Cartagena Reports

It's both. Last November I stayed there and asked for a room facing the street. I think that it cost around $25 USD but they do add on a joiner fee. They have two rooms facing the street with small verandas. After a certain evening time, the road is closed for vehicle traffic and the only thing you hear is the occasional pedestrian and the clip-clop of horse carriages. Quite romantic actually. LOL. They also have several rooms in back area without windows.

It's only a matter of time before that place is converted into a legit bnb though they do have some issues with the size of the rooms and the lack of windows in the back so perhaps it may be around for a while. However, it's really the only decent place to stay in the El Centro for rock bottom prices plus it's within a minute walk to the ClockTower. Sometimes, I see unsuspecting tourists there too though guess they figure it out eventually. Also, The rooms are quite tiny.

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1900128]Thank you for stating the absence or dearth of love motels in Centro more explicitly. I did get the impression from my prior research on the love motels on the List in question that most of them were further out into the city, but it is helpful to hear more specifically that such establishments are generally not available in Centro. Can you or anyone else confirm the absence or presence of love motels around LDV or Playa Hollywood?

When I did my initial research before my post, I saw in your old posts a reference to an establishment in Centro whose name was unclear, perhaps because of name changes. Sol de Indias, or Sol why Mar. Is its current name Hotel Sol del Mar? The place that I found is at 69 Piso 2, Cra. 7 #34. From the description and context in your old post (s), it sounded to me like this establishment could be a love motel. Hence my interest in learning about the availability of such establishments in Centro. I found Hotel Sol del Mar on non-mongering travel websites, and it looks like a regular hotel at first glance. However, some photos and travelers' reviews of the hotel portrayed a room that looked and sounded more like that of a love motel. So what is it? A regular hotel with some love motel capacity? Is it also chica-friendly for regular guests?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1899824]Hello,

I am planning a trip to Cartagena and would appreciate additional details on the short-term love motels there. Love motels may be a better fit for my needs (it's a long story) than the chica-friendly apartments in El Laguito / Bocagrande that many users of this forum evidently prefer. It also seems like love motels are the preferred option of many Colombians, so I figure that there is virtue in doing it like the locals. I did some research on this thread, but some of my questions remain unanswered.

1) What if any love motels are there close to (ideally, within walking distance of) the two main mongering hubs, I. E. A) LDV and Playa Hollywood; and b) Centro and the Old City, such as the Clock Tower Plaza. I looked up the addresses of the short-term hotels listed on this thread, and most of them appear to be far away from those two areas, either out by the airport or deeper into the mainland part of the city. I also did some Google research on my own and reached the same conclusion, although I presume that there may be lower-end motels in those two areas that do not have a searchable online presence.

2) What are the rates of any of the love motels in those two areas, and what was the quality of their rooms? I don't need them to be fancy, and in fact I would rather not spend a lot on fancy amenities and decoration that does not matter to me. I just need them to be comfortable enough, with a clean bed, a bathroom, and air conditioning.

3) Do love motels require identification? If so, do they require you to show your actual passport, or will they also accept either a photocopy of your passport or your actual local state or city government-issued ID? I ask because I do not want to carry my passport around with me when I am out picking up chicas, for security reasons, but I can carry around my local government-issued ID, if need be.[/QUOTE]Go to the "Cartagena Lists" thread and on the most recent page you will find a list of the Love Motels in a post by WorldTravel69. Las Dunas, which is probably the highest cost love motel, was 45 mil pesos for the first two hours as recently as earlier this month. I wouldn't call a 10-minute taxi ride at a cost of 10 mil pesos or under as being far or expensive. Las Dunas and the other two I've used were all setup so that your taxi drives into a gated compound, pulls into a garage connected to a room and you and your girl then get out and walk directly into your room. You aren't asked for IDs, nor to pay in advance. It's very private and secure. The ones I've used have all had air, mirrors, shower, bathroom, TV, music, mini bar, etc. Rooms at Las Dunas also have a sex chair.

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1900128]Thank you for stating the absence or dearth of[red] love motels [/red]in Centro more explicitly. I did get the impression from my prior research on the love motels on the List in question that most of them were further out into the city, but it is helpful to hear more specifically that such establishments are generally not available in Centro. Can you or anyone else confirm the absence or presence of love motels around LDV or Playa Hollywood?

When I did my initial research before my post, I saw in your old posts a reference to an establishment in Centro whose name was unclear, perhaps because of name changes. Sol de Indias, or Sol why Mar. Is its current name Hotel Sol del Mar? The place that I found is at 69 Piso 2, Cra. 7 #34. From the description and context in your old post (s), it sounded to me like this establishment could be a [red]love motel[/red]. [/QUOTE]I think you have not clear the meaning of "motel". I repeat: [I]Cheap (love) hotels, not (love) motels in Centro.[/I].

Motel = Motor hotel, that is a hotel which you access by car.

Listen to Hilltopper! Las Dunas is the best MOTEL (not a hotel). La Jaiva is second, but a very good one anyway. Also La Jaiva has love chairs etc. Try once. You'll love it. But rent an apartment. It's the best or only thing to do in CTG. (if you want to elaborate further on what a LOVE MOTEL can be in Colombia, make a search in the Medellin thread for my posts about motels. A couple are titled "Chimba de hotel" or something. Yes, I wrote hotel but it's a motel). In Medellin you really see how seriouos are Colombians when it goes to have sex in a motel.

Sol del Mar yes, that't it. It's the place to go for a cheap quickie at one block from the Reloy. Tomasb explained. (yes, it's a HOTEL, not a MOTEL).
You asked: "A regular hotel with some love motel capacity? " NO, there is a steep stair to get the entrance from the street. You can't make it with a car, not even a dune buggy LOL

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1900449] La Jaiva is second, but a very good one anyway. Also La Jaiva has love chairs etc.[/QUOTE]I made the same typo multiple times. The name is LA JAIBA (a kind of crab), not "La Jaiva". The way "v" and "be" are pronounced is nearly the same, hence my mistake. Sorry for that.

[QUOTE=Tomasb;1900338]It's both. Last November I stayed there and asked for a room facing the street. I think that it cost around $25 USD but they do add on a joiner fee. They have two rooms facing the street with small verandas. After a certain evening time, the road is closed for vehicle traffic and the only thing you hear is the occasional pedestrian and the clip-clop of horse carriages. Quite romantic actually. LOL. They also have several rooms in back area without windows.

It's only a matter of time before that place is converted into a legit bnb though they do have some issues with the size of the rooms and the lack of windows in the back so perhaps it may be around for a while. However, it's really the only decent place to stay in the El Centro for rock bottom prices plus it's within a minute walk to the ClockTower. Sometimes, I see unsuspecting tourists there too though guess they figure it out eventually. Also, The rooms are quite tiny.[/QUOTE]Thank you for the clarification. So they rent rooms on both a nightly and an hourly basis? I might just stay there as a regular nightly guest and pay the chica / joiner fee, if it is reasonable. Speaking of which, how much is the chica / joiner fee?

Do the rooms there have their own digital safes, by any chance?

I tried contacting Hotel Sol del Mar and have not heard back from them. They did not answer my email and did not answer the phone when I called them twice. Their rooms are listed on mainstream travel booking websites, but I want to contact them first, and it may not be a good sign if they do not answer their phone or their email.

[QUOTE=WetNose;1899146]Read this account from a forum (didn't happen to me). Be careful out there folks:

Backstory: I have been traveling Latin American for a continuous 8. 5 months now with no problems. I had already spent nearly 88 days in Colombia with zero violent incidents. The previous 13 days or so, I had passed in the south of Cali in an highly secure apartment in Ciudad Jardin. Cali was to be my last port of call in the country with 90 days in total before heading south into Ecuador over land. I was having a tough time in Cali up to this point, only doing day-game approaches with essentially zero lays (after several dates with some very sexy but flaky women). Spent almost 2 weeks in the south of the city doing strictly day game around the University del Valle area and Unicentro and some parts of the north around Centenario Mall, with only a sloppy BJ to show for it all. Which admittedly is still better than nothing.[/QUOTE]Congratulations on cool thinking- if you were going to be robbed you did it the "right way ". Dropped your change. Pulled out the phone / wallet- whatever they asked for. Without the slightest hesitation or 2nd thought instead of being like the other you read about here who try to play super hero and lose their life. There were some good lessons there for sure that you pointed out. As they say in South America- "Head on A Swivel".

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1900603]Thank you for the clarification. So they rent rooms on both a nightly and an hourly basis? I might just stay there as a regular nightly guest and pay the chica / joiner fee, if it is reasonable. Speaking of which, how much is the chica / joiner fee?
Do the rooms there have their own digital safes, by any chance?
I tried contacting Hotel Sol del Mar and have not heard back from them. They did not answer my email and did not answer the phone when I called them twice. Their rooms are listed on mainstream travel booking websites, but I want to contact them first, and it may not be a good sign if they do not answer their phone or their email.[/QUOTE]Forget all that. It looks like you persist in your mistake. You will regret not having listened to the advice of senior people.

Sol del Mar is really a ugly place to stay for vacations. You can go there for an hour if you want a quickie, but I really cannot imagine someone enjoying holidays there. The very basic fact that they don't reply your email is indicative. Don't persist.

It's right there are not many decent places to stay for 25USD/night, as Tomasb says, but if one is on a tight budget then he should not go to Cartagena, which is the most expensive place in Colombia. "Vorrei ma non posso"? I've seen two Italians at Babar sharing ONE DRINK, probably to save money, and watching me dancing with my two sweet girls all the time. I don't repeat the comments of my girls.

And also for a short time experience, make yourself a favor and go to La Jaiba.

Something priceless you will not get in many other places of the world is taking a good girl somewhere (also Reloy), or even two as I did a few times, spend 2-3-4 hours dancing and drinking at clubs as a king with your girlfriend(s) (budget: 100k-150k [i]just for drinks[/i], as 1 drink is 20k-25k), then go back for a private party at your apartment, then sleep with the candy/candies in your arms. Not all girls are suitable for this, but experience and good luck are instrumental to identify the right girl(s) among so many soulless sharks and yield an experience that in Europe and [I]especially in Italy[/I] is IMPOSSIBLE. Trust me.

After spending some time at an apartment on Calle Moneda in CTG, I went to Santa Marta for a few days. As I needed a room for a few nights in CTG before my return flight, I went to the front desk directly and booked a room, specifically requesting a room in front.

The front desk guy seemed a little bemused by my res request but nevertheless it served my purposes for a few days. I don't think I would advise staying longer. As Black Page said, it's not exactly a vacation stay kind of place. I don't remember the joiner price but maybe it was between $10 to $15.

Yes, you will find that most of the girls pick that place for short time place though it's frequently full. There is a rat whole of a hotel up that street called the Tropicana. You know you have hit rock bottom when you take a girl there.

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1900603]Thank you for the clarification. So they rent rooms on both a nightly and an hourly basis? I might just stay there as a regular nightly guest and pay the chica / joiner fee, if it is reasonable. Speaking of which, how much is the chica / joiner fee?

Do the rooms there have their own digital safes, by any chance?

I tried contacting Hotel Sol del Mar and have not heard back from them. They did not answer my email and did not answer the phone when I called them twice. Their rooms are listed on mainstream travel booking websites, but I want to contact them first, and it may not be a good sign if they do not answer their phone or their email.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Tomasb;1901116]You know you have hit rock bottom when you take a girl there.[/QUOTE]After having paid 6 k for a room in the center of Medellin and Bogota, I think I have won the trophy.

Can anyone recommend a trusted and reliable source of chica-friendly apartment rentals in the Old City / Centro of Cartagena? I asked Juan Ventura, pursuant to the recommendations of many members of this forum, and he indicated that his chica-friendly rentals were only in the Bocagrande / El Laquito end of Cartagena.

I prefer to stay in the Old City / Centro because it will be closer to a wider range of the many things that I want to do there (including both mainstream tourism and mongering) and because it sounds like it has a more interesting or appealing environment. As far as I can tell from what I have read so far (and please correct me if I am wrong), the only major advantage of Bocagrande / El Laquito is proximity to Playa Hollywood and La Dolce Vita.

[QUOTE=GringoItaliano;1901337]Can anyone recommend a trusted and reliable source of chica-friendly apartment rentals in the Old City / Centro of Cartagena? I asked Juan Ventura, pursuant to the recommendations of many members of this forum, and he indicated that his chica-friendly rentals were only in the Bocagrande / El Laquito end of Cartagena.
I prefer to stay in the Old City / Centro because it will be closer to a wider range of the many things that I want to do there (including both mainstream tourism and mongering) and because it sounds like it has a more interesting or appealing environment. As far as I can tell from what I have read so far (and please correct me if I am wrong), the only major advantage of Bocagrande / El Laquito is proximity to Playa Hollywood and La Dolce Vita.[/QUOTE]

Sorry to insist, but leave ASIDE all your preconceived ideas and do as others do and recommend here. You won't regret that. I followed all your path years ago:
1) For several years, I stayed in a cozy hotel in El Centro, for the same reasons you mention, and went to short-time hotels and motels for the deed, closing my ears when senior members here were recommending me to rent an apt;.
2) I tried once to rent the apt in Bocagrande, winning my preconceived preference for staying in a hotel;.
3) I opened my eyes and I never went back to my hotel in El Centro San Diego.
Now, I have "my" apartment in Bocagrande, and I feel like a king, paying roughly the same amount per night as in the 3* hotel in San Diego.

In short, this is what I recommend you:
- Take your apartment in Bocagrande. Choose a good one with sleeping room, living room, possibly balcon and other ameninities;.
- Take a taxi to spend your night in Centro, or just for a stroll or a coffee. Plenty of taxi 24/24. 6 k standard fare to Centro and 6 k back. Avoid LDV (not worth, but this is MY opinion) for the night. Just go to Centro. Girls will love to go to Bocagrande to your apartment. Best restaurants and bars in El Centro. Bocagrande is very touristic and beaches suck, but it's there where there are all best apartments.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;1901814]In short, this is what I recommend you:
- Take your apartment in Bocagrande. Choose a good one with sleeping room, living room, possibly balcon and other ameninities;.
- Take a taxi to spend your night in Centro, or just for a stroll or a coffee. Plenty of taxi 24/24. 6 k standard fare to Centro and 6 k back. Avoid LDV (not worth, but this is MY opinion) for the night. Just go to Centro. Girls will love to go to Bocagrande to your apartment. Best restaurants and bars in El Centro. Bocagrande is very touristic and beaches suck, but it's there where there are all best apartments.[/QUOTE]I agree with every word here. I have been to Cartagena more than 10 times and have also stayed in the old city, stayed in Bocagrande, tried all different approaches and in the end do exactly what black page has recommended to you several times.

To answer one of your earlier questions about love hotels, I don't recall the name but I was in Cartagena about a month ago and didn't want to take a clock tower chica back to the Hilton in Laguito because I had a novia from Bogota arriving early the next morning and the clock tower chica took me to a short term hotel about a 5 minute walk. Cost was 16,000 cop for an hour, had horrible a / see, but was decently clean, hard bed, small bathroom and did NOT require any identification from either of us.

Stopped in Cartagena a few times during June -July. Here are some observations:

Decent selection of talent; increase of girls from Venezuela which has helped buyers' side of equation; Aldo's lare-night spot, Opera has closed; Space going strong at 4 am, but many of girls have an edgy temperament if you get my drift; VIP Club, which is now the name of the three-level bar a couple doors down from Tu Candela, had a nice mixture of couples, tourists and working girls at 11 pm To 1 am the night I was there; there were lots of decent looking girls outside in the large area facing Tu Candela / VIP Club (clock tower) at night; LDV numbers down considerably from its peak, but worth stopping-in as there were a few takes; Playa Hollywood kind of hit and miss, but still worth scouting late afternoon and sometimes even early morning; still a few chicas strolling Laguito and San Martin in Bocagrande starting dusk or so.

[QUOTE=Hilltopper;1907205]Stopped in Cartagena a few times during June -July. Here are some observations:

Decent selection of talent; increase of girls from Venezuela which has helped buyers' side of equation; Aldo's lare-night spot, Opera has closed; Space going strong at 4 am, but many of girls have an edgy temperament if you get my drift; VIP Club, which is now the name of the three-level bar a couple doors down from Tu Candela, had a nice mixture of couples, tourists and working girls at 11 pm To 1 am the night I was there; there were lots of decent looking girls outside in the large area facing Tu Candela / VIP Club (clock tower) at night; LDV numbers down considerably from its peak, but worth stopping-in as there were a few takes; Playa Hollywood kind of hit and miss, but still worth scouting late afternoon and sometimes even early morning; still a few chicas strolling Laguito and San Martin in Bocagrande starting dusk or so.[/QUOTE]That's the kind of updates we like to read! Concise like a war bulletin, thorough over all the items. Thank you!

How is Evissa? That was my favorite club last time I went to CTG (March), at roof top at the left of Reloy Plaza, watching the tower. The best for music and ambience, but not for finding girls, rather to bring them there.

Aldo. So sad. What's wrong with him now? His Elektra for many years was the best in town, the place to go after 3 am. In March, Opera was always empty, while Space was full. I agree with your feeling about girls in Space. But being it so crowded, one can always find someone interesting.

This will be my first trip to Cartagena and I am committed to staying at the Intercontinental Cartagena de Indias Hotel which looks to be in Bocagrande. I presume it is not chica friendly.

When I was in Bogota I managed to visit a few houses and had good experiences there that I have reported on.

After reading the posts, I still feel uncertain about the best options in Cartagena, for some fun in the daytime / late afternoon. I also feel a little leary about taxis after reading the TaxiRobbery account, though it sounds like Uber in Cartagena may be okay.

Ideally, I would safely walk from my hotel to a place with the chicas, but I am guessing that is not possible given the location I'll be staying at. Given that the place is likely not chica friendly, I presume, I can't just arrange for a girl to come to my room.

As you can tell, I am little nervous about safety-related issues, though I didn't have any trouble walking around in Bogota. Would appreciate advice. Thanks.