I was invited to join 3 others in traveling to Cartagena for 1 night and driving 2 hours to Barranquilla for a three night stay - during Colombia's Carnival.
Has anyone on BBI been to Colombia (Cartagena or Barranquilla)and/or the Carnival. I have done a lot of research online the past few days and I'm left both excited with this once in a lifetime trip opportunity - but also nervous due the stories of crime and all things that are related to Colombia.
I understand that the country has gotten a lot more safe for tourism in the last 10 years and if we don't walk around like Lavar Ball's Big Ballers - the odds are in our favor of us being left alone. I would be traveling with 3 other American's all 30 years old. We've been all over Europe together and enjoy getting wild but understand this is a third world country and not a quick trip to Amsterdam or Dublin.
I've come to the forum before and I got great insight before a few of my backpacking trips through Europe so I was hoping for some helpful comments again.
Thanks and Happy New Year to all my fellow NYG fans.
Not sure about your marital situations but if you're looking to pick up girls it can be rather easy. You're Americans. They all think we are millionaires. And to them you are because you'll see how far an american dollar can take you. But be respectful. Don't be like the secret service guys that went there a few years ago and not pay your hooker (which are Grad A meat btw) or don't try to not give a girl a drink that you promised. Just do it.
The food is great, get ready to dance if you're going out to party cuz the girls LOVE to dance...doesnt matter if you're not good. Don't be stupid either, the girls over there will hustle you bone dry if you let them. So be respectful but keep your head about you and you'll be fine.
Enjoy its a beautiful place.
When you use an ATM NEVER use it alone. Make sure your buddies are around you covering. When you punch the numbers in they usually have a metal keypad. After you punch in your pin rub the entire key pad with your fingers. Why? Cuz guys over there have figured out to get heat readings off the keypad once you're done using it. The hottest keys are the ones you just pressed. So just rub the whole keypad when you're done and make sure you have your guys blocking the view.
Also take out the max which I think is like 300,000 pesos...which is like 150 bucks.
If you have any pesos left over when you're coming back just stash them as souvenirs. Don't bring much pesos back thinking you'll convert them back to dollars.
Yeah in that case you'll be fine. I've been to Medellin, Bogota and then the small towns where my family is from. But yeah it can be a fun place, the women there are gorgeous, the city where you're going is gorgeous. Old colonial type. Food is awesome.
Their pizzas and hamburgers are not like the ones here. So don't expect italian type of pizzas lol That can shock some people when they bite into it.
Their beers are ok. Their main ones are Aguila and Club Colombiana...I like the latter better.
OK, I laughed...
It is really, really hot there!
Anyway, Barranquilla is the Carnival capital of Colombia. In Colombia, Carnival is all about Barranquilla.
You will be awake night and day, very little sleep.
I've socialized with two former Barranquilla Carnival queens. It's a high honor to be selected, and extremely competitive.
Enjoy yourself. Colombia is an awesome country. The Costenos know how to party!
Be aware - it will be extremely helpful if you speak Spanish. Do not expect everyone to speak English. Those who do will probably do so haltingly. They don't get much practice. If you don't have a Spanish-speaking person with you, good luck. You'll have difficulties in Barranquilla.
Also, watch out for the horse-driven, banana-laden cart sauntering down a main street in the midst of rush hour, going against traffic in the wrong direction!!
If you get in trouble while you are there, and you can believe me, post here and I will contact them.
They can get you out of any police-related jam.
Shakira is from Barranquilla. She'll be there, almost for sure.