Where is the best place to exchange money. On other trips I used ATMs at the airport and around town. Do they have an ATM at the airport. Probably a stupid question but want to be prepared.
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Where is the best place to exchange money. On other trips I used ATMs at the airport and around town. Do they have an ATM at the airport. Probably a stupid question but want to be prepared.
[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2511735]You say you are staying in El Laguito on 1 B. Just where the road forks at the northern end of the El Laguito area there is a place called Riquisimo BBQ. It doesn't look like much and I am not saying they are gourmet but they have a wood burning grill and do a pretty good flame broiled "baby beef" served Argentinian style with chimichurri, ( about ten dollars US)I would not recommend any other steak here its kind of tough, the baby beef is good though. They do other things to of course and the fresh fish that comes off their grill is decent also. I have found myself at Riquisimo a lot while staying in El Laguito because it stays open later than most places that close at 10 pm.
Sorry but I am not a big fan of Ceviche, but ironically the one place that I tried it was a restaurant in Cartagena, I prefer my seafood grilled or scampi. The place that I tried Ceviche in Cartagena is long gone since that was 2008.
this place is right near the clock tower has maintained a perfect 5 rating out of over 900 hundred reviews ( it must be the shit) ! So if you want ceviche than I am betting this would be the place. One of the reviews said Anthony Bourdain (RIP) made the place famous and another review said the prices are fair but the servings are small. Looks to right on Plaza de Los Coches near the Hard Rock Cafe - Hell I did not even like ceviche the one time I tried it but I may even try it here the next time I visit
tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297476-d13352551-Reviews-Cancha_Cevicheria-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html[/QUOTE]Thanks bro!
[QUOTE=SouthernOcean;2511840]Where is the best place to exchange money. On other trips I used ATMs at the airport and around town. Do they have an ATM at the airport. Probably a stupid question but want to be prepared.[/QUOTE]ATMs all over. Not a problem.
[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2511735]You say you are staying in El Laguito on 1 B. Just where the road forks at the northern end of the El Laguito area there is a place called Riquisimo BBQ. It doesn't look like much and I am not saying they are gourmet but they have a wood burning grill and do a pretty good flame broiled "baby beef" served Argentinian style with chimichurri, ( about ten dollars US)I would not recommend any other steak here its kind of tough, the baby beef is good though. They do other things to of course and the fresh fish that comes off their grill is decent also. I have found myself at Riquisimo a lot while staying in El Laguito because it stays open later than most places that close at 10 pm.
Sorry but I am not a big fan of Ceviche, but ironically the one place that I tried it was a restaurant in Cartagena, I prefer my seafood grilled or scampi. The place that I tried Ceviche in Cartagena is long gone since that was 2008.
this place is right near the clock tower has maintained a perfect 5 rating out of over 900 hundred reviews ( it must be the shit) ! So if you want ceviche than I am betting this would be the place. One of the reviews said Anthony Bourdain (RIP) made the place famous and another review said the prices are fair but the servings are small. Looks to right on Plaza de Los Coches near the Hard Rock Cafe - Hell I did not even like ceviche the one time I tried it but I may even try it here the next time I visit
tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g297476-d13352551-Reviews-Cancha_Cevicheria-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html[/QUOTE]Is there a street food scene? How is the quality?
[QUOTE=Nyezhov;2512149]Is there a street food scene? How is the quality?[/QUOTE]In the walled city, the street food is abundant and in my opinion, it's quite good.
[QUOTE=SouthernOcean;2511840]Where is the best place to exchange money. On other trips I used ATMs at the airport and around town. Do they have an ATM at the airport. Probably a stupid question but want to be prepared.[/QUOTE]Close to the clock tower you can find many places for money Exchange, just look around for the best rate.
Never been to Cartagena. Have been to other places in Colombia.
My plan is to fly to Cartagena, rent a car and drive along the coast hopefully with a rented honey. I do not know how feasible it is and how safe. I do not plan to drive at night and hoping the honey will provide some safety and point me in the right direction. Watching some UTube presentation it is beautiful along the coast.
[QUOTE=Sammon;2512256]Never been to Cartagena. Have been to other places in Colombia.
My plan is to fly to Cartagena, rent a car and drive along the coast hopefully with a rented honey. I do not know how feasible it is and how safe. I do not plan to drive at night and hoping the honey will provide some safety and point me in the right direction. Watching some UTube presentation it is beautiful along the coast.[/QUOTE]Years ago it would have been crazy. Now Colombia is safe and enjoyable, unless you go to wrong places. You can do it, and you may like it a lot, but there is a number of caveat to warn you about:
1) COVID does not exist?
2) Do you speak Spanish fluently? If not, forget it.
3) You cannot "rent a honey" for such a long trip. Your compaignon must be trusted 101%, and there must be some real feeling. It is difficult to spend a whole night with a "rented honey" if there is not enough chemistry, imagine a week out of town. I doubt you can find such a person in few days. If the girl is not special, and if she does not consider you special as well, the trip can easily become a nightmare.
In short, I would advise to do it next year, if you speak fluent Spanish, without a lady, and not on your first trip to Colombia. In all other cases, it's a NO.
[QUOTE=Kafka;2511726]
Carbon de Pollo on Calle 6 is very good.[/QUOTE]OMG! "Chicken Charcoal"??
The name is *Carbon DE PALO*!!
Why not making a search for "restaurant" in this thread. Plenty of posts, comments and countercomments. I wrote a few too. Many excellent restaurants in Cartagena, but real quality is in Centro, not in Bocagrande.
[QUOTE=BlackPage;2512303]OMG! "Chicken Charcoal"??
The name is *Carbon DE PALO*!!
Why not making a search for "restaurant" in this thread. Plenty of posts, comments and countercomments. I wrote a few too. Many excellent restaurants in Cartagena, but real quality is in Centro, not in Bocagrande.[/QUOTE]I'm staying in laguito. But I'm definitely planning on having dinner in centro every night. Can't wait!
[QUOTE=BlackPage;2512303]OMG! "Chicken Charcoal"??
The name is *Carbon DE PALO*!!
Why not making a search for "restaurant" in this thread. Plenty of posts, comments and countercomments. I wrote a few too. Many excellent restaurants in Cartagena, but real quality is in Centro, not in Bocagrande.[/QUOTE]I had some good meals in Boca. Carbon de Palo was pretty good. I ate there twice, it was 2 blocks from where I was staying. Great steaks and chicken for about half to 2/3 the price in the USA. Took a chica there one night and had a wonderful meal, the filets are large and tasty. She had the chicken and it was very good too. I also had good meals at El Muele and Hamachi. Had a good fish dinner at Muelle with the chica and it was a nice romantic uncrowded oceanfront meal. Hamachi has very good sushi and I live in San Diego where we have a lot of great sushi. Service was good to excellent at all 3.
[QUOTE=BrotherP;2512345]I'm staying in laguito. But I'm definitely planning on having dinner in centro every night. Can't wait![/QUOTE]Stayed in Laguito on my 1st trip in Feb (Superbowl weekend). Never ate anywhere else but Laguito. Had everything we wanted within walking distance. But for me I basically keep it simple and eat a sandwich or Arroz con pollo (rice with chicken). One place in Laguito that shares a driveway with a pizza shop, had good food for the price to me. Next time I stay in Laguito, I'll learn to take the city bus around. A lot of nice true working girls on the buses.
Returning again this in Feb for Superbowl weekend but staying in el Centro this time to see the difference between staying at the 2 places (Centro and Laguio). I know Centro will be more expensive in terms of meals, but not having to take the cab makes up for it. Should be easy to find my dinner spot, but I want a place that has the best looking waitresses in Centro or Getsemani. Anyone have info on that?
In terms of action, LDV, Space and Clock tower were the places. No need for Tinder or any online social media to meet someone. They were everywhere this past Feb. Those in the clock tower would walk to LDV and Space. Those in Space would walk back-and-forth to LDV. Same girls in diff't locations. I never paid more than 300 K all night (got a most for 200 K all night) and I never paid more than 125 K for ST. Speaking a little Spanish and having a sense of humor does help with negotiating prices.
I got a lot of info off this site for my 1st trip. Thanks to all for the info. Bringing my best friend along this next time so he can experience what I did.
Oh BTW, Cartagena has some great scuba diving. I had 4 dives in Feb.
[QUOTE=BlackPage;2512303]OMG! "Chicken Charcoal"??
The name is *Carbon DE PALO*!!
Why not making a search for "restaurant" in this thread. Plenty of posts, comments and countercomments. I wrote a few too. Many excellent restaurants in Cartagena, but real quality is in Centro, not in Bocagrande.[/QUOTE]Amigo si. !
[QUOTE=BlackPage;2512298]Years ago it would have been crazy. Now Colombia is safe and enjoyable, unless you go to wrong places. You can do it, and you may like it a lot, but there is a number of caveat to warn you about:
1) COVID does not exist?
2) Do you speak Spanish fluently? If not, forget it.
3) You cannot "rent a honey" for such a long trip. Your compaignon must be trusted 101%, and there must be some real feeling. It is difficult to spend a whole night with a "rented honey" if there is not enough chemistry, imagine a week out of town. I doubt you can find such a person in few days. If the girl is not special, and if she does not consider you special as well, the trip can easily become a nightmare.
In short, I would advise to do it next year, if you speak fluent Spanish, without a lady, and not on your first trip to Colombia. In all other cases, it's a NO.[/QUOTE]1. Should get Covid Vaccine by February.
2. Can manage Spanish, not fluent with various dialect. Have managed very well with previous trips.
3. Will spend few days in Cartagena. Maybe I will get a honey. Have done it in DR and Costa Rica. Always rented a car and traveled all over.
Not planning to rent a car and drive alone along the coast. Need to have a local honey to make it interesting. It does not have to be total honeymoon type. Mainly a business transaction with sex thrown in. I am good in judging girls to see who will be good company and carefree.
For the first trip I need a companion. Once I get the lay of the land I can be more adventurous. My main worry was the safety.
Thanks for your honest opinion.
[QUOTE=Sammon;2512403]1. Should get Covid Vaccine by February.
[/QUOTE]OK. This if this is the level of planning I wish you luck.