Cartagena Reports

[Linyjo]

So just any checking account / debit card that doesn't have international fees is my best option?

I am probably the minority but I got sick of ATM's that rip you off and bank fees. I just bring $1,000 in $100 bills. Exchange a few hundred at a time at an exchange place and keep the rest in the safe or well hidden in an envelope in the condo. I've never had any issues except my last trip, when I left the well hidden envelope in the condo on check out with $300 in it. Totally my fault, just being a stupid.

Juan had recovered the envelope by the end of the day and PayPal the money to me the next day. Another reason to stay with the providers that are well represented and reviewed.

[Linyjo]

If were to ask me, I wouldn't stay at a hotel if I was looking to bring back a different chica each day, 2 chicas for a 3 some, etc. If I am going the different chica a day, 3 somes, entertain girls back at my place approach, I'd rent an apartment, and just like Linyjo is doing, I'd rent an apartment from Juan or Mery in Laguito. I don't like problems. I don't like hassles. I don't like to overly complicate things. When renting an apartment in CTG, I like to deal with people who have a long-standing solid reputation with many a guy before me and who have apartments in buildings with porteros who are solid, honest guys in buildings who allow guests without hassle or expectation of a greased handshake.

Totally agree. Many buildings fit this bill. You are not stuck in a single room, usually have a nice patio overlooking the ocean and plenty of room to stretch out and relax. Plus the extra rooms open better opportunities for sex in places besides just on the bed or in the shower.

You get a full size fridge and can make a few meals if you want. Chicas love to make you food for some reason, to show off their worth I guess. Maid service is cheap, have them come in every few days or in most cases, the girls clean the place up and most places have washer and dryer in unit to clean the sheets.

[Linyjo]

How much do you pay the girl per day if you take her on a trip if you've already built a good relationship with her. Obviously we're already taking care of food, accommodations and travel. Just wondering what a good price to look for would be.

Depends on the relationship you have built. I can only talk about my experiences with girls in Cartagena. I took two trips last year and one trip so far this year with a second one planned for next month. Once I built the relationship with the first girl from last year, I got the benefit this year of her providing a fill in for her since she was out of country when I visited this year.

Last year, my first trip with Claudia, before we met we agreed on 200,000 ($71) a night for 5 nights. On our second trip she agreed to come for free but I still gave her 1,000,000 ($357) after a 7 night trip. Averaged out to 143,00 ($51) a night.

This year my trip with Maria started as an agreed 300,000 ($107) a night but after 3 nights, she stayed the last two nights for free. Averaged out to 180,000 ($65) a night. She made me really happy and did some extras, so after tip and travel costs, she got 1,100,000 ($393) for 5 nights, averaged to 220,000 ($79) a night.

My second trip next month, arrangement is she is coming for free but assuming I am happy at the end, I intend to give her 1,000,000 ($357) for 7 nights, averages to 143,000 ($51) a night, "to help with school expenses".

Factor in that you buy meals and drinks and pay for entertainment at times, just as you would with your girlfriend. It doesn't add up to much, these girls just eat fruit and chicken so meals are cheap. We buy beer and bottles of alcohol in stores and don't spend much in bars, we party on the patio overlooking the beach instead. A trip to a museum or tourist attraction is usually only a few dollars.

Experience may vary according to many things, does she like you, do you give her good sex, do you treat her nice, do you dress well, smell good and how well you groom. Do you stay in comfortable places with nice amenities or in a shit hole? When you are out and about and she likes that bathing suit or dress for 30,000 ($10) or 40,000 ($14) and doesn't ask you for it, do you get it for her anyway? (With me, if she asks me to buy it for her, I most likely say no, if she doesn't ask or reaches into her purse to buy it herself, I usually get it for her.) When you go to the market for cigarettes and beer do you bring back 8,000 ($3) worth of flowers?

All that being said, In centro or at the beach, I never find it hard to find a new girl before late afternoon to spend the night for 150,000 ($54) to 200,000 ($71) a night. If things go well, the price usually drops and the length of stay gets extended. If your reasonably attractive, a gentleman and treat her like a wife and not a paid for piece of ass, the relationship develops and escalates quickly. Everything I said is with the caveat that I almost always steer clear of pro's. I seek semi pro and non pro college girls looking more for fun and good sex than for money and hustling back to the tower to find another victim.

Once you find one good one, you are set. She will pimp you out to her friends and relatives and keep the good times rolling and the cash in your pocket.

[Hilltopper]

So just any checking account / debit card that doesn't have international fees is my best option?

A checking account with no international fees is the best route. Most major USA Banks will charge a 3% international fee for ATM debit card transaction. Many of the machines in Colombia now charge a ATM machine transaction fee that amounts to around $3 - 4 usd. Personally, I use an online bank that doesn't charge a separate fee and reimburses you for the ATM charge of up to $10 per month per card. (I intentionally set-up multiple accounts at that bank, no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirement, etc., each having an ATM card, except 1 account with no ATM card that I use to "park" money that I then sprinkle to the other accounts with a card. Not necessary for the occasional traveler to Colombia. I am a frequent traveler).

Also, while a particular machine may have a 300 or 600 mil limit per withdrawal, you can make multiple withdrawals from the machine in the same day up to your own bank's maximum. I've read previously here where a guy states that one is limited to say 3 withdrawals. That's incorrect information. I have done as many as 10 consecutive withdrawals using the same card on multiple occasions. Why did I stop at 10? Because I only wanted 3 million pesos while using a 300 mil max machine.

If you fly into CTG, after you get your baggage and clear the last step of security and end up outside the building, walk toward the departure section of the airport. Go to the far back wall area of the airline check-in section that is nearest the domestic departure area. There will be a back wall of 6 or so ATM machines. While facing those machines, the one to furthermost right is Banco Caja Social. That bank has not started charging ATM fees yet. The max per transaction will be 300 mil, but you can take as many pulls of 300 mil up to your bank's daily max in your home country currency.

Because I don't like to have to go to the ATM when I'm out and about, I will get as much as I think I will need for the next several days or more. Once I arrive at my apartment rental or hotel, I put all the excess currency, my debit cards, my passport, etc. , in the room safe.

That's the way I like to do things. Different strokes for different folks.

[Hilltopper]

I agree with your comment. However this is relevant for Cartagena only.
Hotels in Cartagena are very strict and require the Guest to be "registered". This is not the case in rest of Colombia (excluding the high-end Hotels in Bogota).

I prefer a Hotel because the Room gets cleaned every day. Also, if you do not like the Room, you may be able to switch to another Room.

~BKKguru

As to the rest of Colombia, our experience has been different, as I have been required to register my guest in hotels in the following cities: Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Covenas, Monteria, Bogota, Medellin, Bucaramanga and half dozen or more smaller towns throughout the country. Maybe one considers the hotels that I've stayed-in "high-end", although I don't, but a couple of them.

When I stay in an apartment and get it cleaned everyday or every other day, depending on my needs, it costs less than an extra $10 usd per cleaning (wash and dry my clothes as well). I like to have a full fridge, stove, microwave, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, balcony waterside, etc. , for a cost more times than not less than a small hotel room.

[BKKguru]

May I ask why a hotel?
<snip>

I have stayed in hotels throughout Colombia, apartments more times than not offer more pros than cons if you are the type who brings back a different girl the same day, the next day, etc.

Hotels are nice when you are "wifed-up" with one chica whose name you include on the reservation.... .

I agree with your comment. However this is relevant for Cartagena only.
Hotels in Cartagena are very strict and require the Guest to be "registered". This is not the case in rest of Colombia (excluding the high-end Hotels in Bogota).

I prefer a Hotel because the Room gets cleaned every day. Also, if you do not like the Room, you may be able to switch to another Room.

~BKKguru

[Hilltopper]

I'm not looking to use a love motel unless I'm really horny. I'll be bringing the girls back to my place whether it is a hotel or Airbnb. I'm just looking to make sure before hand I won't have any issues bringing the girl to my room. Taking into consideration cost, location, convince and security. I have some time before my trip so I'll keep doing research to figure out what the best option is. I'm not wife up or anything but if it is a hotel or Airbnb I can probably pay via business without having anyone ask questions.

If were to ask me, I wouldn't stay at a hotel if I was looking to bring back a different chica each day, 2 chicas for a 3 some, etc. If I am going the different chica a day, 3 somes, entertain girls back at my place approach, I'd rent an apartment, and just like Linyjo is doing, I'd rent an apartment from Juan or Mery in Laguito. I don't like problems. I don't like hassles. I don't like to overly complicate things. When renting an apartment in CTG, I like to deal with people who have a long-standing solid reputation with many a guy before me and who have apartments in buildings with porteros who are solid, honest guys in buildings who allow guests without hassle or expectation of a greased handshake.

[DeepXliv]

Yes, she is very excited to be going. She visited once with her family and told me it was very beautiful and romantic.

She claims it is cheaper than staying in the city and has a more relaxed vibe without all the tourist and hustle bustle. A place we can relax like on a honeymoon.

She can be territorial when we are together, I don't think she is one I will be inviting a third in for a threesome with but that is OK, she is a handful in bed that I can barely handle anyway.

Will probably come back down after Easter break and take her there. I was also looking at San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Anyone ever been there?

How much do you pay the girl per day if you take her on a trip if you've already built a good relationship with her. Obviously we're already taking care of food, accommodations and travel. Just wondering what a good price to look for would be.

[DeepXliv]

ATMs have a max per transaction. In Cartagena the most I was able to take out is 720 k per transaction. That's usually more than enough for a day. Cash is only used for vendors and chicas. Every restaurant accepts plastic.

Credit card advances usually come with fees, and the interest starts on them immediately. I just take money out of my checking account. After the first few days I don't need the ATM machine anymore (unless I'm red nosed drunk and sleeping under a blackjack table).

So just any checking account / debit card that doesn't have international fees is my best option?

[DeepXliv]

May I ask why a hotel?

The typical answers I hear are either 1) I want my wife to know where I stay and see the charge on our CC; 2) It's being paid for using a company credit card; 3) I'm using brand loyalty points.

I'm just curious, because while I have stayed in hotels throughout Colombia, apartments more times than not offer more pros than cons if you are the type who brings back a different girl the same day, the next day, etc.

Hotels are nice when you are "wifed-up" with one chica whose name you include on the reservation, and then also when you don't want chicas to come where you stay and instead exclusively use love motels to make the love. .

I'm not looking to use a love motel unless I'm really horny. I'll be bringing the girls back to my place whether it is a hotel or Airbnb. I'm just looking to make sure before hand I won't have any issues bringing the girl to my room. Taking into consideration cost, location, convince and security. I have some time before my trip so I'll keep doing research to figure out what the best option is. I'm not wife up or anything but if it is a hotel or Airbnb I can probably pay via business without having anyone ask questions.

[YippieKayay]

I checked and my credit card doesn't have international fee's so based on what I've read I should get hit with the cash advance fee for the credit card and still be ahead by getting the best exchange rate correct? Next question is do you guys take out as much as you can per transaction or for the length of your stay or take it day by day to avoid getting robbed / spending more money than necessary?

ATMs have a max per transaction. In Cartagena the most I was able to take out is 720 k per transaction. That's usually more than enough for a day. Cash is only used for vendors and chicas. Every restaurant accepts plastic.

Credit card advances usually come with fees, and the interest starts on them immediately. I just take money out of my checking account. After the first few days I don't need the ATM machine anymore (unless I'm red nosed drunk and sleeping under a blackjack table).

[Hilltopper]

Ohh okay, I guess that removes some security concerns. I'll start emailing some of the hotels and see where I don't have to pay extra.

May I ask why a hotel?

The typical answers I hear are either 1) I want my wife to know where I stay and see the charge on our CC; 2) It's being paid for using a company credit card; 3) I'm using brand loyalty points.

I'm just curious, because while I have stayed in hotels throughout Colombia, apartments more times than not offer more pros than cons if you are the type who brings back a different girl the same day, the next day, etc.

Hotels are nice when you are "wifed-up" with one chica whose name you include on the reservation, and then also when you don't want chicas to come where you stay and instead exclusively use love motels to make the love. .

[DeepXliv]

I checked and my credit card doesn't have international fee's so based on what I've read I should get hit with the cash advance fee for the credit card and still be ahead by getting the best exchange rate correct? Next question is do you guys take out as much as you can per transaction or for the length of your stay or take it day by day to avoid getting robbed / spending more money than necessary?

[Starlord1]

Yes, she is very excited to be going. She visited once with her family and told me it was very beautiful and romantic.

She claims it is cheaper than staying in the city and has a more relaxed vibe without all the tourist and hustle bustle. A place we can relax like on a honeymoon.

She can be territorial when we are together, I don't think she is one I will be inviting a third in for a threesome with but that is OK, she is a handful in bed that I can barely handle anyway.

Will probably come back down after Easter break and take her there. I was also looking at San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Anyone ever been there?

I'm going for labor. Found a non pro to go with me. Will see how that works out. San Andreas is a ***** to get to and also it's slightly expensive. All the hotels and abbs aren't that good of quality either.

[Linyjo]

Santa Marta is perfect for your favorite chica. About 30 minutes from the airport is a nice area by the park. Near towns of restaurants. I even pulled from a casa called. Old something LOL for a threesome with me and my favorite LOL. It's more on the romantic side.

Yes, she is very excited to be going. She visited once with her family and told me it was very beautiful and romantic.

She claims it is cheaper than staying in the city and has a more relaxed vibe without all the tourist and hustle bustle. A place we can relax like on a honeymoon.

She can be territorial when we are together, I don't think she is one I will be inviting a third in for a threesome with but that is OK, she is a handful in bed that I can barely handle anyway.

Will probably come back down after Easter break and take her there. I was also looking at San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Anyone ever been there?