Trip report

I was in Colombia during January and February for three weeks. At no time did I feel in danger. I experienced no crime (but then I never do) and nor did anyone else that I met.

I visited Cartagena, Getsemani is now quite upmarket – it has been given a lot of paint and is very safe during the day. I suspect that it is safe at night as well. Lots of police presence. A huge building boom in progress.

Also Barranquilla, Santa Marta (Tayrona was full of travellers with their Lonely Planet guide books – the previous year I had it to myself), Mompos (well worth a visit, there are no longer any flights and it is hard to get to), Sincelejo (I missed the corraleja but saw one at Planeta Rica – great name), Monteria, Arboletes (the mud volcano had bubbles a foot across! It was very full so I take it it was erupting all be it slowly). Coveñas (near Tolu) had changed dramatically since my last visit six years ago with lots of construction.

My impression is that Colombia is a lot safer now and as a consequence people are investing in the country. At Montelibano a tiny town two hours from Monteria a huge supermarket complex with restaurant and bar and car park had been built two years ago, a huge investment for a small town.

So another successful holiday with lots to see and do, however it will soon be overrun with foreigners, certainly I was no longer the novelty I used to be.

By el flaco on Feb 22, 2008, 05:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

LilaM says on Feb 22, 2008, 07:24:

mmmm flaco, nice to know that you enjoy your trip here... thanks for sharing your experience here. Is always nice to know that someone came and he liked our country. What about pictures?::: somebody said.... no pictures it never happened. ;)

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer." Ed. Cunningham

GregYohn says on Feb 23, 2008, 07:02:

Hola!

Getsemani is the place to stay in Cartagena!

I have been there 2 different times and its nice, since they have inexpensive hotels you have more money for other things!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

el flaco says on Feb 25, 2008, 04:36:

I'm still using disposable cameras, I've no idea how to do digital stuff!

Greg: what's Getsemani like at night, it use to be a don't go there at night area, also is it still full of putas or has it been cleaned up?

nueva york bombero says on Feb 25, 2008, 11:06:

I had no problems in Getsemani....
I stayed 8 days and walked around all times of the night.
Not a single incident.
Enjoy!

morphus says on Feb 25, 2008, 11:13:

Mompos? Were you at least a novelty there?

Aaron21 says on Feb 25, 2008, 13:53:

I will probably catch flak for this, but the girls out in Cartagena are generally either with their boyfriends or are working - and I don't mean the bar/restaurant/club employees! And this is all over Cartagena, not just Getsemani.

nueva york bombero says on Feb 25, 2008, 14:39:

I ended up in many questionable bars in Cartagena. I realized each time, but
my friend was a little naive. Or maybe it was an act!!!
Anyway, all the girls in Cartagena are working girls.....

Aaron21 says on Feb 25, 2008, 14:44:

Some "regular" girls exist, but it very rare to see them out with just their female friends in Cartagena. I have seen regular women out in Cali and Bogota without boyfriends. I wonder if this is a Cartagena thing? A lot of things are different on the coast . . .

nueva york bombero says on Feb 25, 2008, 15:02:

Santa Marta was better for meeting "regular " girls. Cartagena was fun though!!!! I'd like to go back.

tomtom33 says on Feb 25, 2008, 15:07:

Getsemani has been, in the last 5 years, an area where it is better to cab in and out of between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.

About 2 years ago, I was strolling along Avenida Media Luna halfway between the park(Centenario) and the bridge with 2 buddies around 9:00 pm. We stopped to buy a coffee from a street vendor. The vendor told us to turn around and head back toward the park. We did.

A friend was robbed in Getsemani about 2 years ago during the day. But he was doing things that he should not have been doing. He basically asked for it.

I have usually walked to the clubs along Arsenal at night, but I lived in Cartagena for 4 years and know the city well.

nueva york bombero says on Feb 25, 2008, 16:42:

Hey TomTom... is the real estate market done in Cartagena?
You think there's room for growth? Maybe in a place like Getsemani?

tomtom33 says on Feb 25, 2008, 17:24:

Many locals seem to think that we are approaching a glut in Cartagena. We probably are, but I can see room for growth in the future. Please note: I am no expert on anything.

I don't see much in Getsemani in the near future. The Bocagrande Peninsula and Centro are booming. Manga, Crespo, and la Boquilla seem like upcoming boom areas. I am not really the right guy to speculate on these things.

romy says on Feb 26, 2008, 00:57:

We stayed in Getsemani (Hotel San Felipe) and had no problems. But really we were only there for sleeping. Mr. Babilla in Getsemani is a pretty cool bar, the rumba there is kind of like a smaller version of Mangos in Medellin (minus the foreigners and prepagos). Didn't really get to see any of the other spots in Getsemani but generally the crowd looked young and not your pretentious Cartagena.
Also, in regards to regular girls, they are most definately there, maybe it was just the time of the year I was there. But it seemed like there were quite a few groups of girls, the type that were off on christmas break from university and staying at the condo of one of their papis for a few weeks. I definately didn't pay for anything, I even have a rule against buying girls drinks. Most beautiful girls were at cafe del mar, and even though we did pick up there, the majority of girls are with their boyfriends who were usually older guys. I also have good memories of Babar.

GregYohn says on Feb 26, 2008, 07:36:

Hola!

I think poor people living in Getsemani may not be good to see for some. They have affordable places to eat and sleep and the Police are present, even at night time. Poverty there is less than other parts of Cartagena.

There are MANY backpackers going through the place!! Here in Cali, people say I am German or Italian, since Americanos never show up here. Cartagena is alot more different. MANY from the world visit Getsemani!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

Monpirri says on Feb 26, 2008, 07:51:

Thanks for sharing your experience in Colombia and I'm glad you also had a great time.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008