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After re-reading my post below it occurred to me that I might have come across a bit over the top and opinionated. Too late to edit, but just so you know that was not the intent and please correct if there is any misinformation.
I am not an expert by any means and there are hundreds of others who are. For what it's worth, I have been to all the afore mentioned destinations except Colombia.
Can't blame you for giving me your opinion...after all, I asked for it :)
A couple of questions...what exactly is SXM, I'm drawing a blank on that one.
Of all the places below, minus Columbia of course, what one had the cheapest cost of living (rent, food, transport, etc) or are they all more or less the same or close to it?
[QUOTE=Vitrea]Colombia: The source...the mother land of all the latino pleasure world does not have the most accessible diving but it is not non-existent. The most well known dive sites in Colombia are quite a ways away in places like Gorgona, Malpelo, San Andres and Providencia islands. But if you have a month, may be you can do both :-)[/QUOTE]Hello "V",
Actually out of Santa Marta, Colombia, there is some decent diving to be found: For those that do not know, Taganga is about 10 minutes from Santa Marta.
Hope all is well with you my friend, and I hope our paths cross in the near future! Take care! :)
DIVING FOR THOSE THAT LIKE THIS ACTIVITY:
* Punta Venado: 5 minutes from Taganga. Here you can do incredible shallow dives and see the Gorgóneas which is veritable submarine garden in just few meters of water. There is also an interesting underwater cliff which drops to 20 meters. This is one of the best sites for a spectacular night dive.
* Granate: This is the first bay you find in the Tayrona National Park, about 20 minutes from Taganga.
* Casa Camargo: Some 25 minutes from Taganga by launcha. Here you will find an underwater cliff and lots of pretty exotic looking coral. You can also dive here at night.
* El Salidero: In this area you will be able to see alot of barracudas, fauna, a and coral gardens. It is pretty awesome to see.
* El Torin: In this area it is super clear and it is filled with corals and many exotic looking fish.
* El Palo: This area to dive in is pretty cool as you it is filled with underwater caves.
* Punta Aguja: Diving here you will see alot of lobsters and eals. It is really cool.
* Wreck "El barco hundido": This is about 40 minutes from Taganga. There is sunken cargo ship lying on the bottom of the ocean, and it is totally covered with oysters, clams and coral. The ship sunk I guess about 14 years ago. There is also a hole in the ship that allows you to swim and see the engine room.
[QUOTE=Strangeman]Can't blame you for giving me your opinion...after all, I asked for it :)
A couple of questions...what exactly is SXM, I'm drawing a blank on that one.
Of all the places below, minus Columbia of course, what one had the cheapest cost of living (rent, food, transport, etc) or are they all more or less the same or close to it?[/QUOTE]
SXM is St. Maarten, the dutch side. SXM is the airport code. IMHO, Hands down, best mongering destination in the Caribbean.
Cost of living is more expensive in SXM compared to DR, CR, Curacao or even Aruba, especially hotels are more expensive.
Short time (ST) SXM, CUR and Aruba are the best values at 40 to 50 USD for 30 minutes. LT in SXM is true overnight and can run up to 300 USD. LT is less expensive in CR and DR but is less organized. In Panama, ST is bit more pricey and LT is the same price.
[QUOTE=Black Hawk69]Hello "V",
Actually out of Santa Marta, Colombia, there is some decent diving to be found: For those that do not know, Taganga is about 10 minutes from Santa Marta.
Hope all is well with you my friend, and I hope our paths cross in the near future! Take care! :)
DIVING FOR THOSE THAT LIKE THIS ACTIVITY:
* Punta Venado: 5 minutes from Taganga. Here you can do incredible shallow dives and see the Gorgóneas which is veritable submarine garden in just few meters of water. There is also an interesting underwater cliff which drops to 20 meters. This is one of the best sites for a spectacular night dive.
* Granate: This is the first bay you find in the Tayrona National Park, about 20 minutes from Taganga.
* Casa Camargo: Some 25 minutes from Taganga by launcha. Here you will find an underwater cliff and lots of pretty exotic looking coral. You can also dive here at night.
* El Salidero: In this area you will be able to see alot of barracudas, fauna, a and coral gardens. It is pretty awesome to see.
* El Torin: In this area it is super clear and it is filled with corals and many exotic looking fish.
* El Palo: This area to dive in is pretty cool as you it is filled with underwater caves.
* Punta Aguja: Diving here you will see alot of lobsters and eals. It is really cool.
* Wreck "El barco hundido": This is about 40 minutes from Taganga. There is sunken cargo ship lying on the bottom of the ocean, and it is totally covered with oysters, clams and coral. The ship sunk I guess about 14 years ago. There is also a hole in the ship that allows you to swim and see the engine room.[/QUOTE]
I KNEW you were going to suggest Santa Marta :-) I refrained from suggesting that myself because in the last note you sent me, you hinted that Santa Marta may not be as safe for gringos, especially for solo non-spanish speaking travelers. I did not want to get strangeman in trouble.
[QUOTE=Strangeman]
- From what I understand.....the amateur scene is bad to non-existent.
[/QUOTE]
I can't figure where you got that idea.
As a middle-aged overweight guy I scored way beyond my means (i.e., age, hotness), typically using internet dating sites.
Granted, you may not score the hottest chicks from the top of the socioeconomic ranks in the city (read: white), but you should do very well with a little effort. If you got game, can speak the idioma, and like the morenas, you can score as many amateurs as you want.
Speaking of the amateur scene in PTY.
Anyone have any tips for semi-pro, non-pro scene in PTY?
Well other than "go to regular bars".
Has anyone stayed at this hotel and can give me their personal assessment/comparison with similarly priced hotels? From what I can find online, this one seems to be rated better than other ones in the Cangrejo district. I'd appreciate any info.
Hi Gents,
Just wanted to let you know that you can indeed purchase V or C from the pharma on via Espana with no script. But dayum they are expensive compared to other countries!
1 tab original Cial = 17 bucks!
2 tab generic cial = 32 bucks!
Steep prices :( I didn't ask about V though...could be a little cheaper.
Thanks,
BG
[QUOTE=Bangar Gangar]Hi Gents,
Just wanted to let you know that you can indeed purchase V or C from the pharma on via Espana with no script. But dayum they are expensive compared to other countries!
1 tab original Cial = 17 bucks!
2 tab generic cial = 32 bucks!
Steep prices :( I didn't ask about V though...could be a little cheaper.
Thanks,
BG[/QUOTE]Sorry, just wanted to make a correction. It was actually 34 bucks for generic. It makes no sense. Might as well buy the original brand.
Any advice on hotels to stay at in Panama City?
Something cheap but clean and Chica friendly?
Looking for a cabi that can speak some english. I remember 2 years ago paid cabi $20 for a couple of hours of driving around the night clubs
Was wondering if Habanos and the Venetto was still "happening"? Read in a previous post from last month that there was not many girls at Habanos because of some raids?
Free here,
Danny the scene in Habanos and Veneto will always be "happening", it is just a matter of HOW happening. Honestly you have to go DAY BY DAY with both the Veneto and Habanos. Immigration is really going hard these days so ONE day it could be GREAT, and the next day DEAD. Really the only thing I can say it go and try your luck. I was at Habanos last Saturday and all was well, BUT that could change tonight, tomm, the next day. Im sure you get my point.
That being said, all it takes is one or TWO chicas..lol. So I am sure you will find someone that fits your needs. Try to go to Habanos on the earlier side, about 1030pm, thus to avoid a possible later raid (IF it happens).
FREE
[QUOTE=Hobbying]Looking for a cabi that can speak some english. I remember 2 years ago paid cabi $20 for a couple of hours of driving around the night clubs[/QUOTE]
See my post in the Panama city thread. JC Pauli is the best if you just want a cool laid back plush taxi and Big Tony if you need something more than that.