Cartagena Reports

[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?

[Linyjo]

All the buildings (at least any you want to stay at) make you register on check in and give you a wrist band. If you try to go up the elevators without that wrist band security will stop you. It's their job to keep out anyone who shouldn't be in the building. When you bring a chica over you register her and she either gets a wristband like yours and can stay there with you or a visitors wrist band which can be used before curfew hours.

Even for buildings without wrist bands, it is not a good idea to avoid security or sneak a girl to your room.

Besides protecting the building, they are there for your protection. By showing ID, you know the girl is old enough and you have a record of who you brought into your space. What happens if she rips you off or causes a scene and / or destroys property or a hundred other things I can think of.

I am glad they got her ID, know who she is, if for some reason, we need to know down the road.

[DeepXliv]

All the buildings (at least any you want to stay at) make you register on check in and give you a wrist band. If you try to go up the elevators without that wrist band security will stop you. It's their job to keep out anyone who shouldn't be in the building. When you bring a chica over you register her and she either gets a wristband like yours and can stay there with you or a visitors wrist band which can be used before curfew hours.

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.

[YippieKayay]

I'm not understanding the problem with how people are getting stopped? When I go to a hotel, I just walk straight to the elevators and go to my room, usually no one is bold enough to say anything. How does it work here? Should I ask the hotels prior? Do any have entrances that don't require walking by front desk?

All the buildings (at least any you want to stay at) make you register on check in and give you a wrist band. If you try to go up the elevators without that wrist band security will stop you. It's their job to keep out anyone who shouldn't be in the building. When you bring a chica over you register her and she either gets a wristband like yours and can stay there with you or a visitors wrist band which can be used before curfew hours.