There is a lame touristic map of the Old city and Getsemani. The kind of maps you find in your travel guides.
If you cant see it good enough, try downloading it, or as soon as you get here, acquire one in any of the touristic cabins. There is one right next to the clock tower, and another in the San Pedro Claver plaza.

Ábaco Librería café.

I know I said I was focusing on writing about Gethsemane, that it is better, Blah blah blah... My favourite coffee Shop in all Cartagena, of which I was wanting to write so long ago, where lots of writers, actors and illustrated ones join together to depart wise chats and breathe in this knowledge ambiance. But don't worry. You don't have to be a professor to be there. With $3000 COP You'll be able to have a good quality cup of coffee, or with a few thousand more, a glass of wine, in order to sublimate with your co-visitors. If the lady I saw last time still works there, service will be warm and appealing  She is a love. Among many qualities, customer service is a strong point.

This jewel is located two blocks from the Cartagena university, and same distance from Santo Domingo Square. Its walls are covered with books, all of them available and with reasonable prices, and there is a shelf dedicated to those good English readers who accidentally forgot their book at the hostel/hotel/airport/taxi.


They have several mentions On-line, beside their webpage, http://www.abacolibros.com and their own selection of jazz, both on-line and continuously played at the coffee shop. The place is especially crowded for the HAY festival, with special guests, lectures and autograph signing.

Check this out: http://www.elheraldo.co/tendencias/charlie-sheen-de-vacaciones-en-cartagena-47689

First couple of reviews.

Locombia And Carretera 25

In the very corner of Media Luna and San Roque Street, you'll find two fine Coffee bars, with breakfast service, both. We have Locombia, which is a warm and very local ambiance (I love that word... "ambiance")

with lots of colourful portraits, nice staff and good food. It is focused mainly on beverages, but you can ask for  some good sandwiches or pita  Good quality coffee and an amazing breeze. What I like the most about this places is how you pay exactly for what you see, drink or eat. Of course, there are some exceptions  but they aren't at plain sight. Unfortunately  there aren't much places on-line about this Coffee bar, and the only one i found about it (there are probably more, but they happened to be harder to find) is this: http://www.degusta.com.co/restaurante/cartagena/locombia_2398.html

Locombia is focused mainly on breakfasts, and the schedule is quite abbreviated. even thought, if you are staying nearby, could be a good option.

On the other hand, we have this nice place called Carretera 25, right next to the first one. It has a few months old, maybe over a year already, and the last thing i remember, is that the owner, or the manager, is a beautiful lady from Argentina (or Italy... not sure) the place is wide and comfortable, smoothly decorated, and with an A/C area, which is a nice touch in this hot city. Prices are fine, but there was a  "but" with the food. When I went, Coffee was great, but my pancakes where not as great as they seemed. Maybe Im used to more Toppings, additives... Anyway. Great option, too, anyway.

Coffee: 2000
Pancakes: 7000
prices given in COP

Getsemaní

Cartagena, better known for it's walled city, Bocagrande Beach and the surrounding islands, left aside for many years the attractive and warm ambiance of Gethsemane  Only a few years ago, this area woke up to the world. I myself find it fascinating, with its tens of restaurants, hotels, hostels  coffee bars, and anything else you could want.

Actually, I like it so much that in the following entrances of this blog I'll focus on this place. Is located only five minutes walking from the walled city (in a map you can find it right next to it) and is composed of lots of small streets, each one with a particular name. Dont be afraid if you get there right from the airport or the bus station and you still don't have  a place where to spend the night. There are SO MANY options!

If you're lost, ask for the Media Luna street. In it, you'll find most of the commerce, inns and food places. A bit of a tip: Is not dangerous, but neither the safest place on earth. Don't be surprised if you find a few prostitutes, or someone offers you "strong smokes", or "relaxing trips". I just thought you should know. 

And, before i cut this entrance, don't forget, by any chance, to visit the Trinidad Plaza (plaza de la trinidad) in the nigh time. You'll find an interesting and completely different place as what it was in the daytime. Can you see the picture next to this text? Compare it to what you will see at night.

Primer destino probable, Centro histórico, (parte 1).

 La zona histórica, también llamada Ciudad Amurallada, Corralito de piedra, Centro histórico; es con seguridad el lugar obligatorio para visitar en Cartagena. Primero, porque es paso obligatorio para llegar desde el aeropuerto a Zonas como Bocagrande (zona hotelera, comercial y con playas populares) Manga, y El Fuerte de San Felipe. Además, El Centro en si tiene una atractiva lista de restaurantes, bares, tiendas de artesanías. Ademas que reúne la mayor parte de las actividades culturales, teatrales y musicales de la ciudad. En ella también encontraran una gran diversidad de lugares donde pasar la noche, desde los económicos Hostales, con sus "dormitorios", hasta lujosas casas hotel y hoteles Boutique. En entradas posteriores analizaremos a detalle las diferentes opciones que pueden encontrarse allí, desde el punto de vista de un visitante. 

Siguiendo la linea que deseaba llevar, desde el punto de vista de un Visitante que llegue al aeropuerto y quiera llegar a esta zona del centro, (la que se ve en las fotos: Zona comprendida entre la "torre del Reloj" y "el Camellón de los Mártires") siempre existirá la opción de tomar un taxi. este cobrará dentro del rango de los $7000 COP y $8000 COP. Si logra negociar por menos, felicítese, y si le cobran mas...siga practicando. Considerar el Centro como primera opción para conseguir hospedaje siempre será una opción viable. Hay opciones mas económicas, pero sigue siendo una muy buena elección.

Hola de nuevo!


Queremos iniciar con esta entrada de la misma forma en que entran al país: Por el aeropuerto (puede que también piensen entrar por tierra, para lo cual haremos un análisis posteriormente). 

OPAIN-  "primeros diseños de lo que sería Eldorado en 2012"

Para llegar a Cartagena, si vienen del exterior, es muy probable que tengan que pasar por uno o dos aeropuertos, ya estando en Colombia. El primero puede que sea el de Bogotá. Este aeropuerto, llamado "Aeropuerto internacional El Dorado" (aunque ahora legalmente se conoce como "Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento") *, el cual es uno de los aeropuertos mas grandes y virtualmente organizados del país, y que ademas esta siendo ampliado, es agradable a la vista, para pasar un rato tranquilo ya sea entre vuelos o esperando a alguien. no nos centraremos mucho en este, porque quisiéramos profundizarlo posteriormente. A pesar de eso, compartimos con los lectores una foto de lo que se proyecta será el Aeropuerto El Dorado después de la ampliación.

La siguiente y ultima parada en el viaje de ida (ingreseaquísuciudad-Cartagena) es el aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Nuñez. También esta en ampliación, que resulta ser bastante incomodo porque de por si es pequeño, y ahora las ampliaciones lo hacen aun mas reducido a la vista. En este desafortunado momento para esta terminal aérea, lo único que motiva es a llegar rápidamente al hotel/hostal/casa/taxi. Lo que se ve en la foto es solo una parte de las reparaciones llevadas a cabo.

En este aeropuerto solo hay 3 Cafeterías/restaurante. unas pocas tiendas de regalos, Cajeros automáticos suficientes, y el flujo de personas es suave, lo que hace mas llevadera la espera. Si lo que desea es irse inmediatamente para su destino dentro de la ciudad, y espera abordar un taxi, tiene dos opciones: 1) Tomarlo a la salida del aeropuerto, los cuales serán mucho mas seguros, y la espera será inferior, pero los precios serán superiores, como es de esperarse. Por ejemplo, una carrera hasta el centro puede ser cobrada, dentro del aeropuerto, desde $9000, dependiendo lo afortunados que se sientan los conductores. Una carrera a Bocagrande estará, siguiendo esta misma linea, desde $10000 pesos. La recomendación en este punto es: siempre NEGOCIE el precio antes de subirse al taxi, para no llevarse sorpresas.

2) Salir del aeropuerto, es decir, caminar una cuadra hacia el Occidente geográfico. Allí los taxis serán mas abundantes, por lo tanto tendrán la disposición, (y lo sentirán hasta como una obligación) de cobrar menos que adentro del aeropuerto. Y repito: NEGOCIE el precio ANTES de subirse.

Si tienen alguna pregunta, duda, inquietud o comentario no duden en hacerlo saber, y responderemos de la forma mas diligente posible.






Hello Again!


We'd like to start this entry the same way you get into the country: trhough the airport (you may also be planning on travelling thru land-means, but we'll be analysing this in a further publication).
If u come from outside of the country, it is very likely that you have to land first in Bogotá. whose name is "Aeropuerto internacional El Dorado" (although now is legally known as "Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento") Which is one of the largest and well-organized airports of the country. It is also being expanded, and if now is pleasant to sight, is nice to hang out there, even if you have to wait between flights, you will have plenty of options inside there. We'll be considering this airport thoroughly in an upcoming entry. 


Your next and last destiny of your insertyourcityhere-Cartagena trip will be hosted by the aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Nuñez. It is also being expanded, but this work turn this place into an uncomfortable and  non-spaced place. In that very moment, the only motivation you'll  feel when you arrive to Cartagena will be the desire of getting into the taxi immediately. In the first picture up, you'll be able to see only a small part of the construction process.


In this airport there're only three coffee shops, a few souvenirs shops, enough ATM and the affluence is low, which makes of your way-through less dramatic. after you leave the airport you'll need a taxi. Here are Two options: 1. right outside of the airport there will be some taxis, most part of the arrangement made with the place. Those will be a "lil'" more expensive, but they will be safer, and the waiting time will be inferior.  For instance, the charge to the "walled city" will be non-lesser than $9000 pesos (around 5 USD), and this price depends on how lucky the taxi drivers feel. If your hotel is located in Bocagrande, charge will be higher than $10000 pesos (6 USD). My recommendation is: ALWAYS NEGOTIATE the price of the ride BEFORE you get into the taxi.
2. outside of the airport, i mean, walking West, following the exit roads. Taxis there will be cheaper because of their abundance. because of it, they will feel motivated (sometimes forced) to lower their prices. But always remember: NEGOTIATE BEFORE you get into the cab.


Any questions or suggestions please, le us know them in the comment section below. By the way, our mother language is not English. if you find any grammatical mistake, let us also know. Our wish is to reach and help as many people as possible, in a respectful and well-organized way.

Prólogo

Hola a todos!

Este Blog esta pensado para aquellos turistas que, pensando en venir a Colombia, quieren saber a donde llegar, con cuando dinero llegar, cuanto tiempo programar, y donde pasar el tiempo. Además, para aquellos residentes curiosos, también habrá información de  interés, como criticas de restaurantes, cafeterías, Pubs y zonas de entretenimiento de dos de las principales ciudades turísticas de Colombia: Cartagena de Indias y Bogotá (inicialmente). No somos críticos profesionales, solo usuarios asiduos y exigentes, como cualquiera de ustedes. También tenemos un presupuesto, así que dentro de la información de los lugares, habrá precios y relación valor/calidad. 

Hello everyone!

This Blog is being written considering those who, planing on coming to Colombia, would like to know where to go, how much money should they bring with them, for how long they could stay and how to spend their time. Plus, for those curious residents, this blog will include interesting issues like restaurant opinions, coffee shops, Pubs, and entertainment areas from two of the main touristic cities: Bogotá and Cartagena de indias. We're not pro critics, just recurrent and demanding customers, just like any of you. We also have a budget, therefore into the info, we'll include prices and Value/quality comparison.