Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=Hilltopper; 1126967]Others may disagree, but IMO the best value is still to rent an apt from either Juan or Mery when it comes to things like good a / see, decent place with amenities, chica friendly and trustworthiness. If you rent from either of them, you'll be staying in El Laguito, which is one of the zones in CTG that you will most likely feel comfortable in if this is your first time to the city. If you're looking to save a few bucks, see if there is a studio or one bedroom available, or share the cost of a two bedroom with a fellow monger.

If you choose to stay in Boca Grande, you will find it more commercialized (shops, restuarants, banks, etc.) and more populated. Boca Grande is another area where you will most likely feel comfortable.

The best way I can answer "how far" is either El Centro or the Old City is to say between the equivalent of $3 to $4 USD each way from or to Laguito. Given the time of night that you would be traveling to a disco, you'll want to hail a taxi.

One thing you can do to gather additional info is to read back through this thread from say 2007 forward. IMO things really haven't changed all that much. Have some prices for things in restuarants, taxis, etc, gone up a little? Sure, but not really that much in local currency the last 3 years. Some guys are going to say prices have gone up more and they'll say especially for the chicas, but if you really spend some time reading posts on this thread from 2007 forward you'll see that they haven't really gone up in local currency as much as some may lead you to believe. You can really get a feel for CTG by spending a hour or so each night reading the various posts until you're up to the current date.

If you go back further than 2007 or so, especially back to the first couple of years of Uribe's first term, then yeah, IMO you'll notice more significant or substantial change.[/QUOTE]isn't the apts from juan and mery kinda more on the expensive side?

I think a good deal for an apt rental for a week is like 300-400 (40-60 a night)

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1126999]isn't the apts from juan and mery kinda more on the expensive side?

I think a good deal for an apt rental for a week is like 300-400 (40-60 a night)[/QUOTE]I am about to rent an apt from Juan for $75. 00 / night. It's more than I wanted to spend, but the apt is really nice. Ocean front, terrace, washer and dryer. There's a lot of down time in CTG. The afternoons are brutally hot. And it's nice to have a place to chill. And I think women are more likely to hang out in a apt.

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1126999]isn't the apts from juan and mery kinda more on the expensive side?

I think a good deal for an apt rental for a week is like 300-400 (40-60 a night) [/QUOTE]Tar Heel, in trying to answer your question about the apts from Juan and / or Mery being more on the expensive side, I'd first have to respond that it's all relative and then ask you expensive for whom?

Are those particular apts located in El Laguito expensive for the average working Colombian family? Yes. Are those apts located in a Strata 6 neighborhood in Colombia? Yes. Are those apts a little expensive for the typical starving college student from the States who isn't a trust fund baby? Yes. Are those apts expensive for the typical 30-60 year old middle-class and upward guy from the States (or Canada, the UK, Germany, etc.) who is used to paying anywhere from $80-$250 a night for a comparatively small hotel room if he were to go on a vacation in his home country (especially to a warm weather spot near a large body of water when it's cold where he lives)? No.

So in a nutshell, I guess the answer to your question will differ based on who it is directed toward. I'd say that the majority of the guys on this forum who typically rent from either Juan or Mery are guys who fall within or near that fourth example I gave above. For them, to pay $70-$120 a night for an apt with all the modern conveniences, including cold air conditioning, hot water, a comfortable mattress, a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, coffee maker, eating and drinking utensils, a decent stereo that accomodates their iPod, a TV in the main room and bedrooms, a DVD player to view a movie (pg or x) with a favorita, a balcony overlooking the sea or lagoon, a combination safe to secure certain items, washer / dryer, an iron and ironing board, and the option to have inexpensive maid service or to be left alone, well, I think that's enough and the picture becomes quite clear that those guys profiled as group 4 above come to a resounding conclusion that the apts aren't relatively expensive for them.

Taking my own self back a few decades ago, would my initial reaction been similiar to yours? Well considering that when I was a 19-year old college student from a working class family I paid $40 for a week to stay in a dorm type room in Negril, Jamaica with the following: the mattress was about 4 inches thick and made of foam; the beds were narrow and short; there were a total of 6 to 8 beds in the room so that meant your sleeping (and bangin') quarters were with others, including strangers; there was no air conditioning; there was no indoor shower, but the place was upscale for that time and location as the owner did have a block of ice with pic that he'd share with you when he was around; so yeah, at that stage in life the apts from Juan or Mery would have been more toward the expensive side for me and out-of-my range.

With all that being said, let's consider the range of $40 to $60 a night that you mentioned. If I could get an apt with the amenities I mentioned above for say $70 to $80 a night and then go to the supermarket a buy a week's worth of groceries (fruits, loaf of bread, lunch meat, veggies, eggs, etc.) so that I saved $5 to $15 a day compared to eating 3 meals a day at a restuarant, wouldn't I probably end-up only spending a little more than the guy who got a place (most likely small hotel room) for $40 to $60? Plus I got to sleep and bang in cold air conditioning, shower and shave with hot water in the morning, relax with a sexy chica while listening to tunes ran through a stereo systems from my iPod, enjoy a home-cooked meal cooked by a favorita who then later wants to imitate the porn star positions she witnessed while watching a DVD with me, and wake-up on a comfortable mattress without a crick in my neck. I could elaborate more, but I hope I've listed enough of the advantages that a guy might consider that a great deal for $10 to $20 more a night.

Oh by the way, if $60 or so is within your range or budget for this trip, you may want to contact Mery and ask her about the price and availability of a studio apt, or contact Juan and ask him how much for a one-bedroom during your timeframe. You might just find that you can get something with modern conveniences for just a little more and then make-up the extra cost by saving on your daily food bill and having a big jug of cold water in your fridge. Plus, you'll be able to impress the chicas with your freshly pressed clothes that you ironed before you went out, LOL.

One last thing to note, one of the other advantages you get from renting from Juan or Mery is that you'll be dealing with a person who can communicate to you in English (if that is a plus for you) , and more importantly is someone with honor and trustworthiness who comes in quite handy should you run into a minor problem or have say a medical emergency or something. Lastly, you benefit from knowing that you are renting from a person who comes recommended by many guys from this forum who have travelled before you so that you don't have to stress worrying about all the details or what could go wrong when dealing with a less reputable outfit or person.

Have an enjoyable, safe and memorable (in a positive sense) trip.

HT

[QUOTE=Hilltopper; 1127172]Tar Heel, in trying to answer your question about the apts from Juan and / or Mery being more on the expensive side, I'd first have to respond that it's all relative and then ask you expensive for whom?

Are those particular apts located in El Laguito expensive for the average working Colombian family? Yes. Are those apts located in a Strata 6 neighborhood in Colombia? Yes. Are those apts a little expensive for the typical starving college student from the States who isn't a trust fund baby? Yes. Are those apts expensive for the typical 30-60 year old middle-class and upward guy from the States (or Canada, the UK, Germany, etc.) who is used to paying anywhere from $80-$250 a night for a comparatively small hotel room if he were to go on a vacation in his home country (especially to a warm weather spot near a large body of water when it's cold where he lives)? No.

So in a nutshell, I guess the answer to your question will differ based on who it is directed toward. I'd say that the majority of the guys on this forum who typically rent from either Juan or Mery are guys who fall within or near that fourth example I gave above. For them, to pay $70-$120 a night for an apt with all the modern conveniences, including cold air conditioning, hot water, a comfortable mattress, a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, coffee maker, eating and drinking utensils, a decent stereo that accomodates their iPod, a TV in the main room and bedrooms, a DVD player to view a movie (pg or x) with a favorita, a balcony overlooking the sea or lagoon, a combination safe to secure certain items, washer / dryer, an iron and ironing board, and the option to have inexpensive maid service or to be left alone, well, I think that's enough and the picture becomes quite clear that those guys profiled as group 4 above come to a resounding conclusion that the apts aren't relatively expensive for them.

Taking my own self back a few decades ago, would my initial reaction been similiar to yours? Well considering that when I was a 19-year old college student from a working class family I paid $40 for a week to stay in a dorm type room in Negril, Jamaica with the following: the mattress was about 4 inches thick and made of foam; the beds were narrow and short; there were a total of 6 to 8 beds in the room so that meant your sleeping (and bangin') quarters were with others, including strangers; there was no air conditioning; there was no indoor shower, but the place was upscale for that time and location as the owner did have a block of ice with pic that he'd share with you when he was around; so yeah, at that stage in life the apts from Juan or Mery would have been more toward the expensive side for me and out-of-my range.

With all that being said, let's consider the range of $40 to $60 a night that you mentioned. If I could get an apt with the amenities I mentioned above for say $70 to $80 a night and then go to the supermarket a buy a week's worth of groceries (fruits, loaf of bread, lunch meat, veggies, eggs, etc.) so that I saved $5 to $15 a day compared to eating 3 meals a day at a restuarant, wouldn't I probably end-up only spending a little more than the guy who got a place (most likely small hotel room) for $40 to $60? Plus I got to sleep and bang in cold air conditioning, shower and shave with hot water in the morning, relax with a sexy chica while listening to tunes ran through a stereo systems from my iPod, enjoy a home-cooked meal cooked by a favorita who then later wants to imitate the porn star positions she witnessed while watching a DVD with me, and wake-up on a comfortable mattress without a crick in my neck. I could elaborate more, but I hope I've listed enough of the advantages that a guy might consider that a great deal for $10 to $20 more a night.

Oh by the way, if $60 or so is within your range or budget for this trip, you may want to contact Mery and ask her about the price and availability of a studio apt, or contact Juan and ask him how much for a one-bedroom during your timeframe. You might just find that you can get something with modern conveniences for just a little more and then make-up the extra cost by saving on your daily food bill and having a big jug of cold water in your fridge. Plus, you'll be able to impress the chicas with your freshly pressed clothes that you ironed before you went out, LOL.

One last thing to note, one of the other advantages you get from renting from Juan or Mery is that you'll be dealing with a person who can communicate to you in English (if that is a plus for you) , and more importantly is someone with honor and trustworthiness who comes in quite handy should you run into a minor problem or have say a medical emergency or something. Lastly, you benefit from knowing that you are renting from a person who comes recommended by many guys from this forum who have travelled before you so that you don't have to stress worrying about all the details or what could go wrong when dealing with a less reputable outfit or person.

Have an enjoyable, safe and memorable (in a positive sense) trip.

HT[/QUOTE]You are correct, I should have clarified. I only plan on spending 1000 excluding airfair for 2 weeks. So I can only really drop 500 on lodging total. I could go over as ill have my credit cards if I must use them.

I don't really need hot water if its blazing hot in Cartagena. I just need a bed and a / see or a really good fan. I'm hopping to find something decent for around 30 a night.

If your budget is low for Hotel I would stay in El Centro. Right by Bannanas and Plaza Estudiante.

Hotel Las Vegas and Hotel Porvenir, Hotel El Viajero don't ask me prices it was 2 years ago but was very cheap, you could stay there one night and look around for another nearby if you don't like it.

[QUOTE=Hilltopper; 1127172]. Are those apts expensive for the typical 30-60 year old middle-class and upward guy from the States (or Canada, the UK, Germany, etc.) who is used to paying anywhere from $80-$250 a night for a comparatively small hotel room if he were to go on a vacation in his home country (especially to a warm weather spot near a large body of water when it's cold where he lives)? No.

HT[/QUOTE]Hilltopper that's right on the money. I get your point. This year I went to my regular apartment in laguito. A chica friendly one and it turns out she's been suffering from a verdadera plaga thats the owners words. She also said something about getting a new bed its got one hell of a worn out mattress, anyway $60 a night is what I pay her and no one makes me pay a fee for my chica and its a 4 minute walk from dolce vita and it's 1000 times more comfortable than the casa particular I had to use in Cuba where I had 2 be quiet. I crank the stereo now, and the plaga was cockroaches but I think I'm clear none of them came home with me.

[QUOTE=Hilltopper; 1127172]Tar Heel, in trying to answer your question about the apts from Juan and / or Mery being more on the expensive side.

To pay $70-$120 a night for an apt with all the modern conveniences, including cold air conditioning, hot water, a comfortable mattress, a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, coffee maker, eating and drinking utensils, a decent stereo that accomodates their iPod, a TV in the main room and bedrooms, a DVD player to view a movie (pg or x) with a favorita, a balcony overlooking the sea or lagoon, a combination safe to secure certain items, washer / dryer, an iron and ironing board, and the option to have inexpensive maid service or to be left alone, well, I think that's enough and the picture becomes quite clear that those guys profiled as group 4 above come to a resounding conclusion that the apts aren't relatively expensive for them. HT[/QUOTE]I just booked an apartment thru Juan in Laguito for $75 / nt for my stay in March following some advice found on here. Which for me, is a good deal. I'm only down for 5 nts. So in the scheme of things, an extra $10-$20 a night for a place like Hilltopper described suits me better than a cheaper hotel. I'm on vacation and like to be comfortable, and an apartment provides me the oppurtunity to spread out and hang with a chica or 2 if I decide to, in a nice place on the beach without being confined to just a bed and 4 walls in a hotel. IMHO

I usually rent an apartment with some friends when I'm in Peru, and it's always served us well for hanging out and partying at our place.

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1126999]isn't the apts from juan and mery kinda more on the expensive side?

I think a good deal for an apt rental for a week is like 300-400 (40-60 a night) [/QUOTE]Tar Heel Bred. I had sent off emails to Mery and Juan Tuesday inquiring about apartments for my dates in March.

Mery had a 1bdr-$70US, & 2bdr-$100US.

Juan had 1bdr-$65US, & a few 2bdr-$75US (1person) David was booked.

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1127235]You are correct, I should have clarified. I only plan on spending 1000 excluding airfair for 2 weeks. So I can only really drop 500 on lodging total. I could go over as ill have my credit cards if I must use them.

I don't really need hot water if its blazing hot in Cartagena. I just need a bed and a / see or a really good fan. I'm hopping to find something decent for around 30 a night. [/QUOTE]Tar.

This was pulled from another members post regarding some cheaper accommodations in Cartagena. Also another member had recommended "Hotel Playa" at $40 / nt in Boca Grande. Might be what your looking for.

[QUOTE=Kyle Fox; 1119008]I spent 6 days in Bocagrande in early December. Here's my report.

I stayed at bargain hotel first 2 night, Hotel Crisor on Cra 3. It is only 42K per night and no chica charge if she is there less than 3 hours. Night security guard will try to charge you but just remind him you know the policy. Run is small and basic but it has A / C, wireless internet and small TV (though mine didn't work so well). No hot water if that's important to you.

The last 4 nights I stayed at Hotel Bocagrande on Cra 2, the main strip with all the shopping stores. The gave me a multiple night discount for 4 nights and paying in advance. 112K for 1 person or 153K for 2 people (no hassles regardless if your chicas changed regularly). This room was larger, modern flat screen TV, balcony out back, newer furniture, A / C, wireless Internet, but again no hot water. Place also has decent restaurant onsite.

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1127235]You are correct, I should have clarified. I only plan on spending 1000 excluding airfair for 2 weeks. So I can only really drop 500 on lodging total. I could go over as ill have my credit cards if I must use them.

I don't really need hot water if its blazing hot in Cartagena. I just need a bed and a / see or a really good fan. I'm hopping to find something decent for around 30 a night.[/QUOTE]For the life of me I cannot understand why, if your budget is so tight that you would choose Cartagena, the most expensive city in all of Colombia. Two weeks on a $1000 USD, good luck bro and be sure to pack an old copy of Penthouse so you have something to entertain yourself. IMHO your choosing the wrong city based on your budget!

[QUOTE=Black Hawk69;1127347]Now that is what I am talking about ! You are on vacation, and if money is such as big issue that you cannot afford to spend $75.00 dollars a night for a luxury type of apartment for a short stay, then you have no business going on vacation. This was one of the reasons I tried to help you out Ho Whisperer, because I did not think you were a cheap ass like Tar Heel Bred. If he only has a thousand dollars to go on vacation to Cartagena for two weeks, he does not belong on vacation, especially to a city such as Cartagena, and he should be trying to find a better job, or picking up a second job so he can AFFORD to go on vacation, and be able to enjoy it.[/QUOTE]Thank God everyone is not like Blackhawk and that there is actually helpful non condescending people on this forum. Who are you to tell people where and how they should go on vacation? Grow up buddy.

Hillbilly and HoWhisper thanks again for the usual info you provided!

[QUOTE=Black Hawk69;1127347]Now that is what I am talking about ! You are on vacation, and if money is such as big issue that you cannot afford to spend $75.00 dollars a night for a luxury type of apartment for a short stay, then you have no business going on vacation. This was one of the reasons I tried to help you out Ho Whisperer, because I did not think you were a cheap ass like Tar Heel Bred. If he only has a thousand dollars to go on vacation to Cartagena for two weeks, he does not belong on vacation, especially to a city such as Cartagena, and he should be trying to find a better job, or picking up a second job so he can AFFORD to go on vacation, and be able to enjoy it.[/QUOTE]Just because a guy works at Walmart and only has $1, 000 to spend in CTG for two weeks doesn't mean He should have to stay home and jerk off.

He can at the airport walk toward the street so the taxi will cost less. He can bring cans of tuna fish with him so he won't spend any money on food.

He can hang outside of LDV and meet the girls there so He won't have to spend money on drinks.

He can drink tap water instead of bottled water.

He can argue with the girls to get the lowest possible price, then after the session He will not tip the girl no matter if even a GFE was provided.

He can stay at the El Conquestador so his room will be cheap.

He can stay away from the Playa so He won't have to pay Tony his tribute.

The most important thing left for him to do would be to find a guy like yourself and hang with him and when the check comes He can go to the bathroom. I'm sure you won't mind carrying a poor Monger.

Remember, it is better to give than receive.

[QUOTE=Tar Heel Bred; 1127235]You are correct, I should have clarified. I only plan on spending 1000 excluding airfair for 2 weeks. So I can only really drop 500 on lodging total. I could go over as ill have my credit cards if I must use them.

I don't really need hot water if its blazing hot in Cartagena. I just need a bed and a / see or a really good fan. I'm hopping to find something decent for around 30 a night. [/QUOTE]No matter where you fall on this debate you have to respect a man for sticking to a budget.

Last night I was walking, or I should say hobbling along with my crutches. I was moving slow as this was the first time in months I was out at night walking. I was heading to a friends house for a little party and some Mexican food. Just as I passed the curve I heard some very loud popping sounds. At first I thought it was firecrackers. I turned around and directly behind me, like 30 or 40 feet, there was a silver pickup truck. The truck was pulling out of the parking lot on the same side of the street as me. It was straddling the side walk, on its way to making a right turn. Pop, Pop, Pop.

People were running, glass was flying and that was when I figured there was gun play at hand. Smoke was coming out of the shattered windows of the truck. I could see into the now broken passenger side window. There was a street light close by and I saw smoke engulfing the inside of the pick up.

I could not tell who was firing, whether it was coming from inside the truck or out side. Sounded like 4 or 5 shots and they did not all sound alike. There could have been several shooters.

One of the street guys fled past me holding his hand and blood was everywhere. It looked like he was shot in the hand. A split second later more shots rang out and some one pushed me to the ground. I guess he thought this was for my own good. He saw the crutches but flogged me down anyway. I was ok, just a little more banged up.

Every thing went silent. It was a little surreal. I laid low while looking for more shooters. All around me were people hiding. Hiding around building corners, hiding behind planters or on the ground, pressing their bodies as low as they could. I rose to me feet and surveyed the situation. As I was getting a fix on the truck, all of a sudden it started up. Wheels screeching, it popped into gear and roared away just past me. There were 3 or 4 men in the truck, it was one of those 4 door Toyota models. A pair of police officers happen to be cruising by on a motorcycle no more that 5 seconds behind the pick up truck and gave chase.

At that point people were just milling about. Since this is not my first gun fight / hit I have seen in Colombia, I decided the best course of action at this point was to leave and go eat some Mexican food. I stayed at my friend's house for a few hours, the food was great. I headed back home around 10:00. As I passed on my way home, there were all kinds of police and investigators working the scene. They had it all taped off just like CSI Miami!

I was very happy I did not get shot and it looked like no one was dead. At least I did not see any body's on the ground. I do not know what happened to the pick up truck with the men. I do not know if they were the targets, the shooters or just a group of drunken Colombians playing with their guns. I am sure that I will read all about it in today's paper.

Life here in Colombia continues to be, well how do I say, eventful!

The body count continues.

The Vagabundo

[QUOTE=John Gault; 1127535]Just because a guy works at Walmart and only has $1, 000 to spend in CTG for two weeks doesn't mean He should have to stay home and jerk off.

He can at the airport walk toward the street so the taxi will cost less. He can bring cans of tuna fish with him so he won't spend any money on food.

He can hang outside of LDV and meet the girls there so He won't have to spend money on drinks.

He can drink tap water instead of bottled water.

He can argue with the girls to get the lowest possible price, then after the session He will not tip the girl no matter if even a GFE was provided.

He can stay at the El Conquestador so his room will be cheap.

He can stay away from the Playa so He won't have to pay Tony his tribute.

The most important thing left for him to do would be to find a guy like yourself and hang with him and when the check comes He can go to the bathroom. I'm sure you won't mind carrying a poor Monger.

Remember, it is better to give than receive.[/QUOTE]This is not a "mongoring" trip for me. I'm not even a monger. I have only paid for sex once in my life and that was at The Del Rey in Costa Rica. I have been to Mexico, Brasil, and Costa Rica. In the places I usually hookup with 2 regular girls and one or two working girls (for free on nights I'm leaving the club empty handed) in a week to two week span.

This like all my trips are to soak up the sun, and to see another part of the world. I'm not on vacation to fuck prostitutes. Although I'm not prejudice and won't discriminate if the chick is hot.

The p4p spots are last on my daily agenda if on my agenda at all. During the day I like to meet girls working in the Malls, the beach, walking around the parks and squares, or at the University. And during the night at regular clubs. Then if all that fails and I'm faced with the option of going home empty handed I head towards the p4p spots looking to "shore" (swoop pros and semi pros for free)

But Blackhawk you have zero right to be telling people what kind of vacation they should be going on. We all have different preferences and come from different walks of life. I'm sure when I get done with grad school and I'm 45 years old ill have 2-3 grand to drop my my trips, but as a 24 yr old working his way through college that is not the case right now. Doesn't make me cheap, it just means I have a tighter budget than most jerk off.