Departamento de Bolívar Travel Forum

My daughter is thinking of spending some weeks in Cartagena, improving her Spanish. She found this program:

http://www.esl-languages.com/en/adults/learn/spanish/cartagena/colombia/index.htm

It looks pretty good, but it's easy to look good on the web. Does anyone have any experience with ESL courses? Maybe even first-hand experience with the school in Cartagena?

Any recommendations for a safe, tranquil, comfortable and CLEAN place to stay in Cartagena? My budget is about 30,000 per night, prefer private room with bathroom. Most important: clean! Communal areas are good, and I am OK at a hostel as long as they have private rooms.

Thanks so much!

I am planning to go to Cartagena to study Spanish for three weeks beginning July 20th. I paid my down payment with a company under the agreement that I they had a room available for me at the school residence. As it turns out, the school wrote back to them and said there were in fact no rooms available. The cost for the room at the school was $300/U.S. for the full three weeks. I know I'm not going to find an apartment or hotel for near that cheap but so far all I can find are apartments or rooms for $60/night and up. That is still a bit out of my budget for a full three weeks.

Does anyone know of where I might find a private room (shared bathroom and kitchen is ok) or an apartment for under $50/night? A friend of mine has been there a few times and is telling me to book something for a few nights and then go find something cheaper once I'm there. He's certain that once I get there I won't have a problem but I'm a little skeptical. I'm really trying to salvage my trip so any leads or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Is there anybody whoo can give me some good tips for diving near Cartagena
Thanks,
Francisoc

Do hotels exchange american dollors? If not where? Thank you in advance.

hi! im in cartagena at the moment and i am trying to find a pharmacy that sells malaria tablets as i am running out. i have been to quite a few but have had no luck. do i need to go to a doctor for a perscription or something like this?? my spanish is not great and this is probably where most of the problem lies. i have tried writing down different names of malaria tablets and bringing in packets of ones i have already (by-mycin /doxycycline)but that doesnt seem to work either. can anyone point me in the right direction please?
cheers

ok heres my problem! I am going to bring my girlfriend who lives in Cartagena to the states with a feiance visa! the problem is though my spainsh is pretty good she does not speak that much english and does not read any english. there will be many forms and papers we will need to prepare which will be difficult cause i will not be there to help her with them all the time. so I need someone who speaks and reads english to help us with the paperwork ( explaining to her what she has to do) I will gladly pay this person for there time...if you can give me someone or know what I can do please help! I will be in Cartagena march 23 for 2 weeks! hope someone can help me...

Need a private guide - interested in historical and architechure of the walled city! Any suggestions?

hi there,,,i am planning my trip now and before i start searching tell me the weather at octomber novmber,,are there any nice beaches?...which boat connections are there in cartagena and is it worth go somewhere else also?i have many days to spend at my holidays so pls suggest me the time and if its worth it spliting the time in two places.i know that there are many questions but i hpe you help

I'm colombian but my fiance is american... and most of our guests will be traveling from the US for our wedding on May 2009.
We are also celebrating our bachelor/bachelorette parties there and I would love any information anyone has about the best clubs to go to...
Besides casa del mar... we already went there last year and absolutely loved it.

hi im going to cartagena is the golf good there and how much do they charge for a round tks

Can someone please tell me the address for the Crepes & Waffles that is closest to the cruise ship terminal? I will be going there next week and would like to know how to get there and what it will cost from the terminal. Can I walk? Or do I have to take a taxi? And what is there to do near the restaurant?

Any help will be appreciated.

This is my first post!

Thanks

DonnaMarieNJ

I am having the hardest time finding where Playas de Manzanillo is in Cartagena for the Ultramar festival in January 2009. I am looking for hotels (or apartments) that are nearby. It seems that all the other hotels are in Boca Grande and is far away from the event.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,
We will be arriving in Cartagena next month, for just a few hours. How far is the port from the old city.Also how do we find a safe taxi to take us around. We are a couple in our seventies. Can you recommend a good restaurant ?Thank you.

Where in Cartagena is "ELECTRA CLUB." A CLUB? WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE GO THERE?

Hi VT-ers,
I am heading off to Cartagena at the end of May. I am planning to stay in the Old Colonial City, in El Centro or San Diego and spend four full-days visiting the city and the surrounding area. Safety-wise, is there any specific "do" and "don't" I should be aware of, other than taking the usual precautions mandated by common sense?

Thanks for your help!
Giuseppe

We will be in Cartagena this August on a 1-day stop on a cruise. My wife and I tend to like the "do it at your own pace" type of exploration as opposed to a tour where you are timed down to the minute (as all of the excursions offered by the ship seem to be).

What suggestions does anyone have about how best to do it? We're more interested in the history, sight-seeing & unique shopping aspects rather than the beach (plenty of that on a cruise already).

Following is the cruise's description of the city - and it sounds great! But what we're looking for is a good and safe way to go about this on our own scheduled. We are there from 9:30-5:30.

"Step back in time in Cartagena amidst the scenic northern coast of Colombia. Stroll down narrow cobblestone streets of this seaport town and explore the famous walled colonial city, brimming with cafés, restaurants and shops. Wander the Bocagrande, the picturesque avenue bordering the beach, or delight in a visit to the 16th-century Cathedral with its majestic exterior. Tour Cartagena's oldest church, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, or behold the fascinating exhibits in the Palacio de la Inquisicíon. Stand in the shadows of the 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, an ancient hillside fortress built to protect the city against pirates, or revel in the spectacular seaside views from the Convento de la Popa, a 400-year old monastery."

bus? fly? you? haha

I am planning a trip to Cartagena-Medellin-Ecuador in May and am wondering if it is safe. I have been traveling by local buses, often overnight (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina), but am nervous to do so in Colombia, especially on my way to Ecuador. Pls. advice. Thank you. Marian

Hi,

I'm going to Cartagena next month and would like to know how much does cost a taxi from Airport to El Laguito area.
Many thanks,

Rafa

Hola,

Estoy viajando a Cartagena el mes que viene y quisiera saber cuánto sale el tazi desde el Aeropuerto a la zona de EL Laguito.
Muchas gracias,

Rafa

does anyone know where to buy nancy gonzales handbags in cartagena colombia?

I was in Cartagena in September and ate at a wonderful restaurant. I can't remember the name, and hope someone can help me.

It was authentic Columbian food. In a restaurant that was across the street from a nice hotel (on the beach I think) and an international phone place. It was a busy part of town.

The restaurant was nice--white table cloths and all. You could eat inside or in a covered outdoor area. Any idea of what I'm talking about???

Sorry so vague, just wondering the name.

Several people from the ship at there. Like the doctor, nurse, and the shore excursions reps. Apparently it was the place to go for good local food.
Thanks!

Hi all,

Sorry all these question are a bit vague!

Can anybody tell me how cheaply you can travel in Columbia? Are we talking 10$ a day or 20$ How much a basic hostel room is, a beer, 3 basic meals per day etc. I have been living in India and Nepal for a couple of years so I am used to 'ruffing' it.

What are the visa regulations for a UK citizen? how long can you stay in the country for?

Also are there any nice beaches to relax on (in cheap locations!)

How safe is the country in general? What about traveling by motorbike? has anybody done this? how dangerous etc.

Thanks for any advise anyone can offer.

Jx

What kind of music do they play at Mr. Babilla? we are looking for a salsa club

is this city safe

does any have addresses..name and/or phone numbers of trust worthy
tour guides upon arrival of cartegena..

do you know of places to meet nice afro colombiam mullattos to befriend....not prostitutes....

any known good hotels to stay at in safe areas...

good eating places to go ...


if you can provide any answers to my questions ....please send me an email

Hi guys, bit of advice needed here. I am in Caracas at the moment , and tommorow night i will be getting a bus to Cartagena, now i have heard that this is unsafe to cross the border by bus..the company i am going with is called Brasillia, and the buselook pretty standard, good buses. So, can anyone advise me if this will be a dangerous trip or not, by my reckoning the bus should cross the border at around 4 in the morning. Also guuys, does anyone know of any decent cheap hostels in Cartagena . Many thanks guys, quick response would help here, as am leaving tommorow, as i say, and have only just heard about the dangers. Cheers ian

I will be in Cartagana in the May to June timeframe. During this time I would like to take a trip to Barranquilla and Santa Marta. Is the bus the best way to travel to these destinations, or should I use a private drive service. I speak zero Spanish. If you do recommend a private drive service, could you please recommend one. Thank you in advance.

I am visiting Cartagena with 3 other people at the end of March. We want to rent a house or apartment in the old city area. We've found a few two bedroom apartments for rent in the Santa Clara neighborhood. (supposedly near the Hotel Santa Clara although I can't be sure because I don't know the city). Is this a safe/good neighborhood? It seems like it is part of the old city, but I'm not sure. Thanks for any advice or information. Also, if anyone knows of a 4 bedroom place in the old city I'd love to hear about it. Again, thanks.

I would greatly like to meet other travellers staying in Cartagena around mid March. Trade stories, get a drink and shoot the breeze in a pub, or just like to meet other travellers , maybe make new friends.

Hello guys & gals,

I'll be visiting Colombia this May and plan to spend a week or so in Cartagena. I would like to try and practice salsa dancing more while I'm there and was wondering if there's a good salsateca or dancing instruction place where they can teach me the ropes while I'm there. I'll also visit Medellin for a handful of days, so if you know of any good places there then please give me a hand.

On a side note - if anyone knows of some good "gimnasios" in Cartagena & Medellin please let me know.

Thanks - Jay