Cartagena Reports

**Wet Nose** · 11-30-23 19:50

From a post on reddit:

Hi there. I'm from Medellin, Colombia, but I travel a lot and I've been thinking about doing a post about Cartagena, as I think many people need to know the reality.

What made me want to do it today was the recent post where a guy talks about his trip through Latin America and how he was robbed in Cartagena.

I would just like you to know that Cartagena is an absolutely spectacular city, I have been to every continent and over 30 countries and I still think Cartagena, in terms of beauty, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but I think it is not worth visiting unless you are up for a very rough and perhaps disappointing experience, and here is why:

The basis of Cartagena's problem is that it has the most corrupt politicians in Colombia, there is so much corruption that there are only very rich or extremely poor people in Cartagena. Of course, there are exceptions, but visiting Cartagena you can see the inequality if you go outside the historic center.

Precisely because of this inequality, there are so many people trying to make you buy something from them, every three seconds (I swear, this is not an exaggeration), they will have sellers trying to sell anything; sometimes aggressively.

What you will not realize unless it is too late, is that many people in Cartagena have created extremely sophisticated strategies to make you pay a lot more than what things cost, especially if you look like a foreigner.

And I'm not talking about a bottle of water costing them $5 when it should cost $1, I'm talking about, almost every day in the Colombian news, we see several foreigners being offered shrimp on the beach, or a massage at a spa center, or a dinner at a restaurant that looks legit, and then their bill goes up to over USD $1500 for some reason the vendors claim. And because there is so much corruption, almost all the police can be bought, which means that these vendors already know the cops and promise them a cut of the money, so the police will be against you.

I teach Spanish as a foreign language, and all of my students have come back incredibly disappointed from their trip to Cartagena. It is still amazing to me how it remains such a popular destination. Just yesterday, my student from Canada came back from Cartagena and told me that the first night he was walking back to his hotel and two policemen (yes, two policemen) robbed him.

Again, I do think that Cartagena is, architecturally, the most beautiful city in Colombia, but the experience is so terrible that it doesn't end up being what anyone expects. I'm sure there are many exceptions and that it is possible to have an amazing time in Cartagena, but if you are planning a trip to this city, please be aware of the things I say.

Cartagena pre-COVID was a much better place to visit. The lockdowns had a dire effect on the people. I wish more people would realize this, but the the majority of Cartageneros earn less than 50 k pesos for an honest day's work. In the barrios east of Armenia, there is truly abject poverty.

Without tourists coming in during lockdowns and with an influx of Venezuelan migrants, the city declined even further. City leadership has been poor as services have declined in quality.

While all this happened, as the lockdowns ended, instagram blew the city up. So while the poor have become even worse off, the city is now receiving an increased amount of tourists that would normally go to Cancun or Punta Cana. Now the gringo pricing is driven way up, and the public beaches in Cartagena proper, which were never a good place to go, have become unbearable.

I live in Manga. A sit down restaurant was just robbed a few blocks from the police center earlier this year. Pie de la Popa is across the bridge and has seen a lot of robberies lately. The police presence is even stronger downtown, and at night, they don't allow motos in, which makes it even safer.

**GeorgeCarta22** · 11-18-23 07:21

Originally Posted by TusiMan [View Original Post]

LOL I feel the exact opposite I only stay at bocagrande, bocagrande and the islands are for the day time, centro for the night time for partying, there is nothing to do in the walled city in the day time after you roamed around the whole place a few times, I usually get a nice beachfront apartment which has nice views so it feels like an actual vacation, you can't get that in centro, you got to know which buildings are chica friendly, and pretty much all of them are if you tip the doorman or make friend's with them.

When I combed through all the airbnb the bocagrande places looked the best. But almost all of them said "no sex tourism".

And I honestly didn't even think about tipping the doorman.

Even with this data point ID be nervous of booking an airbnb that "doesn't allow sex tourism" because I could potentially risk my whole vacation.

**Sammon** · 11-17-23 01:52

Originally Posted by Nypher [View Original Post]

I believe he was killed because instead of giving up the chain, he fought back. That jewelry just isn't worth it.

I used to tell them "don't be flashing money", they told me "stop pocket watching".

I used to tell them "stop trying to take 2 chicas at once", they told "me stop dick policing".

I used to tell them "stop wearing the jewelry", they told me "stop fear mongering".

Can't tell these old heads shit because they stuck in their ways, can't tell these young cats shit because they know everything.

So now I don't say much in the whatsapp groups or forums anymore.

Very good advice for mongers to go anywhere in the world. In addition do not take your wallet. Carry only local currency enough for your needs. Even if you loose it no big deal.

Most of the world robbery happens by being beaten up. Killing is not common but Colombia is different. I felt quite safe in Cartagena even walking at el centro at night. It is better to keep to major thoroughfare where there lots of people walking. I found Uber us quite safe and fairly inexpensive.

**TusiMan** · 11-16-23 06:58

Originally Posted by PerkinWarbeck [View Original Post]

Friends,

Bocagrande and Laguito are for Colombian families, and those families do not want to see or hear Cartagena's sex trade. I'm surprised there are any tourist accommodations that even allow a muchacha to your room. If you need to take a girl somewhere, there is an hourly hotel, Hotel Mar why Sol, that you can take a girl to in Bocagrande.

Either that, or an incall at the girl's place are your best bets.

I have no idea why people still stay down there. There's no night life. The beach sucks. The aren't any good restaurants. No clue.

I only go down there for the occasional outcall if a muchacha catches my eye, or the movie theater in plaza bocagrande that shows new releases in English.

LOL I feel the exact opposite I only stay at bocagrande, bocagrande and the islands are for the day time, centro for the night time for partying, there is nothing to do in the walled city in the day time after you roamed around the whole place a few times, I usually get a nice beachfront apartment which has nice views so it feels like an actual vacation, you can't get that in centro, you got to know which buildings are chica friendly, and pretty much all of them are if you tip the doorman or make friend's with them.

**Nrlmus** · 11-15-23 20:15

Does anyone has an opinion on spending New Years Eve in Cartagena? For the maximum impact does it make sense to just wonder around and have random good time with people (I understand the security concerns but I'm relatively experienced traveler) or try to book the place like El Beluarte and just go there?

How does it compare to the New Years eve at Rio's Copacabana beach which I think is something that one must do once in a lifetime?

**World Wide Wes** · 11-04-23 21:11

Greetings everyone and thank you to the many contributions. I have shared a few myself. I'm heading to CTG in a couple weeks and was wondering if anyone had any info on boat rental recommendations. I don't feel like getting haggled or jerked when we get to the dock. Thanks in advance.

**Black Page** · 11-04-23 20:26

Originally Posted by Gabacho [View Original Post]

If he brings $1 k usd in cash into Colombia then he will need to convert it into COP using one of those money exchange places that offers a lower rate than the ATM machines. Then he can use the COP cash to pay the prostis. He will probably get around 4 millones de pesos for his $1 k usd.

And he will lose money versus what he would have got by taking cash COP from local ATMs. This topic is so old, yet it comes out periodically.

The only reason I see to bring 1000 USD cash to Colombia is if they are black money that one does not want to deposit in a bank account. In that case, ok, take that money to Colombia and spend it for fun.

**Gabacho** · 11-01-23 16:14

Originally Posted by JohnGault [View Original Post]

Use the ATM to get pesos for payments to girls. Please do not give dollars or even talk to ones who ask for dollars. The girls know you are not a regular if they talk dollars to you and will charge you more than normal.

If he brings $1 k usd in cash into Colombia then he will need to convert it into COP using one of those money exchange places that offers a lower rate than the ATM machines. Then he can use the COP cash to pay the prostis. He will probably get around 4 millones de pesos for his $1 k usd.

**John Gault** · 11-01-23 15:12

Originally Posted by Minilabs2020 [View Original Post]

I plan on bringing around $1 k in USD in cash just for prostitutes, I plan on visiting the Delirium Night Club, where all of the black people will be at. I can't wait to get to Cartagena. I'll be there for a week at the end of November.

Any tips, pointers anybody wants to give me?

Use the ATM to get pesos for payments to girls. Please do not give dollars or even talk to ones who ask for dollars. The girls know you are not a regular if they talk dollars to you and will charge you more than normal.

**JhuaP** · 11-01-23 05:28

Originally Posted by Sinbad76 [View Original Post]

I'm planning to go to Columbia around mid-December and I'm going to stay for 2 months.

I've never been to Columbia. I've been to the Dominican Republic in the past and in the last 4 years I've been to Brazil (Rio and Fortaleza) about 2 months a year. . So I think it's time for the new adventure.

I have read a few pages and many are not enthusiastic about Cartagena. But I think circumstances have changed all over the world, I also notice that in Brazil. I'm also in doubt.

I'm actually planning to go to Medelin, but first I want to go to Cartagena or Santa Marta. I have two questions: Is there anything to do in Santa Marta? Are there also clubs such as Dolce, Space, Dellium in Cartagena?(I read that here).

And if I'm going to stay in Cartagena in Airbnb, which neighborhoods should I stay in that are girl-friendly, which can also be hotels! During the day I plan to go to the beach.

Thanks in advance and greetings from the Netherlands.

Hey there,

I will be heading to Colombia as well in December for about a month. I'm currently planning, a few days in Bogota, a week plus in Medellin, and then finish up in Cartagena. I have been a few times, so if you looking to grab a beer let me know. I am just waiting for my membership to activate to use PMs. I have read that there is still tons to do in Cartagena, your trip is what you make of it.

J.

**Sinbad76** · 11-01-23 00:51

I'm planning to go to Columbia around mid-December and I'm going to stay for 2 months.

I've never been to Columbia. I've been to the Dominican Republic in the past and in the last 4 years I've been to Brazil (Rio and Fortaleza) about 2 months a year. . So I think it's time for the new adventure.

I have read a few pages and many are not enthusiastic about Cartagena. But I think circumstances have changed all over the world, I also notice that in Brazil. I'm also in doubt.

I'm actually planning to go to Medelin, but first I want to go to Cartagena or Santa Marta. I have two questions: Is there anything to do in Santa Marta? Are there also clubs such as Dolce, Space, Dellium in Cartagena?(I read that here).

And if I'm going to stay in Cartagena in Airbnb, which neighborhoods should I stay in that are girl-friendly, which can also be hotels! During the day I plan to go to the beach.

Thanks in advance and greetings from the Netherlands.

**Minilabs2020** · 10-30-23 12:33

I plan on bringing around $1 k in USD in cash just for prostitutes, I plan on visiting the Delirium Night Club, where all of the black people will be at. I can't wait to get to Cartagena. I'll be there for a week at the end of November.

Any tips, pointers anybody wants to give me?

**Gbaby32** · 10-21-23 14:38

Hello all, I've been reading up I still have not booked a airbnb. After reading the guest policy from what seems 90% if places. Any body have an airbnb link hidden away by chance for more options?. Also have I've read is thus place is pretty tainted, beaches can be like the DR with consent people attempting to sell you things and over crowded beaches? I am more familiar with medellin and San andres, so I need to learn the game here. I am mexican and speak Spanish so I am ok with that. I do plan on doing tourist things and maybe visiting a club or two. But my main focus was thr beach, just gettinf a chair setting myself up grab a drink and just enjoy myself if chicas come and go that will be better. I usually do tinder before hand and have a few intalk to. I do the same in medellin which works wonder and you occasionally get a girl that just wants to hangout. I pay for everything and we enjoy ourselves. Any tips from the Cartagena O. G. s if very appreciated. Also I travel solo, always have. Thanks again.

**Nypher** · 10-20-23 05:54

Originally Posted by PerkinWarbeck [View Original Post]

Bad news today. An American tourist was killed in a daylight robbery in Marbella. 59 year old man. Just crazy.

Marbella would seem to be a decent area because it's close to the airport, but it is also close to a terrible neighborhood, Daniel Lemaitre. If you are going to stay up there, stay at the resorts on the water and don't walk around. There is not a large security presence. Do not use AirBnB!

AirBnB is fine in downtown, Bocagrande, Getsemani, and Manga, but anywhere else and you are a real target.

My chica told me about this today along with another one that got got. She said Christmas in coming and everyone trying to get gifts for their family by any means necessary and the closer to Christmas, the worse it gets.

Then she sent me the story, and its crazy because it happened right in front of the building I was going to buy an apartment in and there is usually cops right by that bridge coming from Marbella into that barrio. Also it makes no sense why he was standing there solo for that long looking distracted that he didn't see them pass on the motorcycle then turn around on the one-way street, and ride in the opposite direction to get that close to him.

I believe he was killed because instead of giving up the chain, he fought back. That jewelry just isn't worth it.

I used to tell them "don't be flashing money", they told me "stop pocket watching".

I used to tell them "stop trying to take 2 chicas at once", they told "me stop dick policing".

I used to tell them "stop wearing the jewelry", they told me "stop fear mongering".

Can't tell these old heads shit because they stuck in their ways, can't tell these young cats shit because they know everything.

So now I don't say much in the whatsapp groups or forums anymore.

**Mr Enternational** · 10-20-23 05:48

Originally Posted by PerkinWarbeck [View Original Post]

Bad news today. An American tourist was killed in a daylight robbery in Marbella. 59 year old man. Just crazy.

Marbella would seem to be a decent area because it's close to the airport, but it is also close to a terrible neighborhood, Daniel Lemaitre. If you are going to stay up there, stay at the resorts on the water and don't walk around. There is not a large security presence. Do not use AirBnB!

And do not wear gold chains! I do not think the airbnb mattered, since he was robbed and killed in the street. Also a 46 year old Swedish guy was found dead inside of the apartment in Santa Marta.