cartagena-going it sola?

Sizas says on Apr 9, 2004, 17:58:

Easy... Cartagena is a very safe city (but you still have to be careful), if you have travelled around South America, you already know how everything works then, Colombia is not much different from other S.Am countries.

A nice hotel could be Santa Clara hotel, is an old building in the most beautiful part of cartagena 'ciudad vieja' (the old city), old spanish architecture. Hopefully you'll have fun, and if you already speak spanish you won't have a problem.

I hope this info works for you.

cheers.

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john says on Apr 9, 2004, 18:12:

Cartagena. Sola or with company you will be safe! Just navigate the city as if you been there done that. Negotiate with every street vendor. And if planing on going to St. Marta or B/quilla by car,travel during the day; The Colombian Army has these roads secured.
Cartagena is a beatuful city and its people will make you feel like home.
Have fun,
john

John

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Cobra66 says on Apr 10, 2004, 17:10:

Cartagena Go down to Club Nautico and ask around amongst the local sailors. I made some good friends there (of all nationalities) and they showed me the ropes.

My recommendation is to stay out in Boca Grande and take taxis into the city or just walk.

Cobra66

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Cathereine says on Apr 11, 2004, 02:11:

staying in Cartagena Good value apartment accomodation in Cartagena can be found at www.cartagenaapartments.com
The cheaper apartments are in a large modern block opposite the beach in a good tourist area by the Hilton International, the apartments in the historic old town are beautiful with character, but are more expensive.
Cartagena is the safest city in Colombia. Security is a problem in rural areas and for the moment I would not recommend travel into the countryside. Taxis are not expensive so I usually use them rather than buses where there is some risk of petty robbery.

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yelibeth says on Apr 14, 2004, 08:12:

hola ..que rico cartagena...well it's been years since i travelled there but trully it is one of the safest places in Colombia...well if you are looking for a place to stay i would recomend the hostels in the ciudad vieja ..they are cheap but clean and mostly a familiar ambiance...i would avoid boca grande because it is the tourist trap cicuit..and it is where most bad things happen . If you are looking for anice beach which you won't really find in the city get information to go to the islas de baru y playa blanca and or parque tairona..suerte

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Sam Salmon says on Apr 14, 2004, 15:04:

Indeed it must have been many many years since Yelibeth travelled to CTG.

The hostels in Ciudad Vieja are no longer good value-indeed they are overpriced considering what deals are on offer in place like Boca Grande (and yes I checked thoroughly when I was there in February).

As to Tourist Trap that's all over the place but it's worst in Ciudad Vieja.

I stayed in Boca Grande and never saw/heard of any danger of any kind-things have changed I was told.Another Canadian staying at the same hotel as me gave me a complete rundown of how things had improved in the 4 years since he'd been there last and he stays for a few months each time.

Be sure to check if Parque Tayrona has the Yellow Fever Alert lifted.

The worst thing that will happen is that you'll end up with bruises from kicking yourself because you never went to Colombia earlier ;)

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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guavaberry5 says on Apr 14, 2004, 15:32:

venturing to the islands i've started reading conflicting things about the islands off ctg, mainly that some are more touristy (sounds like that would logical from waht people are posting about the cantidad of tourists in the city itself) than others. one of the last recommendaitons was to go to isla baru but i am wondering if anyone knows anything positive or negative about isla rosario and particularly the place to stay there that shows bungalows on their website. it doesn't look too expensive yet it isn't dirt cheap and form what i can tell it seems along the lines of what i am looking for. anyone have insider scoop or another idea for an overnight getaway from ctg while i'm there for a week?

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guavaberry5 says on Apr 14, 2004, 15:37:

morotones merecidos i think you might be right that i will kick myself if i don't get down there soon. from all that i've read and seen online, it sounds wonderful. it's a shame that so many of our perceptions of places are always overshadowed by the negative media hype. i have been trying to make a final decision about to-go or not-to-go for the last week and have used a lot of the content of this website's discussions to frame my understanding of a place i have never been. it looks like i will be committing myself to a week in cartagena next feb. and i look forward to gaining other important pieces of information from people who know colombia better than i do in the weeks and months ahead.

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Hunter says on May 9, 2004, 14:34:

Isla de Rosario It sounds like you are talking about Hotel KoKoMo on the Isla de Rosario.

The Island has 6 huts and a main building with living acomadation, a large bar and terrace, also swimming pool beach etc. Normally there are only 6 or so people there at any one time, apart from high season where there could be about 30 or so.

The Island is owned by a friend of mine Finn Martin, who has lived in Colombia for 35 years, his e-mail is below.

hotelkokomo at hotmail.com

Hunter

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santiago says on May 11, 2004, 19:25:

Bargains in Cartagena Let me tell you about a true bargain!!! I just got back from Cartagena a week ago. For 7 nights / $750.00 / All inclusive food and drinks / AND my flight from Miami included at the Hotel Decameron. Okay, some will say this sounds like a trip to ?????? being all inclusive and all. But I thought the price was terrific.
Your airport transportation is also included.
I did not always eat at the Hotel but the food was surprisingly good.
I booked thru: Noemy Fajardo
Sales Representative
TARA TOURS INC. Web site is taratours.com
6595 NW 36th St. - Suite # 306
Miami Springs FL 33166
Phone: (800) 327-0080 or (305) 871-1246
Fax: (305) 871-0417
email: noemy at taratours.com
Tell her James from Illinois said Hello if you call her.

One other big plus: I met more nice people from all over because they are coming for short visits due to the value of the Peso in Colombia. People coming and going every day.
Need more info, send an e-mail.
James

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guavaberry5 says on May 12, 2004, 06:53:

isla de pirata hunter, i was actually referring to isla de pirata which i found on the web but your friend's sounds similar. i will be going in the off season, next feb, so crowds should be low or non existent because it's before semana santa and summer vacation.
do you know if your friend's place has a website or would you recommend i contact him via the email address you provided?
thanks for your tip.

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Hunter says on May 19, 2004, 13:25:

Hotelkokomo.com I think, I know he in the process of changing the website design,the pictures etc are not of a high standard, which he is also changing.

Hunter

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cobbook6104 says on May 27, 2004, 09:23:

i just stayed in the hostels de san diego, $39 us per night, big clean room with dos balconie, free breakfast that is great. Very helpful and nice staff. One street over from the Santa Clara hotel.
Have a great time!!

florida bob

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ideavirus says on May 5, 2006, 20:09:

official site for hotel kokomo here it is--- http://www.hotelkokomo.net

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Desideria (Moderator) says on May 6, 2006, 09:27:

Cartagena, this monday "For 7 nights / $750.00 / All inclusive food and drinks / AND my flight from Miami included at the Hotel Decameron."

I've booked the trip from Cali, flight included, four days, three nights, Decameron, all inclusive for 700 Us dollars, for two. I thought the price was terrific!

I need a vacation.

Cheers,
Desi

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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platano says on May 6, 2006, 09:38:

You need a vacation? A vacation from heaven? Hi Desi,

Aren't you on vacation from Scandanavia? Is Cali no longer the "sucursal del cielo"?

Have fun and enjoy Cartagena!

And to respond to the OP: a woman alone who is fluent in Spanish can have a very fun time in Cartagena.

plátano

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