Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=CubaTourist;2531977]I would like to go to Colombia for a few weeks starting March 1 or so. I normally stay in Hiltons. Can someone summarize the current situation in terms of bringing girls into various hotels? I would like to stay somewhere nice but without hassles in bringing girls to my room. It seems the situation was hard before and worse now. What about 3 star hotels? What about apartments? Is Juan or Mery still in business? I wrote them both but neither has answered. I knew them from way back. Thanks for any help you can provide.[/QUOTE]Check your PM box, I sent you a message.

I have not even checked on the hotel situation in quite a few years but when I did the ones that allowed girls brought in were more close to 2 star basic amenities places. I prefer an apartment anyway so can cook my own breakfast etc, and I have plenty of space to stretch out and relax as well as entertain.

[QUOTE=Kafka;2529625]Sharing here is not a good idea--if any of this is reported to Airbnb those listings will be taken down. And none of us will have access. And this is a public website not everybody has the best interests at heart of our community.
If you want to say chica friendly apartments by location name that's fine. At least in my opinion....for example the palmetto elliptic at this point does not allow guests, unless registered.[/QUOTE]Sharing apartment locations and or links is good via PMs between members (broadcasting on forum reports is bad).

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2532173]Di Silvio Trattoria in Getsemani. Its a little jewel if you appreciate made from scratch Italian. I have been to Italy and eaten at highly rated places and this is just as good. It is near the plaza that a lot of people hang at in front of the church: Iglesia de la Santsima Trinidad, the plaza is called Plaza de la Santsima Trinidad. It is one bloc west of this plaza. I will attach photos and directions. One photo is mine but the others are from Google maps. One image is the map, one image is the pasta dish section of their menu, one image is a Google street map image of standing at the plaza facing west and an arrow showing where the restaurant is and the other image is my last meal there.[/QUOTE]Appreciate a good dining recommendation. I look forward to checking out this restaurant once things get back to normal (or closest thing to normal) to travel.

[QUOTE=W20415;2531863]I got here 4 hours ago. I'm staying in old city near Clock Tower. So far not digging Cartegena. I can't walk 5 ft without being accosted by hawks. I've been all over Asia and never seen any thing close. It's extremely irritating. Also yet to see a single girl. It's early. 6 PM. But there is not a single punter at clock tower. Plus it's more expensive here than in the US. Sorry I don't see the appeal. I just left Bogota. I was in a great location between San Diego and Santa Fe. I was doing well there. Going back tomorrow unless things change drastically later. Santa Fe is almost as good as Asia hot spots Different vibe. A little more edgy. But there are some gems. I'm not getting the same experience here in Cartegena as some of the previous people have posted. Maybe after Santa Fe I was expecting too much.[/QUOTE]You should do more research on Cartagena because you are missing out on very important details that can save you some grief. I like Cartagena and you have to know what you are doing and know where you are going at the correct time. Don't let small things irritate you. You can ruin your own vacation that way.

Any other suggestions appreciated.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2532173]Di Silvio Trattoria in Getsemani. Its a little jewel if you appreciate made from scratch Italian. I have been to Italy and eaten at highly rated places and this is just as good. It is near the plaza that a lot of people hang at in front of the church: Iglesia de la Santsima Trinidad, the plaza is called Plaza de la Santsima Trinidad. It is one bloc west of this plaza. I will attach photos and directions. One photo is mine but the others are from Google maps. One image is the map, one image is the pasta dish section of their menu, one image is a Google street map image of standing at the plaza facing west and an arrow showing where the restaurant is and the other image is my last meal there.[/QUOTE]

Thank you to all those that have contributed to my career as an hornithologist over the years (SE Asia, Europe and S. America) I finally signed up for premium and hope to give back in the future. Heading to CTG end of the month then Bogota after a few days. CTG is my favorite place in the world, outside of AC in Phils. Second trip and last time stayed in one of the luxury beachfront places that won't be named here. Never had issues with late night entrance with a few bills in the hand. But it sounds like COVID may have finally put an end to that. Any recommendations for an apartment in Laguito or Bocagrande that can work please PM me. Prefer more upscale but based on the recommendations here, may have to one to stay and one to play. Last time only visited LDV at the end of the last trip, so it will be front and center this time. In the past it ISIS, Clocktower and Hollywood. Any good clubs at the moment operating with curfew? Hoping also to catch the UK rugby somewhere. Thanks again, first official report right after I land.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2532173]Di Silvio Trattoria in Getsemani. Its a little jewel if you appreciate made from scratch Italian. I have been to Italy and eaten at highly rated places and this is just as good. It is near the plaza that a lot of people hang at in front of the church: Iglesia de la Santsima Trinidad, the plaza is called Plaza de la Santsima Trinidad. It is one bloc west of this plaza. I will attach photos and directions. One photo is mine but the others are from Google maps. One image is the map, one image is the pasta dish section of their menu, one image is a Google street map image of standing at the plaza facing west and an arrow showing where the restaurant is and the other image is my last meal there.[/QUOTE]I have eaten there too. The Tall Man loves the pasta, all authentic. It is so good that Mojo Bandit photo of his pasta dish is better than 99.8% of the photos posted of the putas, heck there is so much great pussy always available but not so much great authentic Italian restaurants hehehehe.

The Tall Man.

Hello, here is updated info regarding covid test locations in Cartagena.

HealthCars (at Cartagena Airport).

Location: At Rafael Nuñez Airport and Barrio España (near Maria Auxiliadora Church).

They also offer at home testing.

Tests Offered:

PCR: $350,000 pesos, results in 24-36 hours.

Antigen: $140,000 pesos, results in 1 hour (or 2 if done at home).

Antibody: $110,000 pesos, results in 1 hour (or 2 if done at home).

Contact: Their website doesn't have info on Covid testing, but their Instagram does (including the prices in this post).

Clinica MediHelp.

Location: Bocagrande.

Tests Offered:

PCR + Viral Panel: $580,000 pesos, 12 hour results.

PCR: $400,000 pesos, 24 hour results.

Antigen: $170,000, 3 hour results.

Antibody: $140,000, 30 minute results.

Contact info at their website (from where above info was taken) or via telephone 314 425-1118.

Caris.

Location: They provide at home testing.

*They also operate in Medellin, Bogotá, and Barranquilla.

Tests Offered:

Molecular (presumably PCR): $300,000 pesos, results in 24-48 hours.

Antibody: $70,000 pesos, results in 15-20 minutes.

Contact info on their website (where above info is from) or by telephone at 316 433-6293.

Synlabs.

Location: Centro de Salud, Ronda Real (near La Castellana Mall).

Also locations in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Medellin, Cali and Bogotá (including in the airport).

Tests Offered:

PCR: $280,000 pesos, results in 24 hours.

Antigen: $140,000 pesos, results in 24-36 hours.

Antibody: $60,000 pesos, results in 24-36 hours.

They state appointments should be made 72 hours before.

Antigen and Antibody tests are offered at the Bogotá airport with 2 hour results for an extra $10,000 pesos.

Contact info at their website (where above information was found) or via telephone at 333 033-3055.

Pasteur Laboratorios Clinicos.

Location: in La Plazuela Mall.

Also offer at home testing.

Tests Offered:

Antigen: $200,000 pesos (for family groups of 3 or more $140,000), results given same day.

Antibody: $120,000 pesos, results given same day.

Gidser Salud.

Location: Santa Lucia (near La Plazuela).

Also offer at home testing.

Tests Offered:

Antigen: $130,000 pesos, results in 15 minutes.

Antibody: $90,000 pesos, result time not listed.

PCR: price not listed (word of mouth it is $225,000), results in 24-48 hours.

*Note surcharges apply to at home testing and result times may vary (word of mouth the at home charge is $30,000 pesos, but that may vary based on your location).

Contact: their website, their Facebook page.

Laboratorio CLínico Eduardo Fernandez.

Location: Centro, Bocagrande, and Santa Lucia.

Offer at home and drive up testing as well.

Tests Offered:

Antigen: $150,000 pesos, results in 1 hour (only done in person in Bocagrande from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm).

Antibody: $110,000 pesos, results in the same day.

Contact at their website. They can also be reached via Whatsapp from Monday to Friday at (+57) 317 369-4783.

Laboratorio Lorena Vejarano.

Location: Santa Lucia (near Bomba el Amparo).

Also offer at home testing.

Tests Offered:

PCR: $210,000 pesos, results in 24 hours ($10,000 discount if you are a business).

Antigen: $90,000, results in 2 hours.

Antibody: $75,000, result time not listed.

Regards,

Onfireboy.

[QUOTE=MongerHunger;2532363]You should do more research on Cartagena because you are missing out on very important details that can save you some grief. I like Cartagena and you have to know what you are doing and know where you are going at the correct time. Don't let small things irritate you. You can ruin your own vacation that way.[/QUOTE]Yeah. One thing is I really don't drink a lot. So hanging out in Dole Vita with loud music is not my thing. I was at clock tower at 10 last night About 10 to 15 chica out. Most of African decent. I went to an out door cafe and decided to chill and see if it got better. Once again a steady stream of hawks coming onto the cafe seating area hassling me. I decided to blow off Cartegena. Not my cup of tea I'm back in Bogota minus 300 bucks I'm staying here until I go home. Bogota is much nicer than I thought it would be. Nice city. Has everything I need.

[QUOTE=Ktsrf;2532445]. Any recommendations for an apartment in Laguito or Bocagrande that can work please PM me.[/QUOTE]Check you PM. Apartment possibilities in Laguito.

[QUOTE=W20415;2532536]Yeah. One thing is I really don't drink a lot. So hanging out in Dole Vita with loud music is not my thing. I was at clock tower at 10 last night About 10 to 15 chica out. Most of African decent. I went to an out door cafe and decided to chill and see if it got better. Once again a steady stream of hawks coming onto the cafe seating area hassling me. I decided to blow off Cartegena. Not my cup of tea I'm back in Bogota minus 300 bucks I'm staying here until I go home. Bogota is much nicer than I thought it would be. Nice city. Has everything I need.[/QUOTE]1. 10 pm, by all account things don't really get going until 11 pm.

2. It's a freakin' Tuesday. Outside of Mardi Gras this has to be the slowest day of the week. Anywhere.

A little research goes a long way. He probably would have stayed in Bogota had he done his research. There is real value $$$ in having your expectations in order. Thanks for the lesson. I haven't been to Colombia at all so I can't speak on Bogota. It's quite apparent the skin tone wasn't his cup of tea either.

People are trying to sell you stuff all the time of course they're trying to make a living all you have to do is politely say no thanks. Once they sense that it's getting under your skin they're not going to stop. They're going to bother you till you give the money or leave.

[QUOTE=W20415;2532536]Yeah. One thing is I really don't drink a lot. So hanging out in Dole Vita with loud music is not my thing. I was at clock tower at 10 last night About 10 to 15 chica out. Most of African decent. I went to an out door cafe and decided to chill and see if it got better. Once again a steady stream of hawks coming onto the cafe seating area hassling me. I decided to blow off Cartegena. Not my cup of tea I'm back in Bogota minus 300 bucks I'm staying here until I go home. Bogota is much nicer than I thought it would be. Nice city. Has everything I need.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Kafka;2532605]People are trying to sell you stuff all the time of course they're trying to make a living all you have to do is politely say no thanks. Once they sense that it's getting under your skin they're not going to stop. They're going to bother you till you give the money or leave.[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, Cartagena is in the league of its own, and 'no thanks' rarely did the trick in my experience unless you repeat it over and over again. Nowhere in the world have I experienced this kind of never-ending harassment. The thing is, though, I read enough about Cartagena before my trip and was mentally prepared for it, and Cartagena is worth the effort, IMHO. Beautiful, historic city and plentiful mongering opportunities for those who are patient and willing to learn the ropes.

[QUOTE=Kafka;2532426]Any other suggestions appreciated.[/QUOTE]The following are are the places that I always return to but I also like to try new places when I go because the restaurant scene has exploded since I started going there in 2009. Speaking of which I am fairly sure that you Mr Kafka were posting in the Cartagena thread back then and I think I remember (which is a stretch for me LOL) that even at that time you already talked like a person that knew Cartagena very well, so I suspect you have seen more changes than I have. There used to be another board that I followed back then also, I cannot remember the name but the word "chica" was in it and it covered primarily Colombia and DR.

You probably know the rest of my go-to places already. Some of which are not as cheap as that Italian joint. I never fail to hit up a Crepes & Waffles, whether it is the one in Bocagrande On Calle 9/ Carrera 2 or the one in Centro three buildings north but opposite of Santuario de San Pedro Claver and then just across from Santuario de San Pedro Claver on the plaza San Pedro Claver is San Pedro Cafe that has gourmet seafood and high end dishes and is more pricey. Riquisimo in Laguito has good baby beef grilled over wood coals, served up Argentinian style with chimichurri. That is about the only meal I get at Riquisimo, the empanadas are just alright.

I had the best grilled fish I ever had was at a restaurant that a chica took me to on the beach on at the end by Laguito the one beyond Playa Hollywood that faces west almost toward Isla de Tierra Bomba. There used to be a guy renting a wave runner down there too.

I visited a restaurant a few times back years ago that was ran by a French women, the place is called Oh La La. I used to try to date non-pro chicas off of ColombianCupid before I switched it up to just guaranteed pussy with p4 p, but this was a go to spot then, good date spot. They were in the old city but have since moved over too Getsemani.

One place that says on Google Maps that it is permanently closed is another place I used to visit on every trip, that was Mila Postres, I have eaten their tacos but they were famous for their desserts, and decent coffee too, so I would go for the tacos as an excuse to eat a dessert with a coffee.

Another place I miss is this place that was on the main commercial street in Bocagrande that sold arepas stuffed with spicy ground meat and cheese, damn they were good. The place had a walk up window and tables outside. I had them around 2010, and 2011 but then just didn't go for a while, thought about last trip but couldn't find the place.

Some photos of food and then one of the take home variety of dessert.

Yes and Juan Valdez. Great spot for non pro-hoes.
And there's a Lebanese dessert place right near Juan Valdez couple blocks down towards Laguito beach side.... Also people should not miss the ceviche they have at the Sombrero place just off the old city...... Also the fruit madres that sell it on the beach...

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2532715]The following are are the places that I always return to but I also like to try new places when I go because the restaurant scene has exploded since I started going there in 2009. Speaking of which I am fairly sure that you Mr Kafka were posting in the Cartagena thread back then and I think I remember (which is a stretch for me LOL) that even at that time you already talked like a person that knew Cartagena very well, so I suspect you have seen more changes than I have. There used to be another board that I followed back then also, I cannot remember the name but the word "chica" was in it and it covered primarily Colombia and DR.

You probably know the rest of my go-to places already. Some of which are not as cheap as that Italian joint. I never fail to hit up a Crepes & Waffles, whether it is the one in Bocagrande On Calle 9/ Carrera 2 or the one in Centro three buildings north but opposite of Santuario de San Pedro Claver and then just across from Santuario de San Pedro Claver on the plaza San Pedro Claver is San Pedro Cafe that has gourmet seafood and high end dishes and is more pricey. Riquisimo in Laguito has good baby beef grilled over wood coals, served up Argentinian style with chimichurri. That is about the only meal I get at Riquisimo, the empanadas are just alright.

I had the best grilled fish I ever had was at a restaurant that a chica took me to on the beach on at the end by Laguito the one beyond Playa Hollywood that faces west almost toward Isla de Tierra Bomba. There used to be a guy renting a wave runner down there too.

I visited a restaurant a few times back years ago that was ran by a French women, the place is called Oh La La. I used to try to date non-pro chicas off of ColombianCupid before I switched it up to just guaranteed pussy with p4 p, but this was a go to spot then, good date spot. They were in the old city but have since moved over too Getsemani.

One place that says on Google Maps that it is permanently closed is another place I used to visit on every trip, that was Mila Postres, I have eaten their tacos but they were famous for their desserts, and decent coffee too, so I would go for the tacos as an excuse to eat a dessert with a coffee.

Another place I miss is this place that was on the main commercial street in Bocagrande that sold arepas stuffed with spicy ground meat and cheese, damn they were good. The place had a walk up window and tables outside. I had them around 2010, and 2011 but then just didn't go for a while, thought about last trip but couldn't find the place.

Some photos of food and then one of the take home variety of dessert.[/QUOTE]