Hostels

Lots of hostels have opened in Colombia recently, however none in Cartagena. I only know of Casa Vienna there which is permanently full and must be making a bomb.

There have been several posts on how to have a business in Cartagena, so can anyone explain why there are no other hostels?

By el flaco on May 14, 2008, 01:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

gorgonabob says on May 14, 2008, 05:46:

yup, seems to be fashionable to open up hostels at the moment. im sure cartagena will have its day also.. While there is only one true hostel, the Casa Viena, which has been there for almost 20 years (closed for a few weeks once for not having condoms for sale), there are at least 13 cheap hotels within two blocks of the place and numerous other cheap dives. You can't just enter the hostel business in Cartagena, you're going to need at least 300 US to be able to buy even just a small builiding in the right area. Things are not cheap in Cartagena, thats why there are no new hostels popping up. That and the fact that there is not much organisation in that city and its hard to get things done. If you want to start a hostel you really have to buy a property because renting puts you at the mercy of others. I'm sure there are plans afoot to open something in Cartagena, a big 50-100 bed hostel. Its only time. The Casa Viena will still be full every night for the next ten years though, no doubt there. Real Estate is not cheap in Cartagena, and its hard to make any money when youre renting out a bed at 15.000 a night and people are only staying two nights on average. oh well... As i said Riohacha thats the place to do it or Villavicencio or Pasto/ Ipiales.

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GregYohn says on May 14, 2008, 11:59:

Hola!

As a previous Casa Viena customer, they provide overflow guests with MANY other locations in the neighborhood, incase you can not get in there. I explained to friends that you can stop in there to make arrangements with travellers from all over the globe, even if your hotel is down the street. Casa Viena does a good job of advertising via the web, but most of the others do not have a web page. Their internet cafe is good too!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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nueva york bombero says on May 14, 2008, 13:55:

Casa Relax was nice. The pool helped with hangovers and the staff were friendly.
It's in Getsemani, which people think is sketchy. I liked it. No complaints....

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