Ginger.ale

Hi CruzeBoozer,

I visited Cartagena (Colombia) last year and i had a wonderful time, it was safe, the only thing i didn't like much were the vendors but other than that it is a great port. When you visit a new place (country or city) you cannot be naive... that is for sure.

I hire a private guide for this occasion, however, i had a few friends that visited Cartagena by themselves, if you would like to have a guide to feel safe etc. you can contact him: http://www.cartagenatourguide.com.

Do not miss this port, it is unique and awesome!

:D

Did you visit the walled city and surrounding area?

 

Keith

I don't know if you are asking me, but, yes we did, we walk on the streets of the walled city and saw a few things outside the touristic areas. We will do it the next time we visit Cartagena.

Ginger.

Hi Ginger:

 

You bring up some great suggestions. We rarely do the tourist thing - time to start research. Thanks for the direction in the right way.

 

Have a good evening, Randy

You are welcome Randy, please feel free to contact the guy who assisted us for our visit to Cartagena, he is, as they call them "Cartagenero" .. Maybe he could help you.

Always a pleasure to help.

Ginger!

I don't want to just take pics from the bottom. I've contacted both Claudia and Dora's companies and neither will go up the fort. I saw an excursion thru X that says it explores the fort and goes to Old Town for $59 and 4.5 hrs approx. I read on FRMPEI's trip report that he did this tour and they do in fact explore inside the fort.

 

If I don't find a private tour company that does what I am looking for, I will book the ship's tour, but usually like to not do a ship's tour whenever possible. Any recs?

 

I also read Caribbeanbound's report of going to the fort, and seems pricewise is about the same to do it all on our own, which I would rather not, as I've never been to Cartegena before.

Hi,

My guide took us up to San Felipe, he charges a little bit more but the fact is that he does not work with huge groups, i think it is a matter of finding the right person to show you around and someone who would make you have a nice time at port of call.

I found mine on TA also: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g297476-d4154451-Reviews-Cartagena_Tour_Guide-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html

Or check his web page: http://www.cartagenatourguide.com, his name is Martin, really nice guy.

:)

Hi,

 

I will enjoying the Royal Caribbean Panama Canal cruise soon.

I am wondering if local stores and vendors take VISA and Mastercard gift cards.

Thank you.

Street vendors only take cash, dollars is o.k, credit or debit cards are accepted by the local stores and they also take dollars.

Were there last year and did the wall, fort, monastery, etc.

 

Going back next month. Suggestions for what to do as we did the history tour thing last time? The ships tours a bit lacking if you've been there before.

 

Thank you in advance, Randy

Hello blindrid,

I went there for my first time this year and visit the same places you did, however, a couple of friends have been more than twice and they just love the city, they usually hire private tours and like to see outside the city... They talked to me about La Boquila town, also about manzanilo beaches.. A couple of friends even went to turbacco (a near town i understand.) they did not want to see the "touristic places" of Cartagena, they wanted to see the real stuff as they were visiting for the second or third time.

Bests.

Me and my group went on a Train/bus/boar adventure, took a lot of pictures since we just simply love nature, if you are a nature lover you should go on a tour likes this.

Being able to see many different species makes it a very unique experience, this was one of the highlights of our trip, we were a group of 8 people.

Do not miss doing a tour like this (If you love nature)

We really enjoy our stay in this beautiful port of call.

:)

Went to panama city on my cruise trip back on October 7th, had a really nice time, people there is so nice and polite! Very good place to visit.

Hi,

I put it on the last post but here you have it: http://www.cartagenatourguide.com, or his email address cartagenatourguides@gmail.com

I have some security concerns with the link you posted.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

Hello Snorkel Dawg,

I think pdoeringer made a mistake on the address, i visit Cartagena on October 7th with on the Norwegian jewel and hire Martin for that date, he customized our tour (we were a group of 8 people) according to our needs and what we wanted to do while our stay in town, this give him a plus, we have no complains about him.

The best thing in about our tour? Everything! Martin does not work with big groups which makes it way better than the group tours from the cruise line, he makes the tour according to your requests, he speaks very good English and is a very polite and nice person, he shows his love for his home town in every word he says, you won't regret having Martin as your tour guide.

Visit his web page or write him directly: http://www.cartagenatourguide.com, cartagenatourguides@gmail.com

Hope my experience can help you decide what to do!

Ginger!