Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=El Vagabundo]Mr Bologna,

I have a nice 1 bedroom apartment that I can rent by the day, month. Good internet, newley remolded, good airconditioning and more. It is in Laguito, on the beach and includes hotel style daily maid service.

Prices start at 70,000 pesos a day. If you want more info let me know or you can call me at 305 407-9218

I am headed out on a road trip for a week so I may be slow in getting back to you ths week.

Martin[/QUOTE]Hey Vagabundo,

Can you tell me which building this is in and possibly which apt? I could rent it from you for a week and give it a dry run to see if it will work. I'm wild guessing your is in TC or Playa?

[QUOTE=RioThaiGuy]A couple hundred?

With which airline?

Go to Aires or Aerorepublica.

It should be much less.[/QUOTE]Couple of hundred reference is the difference in price from west coast USA to MDE vs CTG, CTG being cheaper and with better connections.

Aires or Aerorepublica are local airlines. Need to check them out. THX

There is a separate cell phone thread, but you ask this question about conducting business as usual from Colombia, and I have been taking a look at this same question. Check out the cell phone thread, but specifically for me I use an Android phone tied into my gmail. So I'm looking for a dual phone, that is, a phone that works on both the US and Colombian frequency, that is, CDMA as well as GSM. HTC is coming out with a Verizon-Android world phone in 2011.

[url]http://www.Lanewsmonitor.com/news/Verizons-HTC-Android-World-Phone-Spotted-Reports-1281294439/[/url]

Such a phone should be able to receive calls normally but with a roaming fee of close to $3 per minute. For calling out, to save money you could call from your apt using skype or a similar service.

This particular phone is not coming out until 2011, and I am waiting on it bc it works on Verizon, which I use, and it is an Android phone.

In the cell phone thread, there are guys who seem to already have resolved this issue, talking about unlocked quad phones and such-like, which is a little over my head.

If you had a phone like the HTC world phone, you would still have a problem if you used it for local calls in Colombia, bc you would still be paying $3 a minute. So you would probably want a separate comcel phone.

There is such a thing as a dual-Sim phone, but I have read about them and they seem problematic, like having to manually direct or change which Sim to use, etc.

[quote=chesrep001]there is a separate cell phone thread, but you ask this question about conducting business as usual from colombia, and i have been taking a look at this same question. check out the cell phone thread[...]

in the cell phone thread, there are guys who seem to already have resolved this issue, talking about unlocked quad phones and such-like, which is a little over my head.[/quote]i have an unlocked quad band phone but it's really only good for making your phone have a local phone number. callers from the us would have to dial country codes etc.. to get a hold of you and long distance charges.

telephone companies world plans are just too expensive with roaming charges and tolls. i've checked already.

i only need the international setup during work hours but i have to be able to be called with a local u.s. number. so the voips are the way to go for that i think.

[QUOTE=Bologna]I have an unlocked quad band phone but it's really only good for making your phone have a local phone number. Callers from the US would have to dial country codes etc.. to get a hold of you and long distance charges.

Telephone companies world plans are just too expensive with roaming charges and tolls. I've checked already.

I only need the international setup during work hours but I have to be able to be called with a local U.S. number. So the VOIPs are the way to go for that I think.[/QUOTE]I agree with your line of thinking for conducting business in CTG and not wanting people who are calling you to necessarily know that you are outside of the States.

For the times I'm in CTG, I've used a Skype-In # that has my area code and is a # I've provided to people. I then set my call forwarding on my other USA #'s that people may use to forward to my Skype-In #. I then return calls using Skype while in CTG and I'll either set it for my Skype-In # (which again is my local area code in the USA) to show up on their caller ID, or I'll set it for my USA cell phone # to show up.

If you want, you can get a landline type phone that is equipped to work with Skype for while you're in CTG. I've also stayed in apartments in CTG that were equipped with a landline type phone that was used with a VOIP service. I believe both of those apartments were using Vonyage, but I can't say with 100% certainty.

You have your laptop, a scanner, a printer, VOIP with local in #, and an internet fax service, then IMO you're pretty much good to go. Since I'm usually there no longer than a week, I just get by with with the laptop, VOIP with local in #, and the internet fax service. I create/convert all files that I need to send to a pdf, and then all faxes come to me as pdf as wel through the internet fax servicel. In that short of time period, I can get by without the printer and scanner.

Oh, and I have a $10 used Colombian cellphone and bought a Comcel chip on the street for $5. I just buy the prepaid cards to load minutes for all Colombian incoming and outgoing calls.

From your posts, I'm thinking you already know all of this, so please do not take offense. Just wanted to point out what may be the obvious and to let you know that what you want to do is very doable in CTG.

Good luck with everything.

[QUOTE=Hilltopper]I agree with your line of thinking for conducting business in CTG and not wanting people who are calling you to necessarily know that you are outside of the States.

For the times I'm in CTG, I've used a Skype-In # that has my area code and is a # I've provided to people. I then set my call forwarding on my other USA #'s that people may use to forward to my Skype-In #. I then return calls using Skype while in CTG and I'll either set it for my Skype-In # (which again is my local area code in the USA) to show up on their caller ID, or I'll set it for my USA cell phone # to show up.

If you want, you can get a landline type phone that is equipped to work with Skype for while you're in CTG. I've also stayed in apartments in CTG that were equipped with a landline type phone that was used with a VOIP service. I believe both of those apartments were using Vonyage, but I can't say with 100% certainty.

You have your laptop, a scanner, a printer, VOIP with local in #, and an internet fax service, then IMO you're pretty much good to go. [...]

Oh, and I have a $10 used Colombian cellphone and bought a Comcel chip on the street for $5. I just buy the prepaid cards to load minutes for all Colombian incoming and outgoing calls.

From your posts, I'm thinking you already know all of this, so please do not take offense. Just wanted to point out what may be the obvious and to let you know that what you want to do is very doable in CTG.

Good luck with everything.[/QUOTE]Yeah that's what I do too. I have a decent phone and pop in a Comcel chip. Don't even need an expensive phone for this.

The only experience with VOIP in CTG is in the internet cafes, and was not impressed. It wasn't even worth the cheap cost. But it has been a while so.

As for the computer setup I don't even need a fax or printer. Just the programs installed on the computer itself, which is a nice thing. I may try the Skype route and give it a dry run on a weeks vacation. Then I believe the biggest problem will be finding an affordable apt. For longer terms (months) that has the internet. More affordable places off the beaten path aren't likely to have good internet if at all.

To the brethren.

Checked into to one of Mary's rooms at the Mirador del Laguito. Roughly 75 (studio) and 100 2 BDR. LDV (down the street) was pretty active after 1100-1130PM. It races on until 300 AM and then then the girls move on (if not booked) to Isis or other places until 600AM. There must have been 40-70 girls at any time at LDV (mostly in my opinion 7-9's) amazing from all over Colombia.

Prices vary-depends on personality, looks, spanish speaking ability. YMMV but agreet that it ranges from 100 (2hrs) to 150 (night-by that time night is 3/4 hours only anyway.).

Just a report from an infrequent Colombia visitor. Hope its useful.

Next-China/Vietnam.

God bless the faithful

[QUOTE=Hilltopper]I agree with your line of thinking for conducting business in CTG and not wanting people who are calling you to necessarily know that you are outside of the States.[/QUOTE]Do you know how to do this with a cell phone? The international dial tone that you hear is a dead giveaway that you are outside the country?

Sup guys born and raised in the states of colombian parents, fluent in spanish, new to the board, going to do a 3 week stay in bocagrande, rented a studioapart-hotel conquistador in December, already booked. Anyway my question is it seems like a nice hotel and I will have a gf come visit me for 2 weeks and then I will have 1 week to myself (in the beginning of the trip). Want to hook up with LDV and Pleyboy pros before seeing my gf in weeks 2 and 3. Are the receptionists from conquistador going to ask for ID from the girls or will they leave me alone? Will they charge me guest fee? How does it work, will they turn a blind eye to the 5-6 different girls I bring in week 1 and then my 1 gf for weeks 2 and 3? Anyone with any experience with el conquistador studio rental policies? The rental agreement did say 2 people max, which I will honor. This is a long thread and started to read from the back page and now on page 200 for any related info.

Thanks a bunch guys

[QUOTE=MrLogan1979]Sup guys born and raised in the states of colombian parents, fluent in spanish, new to the board, going to do a 3 week stay in bocagrande, rented a studioapart-hotel conquistador in December, already booked. Anyway my question is it seems like a nice hotel and I will have a gf come visit me for 2 weeks and then I will have 1 week to myself (in the beginning of the trip). Want to hook up with LDV and Pleyboy pros before seeing my gf in weeks 2 and 3. Are the receptionists from conquistador going to ask for ID from the girls or will they leave me alone? Will they charge me guest fee? How does it work, will they turn a blind eye to the 5-6 different girls I bring in week 1 and then my 1 gf for weeks 2 and 3? Anyone with any experience with el conquistador studio rental policies? The rental agreement did say 2 people max, which I will honor. This is a long thread and started to read from the back page and now on page 200 for any related info.

Thanks a bunch guys[/QUOTE]First of all, you are staying in an apartment complex that has many families and also have tourists renting apartments by the night week, month. Many short time girls working the beach and LDV stay there. It is located in Laquito which is past Boca Grande. Keep your eyes open and you might be able to score during the day. There is no extra charge, but each girl you bring up must have her cedula and register the guest book.

I would forget going to Pleyclub since I found there are better looking girls roaming Laquito and Hollywood Beach, plus it is a 20 minute taxi ride. Before LDV gets going good later in the night, go to the casino next door and you can bump into many working girls in there, but be careful because there are regular girls in there.

Now for the bad news, El Conquistador is a large building with two elevators, one of which may not work. If you are near the top (I believe 20 stories), you will experience long wait times for an elevator to come. I stayed there one time and will not go back due to the feel of the building. However, you can have a great time with all of the girls that may be there. The staff gave my fiance at the time (wife now) a miserable time one night to the point she was crying hysterically for an hour.

Have fun, I will be there starting Sunday, but I am staying in a building about two years old for a $100 per night. Great pool, AC, flat screen TVs. Next time you go, check the web sites for alternative lodging.

[QUOTE=MrLogan1979]Sup guys born and raised in the states of colombian parents, fluent in spanish, new to the board, going to do a 3 week stay in bocagrande, rented a studioapart-hotel conquistador in December, already booked. Anyway my question is it seems like a nice hotel and I will have a gf come visit me for 2 weeks and then I will have 1 week to myself (in the beginning of the trip). Want to hook up with LDV and Pleyboy pros before seeing my gf in weeks 2 and 3. Are the receptionists from conquistador going to ask for ID from the girls or will they leave me alone? Will they charge me guest fee? How does it work, will they turn a blind eye to the 5-6 different girls I bring in week 1 and then my 1 gf for weeks 2 and 3? Anyone with any experience with el conquistador studio rental policies? The rental agreement did say 2 people max, which I will honor. This is a long thread and started to read from the back page and now on page 200 for any related info.

Thanks a bunch guys[/QUOTE]Yes they will ask for ID's. No guest fee. Once your novia gets there she will have a band so she will not be bothered with signing in. For CTG it is really not a real nice place. A little run down and a lot of familys and teens end up there, but the rates are not bad. My info is about 18 months old so things may be different now.

BTW it is in Lagueto (sic )

[QUOTE=MrLogan1979]Sup guys born and raised in the states of colombian parents, fluent in spanish, new to the board, going to do a 3 week stay in bocagrande, rented a studioapart-hotel conquistador in December, already booked. Anyway my question is it seems like a nice hotel and I will have a gf come visit me for 2 weeks and then I will have 1 week to myself (in the beginning of the trip). Want to hook up with LDV and Pleyboy pros before seeing my gf in weeks 2 and 3. Are the receptionists from conquistador going to ask for ID from the girls or will they leave me alone? Will they charge me guest fee? How does it work, will they turn a blind eye to the 5-6 different girls I bring in week 1 and then my 1 gf for weeks 2 and 3? Anyone with any experience with el conquistador studio rental policies? The rental agreement did say 2 people max, which I will honor. This is a long thread and started to read from the back page and now on page 200 for any related info.

Thanks a bunch guys[/QUOTE]Edif Conquistador will never let you take in various girls(1 girlfriend or family yes) during your stay. Never, Never, Never. You do not want to be staying at any hotel or apartment that does not require and hold on to the ID of a girl while she is visiting you.

That is how you become a victim here!

Have a nice day,

Martin

[QUOTE=MrLogan1979] a 3 week stay in bocagrande, rented a studioapart-hotel conquistador in December, already booked. Anyway my question is it seems like a nice hotel .

Thanks a bunch guys[/QUOTE]Conquistador is the dregs. Always assume that you will be ratted out in this type of situation, no matter where you are. Change apartments when your GF arrives and get to fresh surroundings on the oposite end of town.

Anyone know if LDV is open on a Sunday or Monday night and if it is worth going on these nights? The list doesn't seem to mention the days it's open. I get the impression Cartagena is 7 days a week as even for colombians it's a tourist spot.

Also anyone have a tip on a daytime mongering spot? Cheers

LDV is open 7 days a week best to get there around 12am, Cartagena is the main party spot of Colombia where they party 7 days week. For day time mongering hit the beach in the early afternoon or hook up with #1 Tony on the beach you cant miss him he is moreno(black) Colombiano with a gold tooth if you dont speak spanish he knows many chicas around Cartagena he can hook you up.

[QUOTE=Fkpunter]Anyone know if LDV is open on a Sunday or Monday night and if it is worth going on these nights? The list doesn't seem to mention the days it's open. I get the impression Cartagena is 7 days a week as even for colombians it's a tourist spot.

Also anyone have a tip on a daytime mongering spot? Cheers[/QUOTE]