Cartagena- Boca grande vs. Centro neighborhoods

Gator says on Jun 25, 2008, 13:18:

please define what you consider economical?

Buses will be about 1200 pesos or less and run frequently and go every where. beware the taxis, IMHO the worst for rip offs in Colombia. ALWAYS ESTABLISH THE COST BEFORE GETTING IN THE CAB.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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adrienne79 says on Jun 25, 2008, 13:23:

(50,000 or less for a double)

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jena.gris says on Jun 25, 2008, 13:35:

The centro is the red light district. I just opened a hostel in Boca grande that offers the same prices as hostels in the center. Check us out. www.northstarbackpackers.com

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nine inch nails says on Jun 25, 2008, 13:37:

I wanted to try Centro but was too jammed when I went and I didn't get any email responses back beforehand. So I stayed in BG and really liked it plus centro so close anyway. And I hired a taxi to take me out along the coast north of centro and liked it as well. Bet there is some budget stuff out there too.

6, 1/2 dozen or the other. Really just depends on your likings.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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adrienne79 says on Jun 25, 2008, 13:43:

Jena, I sent you guys an email yesterday but haven't heard back.

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nine inch nails says on Jun 25, 2008, 15:00:

I don't think Centro is the RLD any more than any other part of CTG. Maybe la Zona Rosa but I didn't see anything seedy when I was in the area (near all the touristy stuff). Seedier on the outskirts yes. CTG is afterall a seaport and where there are seaports I'm willing to bet there are hanny seamen! JAJAJAJAJAJAJA

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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Gator says on Jun 25, 2008, 19:25:

If you check along Cra 3/4/east of Cl 4 or down in the Barrio Getsemani ( not that safe at night, IMHO) opposite the Old Walled City. Lots of smaller hotels in this area. Your best bet is to spend a buck or two and call on the phone-e-mails get little response.

Casa India Catalina is in Centro, Hotel Bahia, Cra 4

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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adrienne79 says on Jun 25, 2008, 19:48:

Thanks Gator, we still have a week before we leave and I will call this weeknd if I still have not found a place. But, I have actually had luck with the emails. About half have responded. I will keep the streets in mind that you are mentioning.

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tomtom33 says on Jun 26, 2008, 04:05:

Getsemani is not that safe at night, but you can cab in and out at night. It is cheap.

For 50K air conditioning will be spotty or non-existent. There will be no hot water.

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dwmte7 says on Jun 26, 2008, 04:53:

i think that the name of where i stayed last time i cleared my container from customs was getsemani...not sure. when you come out the main gate, go straight across the park, then turn left, down that street were numbers of hostels/cheap hotels....i had no problems, but as tomtom mentioned, it's not a great place to walk around at night. use taxis. the accomodations are cheap. tom tom...is that getsemani? it took me several weeks to deal with my property--love aduana--as they needed plenty of time to perloin all they wanted.

dwmte

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nueva york bombero says on Jun 26, 2008, 05:44:

You want to see seedy? Take a stroll around the Plaza del Toros ..... guaranteed you'll clutch your wallet tighter!!!

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dwmte7 says on Jun 27, 2008, 09:25:

where's that, dan?

dwmte

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nueva york bombero says on Jun 27, 2008, 10:11:

south, past centro... dangerous area.
You can feel the eyes on you and I am as calm as a cucumber (pepino) in any situation!
I don't recomend looking for a cash machine here.....

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tomtom33 says on Jun 30, 2008, 15:27:

Yes, Douglas, that was Getsemani.

Plaza del Toros is along the Avenida(Pedro Heredia) on the way to CC Castellana, Exito, and the bus terminal. I think it is more east than south. It is not too bad south of the Plaza, but north is a big problem. I know people who live there and have been there a few times during the day. That area is known as Foco Rojo. The roads are dirt and the houses do not have running water.

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pedro says on Jun 30, 2008, 18:07:

If aircon is important, you could try Hotel Las Vegas in the centro. If you negotiate for a discount, it should cost 40k pesos per night, or thereabouts. Just say you stayed there before and it cost 40k. This place is primarily a love motel, but it also has backpackers staying there too. They have central air permanently on, and if anything it gets a little too cold at night. Request a room away from the street. Located near the university in the Centro, directly across from the Juan Valdez.

Another option is Hotel Central, in a old colonial style building in the Centro. A little run down, nice spacious lobby and airy balcony in the common area and a friendly management. They have a couple of OK rooms, and a few really beat up ones... best to see the room before you commit. Although it says on their card "ambiente familiar", they also rent rooms by the hour (discreetly). About 50k per night.

http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/colombia/the-caribbean-c...

que nota!

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