bella

WE are tempted to travel to Cartegena after having read Love in the Time of Cholera. Sounds exotic, but is it a place for travellers, especially women? How unsafe is it? Does anyone have any travel stories to relate to help us decide?

hector

You should be fine in Cartegena. Insurgent issues have left this city largely unaffected. I was there 3 years ago and everything was fine. I know people that were just there earlier this year and they had a blast.

Jillian

Married to a Colombian, have been wanting to travel there for years. Just spoke w/ an American/Colombian, who recently returned from there. Unfortunately, they said it was presently very unsafe for travel to and within that country. (Kidnap capital of the world) <BR> <BR>There is a state travel advisory in effect: <BR> <BR>http://www.travel.state.gov/colombia_warning.html <BR> <BR>I think I'll wait.. <BR> <BR>PS. If you enjoyed Gabriel Garcia Marquez' "Love in the Time of Cholera", you will surely love "100 Years of Solitude"

Vanessa

I have been to Cartagena several times. The last was about 3 years ago. Even at time, you could see the changes for the years past. Not nearly as many tourists around and those that were there were mostly other Colombians. <BR> <BR>Cartagena is a beautiful city with lots to see and do. Based on comments from a few Colombians I know, I don't think now is the time to travel there. <BR> <BR>BTW, two of my trips to Cartagena were as a single woman travelling alone. I had no problems then but I don't think I'd do that now. Hopefully, I'll be able to return to Cartagena some time in the future.

Kate

I was in Cartagena in August with my female friend. We had a wonderful time and absolutely loved it. It's an absolutely beautiful and vibrant city, and we never felt unsafe. We met a couple of people who'd been mugged in the Getsemani area, but nothing violent. You may have your wallet stolen, but you're not going to be kidnapped or murdered. Yes there are dangerous places in Colombia but Cartagena is not one of them. I would go back there tomorrow if I could. Take the plunge and go - you'll love it.

Gabriele

I wish the above poster was correct that people dont get kidnapped, so I could tell my friend that her parents have been missing for 3 months due to having such a great time on vacation, and that ransom payment she made was all a hoax to keep them at the beach!

Parrot Mom

We went there many years ago for a week and it was pretty safe, but have gone back since on cruise ships (twice) and I would highly recommend not going as a woman...We love Cartegena.. I would love to go back for a week...and see the old city as it's been rejuvenated with the galleries and shops..but that is all..the rest is pretty bad..it makes me pretty sad... We were in the Dungeons which I adore for shopping and lots of aggressive vendors which if you don't like don't bother..actually they were everywhere..but we say "no gracias"... Go to Costa Rica...much cleaner and safer...

Howard

I would say --- Si <BR> <BR>A friend and I went there on vacation last February and had a great time. The old section of the city is very interesting and appealing. The hotel we stayed in was great, and probably one-third the cost of a comparable place in the Caribbean or Mexico. <BR> <BR>As for safety, we were a bit concerned also. Regarding the problems now endemic in the country - kidnappings, murder, rebels, - Cartagena is almost totally shielded from that, it seems due to geography. There are only a couple of roads leading into the city, and the army has these under control. The coast east of the city, all the way to Santa Marta is also safe. <BR> <BR>As far as more "typical" city problems - pickpocketing, purse snatching, etc, I would say that Cartagena is safer than most American cities, though one should be alert when out, esp. at night. <BR> <BR>I think proof that the city is pretty safe is that cruise ships are still stopping there. Mainstream cruise lines would pull out in a minute if things were dicey. <BR> <BR>If you ahve any more specific questions, I would be happy to try to answer them. <BR> <BR>Howard

elliott norris

i agree with howard. cartegena to santa marta is the safest part of colombia. <BR>i am engaged to a girl from barranquilla. <BR>have been to colombia 5 times with no problems. you have to use your head. <BR> <BR>the old city is great. the beaches are not too nice. the climate is brutally hot and humid most of the year, like miami in the summer

Joe

I`m a Brit living in Colombia and have been to Cartagena four times in the last couple of years. It`s very safe , save for standard petty crime. You will not get kidnapped or attacked or feel any influence from the conflict. Go and enjoy. It`s a marvellous place (and stay at the Santa CLara Hotel!). <BR>Joe

Vanessa

I expressed my views on Cartagen in general above so after Joe's post, just a word about the Santa Clara Hotel: WOW! <BR> <BR>On my last trip to Cartagena, I wandered in (it's way out of my price range). We ran into the general manager in the lobby and had a nice chat. He arranged for one of the bellboys to give us a tour including showing us a couple of the rooms. All I can say is WOW! The couple I was wandering with that day went back for dinner later in the week and were thoroughly impressed. <BR> <BR>The building is an convent in the old city that has been converted to a beautiful hotel. They have done an amazing job. Even if you don't stay there, take a walk in. <BR> <BR>

Vanessa

I checked out the Canadian gov't website regarding travel advisories and they are advising against tourist travel to Colombia except for Cartagena, Santa Marta and San Andres. <BR> <BR>For the Canadian gov't travel advisories for all countries, check out: <BR>http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm

elliott norris

howard- what is the name of the hotel in which you stayed in cartegena. my fiancee and i might go there in the spring. thank you.

Howard

Hello again - <BR> <BR>Answering the previous poster Elliott - we stayed at the Charleston Cartagena Hotel, one of two upscale hotels in the old city. Both seemed equally nice, but the Charleston was a fair amount cheaper, so I would opt for there. <BR> <BR>Both are really nice, in great old buildings, and offer good service. The Charelston especially was a great deal, the cost was about $85 (US) per night, with a big buffet breakfast - if it had been on say a Carib. island, the cost would have been maybe $250 per night. The Santa Clara was a good deal in general, about $130 per night, but not compared to the Charleston. The Charleston has a small but very nice rooftop pool, and is in an excellent location. <BR> <BR>Most of the other hotels in the old part of the city are range from budget to moderate in price. However, most of the hotels in the city are on Boca Grande, a couple of miles from the old city. If you are going for the history, architecture, etc, definitely stay int he old part.

ken kane

I am married to a Colombian woman who took me to Cartegena last year. I was worried because of the travel warnings and bad press. However I had the best time. I felt totaly and everyone was very hospitable. We stayed at the Las Americas Beach Resort it was great. I recommend this place to everyone.