Travel advice for Cartagena, Colombia?

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ponyo

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
I found cheap direct Delta flight to Cartagena, Colombia, so I booked it. Anyone familiar with Cartagena or Colombia in general? I'll be there for 7 days with my family. Is that too long to spend in Cartagena? Should I add Bogota or some other city? It will be family vacation so no drugs or nightlife. I'm mostly interested in sightseeing, culture, and food. Thanks.
 
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compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
27,112
930
126
Ever see the movie, Romancing the Stone, with Michael Douglas? Ride on a bus full of chickens. lol
 
kage69

kage69

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
31,023
46,653
136
Sure, here's a tip for down there: if you rent a car and are driving about, an egg hitting your windshield means you've been selected for a robbery. Do not cue the windshield wipers and fluid - the ammonia contacting egg white will cost you what visibility you have and force you to either stop, and/or get out of the car - exactly what your muggers want. Put your hazards on and keep driving until you are out of the area, flag down a cop if you can.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,686
10,188
126
Free would be too much

You won free tickets to Colombia!
Oh, well, I think I have to work. Thanks anyway
 
ponyo

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
sdifox said:
Did you get a vanilla envelope in the mail?
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?
UglyCasanova said:
Sounds like a blast. Have you ever travelled to any Latin American countries?
Click to expand...
Aruba is the closest I've come to South America.

compuwiz1 said:
Ever see the movie, Romancing the Stone, with Michael Douglas? Ride on a bus full of chickens. lol
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I saw that movie in the theater when I was a teen. Great movie!

lxskllr said:
Free would be too much

You won free tickets to Colombia!
Oh, well, I think I have to work. Thanks anyway
Click to expand...
The plane tickets were free since I used Chase Reserve UR points to book it.
 
E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,568
3,760
126
Some negative reactions but Colombia has been having a bit of a tourism boom lately. Major hotel chains are investing and airlines are increasing their flights to the country (And a lot more Star Alliance hubbing out of Bogata). In the last 6 months or so I've seen major write-ups in Conde Nast and the WSJ about Colombian tourism (among others). It's on our radar for sure as a 'Sooner rather than later' destination so we can beat the over touristification (and expensive) a lot of places get. Can't really give any insight but I'm definitely interested in yours once you get back! :)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-bogota-is-back-on-ambitious-travelers-agendas-1521744253
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-colombia-once-consumed-by-violence-became-your-next-destination
https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/the-meteoric-rise-of-colombias-tourism/
 
MagnusTheBrewer

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
In Cartagena, they bring the drugs and nightlife to you. That IS the culture. Take the family to Detroit it's safer.
 
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sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,641
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ponyo said:
?

Aruba is the closest I've come to South America.


I saw that movie in the theater when I was a teen. Great movie!


The plane tickets were free since I used Chase Reserve UR points to book it.
Click to expand...


Romancing the stone, the map was mailed to Joan Wilder in a big vanilla envelope...
 
deadlyapp

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,663
738
126
I've been to Bogota and really enjoyed it. I was there for work and stayed in an upscale area but the restaurants and everything were amazing and I didn't feel unsafe just walking around the streets.

From what I understand, Colombia is much different (safer) than 10-15 years ago however if you're not used to traveling in unsafe areas or you don't have a lot of common sense, then I would be very conscious of how you dress, what jewelry you wear, how you spend and handle your money, etc. If you look/act like a target, you will become one.
 
blackangst1

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Ive also been to Bogota about 10 years ago. I did travel out of the touristy areas because I like to experience at least a little of the normal culture. Great food, beautiful women, and genuinly nice people.

To expand on what deadlyapp said (which is good advice) never carry your real passport with you. Put it in a hotel safe and carry a copy. Also learn to ALWAYS carry your cash in your front pocket. I usually carry 2 stashes of cash when overseas...a little spending money in my front packet, and a larger amount in a money belt under my pants. If you dont have a cheap $25 watch, get one. Also make a note of the US Embassy phone number and address and carry it with you.

IMPORTANT!!!! Get your vaccines!!!!!! https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/colombia
 
Xcobra

Xcobra

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2004
3,675
423
126
Colombia is an amazing country! The people would literally walk you there if they could when you ask for directions I feel (esp in Medellin). I loved it. Good food too. Arepas! Yum!

But I think 7 days in Cartagena is a bit long (but not long enough to venture out very far). You could spend a few days up in Tayrona Park where the beach meets the jungle. Very pretty. And there's an indigenous village you could walk to. The park's closest town is Santa Marta which is like 5-6 hours away from Cartagena by car so it may need careful planning (or even look at flights, I remember VivaColombia wasn't bad for national flights). Just use common sense when being out and about. Have fun!
 
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ponyo

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Xcobra said:
Colombia is an amazing country! The people would literally walk you there if they could when you ask for directions I feel (esp in Medellin). I loved it. Good food too. Arepas! Yum!

But I think 7 days in Cartagena is a bit long (but not long enough to venture out very far). You could spend a few days up in Tayrona Park where the beach meets the jungle. Very pretty. And there's an indigenous village you could walk to. The park's closest town is Santa Marta which is like 5-6 hours away from Cartagena by car so it may need careful planning (or even look at flights, I remember VivaColombia wasn't bad for national flights). Just use common sense when being out and about. Have fun!
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I just spent some time looking up Tayrona Park. Man, that place looks gorgeous. But I'm afraid it's too remote for my wife and daughter. If I was traveling alone or just with my wife, I would definitely stay on the beach inside the park. But traveling with two ladies, they're going to want A/C and first world comfort. I don't want to deal with them complaining about hiking 3 hours to get to the beach bungalows and dealing with bugs.

Now I'm thinking first 2 days in Cartagena inside the city walls, then flying to Medelin and spending 2 nights there, then flying to Bogota for 2 nights, and flying back to Cartagena for the final night and then fly back to the US. Three cities in 7 days might be kind of tight so I might take out Medelin if it appears that way. The trip isn't until winter holiday so I still have plenty of time to research and make/adjust plans.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,686
10,188
126
tynopik said:
you're certainly . . . dedicated . . . to that malapropism
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vanilla-sachet-small-473-p.jpg
 
purbeast0

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,582
6,424
126
My little brother went there late may and loved it. I have 2 friends there right now.

And my other buddies who went last year said you can order hookers like Dominos pizza. And they even deliver!
 
D

Darwin333

Lifer
Dec 11, 2006
19,946
2,329
126
Definitely sample the local cocaine, might want to leave the hookers out of it if you are traveling with the family.
 
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