Cartagena Reports

[Tiny 12]

Tom, it's funny you mention the Santa Clara. A lot of colombianas seem to be obsessed with that place as well as the Hilton in Bocagrande and the false status it brings. We stepped in the Santa Clara to take a look and my crazy girl has the audacity to ask for prices, and look at one of the rooms, like she's planning to stay there. Maybe it's my practical upbringing, but I have no interest whatsoever in forking over big bucks to these overrated and overpriced venues, they don't impress or interest me that much.

I stayed there once.- I was with a nonpro girlfriend and wanted to keep her as far away from Laguito as possible. I agree with your assessment. The room is equivalent of what you'd pay 70% less for in a suburban hotel in the U. S. And there's no beach. I've stayed at Las Americas too, which was not quite as expensive, but rundown considering the price. Apartments are indeed the best option.

[AddictedToWomen]

Phunluv -- Great report. Welcome to exclusive club of those who find the whole Rosario Islands thing as boring as fuck.

fwiw the Hilton can be value for money if you get it on a Deskubra deal, though otherwise its more like a HoJo to my mind and not worth the rack rate.

Santa Clara's another matter though. Never had reason to stay there but have eaten and drunk there and love the place. With the right person for the right occasion that would be worth the money.

As I've mentioned before, one of the, admittedly few, advantages of being over-weight, balding, and middle-aged is that you don't have to fight off the semi-pros.

[Ricker]

As for Studio F dresses, my girl arrived from Bogota with a piece of luggage larger than mine and it was PACKED with Studio F dresses that a former gringo bf had bought for her; most of them, she hadn't even worn yet! Plus a very expensive perfume, can't remember the name but it was almost $200 USD.

That relationship should have been a major warning sign for me to back off. I dated this girl in Sept. Of '07 when I visited Bogota. She seemed a bit flaky but nothing out of the ordinary. We made out a few times and she accompanied me to the airport and kissed me for a loooong time at the security gate before letting me go ...

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Well, anyone with a bit of experience in Colombia has most likely learned the hard-way, some harder than others, how some of these chicas can be.

There are, however, some beautiful, wonderful, caring, non-pro Colombianas out there. Lots of them actually.

Chicas that wouldn't dare let you shop at Studio F or any similar store for them.
There are non-pros who actually watch your back to ensure you're not getting ripped off.

When you see and feel the warning signs of a shark-like chica, they are almost always right.

Walk away from her, and go quickly.

I have fond memories of the NON-Pro chica and her mother filling up a shopping cart in Barranquilla, one hour after meeting them, and ordering me to pay.

Also of the Venezolana, on a first date, stopping into Studio F, selecting a wardrobe and ordering me over to pay.

In both cases, I just quickly disappeared.

They played their cards, and I just don't deal with that.

Too many other chicas who are sweet and unassuming who I'd rather be generous and share my time with.

Good luck amigos.

[Phunluv]

my experience was somewhat similar to tom powers although this one is with a supposed "non-pro" (a term that imho has dubious meaning in colombia).

i will say, i got my own bathing suit for 5k cop as opposed to your girl getting hers for 100k. next time, go to the old city. there's a commercial area there, where you can get stuff for reasonable prices, even non-electric toothbrushes!

1. 2 million cop for dinner for 4 is insane. i don't care if it's at santa clara hotel. that's $150/person, more than many restaurants even in nyc where i live.

as for studio f dresses, my girl arrived from bogota with a piece of luggage larger than mine and it was packed with studio f dresses that a former gringo bf had bought for her; most of them, she hadn't even worn yet! plus a very expensive perfume, can't remember the name but it was almost $200 usd.

that relationship should have been a major warning sign for me to back off. i dated this girl in sept. of '07 when i visited bogota. she seemed a bit flaky but nothing out of the ordinary. we made out a few times and she accompanied me to the airport and kissed me for a loooong time at the security gate before letting me go.

i think this fling she had with the other gringo (which happened between my trip last year to bog and this one to ctg) really spoiled her and screwed with her mind.

not a good thing, because i've come to the conclusion that despite all the hype about colombianas making good wives and affectionate companions, the reality is a whole other story! too many are both flaky in one way and manipulative in another way. and that's before getting spoiled by clueless gringos with too much money to throw around!

back to my story. i decided to "try something different" and "go non-pro" and take a chance with this girl i dated in bogota. i ignored my misgivings about her involvement with another gringo and invited her to accompany me in my vacation to ctg. i figured she was 29 so she couldn't be too immature or much of a problem. i used up 15k avianca ff miles, plus 200k cop in taxes to fly her crazy ass round trip bog/ctg.

long story short, this vacation i just had in mid-sept. '08 was a disappointment. the heat and humidity was bad, at one point, i thought my girl, who's used to the cool weather of bogota, was going to pass out from heat exhaustion! the touts and vendors never left me in peace; even in the rosario islands they were there! and then my crazy "non-pro" girl.

we went out to tu candela as well. we had befriended some venezuelans (many come to ctg for vacation) on a chiva ride we signed up for, which i didn't really care for but she did seem to enjoy the experience. we all decided to check out tu candela and we shared a bottle of absolut and oj. we got a bit hammered at the club, and i was getting annoyed by her attitude, plus she didn't really want to dance with me. told her i wanted to leave, she can tell her new friends i wasn't feeling well. she got mad, said she was leaving also. speaks with the other 2 venezuelan girls and the whole group decides to call it an early night, so we all step out and say our goodbyes.

got in a taxi, and a huge argument breaks out. she's screaming that she's never been out in a club with putas/prepagas and blah, blah. i just laugh at her and tell her she's full of it, this is the most common thing in colombia.

i don't say it to her, but the irony of course, is that i'm a foreigner paying her way for a free vacation in ctg plus a nice evening out payed for by yours truly while she's wearing a dress purchased by an ex-bf gringo. but she's the one acting offended by hanging out with prepagas, wtf?

(by the way, the prepagas do seem to prefer to hang out on the 2nd flr which is where we had gone, downstairs seems to be more of a normal crowd).

she storms out of the taxi as we approach our hotel, i stay in and tell the driver to speed away, and end up at ldv to complete the night the correct way.

after concluding my business at a love motel, i return to my normal hotel in the old city, i find she's gone. turns out she packed and left. i checked with the night manager and he says he's letting her sleep in another room nearby. the tension between us had been building for several days now, and it finally reached a breaking point this night.

this nightmare evening turns into a nightmare morning. she ends up coming back to my hotel room to rest. because she's getting sicker and sicker. in another hour, i end up having to take her ass to the hospital.

at first, i thought it was alcohol poisoning combined with some psycho-somatic bs but it was actually food poisoning according to the doctor. due to some crap seafood she ate earlier that day from one of those beach vendors; we had gone on this ridiculous trip out to one of the not-so-peaceful beaches at the rosario islands. the day before, i had let her choose the cheapest trip option to rosario, which for me was a joyless day-trip, and for her ended up getting an extra trip to the hospital from the unsanitary food these scumbag beach touts sell to tourists at ripoff prices (which i of course paid for the food and the hospital bill).

maybe it was better she didn't seem interested in the more romantic private boat option as that probably would have been a complete waste of money in her case (although i had told her i didn't mind paying extra for that experience).

so check this out: her health card was not accepted for payment outside of bogota! if it wasn't for my kindness, she'd be shit outta luck. the hospital bill was 85k cop, not a huge amount but she of course had absolutely zero. i was really pissed at this point, and i wanted to get rid of her even if i felt somewhat sorry for her in a certain way, since she did seem quite the pathetic sight by this time!

well, i had to endure her for one more day because it's hard to change a reservation same day on avianca when you got it with ff miles, but i was very glad when she was finally gone the next day. i enjoyed my final two days in cartagena without a single non-pro in sight!

so i finally learned my lesson. mind you, i speak fluent spanish and am half hispanic myself! but i'm sticking with the pros and the semi-pros. my vacations are usually quite short, so no more risking wasting my precious time dating or just plain dealing with the nonsense from these flaky, yet manipulative non-pros. i don't think i'd even invite a known good pro on these kinds of trips. i think even that could be asking for trouble.

tom powers, your girl was okay looking, very pretty face, sounds like she's a part time prepaga or semi-pro, not a non-pro. although that nonsense of needing every little thing is probably used by both pro and non-pro colombianas. she probably uses that trick all the time, has a whole wardrobe of studio f dresses that other gringos have bought for her, and a few rich colombianos as well.

tom, it's funny you mention the santa clara. a lot of colombianas seem to be obsessed with that place as well as the hilton in bocagrande and the false status it brings. we stepped in the santa clara to take a look and my crazy girl has the audacity to ask for prices, and look at one of the rooms, like she's planning to stay there. maybe it's my practical upbringing, but i have no interest whatsoever in forking over big bucks to these overrated and overpriced venues, they don't impress or interest me that much. whether it's a prestigious hotel or not, the line workers are pretty much paid the same, with the lion's share going to the corrupt proprietors and their political and paramilitary allies. i'll stick with the mid-range venues, as i have nothing to prove to anyone, certainly not a colombiana!

one last note: on my way back home at ctg airport, i saw a colombiana giving one loooong romantic kiss to her gringo bf at the security gate before he went off, which reminded me of the same thing my crazy girl did to me almost exactly one year before. i think you guys can now draw your own conclusions from that observation without me having to spell it out.

editor's note: i would suggest that the author or another forum member consider posting a link to this report in the reports of distinction thread. please click here for more information.

[Rainman3]

I prefer hotels over apartments. Please suggest a hotel in Laguito around $ 50-75 range.

Thanks,

For your help

Bro, once you do your homework you will find that in Cartagena and in most cities in Colombia you can get much nicer apartments for less money than you can get a hotel room. Juan Ventura has some very nice apartments right in the center of the action. You might want to reconsider unless you are just bound and determined to "pay more for less".

[Dogman2]

I prefer hotels over apartments. Please suggest a hotel in Laguito around $ 50-75 range.

Thanks,

For your help

There are 2 hotels in Laguito:

The Hilton starts at about $270 USD plus tax per night.

Dann Cartagena starts at about $200 USD plus tax per night.

[Smoke]

I am a very experienced monger with conversational spanish skills who will be in Cartagena for the first time from November 20th thru the 28th. Please feel free to PM me if you are going to be in town and want to get together to hit the circuit.

[Tom 33]

I prefer hotels over apartments. Please suggest a hotel in Laguito around $ 50-75 range.

Thanks,

For your help

There are only 3 hotels in Laguito. The Dann and the Hilton are way out of your range. The third is a small place across the street from the Hilton. My guess is that they are out of your range as well.

This one may be in your range: http://www.pietro.com/english/index.htm. It is located about 3 blocks from Laguito in Bocagrande. Hint, their pizza is excellent.

[MJG Dogs]

Maybe the Hotel Dann may offer you something around $100 a night. The Hilton? HA HA HA, outrageous rates.

You may prefer hotels, but I would get an apartment if I were you.

IMHO.

[Player2]

Your best bet is to contact Juan Ventura for an apartment in Laguito.It will cost from 50-80 a night and it is where you want to be(Laguito).Daytime action is the beach in front of the big pink hotel in Boca grande(Tony beach).Night time is La Dolce Vida in Laguito near the apartments ..just ask anyone. Also the casas at night .Not speaking spanish is not fatal but it will present problems,especially with the chicas.

I prefer hotels over apartments. Please suggest a hotel in Laguito around $ 50-75 range.

Thanks,

For your help

[Member #4643]

this january i met up with a sweedish guy from pbh on the beach and we were drinkin with his barranquillera girlfriend and she said she had a girl i should meet. i was really drunk. i remember that afternoon i withdrew 4 x 300, 000 pesos at the servibanca in the olypica 24 horas. anyway, she shows up in a taxi from barranquilla (150, 000) my idea, like i said drunk=stupid. she didn't have a dress to go dancing later so someone suggested getting one. the sweedish guys said studio f. i honestly swore this trip i wouln't be so stupid. the dress and shoes 200, 000 but one of the sweedish guys wanted to put it on his amex. at this point i'm thinkin 350, 000 tln i'm breaking even. some how 50, 000 earings got thrown in. the sweede said you can pay for dinner. they we're staying at santa clara. she looked good in the dress. the sweedes wanted to stay and eat at santa clara. they ordered champagne/wine bill was 1, 200, 000 pesos i aint kiding. when the bill came i thought he'd offer to pay, . he didn't so i said all i have is 400, 000. he paid the rest. i'm not a mooch me and my girl only were 150, 000 plus the 250, 000 for studio f. at this point tom power is starting to sober up. taxis, studio f, dinner and traveler aguilas i'm at 600, 000 = $300. the sweedes start arguing and the one with the girlfriend is fuked up coke/booze he's arguing and the hotel staff are involved. i get in a taxi the two girls are in the back and the sweed is trying to pull his girl out of the taxi hes crying telling her he loves her. i say hey willy come over to myside we talk. once hes walking around the car i say "dale! " and we peel out of there. anyway its only 11 pm and i take the girls to tu candela and we close the place down, they ordered margaritas (all the chicks i ever take out order margaritas) we leave there and we walk to electra somehow the sweedes girl picks up an argentinian guy. i'm all over my girl so we all leave yes including the argentinan. back to my one bedroom in laguito. there in the sala on the hid-a-bed and i'm doing my girl in the bedroom. she was pretty lame certainly not worth, . probably 800, 000 at this point. in the morning the girlfriend goes back to santa clara turns out she feels like the sweed owes her money, . lol. my girl doesn't have a swim suit so we need to go get one after breakfast. i manage to pull of the whole ensemble for 100, 000 including gafas. after the beach we head back for another session and she tells me she needs a tooth brush. so we go in a pharmacy and she picks out one of those electric tooth brushes for 30, 000 i wasn't suprised i've bought toiletries with costenas before. anyway after our session the girls decide its time to go back to barranquilla and i say well its too late for marsol (the executive shuttle) and you better go to the bus terminal because all i have left in my wallet is 40, 000 pesos. so she gets dressed in a whole outfit that would have been fine last night and leaves with all her booty. tln is expensive.

remember, we're all in this together.

tom power

don't sweat the fact that your girl took you for a few hundred dollars. the question is, did you have "the night of your life" (or anything close to it)?

if the answer is yes, and you don't default on your home mortgage as a result of your profligacy, why should you care?

i was a little concerned that the sex wasn't that good, but that is a problem at any price.

p.s. feel free to pm me the contact info on your chica. she seems well worth meeting!

[Tiny 12]

Great story Tom Powers, that had me laughing my ass off. I don't think anybody is going to rip into you for spending too much on a nonpro. You've provided a good example why many here prefer professionals.- they're a lot cheaper, and they know how to fuck better.

[PaulGore]

Hey there is a bar in Pamana city called Boca Torena a lot of sweet girls from Colombia Dominica Republic sex is ten dollars and 6 goes to the girl and four for the room cheek it out.

[Member #3435]

Tom Power,

JESUS you got hosed! Incredible.

Ya think you were maybe scoped too?

[Tom Power]

this january i met up with a sweedish guy from pbh on the beach and we were drinkin with his barranquillera girlfriend and she said she had a girl i should meet. i was really drunk. i remember that afternoon i withdrew 4 x 300, 000 pesos at the servibanca in the olypica 24 horas. anyway, she shows up in a taxi from barranquilla (150, 000) my idea, like i said drunk=stupid. she didn't have a dress to go dancing later so someone suggested getting one. the sweedish guys said studio f. i honestly swore this trip i wouln't be so stupid. the dress and shoes 200, 000 but one of the sweedish guys wanted to put it on his amex. at this point i'm thinkin 350, 000 tln i'm breaking even. some how 50, 000 earings got thrown in. the sweede said you can pay for dinner. they we're staying at santa clara. she looked good in the dress. the sweedes wanted to stay and eat at santa clara. they ordered champagne/wine bill was 1, 200, 000 pesos i aint kiding. when the bill came i thought he'd offer to pay, . he didn't so i said all i have is 400, 000. he paid the rest. i'm not a mooch me and my girl only were 150, 000 plus the 250, 000 for studio f. at this point tom power is starting to sober up. taxis, studio f, dinner and traveler aguilas i'm at 600, 000 = $300. the sweedes start arguing and the one with the girlfriend is fuked up coke/booze he's arguing and the hotel staff are involved. i get in a taxi the two girls are in the back and the sweed is trying to pull his girl out of the taxi hes crying telling her he loves her. i say hey willy come over to myside we talk. once hes walking around the car i say "dale! " and we peel out of there. anyway its only 11 pm and i take the girls to tu candela and we close the place down, they ordered margaritas (all the chicks i ever take out order margaritas) we leave there and we walk to electra somehow the sweedes girl picks up an argentinian guy. i'm all over my girl so we all leave yes including the argentinan. back to my one bedroom in laguito. there in the sala on the hid-a-bed and i'm doing my girl in the bedroom. she was pretty lame certainly not worth, . probably 800, 000 at this point. in the morning the girlfriend goes back to santa clara turns out she feels like the sweed owes her money, . lol. my girl doesn't have a swim suit so we need to go get one after breakfast. i manage to pull of the whole ensemble for 100, 000 including gafas. after the beach we head back for another session and she tells me she needs a tooth brush. so we go in a pharmacy and she picks out one of those electric tooth brushes for 30, 000 i wasn't suprised i've bought toiletries with costenas before. anyway after our session the girls decide its time to go back to barranquilla and i say well its too late for marsol (the executive shuttle) and you better go to the bus terminal because all i have left in my wallet is 40, 000 pesos. so she gets dressed in a whole outfit that would have been fine last night and leaves with all her booty. tln is expensive.

remember, we're all in this together.

tom power