Printable View
In the tourist zone, assaults are rare. The Italians were outside of the tourist zone, but not by much. You still must remember that there is a lot of poverty in all of Colombia. The social safety net here has many holes. If you can't eat, you die.
However, Colombia realizes the jewel that it has in CTG. The tourist zone (Centro and the Bocagrande Penninsula) are well patrolled.
Ay: I know of no massage parlors in the CTG area.
Tommy please look in this map:
[url]http://www.cartagenaapartments.com/modules/propiedades/misc.php?op=cartagenamap[/url]
So if I did the homeworks well, to rent a flat in safe zone, it is better to stay in zones 1,2 and 3,right? (that I guess are also the better places about view and beaches life, or am I wrong?).
And the center of city, the walled city is in zones 4 and 7? They are safes too?
How far they are 1,2,3 and 4,7? ( in the map it is hard to understand the distance).
Again the clubs and bars, I mean the scene where to go during the night is only in zones 4 and 7 or enough to stay in zone 1,2 and 3 where we should rent the flat?
Thanks!
What you call Zone 1 in the North of the map is a so so area (the first two 1s), you have to be aware of what is going, especially at night.
The spit of land going off to the South West is fine.
Here is a better map of the old City, if you are new to Colombia, I would just recomend staying in the Centro and San Diego part of the old City, or the Laguito Bocogrande area, most of the bars and discos are located in Centro and Getsemenia:
[url]http://www.caribenet.com/index.php?name=Downloads&req=viewdownloaddetails&lid=1[/url]
The brothals are off the map to the East.
Your other questions are to difficult to answer as there are a lot of 1s, 17s etc, which are the numbers of the roads, but the top 1 in the north, to the hook of land at the bottom in the South West, will take you approx 1.5-2 hours to walk at a brisk pace.
Hunter
Why you think zone #1 is "so and so" area?
Thanks!
Just the first two 1s on the map, at night the area is not that safe and you have to be very carefull (mugging wise), it has been that way since I have been going to Ctg, I have friends who have lived and still live in that area, they tell me its still the same.
So if you stay in that area, I recomend not walking around the streets there at night.
Hunter
Hunter sorry but I am surely the only one who do not understand: you mean in my map or in yours?
I think you meant mine, right? So the area inside zone 1 and 2, right?
Re-thanks!
If I am talking about your map, I would suggest looking at your map again, the 1s are running from North to South, there are 6 of them, hence why I only said the first two in the North.
I am making reservations at this hotel:Hotel Bonavento Del Mar in Cartagena.
The rate is 19 bucks a night, with AC, cable TV and its in Bocagrande near to the San Martin's Avenue and the beach according to the website. Anyone has any info on this place? Is it safe?
I'm gonna be there real soon, so id appreciate any advie
Thanx
Probably does not have hot water, If it is the place I think it is, it is kind of dumpy, but for $ 19, what do you expect?
[QUOTE=MJG Dogs]Probably does not have hot water, If it is the place I think it is, it is kind of dumpy, but for $ 19, what do you expect?[/QUOTE]
For $19 in a third world country I expect the penthouse....
$19 does NOT buy decent lodging in ANY area of Colombia frequented by gringos. You DO get what you pay for, so don't expect much.
The Penthouse I used to stay in near Santa Marta area cost $50 and STILL NO HOT WATER. On the coast, hot water is something of a luxury.
According to [url]http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/third_world_countries.htm[/url] Colombia and, in fact, all of Latin America are identified as Third World Countries. Perhaps that's why I always have such a good time there...
/Dan D.
In the modern era, most people use the term "Third World" to describe nations that are poor and undeveloped (as opposed to those not aligned with either the US or the former USSR; the better term for those nations is "non aligned" ). That map acknowledges as much if you read the commentary.
Without completely dissecting that map, let me mention just a few examples: Greenland is part of Denmark and has a standard of living higher than the US, yet it is listed as Third World.
SE Asia: Thailand is quite affluent and developed but is listed as Third World while former Soviet Republics that are mired in poverty are listed as Second (Yellow).
As for South America, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile are quite affluent and developed and HARDLY qualify as Third World.
Setting that map aside, those that have traveled extensively in Latin America will tell you, neither Colombia nor Venezuela nor Chile, nor Argentina nor Uruguay nor Brasil are NOT Third World.
Many parts of the US are so backward they they should qualify as Third World, but on a country by country breakdown we are still considered First World.
So if the poster meant he would expect a nice place for $19 because Colombia was in the non aligned movement then you (and your map) would be correct. Since I believe he meant "third world" as in "poor and undeveloped", I disagree that Colombia fits that rubric.
Actually I was making a joke ala Eurotrip - I movie I recommend highly to international travellers... hits all the stereotypes of European travel in very humorous manner... someone should do latin american trip....
Well after reviewing the post from my esteemed advisary ( at times), I have to agree with most of what he is saying. He is absolutely correct in his assertions about Colombia, Argentina, Urugray and Chile, especially the latter two countries not being "third world", and yes go to parts of KY, W VA, TN, MS, AL and LA, and you will see areas that you could classify as " third world".
He is wrong though about Venezuela, almost 30% live below the poverty line, a marked increase since Comandante Chavez was " re-elected", and the middle and upper classes are trying to flee fast...
Rueters also reported two weeks ago that One in Six Europeans live in poverty also. This is from the Continent that knows everything, and feels it is the craddle of civilization, but even I was surprised to see the article in Rueters.
Surfer's was correct in his analysis about latin america and the USA.