Travel to Cartagena on a budget
An easy and economical guide especially like giving a little vacation in one of the Paradise and historical destinations in Colombia.
Playa Blanca Baru
I realize that may be located several countries, provided that the prices here are in dollars, so that they can get an idea of what is going to spend.
A trip to Colombia from my country (Peru) runs about $ 600 normally sometimes a little less personally entire trip cost me, quite apart from the ticket $ 250, and this SoBro me some bucks to get me some souvenirs.Aqui I relatare them my story, the good and the bad and the ugly of Cartagena.
I start to tell them that Cartagena is a destination which does not recommend staying more than 3 days, or perhaps another day, --- why? Because everything is attractive in terms of historical monuments can be seen in one day, and if you are patient in two, and a third day to go to the white beach Baru, now if you are someone who loves history or the beach, you can choose to stay more days, even white beach.
Cartagena Airport
Cartagena has a fairly large and comfortable airport, check out everything that is done at the airport, pick up your bags and leaving you head towards the left where you roll a ticket to take a taxi, which is fine with me (in my country there is that), the ticket you get only specifies what you have to pay the taxi, obviously this in Colombian pesos ($ 1 = 2000 COP approx.) and you take the taxi you are entering in a row, the driver already knows is governed according to the price specified on the ticket, in my case the passage cost me $ 5 (10000COP) to Gethsemane, taxi drivers are reliable, all or nearly all in association.
Climate
For those who have traveled to the jungle tropical humidity, they can get an idea of how is the weather, that is very hot, combined with high humidity, these together it becomes a little warm weather if you are not accustomed and take a few days to adapt, it makes this shower is a moment of great relaxation.
Hotels
Because my budget was reduced got a page which recommend (www.booking.com) a place in a hostel where basically charged me $ 12.5 night, but the hostel was unaware of my booking because they no longer administered by the link had on that page, they offered me a room for the same price which book, so I chose to book the room for 3 days to see as was the service, the hostel in question was called Phantom, because my trip was for a special event, just wanted the room to sleep and nothing more, I recommend this place if you're not interested many amenities, the bathroom is shared but clean, there is a kitchen for guests who do not seem to be in good condition, but never use it. My room had a cabin with two beds, a fan and nothing else, put my things on the shelf above manner mattress, and the fan did not help much the first day, no security because the door had no key or insurance or safe, although I never lose a dollar, if they carry valuable things maybe this hostel is not recommended.
In the same area there are many other hotels to stay more, but the place gives the appearance of being unsafe, no security in much of the night in www.booking.com can check hotel features and prices this good area is that there are many amenities close as internet, shopping, dining at a relatively comfortable price, plus the walled city is only 3 blocks or 10 minutes, at the hotel may ask how visit all the historical attractions of the city.
Another place where rent is Bocagrande hotels that say it is something like the modern side of Cartagena, where obviously the hotels are expensive, and of course these have air conditioning and more services.
I recommend reviewing booking page to give you an idea.
Beaches
This is a critical point, I do not recommend going to the beach of Bocagrande, it's like any other ordinary beach can go to learn, but must be ready to hand fed NO as there are sellers who almost want you to force you to buy their things ridiculously exorbitant prices, the beach to visit is white beach Baru is reached by land or by sea, if they go by sea as the tour price is $ 20 round trip included lunch, not only take you to Playa Blanca but the Rosario Islands where you can swim in the reef for an extra $ 13 or visit the oceanarium by also $ 13, where there is a dolphin show, departures are at 9 am approx until 4pm the boat is back in White Beach Baru there are these scammers selling well not to ignore them, especially those who sell oysters, for an idea of the scam den, two oyster will sell for $ 15, so with shrimp, to My they cheated me and bitter day in Bocagrande, why not bother to listen to them.
In white beach you can also stay in huts that serve as accommodations, those prices also are at booking, what I recommend is to take the necessary, because the prices are exorbitant Baru.
Where to eat?
In Gethsemane, the Phantom or house hostel iguana it is close too, that area there are restaurants with comfortable prices to $ 3.5 relativamentes each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) as elsewhere prices are about $ 6.
The good, the beaches and the environment that offers Cartagena
The bad, the weather which delays getting used to, even worse if as never dealt with a similar climate, if you get a hotel with air conditioning this problem is resolved.
Megafeo ugly and traders are scammers out there on the beaches, so always be careful with these ladies, since virtually steal in a subtle way.
Well guys that was my experience in Cartagena, I recommend visiting the walled city, it's free and in many places, and if they want to change dollars, inside there are also several exchanges, I hope this short review will be of help if you plan to travel to Cartagena with pockets not so full.
