Cartagena Reports

They are from November-December 2003

I am curious about the climate in Cartegena at this time. Is it safe. I am reading reports by US State Department that it is not. Please advise me, as I wish to travel to Cartegena and or CAli in March. What are the do's and don'ts for gringo travelers ? Is it Safe?

Fast Eddy

Fast Eddy,
You are talking about two extremes. Cartagena is touristy and is completely safe for the American tourist. Cali has FARC runing around the mountains just a few miles away. I am not saying not to go to Cali. I would venture there in a NY minute, but you have to realize that it is a little more dangerous there, especially if you want to go to the beach (Buenaventura).

Dayana from Medellin. She was found at CTG beach.

Dayana 2

Pic 3

Meet Alijandra from Club International

Eddy: Cartagena is VERY heavily policed because it is the one place in Colombia with signifigant numbers of foreign tourists. The tourist areas are likely safer than where you live. Not so in Cali. While FARC-EP, the urban group (ejercito poblacion) is in Cali, being kidnapped in the city itself is highly unlikely (unless you flash lots of wealth and act like a stupid gringo). As JT notes, however, leave the city and all bets are off. The road to Buenaventura is NOTORIOUS for trouble, even many locals won't use it, and the beaches are rough and NOT very nice (seen pictures, but I aint going in that tunnel under the mountain-no sir!).

ESPECIALLY if you are not fluent in Spanish and have LOTS of third world travel experience, stick to Cartagena. The inexperienced or non Spanish speakers that DO go tend to go on organized trips through marriage agencies and they rarely (ever) leave the Hotel InterC).

Gentlemen, regarding the safety in Cartagena, I agree that is the safest city in Colombia. However, this does not mean you should venture around at night in dark places, especially alone!

I have been there several times and with some common sense precautions your trip should be enjoyable.

I cannot say the same thing about Cali. Several of my friends have been held up at gunpoint in the city and robbed very recently-and this is in very good areas. Please don't let your guards down in these big cities. Always take cabs where ever you go and stick to the busier areas of town.

Regarding the women, I find Cali has the prettiest ladies if you are into a little bit darker skin tone. To land a non-pro girl will take some effort and time, however.

Three Hotties
Fanny, Alijandra, and Natalia

All from LDV.

Fanny was my chica de la dia. Total Sweetheart!!

Fanny and Alijandra 2

This is Fanny solo

Natalia solo

Ass shot of Natalia

Natalia's jewels