I'm from Cartagena, I can say that everything you said is 100% legit I am proud that you guys as tourists can enjoy the good side of the city and share these great experiences
Hey there! Thanks so much for letting us know! It is really awesome to hear from someone from Cartagena that the experiences we had are commonly known about. We still enjoyed our time in the city and would love to go back one day and visit some of the beautiful beaches off the coast!
Bro, I’m from Canada and we are going to Cartagena this week, which club would you recommend to chill? And which private beach would you recommend us to go? Cheers
If I want to go to Colombia and I dont like idiots comming up to me all the time trying to sell me shit than what places in colombia are good for that? Im thinking about medellin but i would also want to visit places close to the ocean
This was very helpful. Most videos I’ve seen about Cartagena are men talking about the partying and women. Your content was more on the level that I’m interested in. I’m going on my first solo trip and I’m excited. I did enjoy your vlog. Thanks!
It's true😂. My chauffeur was doing that on my first trip in 2022, so I did as the native would do. Of course, they can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.
Did you go to Sierra La Popa? That is the best view of Cartagena. DO go to Playa Bocagrande, however once there, take a water taxi to Isla Tierra Bomba, book a hotel for the night and enjoy the beaches there, which are less busy, I would suggest this over going to Playa Blanca, Playa Blanca can be just as busy as Boca Grande and is very touristy , also seeing Cartagena lit up at night from the Island is beautiful. I consider myself Costeno by heritage and spend a lot of time in Cartagena as it is generally my entry point to the country.
Even with the not so great things that happen during your travels, you both seem to have a good time. This shows that it’s not where you travel, it’s who you travel with.
Thank you! We totally agree with you. We are lucky that we both love traveling so much that it really is hard to be in a bad mood, making it easy to find the positives in any situation 😊
We just came back. Last week in August / first week of September. It was extremely hot and only rained once. We were fortunate to be with three native Colombians who spoke and guided us. Thanks for this video
Very good tips for everywhere! I don’t smile, engage, or speak. I act the way I act in the States (East Coast), I don’t talk to strangers or sketchy people.
@@BOULDERGEEK absolutely! Grew up in D.C. in the 80s/90s. Moved down South in High School and was ready to fight everyone who spoke to me that I didn’t know! Lol
I am from a small town in the Midwest. We smile at everyone and say hello. If they say hello back we invite them to our house for coffee or a beer! LOL!
When you're in any city with aggressive street venders, learn to move like a person from NYC. Put on your headphones, turn your music up, go on about your business as if they aren't there, and they aren't a problem.
From what I've learned, many countries take down their flags by sunset because flags are displayed when there's adequate light. It has something to do with flags as a symbol of a country and displaying it in the dark is disrespectful or bad luck or something. I've seen flags being raised at sunrise and taken down by sunset when I visited countries like USA, Greece, France, Philippines, etc... Anyway, me, my family, and my close friends are now making plans to go to Peru after watching your videos. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ah yes, that makes sense! We thought they may have taken it down because of the potential for lightning, but sunset makes sense as well. It is so exciting to hear you are planning a Peru trip and our videos have given you some inspiration! We love hearing when we play a small role in someone's travel plans. Let us know if you have any question as you start planning and we will help as bets we can!
Good video! The city is just beautiful. The weather looks good over there. It's good city to visit. Thank you for sharing. I watch your video from Canada. 🍁
Thank you for this! My friend and I are going to an Air BnB along Bocagrande & we have very little to no Spanish speaking capabilities. We love going out and partying, but it seems we should really try to control ourselves just in case with other videos I’ve seen. Any additional advice on bars, drinking, things to look out for would be great! Thank you for shedding light on the positives of Cartagena as well! 😊 I know a friend of a friend that lives there, so hopefully as a local we can have a great time with him!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Cartagena is a great place and we look forward to going back one day. We don't have too much advice to offer regarding the night life. I think if you stick to touristy areas that would be good and of course make sure you use Uber and confirm the license plate and name before getting in. Enjoy your time in wonderful Cartagena! ☺
Many choices within Centro to suit everyone. I'm not a night club guy so I usually hang out at a place called Donde Fidel (right next to the Hard Rock). Indoor and outdoor seating, great music, cold beer. McCarthy's Irish Pub and The Clock Pub are okay. Use Google Translate. Lots of police within Centro so it's a great place to hang out. I'll be there in July.....can't wait. Enjoy!!
You both were very enthusiastic about Cartagena and your travel adventures. Despite the weather, you made it look like a lot of fun. I was living in Cartagena for six months and I loved every bit of it. Thanks for a great video!😄
Cartagena is beautiful, but I found the vendors make the experience impossible. You cannot enjoy anything when someone is pressuring you (sometimes very aggressively) every two seconds to buy something you don't need or want. It's absolutely exhausting and many of the other tourists I spoke with felt the same way. I have been to many developing countries and it is not like that. First and last time to Cartagena.
the other beaches may be better but they aren't just further out from the city, you have to take boats to get there and then you are stuck there until its time to leave. Its not a quick process. And if you cant stomach waves then dont go because the ride back is definitely a rough scary ride as the waves toss the boast around quite a bit. I have footage lol. Bocagrande and La guito beaches are great and you can easily come and go as you want. The activity on the beach is great for people watching and meeting people. I always meet someone new on the beach in boca and la guito. Its definitely not a terrible beach, I actually recommend it before you go the islands.
I appreciate the video and i think everyone needs to know the info you mentioned in the video. Unfortunately, i didnt see anything that made me say, wow....i really need to go there asap. I like feeling safe walking around at night and i prefer not being hassled by vendors every few steps. Plus, it just doesnt look like there is a lot to see or do. I think the question is: would you go back?
Nice... did you know my Father and his company he workes for, made the ground around "El Laguito".. That was all water and Dutch like to reclaim land from the see. I think I as about 10 years old. We hjad a house in the CastilloGrande.
Great video , thanks. Want to travel to Colombia but people here in America are trying to talk me out of it . Seems that as long as you are careful and don’t go out at night , you should be ok .
Definitely give Colombia a go! We loved exploring and we found the country has way more to offer than we initially expected. Yes a certain degree of caution is needed but that goes for anywhere one travels to (even in North America or Europe). Enjoy your trip!
Best advice is don't stay in the north part of the city.... stay in Bocagrande or in the walled city and you are good!!! The H2 airbnb is my favorite stay
@@nicoleandmico the next day we went on boat trip to Baru Island. We were swimming when suddenly she wrapped her arms and legs around me. I was surprised because Colombianas are "good girls" and I thought I was getting lucky until I realised she couldn't swim and we'd wandered deeper
Nice video, i really liked your energy. A recommendation is that there are many other better beaches in the city very close to centro that doesn’t have street vendors, they are Castillogrande, Marbella, and Crespo
That is so good to know! Thank you for sharing this information in our comments, we love that future viewers can get this information if they pop down to the comment section!
What was your experience with uber? I heard they ask for more money in addition to the uber fare. Is that you experience? As for the aggressive sellers, i was debating skipping Colombia all together but I already picked up some pesos and my first 4 nights are not refundable. My current plan is for a workcation. 4 nights Cartagena, 4 nights using vacation time for Playa Blanca and another 6 nights probably in Cartagena. I heard the sales stuff is just as bad in San Andreas and Santa Marta which was my initial plan.
We had no problems with Uber and took it MANY times. Not once did someone ask us for more and also the app gives you a reminder that the payment is done via the app and no physical payment is necessary. That notification might be in response to what those issues of drivers asking for more. But it never happened to us.
Absolutely do NOT go to Cartagena for 10 days. Its unsufferable tourist trap. These issues hardly exist in the rest of Colombia. Medellin is way better. Santa Marta or Dan Andres are way better for beaches. Uber is fine, do not give additional cash
As much as I wanted to enjoy Cartageña it was too much. Every 5-10 minutes someone is trying to sell you something. Water, a private trip, rappers, oysters, panqueleras etc. It’s too much and it takes away the vibe from such a great city but it’s nonstop. NONSTOP.
Just came back from Cartagena. Great place but a few negative impressions and realities. One:The street vendors can become really annoying. You may be trying to relax or talk to your partner and just can't with the frequent interruptions. Bocagrande beach is good for the beach vibe, not for swimming and again, vendors come out of the sand. I decided to "look at the sunset" in Bocagrande and in a minute I was surrounded by several vendors. For relaxation is better to go to the islands. Two: Cab drivers was a big "keep your fingers crossed" area. In a few occasions our driver started arguing, car to car with other drivers or bikers. Many drove very fast and overly aggressive. I am from NYC, but this was a different level. Traffic, by the way, is very heavy. Three: Shopping. Be fully informed when doing shopping. They will tell you at the stores that you can easily get a refund of the tax imposed. But the process at the airport is cumbersome, illogical, slow and bureaucratic. Make sure you ask in a reliable store or go to the official website to get it right. Allow an additional hour at the airport to go to a little, understaffed window with your receipts and merchandise that must be shown. Yes, you must show the receipts and merchandise.
I usually just stop for coffee and use the bathroom at the cafe. Restaurants, and even some shops like bookstores maybe will have as well. Bars/lounges usually don’t notice if you walk in and head straight to the bathroom. If you are not eating at a restaurant but it is urgent I swear I have asked politely and let in for just the bathroom like 95% of the time. I don’t like public restrooms, being from SF I just think they are disgusting. Museums and hotel lobbies often have bathrooms too.
I learned from a local in Cairo, Egypt. Do not acknowledge the street vendors. There they are even more aggressive, do not engage at all, even though I’m a overly polite person, not even a no gracias is necessary.
Do not walk around with a GoPro or camera filming for you will look like a tourist. We spent a few hours in the city during a cruise stop. I wore a long sleeve Columbia brand sun shirt, khaki shorts and large military style hat with dark wrap sun glass. No one bothered me or my wife who is Spanish with very dark skin. WE blended in.
When I met my now wife from Colombia, I traveled to meet her from USA to Bucaramanga. I immediately fell in love with the city before falling in love with her lol Street vendors.... She would tell me, just ignore them... If you say "no gracias", they will insist.
also dont forget the african roots behind the women with fruits. Its not just a photo opp. They have a meaning and reason behind it. I hope you guys do some research into what they represent and overwhelming african influence in colombian culture that even in this video you are totally surrounded by.
The thing is with the ladies in the colorful dress and everything else , you need to ask how much will it cost because nothing is free in a developing country.
Just came back from Cartegena and I'd say the vendors are just a notch down from the Jamaican vendors. Lol. And I had to keep reminding my mom to not engage with the rappers! We're like, stop dancing!!
Haha yeah those rappers can be pretty intense! But yes we agree that sometimes their tunes can be a little too catchy haha Hope you enjoyed your time in Colombia!
I just rap back to the rappers and then hold my hand out hahaha, actually alot of them are cool guys just trying to make a living like everyone else, just give them $2 and appreciate their efforts and stop being such tight asses . Youd be doing everything you could to make a living aswell if you were in there shoes. Biggest thing about being in another country is having locals as friends
I dont recommend Colombia if any of you are thinking of going. It was exhausting going to a country where you have to watch your back constantly. I just came back last week and not gonna lie it was probably the worst country I have been to because i could never really relax. food was not worth it either. no seasoning or chiles/pepper. not going back and i don't recommend it. There are better countries in South America with better food and less scams. I recommend Peru and Guyana. both were amazing. Colombia really turned me off. I actually shortened my trip because the food was so tasteless and the people scam too much. I travel solo as a female fyi.
We disagree! Colombia is a fantastic country to visit. Yes you have to be self aware, especially as a tourist but the same can be said in a lot of places around South America. Overall we found the landscapes beautiful, the people are genuinely kind and helpful, and the food was to die for. If you didn't enjoy the food then I recommend joining a food tour next time, they might be able to point you to some great locals eats. Food is 100% the best way to get to know a culture :)
Cartagena is an overrated city, even Colombians are not going to that city because of the problem of the number of street vendors that harass tourists and the high prices, the island of San Andrés and Providencia is better.
What a limited perspective! You missed the essence of Cartagena entirely. Perhaps Disneyland would have been a better fit for you. Cartagena-and all of Colombia-is brimming with rich culture, history, artists and vibrant music, with so much to explore for those who truly appreciate it. If you're unwilling to invest in the experience, maybe staying home is best-Cartagena deserves visitors who value its unique character, not a cheap bargain seekers.
I'm from Cartagena, I can say that everything you said is 100% legit
I am proud that you guys as tourists can enjoy the good side of the city and share these great experiences
Hey there! Thanks so much for letting us know! It is really awesome to hear from someone from Cartagena that the experiences we had are commonly known about. We still enjoyed our time in the city and would love to go back one day and visit some of the beautiful beaches off the coast!
Bro, I’m from Canada and we are going to Cartagena this week, which club would you recommend to chill? And which private beach would you recommend us to go?
Cheers
@@armenstaubach9276 go to Bocagrande and take a water taxi to Tierra Bomba, rent a hotel, and stay the night.
If I want to go to Colombia and I dont like idiots comming up to me all the time trying to sell me shit than what places in colombia are good for that? Im thinking about medellin but i would also want to visit places close to the ocean
Maybe Santa Marta. I did see rappers, but the vendors were not chill.@@benrun216
This was very helpful. Most videos I’ve seen about Cartagena are men talking about the partying and women. Your content was more on the level that I’m interested in. I’m going on my first solo trip and I’m excited. I did enjoy your vlog. Thanks!
We went to Isle Baru and it was the most beautiful beach especially the warm blue clear waters. It’s worth the trip. Thanks for the video
So cool! Thanks for the rec!
The best way to say no to vendors is to smile, say "gracias!" and then walk away or ignore them.
Who is hugo unruh? Hyatt?
It's true😂. My chauffeur was doing that on my first trip in 2022, so I did as the native would do. Of course, they can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.
Did you go to Sierra La Popa? That is the best view of Cartagena. DO go to Playa Bocagrande, however once there, take a water taxi to Isla Tierra Bomba, book a hotel for the night and enjoy the beaches there, which are less busy, I would suggest this over going to Playa Blanca, Playa Blanca can be just as busy as Boca Grande and is very touristy , also seeing Cartagena lit up at night from the Island is beautiful. I consider myself Costeno by heritage and spend a lot of time in Cartagena as it is generally my entry point to the country.
I agree the Sierra del Popa has a beautiful view of Cartagena and the cathedral is amazing
Playa Castillo is one of the best, only a 10 minute walk from Bocagrande.
I spend 3 months every winter in one of those beachfront towers.
Even with the not so great things that happen during your travels, you both seem to have a good time. This shows that it’s not where you travel, it’s who you travel with.
Thank you! We totally agree with you. We are lucky that we both love traveling so much that it really is hard to be in a bad mood, making it easy to find the positives in any situation 😊
So true!
We just came back. Last week in August / first week of September. It was extremely hot and only rained once. We were fortunate to be with three native Colombians who spoke and guided us. Thanks for this video
Very good tips for everywhere! I don’t smile, engage, or speak. I act the way I act in the States (East Coast), I don’t talk to strangers or sketchy people.
Haha that's a good way to put it 😋
Can confirm. From near Philly with lots of time in NY, NJ, DC. My default business/travel face is nonverbal "Da fuq you lookin' at?"
@@BOULDERGEEK absolutely! Grew up in D.C. in the 80s/90s. Moved down South in High School and was ready to fight everyone who spoke to me that I didn’t know! Lol
I am from a small town in the Midwest. We smile at everyone and say hello. If they say hello back we invite them to our house for coffee or a beer! LOL!
Thanks for the overview
You can’t get rainbows 🌈 without the rain ☔️ 😊
I'm going mid September i really enjoyed this video a lot! Thanks for the tips!!
Such a great video!! We always try to become aware of the scams in the places we’re visiting, so thank you for helping us get there with Cartagena 😊
For sure! Thanks for continuing to follow along guys 😊
@@nicoleandmico of course!! You guys are incredible!
When you're in any city with aggressive street venders, learn to move like a person from NYC. Put on your headphones, turn your music up, go on about your business as if they aren't there, and they aren't a problem.
Even in London ....
We went to Cartagena last year. Had a spectacular time. The rappers were the only issue for us.
It is a great spot! But yes, those rappers can be a bit tricky
Thanks guys ❤
From what I've learned, many countries take down their flags by sunset because flags are displayed when there's adequate light. It has something to do with flags as a symbol of a country and displaying it in the dark is disrespectful or bad luck or something.
I've seen flags being raised at sunrise and taken down by sunset when I visited countries like USA, Greece, France, Philippines, etc...
Anyway, me, my family, and my close friends are now making plans to go to Peru after watching your videos. Thanks for the inspiration!
Ah yes, that makes sense! We thought they may have taken it down because of the potential for lightning, but sunset makes sense as well. It is so exciting to hear you are planning a Peru trip and our videos have given you some inspiration! We love hearing when we play a small role in someone's travel plans. Let us know if you have any question as you start planning and we will help as bets we can!
cute video ty for sharing talk about having fun under the rain lol you made the best of it
Glad you enjoyed it! We try to make sure a little rain doesn’t stop the fun of travel 😝
I love these kind of videos too. helps not make the same mistakes.
We are so glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the tips. We will be there in December. Travel well!
Enjoy your trip!!
Correction Santo Domingo in the Caribbean was the first city colonized in the americas and the first capital
Was a great video, thanks guys.. I’m going there this week, hopefully I’ll enjoy it like you guys
Good video! The city is just beautiful. The weather looks good over there. It's good city to visit. Thank you for sharing. I watch your video from Canada. 🍁
Thanks for watching! It's great to find fellow Canadians here 😀🍁
Very little rain in winter. I got 3 rain days last winter through January-March.
Vendors are like crazy here! And I can't stand that, they are killing the vibe 😂
BRAVO NICOLE AND MICO votre vidéo est très instructive un GROS MERCI pour ces bons renseignements !!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for this! My friend and I are going to an Air BnB along Bocagrande & we have very little to no Spanish speaking capabilities. We love going out and partying, but it seems we should really try to control ourselves just in case with other videos I’ve seen.
Any additional advice on bars, drinking, things to look out for would be great! Thank you for shedding light on the positives of Cartagena as well! 😊 I know a friend of a friend that lives there, so hopefully as a local we can have a great time with him!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Cartagena is a great place and we look forward to going back one day. We don't have too much advice to offer regarding the night life. I think if you stick to touristy areas that would be good and of course make sure you use Uber and confirm the license plate and name before getting in. Enjoy your time in wonderful Cartagena! ☺
Many choices within Centro to suit everyone. I'm not a night club guy so I usually hang out at a place called Donde Fidel (right next to the Hard Rock). Indoor and outdoor seating, great music, cold beer. McCarthy's Irish Pub and The Clock Pub are okay. Use Google Translate. Lots of police within Centro so it's a great place to hang out. I'll be there in July.....can't wait.
Enjoy!!
Thank you, the best video I have ever seen till now. Loved you both♥
Glad you enjoyed it!
Here atm, fantastic vlog!
Thanks!
Thanks for the tips, they help a lot 👍
Our pleasure! Enjoy your trip!
You both were very enthusiastic about Cartagena and your travel adventures. Despite the weather, you made it look like a lot of fun. I was living in Cartagena for six months and I loved every bit of it. Thanks for a great video!😄
Our pleasure!
@@nicoleandmico Where is the next destination? Or are you there now??
Cartagena is beautiful, but I found the vendors make the experience impossible. You cannot enjoy anything when someone is pressuring you (sometimes very aggressively) every two seconds to buy something you don't need or want. It's absolutely exhausting and many of the other tourists I spoke with felt the same way. I have been to many developing countries and it is not like that. First and last time to Cartagena.
Exactly. I live in Colombia and won't go.
My exact experience.
Also, trash everywhere.
Amazing video.
Loved your good vibes in "travellers daily real life". Keep going.
Thanks so much!
Bonito lugar con sus murallas y sus calles coloniales. Muy bueno su canal.
Great tips and advice!
the other beaches may be better but they aren't just further out from the city, you have to take boats to get there and then you are stuck there until its time to leave. Its not a quick process. And if you cant stomach waves then dont go because the ride back is definitely a rough scary ride as the waves toss the boast around quite a bit. I have footage lol. Bocagrande and La guito beaches are great and you can easily come and go as you want. The activity on the beach is great for people watching and meeting people. I always meet someone new on the beach in boca and la guito. Its definitely not a terrible beach, I actually recommend it before you go the islands.
I really appreciate this advice!
Great video! I want to go there for three weeks in February
Have fun!
I appreciate the video and i think everyone needs to know the info you mentioned in the video. Unfortunately, i didnt see anything that made me say, wow....i really need to go there asap. I like feeling safe walking around at night and i prefer not being hassled by vendors every few steps. Plus, it just doesnt look like there is a lot to see or do. I think the question is: would you go back?
Santo Domingo the oldest Spanish city in the America's, 1496 AD
Nice... did you know my Father and his company he workes for, made the ground around "El Laguito".. That was all water and Dutch like to reclaim land from the see.
I think I as about 10 years old.
We hjad a house in the CastilloGrande.
Great video , thanks. Want to travel to Colombia but people here in America are trying to talk me out of it . Seems that as long as you are careful and don’t go out at night , you should be ok .
Maybe u shoukd stop listening to people in the US. Live life and make your own decisions, im going next month for the first time
Definitely give Colombia a go! We loved exploring and we found the country has way more to offer than we initially expected. Yes a certain degree of caution is needed but that goes for anywhere one travels to (even in North America or Europe). Enjoy your trip!
yall are soo cute
hope to meet you guys sometime on the road
Thank you!
Welcome to Colombia, the most beautiful country in the world
Lady, your giggly smile makes you an automatic target to vendors
Nice to see a married couple traveling together 😁
Yes 😊
What month did you go to Cartagena?
Nice video!! May I know which month you guys went there? Do you know if mid-November is usually still rainy?
Good to see that likely it won't be a sun holiday but rain holiday with a beach 😂
Best advice is don't stay in the north part of the city.... stay in Bocagrande or in the walled city and you are good!!!
The H2 airbnb is my favorite stay
I ❤ Cartagena so much but the heat was too much for me and a tourist got mugged outside my hotel at night unfortunately
Ran into the massage lady and her sister this weekend 😂😂😂
What month did you go?
I’m a bit worried about rain! What month did you visit?
We were there in August 😀
Well everything you say is normal i go to jamaica every year in jamaica they clean your car window. Its just really depends on who you are
They clean your windows in Denver 😂
Can you bring alkohol on board or liquids on each stop?
Cafe del Mar is absolutely amazing... However it is no longer there due to a law suit it has been closed down... Hopefully it will be back soon
Thanks for the tips. But brotha? You took sand to the beach? Cmon!
Amazing video
St. Augustine, Florida was the first city established in the Americas.
My wife and I met on a "Chiva Tour" in Cartagena. I hated the street sellers there
No way! What a great place to meet. That makes for a great story :)
@@nicoleandmico the next day we went on boat trip to Baru Island. We were swimming when suddenly she wrapped her arms and legs around me. I was surprised because Colombianas are "good girls" and I thought I was getting lucky until I realised she couldn't swim and we'd wandered deeper
Haha sounds like you are luckily a good swimmer if you kept both of you afloat
@@MadDogAdventures this was hilarious. You thought she was flirting, but she was drowning instead😂. What a great "How I met Your Mother" story . ❤️
@@19GENESE13 yes. It was the beginning of a happy marriage
Great video. What month did you all travel to Cartagena? Wondering about the rain.
We went in August! Hope you had better luck with weather than we did!
Nice video, i really liked your energy. A recommendation is that there are many other better beaches in the city very close to centro that doesn’t have street vendors, they are Castillogrande, Marbella, and Crespo
That is so good to know! Thank you for sharing this information in our comments, we love that future viewers can get this information if they pop down to the comment section!
Thx for the info 😊
Which is the safest area?
i have a solo trip in 2 weeks . airbnb in bocagrande. im from tennessee. think its still pretty safe for an american?
How was it?
@@BigPerm671 i dont recommend it for solo travel. pretty sketchy at night but during the day it was awesome
What was your experience with uber? I heard they ask for more money in addition to the uber fare. Is that you experience? As for the aggressive sellers, i was debating skipping Colombia all together but I already picked up some pesos and my first 4 nights are not refundable. My current plan is for a workcation. 4 nights Cartagena, 4 nights using vacation time for Playa Blanca and another 6 nights probably in Cartagena. I heard the sales stuff is just as bad in San Andreas and Santa Marta which was my initial plan.
We had no problems with Uber and took it MANY times. Not once did someone ask us for more and also the app gives you a reminder that the payment is done via the app and no physical payment is necessary. That notification might be in response to what those issues of drivers asking for more. But it never happened to us.
Absolutely do NOT go to Cartagena for 10 days. Its unsufferable tourist trap. These issues hardly exist in the rest of Colombia. Medellin is way better. Santa Marta or Dan Andres are way better for beaches. Uber is fine, do not give additional cash
@@paulg6274 you are right about that. I ended up 4 nights Cartagena, 7 nights San Andres then another 2 Cartagena. 2 was more than enough.
My tip (for a photo with the lady) was 2,000 (50 cents)! She actually showed me a cardboard sign that said tips were optional.
Going to Colombia in 2 weeks with my Colombian bf and meeting his family 😊
As much as I wanted to enjoy Cartageña it was too much. Every 5-10 minutes someone is trying to sell you something. Water, a private trip, rappers, oysters, panqueleras etc. It’s too much and it takes away the vibe from such a great city but it’s nonstop. NONSTOP.
7:30 recomiendo ir a Marbella o a Crespo, las playas tienen menos gente xd
Just came back from Cartagena. Great place but a few negative impressions and realities.
One:The street vendors can become really annoying. You may be trying to relax or talk to your partner and just can't with the frequent interruptions. Bocagrande beach is good for the beach vibe, not for swimming and again, vendors come out of the sand. I decided to "look at the sunset" in Bocagrande and in a minute I was surrounded by several vendors. For relaxation is better to go to the islands.
Two: Cab drivers was a big "keep your fingers crossed" area. In a few occasions our driver started arguing, car to car with other drivers or bikers. Many drove very fast and overly aggressive. I am from NYC, but this was a different level. Traffic, by the way, is very heavy.
Three: Shopping. Be fully informed when doing shopping. They will tell you at the stores that you can easily get a refund of the tax imposed. But the process at the airport is cumbersome, illogical, slow and bureaucratic. Make sure you ask in a reliable store or go to the official website to get it right. Allow an additional hour at the airport to go to a little, understaffed window with your receipts and merchandise that must be shown. Yes, you must show the receipts and merchandise.
How did you guys get from Medellin to Cartagena? Did you bus it or fly?
We bussed to Salento first and then flew from Armenia (town near Salento) to Cartagena. I hope this helps!
I’ve read it’s very difficult to find restrooms. Did you find this was true?
I usually just stop for coffee and use the bathroom at the cafe. Restaurants, and even some shops like bookstores maybe will have as well. Bars/lounges usually don’t notice if you walk in and head straight to the bathroom. If you are not eating at a restaurant but it is urgent I swear I have asked politely and let in for just the bathroom like 95% of the time. I don’t like public restrooms, being from SF I just think they are disgusting. Museums and hotel lobbies often have bathrooms too.
@@kimvictoriaanderson9516 SF public toilets are indeed disgusting, as they are in probably most places in the world
Nicely filmed tour!
Thanks so much!
I learned from a local in Cairo, Egypt. Do not acknowledge the street vendors. There they are even more aggressive, do not engage at all, even though I’m a overly polite person, not even a no gracias is necessary.
Do not walk around with a GoPro or camera filming for you will look like a tourist. We spent a few hours in the city during a cruise stop. I wore a long sleeve Columbia brand sun shirt, khaki shorts and large military style hat with dark wrap sun glass. No one bothered me or my wife who is Spanish with very dark skin. WE blended in.
In our experience I think they still know who's a tourist 😅
Yall are such a cute couple ❤. Thanks for the tips
it looks just like San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Old San Juan, at in Old San Juan, no one is harassing you to buy stuff
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When I met my now wife from Colombia, I traveled to meet her from USA to Bucaramanga. I immediately fell in love with the city before falling in love with her lol
Street vendors.... She would tell me, just ignore them... If you say "no gracias", they will insist.
Well I have bought from some of those guys too anyhow 🙂
you're wrong. the first city founded by spaniards was Santa María de la Antigua del Darién. and the first city independent from spain was caracas.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm going to guess that Mico is a Scorpio and Nicole is a Leo.
Hahaha we are both Pisces 😄
La Isabela, then Santo Domingo were the first cities colonized in the Americas.
also dont forget the african roots behind the women with fruits. Its not just a photo opp. They have a meaning and reason behind it. I hope you guys do some research into what they represent and overwhelming african influence in colombian culture that even in this video you are totally surrounded by.
The thing is with the ladies in the colorful dress and everything else , you need to ask how much will it cost because nothing is free in a developing country.
Yes, definitely!
Just came back from Cartegena and I'd say the vendors are just a notch down from the Jamaican vendors. Lol. And I had to keep reminding my mom to not engage with the rappers! We're like, stop dancing!!
Haha yeah those rappers can be pretty intense! But yes we agree that sometimes their tunes can be a little too catchy haha Hope you enjoyed your time in Colombia!
Are you Filipino?
Mico is Filipino :)
I had a fun time......but I won't be going back. Too many hustlers ruin the place, and too many scammers in general.
There really are a lot of scams!
I’m going next week. You don’t have to be vaccinated right? I’m not
How was it?
I’m going next week..
@@adrenalineadrian4166How was it?
❤🎉🎉
I just rap back to the rappers and then hold my hand out hahaha, actually alot of them are cool guys just trying to make a living like everyone else, just give them $2 and appreciate their efforts and stop being such tight asses .
Youd be doing everything you could to make a living aswell if you were in there shoes.
Biggest thing about being in another country is having locals as friends
Yes we always like to give to but it’s not fun when it’s forced on you all the time 😫
😂😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I dont recommend Colombia if any of you are thinking of going. It was exhausting going to a country where you have to watch your back constantly. I just came back last week and not gonna lie it was probably the worst country I have been to because i could never really relax. food was not worth it either. no seasoning or chiles/pepper. not going back and i don't recommend it. There are better countries in South America with better food and less scams. I recommend Peru and Guyana. both were amazing. Colombia really turned me off. I actually shortened my trip because the food was so tasteless and the people scam too much. I travel solo as a female fyi.
We disagree! Colombia is a fantastic country to visit. Yes you have to be self aware, especially as a tourist but the same can be said in a lot of places around South America. Overall we found the landscapes beautiful, the people are genuinely kind and helpful, and the food was to die for. If you didn't enjoy the food then I recommend joining a food tour next time, they might be able to point you to some great locals eats. Food is 100% the best way to get to know a culture :)
I'm from New York and you guys look like two people I would approach. Sorry! I can promise you they would ignore me. 😄
Cartagena is an overrated city, even Colombians are not going to that city because of the problem of the number of street vendors that harass tourists and the high prices, the island of San Andrés and Providencia is better.
We would have loved to visit Providencia! It is definitely on our bucket list!
You're overrated
I think you HIT a HOLIDAY MONDAY 🤣🤣
That probably explains it 😂😂😂
What a limited perspective! You missed the essence of Cartagena entirely. Perhaps Disneyland would have been a better fit for you. Cartagena-and all of Colombia-is brimming with rich culture, history, artists and vibrant music, with so much to explore for those who truly appreciate it. If you're unwilling to invest in the experience, maybe staying home is best-Cartagena deserves visitors who value its unique character, not a cheap bargain seekers.
💯😘🤗🍀
This dude brought sand to the beach…. Specially not so good sand lol
They are chocuanos from Venezuela, not even colombians
SONRIE JESUS TE AMA , Que el no naciere de nuevo no puede ver el reino de Dios Juan 3-3