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Would you guys recommend getting a normal hotel (likely not girl-friendly) and just visit short-term hotels with a chica? I have read that apartments are recommended, but I am so used to staying at hotels and getting service etc.
I am planning on visiting in the next couple weeks for 3 days. Not much time, but honestly. Being in North America, I always feel that any place on this side of the hemisphere, if the sole or primary reason for travel is for mongering than the 3 day plan is usually sufficient. I was concerned about safety in Colombia at first. Just like I was extremely concerned about safety in Buenos Aires, Sosua, Santo Domingo, St. Maarten, Barcelona, Amsterdam, etc. But from everything I have read, it appears Cartagena is extremely safe and as long as you use common sense and do not flash wealth, or get drunk, and put yourself in a situation to be taken advantage of. Then there is not much to worry about. Correct?
My spanish is still basic, although I am able to understand fairly well and I'm getting better at speaking. I've read that Cartagena is probably better for basic spanish speakers than a place like Bogota or Medellin, where the basic level will not suffice. If anyone can confirm or share their experiences if they are basic spanish speakers, that would be much appreciated!
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[QUOTE=Puntz79;1601416]My spanish is still basic, although I am able to understand fairly well and I'm getting better at speaking. I've read that Cartagena is probably better for basic spanish speakers than a place like Bogota or Medellin, where the basic level will not suffice. If anyone can confirm or share their experiences if they are basic spanish speakers, that would be much appreciated![/QUOTE]It sounds like you have enough Spanish to monger in the other cities in Colombia. Even if you use 2-3 word sentences to communicate ideas, this should be enough. It sounds like you are at this level or above. Tell the girls to speak slowly and stop after every 10 words if needed. Also, tell them to use basic Spanish words when speaking with you.
Colombian women are some of the most attention deficit in the world. Colombia is a YMMV mongering destination in a big way. Intelligence is rewarded and stupidity is penalized. You have to assert yourself and "push" these girls to respect the things that are important to you. If you can do this successfully, you will love mongering in Colombia. If you can't, you will experience the selfishness of Colombian woman and will wish you were just about anywhere else. Colombia is just this simple IMHO.
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I rather like the idea of the short term hotel. My experience with the chicas in Torre de Reloj suggests that they are not into TLN anyway and are more interesting in churning clients, plus might be expected home at some point in the early morning hours. Not to mention you will not be concerned with things missing in your hotel room.
As far as safety, El Centro has to be one of the safest destinations in all of South America tourist spots IMO. This is not so much to protect devotees of our hobby, but to protect normal tourists and their families. Before 10 pm, this particular plaza is awash with tourists embarking on horse coach rides, evening strolls, etc. But as the other recent post mentioned, I would not want to be in this area after 4 am.
You can survive with minimum Spanish as long as a situation does not demand that you speak more fluently and sometimes that can happen in post or pre negotiations. You could always insist that the price and terms (I. E. Number of times / duration) are typed into your cellphone to ensure no misunderstanding. Sometimes girls will type the price in their phone but just try to retrieve that information from them later. Most police I have encountered do not speak English and the same definitely holds true for the chicas. In LDV, some girls speak English, though this suggests a certain level of professionalism for better or worse.
[QUOTE=Puntz79;1601416]Would you guys recommend getting a normal hotel (likely not girl-friendly) and just visit short-term hotels with a chica? I have read that apartments are recommended, but I am so used to staying at hotels and getting service etc.
I am planning on visiting in the next couple weeks for 3 days. Not much time, but honestly. Being in North America, I always feel that any place on this side of the hemisphere, if the sole or primary reason for travel is for mongering than the 3 day plan is usually sufficient. I was concerned about safety in Colombia at first. Just like I was extremely concerned about safety in Buenos Aires, Sosua, Santo Domingo, St. Maarten, Barcelona, Amsterdam, etc. But from everything I have read, it appears Cartagena is extremely safe and as long as you use common sense and do not flash wealth, or get drunk, and put yourself in a situation to be taken advantage of. Then there is not much to worry about. Correct?
My spanish is still basic, although I am able to understand fairly well and I'm getting better at speaking. I've read that Cartagena is probably better for basic spanish speakers than a place like Bogota or Medellin, where the basic level will not suffice. If anyone can confirm or share their experiences if they are basic spanish speakers, that would be much appreciated![/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=Cerevro;1601332]Tu Candela.
... Note: no single women are allowed in this place (there are exceptions of course) and many of the girls outside in the clock tower are not allowed to get in. It seems that the owner has a strong policy. He allows only good quality freelancers (this is what a girl I took told me). BTW, I did not pay cover charge to get in (2 nights) and women have to pay like 20,000 pesos = 10 USD. Weird, huh?[/QUOTE]My experience is from a Sunday night in early October 2013, maybe not totally reflective now but I seem to have witnessed what you described.
I met this pair of girls (one English speaker, one none) and they invited me to party to Tu Candela, I got a bottle, then we all went to the short term hotel (love motel as I would call it).
I imagine no single girls not being allowed is due to the place being a fairly small one (as far as I remember, at least the second floor) and no point overcrowding the place with girls not buying single drinks, when instead you could get the rich bottle opening clientèle. Obviously this is just my two cents.
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Travel question
I'm looking to travel to Cartagena next weekend, would be my first time in Colombia! I have a couple questions and would appreciate any advice:
I'm flying with Avianca from the US and have a change of flights in Bogota. How is transiting in Bogota? Do I have to collect my checked-in luggage and drop off? How bad is the wait in passport control / immigration? My flight arrives in Bogota around 7:15 PM. The time between flights is about 2 and half hours. It's my first experience with airports in Bogota, I've read about arriving early for international flights by as much as 3-4 hours and the lengthy process and security checks. But do not know how transiting through Bogota is and what it entails.
Hotel suggestions. I'm going with the strategy of staying at a regular hotel for my first time and taking a girl to love motels for short time. I thought about going with an apartment, but I'd like to try that next time perhaps. Overall hotel costs in CTG are not bad, and I prefer not having to worry about my belongings so I'll try love motels. What's the most convenient area to stay at? This is just a 3 day trip, during the daytime I might try to check out the action if available. Maybe at the beach. But I like to do the whole touristy thing as well, check out some sights, dining scene, etc. But I would also like to be close to the action and preferably within walking distance of chica bars / clubs or a quick cab ride away.
Any suggestions / advice is greatly appreciated. If you have any other tips as far as daytime action, that would be appreciated as well. Thanks, this forum really makes things a lot easier.
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[QUOTE=Puntz79;1605667]I'm looking to travel to Cartagena next weekend, would be my first time in Colombia! I have a couple questions and would appreciate any advice:
I'm flying with Avianca from the US and have a change of flights in Bogota. How is transiting in Bogota? Do I have to collect my checked-in luggage and drop off? How bad is the wait in passport control / immigration? My flight arrives in Bogota around 7:15 PM. The time between flights is about 2 and half hours. It's my first experience with airports in Bogota, I've read about arriving early for international flights by as much as 3-4 hours and the lengthy process and security checks. But do not know how transiting through Bogota is and what it entails.
[/QUOTE]Your bags should be checked all the way to CTG. You don't see your bags or immigration until your final destination. CTG.
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Beware in Bogota
Just make sure you don't miss your flight to CTG Puntz79 cause last April on my way to Cancun with the novia we missed our flight so we had to go from Bogota to San salvador then finally Cancun.
Our bags stayed overnight in Bogota and when the Copa airlines worker brought us our luggages the day after the novia said she was missing some underwear and stuff I thought she was mistaken.
Or didn't remember what she had brought so after thoroughly checking mine I noticed my RUSH, METALLICA and NWA t-shirts were missing. !
I am still pissed off till this day.
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Staying in Cetro
I decided I'd stay in Centro, was very close to picking something in Bocagrande but staying in Centro gives me more of an opportunity to experience the city without being in a cab as I prefer to walk around and do some sight seeing.
What are the best options? I've read about the Clock Tower, and there are a few bars in the area correct? Tu Candela etc, and Mister Babilla but I think that is just outside the walls. As for daytime action, are there are good options in Centro or is it all at the beach?
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It's li USA
[QUOTE=Puntz79;1605667]I'm looking to travel to Cartagena next weekend, would be my first time in Colombia! I have a couple questions and would appreciate any advice:
I'm flying with Avianca from the US and have a change of flights in Bogota. How is transiting in Bogota? Do I have to collect my checked-in luggage and drop off? How bad is the wait in passport control / immigration? My flight arrives in Bogota around 7:15 PM. The time between flights is about 2 and half hours. It's my first experience with airports in Bogota, I've read about arriving early for international flights by as much as 3-4 hours and the lengthy process and security checks. But do not know how transiting through Bogota is and what it entails.
Hotel suggestions. I'm going with the strategy of staying at a regular hotel for my first time and taking a girl to love motels for short time. I thought about going with an apartment, but I'd like to try that next time perhaps..[/QUOTE]You have to collect your checked-in luggage, because Bogota is your port of entry, go tru customs and Immigration, then you will see a drop off Counter for Avianca, that's a drop off for you luggage, then proceed to your next flight, remember your flight from Bogota to Cartagena is Inland or (National), not International.
Just my two cents.
Kukulkan,
Peace
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Sugguestion
The flight is too long.
Stay overnight in Bogota.
Get laid and go to Cartagena the next day.
[QUOTE=Puntz79;1605667]I'm looking to travel to Cartagena next weekend, would be my first time in Colombia! I have a couple questions and would appreciate any advice:
I'm flying with Avianca from the US and have a change of flights in Bogota. How is transiting in Bogota? Do I have to collect my checked-in luggage and drop off? How bad is the wait in passport control / immigration? My flight arrives in Bogota around 7:15 PM. The time between flights is about 2 and half hours. It's my first experience with airports in Bogota, I've read about arriving early for international flights by as much as 3-4 hours and the lengthy process and security checks. But do not know how transiting through Bogota is and what it entails.
Hotel suggestions. I'm going with the strategy of staying at a regular hotel for my first time and taking a girl to love motels for short time. I thought about going with an apartment, but I'd like to try that next time perhaps. Overall hotel costs in CTG are not bad, and I prefer not having to worry about my belongings so I'll try love motels. What's the most convenient area to stay at? This is just a 3 day trip, during the daytime I might try to check out the action if available. Maybe at the beach. But I like to do the whole touristy thing as well, check out some sights, dining scene, etc. But I would also like to be close to the action and preferably within walking distance of chica bars / clubs or a quick cab ride away.
Any suggestions / advice is greatly appreciated. If you have any other tips as far as daytime action, that would be appreciated as well. Thanks, this forum really makes things a lot easier.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=WorldTravel69;1606336]The flight is too long.
Stay overnight in Bogota.
Get laid and go to Cartagena the next day.[/QUOTE]From where I am, the flight to Bogota is 3 hours. Maybe 3. 5. Onwards connection to CTG is just an hour.
However, I am giving serious consideration to staying a night in Bogota on my way back. I've read that there is a tolerance zone in Bogota, but not exactly the safest place to be walking. I've thought about escort options, has anyone tried in Bogota?
Or, maybe the better questions is. If you had one night in Bogota for mongering. What would you do?
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[QUOTE=Orgasmico;1605668]Your bags should be checked all the way to CTG. You don't see your bags or immigration until your final destination. CTG.[/QUOTE]That's not correct. Bogota is the port of entry: after immigration, you need to collect bags (checked in to the final destination) and pass the customs. After that, you leave them to the desk where they will route them to the final destination.
2. 5 hours is more than enough: the BOG airport is very efficient. Also, both flights are Avianca. Please note that since this year domestic Avianca flights DO NOT leave from Puente Aereo, but from the same international airport where you land.
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Been there done that
By the time you get to Cartagena and check in you will be too tired to go out and check the city out.
You want to do that in the day time.
Stay in Zona Rosa area in Bogota.
Great safe area to start.
Check My Map, there are many places close by.
You can walk to these:
17. Chicas Milenio, Calle 71 # 14 A-20.30 Chicas in Shifts. Prices: 30 k 20 min. , 40 k 30 min. , 60 k hour. Tel: 249 2927,312 5074. Hours: 9 am to 3 am. (#4 on Tung's Chapinero Map).
18. Chicas 2000 / Las Profesionales, Calle 71 # 14 A-27-33.6 Chicas. Prices: 30 k 20 min. , 40 k 30 min. , 60 k hour. Hours: 9 am to 9 pm. (#1/30 on Tung's Chapinero Map).
Prices might be a little off.
[QUOTE=Puntz79;1606565]From where I am, the flight to Bogota is 3 hours. Maybe 3. 5. Onwards connection to CTG is just an hour.
However, I am giving serious consideration to staying a night in Bogota on my way back. I've read that there is a tolerance zone in Bogota, but not exactly the safest place to be walking. I've thought about escort options, has anyone tried in Bogota?
Or, maybe the better questions is. If you had one night in Bogota for mongering. What would you do?[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTE=BlackPage;1606692]That's not correct. Bogota is the port of entry: after immigration, you need to collect bags (checked in to the final destination) and pass the customs. After that, you leave them to the desk where they will route them to the final destination.
2. 5 hours is more than enough: the BOG airport is very efficient. Also, both flights are Avianca. Please note that since this year domestic Avianca flights DO NOT leave from Puente Aereo, but from the same international airport where you land.[/QUOTE]Good and accurate information in this post from BP in re to an international flight from USA landing in Bogota with a connection to Cartagena. I'd personally make my connection and get onto CTG, but that just a personal preference and falls squarely into the old saying of "different strokes for different folks".
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Miami-Bogota-Cartagena
Your baggage that you check in Miami is sent to Cartagena unless you ask to get it in Bogota. They will xray it in Bogota (I assume) then it is put on the plane with you, hopefully. I have done this for many times, including today. Occasionally there will be an inspection in Cartagena, but not often.