Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=SteveOhh;2344836]I read the last 10 pages and didn't find anything interesting in case of a hotel. Other information are fine. Other guys had the same question. Short time hotels around clock tower area is not what I'm looking for. Juan at Airbnb was written, but is it Chica friendly? Others are expect names while booking.

So once again, I'm looking for a low budget hotel and Chica friendly close to the action. Beaches or clock tower area. At the Bogota thread my question was answered pretty well. I guess here are also guys with helpful information.[/QUOTE]I am going to sound a little harsh but I am also going to try to help you out a little. When mongering in Cartagena, hotels are stupid! Let me repeat that. Mongers do not use hotels in Cartagena because it is Stupid Stupid Stupid. The way to go is always an apartment. The rules are set by the building so if you read the posts they will tell you which building to stay in.

I am going to recommend that you try to find an apartment in a building called Playa Mar in El Laguito neighborhood, they will allow Chicas to enter as long as they have an I.D. (cedula). A quick search on airbnb and I found apartments in this building, one was for as low as $50 US. The building I recommend is Playa Mar. El Laguito is a neighborhood that is 15 minutes to the Clock Tower by taxi and walking distance (8 minutes) to Hollywood Beach (Playa Hollywood is where the pussy is for sale).

I have stayed in both of this building and had women in and out. I rented from Juan Ventura. He is a class act. He even offered to loan me money once when the damn bank flagged my debit card and it did not work ( I had told them I was traveling to Colombia prior to my trip but they flagged it anyway, I cussed them out and they turned it back on). Apartments are cheaper and more convenient than hotels, a small hassle of having the girl sign in with her I.D. (cedula in spanish) is worth it. Plus you can save a little money by going to grocery store and stocking up on things instead of always having go to a restaurant or convenience store.

The grocery stores are in the neighborhood Boca Grande, the next neighborhood over from El Laguito (El Laguito is basically two streets that run an arc around the small lake that separates El Laguito from Boca Grande. The bargain grocery store (supermercado) is Olimpica, the higher class supermercado is Carulla. They are about a block from each other. They are 5 minutes away from those buildings in El Laguito.

Taxis line up (in a queue) outside the clock tower at night so getting one is simple, if you do not speak spanish, just tell them Hotel Hilton when you get in the taxi and if you are staying in Playa Mar, it is two buildings away from the Hilton and that just saved you from learning how to say the address in spanish.

[QUOTE=Lefeu;2347365]And you think mexico is safer than Brazil? I have never been to Russia but I don't find Brazil scary at all, much safer than Mexico or Colombia.[/QUOTE]Yes, for tourists I do think Mexico is safer then Rio. Common for regular people not sure.

[QUOTE=SteveOhh;2344836]I read the last 10 pages and didn't find anything interesting in case of a hotel. Other information are fine. Other guys had the same question. Short time hotels around clock tower area is not what I'm looking for. Juan at Airbnb was written, but is it Chica friendly? Others are expect names while booking.

So once again, I'm looking for a low budget hotel and Chica friendly close to the action. Beaches or clock tower area. At the Bogota thread my question was answered pretty well. I guess here are also guys with helpful information.[/QUOTE]I just posted Juan's website under the "Cartagena Hotels and Rental Apartments" thread. As I said in my last post I am confident that Playa Mar is Chica-Friendly as long as the girl has I. The. . I have stayed in two of the apartments on this website, Playa 301 and Playa 801. You can probably get 801 cheaper. These are budget places so they are not updated or extremely nice. They are clean and have ocean views. More specifically there is a view of the open sea at one angle, a view of Tierra Bomba Island, and you can see the cargo port at another angle. Playa 301 has access to the pool and small (very very small private beach that is not particularly nice but it is fairly private.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2347831]I just posted Juan's website under the "Cartagena Hotels and Rental Apartments" thread.[/QUOTE]Frankly I do not think this is a good idea. I am not really sure Juan would/will be happy to know that his website has been posted on a public site dedicated to mongering lifestyle.

The fact that his apartments are open to guests does not really mean that.
1) he is happy that his name is associated to this.
2) the other people living in those condos will be happy that the building where they live or where they have invested are now knows as "monger's haven".

Add that we have no control on who reads ISG. You and me can be true gentlemen, but there must be a bunch of true assholes too, who might go, rent, make damage, etc.

I strongly recommend you to remove this and pass this information only by PM to those you know and somehow trust.

[QUOTE=Forest;2347727]I suppose this is true, but I asked at all the other hotels that I visited (I had business in at least 4 other hotels in CTG) and they all simply charged a fee.[/QUOTE]Years ago, I was used to stay at Tres Banderas, a couple of blocks from Santa Clara. I knew I would have been rejected, should I have tried to bring a girl with me, but the last time I stayed there I tried to ask upon checking in: "Hey, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I would like to bring here my novia for the night. Is there a surcharge for double occupancy?"
The response was sharp and cutting: "Sure you can, but you need to register her name NOW upon checking in for your first night."
Ahaha hit and sunk :D

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2347865]Frankly I do not think this is a good idea. I am not really sure Juan would/will be happy to know that his website has been posted on a public site dedicated to mongering lifestyle.

The fact that his apartments are open to guests does not really mean that.
1) he is happy that his name is associated to this.
2) the other people living in those condos will be happy that the building where they live or where they have invested are now knows as "monger's haven".

Add that we have no control on who reads ISG. You and me can be true gentlemen, but there must be a bunch of true assholes too, who might go, rent, make damage, etc.

I strongly recommend you to remove this and pass this information only by PM to those you know and somehow trust.[/QUOTE]I do not mind taking this off but I tried to go back and edit the post and can't seem to do so. If you know how, let me know. Is there maybe a limited time to edit a post. : This website was previously listed in that thread a few years ago. If you read my thread responding to the guy, I explain to him the building rules (nothing about Juan being associated with anything but some of the apartments in said building) and do not see the difference between posting his website or an airbnb web address. My intention was to throw Juan business. There are apartments on airbnb in that building also, but I do not see any of Juan's on there. My fear was that this might hurt Juan's chances of getting more business. But I take your point and would never want to do anything to disrespect Jaun in any way. So if you know how to go back and delete a post, please tell me.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2347865]

I strongly recommend you to remove this and pass this information only by PM to those you know and somehow trust.[/QUOTE]I think I found a way to delete the post. I reported my own post and asked (as the poster) that it be deleted by the administrator. I hope this goes through.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2348030]I think I found a way to delete the post. I reported my own post and asked (as the poster) that it be deleted by the administrator. I hope this goes through.[/QUOTE]His site has been posted here before, various times.

He's been around for years and years.

Doubt he cares, and I'm sure it drums up business.

I have seen the talk about Juan and his website since the day I joined the boards years ago. As it has come up again, I decided to settle the issue once and for all.

The best way to know what Juan thinks is to ask him, so that is what I did.

Below is the email I sent him and his response. I think this clears up any further issues regarding Juan, his website and his properties being posted on this website.

Anyone seeking absolute "girl friendly" condos, should visit his website at: [URL]http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.php.[/URL].

[QUOTE]Hey Juan.

There is a website called international sex guide, it is popular among sex tourism travelers. It is a place where people go to share information and report about their trips and experiences in different cities around the world. Its purpose is to help fellow travelers share and learn information about destinations so they are better prepared for their vacations.

A popular conversation on these boards is "chica friendly" condos and hotels. As you know, some places allow guests and some place require all guests be pre-registered.

There has been conversation about you and your apartments. Sometimes people mention "Juan" and his apartments and recommend your properties due to the liberal guest policy at most of your listings.

Some people have suggested you do not want your name or website associated or listed in the reviews and postings of the people on the website.

Other people have suggested you would like your website link posted as it would bring you more business.

To settle the issue I have decided to contact you directly and simply ask you which you prefer.

Do you mind or encourage your website link being posted for other travelers to know your guest friendly properties are available and to bring you more business?

Or would you rather not have your name or website posted on this type of website?

Thanks.

J[/QUOTE][QUOTE]Hi J,

Thanks for your email, yes, I know the website.

Well I think not bad my name and site is on the page, as you say is more business.

I thanks you, think if in future I want to not have on site, I will contact you and tell you about.

Thanks again.

Juan.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Linyjo;2349557]I have seen the talk about Juan and his website since the day I joined the boards years ago. As it has come up again, I decided to settle the issue once and for all.

The best way to know what Juan thinks is to ask him, so that is what I did.

Below is the email I sent him and his response. I think this clears up any further issues regarding Juan, his website and his properties being posted on this website.

Anyone seeking absolute "girl friendly" condos, should visit his website at: [URL]http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.php.[/URL].[/QUOTE]Right on man!

[QUOTE=Linyjo;2349557]I have seen the talk about Juan and his website since the day I joined the boards years ago. As it has come up again, I decided to settle the issue once and for all.

The best way to know what Juan thinks is to ask him, so that is what I did.

[URL]http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.php.[/URL].[/QUOTE]While I did actually request that the post about Juan's website that I made be removed because of a member's complaint, the administrator actually made the call not to remove it, as stated in the post. This is where I originally saw Juan's website myself. Since I made that post I went back and looked at my very first original email to Juan and realized that is exactly what I told him when I first requested to rent an apartment from him "I saw your website on ****". This was in 2009, and when I went back to him again in 2010 I had a conversation with him about finding his apartments through **** and he never said anything negative about it. I have rented from him every time since because it works out good for every reason. He is very accommodating and I noticed that his site was buried deep in posts from years ago that newer people were not as likely to get to. So thank you for resolving the issue by going directly to the source.

I thought it important to clarify Air BnB house rules regarding unregistered guests. Since I am contemplating a trip in November, I was on their site today researching apartments and casas for rent. There is a section in the Air BnB description of the unit per location that addresses and publishes the house rules the owners wish for you to abide. It's been four years since my last visit and I have been several times prior but so much has changed and little for the better.

Regrettably, there are quite a few AIR places that forbid unregistered guests with a few even expressly specifying that prostitutes are not allowed.

This is a disturbing trend and given the overall cost of accommodations in El Centro has become another factor when examining the value of going there on a mongering holiday. I was able to find a few places in El Centro on the Air site that did not address this issue under House Rules so presumably it's ok in these places to bring back chica company, though I did read one review where a punter complained he was not allowed by security to bring in a guest even though no mention of this provision was made in the house rules. One apartment complex near the Santa Clara hotel called Casa del Virrey Enslava requires that the renter sign a leasing contract before the reservation would be accepted but did not specify what was in the Contract, so caveat emptor.

I did not research the areas outside of El Centro such as Bocagrande or El Laguito as I prefer to stay in El Centro both for the character of this part of the city and also because I find the accessibility to the 'ladies of the clock tower' is much easier when staying inside the city walls so can't speak to those outlying areas. The other thing I noticed is that's it's quite difficult to find anything under $90 that most of us would consider decent in El Centro.

If I did find something in the $50 to $80 range, there were usually a host of critical and bad reviews about the renters experiences (dirty, plumbing problems, no water, no hot water, bad WiFi etc. The list goes on.). One guy complained that a particular apartment he rented had ’tufts of pubic hair swirling in the room’ — like so much sagebrush — when he arrived.lol! Sometimes, I would find what appeared to be a decent place at this price point only to find the house rules not to my liking. Overall, I only found a handful of units that met my requirements both in terms of liberal house rules, price, comfortable accommodations and location. Unlike other Colombian cities and towns, Cartagena is expensive though I still think from reading these pages that prices for horizontal refreshment activity remains reasonable.

Of course, bringing an unregistered guest back to most of these boutique and upscale hotels in the El Centro area is virtually impossible. In the past, I was able to skirt around these issues and could easily bring someone back to wherever I was staying but there was one memorable encounter where I was taken by a little hottie from Barranquilla to a dump fire of a short term hotel. I was staying at the Hotel Santa Clara on that visit, which would have required an edict from the Pope to bring in a lady guest so went along with her suggestion for the short term hotel.

I wonder now where they do take their clients but these gals are, if anything quite resourceful.

[QUOTE=Tomasb;2350158]I thought it important to clarify Air BnB house rules regarding unregistered guests. Since I am contemplating a trip in November, I was on their site today researching apartments and casas for rent. There is a section in the Air BnB description of the unit per location that addresses and publishes the house rules the owners wish for you to abide. It's been four years since my last visit and I have been several times prior but so much has changed and little for the better.

Regrettably, there are quite a few AIR places that forbid unregistered guests with a few even expressly specifying that prostitutes are not allowed.
[/QUOTE]And plenty that don't care. You just need to ask. It's not hard. Tell them you will have guests at night and if it is permitted. You will either get a yes or no response. It's that simple.

[QUOTE=Tomasb;2350158]Regrettably, there are quite a few AIR places that forbid unregistered guests with a few even expressly specifying that prostitutes are not allowed.[/QUOTE]Understand that most of what is happening in these listings is the building restricting the guest access, not the owners.

In a rare case, the owner is making a moral stand but 99% of the time, it is the building that has set the policies.

There are plenty of places that allow unrestricted guest access, you just have to do the work to find them.

[QUOTE=Linyjo;2350346]Understand that most of what is happening in these listings is the building restricting the guest access, not the owners.

In a rare case, the owner is making a moral stand but 99% of the time, it is the building that has set the policies.

There are plenty of places that allow unrestricted guest access, you just have to do the work to find them.[/QUOTE]I January I was staying in the Morros City apartment I rented with AirBnB. We were 2 registered guests and the building rules are that no visitors are allowed if they are not registered guests. I have friends in Cartagena and they were not allowed access to my condo during the day or night. I could not invite them for supper so forget trying to sneak someone for an overnight.