Cartagena Reports

[Mojo Bandit]

If you look closely at the water heater, dryer, and washer (laundry) in the apartments many of them have English warnings on them. They're not sold locally. These are used appliances shipped to Colombia and fixed there then resold. This is why you'll see a state of the art water heater in an apartment but it barely works.

That might explain why my hot water heater in my Medellin apartment was so subpar. I am no expert in water heaters so I can't tell by looking if a water heater is tankless or if it is a mini tank. After experiencing the water going from acceptably warm to fucking cold after being in the shower just long enough to soap up everyday for like 3 days, I finally located the Bosch small suitcase sized gas water heater in the apartment mounted on the wall in the laundry room, while doing laundry I noticed the sound of the water heater turning on when I switched the setting to hot water, then I went to the shower and turned the water knob all the way to the hot position and then turned the water on, I heard the water heater kick on. So I realized the hot water heater burner unit was activated by turning on the hot water. regardless though the water would turn cold again long before I could finish a quick shower. I do not know if it had a defective thermostat or what but once the water ran cold again. I would have to turn the water off, then turn it back on in the extreme hot position to turn it back on. So I had to adjust my system taking a shower, wash hair then rinse then get the fuck out, turn water heater knob off turn it back on, wait a minute get back in shower wash upper body then rinse then get the fuck out, repeat for lower body. So I am pretty sure it was a mini tank. I have read on these forums that energy is very expensive in Colombia so maybe that is part of their calculation when they put these things in, but seriously think that a tankless water heater would be more be more efficient than my having to take 3 showers to get clean, and I believe that the added marginal cost to the rent would more than pay for itself in satisfied customers. It was a very nice studio apartment except for this major flaw, I would not rent that same apartment again because of this.

[YippieKayay]

I have experienced cold water in Cartagena and I like a hot shower, not a lukewarm shower. not a warm shower, a hot shower. I only experienced it once and every other building I stayed since has had hot water.

If you look closely at the water heater, dryer, and washer (laundry) in the apartments many of them have English warnings on them. They're not sold locally. These are used appliances shipped to Colombia and fixed there then resold. This is why you'll see a state of the art water heater in an apartment but it barely works.

[Mojo Bandit]

Hot water is not a necessity in Cartagena. Its super hot 10 months of the year. The water is already hot just sitting in the pipes, probably 95 degrees.

I have experienced cold water in Cartagena and I like a hot shower, not a lukewarm shower. not a warm shower, a hot shower. I only experienced it once and every other building I stayed since has had hot water.

[MongerHunger]

Hi all,

Would anyone have recommendation as to where I should stay when in Cartegena that is guest friendly and somewhere close to the Clock Tower, hotel or Airbnb? I will travel there during the middle of the week, how does it compare to the weekend? Is Electra or LDV any good during the weekday? What about Clock Tower scenes? Any info would greatly appreciated.

When searching Airbnb be sure to read the "house rules" in every listing. It will be mentioned if you can't bring outside guest and others will not mention it at all. I suggest that you check out the ones that don't restrict guest in the "house rules'.

[MongerHunger]

I'm a mde vet going to ctg for the first time soon. Just curious how far bocagrande is to clock tower? And I'm assuming the clock tower is in the old town?

I caught a cab from the clock tower to Bocagrande (Hollywood Beach) for 8 k. That is less than $3 USD. Totally worth it.

[NeilGeorge]

Most places rented by cheapskates who stay in poor houses. In my apartment in Bocagrande I had hot water, and it's not a luxurious penthouse. Just a normal apartment.

Hot water is not a necessity in Cartagena. Its super hot 10 months of the year. The water is already hot just sitting in the pipes, probably 95 degrees.

[Black Page]

Hi all,
Going to Cartagena soon. Is it common for places to not have hot water? I read online that most places don't have hot water.

Most places rented by cheapskates who stay in poor houses. In my apartment in Bocagrande I had hot water, and it's not a luxurious penthouse. Just a normal apartment.

[John Clayton]

... nobody would consider to go on foot.

Well, I've done on foot at midday (hot), and at night (unbelievably dangerous traffic, crappy sidewalks with gaping, unmarked holes), several times. It is a stupid walk, and only a stubborn idiot would do it more than once.

[LvZooMan211]

Hi all,

Going to Cartagena soon. Is it common for places to not have hot water? I read online that most places don't have hot water. Just wondering if I will have to take cold showers while I'm there.

[Black Page]

I'm a mde vet going to ctg for the first time soon. Just curious how far bocagrande is to clock tower? And I'm assuming the clock tower is in the old town?

First of all, why don't you look Google Maps before asking here?

Second, Bocagrande is LONG: 2 or 3 km from one side to the other. Therefore, your question depends on where you are in Bocagrande. From Juan Valdez, it is less than 2 km and you can go walking in 20-25 minures. From the exreme in Laquito, the distance is almost 5 km and therefore you take nealry 1 hour on foot.

In both cases, conidering temperature, humidity, the poor view, the little taxi fare, nobody would consider to go on foot.

[World Travel 69]

It is not that far, but is better to take a taxi.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?h...930671383&z=14

I'm a mde vet going to ctg for the first time soon. Just curious how far Bocagrande is to clock tower? And I'm assuming the clock tower is in the old town?

[John Gault]

I'm a mde vet going to ctg for the first time soon. Just curious how far bocagrande is to clock tower? And I'm assuming the clock tower is in the old town?

It is a very short 6 to 8 K ride to the tower.

[Sangnyc21]

I'm a mde vet going to ctg for the first time soon. Just curious how far bocagrande is to clock tower? And I'm assuming the clock tower is in the old town?

[Summer2016]

I am planning to go at the end of Nov, what is the name of the apartment? Is it closer to clock tower?

I traveled to Cartagena in May this year. I stayed near bocagrande at an apartment. It was chica friendly, especially after I greeted the doorman with a little cash. The girls are everywhere, the beach, the plaza, etc.

Had a nice girl come from the beach to my room. 120 K for the hour. She was 23 and light tan and incredible body, GFE and everything.

Also pulled a nice babe from the clock tower at night, although it was a bit pricier. 160 k for GFE for an hour, real nice, late twenties and a great all natural body.

Also don't be afraid to use the internet, that can help you negotiate better. As always the more Spanish you know, the better it will be for all.

Good luck!

[LvZooMan211]

Cartagena was an amazing city of fantasies and illusions. I am in my early forties, Hispanic with good Spanish (conversational), with knowledge of Colombia (been to Medellin a few times). I did my research prior to going (thanks board) and even did Tinder (my opinion on that later). Even with all this preparations, I still made some miscues and mistakes that I learned some lessons if I would return. But overall, I had a great time and would probably repeat (though probably a shorter weekend trip).

Day One Wednesday.

I booked the trip for about a week (September 18-24) arriving wed and leaving the following Tuesday. This was my first solo trip (been with friends before). I was contacting women on Tinder getting ready for my arrival. A 6 am flight out of NYC and layover in fort Lauderdale. On the second leg of the trip, I made friends with a pilot who decided on a whim to jump on board and check out Cartagena. He has never been to Colombia at all and didn't even have a hotel lined up. So we made friends and I decided to help him translate and help him to the to the walled city. So we took a taxi together and dropped him off. Then I checked into my spot and the place was sweet. Good security and great views of the city from the balcony. First mission was to get a Claro sim card for my Colombian phone so did that. I also got supplies (food, drinks, booze, Colombian Cialis and Colombian Viagra)..

Excellent report JoeqNight. I will be in Cartagena over the Christmas break. Do you have a hotel, apartment, Airbnb that you recommend? Where did you stay? I'm looking for a place that is chica friendly. TIA.