Here is the report I promised sorry it took so long. Bear in mind it is based on my last visit 10 months ago mind some things may have changed. However not much has changed in the 4 years I have been going to Colombia. Please post with questions, updates and/or corrections.
GENERAL INFO GETTING THERE: Cartagena is located on Colombia's north coast. It was originally one of the major outposts of the Spanish Empire and acted as a warehouse for much of the treasure shipped from the new to the Old World. As such it was a target for various pirates and privateers and therefore bouts some of the most impressive fortifications ever constructed. Today it serves as a major commercial port and base for the Colombian Navy. It is also a prime tourist destination for Colombians from the interior and other Latin American countries. Tourism from North America and Europe, aside from cruise ships it still minimal, Direct air service either to Cartagena or Baranquilla Is available form Miami, NYC, etc also some charters including air/hotel packages. Air Transat offers direct from -Montreal and Regent Holiday's used to offer and will be starting up again soon direct charters from Toronto.
The city is divided into two main areas for our purpose (there are other districts but they are mainly suburban residential and industrial.) Boca Grande is the modern hotel zone, It is a narrow L shaped peninsula full of high rise hotels and condos on the beach. The main drag has a lot of restaurants/clubs and resembles the main drag in Acapulco for those who have been there. El Centro or Centro is the old waited city. It is a maze of small narrow streets, squares and full of tiny cafes etc.
Money:
The
official currency is the Peso. Exchange rate is tied to coffee prices and
fluctuates approx., 700 peso = $1 Cdn or 1000 peso = $1 US. Some taxi drivers
etc. may take US$ but most will not. Best exchange rate is at the banks
but not recommended as time consuming with different hours open, line-ups
passport req. etc. The Casa de Cambios located mainly in Boca Grande offer
only slightly less than bank rates and is much more convenient. For changing
large amounts try the private banks in the larger jewellery stores (also
cash advance) better rate than the casa's and less hassles than the banks
(passport still needed). Best bet is of course ATMs there are hundreds mainly
in Boca Grande and some take US/Cdn and other foreign cards and have instructions
in English. If no ATM and need to exchange at night, try the casino as they
will give a better rate than the hotel front desk
ACCOMMODATIONS/FOOD/TAXIS
Best
bet is to book a package air/hotel like at the Decomeron, Cairibe, or Hilton.
You can't take girls back but the alternatives are minimal. There are a
bunch of cheap hotels at the west end of Boca Grande $10-15 US, which are
great for a couple hours of sex, but minimal security and some aren't that
comfortable and clean. There are even cheaper ones in San Diego, the district
beside Centro for $5- 10 US. There are love motels or push throughs available
but out in the suburbs and they're relatively expensive and awkward to get
to w/o a car. For long term stays and/or several guys try renting a Condo.
Not sure of the procedure but was advised it was possible There are plenty
of restaurants everything from street vendors and the local equivalent of
McDonalds to high-class steak and seafood places. You can't go hungry here
and no Rapidos. Taxis are plentiful and cheap, no meters, price $1-2 within
a district/zone, and $2-4 between districts @ from airport to Boca Grande.
Prices double late at night.
DAYTIME ACTIVITIES
Plenty
to do, aside from hang around the beach or pool and wait for the night.
Tours of the forts and museums, day trip to a local volcano or scuba and
sailing etc. at the off shore islands Also recommend la Boquilla, small
village east of the city, beach and seafood restaurants quiet during week
and crowded on weekends. Good place to bring GFE. Also has dugout canoe
tour through mangrove swamps to isolated beach. Kid with canoe can he told
to disappear for a couple of hours if you want to try the Jane and Tarzan
bit Also recommend massage on beach, not sexual but very relaxing.
NIGHTTIME
ACTIVITIES
Plenty
of girls here. First possible to p/u freebies at some of the nightclubs
either in Boca Grande or at Mr.Bobillios near the convention centre. Lot
of Latina tourists including frustrated wives on shopping vacations just
check your hotel Pool and or beach. Most of the action is in Boca Grande
at the West End around L'Escollera Disco. This place is ok, but I find it
pricey and the girls a bit snobbish. The small bars all around it on the
main drag and the beach are just as good as regards available girls. Also
recommend Gallo Loco (used to be Klub Kactus or Banarama) down at end of
the peninsula near the Hilton. Several streetwalkers near Caribe Casino
and both on the main drag and beach later in the night.
Prices are negotiable but average $15-20 US for a couple of hours or all night if p/u past midnight. Slightly more for all night if earlier in night. Threesomes available from some girl's just double price, if you want some girl/girl action expect to pay a couple of bucks more. Drinks beer etc. $1-2 some places have a small cover If more than $5 than it usually includes 1 or 2 drinks.
Action in Centro more limited. This is the place you take GFE for romantic dinner and drinks including horse and carriage ride. Most of the action is in a series of cheap bars along Calle Ingelisia (?). these are working class bars and fill up on weekends, use caution as not all customers like tourists and gringos. Usually have floor show either amateur stripper and sometimes live sex show either girl/girl or guy /girl. Rooms upstairs for B-girls who approach you the minute you sit down. Price $30-40 including room. Best bet with these places unless you can pass for a local or are travelling in a group is to hire a local tout, available in front of Decameron hotel as a guide. He'll get a kick back for bringing you to one of these places but you probably won't have to pay arbitrary cover charge $1-2 doorman would normally try and shake you down for. Always let tout buy the rounds (slip him the money) as there are usually two prices one for locals and one for us. Beer usually $1-2 max. I fond these places to start at as you end up with a girl on your lap trying to entice you upstairs and she'll do just about anything while you're talking to your buddies and watching the show. When you're ready grab a cab back to Boca Grande and p/u whatever you want.
DANGERS AND
ANNOYANCES:
City
is heavily policed but there is normal minor street crime, use precautions
and stay in the main tourist zones. Obviously avoid any offers of buying
Colombia's #1 export. Too many gringos in Cartagena's jail already. Watch
out for scammers on beach with fake Rolexes and Cuban cigars etc. Careful
there is a park full of TS in Centro near the bars I noted don't get too
drunk and horney and wander in there. Some more TS also hang out at the
eastern end of Boca Grande on the side streets leading down to the beach.
Also don't get drunk and or horny and go to a nightclub called Noches de
America on the main drag in Boca Grande. The woman are beautiful but it's
a high class clip joint where as soon as you open your mouth to say high,
you've bought her a $20 glass of 'champagne. Worse danger are the street
kids who are feral and sniff glue. Tbey'll cut you for your wallet camera
etc. or if you get too close they mainly hang out between Centro and Boca
Grande near the cruise ships dock.
HAVE FUN
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here to see the photos
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