Just got back last night from spending three days and four nights in Cartagena. I didn't visit any agencies. I went there to spend time with a lady that I met in Cartagena last August.
I stayed at the Hotel Santa Teresa. It is a five-star hotel with a lot of amenities, including hot water. My room cost me about $120.00 a night. The hotel has a breakfast buffet that costs about $8.00.
I spent almost all of my time in the old town. After having stayed in the Bocagrande during past visits, I prefer the old town over the Bocagrande. However, it is more convenient to stay in the Bocagrande because the offices of Latin Destinations and AFA are there, as well as a lot of clubs, casinos, stores, beaches, and restaurants.
There was an interesting item in the Sunday edition of El Tiempo. During the time I was there, there were 4 cruise ships docked in Cartagena, bringing an estimated 10,000 tourists in the city. I believe the article said that this was the first time in anyone's memory that this had happened.
While rambling in the old town, I found another hostal that some of you may want to comment on if you have stayed there. It is called the Hostal San Diego, located in the San Diego sector of the old town, about a couple of blocks from the Hotel Santa Clara. They charge 62,000 pesos per night, which includes breakfast, but no hot water.
If you are contemplating a trip to Cartagena, it is well worth it. However, since some of you have certain kinds of preferences of the ladies you want to meet, keep in mind what others have said in previous posts. Generally speaking, the ladies in Cartagena are of darker color and not as educated as ladies you will find in Bogota. However, if you are willing to spend the time, you can find the lady of your dreams in Cartagena.
chao
