Cali Reports

Hey Saint,

I normally post in Las Vegas. Living here in Vegas can sure make a cynical bastard out of ya, with all the rip-offs and girls that take huge advantage. I mean it's probably the same throughout most of the USA, but I think it's worse here.

I'm sure a lot of the same 'cynical bastards' would tell you that you were being taken for a fool and there's a lot of other 'boyfriends' these girls talk to. I don't know, I can't know, but I DO know that I enjoyed your posts, and they seem real. It's nice to know there are some decent guys like you out there, even if it may make you more likely to be ripped off. Empathy is never a bad thing. Don't lose that and good luck with those girls. And if THIS sounds too gushy to anyone, tough shit.

Saint ... I have to say, I don't know you at all but I already like you. You seem to be a very genuine and good man.

I now live in Medellin half the month with the Paisa that I met about a year ago and our stories sound similar.

My Paisa still never asks for money and it's still tough to give it to her. I'm pretty sure your new Calena knows the money you gave her was from your heart ... you did a good thing.

I have to admit ... I still feel the call of the wild and I play the mongering game when I travel for my job, which is quite a bit, but it sure is nice when I come back to Medellin and mi Paisita esta esperando mi (my Paisa is waiting for me)

Cheers!

Saint and Company,

Thanks for all the good insight. I think I may use your Taxi guide when I get to Cali because l am not a huge fan of mongering, only at times. Anyhow if you decide to return to Cali let me know. For Saint or anyone else I will be there March 16. I am just getting in from a long dull night out here in Panama City, im sure Cali will be a needed break from the norm.

Happy Hunting.

Hi guys. Can any guys that fly in/out of Cali a lot tell me the cheapest priced airlines that fly from Cali to Medellin? I did see flights on Avianca round-trip for less than $100 so that is pretty darn cheap. Also, do you know which airlines fly from Cali to Lima, Peru?

P.S. Some people have emailed me asking what the downsides were to that Hotel I stayed in. There were several disadvantages but the owner, Rigo, was such a gregarious and friendly guy it overshadowed the bad things. Still, I'll point out what I thought could be improved.

My bed wasn't too comfortable. It was much much better than the so called mattresses they have in Cuba but not near as comfortable as most hotel beds. You have to keep in mind this is basically just a huge house and he rents out rooms. Another was the pillows. The pillows were quite bad. If I stayed there again, I'd bring my own pillows. The other thing was they are doing construction on the house right now and adding on more rooms so construction workers start semi-early in the morning around 8 or 9 AM. You can't sleep in with the noise. I had hot water and there were only maybe 2 times when the hot water ran out mid-way during shower and I did take one cold shower late one morning. Also, the rooms were very dim at night. Maybe you can ask for stronger lightbulb.

I'm not sure what you can expect for $45 a night though. He has rooms for $35 a night and bigger apartments for $45 a night. Something I didn't know was that he charges a $10/night guest fee if you have a guest more than 1 hour so the apartments I guess must go for $55 a night. That is a bit high for Cali standards. I think you can get a room at the Intercontinental for about $75 a night + tax. When I go back I'll probably try another hotel but I'd still be tempted to use him again just because he was such a nice guy. My trip wouldn't have been as good without staying there.

Another thing is that I got bit by several mosquitos in my room. However, I'm the type that mosquitos love. I can be in a room with 100 people and I'll be the only one that gets bitten. I'd recommend you bring a Citronella candle.

There is a company I use to buy a bunch of travel related stuff. I go to so many different countries sometimes it's nice to have some of this stuff. I've bought many many many products from them and can recommend them highly.

[url]http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/index1.htm[/url]

Saint

Great reports from Cali. Thank you.

First , both Avianca and Aerorepublica fly from CLO-MDE. Both can be booked on-line at non-gringo prices. If you book more than two weeks before it is much less expensive.

www.summa.aero

www.aerorepublica.com.co

There may be other non-iata airlines that fly this route.

Second, there are no IATA airlines that fly direct from CLO-LIM. Aviance fly with a connection in Bogota. Current tariff is US$279 round trip.

Third, I understand your feelings and emotions about you new novia in Cali. To me you are someone that will manage this situation and I am sure that you, in the end of the day, you will analyse the situation and make the right choice. A word of warning: Colombian women can be difficult and any relationship is with the entire family.

Forth, I think you have played down somewhat the security situation in Cali. It is probably the most dangerous city in Colombia. I never feel comfortable there and I have friends that have lived there that have had to leave because they are fed up with being robbed and generally feeling insecure. I have other friends that have continually down-scaled their cars because anything considered "good" is robbed at traffic signal. They have lost two cars in the last year.

Fifth, for US$55 you can stay in the best hotel in Cali IMHO, the Casa Dann Carlton, and get change. They are not exactly chica-friendly but are chica tolerant.

Once again, thanks for your great prose and an excellant insight into what is a great but somewhat damgerous destination.

Take care

Thanks for the links. I had one of them but not the other.

I'm not sure how the novia situation will work out. I'm not expecting anything and just will see how things go. I tend to jump into things and just let them work themselves out. I agree with you about the family situation. After it was clear that we both had feelings she wanted me to meet her family.

It's not that I intentionally downplayed the security angle. I was only there 10 days. Guys need to be careful and use their best judgement when deciding on traveling anywhere the State Department has a warning. I think it's much different for the average tourist going a few days or a week than someone living there for years on end. I felt comfortable there but I think traveling in South America many times helped.

Lastly, can you please give me the contact information for the Casa Dann Carlton. I went to the website [url]http://www.hotelesdann.com/html/dann_carlton_cali.html[/url] but when I go to email them it gets bounced back. I'm not sure if that page is accurate. How do I get the $55 rate you talk about? Also, do you have an updated website link or a phone number so I can call. I'll most likely be back in 2 weeks or so and I'd like to try out a new place.

Also, what do you mean it's chica tolerant? Will I have to pay a fee to bring a girl back? Thanks in advance.

Saint

I have a similar question. I will be traveling to Cali with a buddy of mine on March 15th. At most we are looking to spend around $55 bucks a night combined, for our accomidations. Where can we get the most for our money? Is calihotel still our best bet?

Saint, myself and my buddy are thinking about getting an apartment at the Cali hotel together. How are the apartments?

Thanks in advance, happy hunting. Oh once again, if anyone is in Cali and wants to get together around March 15th, let me know. I will be there.

SAINT, I also have a favorite place I like to stay when visiting Cali.
It's called 'Hotel Casa del Portal' ... on Ave Sexta A ... maybe 3 blocks from Chippi Chappi ... easy walk ... and also very close to Kaliente, Flores Frescas, Ave Sexta, etc.

Cost is normal 100,000 pesos but you can talk yourself down to 80,000 per noche.
The guys that work there are fantastic, always helped me with the 'juggling' of the chicas. Became good friends with them.

Very comfortable, affordable, no construcion, good pillows (haha) and a free breakfast every morning if you can get out of bed by 11am ... I usually ordered breakfast in bed every morning with my chica ... as you know, they love that.

... Also, in Medellin, try Hotel Plaza Rosa ... less luxurious than Intercontinental, but way more affordable and people are muy chevere (very cool). www.hotelplazarosa.com

I'm off to to Venezuela for a few days ... life is bueno!

Suerte!

Ricker,

Thanks for the great advice on those places. This is what the board is all about. I might also try to get to Medellin this trip coming up. Not sure if I can do it but I'll sure try. I'll check out that hotel if I go.

That's one thing I forgot to put in my report. The girls use "chevere" a lot!! I heard it in other places I've been to like Cuba but not as much. In Cali the girls use it all the time. So do the locals. I swear, this one girl used that word maybe like 20 times one night in my room. I had my laptop, Ipod with speakers so we were listening to music, candles illuminating the room (definitely go out and buy a ton of candles - chicks love it!), and a bunch of other stuff and she kept saying, "chevere". It was cute.

Free Sex,

I didn't even look at the apartments since they were all booked. I talked to my amigo, Jay that was staying in one. He was in it with two other people so they must be bigger. They are $55 a night but I think one of you would get the bed and another a fold out sofa. I'm not sure how comfortable that would be.

If you've never been to Cali before it's probably a good idea because Rigo is such a good guy. The apartments also seemed to be on the side of the house. A few times I didn't want to bring a girl home during the day because there are also some families staying at the Hotel. This isn't just some monger hotel. It's mainly a family type place. I hope that helps.

Can anyone give me some ideas about what to do for Apr 3-6? I am going to be in Colombia then (specifically Cartagena) but I can go elsewhere, like Cali.

Things are going to be BOOKED. Min rate from the ever trustworthy Juan Ventura, is about 200k IF he can find anything.

SO I might have to strike out for other places like Cali. But it will probably be totally dead no? Also thinking about a 3 day trip to San Andres island during that period with my favorite.

Saint, "cheveré" is an expression you will hear an awful lot in Venezuela as well. Ven and Colombia are probably the closest culturally of most of South American countries, and it makes sense given the history/geography of the region. A lot of the slang expressions are similar too though there are differences and Colombians generally speak better and clearer Spanish.

"cheveré" is an expression of positive affirmation/agreement, of something being agreeable, good, cool, etc.

Que cheveré - how great!
cheveré! - cool!

it's also used very often to answer question like "how are you"

bien cheveré

how was the event, party, movie, gathering, etc etc?

bien, bien cheveré

I believe you get the drift.

I don't believe I have ever heard it in Cuba personally, but you could be right. Might have to check on that next time I get a chance to go the Isla.

The other countries that use the expression (though not as much) are countries in Central America (like Mexico)

Either way, it'll probably be understood almost anywhere in Latin America.

Also in Colombia, especially the younger crowd, use the word "Vacano (a)".
For example, "Esa chica es muy vacana!"

I've used the word in Venezuela but just to get a chuckle from the Venezolanas.

Thanks Catire. Yeah, it's pretty easy to figure out after you hear it the first dozen or so times. I thought it was cute. I agree with you. The Spanish in Colombia is crisper and clearer. The other thing I noticed is these Calenas really love chatting and talking. I'm not sure if the local guys don't give them attention or only trying to get in their pants but I found when I walked around in the malls or was at dinner. The girls would want to stay there for hours and hours just talking.

Most guys probably will stick to other places that are easier to navigate in. As mentioned, it's not the place to go if (a) you've never traveled in South America before; (b) you speak no Spanish; (c) you are only interested in the hobby scene.

Ricker correctly pointed out that the reason I had such success is because I could communicate and I've been to South America so many times. I think that was the reason it was such a successful trip.

Good luck.

I have to say also ... I spend a lot of time in both Venezuela and Colombia and without a doubt, it's much easier to understand the Colombians' spanish.
I am finally getting an ear for the Venezuelan "accent". I've been hanging out a lot in Maracaibo with a chica I met recently.

The nicest spanish I enjoy listening to is from the Paisas of Medellin though ... almost sounds as though they're singing as they talk. Plus my girlfriend there calls me "Papi" ... I absolutely love that.

I haven't been to Cali for months now ... it's hard to leave Medellin but I'm making a trip thru there toward's the end of this month ... gotta catch up with a chica I met and do some exploring.

Suerte.

Ricker, to talk about young girls in Venezuela

try "carajita".

The maracucho accent is slightly different than the caraqueno but close enough. They probably don't drop their s's or just aspirate them the way they do in Caracas (and Havana/Cuba where they drop it altogether)