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first timer to colombia/cartagena

hi im planning to make a trip to cartagena, and im wondering the best /cheapest/safest way to stay.should i use a budget hotel in the bocagrande area or stay at a hostal in the walled city area..id like to stay up to 6 months at atime..is an apartment a better idea and what kind of prices am i looking at,with some furnishings in it.also will the imm igration at the airport stamp my passport for a stay up to 6 months or do i have to purchase a visa prior. i am an u.s. citizen. any help suggestions would be helpful....p.s. im plann ing on a semi retiring thing there in the future.im 388 if that helps in your suggestions....peace and thanx for the help . andy

By NOISYDEADHEAD on May 30, 2005, 17:10 in Visa & paperwork.

ColombiaBoard says on May 30, 2005, 18:29:

Staying in Colombia Upon arrival you´ll passport will be stamped with a 30 day stay permit, supposedly you´re entitled to a 90 day stay without a visa but lately they let US citizens stay for only 30 days, you may ask the immigration officer that you want to stay 60 days. If they don´t give you the 60 days stamp you´ll have to go to the DAS office to have a renewal issued. For a 6 month stay, you´ll need a visa.

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b bruce says on May 30, 2005, 22:22:

Places to stay in Cartagena! What ever you do, do not stay at the Hotel Arthur or Hotel Arthur II. They are both cheap hotels within the walled city. Both very noisy. I made the mistake staying at the Hotel Arthur II. I did not get a good nights sleep the entire time I was there. I was in Cartagena for three days and that was enough for me.

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Hunter says on May 31, 2005, 09:33:

NOISYDEADHEAD For a 6 month stay you can just go to your local DAS office and ask for 1 month visa extensions.

On entry to the Country ask for 90 days, but it sounds like they aren't giving it to US citizens, but no harm in asking.

When your 30, 60 or 90 days is coming to a end (I recomend a few days before) just go to your local DAS office and ask for 1 month extensions, they will tell you to pay the money about 56,000 psos into thir Bancafe account, its been a while, but I think they want to see a copy of your flight ticket and some photos, they will give you a list of their up to date requirements, then you return with the payment slip plus the other things on the list, they give you a 1 month visa extension, you repeat the process the following month until you use up the maximum amount of time you can stay in Colombia in a year on a tourist visa, which is 6 months.

Hunter

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kiwi says on Jun 1, 2005, 16:08:

you no longer have to pay the 56,000 pesos this was stopped as of march, so at least some things go our way in DAS.

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big kugz says on Jun 1, 2005, 17:19:

hostales stay at a hostal in the walled city or rent an apartment. brush up on your espa&ol and have fun. although I agree that cartagena gets old after awhile. make sure that you explore all the surrounding areas, there are many natural wonders to be seen. Santa Marta and Barranquilla are also well worth the visit.

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