Santa Marta

[Floyd Dylan]

i had a crazy couple of days last week that i'm still coming to terms with. thought you all would appreciate hearing about it.

sunday:

got to santa marta and checked into one of the many cheap basic hotels between calle 10 and 13, and between carr 1 (the beach) and carr 5. lots of decent cheap hotels and restaurants around here.

went down to carr 1 (the malecon, or street that runs along the beach) to have a drink at one of the bars. turns out i happened to sit at the outside tables in front of "el velero del amor" (although i don't think it actually has a sign), which is a strip club / brothel on carr 1 between calle 10 and 11.

there is a whole scene here that's compelling in all the human drama unfolding day and night. from the bouncer keeping the peace to the guys selling handicrafts to the foreign sailors in town from all the cargo ships at the port down the road to the ladies of the night waiting for someone to pick them up to the food stalls cooking up dinner for all of the above mentioned. they all play a role in the soap opera. it's a fascinating anthropological exercise to grab a beer and sit at a table for a few hours observing, listening, chatting with whomever comes by.

anyway, there i was having a beer watching it all go by, and naturally some girls started chatting me up. one sweet, pretty, and very pregnant girl was trying to get me to go with her friend, who i was not particularly into. then i noticed diana (pronounced deana, not sure how she spells it), who was just my type. small, tight, trim, fit. sizable breasts and cute ass, both proportional to her body. and she had a fun playful spark to her. so i followed her into the convenience store, we got to chatting, and she aggressively started coming onto me. when we got back to the table, the other girls got up to leave, giving me a look that said, "you chose her. god help you now. " maybe i'm saying that in hindsight.

the other reason i was taken to her as opposed to some of the other girls is that she speaks some english, which always helps since my spanish is not great.

she had apparently just polished off a bottle of wine by herself, which might explain her forwardness. after a bit she drags me into the club. it's not really a strip club, just a bar really. there was a porno playing on the projection tv, a few scantiliy clad girls around, and assorted patrons. it's a pretty small place. i never saw the private rooms. diana starts giving me lap dances, then gets up and dances around on her own which i'm enjoying watching, then insists i get up to dance with her (which i was a good sport about, although my moves can't hold a candle to hers). next to our table, a stripper was giving some nasty hot lap dances to a group of guys. it's not problem for them to get completely nude here, i learned. all in all a great experience, and i was only charged for a couple of beers (normal prices, even).

finally after an hour or so, i suggest we take a walk. we meander down the street and when we reach the front of my hotel i suggest we go in. she's a bit hesitant, not sure why, maybe she wants to keep partying. but i also want to discuss price so i'm not caught after the fact. but she won't answer my question directly, keeps putting me off. oh well. we go in the hotel, i have to pay 10, 000 extra for her (no problem, that's less than $5), and we go to my room.

this is where things begin to get exciting. and weird. diana is nothing if not aggressive. she starts frenching me passionately, strongly, biting my bottom lip. hard. i had welts later from it. for the next hour we wrestle, bite, scratch each other. i'm trying to be restrained, but she is not. finally it occurs to me that she's a sub and really wants to be dominated. craves to be spanked and have everything done to her that she's been doing to me. this awakens the baser instincts in me, and we have a grand ole time fucking and fighting. the sex began with me daty. delicioso. she blows me a bit (sans condom) and does a pretty hot job of it, then we get into a nice 69 where we're both really getting into it, until she starts sucking my balls a little too hard.

the fucking was perfect. like i said, i like small girls that i can pick up and throw around. her ass is two halves of a perfect cantelope. her breasts (c cup? ) are just the right size, although she feels they're too small, so she wears a padded push-up bra and wants to get a boob job. her face is not all that beautiful, but not ugly either. she wears hair extensions. her skin is "negrita", i. e. , fairly black/dark. she says she's 18, but she looks younger. anyway, this girl was made for fucking. she seems to love it (although is somewhat restrained in her vocalising), and certainly is willing to go for any position thrown at her.

after we collapse in exhaustion, she keeps making a half-hearted attempt to leave. naturally i don't encourage this, since i like sleeping with girls and am thinking about the possibility of sex in the morning. sure enough she ends up spending the night.

monday:

in the morning, we start all over again, but this time there is more of that dark energy that i only glimpsed the previous night. i see anger and resentment rising in her (the pop psychologist in my head is making up stories about her abusive dad or other relatives, her love/hate relationship with men, etc.). she starts really hitting me, and finally after she wacks me in the face hard enough to really hurt, i get pissed. rather than hit her back, i just yell at her to get the fuck out. then she gets all mad, points to some spot on her cheek where apparently i bit her too hard (i can't see any bruise, whereas i am covered in them. my shoulders and chest have several large hickies, my back is raw from her nails, and my arms are bruised. fortunately my neck only has one minor hickey. it's embarrasing, like junior high school all over again! )

after some mutual yelling, she insists that i walk her out. fine. we get outside, and who should be sitting at the cafe in front of the hotel but the other girls from last night. the ones who were first hitting on me. diana goes crying to them, they give a "so what? " look, don't seem bothered or pissed at me (a relief), and diana yells at me to go away. yes! i get to leave this crazy *****, and she never even asked for money!

walking around looking for breakfast, i begin to think that i should change hotels. something about her unnerved me enough to not want her knowing where my valuables were kept and where i slept. so i started strolling the neighborhood looking for another place.

and then fate intervened. the second hotel i walk into, i bump straight into diana. i boldy lie through my teeth. "how are you, i just came looking to see if you're all right", blah blah, think fast. she assumed one of the girls on the street had told me where she was staying. she had calmed down by this point and was actually rather sweet. in hindsight, i wonder if our fighting had somehow bonded her to me, where she now felt we were in some kind of relationship. anyway, she gets the matriarch of the hotel and shows me the rooms, says why don't i get a room there, it will be easier, don't worry, you can bring other girls if you want, etc. mistake #1: i took the room. the rooms were actually pretty nice for a very reasonable price. and i liked the family that ran it. and truth be told, i was thinking about the amazing sex i had just had. i've been learning just how much control my hormones have over me. it's pretty scary.

having kissed and made up, we went for a walk. she went and bought a big fat joint for $1 (! ), i walked with her to smoke it (didn't partake myself, since it was barely past noon! ), we ran into a co-worker of hers named yuranis (more on her later) who kept coming on to me when diana's back was turned, it was crazy. diana still hadn't asked for money from me. i began to realize that she didn't think of me as a trick, more as a short-term boyfriend. whatever, i was happy.

we parted ways for the afternoon. let me stop here and describe her work, as best as i was able to deduce. i think that all the girls work fairly independently. they're free to go with whomever they want whenever they want. for example, i didn't have to pay a take-out fee to the club for her. but when they are at the club, they can turn tricks there on site, and presumably the club gets a cut. a lot of them work the streets, just hanging around waiting for someone to pick them up. but none of them hustle particularly hard. then there are the assignments. diana told me that her and her friend hemana "the only other pretty girl" (basically true, but harsh the way she said it) get requested by the boat captains of the ships to come and service their crew. crazy! hot! so apparently these two go down to the boats every couple of days (for only an hour or two) and take care of the sailors. this is arranged through that same club, so presumably they're getting their cut there as well.

another warning sign i should have heeded was when diana said the girls i had been talking with "are not my friends.i have only one friend here. " hemana (himana? ). she's light-skinned with braces and freckles and wears bright red lipstick. she does not look 18, which is both terrifying and thrilling.

so diana had said she would be working on the boat in the afternoon, but to stop by the tables in front of the bar again at night and we'd meet up. ok, so at about 9pm i go down and start chatting with a german guy who's been here for a few weeks. diana comes out of nowhere and without so much as a "hi, how are you", grabs my arm and tries to get me to leave. this girl can be a real ***** when she wants to be. stubborn as hell. manipulative and retaliatory. 18 going on 8. or 5 years old. what's really scary about her is how unpredictable she is. she'll flip into mr. hyde with absolutely no warning. but i calmly stand my ground and say, "dear, let me finish my beer and this conversation i was having, and then we'll go. " she's not having it. finally she grabs the glasses off my head and stalks away. now i'm pissed. and worried. these spectacles were not cheap. they're very expensive, and very fragile. and i'm not going to go chasing her down the street for them, she'll probably trip and break them if she hasn't already. the german guy starts giving me advice about colombian women. you need to show them who is in charge. you sit here and don't react. let her come back to you, etc.

eventually the bouncer of the club (who i had befriended earlier, and is a really great guy) comes up and hands me my glasses. i have no idea how he did it, but somehow he both retrieved my glasses and calmed her down. <i note to self: wear contacts when around crazy hookers. </i diana was now dr. jekyll again. sweet, lovely, angelic. well, the first two anyway. she pulls up a chair and starts wolfing down an enormous plate of food. then she got up for more. i don't know how she can put away so much for being so skinny. ahh, to be 18 again! anyway, i get confirmation from the german that yes, these girls just want a foreigner to call their boyfriend for a while while they turn tricks on the side. he said he was propositioned several times by girls who were offering free sex. have i died and gone to heaven?

we didn't actually go inside the club this night. after the glasses incident, things were pretty chill. eventually we start walking back towards our hotel, but inexplicably in the middle of the street (as we're approaching a club on 10th, not sure of the name, but a bunch of people were hanging out in front) she says it's dangerous, doesn't want to walk down this street, etc. i'm tired of her theatrics and know for a fact that it's not dangerous to walk down this street, so i just carry on. if it means a solo night, so be it. that's how tired i was getting of all her drama, willing to forgo sex! but a couple of blocks later i turn around and she has caught up to me. the night watchman lets us into the hotel, and we go to our separate rooms for show. 10 minutes later i tiptoe down to her room and tell her to come over to mine. she had told me she doesn't (or can't) have anyone in her room. we hang out and chill for a bit, she wants beer and water, but the watchman is asleep and everything is locked.

eventually we get down to fucking. another hot one, although thank god more restrained than the previous night. no (ok, very little) biting and scratching. i just love being able to pick her up and bounce her up and down. another thing i love about this girl is that she can take (even likes? ) my length. <i now i'm not being one of those stupid machismos guys and boasting. in fact, it's usually a curse that i'm slightly longer than average, because it hurts most girls to go deep. but she likes it. </i then she pulls some shit about the condom which i can't really understand but i get the idea that she doesn't want to use it anymore. while i still have some of my big head in control, i'm thinking maybe she wants no condom because that would seal me to actually being her boyfriend, or something equally twisted.

well, i am ashamed to admit that my baser instincts took over and i tossed off the condom. oh man, was it good. and oh shit, am i scared. how many other guys has she done this with? what are my chances of getting an std or worse, hiv? based on what i've researched since then, i shouldn't be too worried after one experience of unprotected vaginal, although i definitely need to get tested once the 3-6 month window is over.

tuesday:

in the morning, diana is all worried about seen exiting my room. she eventually sneaks out, we shower and change on our own, and go out to lunch. we go down the block to one of their regular places and sure enough shortly another couple of the girls join us. diana tells them (none too politely) to leave. she's also rude to the waitress, which is a big no-no with me. i'm beginning to really tire of this girl and her attitude. besides everything else, she's incredibly jealous. despite telling me that i could have other girls in my room (not that i've wanted to, but she was the one to bring it up), she has since gone ballistic if she thinks i'm looking at another girl. the previous night she kept accusing me of being with another girl before i came to meet her. why? how would i have time or the energy? i really don't get it, but she's incredibly competitive with all these imaginary other girls. she's also acting like we've been married for years. we've fucked for two nights. that's it! how can someone get all possesive after only two nights? !

we wander down to the bar/club which is usually dead during the day, but it's tuesday, the day the cruise ship comes in. the whole town is a beehive of activity. vendors hawking trips, tour guides, touts, etc. including the club. they're going full-tillt. the bouncer invites me in for a beer. i decline, since it's not even noon. but it seems like one could get some on tuesday daytimes. to answer the question of an earlier poster who was asking about daytime action.

diana flies off the handle about something inconsequential, so i make my exit stage right. later in the afternoon i realize i'm completely exhausted, feeling the beginnings of a cold coming on, and would just rather have a tranquil night in by myself. so i stay in. perhaps i should have tracked her down and told her i was staying in, but i just couldn't be bothered. after watching a movie on tv, i'm drifting off to sleep, and around 1:30 am, diana starts knocking on my door. at first i pretend to be asleep or not there, i just ignore her thinking she'll go away after a couple of tries. oh no, this is the devil we're talking about. she comes around to the window (which is about 4' above street level, with security bars over it), peers in and sees that i'm there. and thinks that i have a girl in the room with me (where? under the bed? hiding in the shower? ), which is why i won't open the door. i calmly explain that i'm tired, and just want to be left alone. let's talk in the morning. she does not calm down. she starts getting frantic and hysterical. eventually i try to close the wooden panels behind the window bars and she slams them open, sending the tv remote crashing into a million pieces. the tv wobbled on its stand, but fortunately did not fall. eventually i get the window battened tight. i had been wondering what that 2x4 in the room was for. so now she concentrates her efforts on the door to the room. banging, yelling, screaming, trying to pick the lock, throwing her entire weight against the door. i'm impressed that door stood it's ground, it didn't look that strong. this saga went on for hours. it began about 1:30, and went on well past 5 am. i am not making this up. i wish i was.

what about hotel security, you ask? the night watchman kept trying to talk her down, and thank god never gave into her numerous demands to unlock my door. but i think he was just as scared of her as i was, and didn't want to lay a hand on her. i couldn't understand most of what they were talking (her yelling) about, but i think the gist was, "if he wants to lock himself in his room, that's his right.come back in the morning and you two can talk about it. " you might think i'm a wimp for not opening the door and just dealing directly with her, but i was honestly scared. not so much for my personal safety, since i knew i was bigger and stronger than her, but rather what might ensue if we did get into it. i was also nervous about my stuff. although i had packed away as much as possible, i knew that if she got into the room she would start breaking anything in sight. the other prong to my strategy was to make it clear that she was the crazy one and i was the calm one, not taking her bait.

oh, earlier when the window was open, she threw her shoe at me (which was fortunately just a flip-flop, so it didn't quite have the strike she was hoping for). much later in the night she started complaining about needing her shoe back, so i tossed it through the transom above the door. which for some reason got her even more furious. she then hoisted herself up to the transom, from where she could see in and yell at me more directly. i'm still not sure why she didn't go ahead and climb through the transom, it sure looked like she could have. that would have led to a whole other saga that i'm glad didn't happen.

the paranoid in me (remember it's 4am and i'm running on no sleep and pure adrenaline, barricaded in my room at this point for hours) is afraid she's going to go get the cops. she keeps threatening this and more to the night watchman. threatening to wake up the matriarch and the rest of the family (although the entire hotel must have been awake by this point). i knew i was generally in the right, but who knows what shit she would make up to them. that i had beat her, not paid her, plus she knew that i had a good bit of pot in my room, so that might be cause for the police to search and demand a bribe or something. i also started imagining there was some mafia she could go call upon to come and break down my door and shoot me. even though the rational part of my head knew that everyone who knew this girl knew she was the insane one, and those who had met me would take my side. but still. so i resolved to very quietly pack up all my things and change hotels, yet again.

i finally got a couple hours of sleep (with screams of "abrir la puerta! ringing through my ears for those hours. i've decided that shakespeare's line needs to be revised. "hell hath no fury like a <i colombian</i woman scorned. the thing was, she was only scorned in her own head. i didn't do anything wrong! ). i think she finally exhausted herself and crashed on the couch in the lobby, right in front of my room. finally when i felt the coast was clear, i gingerly cracked my door open. no diana in sight. whew. a couple of the family were there, but they didn't seem mad or anything. when i tried to explain that i was leaving, they got the patriarch. i'm not sure if this was the same guy who had been up with her all night, but he knew the story. he said they kicked her out this morning and she was no longer welcome there, but that she was the trouble, and i was welcome to stay. he really wanted me to stay, which was a nice reassurance. but i tried to explain that i didn't want the crazy ***** knowing where i was living. i think he understood.

so i walked over to the other side of town, on the other side of parque bolivar, around calles 16-20, where the hotels are a bit more expensive but also a bit nicer. besides, it's where all the trendy clubs and bars are. found a nice place, and have been chilling here for a few days.

next post: i run into diana! hook up with another girl who now thinks i'm her boyfriend! drama!

my apologies for the incredible length of this post. i just had to get it off my chest, and i thought it would be entertaining and hopefully enlightening for some of you.

editor's note: i would suggest that the author or another forum member consider posting a link to this report in the reports of distinction thread. please click here for more information.

[UrbanWildlife]

Apart from the most stunning women on the face of the planet -- just my personal opinion you understand -- and the Quinta, is there anything else worth seeing in SM if you're not a beach bum?

Not to my knowledge, so I would have to say NO. Everything I know of is geared toward the beaches and the ocean.

[AddictedToWomen]

Apart from the most stunning women on the face of the planet -- just my personal opinion you understand -- and the Quinta, is there anything else worth seeing in SM if you're not a beach bum?

[Wandering Man]

Flamingos is known for its "linda chicas" and garners a higher price than Bananas. I visited both places in the last two days, and clearly the hotter looking chicas are in Flamingos, but the house minimum is 80 mil pesos por todos. There are some stunning women there.

Bananas has lower quality, but at 50 mil. Flamingo is in Rodadero, Bananas is in Santa Marta. 4 mil taxi ride from Rodadero to either, negotiate before taking the taxi.

TLN at Flamingos is 200 mil for the chica and 70 mil for the house but this can be quickly negotiated downwards. I don't do TLN myself, and asked prices only at Flamingos.

Another option is Los Angeles, (Rodadero), a newer bar with very attractive chicas, but I can't quote prices because I only went "window shopping".

According to the taxistas, Babylonia in Santa Marta is a step down from Bananas, but even more economical.

There are not any street walkers on Rodadero beach, at least that I have seen in the last two nights. There are street walkers after 10 in Santa Marta on Carrera 1 and side Calles, but the quality seemed poor and I can't attest to the prices. Most areas appear secure, but be careful late if the streets are empty.

The diving in Santa Marta cannot be called good, this is my second trip and both times the visibility equaled Capurgana and the Islas de Rosario. For pure diving in Colombia, San Andres or Providencia is best, having been only to the former. I can't attest to the mongering in those islands, but others on this board have referred to locations there. I would take a chica with me to San Andres, and will semana santa.

[Cachorro]

Remember to negotiate on the apartments. You don't have to accept their first price. Give them a counter offer that is reasonable to you. It should be cheaper than Cartagena. Anything you pay more than 100k per night for in low season had better be spectacular for that price.

The selling point for any beachfront avenue apartments in Rodadero is the breathtaking ocean views. They are all about 30 years old though, including Edificio Karey. I saw a few apartments in Karey, and they were all kind of basic with beat up furniture. It's still a great option. I just want to lower your expectations.

If you want quiet or a newer built place, you'll need to look further back from the beach.

If you're standing anywhere near Rodadero beach with suitcases, the apartment rental guys will find you.

[Hilltopper]

Urbanwildlife,

Thanks for your reply and sharing what you know. I'm glad you decided to post here on the forum as well. Very helpful and solid info for anyone looking to trip to Santa Marta/Rodadero.

I can certainly relate to having trouble in being up and ready to leave Cartagena around 6 or 7 in the morning, LOL. I'd probably be kidding myself to think that I'd could have a night of fun in Cartagena and still answer the call for a 7:00 A. M. Pick-up. I've been known to see the Cartagena sunrise come through the windows before calling it a night.

I'll be certain to check out the building you've mentioned. Thanks a bunch for the description and address.

Have a good one!

[Cabroncito]

Yes based on your visit I think Rodadero would be the best bet. Like UWL said I always negociate on site for the best price and location. It is a little more work up front, but definitely worth the effort. One thing I noticed Rodadero was very quiet the weeknights I drove through. Perhaps UWL visited during a holiday week, but it is certainly less noisy that Santa Marta's downtown. Enjoy, and be sure to post a trip report. The girls are a little more conservative than some of the larger cities, but once they warm up to they are very sweet and accommodating.

Also, I always travel with an external wifi antenna I stick out the window, and boost the signal from a neighbor. Many of them still do not understand the concept of password protecting the network, so no need for cabled connection in most latin cities.

Cabroncito,

Thanks a bunch for your response. I will definately follow-up on what you and UrbanWildlife have shared and look for a place in Rodadero.

I probably won't be doing much hunting, etc., like I've done in Cartagena. I'm going to hook-up with a few local chicas there, but I've been with enough Colombianas to know better than to let one of them make the arrangements for me, lol. I'm not much for being hemmed-up, not in control of the situation and limiting my options while there if you know what I mean, lol.

Thanks again for your response!

[UrbanWildlife]

Hello Hilltopper,

I am going to post this here instead of sending it to you through a p.m because I feel many others can gain some use of the information I am about to give to you, especially so, since so little is ever posted on this thread.

(Getting to Santa Marta/Rodadero from the airport in Cartagena)
Walk out of the airport and walk straight ahead about one block and you are in Barrio Crespo, and on main street, which is calle 70. At the corner take a right and you will see all the transport companies offices lined up along the street. It really does not matter what one you use as I have used many of them and the service is always the same. A company called Puerta a Puerta is one of them. I have also used Invertours del caribe on many occasions. www.invertours.com and they were excellent. The most popular company probably is Marsol. http://transportesmarsolsa.com/home.html The ride is approximately 4 hours and the cost is about $25.00 dollars U.S. It is not a bad ride at all.

As far as when to go, leaving in the afternoon at 2pm has it pros and cons. You will not get to Rodadero/Santa Marta until approximately 6:30, but the positive of that is at that time you really are not going to be missing out on the beach, and really anything else, so it is a good time to find an apartment/condo, and get settled in before heading out to checkout the girls in Santa Marta for the night.

Here is the directions to the condo I have always stayed at. Edificio Karey. Calle 9 Con Primera. This building has blue balconies and sits directly in front of the spot where all the action takes place on the board walk which runs along side of the beach. In the condo I stayed in, it did not offer internet, but I was able to pick up a signal from somewhere else. There is internet cafes all over, and the one directly across the street from Edificio Karey was really nice. It also offers international and domestic calling.

On the other hand if you stay in Laguito and can get to sleep at a reasonable hour, which is never possible for me, because I party my nights away until 5 in the morning, you can call the transport upon your arrival and schedule them to pick you up as early as 7am and be in Rodadero/Santa Marta by 11-11:30. If you are able to get up early in the morning, I would probably go this route.

If you decide to go to see areas outside of Rodadero which I highly recommend, I would make a trip to Playa Cristal which is located in Parque Tayrona. The beach is excellent as well as the ocean waters. It is also a great place to go snorkeling. In any of the beaches in Parque Tayrona you will not be hassled with beach vendors, as they are very limited, and all the beaches are spectacular IMHO. You can get to Parque Tayrona several ways. You can take a bus directly from Rodadero, as vendors will be offering you this tour every time you turn around, or you can take a taxi to Taganga, which is a small fishing village. The taxi ride will cost you about $5.-$6.00 dollars U.S, and then take a launcha from there. This is what I would recommend to you as it is a lot faster and the boat ride is really enjoyable, evidenced by the pics I posted awhile back on this thread. I also have a contact for you to call if you want to use a launcha. He is a great guy and the boat is nice. It's about $10.00 dollars U.S per person, then the entry into Parque Tayrona will cost you about another $10.00 dollars. (1 time fee) If you are bringing a girl with you it is only about $2. to $3.00 dollars for her since she will be a Colombiana.

As far as places not to go, do not waste your time going to see the aquarium. If I can be of further help to you let me know. By going to Rodadero, and going to see the places that Parque Tayrona offers, you are going to be experiencing paradise!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Hilltopper]

Cabroncito,

Thanks a bunch for your response. I will definately follow-up on what you and UrbanWildlife have shared and look for a place in Rodadero.

I probably won't be doing much hunting, etc., like I've done in Cartagena. I'm going to hook-up with a few local chicas there, but I've been with enough Colombianas to know better than to let one of them make the arrangements for me, lol. I'm not much for being hemmed-up, not in control of the situation and limiting my options while there if you know what I mean, lol.

Thanks again for your response!

[Hilltopper]

Urbanwildlife,

Thanks a bunch for sharing your info! Much appreciated. Combining your response with the older post on this thread, I'm comfortable with with waiting to secure a place in Rodadero after I get there. I most likely will try to locate the building you mentioned in your post where you last stayed. A nice, two-bedroom place would be right up my alley.

Did you have internet access in the condo where you stayed? I unfortunately (or one could say fortunately in these economic times) have to keep an eye on the shop so to speak, respond to emails, etc., while I'm away.

My thoughts are to take one of those vans, either door-to-door or one of those van transporters located in Crespo from Carta to Santa Marta/Rodadero. My flight arrives in Cartagena arournd 1-1:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday. I'm thinking it is probably best just to spend the day and night in Carta and catch a van early the next morning, or do you think it's a go to try to hurry on into Crespo to see if I could catch one leaving around 2 or so?

Do you have a van company that you've used from Carta and back that you'd be comfortable in recommending?

Thanks again!

[Cabroncito]

you have discriminating taste like me lol. i could not find such a place in santa marta. rodadero is more upscale though, and you might have better luck there. on the downside it is touristy (ie expensive) with little action, so you will be in santa marta most of the time more than likely. also there is a higher end hotel in taganga (name escapes me) that might be a better compromise.

i've read back through many of the posts from the past couple years here for santa marta/rodadero, but can't really tell if there's much of a consensus on the best places to stay. i'd preferably like to find a somewhat modern apartamento with a/c, hot water, modern appliances, hi-speed internet access, close to la playa, etc. something along the lines of what you get when you rent an apartamento in cartagena (laguito) from juan or mery.

can a guy find an apartamento along those lines in either santa marta or rodadero? if so, can you steer me in the right direction of who to contact, name of building, where located, etc.?

i realize that my best bet may be to just find one after i've been there, but i only have a few days and would prefer to at least have some idea of where i'm going to stay or where exactly to at least look.

if the apartamento option isn't viable, then i could do a hotel....but my first choice would be an apartamento in a building that is less than say 7-8 years old.

thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[UrbanWildlife]

It is far and away best to find your apartment when you get there. I know the feeling you are having not having something in place as I felt the same way on my first trip there, but you will understand once you get there that it is no inconvienence whatsoever.

Have your transport, be it a taxi or a van take you to the main beach area in Rodadero. You will find people all over holding signs e.c.t. for condo rentals, or you will see condos lined up one after another facing the beach area. Just go into any of them and ask at the front desk about availability. This way you will get to see your apartment first hand before renting it, and you will be able to negotiate the price. I paid for a beautiful beachfront, ocean view, very large 2 bedroom apartment that had a upstairs and downstairs, $50.00 dollars a night with all the amentities. The building was called Karey, and I think that is how it was spelled. You will be able to see it very easily if you are on the beach boardwalk, as the balconies are blue.

I am not sure you want to get one facing the beach because at night they party on the boardwalk and beach ALL NIGHT LONG, as in 5 or 6 in the morning, so if you are a light sleeper forget about getting a good nights sleep.

I know Juan Ventura has apartments in Rodadero for rent, but he wants way to much for them. You will find alot of vacancy in the condos, so the way I described to you is the way to go. You will love the Rodadero/Santa Marta area because there is so much to do during the day. A definite is to go to Parque Tayrona, but you might want to invite a girl to go with you. At night if you like the bar scene go to the city of Santa Marta. Alot of girls to be had in the stripclubs for a fraction of the price you will find in Cartagena. Rodadero nightlife to be honest with you sucks. Santa Marta is only a 10 minute taxi ride away. One last recommendation to you is to go to a restaurant/disco called Burukuka and order the fillet mignon. It is also very reasonably priced and super delicious. Vics Picks introduced to this place. You can see this restaurant from the beach because it sits high upon a rock overlooking the ocean by itself. All taxi drivers know where it is.

I will be returning to Rodadero/Santa Marta the end of March arriving from my first stay in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I think this area is one of the most beautiful areas in Colombia and I have always enjoyed myself there, and I sure you will to!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Hilltopper]

i've read back through many of the posts from the past couple years here for santa marta/rodadero, but can't really tell if there's much of a consensus on the best places to stay. i'd preferably like to find a somewhat modern apartamento with a/c, hot water, modern appliances, hi-speed internet access, close to la playa, etc. something along the lines of what you get when you rent an apartamento in cartagena (laguito) from juan or mery.

can a guy find an apartamento along those lines in either santa marta or rodadero? if so, can you steer me in the right direction of who to contact, name of building, where located, etc.?

i realize that my best bet may be to just find one after i've been there, but i only have a few days and would prefer to at least have some idea of where i'm going to stay or where exactly to at least look.

if the apartamento option isn't viable, then i could do a hotel....but my first choice would be an apartamento in a building that is less than say 7-8 years old.

thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[Salsero Loco]

Hey Doc Bill,

Thanks for this report, though I can't find this place "Crucero de Amor" you mention on the bay (Bahia) between 10 and 11. There is a little disco in this location called "Discoteca Manila" that just seems to be waking up at this mid-day hour. Could that be what you are talking about? To refresh your memory, it has a really narrow entrance and is next to a little cafe.

Also wondering what time of day you were mongering in the report described below. I am here in SM with a girlfriend who works during the day, and would be really happy if I could find a way to squeeze in some day-time action. In general, I really wish the coast had day-time massage places like Medellin and Bogota. Not sure why they don't, as I am sure there is a lot of money to be made (especially in Cartagena! )

SL

Contary to some reports I´ve read - I´ve only been here less than one day so far and I´ve had more opportunities (all pro/semi-pro) than Kellog´s has flakes.

Nothing, as far as I can tell here in Rodadero. But I´m determined to find something here. So I got this Big Mac Attack and had a taxi take me to McDonalds, which was kind of out of the way, but near a strip club with a starting price of 110K. I forgot the name because I´ll never need it, sorry.

From there I went to La Bahia (sp?), the seaside malecon-like street in Santa Marta proper. The taxi driver told me to go to Calle 10 for street action. I wasn´t even near Calle 10 when this 28 year-old beauty passes my way and gives me the look. Ten minutes later we were in a nearby sleazebag hotel - I love it! 50K for her, 20K for the room. I know, I overpaid but I didn´t care. Sorry but my time spent hassling is worth more than the few bucks I might save these days.

Anyway, so ¨Donnä,¨from Bogota, tells me she works at a nearby strip club and invites me to walk over with her. We get there and since she´s not too anxious to get in we sit and chat at a cafe next door. She introduced me to the bouncer and several of the girls who came outside for some air. One, Älexandra,¨18, had that cheerleader look that I adore, and I got her number and made a date to see her tomorrow. See guys - THE PEN IS IMPORTANT! I also got the number of Diana, a gorgeous Negrita, also 18. This place is called El Crucero del Amor, and the girls are all (what I saw) stunning. It´s on Bahia (sp?) between 10 and 11.

Donna from Bogota told me to stay away from Calle 10, said it was too dangerous. But I´m not sure that will stop me. I heard downtown Medellin was dangerous and it was nothing to this ex-New Yorker.

So I got Donna´s contact info in Bogota, where I will surely return in the not-too-distant future. AGAIN - THE PEN!

More later!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Doc Bill]

Avianca has nonstop flights from Medellin to Santa Marta. That´s how I got there. It´s less than an hour flight and you don´t have to stop in Bogota.