Cartagena Reports

[Shamester]

Is this location around a one hour taxi ride from Cartegena?

Please advise.

[Shamester]

After checking in to a hotel close to the clock tower I decided to walk around. My room is tiny but has excellent split air. The real feel is 100 degrees plus. Do not like being around so many backpackers.

Walked to the harbor and ran into a touter about boat tours. A guide on Trip Advisor e-mailed that the best way to see the islands was to book directly at the harbor. The tour is 50 mil including lunch as opposed to an organised tour that costs over $100 US. Sure enough I accidentally ran into the tour boats at the harbor and booked pronto. The touter Alvaro, spoke decent English. Asked about chicas. Told me about a good casa called Angeles. Jumped in a taxi to show me.

Angeles is located at Av. Crisanto Laque Diag 22 #38-69, tel 301.338. 0656,313. 524.6036, open 200 pm to 300 am. 7000 mil taxi ride from clock tower. Arrived maybe around 1230 pm. Staff opened facility. A few decent chica were available. Honed in on a slim fair skinned hot beauty 20 why / o from Venezuela named Lorena. Sort of looked Filipino. Nice tits with a teenager body. Claimed to have only arrived 4 days ago. Unable to be a prostitute in Venezuela due to very strict laws. Amazing figure. She was ready pronto. Alvaro was going to front the $ -- 150 mil for one hour. Declined but decided to return later. Talked about her going on the boat tour.

Took a four hour city tour. Magnificent city with amazing building and sites. Romantic and nice to spend time with a quality mate. Many many hot gringo chicas. There was hot Brazilian chica on tour with her significant other. Cover girl face.

Returned to hotel and headed to Angeles. Crowded. The front area allows you to touch and feel the chicas without buying drinks. Decent chicas. Proceeded to the bar area. Some trouble recognizing Lorena since she was dolled up -- preferred the more natural no makeup cutoff jeans look. Paid the fee and proceeded.

Already sensed a different attitude -- the prissy attitude surfaced. The room was decent and not hot. Some decent foreplay. Allowed kissing. Instructed me to place down to condoms. Skin felt like velvet. No blemishes and no kids. Lives at the facility. Again, paying majority of the $ for young beauty. Majority of the time it is a trade off. BJ had zero finesse. We both knew I was going to have a difficult time cumming. Decided to perform missionary since I wanted to kiss and pump simultaneously. OK in this position. Tried to put her legs up but she declined.

Changed to cowgirl which was more about dribbling a basketball. Finally cummed at around 25 minutes. She then declined the second round even with a propina which I was not going to pay anyway. Decent massage -- it was sure nice to feel her warm pussy on my back. Her English accent started to become annoying -- reminds of Puerto Rican chicas with that cocky prissy attitude. She wanted to leave. Convinced her to give a hand job while I played with her body. Decent. Whining about finishing and only one time cumming for one hour was redirected and ignored.

Finally cummed. Left the room and told the first staff I encountered who spoke some English about her poor attitude -- he immediately confronted her. Told the bar manager and he was annoyed. Told me to select a different girl next time. On my way out it was amusing to watch the wannabe Julio Iglesias lover boys. Taxied back to clock tower area. Place is best for Spanish speakers. Shall not return.

Started at Tu Candela Bar. Nice place but the only cerveza was Miller. Departed. Alozeta is closed for remodeling. Guide told me about bars adjacent to hotel Monterrey. Found a decent mulatta named Carmen who lived upstairs. Quoted 100 mil for una hora. Skeptical. She said sexo multiple times was fine. Obtained phone number for possible follow up.

Walked back to the hotel. A touter was asking me what kind of chica I wanted. Informed young and slim. Right next to my hotel is a casa. Produced one pronto. Wanted 200 k for one hour. Forget it. Good chica but not at that price. Shall investigate further.

[Shamester]

If you have a problem getting a hang on the simple taxi rates your really going to get fucked by the girls. And it won't be in a good way.

Chill out dude -- you get offended by minutia. Sorry we are not with your superior odometer.

Both ways are okay. Agree about negotiating prior to departing. It is still interesting that the same distance can be different prices by taxi drivers. The differential may only be 1000 mil. I guess my rule book was unavailable to point out the discrepancy. Sorry baby.

[TheShadow2]

I am with Hilltopper. Meters are better, but why wasting time in wishing what is not used here?

I never had a single problem of fares in CTG. I pay 6 k between Bocagrande and Centro, I can assess MORE OR LESS the rates for longer distances and that's it. So easy!
I agree before entering the taxi the fare I will pay, and who cares if it is not EXACTLY the precise fare that should be due?? 2k-5k more are my tip for the driver.

Much better this system than the silly system used in USA, where there is a meter indeed, but then you are forced to add 10% or 20% as "gratuity". Bullshit!

Ok guys, I guess it's as Hiltopper said, "Different strokes for different folks". However, I still much prefer a meter, to me it's not even a debate.
I see one of our differences here in Blackpage's post: "who cares if it is not EXACTLY the precise fare that should be due?? 2k-5k more are my tip for the driver."
Well, I care. I care a lot actually. Can I afford 1-4 dollars extra? Sure, they need it a lot more than I do, I'm sure. And I tip in Cartagena more often than most do. But, I resent the "gringo tax". In other words, that "tip" is not
really voluntary in this case. I take it as the taxi driver thinking "ok, this is a dumb fucking gringo, fuck him, I'll rip him off a little and the dumb fuck won't know any better." If I let him do that, it just encourages him to do it to the next guy.
And knowing the fare is a step in the right direction, but it still doesn't spare you the confrontation with the driver when he tries to charge you extra. Sure, if you got the correct fare, you can just hand it to him amid
his cursing you out, and tell him to fuck off. Although, keep in mind that I've had at least one friend who actually went to fist city with a taxi driver in this way. Yes, he kicked the guys ass, but then the guys family came around for revenge. Not good.
Let me give you another example. I've spent a lot of time in Cartagena over the past 15 years so I know the rates. Recently I was going almost every day to Caribe Plaza from Laguito. Now, when I would return from there, the taxi stand at Caribe Plaza would print me out a ticket, which clearly stated the fare was 8mil. But whenever I took the taxi from Laguito to Caribe Plaza, they would ask for 10-12 mil. One day I made sure I had exact fare, and handed the 8mil to the guy as we arrived. Well, he wanted 10 mil, and this little 90lb 70 year old ladrone proceeded to cuss me out one side and down the other. I dropped the 8mil in the front seat, and told him to call the cops if he didn't like it as I got out. Fun times, huh?
So, the next day, I tried a different strategy. I waited for a taxi in Laguito, and when they would stop, I'd ask "How much to Caribe Plaza". The guy says 10mil. So, I argue with him, and he keeps insisting it's 10 mil, so I tell him no and shut the door.
So, 2 minutes later, I try it with the next guy. Same result. And with the next 3 drivers, the same. So now I've been standing out in the hot sun,wasting my time because I don't want to pay the ladrones their gringo tax. Finally I called one of my friends who's a driver, and he got me there for the right fare. But my point is, the system sucks unless you like having a confrontation 50% of the time. I don't. Give me a meter any day.
And P.S., I know 4-5 drivers in Cartagena who are good drivers, you can trust, and won't overcharge you. Using them most of the time is the only way I keep my sanity. If anyone wants their cell phone numbers, PM me. A couple of them speak english as well.

[Jelly Donut]

Daniela claims to be 19 and that seems likely. She pulled out her identification while I was hanging out with her, but I didn't check either the name or the date. She is currently working the Torre del Reloj in Centro area after midnight. I had mixed results with her. For instance, on this night, I was so unmotivated while fucking her I stopped to take some photographs. Still, she insisted on finishing me off, which does not always happen in those situations. The lowest price I had quoted in the Torre del Reloj area was 80 k COP (I think I could have worked that down another 30 k if I had the energy for it) the highest was 300 k COP for a couple of girls. They quickly backed down to 250 k COP, but they did not excite me much and the negotiations went nowhere. Cartagena seems to be much less than what is was years ago, or maybe my old mind is playing tricks on me, but it's still a wonderful distraction.

[You Can]

If you have a problem getting a hang on the simple taxi rates your really going to get fucked by the girls. And it won't be in a good way.

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

[You Can]

You don't need no fucking rule book do a quick review of the board and a baby could know the rates.

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

[You Can]

Agree the cabs are so cheap in Cartagena you can't beat it. Never had a problem.

I am with Hilltopper. Meters are better, but why wasting time in wishing what is not used here?

I never had a single problem of fares in CTG. I pay 6 k between Bocagrande and Centro, I can assess MORE OR LESS the rates for longer distances and that's it. So easy!
I agree before entering the taxi the fare I will pay, and who cares if it is not EXACTLY the precise fare that should be due?? 2k-5k more are my tip for the driver.

Much better this system than the silly system used in USA, where there is a meter indeed, but then you are forced to add 10% or 20% as "gratuity". Bullshit!

.

[Black Page]

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

I am with Hilltopper. Meters are better, but why wasting time in wishing what is not used here?

I never had a single problem of fares in CTG. I pay 6 k between Bocagrande and Centro, I can assess MORE OR LESS the rates for longer distances and that's it. So easy!
I agree before entering the taxi the fare I will pay, and who cares if it is not EXACTLY the precise fare that should be due?? 2k-5k more are my tip for the driver.

Much better this system than the silly system used in USA, where there is a meter indeed, but then you are forced to add 10% or 20% as "gratuity". Bullshit!

[Shamester]

Arrived to CTG via Viva Colombia. Nosisey flight with many passengers who acted as though this was their first airline flight.

Small and efficient airport. Directed to a taxi stand. Showed the girl my hotel address. Presented me a receipt of 10.000 mil. Very cheap. Much different vibe than MDE. MDE was hot -- CTG is boiling with real feel 100 degrees plus.

[Gotta GO]

A hotel for tomorrow night for myself and a wingman. Then we will meet Mery or Juan on Thursday morning to check out apartments. Been to Cartagena 5 other times and Colombia at least 20 times and all over the Spanish speaking world. I also speak Spanish.

I have been banging non pros for almost 15 years but we plan to go to take part in P4P when necessary which will probably be everyday in Craphole Cartagena .

If someone has had a good experience with a hotel that is nice where we can drop our bags and hit the bars tomorrow night let me know. Bocagrande preferably.

Unless its high season I never book without seeing the property first. Cartagena is only 43% occupied this week.

[Hilltopper]

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

Goodness, who suggested to carry round a rule book? Wasn't the guy who was thoghtful enough to share a link here so others less experienced could learn them. Why make it more diificult, LOL.

[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!