Cartagena Reports

[Questner]

I would suggest buying top shelf in duty free on a way into Cartagena.

I can recommend this one (at least wine prices are better generally):

http://www.cccaribeplaza.com/marcas/jumbo

You can check for prices here: https://www.tiendasjumbo.co/supermer...inos-y-licores.

[AlwaysHorny 2]

Thanks Mojo. Your response shows the beauty of this forum when members share great info. I try my best not to ask questions that can easily be researched. Not much comes up when using the words liquor and especially top shelf.

Not trying to come off as a snob, but I can't drink cheap liquor. I don't drink that often as I near 50 years of age. I eat fairly healthy and when I drink hard liquor or eat "bad" food my body let's me know it doesn't like it.

Bourbon is actually my go to drink. When I do drink, it's usually Basil Hayden. It used to be Bulleit, but either my tastes have changed or they did something to the formula. I also love Tequilas. Don Julio blanco was my favorite even during the Patron craze started many years ago. I never really cared for it. I'm more of a neat or block ice sipper now, so I have switched to Anejos. My favorite drink on this earth is Dos Artes extra anejo. It's not an every day drink for sure. At least my budget. You can't get it now due to COVID, but if I ran into it anywhere. I'm buying it.

For vacation, I shell out a few extra coins. Not Johnny Blue money, but like Mccallan 12 or Don Julio anejo. I'm well versed in liquor prices and I have a few websites to use as reference. However, if I see those two in duty free and the price is somewhat reasonable, I'm buying it. Don't want to run the risk of not having it just to save a few bucks. It is a pity that duty free is not as good in the past. You used to be able to score some great deals.

I know I'll probably get dragged for this next comment. Same with chicas. If I find one that I'm really vibing with and she's an 8+, I'll fork over 200 k instead of the standard 150 k. All day and twice on Sunday's LOL.

[Mojo Bandit]

Is top shelf liquor for sale in Cartagena?. Asking for myself. The chicas can drink rum.

I am not sure you can get all "top shelf liquors", I am originally from Kentucky so I keep my eyes out for top shelf Bourbon (a word to the wise: if it is not made in Kentucky it is not Bourbon, it is just whiskey masquerading as bourbon). I saw no bourbons while I was in Colombia, I do not search thoroughly but I keep my eyes peeled. So that is one of the things that I think of when you say top shelf, I think of say a single batch single barrel Bourbon whiskey, not everyone does. I have seen these Blue Label Johnny Walker Scotch, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Don Julio Tequila (rarely), Kettle One Vodka, Grand Old Parr is a scotch whiskey that is loved in Colombia and found in abundance on the coast, it is considered to be as good as Johnny Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal. Grand Old Parr is owned by the British company Diageo which also owns some of the other top shelf brands that I mentioned and some I did not because I do not consider them top shelf, Johnny Walker, Don Julio, Kettle One, Tanqueray, but also own Baileys, Guinness beer, Captain Morgan and slew of other labels, My point being that if you find Coca Cola some place you usually also find Sprite, so I would imagine that if Diageo has distribution in Colombia they are probably sending most of their brands there.

Again though I am not sure what you are specifically looking for. I personally would start my search at either an Exito or a Carulla supermarket, but her are some other leads to track down liquor. I copied the addrtess straight from Google Maps so people can just copy and paste them into google maps to find the places, that's also why there is some all caps.

This spot in Getsemani looks to have a lot of good labels. Comercializadora Donde Hector, Address BARRIO GETSEMANI CALLE LA MEDIA LUNA #9-95, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

Liquor Deluxe, Address: CL. 35 #3-54, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

El Sitio, Address: Playa #30-31, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia.

[UnknownGuy]

I was told this was the beach with less vendors than Playa Blanca. Vendors don't bother me. I say no gracias then keep walking ignoring them. They get the idea real quick as if they're invisible to me. After a few days of seeing me and knowing I'm going to say no, they don't even bother.

Here's some pictures I took in Jan 2020. This is about a mile or 2 down from Playa Blanca. We took a lancha there from Playa Blanca. Its nicer down there with much less people around and no hawkers about. I hired a taxi driver for the day to take us there and be my valet for whatever we needed. We had food and drinks, massages and rented a jet ski. I also had a lot of great meals in Cartagena for about 2/3 what I would pay here in a major US city.

[AlwaysHorny 2]

You are allowed 2 bottles of liquor into Colombia. Most Duty Frees are a ripoff and you will fare better going to the local grocery store. What I have done recently is visiit my local liquor store in the States and written down the prices in my phone of the things I drink. Then as I travel around, I write the prices of particular duty frees and overseas grocery stores. I have also been to the military base to write prices from there.

You can go to your app store and download check-mig for the immigration documents.

Is top shelf liquor for sale in Cartagena?. Asking for myself. The chicas can drink rum.

[AlwaysHorny 2]

Since Cartagena has started requiring all visitors to have a negative PCR test Prior to entering the country, I've noticed the Airbnbs rental have been less restricted with their requirements of visitation. The prices have dropped On the rooms so I've noticed.

I cancelled my previous arrangements and got an Airbnb in Laquito for less than $300 for five nights. Guest (visitor) friendly with no extra fee. It took some searching and very specific questions asked. It's a nice spot with a balcony. The only drawback is lake view instead of ocean view. My previous location had a direct view of the sunset.

[UnknownGuy]

I used the BBVA ATMs located around the corner of the clock tower plaza. Never charged a fee abs rates were somewhere over 3500 pesos. But my friend was charged $5 with every withdrawal so it depends on your bank.

Hi everyone,

I've been reading on here for months and never posted anything yet but would like to thank you all for all the info I've gotten from your reports.

I'm arriving in Cartagena on Monday with a group of friends and would like to know current exchange rate and where to exchange money. I know ATMs are everyone's go to but we will be renting a yacht and doing some pricey activities so we need more cash than an ATM will spit out on several occasions. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

Thanks in advance for any info, and thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge.

[Ty Down]

Since Cartagena has started requiring all visitors to have a negative PCR test Prior to entering the country, I've noticed the Airbnbs rental have been less restricted with their requirements of visitation. The prices have dropped On the rooms so I've noticed.

Yes indeed.

[Mr Enternational]

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

You are allowed 2 bottles of liquor into Colombia. Most Duty Frees are a ripoff and you will fare better going to the local grocery store. What I have done recently is visiit my local liquor store in the States and written down the prices in my phone of the things I drink. Then as I travel around, I write the prices of particular duty frees and overseas grocery stores. I have also been to the military base to write prices from there.

You can go to your app store and download check-mig for the immigration documents.

[PerkinWarbeck]

Hey guys. When they ask for the PCR test, should you have the paper or a pdf version on your phone?

[GrownMan1]

My buddy just booked this Airbnb in Centro Historico. 5 star, "guest friendly". Guys name is Juan, he said no problem bringing guest to apartment, but NO Parties!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4679894...sts=1&adults=1

Since Cartagena has started requiring all visitors to have a negative PCR test Prior to entering the country, I've noticed the Airbnbs rental have been less restricted with their requirements of visitation. The prices have dropped On the rooms so I've noticed.

[AmorPorFavor]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading on here for months and never posted anything yet but would like to thank you all for all the info I've gotten from your reports.

I'm arriving in Cartagena on Monday with a group of friends and would like to know current exchange rate and where to exchange money. I know ATMs are everyone's go to but we will be renting a yacht and doing some pricey activities so we need more cash than an ATM will spit out on several occasions. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

Thanks in advance for any info, and thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge.

A year ago there was a cash exchange place in the big mall in Bocagrande at 5th st and oceanfront. It was on one of the higher floors. After factoring in ATM fees their rate was about the same as using an ATM. Have fun.

[OmarZeno]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading on here for months and never posted anything yet but would like to thank you all for all the info I've gotten from your reports.

I'm arriving in Cartagena on Monday with a group of friends and would like to know current exchange rate and where to exchange money. I know ATMs are everyone's go to but we will be renting a yacht and doing some pricey activities so we need more cash than an ATM will spit out on several occasions. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

Thanks in advance for any info, and thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge.

[AmorPorFavor]

Thanks guys! I did a little more research and it doesn't seem as expensive as I thought. I guess those prices of $200+ are for a private boat. I don't need that. I'm ok with a group ferry.

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day. Here is the link - https://reservadeplayas.cartagena.gov.co. I plan on going on a Thursday so I shouldn't have too much of an issue. The problem is that I can only make a reservation for 1 person. I would like to option to bring a chica with me if I found someone that seemed cool and low maintenance enough to tag along.

The pictures of the beach proves it is exactly what I'm looking for. Punta Arenas, seems to be a step down and I actually want something a little less crowded.

AmorPorFavor, how much did you pay for the private driver for the day? If reasonable, that might be a viable option. Nice scenery in those pics! LOL.

Around $100, I don't remember exactly. Its about an hour drive each way and I had him for the whole day. He took lots of nice pics and video's of us.

[Mr Enternational]

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day.

I drove there from Barranquilla in Decemeber. Time before that I went by van and taxi from Barranquilla. Taxi round trip from the van drop off in Cartagena was 200K alone; that is what made me rent a car the next time.

The GPS cut out when I got to the dirt road that the beach is on. I asked a guy that was on a motorbike and he led me the rest of the way. He had on a Playa Blanca shirt. Turned out he worked there and took us right to the spot that he works.

I did not see anyone counting people. Maybe that is something they will do for the boats, but not the people driving. The good thing was that the boats that usually run bringing tourists were not running. I guess there is no demand for it due to covid. You will be in paradise before 10 AM, but when those things start arriving polluting and crowding up the water it sucks.