[thegmanifesto]

Alright, my mind is made up out of all the contenders. (Thanks everyone for the feedback).

I am going to Cartagena, Colombia next month for 2 weeks.

I need a serious breakdown. (Lumiere, Roosh, JMB, Armanid27 and anyone else that has the data sheets).

Hotels? Bocagrande or Old Town? Pro's and Cons.

Hotel VS Apartamento? (keep in mind I am going for 2 weeks, but if apartment is to your advantage, I will bust it.)

Nightclubs/ best nightlife areas?

Restaurants? High end and low end authentic.

Day Game spots?

Beach Moves?

Custom Moves?

Techniques that work dope specific to Cartagena/Colombia? (I got the Spanish and Salsa covered).

Any things to watch out for? (Beyond normal traveling to similar spots)

Any cultural sites that are "can't miss"?

Also, should I roll to Baranquilla or Santa Marta for a few days?

As always, keep the data slanted toward what makes the most sense to swoop the flyest girls.

Thank you.

[UgSlayer]

Are you going during Carnival? I hear Cartagena empties out during that time because everyone is at Barranquilla.

[El Viajero]

Carnaval is late February so you should be fine G. I have been to Cartagena twice. I am not that confident in my advice considering your goals and my experience. But its better than nothing.

You have 4 logical options for sleeping.
-apt. but its going to be really expensive and probably only available in Bocagrande
-hotel in Getsemani (rundown area and dodgy (but safe enough) area right outside the walled part of the city. I stayed at Casa Relax and it was good value for the $30/night I paid.
-Hotel in the walled city (very safe, clean, and beautiful but much more expensive ($100-$400/night most likely) with lots of boutique hotels
-Hotel in Bocagrande which is probably $75+/night staying in a skyrise but away from all of the colonial charm which makes Cartagena worth visiting

Nightlife:
I am not the most informed about this part. In the walled city you have a handful of clubs and then some bars. The clubs are very touristy and filled with mostly working girls. These clubs suck so avoid them. I don't know where the real nightlife is so hopefully someone can step it up there. I would absolutely recommend you visit this place to watch some live music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMGBMvTn-rg

Food:
There are tons of high quality restaurants inside the walled city, especially at the boutique hotels. But even though they re good they are not great, despite all of the articles about Caragena's food scene in popular travel magazines. I remember paying $50+/meal and the service/food was pretty average but the atmosphere was great.
There are also some good restaurants in Bocagrande but I have no specific recommendations because nothing was "that good"
I always recommend El Corral for a burger and Crepes & Waffles for dessert but both are chain restaurants found everywhere else in Colombia.

The beach in Cartagena is below average. You will be mobbed by people selling things and they will even wake you if you are sunbathing to get your attention. Its not a pleasant time so if you want to go suntan or pick up girls try the hotel pool (stay in Bocagrande for the best hotel pools).

For sightseeing there are the common recommendations in/very nearby(names of places in youtube titles)
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X93BoAeFI-E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBdGCr7Lf3I&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_Eh224Zag

For places worth visiting but further away:
-Tayrona National Park (get to from Santa Marta for arguably the best beach in Colombia)
-Santa Marta/Taganga/Barranquilla can be nice but I wouldn't tell someone they absolutely should visit them

[Giovonny]

Wow, I can't believe you choose Carta, no one has ever responded with any info on that place, there is a certain "mystery" about Cartagena. I get the feeling that alot of G's have passed through that place over the centuries. I was planning on being there right now but my finances were not ready for an extended trip. People have told me that it is alot more "afro-caribean" then inland Colombia, its very hot and humid, and the pay for play scence is big there. I think its just a little to "brown/black" for most guys taste and "perceived" level of safety. I'm sure you will have a great time ...it seems like that city has been "calling" you.

[MiXX]

Ok. CTG Is pretty easy. For the most places to swoop girls I'll break it down as follows:

Night Game:

let's start with the obvious night game.

There is only one club for gaming and girl swooping: Mr. Babillas! Any taxi knows where this is! It is a place to be very aggressive and open like a mad man! It really helps if you are a great dancer! (see my previous post).

There is a local dance that is extremely heavy on ass rubbing/friction against your crotch called "champeta" it is a very sexual dance - believe me, you'll know it as soon as you see it!

Don't bother going to any other nightclub to swoop, I am batting .1000 from this place!

The next best club to pick up, albeit not as effective as Mr. Babillas, but worth a quick drive by is called "cafe del mar" right on the ocean. It plays house and deep lounge music. This is a place I take girls as a second venue to build comfort and trust and get her used to moving around with me.

Where to stay:

As already described previously, I can only add that I prefer the convenience of a hotel. I stayed in the old walled city called San Diego at a hotel called Santa Clara. It is a 5 star hotel, and it is by far the most romantic hotel I have ever seen in Colombia! This hotel starts off at a rate of $250USD per night for high season of January.

DAY GAME:

hit the beach anywhere! Be careful if a girl Is too easy, she is likely a hooker. Of you see a girl you like, don't be shy, approach aggresively and cool at the same time. 90% of women are on holiday vacation and would love a story to remember Cartagena by.

Invite girls back to your place after some comfort is created and the first kiss is granted! If she kisses and makes out with you, she is fucking! Period!

NOTE: Cartagena Is HOT as hell. I would avg. 4 showers per day!

The drive to BAQ is safe, about a 1.5 hr drive! If you can sneak in a trip, DO IT!! Invite then to go back to Cartagena with you, THEY WILL ACCEPT YOUR OFFER!

Workout a deal with a hotel taxi driver. A r/t drive to BAQ->CTG is about 200k pesos. Negotiate hard!!!!!

WATCH OUT FOR ANNOYING SALES GUYS ON THE BEACH!!

Be firm when you say no, but avoid being too aggressive as to get into a fight. THEY ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE AND PUSHY TO SELL ANYTHING TO YOU!!

......more to come.



That's all I can think of fir now, I'll add more stuff to tomorrow fir

[thegmanifesto]

UgSlayer and jmb,

Excellent tips. Especially on the grinds. Much appreciated.

Any "must have" local dishes?

What are the dates exactly on Carnival? "2010 February 13, 14, 15, 16 " Does that seem correct?

(side note: JMB has a great blog, mad Colombia data. You guys should check it: http://locationlessliving.com/ )

Giovonny,

Yeah, there are so many places I want to roll. For some reason, Cartagena is pulling me. Sometimes you got to go on "feel". Who knows, maybe a past relative on my Spanish side was a big time Conquistador there or something.

armanid27,

"There is only one club for gaming and girl swooping: Mr. Babillas!"

That's what I love to hear. I love simplification. Which hood is this spot in? Worthwhile to stay within walking distance so I can just "clock" girls?

Found a vid on the spot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmoeKmuPbtM Looks heavy salsa.

Any other recos for non-salsa spots as well? (In case I want to mix it up).

I like the hotel tip. Would you stay there again for sure? Or is there a better located one for swooping for more dough?

Or a cheaper one that is better located for swooping, but not as nice?

What would you recommend in the 100-150 range?

Is Bocagrande an airball for hotel location? It seems kind of smooth to be on the beach for workouts?

Also, what is the ideal attire there? Keeping in mind, swooping, not getting into a knife fight etc.

Nightclubs: Do you need to wear dress shoes, or is the place ultra "beach casual" where you should wear kicks?

Great tips so far.

Keep them flowing.

[El Viajero]

My bad the dates for carnaval in Barranquilla are February 13 - 16. I didn't realize it changes so drastically every year (was Feb. 21-24 last year).

[MiXX]

(01-19-2010 11:44 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

Any other recos for non-salsa spots as well? (In case I want to mix it up).

I like the hotel tip. Would you stay there again for sure? Or is there a better located one for swooping for more dough?

Or a cheaper one that is better located for swooping, but not as nice?

What would you recommend in the 100-150 range?

Is Bocagrande an airball for hotel location? It seems kind of smooth to be on the beach for workouts?

Also, what is the ideal attire there? Keeping in mind, swooping, not getting into a knife fight etc.

Nightclubs: Do you need to wear dress shoes, or is the place ultra "beach casual" where you should wear kicks?

Great tips so far.

Keep them flowing.

There are other non-salsa places, but Cartagena non-salsa nightclubs are hot one week, and dead another......the only other one I can personally recommend worth going to for swooping is Cafe del Mar. They place house/lounge music.

Pubs are abundant, so weasel your way into one that you see happening in the old walled city.

I only did Mr. Babillas because the girls LINED UP and took a number for a chance to dance with me - (I am a professionally trained Salsa Dancer.) However, be careful when you are sought after by women this badly - I got plenty of dirty looks from other men whom were turned down by women telling them "after I get a chance to dance with him first" - I am lucky guys were not waiting for me outside to fight! I really thought I'd be in trouble a few times - but this is just because I was getting way too much attention - women squirt their panties wet when they see a great dancer. It's like the ultimate foreplay for them.

Out of the 6x I visited Mr. Babillas, all 6x, I went back to my hotel to bang the girl of my choice after dancing.

Mr. babillas #1: Took back a light-skinnd black girl that hand Beyonce's body, and Alliyah's face. Damn she was tight!!! I came just by watching her undress for Petes sake!

MB #2: THREEESOME!!! WOOHOO! Argentininan blonde girl, and a local mulatta colombiana!

MB #3: I'll never forget, my sweet, innocent college girl Carolina...she admitted, after about 1 hour of trying to penetrate her as she moaned in pain, I was her first - hence she was so tight! - A virgin!!! VERY RARE FIND!!!!


MB: #4: Oh - my favorite; a politicians daughter!! Cannot name her - sorry. One for the home team!


MB #5: This was a sympathy fuck, I took home a slightly heavier girl, because she just plain out made me laugh and was so much fun to be around, and I had a really good time with her on the dance floor - she gamed me in a very graceful, and sweet way - I rewarded her with what she was after for the night! Sometimes, we must give back too you know!

MB: #6: Sneek attack - Out of nowhere, this girl grabs my ass! Well, hello there cutie, I see you are in the mood - let's just skip the small talk and dancing, and head back to my hotel for some fun!

As you can see, I would be an idiot to go anywhere else, but Mr. Babillas! It is located in the old walled city - walking distance to other pubs, and cafe del mar for bouncing with the girl(s) of your choice to build "comfort"

Santa Clara hotel is about 10 mins away (by taxi)!

:-)

I would definitely stay at Santa Clara every time - you just mention that you are staying there, and any girl will want to bang you! It's that romantic. It makes it easier for her to say yes to go back to your hotel, when it's the almighty "Santa Clara"!

Not sure about prices being $150 for decent places during February - this is peak season for tourism in Cartagena all the way through March after "semana santa" (holy week)!!


Bocagrande is cool - but, just too "busy" for me - I was on vacation, and needed to relax, so I try to stay away from all the noise. However, swooping there is a must - plenty of girls walking around doing their "thing" awaiting your approach!


ATTIRE:

DAYTIME GAME:

CARTAGENA IS HOT AS HELL DURING DAYLIGHT AND NIGHT TIME HOURS!!

HUMIDITY IS NEAR 100%

Shorts, sandals is very common and recommended during the day. Typical summer beach wear.

DO NOT WEAR SPEEDOS!! CARTAGENA IS NOT Rio De Janeiro!!! Even if you have the Olympic swimmer body with six pack abs for it! Don't! Girls will surely laugh at you, and think you are gay!

Do not wear Hawaiian flower shirts - this just SCREAMS dumb gringo in Cartagena!

NIGHTIME CLUBBING/SWOOPING:

Dress trendy, and be the coolest dressed MOFO gaming! If you lack dancing skills, capture her attention with good taste in fashion!! Grab an issue of GQ magazine, and make it happen!

You most likely won't get into any fights, police will always take you side however if you do. I had one indigent local scream obscenities at my girls face, and I punched him right in the throat for being disrespectful - the police came quickly, and apologized to me sincerely! Especially when they knew I was a guest at the Santa Clara - membership, has its privileges!


Fire away with more questions (if any)!

[thegmanifesto]

armanid27,

Great tips. You really make an airtight case for Mr. Babillas and Santa Clara hotel.

"Santa Clara hotel is about 10 mins away (by taxi)!"

Did that travel time hurt you? I usually like to keep everything really tight knit and close. Is there another place almost as good but closer?

How is the hood within walking distance of Santa Clara hotel? Any good bars, restaurants, beaches etc?

Keep the tips flowing.

[thegmanifesto]

Lumiere,

Haven't you been to Cartagena?

Let me know your thoughts, you hit a bullseye for me in DR.

[Lumiere]

yeah but i dont really have anything to add

was only there a few days. didnt really like it

went to Mr. Babillas once. all the chicks i spoke to turned out to be hookers

m'eh

[El Viajero]

(01-22-2010 11:58 AM)Lumiere Wrote:  

went to Mr. Babillas once. all the chicks i spoke to turned out to be hookers

I didn't want to say anything because I thought I must have been wrong after armanid27 talked up the place. But I was pretty certain most of the girls there were hookers too. It was 3 years ago but think I remembered seeing either old men (white hair old) with young girls and then many girls were dancing alone and overly friendly.

[MiXX]

(01-22-2010 12:47 PM)jmb Wrote:  

(01-22-2010 11:58 AM)Lumiere Wrote:  

went to Mr. Babillas once. all the chicks i spoke to turned out to be hookers

I didn't want to say anything because I thought I must have been wrong after armanid27 talked up the place. But I was pretty certain most of the girls there were hookers too. It was 3 years ago but think I remembered seeing either old men (white hair old) with young girls and then many girls were dancing alone and overly friendly.

Hookers are EVERYWEHERE in Cartagena! See my previous comment: "If a girls is way too easy, she is likely a hooker"

Hookers know better to saty away from me, as I am not their ideal customer. Since I am spanish, they think I am another broke Colombian, looking for a quick and cheap lay. They target gringos, and if you have blonde hair with blue/green eyes - you are tehir priamry target - hands down!

Mr. Babillas, does have lots of hookers walking around - hell I may have banged a few myself, but never paid dierectly per hour for it - so I do not care :-)

[MiXX]

Forgot to mention - a quick way to tell is she is a hooker, is if she starts immediately smiling at you, and almost forcing you to approach, or she approaches you directly.

A normal girl will gklance and give you a slight smile, but will noit be as obvious.

A second sign: Hookers are always alone, this keeps an open-door policy for potential customers.

If a beautiful girl is standing by herself - it is NOT normal! Beautiful giurls are NEVER alone in a club - ever!

There are also plenty of non-pros, so be very careful you do not mistake a non-pro for a hooker, or you wil surely end up with a black-eye.

Just use your opener to judge with your bigger head, and you should be fine. Mr. Babillas is a popular face frequented by lonely tourists, and whore mongers, and local colombian rich men - hence it's dice toss!

If it gets to a point where you are not having a good time, do not be afraid to jump in a car and head to Barranquilla - it is not a tourist city, and you will surely fing great "normal" girls there!

[MiXX]

Oh yeah, for the record - cartagena is not my primary vacation spot in Colombia - Medellin is. I do Cartagena once every 2 years, and most times, I have brought a girl over from another city to travel with me. Cartagena is Colombia's version of Vegas w/o all the incredible Casinos of course! So, keep that in mind as you walk around - tourist traps are everywhere to make you part from your cash including visiting and local hookers.

[El Viajero]

http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/caribe/..._6999409-1

Be glad your not staying in a hostel!

[thegmanifesto]

jmb,

Crazy story.

I am guessing that is pretty un-common in Cartagena. Thanks for the heads up.

[Flashman]

I would recommend doing a "chivas" ride while there. It's a touristy thing, but fun and touristy for other latinos -- you won't see any gringos. You and a group get in a decked out schoolbus and just drive around town listening to the blaring music, drinking heavily and supporting the kid beer vendors hanging on the windows, and meeting the others on the bus. I met a mexican cutie and met her out later. The bus dumps you at some club on the beach. The club is isolated and lame but if you luck out with a group of hotties on the bus, you are set. You catch a Chivas in Bocagrande.

We stayed in the El Caribe in Bocagrande and found it superior to the crappy hotel we were staying in the old city. The place had a little open-air zoo by the pool and lots of families with college-aged daughters, it seemed. It is about 15 minutes from the old town by taxi.

Other than the mexican cutie I met on the chivas, every other woman I met was a hooker, including at Mr. Babillas. Especially at a cool open-air joint located directly on the wall by the sea (name eludes me), there did seem to be non-bar girls out, but they were locked into couples or massive yet insular co-ed groups of friends -- if my spanish were not so weak, I would have gone for the girls in the groups (they were obvious enough with their eyes).

[Lumiere]

Tip : switch to day game in cities where the night scene is basically mostly pay to play in one form or another

[thegmanifesto]

Flashman and Lumiere,

Great tips. Gracias.

[El Viajero]

How did you like it G?

[thegmanifesto]

(02-25-2010 01:14 PM)jmb Wrote:  

How did you like it G?

In the process of.

Will have a full report when I am finished.

[thegmanifesto]

Cartagena update:

This place is super sick. I could live here for sure.

I will break it down fully when I get back and can digest.

[MiXX]

Glad you had a great time!!! Colombia is a very special place for single men. The women are beautiful and love sex as much as you do. I have 65 days until I am FINALLY there again! I have a goal: work, invest wisely enough so that I can sexpat in Colombia in 5 years.

[thegmanifesto]

First Cartagena data sheet:

Swooping Fly Girls in the Time of Cholera

http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2010/03/swo...olera.html