Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=NoMarriage;2409528]Taxis are a rip off period[/QUOTE]From the height of your 29 posts (just 4-5 from Colombia, and mostly not to report but to seek information) you try to lecture senior members who wrote countless pages just in this thread to guide newbies?

Taxies in CTG are ubiquitous, overwhelming in their number, and apply standard regulated prices. Everyone know those prices, which are cheaper than a bus in my European country. PERIOD.

And, of course, reading that you suggest buses to go to the hotel clearly demonstrates that you have never been in CTG. (yes, there are buses, but... LOL)

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2409739]It's 25 k from the airport to Bocagrande. That's less than 5 dollars. How is that a rip off? You go to the window and get a coupon which you give to the taxi driver.[/QUOTE]It is even cheaper than that. Last time I visited (2019) it was 18 k something from CTG airport to Laguito, which I rounded up to 20 k. Same to return to airport the day I leave. A whopping 6 USD, with ZERO waiting time from the door of my building in Laguito.

P.S.: I took the time to write these needless notes, just to avoid some newcomer to CTG is misled.

From all the recent posts, feels like all the "nice" places are not chica friendly and / or doormen must be bribed? Also suggestions that Airbnb hosts will say they are, when they aren't.

Any suggestions of where or how to find places that are chica friendly (preferably within the walled city). They don't have to be luxury. All I ask for is: hot water & fresh towels, LOL. What's the strategy. I want a place that can be a revolving door for 3 days. But no parties or anything crazy (other than loud chica moans on occasion).

[QUOTE=NoMarriage;2409528]Taxis are a rip off period, they are trying to ban uber which is cheaper and keeps them accountable. There are also buses to go to your hotel.[/QUOTE]

Having been in a lot of the major cities in the USA, New York City, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, LOS Angeles, and San Diego. A few cities internationally, Mexico City, Panama City, London, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Venice, Prague, and Istanbul. I am going to say unequivocally that using taxis in Cartagena is a better experience than any of those cities because availability and price is better than any of those cities. Cartagena is not going to notice if Uber stops operating there because taxis are so cheap and ubiquitous. Stand on the side of the street and like magic within two minutes a taxi will come by. If they do overcharge even a couple of thousand pesos sometimes that's less than 1 USD. I factor it in as part of the tip.

The taxis in Cartagena are kept in check by a regulation not by Uber, Uber has zero effect on taxis anywhere in Colombia, the taxi drivers perceived threat from Uber is psychological and not real. As stated by other posters this is one of the places in the world where it's Easier to get a taxi than an Uber. To get an Uber I have to pull out my phone and open the app and touch the screen, then walk to the street and wait for the Uber to arrive. To get a taxi I simply stick my hand in the air, no waiting, no need to pull out my phone.

Take a bus? While I am sure it is cheap, it is the slowest and most inconvenient form of transportation, especially if you are arriving at the airport with your luggage. You are probably going to get some looks from people being annoyed that you piling in with your luggage while they are trying to get to / from work. Let the local working class people have their least expensive form of transportation to commute and take taxi. The reason the buses go to the hotels is most likely to to take the housekeepers and hotel workers, not for tourists.

[QUOTE=MobToatl88;2409461]Will the taxis at the airport take USD? Any advice? I'the rather not exchange currency at the airport.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=YippieKayay;2409492]In Colombia the currency is Colombian Pesos. Paying in USD is a way to get ripped off fast.

There are ATMs in the departures area, and you can exchange a bit of cash in arrivals before you go out. Best to do that instead of offering USD to a taxi.[/QUOTE]Always be sure that you have notified your bank that you are traveling to Colombia and the dates you are traveling to keep them from flagging your card for fraud and disabling it. Another way to find an ATM is to walk outside, turn left and walk to toward the end of the building, not far past the taxi stand, and look for a sign that says "cajero" and / or "servibanca". They have the ATM conveniently located near the Taxi stand. These are "lobby" style ATMs and may close at a certain time, I am not sure.

Photo Google Maps circa 2017.

[QUOTE=CFront;2409788]From all the recent posts, feels like all the "nice" places are not chica friendly and / or doormen must be bribed? Also suggestions that Airbnb hosts will say they are, when they aren't.

Any suggestions of where or how to find places that are chica friendly (preferably within the walled city). They don't have to be luxury. All I ask for is: hot water & fresh towels, LOL. What's the strategy. I want a place that can be a revolving door for 3 days. But no parties or anything crazy (other than loud chica moans on occasion).[/QUOTE]When searching Airbnb look at the "house rules" for that place. It will definitely let you know if you can't bring in outside visitors. Some mention nothing about it being a problem. This has been mentioned multiple times here. Regardless if they allow visitors I would still be discreet about it. Don't fuck it up for others and give them a reason to put "no visitors " in their house rules.

[QUOTE=MobToatl88;2409461]Will the taxis at the airport take USD? Any advice? I'the rather not exchange currency at the airport.[/QUOTE]Don't spend USD in Colombia. Use the local currency always!

[QUOTE=NoMarriage;2409528]Taxis are a rip off period, they are trying to ban uber which is cheaper and keeps them accountable. There are also buses to go to your hotel.[/QUOTE]I've taken the taxi from the airport, to the airport, Centro, boca grande, el Laguito and points in between. They have been cheap, reliable and convenient. It's worth it for me.

[QUOTE=CFront;2409788]From all the recent posts, feels like all the "nice" places are not chica friendly and / or doormen must be bribed? Also suggestions that Airbnb hosts will say they are, when they aren't.

Any suggestions of where or how to find places that are chica friendly (preferably within the walled city). They don't have to be luxury. All I ask for is: hot water & fresh towels, LOL. What's the strategy. I want a place that can be a revolving door for 3 days. But no parties or anything crazy (other than loud chica moans on occasion).[/QUOTE]Yes, the same suggestion we've always made. Ask the host. It took me a year to reliably be able to rent nice places that are chica friendly. I'm not posting my contacts so everyone and their grandmother can use them and possibly ruin them.

Here's a simple way to do this. Get a regular hotel room for the first two nights. Use the love hotels for those two nights. During the day visit some of the buildings that look nice and ask about apartments and the guest rules. Rent that apartment for the rest of the trip.

Rinse and repeat. A few trips to Cartagena and you'll have the lay of the land.

Otherwise do what the locals do and use the love hotels.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2407214]There is a big distinction to make between 1) "love HOTELS" in Centro, including inside the walls, Getsemani and Bocagrande, and 2) the "love MOTELS" in Crespo. I see often confusion here between "motel" and "hotel", but remember what is a "motel": a "motor hotel".

1) They are everywhere. Do not bother to find them in advance. The girl will take you there. Warning: they are for short time (what girls call "1 hour") meaning wham-bam-thankyoumadame. Go there if you are NOT looking for a girlfriend experience, but just fucking.
I believe that the main driver to go to CTG, and afford the expensive nightlife of CTG, should be pretending to have a GF for a while, even few hours on a night, and therefore I seldom patronized these cheap short time places. They cost from 15 k up to maybe 40 k-50 k (those rooms available for 5 k are a memory of 10 years ago).

2) This is a totally different story. Most famous are 3: La Jaiba, Las Dunas, La Cangreja (I have been many times to La Jaiba). I remember prices of 10 years ago, but even now a room should be from from maybe 40k up (minimum 2 hours). Definitely cheap for what is provided: a room typically includes a pole for dancing, love chair, etc. Do not neglect the jacuzzi. It's a GREAT place. Las Dunas is even better.
The taxi drives inside and leaves you at the door, in full privacy. At the gate, they do not even request an ID, or at least they did not when I was a frequent guest there, say from 5 to 10 years ago.
I would go there only if I stay in a good hotel in Centro or Bocagrande (not girl friendly by definition) instead of an apartment, and the girl is more than a simple "1 shot" experience.
Taxi should charge less than 20 k, maybe more to go back (how you go back if you reject the taxi?

P.S.: why don't you read the Cartagena List?[/QUOTE]Going back to Cartagena for the first time in a year although last couple times I went I was with my GF. Looking to stop by for a week or so. What is the Cartagena list? I'll continue to read up on the thread for some more info but my main concern is finding Chica friendly establishments. I hated paying top notch for a place my first time there just to find out no one was allowed from 10 pm to 6 am smdh.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;2406252]I have tried twice unsuccessfully to get past WA verification. Are there any tricks to have it done? Do you get the number at home or in Colombia?[/QUOTE]Download that app and the numbers you get from the work great for whatsapp. The trick is to receive a call to verify and just input the code given.

[QUOTE=PunkedLife;2409929]What is the Cartagena list?[/QUOTE]WT69 will be happy to read your question.

It is a thread under the Colombia main thread, like this one you are reading:

[URL]http://www.internationalsexguide.nl/forum/showthread.php?2180-Cartagena-Lists[/URL]

Somewhere there you will find a PDF, which is not really up to date, but it's a wealth of information.

[QUOTE=IamElvis;2407237]Just got back from staying in the Palmetto elliptic apts. Rules are no unregistered guests after 10 pm but a quiet talk with the night guard and 50 k took care of the problem. Best to arrange before you head off to the clock tower. Be aware that the owner said the building rules were all quests welcome no rules when I asked before booking. Some will tell you what you want to hear to get you to book so be aware. Have used Juan's and they are okay but are very dated and don't compare with the elliptic which was nice. Maybe someone out there has names of other buildings that are cooperative.[/QUOTE]I stayed at this building a few weeks ago. I booked it on "Booking". Here's the skinny. I first messaged someone with an apartment on Air BNB. I messaged him directly and he told me the building is guest friendly. I wound up finding a better looking apartment in the same building on "booking". I went with that. 1st mistake. Booking doesn't actually charge your credit card. It's just a hold. So when I arrived at the apartment I had to pay the total cost in cash. What a waste of pesos that could be chica bait haha. Then I asked the from desk (guy and girl) the guest policy. Any chica can come in before 10 pm. If you want to bring someone in later that night, she has to be pre registered before 10 pm and then you can bring her back. Do if the girl is a chick you met and took on a date and plan on bringing back your good. But if you met her out in the clubs. You 50/50. O walked over to the doorman before leaving that evening to dinner ND asked him the business. He said yes no problem if I leave him a tip. Across the lobby was a check in desk and I could tell he was whispering. I went to dinner, came home changes and headed out. When I walking out the same guard and the girl were standing in the entrance smoking a cigarette. Hey said " hey buddy, sorry no guest tonight". The girl had a look that spelled "not on my watch". Disaster. Wound up coming home alone and calling over a morning session. The next night before going out he was there again and a different brown skin girl at the main desk, he stood up and said buddy tonight no problem! I gave him a high five and brought home two chicas. I tipped him 60 k. Problem was it was about 3 am. He said they must be gone before 5 am when he leaves shift. At 4:40 am he started calling my room. Every 5 minutes. Amazing threesome but they were drunk and him calling caused me to leave them alone multiple times to answer the calls. They stole; my Alexa speaker, Sonic Care tooth brush, a fake watch, a Diesel t shirt, and even popped the mop closet lock. Hahaha all of which I didn't realize until the next day. I laughed it off and chalked it too a learning experience. I didn't report it because technically they were not supposed to be in there in the first place. So that's the sacrifice and headache at the Palmetto Eliptic.

Hahahaha! No one will tell you! It's like an Easter egg hunt! Enjoy it. I have a good 6.3 in Boca Grande and 2 in the old City. You know how I found them?

Don't don't Duuuuuun. Chicas! They have all the knowledge! Go in Miller Eróticos ir Photoprepaggos or Tender or Facebook! Message and flirt with them and tell them you want to see them. Ask them their favorite hotels that the have seen clients that weren't love motels. They know all the places as this is their business. Just make it appear you want to meet them at a really nice guest friendly hotel. She will not tell you a place that she cannot get into. Just customize the place. Tell her you want to meet up with her at 11 pm so it cannot have time restraints. I don't know about your success but I sent the same message to lots of girls. Received lots of feedback. The palmetto was a big one so this new rule change must be recent. But overall these are just leads and a lot more than you will get here. These are out precious gems! I know I'm not sharing LOL.

[QUOTE=TheCarlAnthony;2410807]The palmetto was a big one so this new rule change must be recent. But overall these are just leads and a lot more than you will get here. These are out precious gems! I know I'm not sharing LOL.[/QUOTE]The reason the change happened is people posted that building's name several times in this thread. It got popular and then something bad happened and now the rules changed.

No offense but you're not doing it right. You had to bribe doormen and they still shut you down. When you finally get a chica (s) into the building they rob you. That sounds like a complete mess. Next time find a building that actually registers them so you don't get robbed.

[QUOTE=TheCarlAnthony;2410798]I stayed at this building a few weeks ago. I booked it on "Booking". Here's the skinny. I first messaged someone with an apartment on Air BNB. I messaged him directly and he told me the building is guest friendly. I wound up finding a better looking apartment in the same building on "booking". I went with that. 1st mistake. Booking doesn't actually charge your credit card. It's just a hold. So when I arrived at the apartment I had to pay the total cost in cash. What a waste of pesos that could be chica bait haha. Then I asked the from desk (guy and girl) the guest policy. Any chica can come in before 10 pm. If you want to bring someone in later that night, she has to be pre registered before 10 pm and then you can bring her back. Do if the girl is a chick you met and took on a date and plan on bringing back your good. But if you met her out in the clubs. You 50/50. O walked over to the doorman before leaving that evening to dinner ND asked him the business. He said yes no problem if I leave him a tip. Across the lobby was a check in desk and I could tell he was whispering. I went to dinner, came home changes and headed out. When I walking out the same guard and the girl were standing in the entrance smoking a cigarette. Hey said " hey buddy, sorry no guest tonight". The girl had a look that spelled "not on my watch". Disaster. Wound up coming home alone and calling over a morning session. The next night before going out he was there again and a different brown skin girl at the main desk, he stood up and said buddy tonight no problem! I gave him a high five and brought home two chicas. I tipped him 60 k. Problem was it was about 3 am. He said they must be gone before 5 am when he leaves shift. At 4:40 am he started calling my room. Every 5 minutes. Amazing threesome but they were drunk and him calling caused me to leave them alone multiple times to answer the calls. They stole; my Alexa speaker, Sonic Care tooth brush, a fake watch, a Diesel t shirt, and even popped the mop closet lock. Hahaha all of which I didn't realize until the next day. I laughed it off and chalked it too a learning experience. I didn't report it because technically they were not supposed to be in there in the first place. So that's the sacrifice and headache at the Palmetto Eliptic.[/QUOTE]Mate,

It sounds like the doormen and the girls were in on it, first off you gave him *60 k* which is what 2 days wage? That's like if you were in the states and tipped a doorman $300, little nuts don't you think? And just for 2 hours? And the girls robbed you? Jesus christ man, not to be harsh but maybe think less with the small head to not get hustled by locals who see someone willing to throw money around? When the doormen asked for a tip that should've been the first red flag.