Comments on: Discover Cartagena, Colombia

By: Andi

Andi — Sun, 07 Mar 2024 15:46:02 +0000

I loved Colombia, I just wish that I would have been able to visit Cartagena--especially now after reading your post. Too bad about the seasickness. Maybe try ginger next time? .-= Andi´s last blog ..Brasil: Day 6 =-.

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 07 Mar 2024 14:44:17 +0000

I love that first photo of the skyline — beautiful! It must have been so good to see that and know that the seasickness was almost over.

.-= Jess´s last blog ..Snapshot: Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang =-.

By: Mankinimalph

Mankinimalph — Fri, 05 Mar 2024 11:34:28 +0000

I’d say a head torch on Playa Blanca is also vital as only a couple of places have generators and they go off at 9pm!

Glad you had a good time at Casa Viena. They were nice enough and had a decent book exchange (for hostels in Colombia), but we met a few other people with similar experiences back in June last year.

Horses for courses as they say!
.-= Mankinimalph´s last blog ..Borat’s Mankini Swimsuit a Hit in Japan =-.

By: Aly

Aly — Thu, 04 Mar 2024 15:36:38 +0000

We loved Cartagena, ended up spending three months living there. We found a hostel on the other side of Calle Media Luna called Casa Valda. It's a very homey place with private baths and a large communal kitchen. The girls who run it are generally pretty sweet and you can negotiate pretty heavily as it's not as well known as Casa Vienna. During the off-season if you plan to stay longer than a few weeks then renting a furnished apartment might be the way to go. On off-season most of the buildings you see in town are vacant, and prices drop 60-80%. Cheers! .-= Aly´s last blog ..Traveling Couples: Are We Insane? The Survival Guide =-.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 04 Mar 2024 14:48:09 +0000

Mankinimalph, thanks for the information! We had a good experience and fan at Casa Viena, but more alternatives are great for our readers. Thanks for adding them. If you do take the hammock at Playa Blanca, just be sure to bring lots of mosquito repellent. And yes, I forgot to mention the DJ and ridiculously loud music played on the big slow boats.

By: Mankinimalph

Mankinimalph — Thu, 04 Mar 2024 14:35:56 +0000

Good tips re the boat, I got caught on the slow one which also has a deafening MC. You can stay in a hammock on Playa Blanca for about $5 a night too (further to the left of the beach as you look at it is cheaper and quieter).

Wouldn’t recommend Casa Viena though. It’s cramped and v hot, also usually full. I’d go to Hotel San Roque (on Calle Media Luna and offers privates for cheaper than Casa Viena with private bathroom, TV and great fans) or Media Luna Art Factory (new hostel – bit more expensive but nice).
.-= Mankinimalph´s last blog ..Borat’s Mankini Swimsuit a Hit in Japan =-.