new yorker in cartagena

tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 10, 2006, 05:09:

nena_cgena says on Feb 10, 2006, 21:58:

You'll have a blast! These thoughts and bits of advice are random and in no order so forgive me. Cartagena is a very social city especially when it comes to meeting other tourists/foreigners. The hotels within the walls of the city are gorgeous 4-5 star, fabulous service but also $175-$300 a night (Hotel Charleston and Santa Clara), but hanging out at the Plaza de Santo Domingo (within the walled city, just 2 blocks from Hotel Charleston, is a great place to meet people... outdoor tables for several different bar restaurants, music, vendors, etc. - catering primarily to tourists so very safe even late at night, most people hang out and socialize then move onto dancing at nearby clubs. Bocagrande is designed for tourists, you can pretty much walk where you need to go which would save you money on taxi's. Food, shops, hotels, grocery stores... everything within a mile stretch of street. Many of the higher educated people working in the above places know some English, if not they are used to communicating with Europeans, Canadians and Americans so it's nothing to be ashamed of and you'll do fine. Having street smarts is always good as a traveler in any foreign land, so being drunk with wads of money in the wrong part of town is not recommended. There are different websites to find people renting out apartments/condos in Bocagrande, El Laguito and Castillo Grande (these 3 areas are all pretty much the same place). I don't know enough about the hostals of the area, sorry. If you stay in Bocagrande the less you'll pay for taxi's at night, buses stop running probably 10, so if you plan to be out late it would be nice to be able to walk back to your room. But definately get into El Centro (the walled city) to check out La Plazita, you'll know it because it has a beautiful statue by Botero, "La Gorda", at the entrance. Tips: only arrange excursions through a hotel or travel agency, not someone on the street. Use the buses to save money, simply ask the bus driver if they are going to where you need to and ask how much the fare is, for this reason you want to keep small bills or coins for the buses. Don't exchange money with someone offering in the street, best thing is to go to Citibank and use their cash machines. Security guard at door will want to check your bag. Good luck, you will have a blast! The people are beautiful, you won't want to leave! Colombian women love gringo men, so be careful.... :-)

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dave_travels says on Feb 10, 2006, 23:08:

Hotel San Fransico or Hotel Viajero Hotel San Fransico is a good value at 50K/70K pesos (one person/two persons).
Hotel Viajero is 30K pesos but is less comfortable. Hostals will be cheaper.

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Andy-NY says on Feb 11, 2006, 12:26:

I'm also a New Yorker and I just returned from Cartagena a few days ago. I had a nice time, but the weather was a little too humid for me. I stayed in Laguito in one of the nice apartments on the water.

Morphus is 100% right about La Dulce Vida (LDV). I went in there to see what was going on and I saw many Italians, and Americans. It seemed that most of the girls in there were working. If this is your thing, then LDV is probably the best place to go.

Andrew-NY

Andrew-NY

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 11, 2006, 13:11:

Depends on your budget. I once stayed at some hotel in B-grande for 20K pesos; it was so nasty I was afraid I'd catch something sleeping on the bed. But go ahead and go to one of those roach motels or hostels to start out.

Then if you think you could swing $30-$40 (USD)/night.. approach almost ANY real estate office ("Finca Raiz" in Spanish) and enquire about renting an apartment.

(DON'T do this over the internet - you'll get "gringo" prices.)

You should be able to rent a clean, private apartment with kitchen facilities for that price. If it's too steep... well, stick with the hostels.

BTW - LDV isn't a place where MOST girls are working; it's a whore bar. I'm not making any moral judgements here: if that's your thing, go for it, watch your wallet, and wrap that rascal.

But no Cartagenera who ISN'T hooking would even walk up the stairs of Perino Gallo at night. If you'd like to meet some nice local girls, and you clean up well, try Ba Bar. Swing by the University for a tour. Hang out in Plaza San Felipe.

Enjoy. Cartagena is a treasure.

PS - DON'T change money on the street, don't buy emeralds, don't pay for a tour, don't let ANYBODY sucker you.

Wasteland

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GregYohn says on Feb 12, 2006, 17:59:

Casa Vienna You can get back packing prices of $10,000 COP a night at Hotel Viena. Its fine, since most of the staff speaks english. You can call the USA for free too using software on their internet computers. If they are full, then you can find a hotel down the street easily. They have a frig and a place to cook there too and free coffee. I went to Cartagena with so little spanish, but after a week I was ordering my own breakfast, beer, and aspirin.

http://www.casaviena.com/index2.html

Greg

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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GregYohn says on Feb 12, 2006, 18:31:

GF's Opinion of NY My GF had promises from a New York City guy to come and see her for so many times before meeting me. She REALLY got hurt by him. The guy thought she had to come there, since he thought NY City was the greatest city in the world. I think he was afraid of getting out of his comfort zone to a Spanish speaking country, too. Well, more recently he added pictures of himself back to her web page she deleted. I showed up and he didn't. Ha! Ha! So now we speak of her past guy as New York Sucks! The name is just applicable to that guy, so don't everyone get upset at me.

I saw NY Yankee Caps there in Cartagena. My GF thought I was terriffic wearing a Barranquilla Junior shirt with her in public.

Greg

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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poco says on Feb 12, 2006, 21:21:

The way it is A U.S. tourist visa form is given to you during airline flight. Take a pen with you,, then you can loan it to those that forgot. The maximum allowable time is 6 months in a calendar year. NOT six months and one day. BTW,, they go by days,, so I guess a February entry is good ????

When you get off the plane you will go to customs. Customs is operated by DAS. DAS is the Colombian equivalent of the FBI. Working for DAS is a good job. DAS officials are not corrupt,, do NOT mess with DAS and they normally DO NOT speak English.

When you approach the cage have your passport AND return ticket in your hand with the return ticket and date of flight marked with a yellow marker (Hi lighter). Give both to DAS, point at the return date and request that amount of days (Thirty day increments) if your stay will be more than 30 days. They normally do NOT have a problem with 60 days.

Say nothing and you’ll get a 30 day stamp. I usually require 90 days minimum. DAS may say,, sorry we don’t give 90 days. Point at your return ticket say please give me 90 days,, Please,,, look at my return flight,,, be VERY nice,, but look a little sad. A few more pleases (said in a pleading tone), with the proper demeanor and they will more than likely give you the 90 days.

Three years ago,, 90 was no problem,, things are tightening a little.

This has worked the last two times in Cali due to preparation, sincerity of my voice, no iPod, lack of visible tattoos and nose ring,, not to mention my astounding acting skills.

This is a photo of my latest entry stamp.


So, lets hear NO MORE about 60 days. If you can’t get 90 days (and you need it) there is something wrong with you,,, not DAS, not immigration, not the system. Practice a pathetic look in front of the mirror. Then,, when you go to DAS for an extension you can show the stamp to “foreigners” and say,, WHAT THEY DIDN’T GIVE YOU NINETY DAYS ????

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 13, 2006, 03:52:

Wastelandlive says on Feb 15, 2006, 17:49:

He's a pimp and a greaseball... ...and he couldn't be happier.

What do you think, owner gets freebies?

Wasteland

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Miguel_Clavo says on Feb 15, 2006, 19:24:

LDV is only one of several whorehouses... which are owned by Italians, much the same as the whorehouses in Costa Rica....Miguel_Clavo

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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Wastelandlive says on Feb 15, 2006, 21:05:

Who are you kidding Morphus? How many chicas have you put through the paces? How many were virgins? What's the point of getting squeemish now?

Wasteland

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 17, 2006, 01:26:

Miguel_Clavo says on Feb 18, 2006, 01:28:

Aldo is the manager there at LDV. It is owned by... some Italians like most of the whorehouse in Colombia and Costa Rica. And, yes, a greaseball is pretty accurate. =(


Miguel_Clavo

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 19, 2006, 02:15:

Wastelandlive says on Feb 19, 2006, 10:10:

Geeze Morphus, The life of rily. Do you ever work, man, or are you just paid to travel around LATAM and sample the goods?

Wasteland

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