Have you been to Colombia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been to Cartagena, and I have mixed feelings about our trip. When we ventured out of the walled part, we got harassed and scammed by some men who threatened violence. We ducked into a hotel and the police were called, but the police didn't give a shit.

It was really hot - we were showering 3x a day. The walled parts of the city are beautiful, and the food was incredible. I really didn't care for the arepas, but the ceviche was heavenly.. If you stay at the walled city of Cartagena and never venture out, you would be safe. Of course, then that means you wouldn't make it to a beach, which you might want to do. The nearby beaches suck, and the boat trip we took to go to one of the supposedly nicer beaches (Rosario Islands) also sucked. All the coral is dead.

The locals we met recommended Barranquilla for beaches (where Shakira is from), or maybe the beaches in between Cartagena and Barranquilla, I can't remember.

I would go to Cartagena if you know what you are getting into, and you are running out of places to visit.

I did not find Bogota that interesting - it's a Latin New York.

Sounds like you had a horrid trip. Have you traveled elsewhere in Latin America? Just curious whether the issues you experienced are unique to Cartagena. And how exactly were you scammed so I know what to look out for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent a total of 10 days in Cartagena and at the beach with two small kids this summer. We had a great time.

Where did you stay?

And what beach? Looking to follow your lead.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19528021?euid=98126aaa-029b-38c3-2c23-e395a21c13a4&source_impression_id=p3_1569351068_jL%2F2vtftUkZa3SH3

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13656032?euid=69e1cdb6-c22d-f6d6-7ec5-1e4f820733fe&source_impression_id=p3_1569351081_JARwjgElhJ6gAMwj

Beach is maybe more rustic than what OP wants (no A/C, nothing to do but beach)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to Cartagena, and I have mixed feelings about our trip. When we ventured out of the walled part, we got harassed and scammed by some men who threatened violence. We ducked into a hotel and the police were called, but the police didn't give a shit.

It was really hot - we were showering 3x a day. The walled parts of the city are beautiful, and the food was incredible. I really didn't care for the arepas, but the ceviche was heavenly.. If you stay at the walled city of Cartagena and never venture out, you would be safe. Of course, then that means you wouldn't make it to a beach, which you might want to do. The nearby beaches suck, and the boat trip we took to go to one of the supposedly nicer beaches (Rosario Islands) also sucked. All the coral is dead.

The locals we met recommended Barranquilla for beaches (where Shakira is from), or maybe the beaches in between Cartagena and Barranquilla, I can't remember.

I would go to Cartagena if you know what you are getting into, and you are running out of places to visit.

I did not find Bogota that interesting - it's a Latin New York.

Sounds like you had a horrid trip. Have you traveled elsewhere in Latin America? Just curious whether the issues you experienced are unique to Cartagena. And how exactly were you scammed so I know what to look out for?

I grew up in the third world, so I am by no means incapable of traveling to... well sketchier places. I've been to Mexico, a sprinkling of Caribbean islands, Turkey, and Morocco.

The scam involved a woman who offered a massage for x price. We are 4 females. We were at a beach, and that sounded like a great idea, so we each got a massage. It was mediocre at best, and it wasn't cheap, but that was fine. We paid her - including tipping her generously, and she got out of there real fast. Right as she left, these other men showed up and demanded money (and it was the same price as the massage). They claimed we used THEIR beach umbrella. We had never seen these men; we were dealing only with the woman. So yeah, if you go to a beach, don't go to a public beach. Spend the extra money and go to a beach club or stay at a resort with a private beach.

[Anonymous]

We went to Santa Marta/Tayrona. A bit of a hassle but Tayrona is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to Cartagena, and I have mixed feelings about our trip. When we ventured out of the walled part, we got harassed and scammed by some men who threatened violence. We ducked into a hotel and the police were called, but the police didn't give a shit.

It was really hot - we were showering 3x a day. The walled parts of the city are beautiful, and the food was incredible. I really didn't care for the arepas, but the ceviche was heavenly.. If you stay at the walled city of Cartagena and never venture out, you would be safe. Of course, then that means you wouldn't make it to a beach, which you might want to do. The nearby beaches suck, and the boat trip we took to go to one of the supposedly nicer beaches (Rosario Islands) also sucked. All the coral is dead.

The locals we met recommended Barranquilla for beaches (where Shakira is from), or maybe the beaches in between Cartagena and Barranquilla, I can't remember.

I would go to Cartagena if you know what you are getting into, and you are running out of places to visit.

I did not find Bogota that interesting - it's a Latin New York.

Sounds like you had a horrid trip. Have you traveled elsewhere in Latin America? Just curious whether the issues you experienced are unique to Cartagena. And how exactly were you scammed so I know what to look out for?

I grew up in the third world, so I am by no means incapable of traveling to... well sketchier places. I've been to Mexico, a sprinkling of Caribbean islands, Turkey, and Morocco.

The scam involved a woman who offered a massage for x price. We are 4 females. We were at a beach, and that sounded like a great idea, so we each got a massage. It was mediocre at best, and it wasn't cheap, but that was fine. We paid her - including tipping her generously, and she got out of there real fast. Right as she left, these other men showed up and demanded money (and it was the same price as the massage). They claimed we used THEIR beach umbrella. We had never seen these men; we were dealing only with the woman. So yeah, if you go to a beach, don't go to a public beach. Spend the extra money and go to a beach club or stay at a resort with a private beach.

p.s. If it helps, I would go back to Mexico (or at least Puerto Vallarta where I went), Turkey (where I've already been twice), and Morocco. Bahamas is a waste (and it isn't because I felt unsafe. I think it's lame and would rather just go to Florida). I think Turks and Caicos was beautiful but overpriced. I've been to Aruba twice. I'd go back to Bonaire, St John, and St Thomas.

I would not go back to Cartagena or Bogota. I'd consider going back to Colombia, but not to those places, and only if I'm going with Colombians.