Cartagena Reports

[Ty Down]

Since Cartagena has started requiring all visitors to have a negative PCR test Prior to entering the country, I've noticed the Airbnbs rental have been less restricted with their requirements of visitation. The prices have dropped On the rooms so I've noticed.

Yes indeed.

[Mr Enternational]

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

You are allowed 2 bottles of liquor into Colombia. Most Duty Frees are a ripoff and you will fare better going to the local grocery store. What I have done recently is visiit my local liquor store in the States and written down the prices in my phone of the things I drink. Then as I travel around, I write the prices of particular duty frees and overseas grocery stores. I have also been to the military base to write prices from there.

You can go to your app store and download check-mig for the immigration documents.

[PerkinWarbeck]

Hey guys. When they ask for the PCR test, should you have the paper or a pdf version on your phone?

[GrownMan1]

My buddy just booked this Airbnb in Centro Historico. 5 star, "guest friendly". Guys name is Juan, he said no problem bringing guest to apartment, but NO Parties!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4679894...sts=1&adults=1

Since Cartagena has started requiring all visitors to have a negative PCR test Prior to entering the country, I've noticed the Airbnbs rental have been less restricted with their requirements of visitation. The prices have dropped On the rooms so I've noticed.

[AmorPorFavor]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading on here for months and never posted anything yet but would like to thank you all for all the info I've gotten from your reports.

I'm arriving in Cartagena on Monday with a group of friends and would like to know current exchange rate and where to exchange money. I know ATMs are everyone's go to but we will be renting a yacht and doing some pricey activities so we need more cash than an ATM will spit out on several occasions. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

Thanks in advance for any info, and thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge.

A year ago there was a cash exchange place in the big mall in Bocagrande at 5th st and oceanfront. It was on one of the higher floors. After factoring in ATM fees their rate was about the same as using an ATM. Have fun.

[OmarZeno]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading on here for months and never posted anything yet but would like to thank you all for all the info I've gotten from your reports.

I'm arriving in Cartagena on Monday with a group of friends and would like to know current exchange rate and where to exchange money. I know ATMs are everyone's go to but we will be renting a yacht and doing some pricey activities so we need more cash than an ATM will spit out on several occasions. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, how is the duty free store at the airport? We're young (ish) and a large group so we plan on buying liquor in bulk. Does it make sense to load up at the duty free? We've done it that way in other countries and seems to be cost effective that way.

Last thing I wanted to ask is I thought I read something about filling out immigration forms online before flight? Any info on that?

Thanks in advance for any info, and thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge.

[AmorPorFavor]

Thanks guys! I did a little more research and it doesn't seem as expensive as I thought. I guess those prices of $200+ are for a private boat. I don't need that. I'm ok with a group ferry.

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day. Here is the link - https://reservadeplayas.cartagena.gov.co. I plan on going on a Thursday so I shouldn't have too much of an issue. The problem is that I can only make a reservation for 1 person. I would like to option to bring a chica with me if I found someone that seemed cool and low maintenance enough to tag along.

The pictures of the beach proves it is exactly what I'm looking for. Punta Arenas, seems to be a step down and I actually want something a little less crowded.

AmorPorFavor, how much did you pay for the private driver for the day? If reasonable, that might be a viable option. Nice scenery in those pics! LOL.

Around $100, I don't remember exactly. Its about an hour drive each way and I had him for the whole day. He took lots of nice pics and video's of us.

[Mr Enternational]

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day.

I drove there from Barranquilla in Decemeber. Time before that I went by van and taxi from Barranquilla. Taxi round trip from the van drop off in Cartagena was 200K alone; that is what made me rent a car the next time.

The GPS cut out when I got to the dirt road that the beach is on. I asked a guy that was on a motorbike and he led me the rest of the way. He had on a Playa Blanca shirt. Turned out he worked there and took us right to the spot that he works.

I did not see anyone counting people. Maybe that is something they will do for the boats, but not the people driving. The good thing was that the boats that usually run bringing tourists were not running. I guess there is no demand for it due to covid. You will be in paradise before 10 AM, but when those things start arriving polluting and crowding up the water it sucks.

[Ty Down]

My buddy just booked this Airbnb in Centro Historico. 5 star, "guest friendly". Guys name is Juan, he said no problem bringing guest to apartment, but NO Parties!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4679894...sts=1&adults=1

[AlwaysHorny 2]

Thanks guys! I did a little more research and it doesn't seem as expensive as I thought. I guess those prices of $200+ are for a private boat. I don't need that. I'm ok with a group ferry.

Mr. International, the car route isn't bad either. I checked prices and it's only $29/ day. Are the roads easy and straight forward driving without a lot of directions? My spanish is ok, but far from fluent.

It appears reservations are required for Playa Blanca, Baru. The beach reopened in December 2020 after being closed for an extended period. Max persons is 1000/ day. Here is the link - https://reservadeplayas.cartagena.gov.co. I plan on going on a Thursday so I shouldn't have too much of an issue. The problem is that I can only make a reservation for 1 person. I would like to option to bring a chica with me if I found someone that seemed cool and low maintenance enough to tag along.

The pictures of the beach proves it is exactly what I'm looking for. Punta Arenas, seems to be a step down and I actually want something a little less crowded.

AmorPorFavor, how much did you pay for the private driver for the day? If reasonable, that might be a viable option. Nice scenery in those pics! LOL.

[Mojo Bandit]

Bendita Beach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQjXYEpEw-8

Playa Blanca.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXLTlMjTtZQ

Cholóand is a tiny island located just off Barú.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMkotpUaLME

Islas del Rosario Cartagena 4 K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eunZ5BQ_Hpk

BORA BORA Cartagena Tour con Pasaporte Express "Bora Bora is an Island in Cartagena Colombia where you can spend a great day out".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bEyQwqy-Tc

[AmorPorFavor]

Here's some pictures I took in Jan 2020. This is about a mile or 2 down from Playa Blanca. We took a lancha there from Playa Blanca. Its nicer down there with much less people around and no hawkers about. I hired a taxi driver for the day to take us there and be my valet for whatever we needed. We had food and drinks, massages and rented a jet ski. I also had a lot of great meals in Cartagena for about 2/3 what I would pay here in a major US city.

[Kafka]

I definitely went to the wrong one. But I think I know the one you're talking about. Yes these leeches attach themselves to you in Cuba they call them jinteros. Jockeys.

It was a short boat ride from Laquito where I stayed. The beach was nice and practically empty, the water is clean, and there are a couple of restaurants. One mistake we made was to let the touts from the "mainland" cross with us because they attached themselves to us like leeches and tried to handle everything from beach chairs to food. It wasn't too bad, but we were hungry and had to bargain hard to slash their ridiculous prices by half.

If I were to travel there again, there is a nice little beachfront hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and beach beds. I asked the manager if they'd let me stay for the day for the consumption, and he countered with 50 mil. I'm sure I could've bargained it down, but there wasn't enough time for us left to enjoy it. Even at 50 mil that's already a bargain for using all the facilities and clean bathrooms, IMHO.

[Xpartan]

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I'm not concerned about mongering opportunities. I enjoy passing time relaxing in a beach chair. Hopefully, I get at least one day without overcast so I can catch some rays. I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Thanks.

It was a short boat ride from Laquito where I stayed. The beach was nice and practically empty, the water is clean, and there are a couple of restaurants. One mistake we made was to let the touts from the "mainland" cross with us because they attached themselves to us like leeches and tried to handle everything from beach chairs to food. It wasn't too bad, but we were hungry and had to bargain hard to slash their ridiculous prices by half.

If I were to travel there again, there is a nice little beachfront hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and beach beds. I asked the manager if they'd let me stay for the day for the consumption, and he countered with 50 mil. I'm sure I could've bargained it down, but there wasn't enough time for us left to enjoy it. Even at 50 mil that's already a bargain for using all the facilities and clean bathrooms, IMHO.

[Mr Enternational]

Between Playa De Bocagrande and Playa Hollywood, which one has the better looking water? I thought of taking a day trip to Playa Blanca, but I'm not sure if I want to invest the time / money it would take to get there.

Well here is a picture that I took in December at Playa Blanca. It is my favorite beach in Colombia other than the ones in San Andres. If you have ever been to, or google the other 2 beaches you mentioned, then you will know it is well worth the trip. It may be cheaper to rent a car and drive than to go by other methods.