Cartagena Reports

Over one week without postings on this thread. Does anyone have any comments/observations about the pageant or the marriage bureau in town.

Fellas,

I am on a short time table. Got some unexpected time off coming up quick and need your help please.

I am trying to decide between BAQ and Cartagena for about a 12 day trip. Dont want to do both as funds are somewhat limited.

My priorities are meeting regular girls, mongering, and just having a good time in general in a nice city. I have met girls online from both places so it doesnt matter to me which one I go to, whatever the consensus says is the best.

I did find a place called the Hotel Royal in BAQ that offered me US$25 per night with big pool and it looks pretty nice, 4 stars. Anyone know it?

Would it be correct to say that in Barranquilla gringos are in more demand than CArtagena? In other words, not so many gringos go to BAQ?

Any opinions on which place is better? Better chicas? Anything of help will be appreciated.

Thanks fellas

Mikster

Yes gringos are MUCH rarer in BAQ and for nonpros there are more to choose from ( larger city). On the other hand, it lacks the charm of Cartagena and is, if possible, even hotter (less breeze). The P4P options in BAQ of which I am aware are less than stellar. Never found or heard of an LDV style freelancer bar.

But really limited funds is a silly reason to not do both. A 2 hour busride of less than $5 is hardly a budgetbreaker. Taxi is about $40 (100K CP).

I'm probably going to go to BAQ but mainly to hang out with this chica and her friends. I've known her for about a year, her friend is hooked up with this Italian guy I know. I'm not sure I'd go and hang by myself. Can't believe I'm going back next week!!

CARTAGENA AND SAFETY

I've had a few minor and one moderate problem in Cartagena, mostly bullshit about fares/money/etc. Don't let a few bucks get you into some bad shit. Avoid touts like Tony 1, 2 any number Tony. If you hang out for any appreciable length of time you will meet all the beach putas you need. (It gets to the point where the touts are trying to get the chica's phone numbers from you! LOL...)

If you are newbs to the area be careful. Last trip I was asked by my friend in the taxi if I could escort some dudes from the states. So I told him to go in and get them. Dudes come down and invite these two Colombian MEN one whome they'd basically just met off the street to go with us to these casas. WTF??!! Sorry, but it took all of a minute to see where this was heading and it took me an hour to extricate myself from that mess. I told these guys quietly that they should go back, ditch these dudes and get a new cab. Nah, they were going to go to another club with these guys!! I heard it turned kinda ugly fairly quickly and the lads from the USA had to pay like 40X the cost of a cab just to get back home.

Cartagena is different than Cali. While Cali lags in the chica area, it is a LOT mellower in terms of the touts and predators that are out there. Cartagena ya gotta watch ya shit. I've learned that although there are some cool ex-pats there, there are some guys that are stuck there (despite what they say) for a reason. Very shady and watch whom you decide to befriend (the colombians off the street being an obvious example).

I've seen times where there are tons of Americans and many times where I was one of a few guys there. So mild disagree there. I see more older dudes with skrunkles in Colombia as opposed to my other stomping grounds (Thailand).

Some guys pay out the ass despite what is posted here, and it is true that costs is in relation to your looks, savvy, pussiness factor, language and motives of the chica (she may need rent THAT NIGHT).

Overall, shorttime should be around 60-100k depending and all night I wouldn't pay more than 150. Cartagena prices are lower than Cali except for the chicas I met on Sexta. There are exceptions both high and low. Personally I'm on the cheap end to a point. I'm not going to get reamed but I'm not going to stress about 10k or a dinner here and there. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes it's important to kick a puta out here n' there so your pussiness factor doesn't increase too much.

THE CARTAGENA MARKETPLACE

Cartagena has been growing as an Israeli party area for some time, rapidly I might add, especially due to word of mouth and a few enterprising Israelis who capitalized on that. What does that mean? There is a large contingent of young, chevre, dudes celebrating after their mandatory military commitment. There is a large party scene where the goal of these dudes is basically to drug and fuck many of these same chicas for free. Not to begrudge them, because in my day I was in the same mindset. Go to Giromatro after 2am and you'll see a slice of what I'm talkin 'bout.

I think you have the most fun when you blur the lines between being a gringo (which despite the efforts of most of us here we still stick out, sorry dudes) customer and someone who isn't.

Overall though, I've noticed a few things. Prices are still what the market will bear, but I'd be surprised at any quality coming out of an 80k all nighter.
There are a lot of chicas but the top shelf may be taken or doing a short time then running to her equivalent of the Thai motorcycle taxi dude (but in this case a young stud sharing a penthouse with four other dudes and some coca).

LANGUAGE

I agree with Johann. There is nothing more irritating to have two chicas with you and a dude that insists on speaking only English. It's International -- These chicks get bored! Try to speak Spanish or make an effort at being understood. We're in their country... 'nuff said.

Can someone PM me about this Fantasy Place? It may be a place I know under a Spanish name. Thanks, I'm heading there next week.

Hey, has anyone stayed at Hotel Kokomo in Cartagena? It is a private island that is suppose to be chica friendly. I was thinking of taking a couple of girls out there for a few days. There web site is [url]http://www.hotelkokomo.com[/url]

Any thoughts on this?

This year I managed to be in CTG for all of the pageant. And I saw none of it. There were too many other things to do. The flooding caused two days of activities to be cancelled. A Cartagenero in his late forties told me that he had never seen it flood worse.

Next year I will try to see some of the pageant.

Marriage bureau? Why waste the money? Just stroll down the street, eat in a restaurant, hit a disco, or hang out in Laguito or Centro. I'm a fat, old guy and have to turn them away.

Anyone going to Cartagena for the first time, or even repeat customers may want to use the services of Alex. His email is [email]alexo8316@hotmail.com[/email]. He's a nice young guy who knows alot of people in CTG and can tell you about most any girl or introduce you to any girl you see on the street or the beach or club that you want to meet. He won't want anymore than $50K plus food and drink for the day. He can save you that much alone by not letting you get ripped off by anyone. His cell is 311 420 9605.

Hi, does Las Velas Hotel have a website or e-mail address? I might try to book a trip to Cartagena and would like to contact them about availability. Thanks.

Termas Time

The Las Velas has changed ownership and may not be chica friendly. Apartments are your best bet in Cartagena. Before I bought my apartment, I rented from Juan Ventura at [url]http://www.zepelion.com/apartamentos/index.htm[/url]

hI.. been here to Cartagena about 12X..2 àpts here that I rent... Boca Grande...
chicas ricas for sure... happy to fill anyone in if needed...apts are the way to go for the MOnger for sure...contact me at [email]bm251@aol.com[/email]

[QUOTE=Termas Time]Hi, does Las Velas Hotel have a website or e-mail address? I might try to book a trip to Cartagena and would like to contact them about availability. Thanks.

Termas Time[/QUOTE]

What do you nee to know?

[QUOTE=Poobah]Can someone PM me about this Fantasy Place? It may be a place I know under a Spanish name. Thanks, I'm heading there next week.[/QUOTE]

I would also like to know its location. I'll be in CTG in Febrero. Thanks.
Feliz Navida a todos.

Thanks for the replies everyone, but I would really like the email address or website for Las Velas if possible. Does anyone have this info? I will inquire about their girl policy, if it has changed.

As for apartments, I have never rented an apt while on vacation. Anyone have additional comments on how easy it is? How much should I expect to spend for a week? How do I insure I am not getting a dump?

Thanks.

Termas Time

I don't think that the Las Velas has E-mail. Here is a web site for them: [url]http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/colombia/cartagena38063.html[/url]. Also, the rules of this site prohibit the posting of E-mail addresses.

As far as apartments, it's very easy. You can make the reservation by E-mail. Then send a deposit by Western Union. When you arrive, you pay cash up front for your entire stay. Expect to pay US$40 to 50 per night for a week's stay for a single during low season about Jan. 17 to March 18, March 28 to June 14, July 16 to Nov. 1, and Nov. 17 to Dec. 14. If you rent from Juan Ventura or Mery Salence, you won't get a dump.