iphone or Android phone. I'm a droid man. Download an app called Jibbigo for $4. Its a Helluva translator that doesn't require an internet connection. Also download voice ip and google voice. (this is a voip similar to Skype but without the video) and it gives you an American number and when you connect your phone to internet via wifi. You can call back to America unlimited and free. Great quality (solves problem of calling girlfriend or wife in America from a nonAmerican number). Also highly recommended is to get a global phone like the Droid 2 or Droid 3 get it unlocked so you can do all of this without buying a Colombian phone. But with all of this said. Do not show this phone off. And please keep it low profile in public. They will rob you and take your shyt.

[MiamiHeatLuver]

Oh yeah, I forgot of mentioning yet another option. You could bring a hammock or tent and sleep right there on the beach behind Playa Mar building in Laguito.

I'm not a big fan of chiggers or No see them's. Well, there go my future plans. Good Lookin out!

[Hilltopper]

Yeah, there are many places, but you'll get what you pay for. There are plenty of hostels, hotel rooms, and apartments you can get for less than $70 to $80, but more times than not you won't be getting working air cond, wifi, a washer / dryer, two private bedrooms and 2 full private bathrooms, etc. Another option would be to consider sharing the expense of a 2 bdrm with a wingman. Also, with you going quite frequently, you can pursue the option of just staying out in the barrios with your local friends, I. E, crashing on their sofa or making a pallet on the floor, catching a bus when you want to go to the old city or la playa, etc.

I can't provide you any photos or links, but you won't have any problem finding many places once you are there on the ground. Just start walking around with your luggage and asking people; tell them you're looking for an apartment or hotel room for around 60 to 80 mil pesos and you'll get to see your options before renting. Or check-in to a hostel first for one night, and then spend your time scouting while knowing you have the hostel to go back to should your search not turn up anything.

Personally, I enjoy the amenities, cleanliness, building security, security safes, etc, that come with an $80 to $100 apartment, but I can remember a time in my life when my budget dictated that I stayed in dorm-like rooms with no air con and slept on a twin bed with a mattress consisting of a piece of 3-4 inch thick foam rubber.

All the best in finding what you are looking for.

HT

Oh yeah, I forgot of mentioning yet another option. You could bring a hammock or tent and sleep right there on the beach behind Playa Mar building in Laguito. For daytime sessions or if you're a little shy to showoff in public even after dark, you can take your girl to a love motel right there in Bocagrande. For GFE and TLN, bring a 2nd hammock or a double-wide tent. Fred will come along after awhile mid morning or so. Internet access can be had for cheap at several different cafe internet places, so you're covered there. If you forget to bring your own toiletries, you can purchase whatever you need right there at the pharmacy two or three buildings down from Playa Mar and just wash yourself off right there in the sea. Heck, the sea water will be warmer than the cold showers you'll get at most $30 to $50 hotel rooms and apartments.

Nothing like sleeping under the stars. But do bring some ointment or repellent for those sand fleas / bugs. Those little boogers will have a feast on you if you aren't prepared for them!

[Cooldaddyc]

Okay, I have a very productive life and I have just remembered to get back on this site after a few years, chill with all the little smart remarks, you don't know anything about me, Its not that I'm too selfish to share, its that maybe all the things that I want to add are already on this forum already, keep in mind, I'm not one of these putas that you talk to any-kind-of-way, this is a grown man. On that note, any information that I have I can and will contribute, but not because of your say so.

Just head out to Laguito or at the very end of Bocagrande-intersection before Laguito and you will see gentlemen holding out signs for apts, and you will see the same in laguito. In addition if you want to budget stay at the conquistador hotel for 50-60 bucks a night.

[Hilltopper]

This is my 4th time to Cartagena this year and I want to know does anyone know of anyone that has apartments in Cartagena cheaper than Juan Ventura and Mery Salence? I love the quality and the amenities, but damn, $70-$80 a night is getting kinda steep, especially if I am staying for 2 weeks. I don't necessarily have to be in a tourist area, but internet and chica-friendly is definitely in my list of must-haves. Not downing these two people, just don't really feel their prices, especially in the low season. Any info on this with pics or a link will be greatly appreciated.

Yeah, there are many places, but you'll get what you pay for. There are plenty of hostels, hotel rooms, and apartments you can get for less than $70 to $80, but more times than not you won't be getting working air cond, wifi, a washer / dryer, two private bedrooms and 2 full private bathrooms, etc. Another option would be to consider sharing the expense of a 2 bdrm with a wingman. Also, with you going quite frequently, you can pursue the option of just staying out in the barrios with your local friends, I. E, crashing on their sofa or making a pallet on the floor, catching a bus when you want to go to the old city or la playa, etc.

I can't provide you any photos or links, but you won't have any problem finding many places once you are there on the ground. Just start walking around with your luggage and asking people; tell them you're looking for an apartment or hotel room for around 60 to 80 mil pesos and you'll get to see your options before renting. Or check-in to a hostel first for one night, and then spend your time scouting while knowing you have the hostel to go back to should your search not turn up anything.

Personally, I enjoy the amenities, cleanliness, building security, security safes, etc, that come with an $80 to $100 apartment, but I can remember a time in my life when my budget dictated that I stayed in dorm-like rooms with no air con and slept on a twin bed with a mattress consisting of a piece of 3-4 inch thick foam rubber.

All the best in finding what you are looking for.

HT

[NoDramaNoStress]

If you have been to CTG four times, how about some decent contributions? I am sure many here can learn from your extensive experience. If even the experienced ones, such as yourself, only ask questions, where would anyone get the information? A bit selfish don't you think?

Good luck with apartment search.

Okay, I have a very productive life and I have just remembered to get back on this site after a few years, chill with all the little smart remarks, you don't know anything about me, Its not that I'm too selfish to share, its that maybe all the things that I want to add are already on this forum already, keep in mind, I'm not one of these putas that you talk to any-kind-of-way, this is a grown man. On that note, any information that I have I can and will contribute, but not because of your say so.

[Bologna]

This is my 4th time to Cartagena this year and I want to know does anyone know of anyone that has apartments in Cartagena cheaper than Juan Ventura and Mery Salence? I love the quality and the amenities, but damn, $70-$80 a night is getting kinda steep, especially if I am staying for 2 weeks. I don't necessarily have to be in a tourist area, but internet and chica-friendly is definitely in my list of must-haves. Not downing these two people, just don't really feel their prices, especially in the low season. Any info on this with pics or a link will be greatly appreciated.

Don't want to bust your balls but if you've been there 4 times (this year even) your post should really read more something like this...

I've been to CTG 4 times this year and although I have rented from Mery and Juan I find this gets a little expensive and an alternative was needed. Doing a little recon while I was there I have found these apts. [ list, locations, prices, amenities here ] for those that are on a budget but still want acceptable alternative accommodations.

Therein lies your answer.

I will add that there is huge word of mouth in CTG regarding apts. ( or anything really ), and generally with accommodations you get what you pay for. There is the eluniversal paper also which has listings. Look toward Boca Grande to be close but don't be too dissapointed when you see what your discounted price buys. Discount apts. are available in Laguito but some are pretty depressing.

[Cooldaddyc]

Without a doubt Rocios is a great place to have fun. I am well known in there and so is Casa Marina, as well as the streetwalkers in laguito and bocagrande. But of course Colombia is numero 1. I just think one can get a little more accomplished in san jose-which is like a great buffet of nicas ticas colombianas and dominicanas) than Cartegena. Make no mistake I'm taking Colombia first and foremost.

QUOTE=WiltTheStilt; 1224834]A good time can be had there but to me, in Colombia, the girls in general are more attractive and the prepagos are closer in appearance to the best looking girls in their country than are ticas and panamanians even. I like nicas, fun attitude, not the hottest though.

Cartagena in particular, for all its drawbacks, I would still take over SJ. Food, similar if not better in ctg. Sights, way better in ctg. Beach, doesn't exist in sjo. Service, better in ctg on average. Girls, as hot if not hotter ctg. Prices, meh, about the same, sjo has the MPs on the low end but after that you're looking at 40-100 short time. 100-300 TLN. Ctg is like 25-100 short time. 100-250 tln.

The thing is that at this point a place like ldv at like 150-250 US for TLN is worse than the 150-200 US you'd pay at a place like angeles or rocio, which I think are kind of fun places.[/QUOTE]

[Hillbilly69]

Girls everywhere, never seen so many even during cine festival or on Sundays.

[John Gault]

If you have been to CTG four times, how about some decent contributions? I am sure many here can learn from your extensive experience. If even the experienced ones, such as yourself, only ask questions, where would anyone get the information? A bit selfish don't you think?

Good luck with apartment search.

You hit the nail right on the head.

[Vitrea]

This is my 4th time to Cartagena this year and I want to know does anyone know of anyone that has apartments in Cartagena cheaper than Juan Ventura and Mery Salence? I love the quality and the amenities, but damn, $70-$80 a night is getting kinda steep, especially if I am staying for 2 weeks. I don't necessarily have to be in a tourist area, but internet and chica-friendly is definitely in my list of must-haves. Not downing these two people, just don't really feel their prices, especially in the low season. Any info on this with pics or a link will be greatly appreciated.

If you have been to CTG four times, how about some decent contributions? I am sure many here can learn from your extensive experience. If even the experienced ones, such as yourself, only ask questions, where would anyone get the information? A bit selfish don't you think?

Good luck with apartment search.

[NoDramaNoStress]

This is my 4th time to Cartagena this year and I want to know does anyone know of anyone that has apartments in Cartagena cheaper than Juan Ventura and Mery Salence? I love the quality and the amenities, but damn, $70-$80 a night is getting kinda steep, especially if I am staying for 2 weeks. I don't necessarily have to be in a tourist area, but internet and chica-friendly is definitely in my list of must-haves. Not downing these two people, just don't really feel their prices, especially in the low season. Any info on this with pics or a link will be greatly appreciated.

[Member #4244]

@Wiltthestilt By far Colombia is the best. But I'm comparing san jose to Cartagena. I'd go with san jose but you are right it is a man's toys are us and the ticas and nicas are very flexible with their prices.

A good time can be had there but to me, in Colombia, the girls in general are more attractive and the prepagos are closer in appearance to the best looking girls in their country than are ticas and panamanians even. I like nicas, fun attitude, not the hottest though.

Cartagena in particular, for all its drawbacks, I would still take over SJ. Food, similar if not better in ctg. Sights, way better in ctg. Beach, doesn't exist in sjo. Service, better in ctg on average. Girls, as hot if not hotter ctg. Prices, meh, about the same, sjo has the MPs on the low end but after that you're looking at 40-100 short time. 100-300 TLN. Ctg is like 25-100 short time. 100-250 tln.

The thing is that at this point a place like ldv at like 150-250 US for TLN is worse than the 150-200 US you'd pay at a place like angeles or rocio, which I think are kind of fun places.

[You Can]

La perla casino was closed down about a year ago, it has since reopened as a casino under a new name after a renovation. I can't remember the name because I didn't go in and prefer the Rio casino.

La Dolce Vita is a bar its in el Laguito in the Plaza Pierino Gallo a shopping mall with a bunch of jewellery stores on the bottom level and La perla casino on the top.

It's the Hotel Del Rey of Cartagena. LOL. All the girls there are working and free lance.

[Cooldaddyc]

@Wiltthestilt By far Colombia is the best. But I'm comparing san jose to Cartagena. I'd go with san jose but you are right it is a man's toys are us and the ticas and nicas are very flexible with their prices.

Eh, Costa Rica is just OK. Yes, the Del Rey has some things going for it, it's like a man's Toys R Us in that you have gambling, booze, sports, women, cigars and the*s all in one spot.

HOWEVER, the girls there are all trying to turn one and get back out there, turn one and get back out there. This is ABSOLUTELY true of any of them that are at all attractive. If you see a hot Colombian in there, she is going to demand cien, maybe go to ochenta (we are talking DOLLARS now) and the session will be rushed as she will be back to repeat this act four or five times.

The shabbier ones in there are pretty good, nice values and service to be had but I'm not helpless, I could fuck girls their quality and better for free. Once in a while you get one with a good attitude that you just can't say no to.

Places like Key Largo and Sportsman's have a lot of the same girls but a much more relaxed atmosphere with better prices and less of a rush to get back and turn another trick.

The MP scene is the best deal there but Jesus Christ do those girls get run through. Show up early! Sportsman's you can get a good value, $60 for two hours if you're savvy enough. San Jose has some good eating and music but overall a pretty dumpy city, I could think of ten places in Colombia I'd rather visit and it's not like Colombia has Paris and Monaco itself.