LDV will not be open for business on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
This is due to the elections and a government ban on alcohol sales during election time.
Printable View
LDV will not be open for business on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
This is due to the elections and a government ban on alcohol sales during election time.
Oh f*ck. My one week ruined by political activity - I don't believe it, say its not true.
While I THINK Tom meant that the local population in CTG tends towards darker shades, among the working girls there are PLENTY in every large city in Colombia (and no higher % in Cartagena than elsewhere except maybe Medellin).
Re taxi fares from airport, while they ask 12K they will take 10K. Just start walking out towards the taxi stand Tom mentioned and they will fight each other to get that 10K (unless it is a particularly busy time but I NEVER had a problem paying 10k). Just going from Laguito to Almirante I've had them try and charge 4K but I just drop the 3K and say, in Spanish, I know the prices" and walk off. Sometimes the guy may curse you as you walk away but just ignore it. If it REALLY gets ugly say you'll call the police to mediate (and the driver will invariably back down). That being said, I wouldn't try it alone, late at night, in El Bosque, and don't YOU try to take advantage of them (they earn VERY little: I pay my trusted drivers ABOVE the going rate).
Re banning alcohol around election time: MOST Latin countries do that. Come to think of it, I think USA should try it as if everybody was sober on election day, maybe they wouldn't vote for the morons we have had running this country (into the ground) for the last 5 years!
[QUOTE=Surfer]Re taxi fares from airport, while they ask 12K they will take 10K. Just start walking out towards the taxi stand Tom mentioned and they will fight each other to get that 10K (unless it is a particularly busy time but I NEVER had a problem paying 10k).[/QUOTE]I agree with you regarding the taxi rate. After I figured out that the going rate is 10-12k at night, I was getting into the Cartagena Bus "Terminal," which is really far away from Laguito (it seemed like a 20 min taxi ride) at 1am. I walked out into the line of waiting taxis, and I asked if they would go to Laguito for 10 mil. Most of the taxi guys reponded with 12k, and I would just go on to the next guy. Shortly thereafter, a taxi guy I approached early ran up to me and agreed to 10k (he mentioned to the other taxi guys that he was heading in that direction anyways).
[QUOTE=Biffy]Oh f*ck. My one week ruined by political activity - I don't believe it, say its not true.[/QUOTE]Sorry, but I did confirmed it with my Colombian friends re: alcohol ban this weekend. This happens apparently every four years.
FARC up to its old tricks again.
(Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC-EP) have killed at least 20 civilians in two separate massacres and an attack using gas cylinder bombs. On March 12, Colombia will hold congressional elections, which will be followed by presidential elections on May 28
[url]http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HRW/6af319b8e229e87b01e1980828e099b0.htm[/url]
For full story
I always walk a couple of blocks from the airport and then hail one of many cabs. I say 7 mill pesos, Laguito. Sometimes they counter 8 mil but usually they accept.
On the way to the airport I never say airport. I always say Crespo circa airopuerto. 7 mil. If you say Crespo, the part of Cartagena where the airport is, they will charge you local prices, not tourist prices.
I save a couple bucks for the girls. I had a nice girl from LDV for 50,000 pesos. BBBJ and CIM but no actual intercourse. I renegotiated with her when she would not do my favorite position (secret). Either 50,000 or get the fuck out.
I also stay in apartments, not hotels. Now I am staying in Tocahagua, half a block from LDV, an ocean front remodeled, for 70,000 pesos, about $30 a night. It is low season, so you do not need a reservation. Just showup and there will be many apartments available. There is a small cafe below the building, ask for Susie for an ocean view and she will rent to you. She speaks some English as her husband works in Miami for 6 months of the year. You can also rent in this building for $50 a night from [url]www.cartagenaapartments.com[/url] I have rented the unit on 6th floor and had a nice time there and no problems with the paypal reservation system. Keep your receipt and call the number listed for your checkin time. One of the girls speaks perfect English.
I used to rent from Mery Salence, but Susie will rent for about half Mery´s price, at Colombiano prices. Mery charges gringo prices of $55-60 and adds on her fee of about $10-15 a night.
Then I go to the Hilton and use their gym and pool all day. Never have I been questioned. Use the gringo factor to your advantage, if you can. Often I buy lunch there, so they get their money from me at the restaurant and poolside from drinks.
I also get alot of free airline tickets from using credit cards, frequent flier miles and bumps. If you book the direct flight to and from Cart. it is almost guaranteed the flight on return will be overbooked and you can be rerouted thru Bogota in a couple hours and receive a free international Avianca ticket.
I have not bought a ticket now for my last 2 trips and have another free American Airlines ticket next month from credit card purchases. I am in construction and charge all the materials and services I can on my A.A. card.
Cheers!
Just an FYI that Mery charges 15% of the rent to manage her apts. and I usually pay USD $50-75 per night for her apts (depending on the season, availability, etc.). The vast majority are all completely remodeled and in quality buildings. Plus, Mery is ALWAYS there should something not work, etc. which I know from experience most Colombians will not. Juan is good in this way also.
Hi,
After reading this address [url]www.cartagenaapartments.com[/url], anybody have an experience to rent one ?.
In the General Conditions speaks about the guest policy and I don't know if is the same policy than if you are in hotel.
Thanks,
"The maximum number of guests for each apartment must not be exceeded. Parties may not be held in apartments, and guests are expected to be thoughtfully of their neighbours. Any violation of these rules may lead to eviction. "
2k's a buck (though GWB is doing his best to make sure its more every day). I used to fight over the small change, now I just don't bother: if they're honest with me, I give em a tip; if they wanna screw me, they loose.
These guys *do* work for next to nothing: be nice to 'em.
[QUOTE=Team Stream]I agree with you regarding the taxi rate. After I figured out that the going rate is 10-12k at night, I was getting into the Cartagena Bus "Terminal," which is really far away from Laguito (it seemed like a 20 min taxi ride) at 1am. I walked out into the line of waiting taxis, and I asked if they would go to Laguito for 10 mil. Most of the taxi guys reponded with 12k, and I would just go on to the next guy. Shortly thereafter, a taxi guy I approached early ran up to me and agreed to 10k (he mentioned to the other taxi guys that he was heading in that direction anyways).[/QUOTE]
I hear you.
I turned down the cutest ever little black chick in Bogotá cause she wanted 200k. And late on a quiet mid-week night.
Sad. :(
[QUOTE=Uncazadorez]Thats exactly my point. Guys have been paying sky rocket prices and in resulting the prices have been upped tremendously. Granted I have only been to Colombia twice once in Medellin and once in Bogota. When I was there 8 years ago you would bag a 10++ easy for the prices I have quoted. I have longed to go back since I divorced my colombian wife and this year is my year. I shall be mongering in those neck of the woods again. I am by no way on a 10 dollar budget guy when I go. But guys need to realize you are paying these broads salarys of heart surgeons for crying outloud. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Ngp477]I always walk a couple of blocks from the airport and then hail one of many cabs. I say 7 mill pesos, Laguito. Sometimes they counter 8 mil but usually they accept.
On the way to the airport I never say airport. I always say Crespo circa airopuerto. 7 mil. If you say Crespo, the part of Cartagena where the airport is, they will charge you local prices, not tourist prices.
I save a couple bucks for the girls. I had a nice girl from LDV for 50,000 pesos. BBBJ and CIM but no actual intercourse. I renegotiated with her when she would not do my favorite position (secret). Either 50,000 or get the fuck out.
I also stay in apartments, not hotels. Now I am staying in Tocagua, half a block from LDV, an ocean front remodeled, for 70,000 pesos, about $30 a night. It is low season, so you do not need a reservation. There is a small cafe below the building, ask for Susie for an ocean view and she will rent to you. She speaks some English. You can also rent in this building for $50 a night from [url]www.cartagenaapartments.com[/url]
I used to rent from Mery Salence, but Susie will rent for about half Mery´s price, at Colombiano prices. Mery charges gringo prices and adds on her fee of about $15 a night.
Then I go to the Hilton and use their gym and pool all day. Never have I been questioned. Use the gringo factor to your advantage, if you can.
I also get alot of free airline tickets from using credit cards, frequent flier miles and bumps. If you book the direct flight to and from Cart. it is almost guaranteed the flight on return will be overbooked and you can be rerouted thru Bogota in a couple hours and receive a free international Avianca ticket.
I have not bought a ticket now for my last 2 trips and have another free American Airlines ticket next month from credit card purchases. I am in construction and charge all the materials and services I can on my A.A. card.
Cheers![/QUOTE]I have stayed a couple of times in the Tocagua building. Susie is very nice and all. But make sure you check the apartment carefully before making any payment. In the first apartment I stayed in, the kitchen was infested with roaches, I mean just unfreaken believable. I made the mistake of paying upfront since a buddy of mine refered her to me.
When traveling abroad, it is normal to encounter a few flying friends here and there, but Jesus, it sucks to be worried about a roach on the wall right over the head of the gal you are pounding, getting ready to make a nose dive right into the action.
Second visit, I checked things out carefully, and all was good(different apartment). So I would visit Tocagua again, and rent from Susie again, but check things out carefully, for example, open oven door, kitchen cabinets, and check out bathrooms.
Don't know if I will be back anytime soon to Cartagena, from what I have read in the last couple of months, prices are getting out of hand. Good luck to all.
Actually it happens a little more often than that. The Presidential elections will be held on May 28. Same deal. No alcohol sales from midnight Friday through midnight Monday.
Addicted to women --
The average taxi driver earns about $400 a month, double the normal wage for Colombia. Of course many of them work 12-14 hours a day, by choice. Usually they get 2 or 3 days off a month, without pay, which is required by the city laws on a rotation basis from the last number of their license plate. It is their business and after they pay the daily rental fee of about $20 they are free to drive it as long as they like. The owner also must pay for health insurance for the driver. If they can overcharge a couple of thousand pesos on each trip it will add up, 100% as profit in their pocket, and alot of drivers in Cartegena try to overcharge, especially gringos at night from clubs. If you are nice to them they will think of some way to overcharge you. Its best to be on guard. They are not your friend, and will try to overcharge you if they can. They have no loyalty to you whatsoever.
Only pay the minimum and ask what it is before getting in the cab. Often if you stop at an ATM or make another stop on the way they will try to charge you double the minimum, or charge you for wait time. Ask before you get in.
How do I know? I own several taxis in Medellin. Colombians would die for a taxi job and would not prejudice their opportunity by robbing an american or getting in trouble with the law, but overcharging small amounts, YES.
The city regulates the number of taxis on the streets so there are not too many or too few. IT IS complicated to buy a taxi, but not impossible.
Please note that I have nothing bad to say about Mery, it is the gringo owners that set the price, expecting gringo customers to pay that fee per night.
I have also rented from [url]www.cartagenaapartments.com[/url] and had a good exerience with them. No problems bringing in a different girl everynight. Of course I am not loud and do not have real wild parties, only parties for 2. You pay in advance by paypal and should bring your receipt with you to get properly credited for your deposit. One of the girls with their company speaks perfect English, I cannot recall her name, but after you reserve the aparmtent on the internet you should call the number on the website and speak English, they will transfer your call to this girl right away and you can schedule a checkin time at the aparmtent lobby where you are staying 45 minutes after your flight is scheduled to come in. They will meet you at 11pm in the night, as they did for me.
You can save by renting from an administrator who normally rents to Colombians, and they have rental offices in almost every apartment of Laguito. Especially during slow season, prices are about half what you would pay with Mery. If you are in Cart for a week or more it does add up!