Cartagena Reports

Hampton Inn has no guest fee. They do ask that you register your guest. They will make a copy of your guest's ID for your protection and for their protection. The hotel is across the street from the Masters Casino. Booking online it said 2 adults for 1 night. No price difference for just 1 adult vs 2.

Friday day I tried Paradiso del Marino at 4:30 pm. They had only 4 chicas when I arrived. Place was dead. 5 guys, 4 chicas. They rang a bell and 4 more chicas rolled out of their rooms over the next 15 minutes. Bar is kind of beat up. Some of the theécor reminded me of Casa Blanca in Saint Marten. Girls were 6's, 6.5, maybe a 7. Some had pretty faces, silicon implants but pear-shaped bodies. One dark hair spinner Crystal was the most attractive to me but I didn't pull the trigger. My taxi driver quoted me 30 K for trip. I was thinking round-trip, he tells me this is one-way. After 10 minute argument I give him 50 K. My gut tells me the guy would try to take advantage of me. I got taxi from right by Hampton. I don't recommend that spot. I think these are the "fat" taxi drivers that have nicer cabs but expect richer clients and charge them more. I asked 4 taxi drivers on the street the price for round trip to Paradiso. One said 50 K and quickly accepted 30 K. 3 others in a group agreed that 45 K was fair. Point to make is to be clear when you are quoted the price if it is one-way or round trip. Taxis to / from Bocagrande. Clock Tower were 6 K day, 7 K night, 8 K late night (3 am), but often negotiated back to 7 K. I might have gotten them all to 6 K since supply was higher than demand but didn't want to fight over 33 cents difference.

Day time options seem limited to casas, personal contacts and playa Hollywood. Possibly Tinder and Facebook if you've made connections there. Mostly it seems like 9:30 pm until 3 am is prime time for chicas. A good strategy would be to collect several numbers during prime time hours to make daytime plans with.

Friday night I went to Café Del Mar around 10:10 pm on recommendation of a cab driver. I didn't see any working girls. I was in the Clock Tower area 10:30 -11:20 pm. Girls arrived later tonight, not too many before 11 pm. Mostly the same from Thursday night, perhaps a few new faces. I've noticed 2 "groups" of chicas. Those who sit down and those who stand. Those who occasionally sit on the benches are more likely to talk to men while seated. I saw several men talking for a while before leaving with a chica. Of those who stand, conversations with men rarely last more than 2 minutes. Typically the women who are standing most of the time are better dressed but "appear" less friendly. I personally prefer to have a conversation for 10 minutes or so with a woman before selecting. Getting 10-minutes experience of their personality can tell you a lot about whether she is a good investment or not. On the other hand, those who quote price and want you to make a decision in under 2 minutes are less likely to provide GFE or provide more than mechanical service.

At 11:30 pm, I went to LDV for Mikey. The scene was not very different from Tuesday / Wednesday nights. About 10-12 chicas inside, a few outside (less attractive, older). There were 5-7 guys inside. I stayed for 45 minutes and not much traffic (male or female) came in and out of LDV. One chica told me in Spanish "There is no money in Cartagena right now". Going rate from those I'd talked to in LDV and on Tinder was 200 K per hour. I went back to Clock Tower after LDV. I noticed a few LDV chicas arrived about 20 minutes behind me. Traffic is high through the main square of the clock tower. The Clock Pub is the bar with the rooftop dance party that I previously called the Irish bar. From 2:30-4 am, there were probably 30-45 women in the main square area. A good 60-70% seemed to not transact any business during that time. It must suck for those in high heels to stand on brick for 5 hours for nothing. While there is a lot of foot traffic thru the main square, much of it is regular tourists, couples, groups of friends out drinking. I'd guess 5-7% of the traffic are mongers.

Around 1:45 am in the main square, a group of 8 college girl tourists walked through. 4 were quite attractive (7's-8's) and just had a clean, pure, well-rested, well-cared for vibration about them. My brain said "Now that's the kind of girl I'd really would like to have". It really made the other women in the plaza seem a bit tainted to me. Those college girls mostly have all their financial / safety needs met and don't have to compromise themselves for much. The working girls on the other hand may be under a lot more stress in most cases.

Funny side story. I wen to this healthy restaurant down Calle 8 from the Hampton Inn. The place is called Goleka and it has healthy wraps, salads and smoothies. I saw this a chain with restaurants in the walled city area of Cartagena and in the shopping malls. Had a good brown rice / quinoa wrap. I'm 90% vegetarian in the US. On the way back from Goleka, I went by what looked like to be an outdoor bar / restaurant. There was a sign in the middle that read "Old Parr Tribute". The only Old Parr I ever heard of was the guy on these boards. I thought to myself, "No way. This can't be the special night spot of an ISG board member. Can it? Nah". But I really wasn't sure. Got back to my apartment to Google "Old Parr" and found out it was a brand of Scotch I never heard of.

Darn, I thought one of us was so famous they hung a banner up to show their respect.

On eating, I've eaten 3 times at the KFC near Calle 8, Avenida San Martin (Carrera 2). They have a Casero Combo that is 11,900 CP for 2 pieces of chicken, rice, lentils (or black beans), small salad and chicken / veggie soup. It's a great $4 meal ($5 with drink). The rice and lentils are the healthy part of my diet while on vacation. The McDonald's, Burger King in the north part of Bocagrande and the mall fast food joints are much more expensive.

I walked around today, April 2nd for about 2 hours between the beach and downtown Bocagrande. I walked 2-3 hours each day to see the city and look for talent. I then sat down outside the Olimpica market in the center of Bocagrande (mostly to rest) and watched the foot traffic in and out of the store. I saw no chicas in the game go in or come out in 25 minutes.

As I rested and reflected, I had these thoughts. Over the 4 days I've been here, I have rarely seen an attractive chica (who's in the game) walking on the street, on the beach or in the super market during daytime. I have seem some street walkers in the evenings in Bocagrande but I consider them a low quality option. Normally I will see a few quality chicas here and there. I will also normally see couples consisting of an obvious older foreigner and a young local chica. Almost never saw this. Saw just a very few on the beach. All of this points to this being a slow mongering week in Cartagena. All other reports I wrote should be read with an understanding this is a slow week.

Timing is important. I think when the Colombian college year ends (or semester ends) is probably a very good time as well as pre-Christmas. I had to use some 2015 vacations days by March 31st or I would have lost them.

It also occurred to me that this mongering business hasn't progressed much in the last 50 years. Probably the biggest major difference is girls do have cell phones now and there is the internet. However, often the venues to meet chicas in Colombia and the DR are often unorganized (Clock Tower), known chica bars / clubs or run by unsavory characters with low integrity. Bars and clubs open and close with no good rhyme or reason. If there were clearer moral and legal issues around the business, it would be great to see a highly efficient company step in and manage the industry akin to home Amazon manages Amazon Prime home delivery. I'm a big fan of Amazon and user of that service.

In the DR, there was Passions night club in Sosua. It was probably one of the best run businesses that offered a quality product and reliable service and held chicas accountable for the service they provided. I had one chica offer me a refund when she said she was not in the mood to provide the service I requested (that only ever happened to me once). In a better world that business would be franchised, replicated in other cities and countries and then challenged by other competitors (like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint in the cell phone market). Until that day we have these messages boards to share intel and make the best of it.

Great reports Kyle, thanks for the level of detail. I'm going to have to use that Hampton on a soon upcoming trip. I'll share my experience after.

[QUOTE=KyleFox;1859849]I walked around today, April 2nd for about 2 hours between the beach and downtown Bocagrande. I walked 2-3 hours each day to see the city and look for talent. I then sat down outside the Olimpica market in the center of Bocagrande (mostly to rest) and watched the foot traffic in and out of the store. I saw no chicas in the game go in or come out in 25 minutes.

As I rested and reflected, I had these thoughts. Over the 4 days I've been here, I have rarely seen an attractive chica (who's in the game) walking on the street, on the beach or in the super market during daytime. I have seem some street walkers in the evenings in Bocagrande but I consider them a low quality option. Normally I will see a few quality chicas here and there. I will also normally see couples consisting of an obvious older foreigner and a young local chica. Almost never saw this. Saw just a very few on the beach. All of this points to this being a slow mongering week in Cartagena. All other reports I wrote should be read with an understanding this is a slow week.

Timing is important. I think when the Colombian college year ends (or semester ends) is probably a very good time as well as pre-Christmas. I had to use some 2015 vacations days by March 31st or I would have lost them..[/QUOTE]Good report, Kyle. Personally, I do not see the attraction of staying in a hotel. I have been going to Cartagena for over 12 years and have always stayed in an apartment in Laquito. I will be there in two weeks and stay in a newer building and pay around $75 per night for a two bedroom with three flat screen TVs, great wifi, two baths, AC, etc. I have water, beer, soda and snacks in the apartment and also have food available in case I do not want to go out for a quick bite.

I can usually find a young lady during the day in this barrio since many tourists and working girls stay in the area. I even met a few at the pool in the apartment building I am staying. I can get a good breakfast and lunch at one of the restaurants in Laquito for less than KFC or McDs and better tasting. I love Laquito because it is less hectic and it does provide some good people watching venues.

I might suggest going to Rocio's (some refer it as Rosario) and / or Angeles. It is about a 20 minute drive and the taxi will ask for 20 K. I usually don't want the driver to wait for me and tip a guy at the casas to hail me a taxi when I am ready to leave.

I have used Tony for many years and he will leave me alone except to bring more beer or to call a girl for some fun. He also has made connections for me with girls there for the day. They may be with friends (even male friends), but Toni will get them to come over to discuss business.

Looking forward to my visit in a few weeks and will report anything new.

Good report Kyle! It's good to know there's a chica friendly hotel there! I think the advantage of hotel is the room is cleaned daily. I may stay there in July. Have a good time bro!

All what you say is true. As far as condos it doesn't matter how many times you tell some of these people they don't listen and want to stay in a hotel? Also my room is cleaned everyday as Juan knows I like cleaning lady everyday at my specified time.

[QUOTE=Otiers;1860116]Good report, Kyle. Personally, I do not see the attraction of staying in a hotel. I have been going to Cartagena for over 12 years and have always stayed in an apartment in Laquito. I will be there in two weeks and stay in a newer building and pay around $75 per night for a two bedroom with three flat screen TVs, great wifi, two baths, AC, etc. I have water, beer, soda and snacks in the apartment and also have food available in case I do not want to go out for a quick bite.

I can usually find a young lady during the day in this barrio since many tourists and working girls stay in the area. I even met a few at the pool in the apartment building I am staying. I can get a good breakfast and lunch at one of the restaurants in Laquito for less than KFC or McDs and better tasting. I love Laquito because it is less hectic and it does provide some good people watching venues.

I might suggest going to Rocio's (some refer it as Rosario) and / or Angeles. It is about a 20 minute drive and the taxi will ask for 20 K. I usually don't want the driver to wait for me and tip a guy at the casas to hail me a taxi when I am ready to leave.

I have used Tony for many years and he will leave me alone except to bring more beer or to call a girl for some fun. He also has made connections for me with girls there for the day. They may be with friends (even male friends), but Toni will get them to come over to discuss business.

Looking forward to my visit in a few weeks and will report anything new.[/QUOTE]

Laguito was part of my walking route. There was nothing to be had. Unfortunately quite dead outside some tourists. On other trips I have caught girls going to and fro from Laguito streets, sitting on apartment steps, in the small grocery stores, coming / leaving the beach, spot them on back of a motorcycle. Unfortunately nothing seen on this trip. Also in Bocagrande during busier times I would spot chicas out of the patio of Juan Valdez Café, McDonalds or similar where they had a good view of the street and could be seen.

Others. If you know of restaurants with good quality meals (lunch / dinner) under $4 US please share with the board.

On night of April 2nd, my last night I skipped LDV. I was in the clock tower area from 10-11:30 pm and pickings were not as good as Friday night. Mostly 5's, 6's some 7's. I took a cab to Pley Club. They had the same good lineup with 3-4 girls I didn't see on Tuesday night. For this trip, Pley Club was hands down the place with the best talent. Girls were prettier, often younger. The worst was a 6, they had many 7's and a few 8's, perhaps 8.5's. I selected Sammy, a 5'7" beauty from Medellin. She's naturally brunette, but currently has long blonde hair that with extensions reach the top of her butt. She had a good spirit and a great smile. I interviewed her and she was down for the GFE experience. I did take out for the 620 K price. Careful if you exchange USD here. I only had to 520 K in pesos and paid the other 100 K with USD. They exchange only 2500 per USD. Sammy was excellent. She's got perfect eye brows, a beautiful smile and great energy. She began GFE in the taxi cab and was not stop passion. After 2 mechanical experiences, it was great to have a beautiful 19 yo girls smiling, looking me directly in the eye and kissing me every time I leaned into her. She's a sweet girl and I regret not selecting her Tuesday evening. Were it not my last night I would have invited her for daytime activities.

I'm a very picky bastard selecting chicas. I would have taken 6 different girls from Pley Club. In the clock tower area and LDV I only saw 1-3 each I would take. I'm in the airport returning now. I got $238 round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on Spirit.

238.00 round trip sounds like good price. As much as I travel, funny thing is I don't travel to fuck. I travel to party and fuck is way down the list but girls love to party and then fuck. So I would never worry about running to all different places. But once I Get lost in the snow, I wind up with a party at my place with some crazy chick. Never a problem. Plus I dress to impress and my place is filled with food and party supplies. It's easy.

[QUOTE=KyleFox;1860214]Laguito was part of my walking route. There was nothing to be had. Unfortunately quite dead outside some tourists. On other trips I have caught girls going to and fro from Laguito streets, sitting on apartment steps, in the small grocery stores, coming / leaving the beach, spot them on back of a motorcycle. Unfortunately nothing seen on this trip. Also in Bocagrande during busier times I would spot chicas out of the patio of Juan Valdez Caf, McDonalds or similar where they had a good view of the street and could be seen.

Others. If you know of restaurants with good quality meals (lunch / dinner) under $4 US please share with the board.

On night of April 2nd, my last night I skipped LDV. I was in the clock tower area from 10-11:30 pm and pickings were not as good as Friday night. Mostly 5's, 6's some 7's. I took a cab to Pley Club. They had the same good lineup with 3-4 girls I didn't see on Tuesday night. For this trip, Pley Club was hands down the place with the best talent. Girls were prettier, often younger. The worst was a 6, they had many 7's and a few 8's, perhaps 8.5's. I selected Sammy, a 5'7" beauty from Medellin. She's naturally brunette, but currently has long blonde hair that with extensions reach the top of her butt. She had a good spirit and a great smile. I interviewed her and she was down for the GFE experience. I did take out for the 620 K price. Careful if you exchange USD here. I only had to 520 K in pesos and paid the other 100 K with USD. They exchange only 2500 per USD. Sammy was excellent. She's got perfect eye brows, a beautiful smile and great energy. She began GFE in the taxi cab and was not stop passion. After 2 mechanical experiences, it was great to have a beautiful 19 yo girls smiling, looking me directly in the eye and kissing me every time I leaned into her. She's a sweet girl and I regret not selecting her Tuesday evening. Were it not my last night I would have invited her for daytime activities.

I'm a very picky bastard selecting chicas. I would have taken 6 different girls from Pley Club. In the clock tower area and LDV I only saw 1-3 each I would take. I'm in the airport returning now. I got $238 round-trip from Fort Lauderdale on Spirit.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=KyleFox;1859810]a sign in the middle that read "Old Parr Tribute". The only Old Parr I ever heard of was the guy on these boards. I thought to myself, "No way. This can't be the special night spot of an ISG board member. Can it? Nah". But I really wasn't sure. Got back to my apartment to Google "Old Parr" and found out it was a brand of Scotch I never heard of.

Darn, I thought one of us was so famous they hung a banner up to show their respect.[/QUOTE]Too funny I had the same thought on coming across Old Parr on signs and menus in Cartagena. Never heard of it state-side, but Old Parr is prominent in CTG!

That's funny. I Been drinking old par, Medellin Rum and (Sangria from Carbon de palo for years.

[QUOTE=Rumpus;1861908]
Too funny I had the same thought on coming across Old Parr on signs and menus in Cartagena.
Never heard of it state-side, but Old Parr is prominent in CTG![/QUOTE]

Spent a few nights in Cartagena in early April, stayed in Bocagrande at the Hampton. Here's some general info. Mongering part 2 to follow.

**Hotel.

Good location. This Hampton is pretty basic (more so than US locations), but nice enough if you are on a quick trip (also good if you are building Hilton status / points, or prefer online booking system). I think longer trips or repeat visits should go to an apartment or an upscale hotel.

Beds are okay (good by Colombia standards), small fridge, safe, fast WiFi. Free breakfast (6-10 pm).

Chica-friendly (they need a cedula). 17th-story roof top pool has a great view, but closes at 6 pm. Very minimal gym. Hotel does the right thing and won't charge you the 16% VAT (some places you have to fight about this).

** Taxis.

Near the Hampton, Taxis seem to be priced higher (they start at 8 or 10 K to el centro, even if you've got decent Spanish). Ask price first, tell them it's too much if it's too much. I personally don't like to fight with the locals over 66 cents.

One trick: look for the old, dirty, beat up taxis instead of the larger shiny ones. The latter are usually more expensive.

** Exchange Rate.

1 USD has been in the 3000-3100 COP range for the last month. Both credit card and ATM withdrawals were very close to the actual rate that day. Much better than money changers.

** Groceries / ATM.

Carulla "Castillogrande" is on the upscale side, has a better selection of liquor. There's two ATMs in front, the lefthand one (chip-friendly) has a high 780 K withdrawal limit, 10.5 K fee for that.

** Malls.

I checked out Centro Commercial Plaza Bocagrande, which is fairly new, and the lower levels have surprisingly upscale stores (and no customers). The top floor is a food court with Colombian offerings and views of the ocean. US style air-condiitoning.

** Restaurants.

Coffee is good everywhere. I personally like Juan Valdez best. Free wifi, comfortable locations, light food available. Top-notch double espresso for 3 K, one dollar.

I tried several of the board recommended locations plus others:

La Mulata (centro): Now open for dinner also (I found it closed around 6 pm though). Lunch menu varies (Colombian and seafood), entrees around 20-25 K. Gets tourist traffic from the several hostels on the same street.

La Fonda Antioquena (Boca): Colombian fare. Mediocre, one of the least inspired bandeja paisas I've had (though I've eaten most of them in Medellin or Miami). 20-25 K per entree.

Carbon de Palo (Boca): Steak, pretty good, serves dinner past 10 pm. 30-45 K per entree.

Arepas Pues (Boca): Stuffed arepas and similar, serves late (midnight or more). 8-12 K per item.

Crepes Waffles (Plaza Bocagrande top floor): Their usual menu, about 10-25 K per entree?

** Other thoughts.

The tourist scene (especially gringos) seems quieter than usual.

[QUOTE=Rumpus;1863636]** Taxis.
Near the Hampton, Taxis seem to be priced higher (they start at 8 or 10 K to el centro, even if you've got decent Spanish). Ask price first, tell them it's too much if it's too much. I personally don't like to fight with the locals over 66 cents.

** Exchange Rate.
1 USD has been in the 3000-3100 COP range for the last month. Both credit card and ATM withdrawals were very close to the actual rate that day. Much better than money changers.

Arepas Pues (Boca): Stuffed arepas and similar, serves late (midnight or more). 8-12 K per item.
[/QUOTE]The fare for taxi Bocagrande-Centro is 6 k and no more than 6 k.
I think they gather around Hampton because they found that around it there is people who is not aware of that.

NOWHERE IN THE WORLD a money changer could beat ATM (debit card, not credit card), except on the black market.

Arepas Pues is open 24 h, and it's therefore nearly the only place where people can go to eat with a girl from Space before going to the apartment.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1864038]The fare for taxi Bocagrande-Centro is 6 k and no more than 6 k.
I think they gather around Hampton because they found that around it there is people who is not aware of that.

NOWHERE IN THE WORLD a money changer could beat ATM (debit card, not credit card), except on the black market.

Arepas Pues is open 24 h, and it's therefore nearly the only place where people can go to eat with a girl from Space before going to the apartment.[/QUOTE]To the best of my often clouded recollection, Arepas Pues is open around 12 hours a day. Opening at 5 or 6 pm and closing at 5 or 6 am. I'm going with 5 pm to 5 am. Nonetheless, a freshly made Arepa Mixta is well worth the visit, and be sure to add some of the sauce prior to taking each bite, LOL.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1864038]The fare for taxi Bocagrande-Centro is 6 k and no more than 6 k.
I think they gather around Hampton because they found that around it there is people who is not aware of that.
[/QUOTE]Bocagrande is a large area (view boundaries via google). It stands to reason that the price varies depending on if you're at the end nearest El Centro or the end furthest (in other places, the meter would reflect this). Regardless, as I wrote, that's the price they were asking.

If you want to fight with some impoverished developing world taxi driver over 66 cents, go right ahead. Somebody's got to provide fresh fodder for "the Ugly American" stereotype.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1864038]
NOWHERE IN THE WORLD a money changer could beat ATM (debit card, not credit card), except on the black market.
[/QUOTE]I didn't say anything about beating the rate, I said it was "much better". As that phrase implies, the spread was greater than expected.

Also, my credit card (charging) gave me the same rate as the debit card (withdrawing). Actually better on the credit card once the ATM fee was factored in for the withdrawal.

Anyway my report is meant to be informational for mongers looking for fresh news, or visiting for the first time, or otherwise new to the city. Obviously people who've taken root in the dark corners of Bocagrande will already know what they need to know. Hopefully they contribute their intimate knowledge of the location rather than snipe about other reports.