Cartagena Reports

I am going to Colombia for the first time and I hope someone could advise me about the following not only gor Cartagena but for Bogota, Cali and Medellin as well
-Girl friendly hotels for 20$ or less.
-Discos/nightclubs/etc where you find freelancers ( I am not too interested in places where you just pick a girl, pay a barfine etc).
-Prices for ST and LT for freelancers.

I am going in less than a month and I am thrilled. Grateful for answers.

Hotel in Cali aprox $23.50 US per night - no hot water however they will tell you that there is hot water - girl friendly Opposite this Hotel is Hotel Imperial same price same owner with Hot Water. Very safe however at night the place looks dismal.

Address and Name Hotel Americana CRA 4 No 8-73 Cali Tel 882-4370 -72

I know a few places in the other cities but the price is more in the region of $45-100US I like to stay in suites with some fancy stuff like pools stuff like that. But I know there are some very safe and reasonable hotels in these cities, but its hard to find a decent and safe place under $20 bucks.

HAPPYC

I was in Cartagena for 5 days during the Easter holidays. I was told the city is safe. I walked a great deal around the city, both the old Spanish district and the area known as Bocagrande. I saw many police patrols during the day as well as military groups during the day and night patroling and conducting road blocks. I escorted my girl friend from my apt. to her home very late in a taxi, roundtrip over ½ hr., and saw no questionable activity whatsoever. Did see active military patrols at night. I walked the neigborhood of Bocagrande at night where there are many small restaurants and the La Perle Casino. Very peaceful. LE and MP are visible.

Sure there is one area or two to stay away from. The same holds true in NYC, LA or other major metropolis.

In conclusion, Cartagena is probably Colombia’s safest city for tourism and hobbying. I recommend you go. You won’t regret it. The Bocagrande beach area is something to experience, both the positive (women, friendly population, warm Carib. Sea) and the negative (HOT, salty sea and all the aggressive sellers). Feel unsafe, plenty of taxis to choose from. A 3-4 mile (4-6 km.) ride costs only 3000 pesos (less than a NYC subway token).

I am going back this summer for minimum 2 weeks.

So far so great - the hell with Thailand, Manila, Costa Rica. Its all true here. Tony 1 is a bit of a fleecer on the beach behind Las Velas but he delivers. You dont really need him anyways. Only problem is the club doesnt open until 10 pm. The good news is the place is crawling with them all day. Great service here and good prices.

NYC Expat

Good insights.

Tell me, did you happen to go into the casino to make a monetary contribution? What's the action like in the casino(s)? Would you recommend them as a diversion once one tires on, and needs a respite from, the hokie-pokie?

Ez

If you play blackjack you have to be careful because Colombians do not hit 13,14,15,16 against a 10 I do not understand why. The dealer only draws one card and they are assuming the card will be a low card I am not quite sure on the odds. I know from reading Blackjack strategies that this is a no no. Just my 2 cents.

HAPPY C

I am thinking about a trip. How safe is it for American gringos? Thanks, Hondo

Hondo,

This place not really for Gringos. It is Colombia after all. However if you exercise caution and stick to Boca Grande area and the old city and maybe Central city it is okay. Expect to get bribed by the cops who are in military fatigues and carrying your passport around is a death wish.

Jwilly,

I am also considering going. From all the forums I could find on internet everyone is being very positive and says plenty of gringos/europeans in Cartagena, and that it's safe.

You are making strong discouraging statements ? Passport death wish, militaries, being bribed by cops, what does this all mean - can you elaborate more on these? Have you had any bad experiences yourself?

Thank you

Hola Amigos!

This city sounds unreal. I have not read anything here about the weather. Anyone know anything about June July weather. Are the clubs/ hotels/ girls still busy in June July?
I found this at weather.com (sorry it would not keep the format)

Month Avg.High Avg.Low Avg.Precip.
January 88.2° F 73.8° F 0.30 in
February 88.2° F 74.1° F 0.00 in
March 88.3° F 75.0° F 0.00 in
April 88.7° F 76.6° F 1.20 in
May 89.1° F 77.5° F 3.60 in
June 89.2° F 77.5° F 4.50 in
July 89.4° F 77.0° F 3.70 in
August 89.4° F 77.0° F 4.90 in
Septem 88.9° F 76.8° F 5.70 in
October 88.2° F 76.3° F 9.60 in
Novem 88.3° F 76.5° F 5.20 in
Decem 88.5° F 74.8° F 1.50 in

Is June July a bad time to go? Will any of you be there Then?

Thanks

Nuevo

Sean EZ,

Well it is Colombia. YEs I have had some unfortunate things happen with police. Dont carry your passport just a copy because they have to kill you to use it. And its worth 10K. Stick to the areas below and its basically ok.

Will be arriving May 5th- 12th with my good friend Dashing Don. Staying at the Almirante. !st time in Cartagena but looking forward to being back in Colombia. Drop a message if anyone is in town and have a cerveza on me. Later.

Hondo Lane

Cartagena is safe, that's Colombia-safe. Not Switzerland-safe. Go enjoy yourself and follow the advice jwilly gave you.

Get the Footprint Colombia Handbook. All the best advice is there. Better than Lonely Planet.

I posted a list of chica places a while back look it up if you are interested.

Get a Hotel in Bocagrande, it's safer and cheaper. Get Las Velas, the staff is used to seeing men with obvious rent-a-girls.A thing I learned a long time ago. Don't make too much noise when you are making love. People are trying to sleep.

Leave the passport at the safe at the hotel, you don't want to lose it. Carry a copy of your passport in your secret pocket, you are supposed to carry I.D. on you.

Chances are that you'll be fine if you watch your ass and your mouth. In other words, don't fuck your girl on the balcony or in public.

Don't talk about politics with anyone. Agree with everyone on everything and do your own thing. Even if they are bad mouthing your country.

Never pay the first price that a girl quotes you. Always try to negotiate. Listen, to the penny pinching cheapstakes and pay 10 to 20 percent above what they pay for the really pretty girls.

Are you a sex tourist? Try to be also a regular tourist. Call the five star hotels and see if you can join one of their tours. Do you know Spanish? Learn as much as you can beyond the sex words and cantina words.

I always give the guy at the hotel desk a small tip on my way out on the girl hunt. I don't tip them in front of the girl. These guys are there for my protection and I need them happy to see me.

If you go to restaurants, wear long pants and a nice shirt and shoes. Try not to show the world that you are consorting with prostitutes. There are families around and they don't like to see that. It's about traveling sensibly.

Previously, the girly bars used to be located inside the old city. The reason why they were forced out was that increase in sex tourists. I know this because I asked the locals about it.

Carry small coins in your pockets and give them to beggars that approach you. They are not like New York beggars, they are the real deal. They are called disposable people.

Just read the Footprint Colombia Handbook and then ask more specific questions.

When I travel I carry a few extra toothbrushes and traveler's toothpaste to give to the girl. I also buy at the local pharmacy a nice, fruty liquid soap. I want the girl nicely showered and minty fresh.

Hello board room fellow pooners.

There is alot of very good info on here, except no one really has touched on the prices one has to pay. If I have a nice apartment or hotelroom and find a girl to stay with me for a week or two what would be the cost? I'm not cheap charlie but if a girl stays long term i would treat her well. I'm older and not one to go clubbing for a different girl every night. But I do like quality stunner 20/30 years old. Please post prices when giving reports.

Good luck and happy punting to all.

Ferolga's advice is excellent.

I was 5 days in Cartagena. Read my previous post.
I was stopped late at night by a military patrol near La Perla Casino. He asked a question. I replied in very limited Spanish and sign language. No problem. He didn't even ask for ID. I carried photocopy of my passport. His buddies in the van smiled to me as I walked away.

I walked past the naval hospital with armed guards. I said hello and they replied.

During the day, you can wear t-shirts and shorts as the locals do also in Bocagrande. Anywhere else, wear long pants and dress nice in the evening. You'll get respect from everyone and you may get an evening to remember. Politeness and smiles goes a long way.

One afternoon around lunch time, I walked the beach towards the Hilton’s private beach with beachside luncheonette with offerings around US$10.-. Was able to enter their outdoor pool area crowded with young and old. It looked like Miami during summer vacation. Waiters running around serving guests. It was easy to blend in. After about 10 min. observation, I left. Had lunch under a palm tree. A woman had a wok frying those corn meal patties (pita bread size) called arepa de huevo with some meat, cheese and egg inside. 2 for 3000 pesos, $1.15.

For dinner, there are many restaurants in the Bocagrande area serving national and intern’l cuisine. I had a steak, fries, a little salad and a beer for about $6.- the night I was alone. BTW, LDV was closed that night. While out with my date, we ate much nicer and much more expensive. One night 2 course fish, another night 2 course meat. Approx. $30-45.

On the beach try a delicious fruit plate enough for lunch with watermelon, melon, mango, papaya and other local fruit for only $1.50. Extremely refreshing in the heat. The english speaking beer stand owners will approach asking if you need anything from a beer, 2-3000 pesos to a beautiful girl (in their opinion). I took the beers but not the girl as I already had my non-pro.

Some taxi drivers will try to overcharge late at night. Its equivalent to 50 cents-2 dollars. It isn't worth the discussion. A half hour ride for US$6. Exact same trip following night $4.50. Otherwise ask first.

I gave coins to many invalids which you'll see. They'll give a big smile and thanks. Give. You can afford it.

The doorman where I stayed asked for 1000 pesos one night. That's a 40 cent tip. You have to smile.

I'm going back for 18 days.