October 24, 20205 yr Popular Post My partner and I just came back from Cartagena for 5 days of sun, food, beach and relaxation... No expectations since this was my first time in Cartagena....Have been to Bogota before... Weather was amazing....Sunny and hot the whole trip until Friday as we were about to fly out... Flew out of Miami so the flight is under 3 hours...AA gave water and cookies....AND no TVs....going or coming back Apartment rate was great, 25th floor, 2 bathrooms 1 bed....pretty empty high rise right on the beach... THE BEACHES...the beaches in the city near the apartment were dirty, you had to make a reservation and they were limiting the number of people on the beach THE BEGGING.....Shit was insane....my partner was over it after about 30 minutes of getting our feet wet, I was over it before we even go into the sections off area... We didn't look like we had a ton of money but we got harassed and offered everything from shirts, hats, yayo (cocaine), weed, girls/pussy, bracelets...etc. Beach was a wrap...We finally realized the beaches we should have traveled to but it was like Thursday....a day before we left out The food was amazing......Fried fish, coconut rice, tostones...we found a restaurant with amazing reviews and ate there about 3 times....we found a french inspired La Bistro for breakfast.....it was amazing....No street food The guys....NONE to be had....my apps were going off but nothing was my type like in Rio so didn't invite any locals over... The city overall had very few tourists around and the locals were definitely trying to sell any and everything to us... Around the Watch/Clock Tower is where all the prostitutes tend to hang out....no hot guys there either... Old City was beautiful...picturesque and pretty big.... Overall the trip was a great getaway and I would try Cartagena again when things have died down with Covid...
October 25, 20205 yr I've been to Cartagena several times, just for the day on cruise ships. Apart from one peruvian guy that working in a coffee shop, didn't see much on grindr or the streets that would make me want to go there for a longer trip.
October 25, 20205 yr Active Members Thanks for the trip report.. the unwanted selling of items can be a turn off but are they aggressive.. There are quite a few in Rio but they are pretty passive about it..I think I asked about the requirements to get into the country... Is it difficult to meet the COVID test requirements so you don't have to quarantine..?
October 25, 20205 yr Author No quarantine....a negative test within 96 hours was required.... You won't even be able to get on the flight without showing the documentation... I have a feeling that is going to be something huge in 2021...
October 29, 20205 yr Active Members Popular Post Thanks for posting. I leave for my winter home in Medellin in one week, but will be spending time in Cartagena over the holidays. Sorry that no one warned you about the dirty beaches. The only fair beach in Bocagrande is close to El Laguito by the Hilton Hotel. Everyone else will choose to take a boat ride out to the islands for a carribean white sand beach day. I usually have success in Cartagena but not in the tourist areas. El Torre del Reloj (Watchtower) is the worst spot ever -- to be avoided at all costs. The walled city tends to attract some pretty aggressive players and is not worth the hassle (from experience). Most of the local gay spots were closed up due to the pandemic, and many of them (I suspect) will not be reopening. Hollywood beach on a Sunday used to be a reliable spot to meet locals but even that scene has slowed, I would imagine. Cartagena was hit hard economically by the quarantine, so I can appreciate that there would be some aggressive hustling these days as the tourists slowly trickle back. It will be a while before Cartagena bounces back, but I am confident this jewel of the Carribean will return.
June 2, 20215 yr Active Members On 3/31/2021 at 2:41 PM, NomadicVibe said: Cartagena is back!!! How so can you go into detail please.
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