Cartagena Question

[A.Christiansen]

Has anyone experienced any problems while approaching, docking or onshore at Cartagena? I was invited to join some friends and have had family members raising hell after I told them I was thinking of heading off to Colombia. Everything I have read and everything my friends have told me suggests that Cartagena is a wonderful safe place in a dangerous country. Has anyone had any experiences suggesting otherwise?

Best,

Art

[TaoJones]

If Soft Air doesn't see this thread, you should shoot him a PM. If anyone on this board knows Colombia, it's him (JC).

Pat and Ali Schulte also visited Colombia, both while they were cruising their catamaran Bumfuzzle, and recently while "land cruising" their '58 VW split-window van (they're now in Peru). The bumfuzzle.com website will provide an opportunity for you to read their logs dealing with both visits.

TaoJones

[bstreep]

Friends Steve & Lili aboard Liward just visited Cartagena:

Liward - GetJealous.com Travel Blogs

[annk]

Fabulous place, don't miss it!
Never felt at all threatened there but did listen to the advice of where was safe and where not. People friendly, food fabulous but harbour totally filthy!
Enjoy.

[A.Christiansen]

Do you remember the names of any of the areas that were not considered safe?

Thanks to everyone for their responses,

Best,

Art

[Bradley]

I love Cartagena. It is a World Heritage site and shouldn't be missed. I feel very safe walking the streets around Club Nautico and the old town. The old town literally teems with people walking, eating, etc. You can PM me with any questions.

[Pathfinder]

Cartagena has always been one of the safest cities in Colombia. Colombia, as a country, is now enjoying relative safety compared to a few years ago, that is before President Uribe. Brazil, for example, is said to be more dangerous than Colombia at present, in general.
Cartagena is a very easy city to get to know, is not very large, and if you are sensible and polite, as in any city, you shouldn't have any problems. As in NYC, just don't do something silly, such as jogging in Central Park at midnight. I lived there in Colombia for five years in the 1970's and visit Cartagena every year and have never had any "safety" problems.
Colombians are very proud of this most beautiful city and are fun to be around as they are a very warm and friendly. Have lunch at the Club de Pesca.

[linkavitch]

cartagena is sweet. i was there in november and had no problems at all.
i hired a sailboat charter from bocas to cartagena for a few weeks.
partied in cartagena, went to some concerts, walked around, and had no problems.
some speak english there, so its not like medellin or anything where you can't even get around without spanish.

really safe. ill be there this summer.

[dana-tenacity]

We stayed six weeks, agree with all the above, don't let them put you off.

[Chuteman]

I vote for Indigo Moon as a passionate fan & admirer

Indigo Moon - Cartagena