Safety Tips and Where to Stay in Cali

[Hector_Lavoe]

I am heading to Cali is less than 2 weeks.  Wish I had more time to plan this trip but sometimes you have to just roll with the punches. 
 
1. Generally speaking what are the safe parts of Cali for a gringo in search of a nice Calena?
 
2. I am told by our resident Cali experts that the action is in the north. I would like to stay at a hotel not too far from the Chipichape mall (also in the north).  My main criteria for a hotel is safe and clean. Don't need (or want) a five star. Just good and in a safe part of town.
 
3. What about staying at A.C.G. (All Colombian Girls) agency?  I've read old threads on P.L. saying do NOT do it. Is this because the accomodations are bad? Not even sure if they have a vacancy when I am in town. But their website says if you stay there you get all the introductions you want for the price of a room. Was thinking I'd kill two birds with one stone.  I know several of you have suggested negotiating a per cita price with the agency owner. I guess if I were to book a room with the agency they'd already have my money and not a lot of motivation to help me with introductions?
 
 
 
 
 
 

[fathertime]

I am heading to Cali is less than 2 weeks.  Wish I had more time to plan this trip but sometimes you have to just roll with the punches. 
 
1. Generally speaking what are the safe parts of Cali for a gringo in search of a nice Calena?
 
2. I am told by our resident Cali experts that the action is in the north. I would like to stay at a hotel not too far from the Chipichape mall (also in the north).  My main criteria for a hotel is safe and clean. Don't need (or want) a five star. Just good and in a safe part of town.
 
3. What about staying at A.C.G. (All Colombian Girls) agency?  I've read old threads on P.L. saying do NOT do it. Is this because the accomodations are bad? Not even sure if they have a vacancy when I am in town. But their website says if you stay there you get all the introductions you want for the price of a room. Was thinking I'd kill two birds with one stone.  I know several of you have suggested negotiating a per cita price with the agency owner. I guess if I were to book a room with the agency they'd already have my money and not a lot of motivation to help me with introductions?

given the circumstances...A.C.G. isn't a bad idea...i haven't been there in many years but they used to have a reasonably decent place to stay..and you will be able to meet some of the ladies on their website....the fact is many of those photos are real old and the ladies don't look the same...but by using the agency you will be put in contact with lots of ladies many of whom are very attractive...just keep in mind you probably will get stood up by some of these attractive ladies, and others will be just looking for some handout...but at least you get your feet wet and start to know what is out there.


good luck,
Fathertime! 

[Calipro]

I am heading to Cali is less than 2 weeks.  Wish I had more time to plan this trip but sometimes you have to just roll with the punches. 
 
1. Generally speaking what are the safe parts of Cali for a gringo in search of a nice Calena?
 
2. I am told by our resident Cali experts that the action is in the north. I would like to stay at a hotel not too far from the Chipichape mall (also in the north).  My main criteria for a hotel is safe and clean. Don't need (or want) a five star. Just good and in a safe part of town.
 
3. What about staying at A.C.G. (All Colombian Girls) agency?  I've read old threads on P.L. saying do NOT do it. Is this because the accomodations are bad? Not even sure if they have a vacancy when I am in town. But their website says if you stay there you get all the introductions you want for the price of a room. Was thinking I'd kill two birds with one stone.  I know several of you have suggested negotiating a per cita price with the agency owner. I guess if I were to book a room with the agency they'd already have my money and not a lot of motivation to help me with introductions?

If you are staying only a week I suggest you go for the nicest accommodations that you can afford without breaking the bank. It will increase your odds of having a good time in Cali that is for sure.


The only good thing about staying at Ricardo's is the possibility of meeting agency women on the fly and my apartment is practically across the street from his office.
Personally I'd stay at this place [size=78%]http://www.aquagranada.com/[/size] for about 100 bucks a night.  It's about 2 miles from chipichape which will cost you about 4000 pesos to get there but it is within easy walking distance to dozens of nice restaurants, lounges and night clubs.


If you take a chick out to granada the logistics are great for getting her back to your place at the end of the night.

[benjio]

given the circumstances...A.C.G. isn't a bad idea...i haven't been there in many years but they used to have a reasonably decent place to stay..and you will be able to meet some of the ladies on their website....the fact is many of those photos are real old and the ladies don't look the same...but by using the agency you will be put in contact with lots of ladies many of whom are very attractive...just keep in mind you probably will get stood up by some of these attractive ladies, and others will be just looking for some handout...but at least you get your feet wet and start to know what is out there.


good luck,
Fathertime!

Damn good advice! I've heard mixed reports about ACG but gotta get your feet wet somehow. I'd just hook up with CaliPro and let him introduce you around if he's willing. I met about 35-40 girls the first time I went to Jamie's in 2008 and a few more since then, but I've probably met 5 times as many through associates in Colombia after I started traveling there regularly. Best of luck to you and keep us posted. I would love to read your trip report after you return. Cali has always been a really fun city with a lot of potential in my opinion and I can't wait to get back down there.

[bcc_1_2]

Doesn't the mall have a hotel now too?

[Calipro]

Doesn't the mall have a hotel now too?

http://www.spiwak.com/


Just checked the rates.....117 a night plus tax so should come out to about 130 a night....not a bad deal actually. If you go to the offers tab you can even get it for less.


Only down side to staying at a place that nice is....chicks absolutely must have ID to get in and there is a security fee of probably about 60,000 pesos every time a chick spends the night.

[Hector_Lavoe]

Personally I'd stay at this place [size=78%]http://www.aquagranada.com/[/size] for about 100 bucks a night.  It's about 2 miles from chipichape which will cost you about 4000 pesos to get there but it is within easy walking distance to dozens of nice restaurants, lounges and night clubs.

That place looks nice and the rate is reasonable. Thanks. I'll definitley consider this one.

[Hector_Lavoe]

Damn good advice! I've heard mixed reports about ACG but gotta get your feet wet somehow. I'd just hook up with CaliPro and let him introduce you around if he's willing.

He's already been a huge help so far.....

 I would love to read your trip report after you return. Cali has always been a really fun city with a lot of potential in my opinion and I can't wait to get back down there.

Thanks Benjio. I view this trip as a get my feet wet type of deal. No expectations....other than just have a good time.

[Hector_Lavoe]

given the circumstances...A.C.G. isn't a bad idea...i haven't been there in many years but they used to have a reasonably decent place to stay..and you will be able to meet some of the ladies on their website....the fact is many of those photos are real old and the ladies don't look the same...but by using the agency you will be put in contact with lots of ladies many of whom are very attractive...just keep in mind you probably will get stood up by some of these attractive ladies, and others will be just looking for some handout...but at least you get your feet wet and start to know what is out there.
good luck,
Fathertime!

Thanks for the input Fathertime.  Good advice. I will keep my expectations in check.

[V_Man]

I was recently in Cali again. Yes it is a good idea to stick to the north on your first visit if you don't know anyone there. Actually it is the north western part of the city. The south is fine but unless you know someone in that area you probably wont bother going there on your first trip. Just stay out of the East. There are 4 barrios in the east that have one of the highest murder rates in the world. Just remember - stay to the west of Calle 36.

I usually stay with friends in Cali but last time I had a girl with me and so we stayed in a hotel.
We stayed here:
http://www.hotels.com/ho394042/hotel-ms-estacion-chipichape-cali-colombia/

I highly recomend it. Not only is it super clean, it is half the price of the places you are looking at. It is an easy walk to Chipichape Mall. It is peaceful and safe. Breakfast is on the roof each morning. I booked it through the link above. You could probably contact them directly if you wanted to.

The 'action' is actually around Ave sexta but if you are looking for a serious relationship then that is not the best place to start. Your girl may take you there but there are better and safer night clubs in the north east of the city. There are lots of little day trips and things you visit in and around the city. The girls will suggest something.

I have no idea about agencies. I never used one. Probably not a bad idea in your situation. However at the same time, if you put a profile up in Colombian Cupid to say you will be in Cali in two weeks, then you'd get plenty of invitations to meet girls. Tell them you'll meet them at Chipichape. Buy a mobile when you arrive. It will cost you about $30. Expect some no shows. Don't tell them where you are staying until you meet them in person and get to know them a little. It may be a good plan B if you find the agency is no good. Depends on your Spanish but your Wifi device with it's translator will work in the Mall. Just make sure no one is following you when you leave the Mall.

Above all, have a great time!!!
Good luck!

[Hector_Lavoe]

V_Man:  Thanks for your Cali insights.  Good stuff.
 
Unfortunately, I decided to pull the plug on THIS Cali trip.  The short notice drove the airfare to twice the normal price and I would rather head down with better advanced planning. I am disappointed but I think this is the right choice for me.
 
I do regret not getting the chance to meet Calipro in person and getting his insider's view of Cali.
 
I plan to make it down in November.  I am pretty confident this will be fine with my new employer. Since I have not yet started, all the cards are still on table so to speak.
 
Thanks again guys for all the good feedback.  I will utilize it, just not immediately.
 
 
 
 

[bcc_1_2]

did you look at spirit air? that would get you as far as Bogota.

[bcc_1_2]

It seems if you pay with a credit card you can stay in the mall/hotel for under $100 a night. I defnitely would have done that on my visit. It was mentioned above to make sure you aren't followed out of the mall for your walk back. If you stay at the mall... no worries.

[V_Man]

It seems if you pay with a credit card you can stay in the mall/hotel for under $100 a night. I defnitely would have done that on my visit. It was mentioned above to make sure you aren't followed out of the mall for your walk back. If you stay at the mall... no worries.

I can understand the motivation for this. However I'd recommend against that. The only way you will get to know the country is to get out and about on the streets. I walked around Cali, got public transport, etc,. Of course people noticed me but nothing bad happened to me.
I guess you are suggesting this as a way to get started for the first few days. That's fine. I just wonder if some guys would ever step out of their cocoon. Also that Mall will soon get a bad reputation if guys start hanging out there in any numbers.

[bcc_1_2]

A bad reputation? You mean like prepagos will start showing up (too late for that) or there will be a big criminal element showing up?
The mall already has a rep for gringos being there. The guys living in Colombia (Mudd) and others can live by their own rules and the risks that come with that but many of the guys on here are just looking at traveling down to meet some women. There are plenty of beautiful countries to go out and see that are much safer than Colombia.

[V_Man]

Yes it does have a reputation for gringos hanging out there already. True. Although at the moment there are so few as to make no difference. Also it is true that prepagos go there to be seen. Perhaps it is naive of me to promote anything else.

[bcc_1_2]

It was before my time traveling to these sort of places but Cali peaked many years ago in terms of gringos traveling for wives, sex, etc it seems. With the economy as it is I suspect there must be a huge difference between the boom era circa 1999 and now. I guess my only point is that chipichape is no secret.

[Dan Las Vegas]

When I was in Cali recently I only saw two Gringos while I was there, both of them near the intercontinental. Have yet to see a single one in Siloe where my fiancé's family lives


dan LV

[Calipro]

When I was in Cali recently I only saw two Gringos while I was there, both of them near the intercontinental. Have yet to see a single one in Siloe where my fiancé's family lives


dan LV

LOL !!


Siloe is one of the worst barrios in Cali and there is just no reason to go there.

[Dan Las Vegas]

I'm well aware of this , I was being tongue in cheek. 

[Calipro]

I'm well aware of this , I was being tongue in cheek.

Does your girlfriend really live in Siloe?

[Dan Las Vegas]

my fiancé lives in Bogota but her mom and dad live in Siloe, about halfway up the hill