PBH / Colombia / Start Forums▼ (active) Travelguide Cheap hostels Pictures

Newbie trip report

Some of this was probably already written before.

Well just came back from my first trip to Colombia (cartagena). Flew in with Spiritair and everything was good with them. I am used to these low cost airlines in Europe. So here are a few things that surprised me and / or I simply did not know. I am writing this for future Colombia newbies.

Cartagena airport: Once you pass the first customs inspector the process is NOT over. Do not through away any papers you got along the way. You will need to show them again and again. Keep these papers and your passport handy. The custom officers always asked me if they can view or handle my passport. Leaving the airport there is an additional tax that was not covered by the airline ticket. The correct taxi cost to Bocagrande should be 15 000. I was charged 20 000 on my first attempt.

I was surprised by the people. I am, from what I think, a normal looking guy. I am physically fit but just normal to North American standards. I was surprised to have woman ask to take photos of me (with them). The first time got me a little paranoid but this happened 14 times in 6 days. I remember people writing something like you will be a rock star. Now I know what they meant. The weirder thing is that most of them were only interested in taking a photo. They were to shy to talk. My Spanish is not that great either.

There are a lot of sellers on the beach. Unlike other countries they do not stop after you tell them "no gracias". They keep at it for 10 minutes. Then its the massage ladies, same thing "no gracias" for 10 to 15 minutes. Then the chair guy, the beer guy, the restaurant guy, the jewelry guy, the painting guy, it never stops. This make it a very bad beach experience. I never returned to the beach again. I would suggest to the authorities to moderate this because it is simply bad for tourism. I also understand that a man needs to feed his family but...

Food is nothing as amazing as I was expecting. The price is good but the food quality is just average at best.

Like Helene said on the Jerry Seinfeld show "The heat, my god the heat". Its hot and it stays hot. Get a room with AC.

By dathrill on Jul 28, 2008, 07:07 in Travel tips.

Gator says on Jul 28, 2008, 07:20:

Leaving the airport there is an additional tax that was not covered by the airline ticket.

What tax was than and how much??? Thanks.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

JCochranUSN says on Jul 28, 2008, 08:08:

are u supposed to tip taxi drivers??

1 funny, 0 helpful.

Mononoke28 says on Jul 28, 2008, 08:39:

Eh María que manada de montañeros home! Fotos con el gringo recién desempacado?! XD

Diana

0 funny, 0 helpful.

arnold_kate says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:16:

I have flown out of Cartagena twice and was never taxed. Though it was always mentioned, but never actually enforced. I don`t usually tip the taxi driver. If you decide to just tip a small amount like 500 pesos or 1,000. It is not expected. I love Cartagena!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:37:

Tipping is not customary in Colombia for taxis but we usually leave the small change and bills-we do tip if Mrs. Gator has been shopping and he helps her lug stuff into the lobby of the building.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

0 funny, 1 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:42:

hey, how come the colombianas in queens don't ask you guys to take pictures with them? jijij

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:42:

in most case they'll tell you to go fok yourself jijijijij

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:45:

enquiring minds need to know

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Jul 28, 2008, 09:59:

Gator isn't there a 5.00 dollar exit tourist tax now??
maybe thats what he is refering to

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:00:

I wonder why???
anybody know?
that's so strange

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:04:

colombianas in colombia chasing gringos for visas, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

elmodefoque says on Jul 28, 2008, 10:13:

the thing is, most colombian men become attractive to colombianas ONY AFTER they made it to USA

I'll get there, when I get there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Jul 28, 2008, 11:47:

Elmo--you(or other Americans) would get the same Treatment here in Miami at those "Shops of Bal Harbor" just over the Bridge(south) from the Haulover Park Fishing Area. I live but 3.5 miles from that place and bicycled over there to meet a fellow PBH member. First time I was ever in the place, being the Thriftminded Value shopper I am. Man, the Prices at that place were simply spectactularly High as were the Women frequenting the place. Next time you get down here, we'll have to take a walk through the place-its an eye-opener. But its close to nicer and free sights, one being just 3 minutes south--- Nude Beach across from Haulover Fsihing area.Look over the "Off topic" Post for a recent story on Haulover's Nude Beach.

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

august says on Jul 28, 2008, 12:08:

First of all, I believe it was "Elaine" who you refer to.

That said, sadly going to Cartagena with expectations of quality beaches was a doomed mission from the beginning. Its underwhelming beauty and plentiful, aggressive vendors are well documented. Some people dig it, but those are indeed central parts of the experience. On the bright side, if you come again, now you´ll know to put some more work into seeking out the gems of Colombian beaches. Keep searching, they´re there!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

deathnova says on Jul 28, 2008, 12:47:

I was just in CTG myself. Some key points:

- The exit tax was $14,000 COP. The process was basically go directly to the passport stamp counter across from Avianca, get your stamp, get in line, pay at the counter. The entire process was a lot more normal than in Pereira.

- The beaches suck bad. They're dirty and to say they're filled with vendors is an understatement. Vendors would be just fine, but you're literally ambushed and surrounded by them. Don't go to Cartagena for beaches under any circumstances.

- The duty free store is pretty crappy. They only have low quality American stuff and as far as smokes go they only carry Marlboro. Get your stuff out in town.

- I paid $20,000 COP for the taxi to Bocagrande from the airport, $6,000 COP from the city to Bocagrande, and $5,000 COP min. all other times. Don't know if this is normal but I didn't stress it since I was already spending an arm and a leg on everything else ($3.7M COP for 6 days at the Hilton Executive Floor, around $75,000 - 150,000 per dinner each night, and probably about the same any night we went out drinking, etc.)

- Allow at least 2 - 3 hours between your connecting flights if connecting in MIA since you'll have to walk from Concourse A to Concourse D after clearing passport control and customs if connecting from Avianca to AA for example to redeposit your bags and go back through TSA. I travel extensively and the TSA there are by far the biggest morons i've ever dealt with. Normally TSA does not bother me.

- I convinced the Avianca lady I was fluent enough to sit in an exit row.

- Why the #$^& is everyone so damn worried about whether or not I want to date a Colombiana?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

GregYohn says on Jul 28, 2008, 13:25:

Hola!

Considering it used to be 7,000 from the airport to downtown before Oil increased and was about 12,000 to BocaGrande from the airport before, 20,000 is a good price to now get to Boca Grande.

What were you doing spending over $340 a night or over $2,000 for just 6 nights in Cartagena? Were you there as a tourist?

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

0 funny, 0 helpful.

deathnova says on Jul 28, 2008, 13:29:

Yep, turismo extremo.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

clyde says on Jul 28, 2008, 17:48:

Aviana collected the tax from me in Miami. It was only 5 US. On the way out they stamped me but didn't ask for any more money.

I love you all

0 funny, 0 helpful.

clyde says on Jul 28, 2008, 17:48:

Where did you stay?

I love you all

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Pirate2late says on Jul 28, 2008, 19:47:

I was the in Feb. and I didn't pay any tax when I left. I was in Cali in Dec. and they were going to charge me an exit tax, but all I had to do was go to the tax exempt office and get it waived.

You're right on about the beaches in CTG!!!! Holy Cow! I loved CTG and want to go back, but I'll NEVER go the the beaches there. We took a day trip and went to a nearby island and a very nice beach.

"Fly it until the last part stops moving!"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

deathnova says on Jul 28, 2008, 21:28:

I remember paying something like $60 in exit tax (or whatever it's officially called) just to get my stamp (an exemption stamp? Don't remember) flying in by AA and out by Avianca. What's the deal with that?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

GregYohn says on Jul 29, 2008, 06:17:

Hola!

I get my exemption stamp now all the time! It is nice to know what is happening at the airport in Cali, but upsetting when that window is closed while the guy is out on a break!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

0 funny, 0 helpful.

briarblue says on Aug 20, 2008, 15:52:

When I left Carta in late July (via Spirit), I had to pay an "additional" 12.5 mil pesos of "tax". When I inquired, I was told that the tax had went up since I booked my ticket and that I had to pay the difference. After a short discussion about me not being keen to paying a retroactive tax increase, I paid it, said this is what's called a racket, while the lady collecting just nodded and smiled at me.

In May on the same airline, etc., I did not have to pay any additonal tax when leaving.

The taxi from the airport to Laguito was 16 mil cop. From my understanding, it should be that for the rest of the calendar year to the same destination.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Saltador says on Aug 20, 2008, 16:29:

Guys. You can go to the beaches in Cartagena. It's real simple. It all depends on what you're looking for on your trip to the beach:
People watching, meeting people, saying "No gracias" = Beaches in Bocagrande.
Just chilling on the beach with your lady and don't want pestered= Castillo Grande
White sand, clear water, not many vendors, maybe some beach volleyball= Isla Baru.

Taxi from the airport was 16,000 two months ago.

People always stop and ask me for a photo too. But I think it's the white socks/sandals/backpack look they like.

1 funny, 0 helpful.