Cartagena, Colombia

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Cartagena de Indias is the number one tourist attraction of Colombia. The old town (a Unesco heritage site) is perfectly preserved between the walls (to protect from pirates). Beautiful colored colonial houses and picture-perfect streets.

Cartagena draws lots of tourists, including from huge cruise ships. Around Cartagena there are some nice beaches (the beach of Cartagena itself is mediocre).

Population: 746000 Elevation: 2 meters. Average temperature: 28 degrees Celcius. | Editing history.

Places to stay:

The cheapest hostels are not in the old town (within the walls), but in Getsemani, a 5 minute walk from the old town. It's a somewhat seedy area, but not too bad. The Bocagrande area is kind of boring, but also is filled with hotels, in price somewhat in between the cheapies of Getsemani and the fancy places in the old town.

North Star hostel (2 comments) Cr 3 No 8 - 96, Bocagrande Tel: 314 582 1624 Tel: 5 655 0241 Website: http://www.northstarbackpackers.com/ Website:
In the Bocagrande area, 16,000 Pesos for a dorm bed and up. Two private rooms sleeping up to four people costing between 16,250 Pesos and 35,000 pesos per person depending on how many are sharing. It's next to the restaurant Chef Julian and in front of the restaurant Arabe Internacional in Bocagrande.

Hostal Casa Viena (2 comments) Getsemani, Calle San Andres No 30 - 53 Tel: 664 62 42 Tel: 660 20 77 Website: http://www.casaviena.com Email: hotel at casaviena dot com Cheapest night: 8 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Run by the friendly Austrian owner Hans, Casa Viena has dorm beds (14,000 pesos, US$8) and private rooms (25000 pesos, US$ 10), internet, safety boxes, book exchange, open kitchen and all the usuals of a good travelers hostel. Hans can also help you get on a sailboat trip to Panama.

Hotel Marlin (5 comments) Calle 30 No 10 - 35 Tel: 664 35 07 Cheapest night: 6 US$/night. Private rooms available.
A small backpackers place. Singles are 16000 pesos (US$ 6), doubles 28000 (US$ 13).

Hotel Holiday (3 comments) Calle de la Media Luna No 10 - 47 Tel: 664 09 48 Cheapest night: 6 US$/night. Private rooms available.
A good option when Casa Viena is full. Singles with bathroom are 12000, doubles are 24000 pesos (US$ 10).

D&E Tents and Hammocks (0 comments) Playa Blanca Isla de Baru Cartagena, En la mitad de la Playa usted puede ver nuestro aviso Tel: 57 (311) 592 6246 Email: dande at samerica dot com Email: diegotenorio74 at hotmail dot com Cheapest night: 4 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
This is a rustic and remote area where there are no hotels, in D&E Tents and Hammocks you will find accommodation in Tents and Hammocks in front of the sea Price include the right to use the bathroom consisting of two private toilets (We provide toilet paper) more fully fourth quarter to take a shower and to dry and change clothes. If you prefer, you can bring your tent or hammock Please do not go without first having eaten lobster, crab, octopus, sharks and the delicious sancocho de pescado. Come and take some time to rest and Relax in one of the Most Beautiful Beaches of South America We are located in PLAYA BLANCA Barú Island (Cartagena - Colombia) We are in a great location just 45 minutes from town by boat or 1 hour by land

Posada Pirata (0 comments) Calle Vicente (Something or other) near the clock tower Cheapest night: 5 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Cheap, basic hostel in the city center. The owners seem not to care about attracting clients because the place isnt listed anywhere, but it's a great bargain. There's a communal kitchen, free internet, a washing machine, lots of patios, and a BAD ASS terrace on the roof (fourth or fifth floor). Don't know about directions, just ask around for Posada Pirata or Donde Cristina. The owners are a really disfunctional but friendly family. Dorms are 10,000 and private 15,000 but the prices fluctuate...

Crespo bed and breakfast (0 comments) Avendida 3, No. 65 - 109, Barrio Crespo Tel: (575) 6661415 Tel: (575) 6697394 Cheapest night: 25 US$/night. Private rooms available.
There is a bed and breakfast in Crespo three blocks from the airport. It's about 2.5 blocks from a couple of beaches in the quiet upper-middle class neighborhood of Crespo and its got a more homey atmosphere than many of the larger hotel chains. The lady who owns/runs it is named Doña Ana de Cabanzo. She doesn't advertise and there is no sign at her house. You can sit in the patio watching all the wild birds. You can take a cheap bus or collectivo to Cartagena.

Hotel Villa Colonial (0 comments) Calle del las maravillas no 30-60, La matuna , Cartagena , Colombia Tel: 4 664 4996 Email: daniela dot akel at gmail dot com Cheapest night: 40 US$/night. Private rooms available.
A fairly modern, more up-market hotel just outside the Old City which offers a good mix of value and comfort for those on a slightly higher budget.

Casa Sofia (0 comments) Calle San Antonio, Getsemani, Old City Tel: 57 6600071 Website: www.casasofiacartagena.com Website: Email: casasofiacartagena at hotmail dot com Cheapest night: 400 US$/night. Private rooms available.
In a beautiful house in the Old City, this very upscale place has a central courtyard with a pool, a kitchen that is practically open air, a deck on top where you can see everything. The master bedroom has this great bathroom with a shower that is open to the sky so you are basically outdoors. If it happens to be raining (which is was one day), your shower is partially rainwater.

Things to do:

The main thing to do in Cartagena is just to stroll around the beautiful streets of the old town. The beaches are ok but not great, there are much better beaches outside of the city.

The gold museum is excellent and free. The Inquisition museum is a tourist trap and should be avoided.

Around Cartagena

You can take a sailboat from Cartagena to Panama, ask in the Casa Vienna.

You can also do good scuba diving here, although it's a little more expensive than in Taganga. Schools include Dolphin Dive School (http://www.dolphindiveschool.com) and Caribe Dive Shop (http://www.caribediveshop.com).

You can take a boat to Playa Blanca , a beautiful beach close to Cartagena. Ask in Casa Viena. In the afternoons, it can be busy with people passing by on tours, but the rest of the day it's quiet. There are a few places where you can sleep in a hammock (make sure it comes with a mosquito net!) for about 7000 pesos (US$ 3).

Lots of places to eat but many in the old town are pricey and lack much ambiance. One I found with reasonable prices and super friendly staff is Rincon de la Mantilla on Calle de la Mantilla No. 3-32. Ask for Carlos the barkeep and Yesenia the manager.

Getting around & transportation:

Be aware of taxi drivers, they're always, always trying to take advantage of foreign looking tourist. Never pay more than 7200 pesos from the airport to the Old town including Getsemani

Travelguides:

More expensive hotels in Cartagena: There are plenty of up-scale options in Cartagena, if you want to splurge.

Snorkeling or Diving in Islas Rosarios: Best ecotourism group to arrange snorkeling/diving trips on the islands is the Cultura del Mar. Ask for Antonio or Fernando. They arranged a great overnight trip complete with night snorkeling in the enchanted lagoon (the highlight!) Their website is http://www.culturadelmar.com/

 

Reviews

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This report is geared to the single male who will be a first time visitor to Cartagena/Laguito area. The information is current as of June 2009.

By (Deleted user) on Jul 13, 2009, 18:41.

The good: Everything about Cartagena is music to my ears!
The bad: The hustlers which includes the taxi drivers trying to take advantage of the tourists.

Apartments
If this is your first time in Cartagena I would only rent from the following people and stay only in the Laguito area of Cartagena. This area is the safest, and offers everything you might need, as Boca Grande area is a short walk away:

http://www.venpro.net/fotosapartamentos/index.htm and itts at excite.com which is Juan Ventura.

Dave Jones from http://www.colombiarental.net

Mery Salence from oficerna at yahoo.com 011-57-5-655-0384/ 011-57-315-699-3934

Juan Ventura is a first class guy. His apartments are very nice, and he actually lives in Cartagena within a couple of minutes from any apartment you would rent from him, so if you have any problems, he is there to fix them immediately, and if he is not available his assistant "Adolfo" is. I cannot stress to you enough, how highly I recommend him. Do not consider anyone else, unless he has nothing available to you.

Mery is also a very nice lady who lives within 5 minutes of any apartment you would rent from her. She is also very accessible at any time of the day.

As far as Dave goes, he is a super good guy, whom I also consider a friend, and will do his very best to accommodate all of your needs. Offers nice apartments at good rates. Presently Dave lives in Medellin, but has someone maintaining his properties in Cartagena for him named Giovanni.

You can expect to pay about fifty to sixty dollars for a luxury one bedroom beachfront property for one person, and seventy five dollars for a two bedroom luxury property for one person. Additional persons are naturally more, unless it is a couple. Make sure you request exactly what you are looking for, such as an apartment with a terrace overlooking the beach and ocean. Also make sure the air conditioning is working good, because in Cartagena it is a necessity to have especially in the summer months. There are also apartments that are ocean view but to get to the beach you have to cross a narrow street, and there will be a building in front of them. It is necessary you state you want a building that sits directly on the beach if this is what you are looking for.

Apartment maids
I highly recommend you use Antonia. Her telephone number is 315-699-6047, and you will never find a more honest person. She is just super and very reasonable in her rates. She does a super job of cleaning the apartment. If you want she will do your grocery shopping laundry e.c.t….. Please tip her well because she does not make much money and as I stated her service is extra ordinary.

Taxis
The cost of the taxi from the airport to anywhere in Laguito is 12,000 to 14,000 pesos. When you are in Laguito and take a taxi to almost anywhere in Boca Grande it is only 5,000 pesos. Lately I have not had a problem with being overcharged by taxis, but in the past big time. It is very important to know your fares. I have a taxi driver here who I befriended and can be a very big help to you if you want to use his services. He charges the normal rates, but you are not getting ripped off. He can also pick you up at the airport and drop you off as well. His name is NELSON, and his telephone number is 314-587-5635. He knows his cell phone number is being provided to others so there is no problem. He is just a super good honest guy, who I consider my very best friend in Colombia. For someone new in Cartagena with limited spanish I most certainly would give him a call until you can understand the taxi pricing structure e.c.t. He can also be your guide to venturing out of the tourist zones to meet more of the local clientele.

If you are interested in going to Barranquilla or Santa Marta I highly suggest you call one of the following companies. They will pick you up at the front of your apartment and drop you off exactly where you want to go. The cost is approximately 20 to 25,000 pesos to go to Barranquilla, and approximately 50,000 pesos to go to Santa Marta.

Servicio Puerta A Puerta contact info:
Cartagena: 656-5656 office
300-288-8393 Cell phone
Barranquilla: 378-4036

Transporte Especial:
Cartagena:
656-3757 Office
311-416-1362 Cell phone
300-660-1884 Cell phone
315-452-4653 Cell phone

Santa Marta:
300-816-1601 Cell phone
316-528-1366 Cell phone
310-728-8719 Cell phone

MariSol Transport:
Cartagena Office: 6564192
Cellular number: 300-805-6659

Barranquilla Office: 368-3272 or 369-4228 or 373-6425
Cellular numbers: 300-808-3147 and 313-545-0004


ATM Machines
There are ATM machines located everywhere. You will not have a hard time finding one at all. If your Visa card does not work in a ATM machine, the ATM might not be hooked up with the proper network your bank uses. If this happens, I suggest you use a ATM at a Citi Bank. There is one in Bocagrande near blockbuster video, and there is one in El Centro.

Internet Cafes/International calling
Internet cafes and places offering international calling are everywhere. In Laguito I prefer the Internet café and the international calling that is available on the ground floor of the Conquistador Hotel in Laguito. This is located across from the apartments, Torre Centauro, Playa Mar, and Marinare. The area where this café is located also contains many tiendas offering everything you will want. The location is excellent. Another very good Internet café and international calling place is located next to the hamburger franchise place called Prestos. It is called "Puntocom".This is located about 300 yards or so from the apartments I have mentioned above.

Cell phones
The first thing I would do after checking into your apartment would be to go and buy a cell phone or a sim card if you already have a phone. You have 2 companies to buy from, Comcel and Movistar. Both of these companies have offices very close to the Edificios Playa Mar and Marinare. The cost of a cell phone at Movistar is approximately thirty five to forty dollars. You then purchase cards with various amounts of minutes to enter into the telephone.

Discos.....
Ok here goes...
1st... learn to like Ron Medellin or Whiskey. If you buy a bottle of Ron Medellin at all the discos it comes out for the most part much cheaper than ordering individual drinks or beer. The rum (Ron Medellin) is good and most Colombians drink it straight as shots or with ice. I also have found that whiskey is very popular with the girls. The brand of whiskey that is most popular is called Old Pa or Buchanans.

LDV... This is a United States type of disco that caters to the single male. It the most popular disco in Cartagena, and possibly Colombia. Very highly recommended to single guys looking to meet beautiful Colombianas.

Ok, now there are a few different areas for discos. I will call them... Mr Babilla, Babar, and Cafe Del Mar. Those are the names of 3 discos that are in different areas, even though Cafe Del Mar is more of a outdoors type of bar/restaurant.

First Mr. Babillas... Mr. Babillas is the name of a disco. This is a fantastic place to take a date. I think it is the most fun place to take a date in all of Cartagena.You can expect to dance your night away from the time you enter the bar. You will find people dancing on top of the bar, on tables, and anywhere else they can find room. This is also a big place. There will be some chicas there that are p4p with their dates. However, for the most part, most of the people frequenting this place are couples. It is only open on Thurs/Fri/Sat and Sunday nights. I would make sure you hit this place and try to take a date (either non-pro or a pro). This place is special and a lot of fun. Do not go to Mr. Babillas anticipating on finding a pro or non-pro or you will more than likely end up being disappointed.

There is also a long street of discos all up and down the sidewalk from Mr. Babillas. It is really hit or miss. I cannot tell you which one is happening as it seems to change nightly. These discos are not tourist type discos but for locals, but worth checking out. Again you will be totally safe and secure in these discos and in this area. Different flavors of music... electronic, reggaeton, salsa, merengue. Feel free to ask the doormen at each of the different venues to let you go inside to check it out before you pay the cover.. no one will ever say no.

Babar... You may find some non-pros at Babar. There are also numerous discos in the vicinity of Babar. Personally I am not to fond of Babar. Tell a taxi to take you to Babar, and from there you can walk around to check out the various venues. There are also many people out in a "square/parque". It is kind of like a little park with various venders selling food and so forth. There will be pros hanging around outside all these venues. So Babar is another area as Mr.Babillas was an area. Walking distance from Babar is Tu Candela.

Tu Candela is an institution in Cartagena, and it is also hit and miss. Do not even bother to go there before 11pm. It is also an expensive place to drink in. I do consider it probably the best place to go if you are alone and just want a normal type of disco. I usually buy a bottle of rum or whiskey to drink, instead of spending alot of money for individual drinks. This is also a great way to meet girls hanging out around the bar, and you can then offer them a drink from your bottle. This place has a upper and ground level, but I pretty much stay on the ground level. Tu Candela is a place that you can take a date, but also here you will find quite a few semi-pros and pros. It is one of the most popular discos for the non working girls as well.

Around the corner from Tu Candela is Isis. It is a bar that also caters to the single guy, with opportunities to meet many beautiful Colombianas.

Also in this general area is a place called Queen. I have been here on a number of occasions and have had alot of fun. It also caters to the single male, and at times you will find some very nice looking women in here. This place plays techo music. It is also quite small.

Another disco is called Bamboo Disco. I have only been in this place on 2 occasions, and it was very quiet. This place is really laid back.

Another area is Cafe del Mar. Cafe del Mar is the name of an outdoor bar/restaurant. It is a hip place where you may find some single chicas or semi-pros or pros by themselves and it's a place to just take a date and chill over a few cocktails.

There are other discos around Cafe de Mar as well. Joy Slava opens around midnight and stays open pretty late. There is a techno bar and there is a normal bar that has salsa, meringue, reggaeton. Actually I think there are 3 discos inside Joy Slava. I have only been here a couple of times. It is also a place to go to meet Colombianas.

Then there is Electra which is an after hours only disco that also caters to the single guys. Opens around 2am to 5am. It gets quite full around 2:30am. The times I have been in this place it has been great! It is filled with many girls who come from LDV after it closes. The music in this place is techno. This is probably my favorite place to go in Cartagena. I always have alot of fun here.

NEW DISCO I LOCATED ON THIS LAST TRIP:
A new disco, as least for me that I found on my last trip is called Leguero. It is located about 5 minutes past the stripclub called Pleyboy. It is worth a visit, at least it was the 3 times I stopped in. It is a small place and also caters to the single male. In this bar they play all types of music.

Stripclubs
The only stripclub in Cartagena is called Pleyboy. It compares to the lower level stripclubs you will find in the United States. The place generally has about 25 or so girls working and the quality I have found to be very good!.

Check out the link below... click on it and then click on Cartagena and then scroll down to see photos of the various places I have referenced to you in this letter.
www.pegateya.com

Restaurants...
There are tons of great restaurants in Cartagena.. everything from cheap to expensive.
My favorite fine dining restaurant is called Langostos. It is located close to the Café del Mar. It is a super restaurant to take a date, as the ambiance of the place is very romantic. It is pricey, but again for a fine dining restaurants it is well worth the money. All taxi drivers should know where this place is, as it is quite popular.

I would also highly recommend a restaurant called "Cocina de Soccoro". All taxi drivers know where it is. It is fine dining, with the Langostos being excellent. It is priced in the same manner as any fine dining restaurant.

Other fine dining restaurants I would be happy to recommend is the Argentinean Steak House and Pacos. Both restaurants are located which in the old city, also called the walled city. Pacos is in Plaza Santo Domingo area, and The Argentinean Steakhouse is close to the Hotel Santa Clara. Prices are in the 20-30k pesos for steak or shrimp.

As far as good reasonably prices places:
My favorite reasonably priced place is called Arepas Pues. This is located in Boca Grande very close to the money exchanges, and where all the action is, with tiendas, outdoor vendors, all in this happening area. It is a 15 minute walk from the Edificios Marinare or Playa Mar which are both located in Laguito. It is a popular place!. An arepa is like a deep fried tortilla folded over and filled with meat, or whatever you want to stuff it with. My favorite at Arepes Pues is the mixta, which is beef and chicken together. This place does not open until 6pm, and it stays open until 4 or 5 in the morning. An arepa costs only 6 or 7 thousand pesos. They are also served in the bakery across the street from the Torre Centauro Apartments, but not nearly as good as the ones in Arepes Pues. At this bakery they also serve them with eggs for breakfast. The area in Boca Grande where Arepas is located is a great place to meet non pros, as the street area in front of it gets quite busy.

If you are looking for a hamburger I would recommend El Corral. It does not compare to a hamburger in the U.S, but as far as Colombia goes, it will be about the best you can find. This is located in Boca Grande, and it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Edificios Marinare and Playa Mar. All taxi drivers know of this place, and a taxi fare will be 5000 pesos. Another hamburger place is called Prestos. It is about a 5 minute walk from the Edificios Marinare and Playa Mar, and it is located on the road that runs along side the beach, and basically all the beachfront apartments in Laguito.

There is also a McDonalds in Bocagrande.

Another restaurant that is reasonably priced, I would highly recommend to everyone, is called Julias. It is located next door to the Edificio Marinare. The food is excellent, and you get very nice portions. They also offer natural juices. They open at 7am and close at 9pm. Everyone in the place will treat you like you are there very best friend. Just super nice people!

Riquissimos, I am not sure I have the spelling correct, but it is also a highly regarded restaurant in Laguito that is quite popular. It is located on the same side of the street as Edificios Marinare and Playa Mar. As you exit these apartments walk to the left, and you will run right into it after about a 5 minute walk. They have a wide range of items on there menu, with the prices going from reasonable to high. The baby beef is exceptional. You get a good size portion with french fries and a salad for 30,000 pesos. It is alot of money, but at the same time it is not, for the portions you receive and the quality of the meat. This place is also a great place to watch the chicas walking by, as they will be more than likely coming from the beach.

Tourist attractions of Cartagena:

El corralito de Piedra:
A historical zone, a colonial village enclosed by walls that were made with the aim of protecting the city from permanent attacts. The construction was stablished by periods: 1556 and 1608. Inside the city, there are many ancient buldings and streets. The square is surrounded by ancient residences and wood balconies. Outside the walls, there are romantic bars and restaurants.

El Laguito:
This area is the most popular area for tourists, because this is where all the beach action takes place.

Bocagrande:
This is mostly a tourist area with many shops and side walk vendors. In this area you will also find many restaurants, money changing places, major supermarket, banks, and much more.

Islas:
Many beautiful islands surround the beach. The Island of Barú and The Islands of Rosario are known thanks to their white sands and the possibility of practicing nautic sports as swimming under the water, and also, enjoy ecological walkings.

Attractions in the centre of the city:

At the moment of visiting the city, it is possible to arrive to some important historical places such as:

La Puerta del Reloj (The Clock´s Door), the symbol of Cartagena. This icon also represents the country. It is located on the Blas de Rezo Avenue. This central door used to communicate the city to Getsemaní village.

La Plaza de los Coches (The Cars´ Square), a historical square where African slaves were brought and sold. There is a monument, the statue of Pedro de Heredia, the finder of Cartagena de Indias.

Other interesting places to visit are: la Plaza de la Aduana that presents a colonial architecture, la Casa del Premio Real that is situated in front of la Plaza de la Aduana and has wood balconies with an Andalucian architecture, The Museum of Modern Art, Baluarte de San Francisco, Baluarte de San Javier, The Museum of Gold, and The Palace of The Inquisition.

A must to see is the fort named San Felipe de Barajas Castle. Built by the Spaniards as a defense in colonial times, this is one of the oldest buildings in Colombia. Very highly recommend any visitor to Cartagena just this place out.

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Comments

sloopskipper says on Jun 4, 2008, 05:53: A little Cartagena slideshow: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QT3sjAdiYgw 0 funny, 0 helpful.

D&E (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 14, 2008, 03:41: If you want stay in Playa Blanca, visit us D&E Tents and Hammocks Contact us at Diego Tenorio 311 592 6246 Edgar Tenorio 301 679 7164 0 funny, 0 helpful.

el norteño (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 4, 2009, 17:42: I have to say the touts in the streets and the beach pretty much ruined my stay there. It's really oppressive. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

sbf says on Aug 3, 2009, 09:33: SCT-"Safe Colombian Tours" Inexpensive English speaking guides and interpeters starting from 3 usd per hour (groups can share the cost, i.e. a group a 4 people will pay less than one dollar per traveler!!!!!!!!) We can find you the cheaper option available in road and air tickets (clearing out the always present tentation of overpricing goods and services to foregin looking visitors) only paying a very small fee Low Cost Travel Agency but with a very warm an personal touch. contact: cafemaya at telefonica.net 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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