Barranquilla, Colombia

[yc]

Has anyone visited the city of Barranquilla?  How does it compare to Cali?  What are the ladies like compared to other cities in Colombia?

yc

[JunFan68]

... in response to Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by yc on Jul 1, 2001

I have been to Barranquilla twice now, and will be going again for a brief trip to pic up my fiance and bring her to the USA.  First of all, I think you should consider Cartagena and BQ as places you should try to hit on the same trip.  That way, you can enjoy the sights and security of Cartagena and also experience meeting some ladies from BQ.  I have not been to any other Colombian cities except these two.  As you probably know, Cartagena is the tourist capital of Colombia, with its long Spanish history.  The city is a historical treasure, like nothing I had seen before.  You should go to my web page and look at some pictures.  Cartagena is very safe as they have alot of police there, including a group of Tourist Police to help keep tourists safe.  I was always with my fiance down there so I didn't hit the agency scene as I chose to write women before I went and meet them downthere.  

In my case, I went to Cartagena and had Beatriz meet me there (maybe 2 hr. bus ride from BQ for her).  We did this the first three times I went down there.  The last time I went in late May, I went to BQ for our engagement party.  BQ is neither very historical or pretty.  The only beaches that are decent to go to are about 15-20 min outside of town.  The best of course, are in Santa Marta which is farther northeast up the coast by an hour or two.  I'm still not sure how safe that drive is.  The town of Barranquilla is kinda like going to Houston...it's big, industrial port city, and not very pretty (sorry HD..LOL).  Sure, there are some nice stores and malls there but I know I wouldn't have stayed there unless I had to, like for my engagement party.  But by the same token, I didn't see a whole lot of Gringos in BQ when I was there.

Now as far as the women go, there are good looking women in each city, but I saw more hotties in BQ than I did in Cartagena.  But then again, BQ is a much bigger city.  I would say that Barranquilla is the most 'under-gringoed' Colombian city, except for maybe Bucamaranga.  Most of the women are darker, due to the fact the live on a coastal town on the equator, but also because the coast was a hub for Spanish slave trade, so over the years you have multiple combinations of Spaniard, black, native Colombian, as well as mixtures from Colombians from other parts of the country.  I personally think, from the stories I have read about Cali, that BQ and the Coast in general have more down to earth, less 'gringo saavy' girls who are very sincere.  

Now here's the capper, I recall the women of the coast to be fairly well endowed in the bust area, which you will be able to see because the pool will be your best friend as these two towns can get extremely hot/humid...I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect....

Later,
Mike

www.sparhard.com/colombia.htm

[yc]

... in response to Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by JunFan68 on Jul 1, 2001

Hi Mike,

Since this is my first time visiting Colombia, what mode of transportation would you suggest to get to these cities(Cartagena and Santa Marta)?  I am currently learning spanish so you might want to take that into consideration too.  I don't know how well I would be at speaking the language, but I am finding spanish to be easier than german was in the beginning stages.

Thanks,

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by yc on Jul 3, 2001

There are at least two bus lines that leave from the B/quilla terminal that go to Santa Marta/Rodadero. It's an easy trip but board early to get your assigned seat otherwise someone will take it if it's a good seat and won't give it up. Don't know how many lines go to Cartagena, probobly more. When the vender gets on about half way selling arepas with an egg cooked inside buy one, they're delicious.

[JunFan68]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by yc on Jul 3, 2001

YC,
You're right about Spanish being the key to the deal. I'm not sure what to tell you.  I was fortunate to have had my fiance with me...after all, the purpose of the day trip to BQ was to meet her family.  So, she knew the ins and outs.  She normally takes the bus, which is very cheap and probably safe, but it takes 2x as long.  We took a cab.  I am sure my anxiety level would have been higher  

First off, I would make sure you 'make friends' with the conciege by tipping him a buck or two every time you walk thru the entrance of the hotel, coming or going.  That's what I did and my guy set me up with a great cab driver with a air-conditioned taxi.  As far as the cost goes, as I remember, it cost me $100 bucks (maybe it was fifty) but that was for a roundtrip plus staying with us all day, including having lunch with the family.  He drove us all around BQ, and then took us back. All in all, probably a total of 7-8 hrs.  My impression is that the route from Cartagena and BQ is relatively safe during the day. We even stopped at a hut off the side of the road to buy some beer and some snacks.  

Note:  Make sure you leave by 4 or so in the afternoon so you get off the highway before dark.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it...Mike

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by JunFan68 on Jul 1, 2001

I have visited Barranquilla three times (Feb.'99, Nov.'99, and Feb.'00). Mike, you are correct when you said that is not an attractive city, but it does have some sites which are interesting. I've also visited Cartagena (beautiful city) and Santa Marta (I love the beach there). As for the ladies in Barranquilla...some are better than others. Personally, I've had unpleasant experiences with some the ladies I met there. For example, during my last trip in  Barranquilla, I was stood up FOUR TIMES (I LIE TO YOU NOT). Also, I noticed that some of those ladies are slightly unappreciative. In spite of this, I will NEVER say that ALL females in Barranquilla are the same.  I do have friends there who I plan on seeing when I return there next month (six days in Barranquilla, but two weeks in Cali). Take care. PEACE.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by Keith Smith on Jul 1, 2001

I have found B/quilla woman to be more aloof and more conservative than Cali women despite their reputation for a "who cares, we costenos do what we want" attitude. They are also not nearly as age tolerent as calenas, more like gringas when it comes to age difference. If you're 50-55 and up Cali is better. A cheap hotel on la avenida Murillo, Calle 45 I think, is Hotel Monte Carlo. It costs a little under $6 with private bath. Ask for room on the north side of building to get constant breeze. It's three blocks south of the better known Hotel Canadiense, about $22. The neighborhood is not to be wandered around in after dark.

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by Cali vet on Jul 3, 2001

True indeed! I'm happy to hear that I'm not alone. Once again, not ALL the ladies in BQ are the same. BUT, I've noticed that quite a few of them have the "gringa" mentality. I've taken two trips to Cali in 2000, and I've noticed that many of the ladies I met there were more willing to know me. I can't lie; I was stood up ONCE in Cali, but I was stood up FOUR TIMES during my last visit to Barranquilla (Feb. 2000). Take care. PEACE.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by Keith Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Getting stood up seems to be pretty common at all the agencies. Somewhat less if the girls have to pay a fee to join. I had my best luck in that regard at Classycolombianladies. First Maria Del Carmen would make the date then she would call again at least once to remind them to be on time. She runs a tight ship and most of the time it works. By the way she told me there's one other agency there in B/quilla besides hers and ilovelatins. Anybody know anything about that?

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colomb..., posted by Cali vet on Jul 3, 2001

The girls who stood me up for dates I didn't meet through an agency (in Barranquilla). I'll admit, I met these females in shopping areas. I won't do that again.

[Houndog]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Co..., posted by Keith Smith on Jul 3, 2001

I never have thought the sincerity levels of mall ladies was on the same level as ladies that went to the time, trouble and personal commitment to join an agency.

Have a good 4th, HD

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla..., posted by Houndog on Jul 4, 2001

True. But at the time, I simply didn't know any better. Nowadays, I rather go through an agency than trying to find someone on my own. Have a nice July 4th. PEACE.

[yc]

... in response to Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by Keith Smith on Jul 1, 2001

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the advice.  I hope I have some success in BQ.  By the way, what dates were you planning to be in BQ next month?  I have some vacation time and was planning to use it for travel.  My original plan was to visit Germany for the summer(about two weeks).  It has been almost ten years since I was last there.  I thought it would be nice to see the country again and see how much things have changed.  But I am thinking I might best spend that time in Colombia.

I have never been to LA before, that is, if you exclude Mexico.  I was not planning to go to LA until sometime toward the end of the year.  My plan was to start corresponding with a few females.  If the corresponding works out, schedule a trip somewhere between Nov and Feb(the summer months).  Meet with the females, see how things click and take it from there.  I have located several latinas I would like to correspond with.  The catch is that very few are located in Colombia.  I would really prefer someone from Colombia... I will state why later.  Most of the females(70% to 80%) are from Brazil and Honduras... with the remaining from Colombia, Dominican Republic and Trinidad.  All these countries have very beautiful women.  More so then I would found here in the States.  The problem I have(the same I have with American women) is the issue of values.  Brazil seems to be a party place.  I know next to nothing about Honduran and Trinidad women values.  DR seems to be a little to much like the US... which leaves Colombia.  Despite social and security issues, Colombian women(in general) seem to have very good values.  Colombian women seems to place a higher value on the welfare of her family.  I have heard this is typical for all of LA, but Colombian women just place a higher emphasis on it.

What is your take on this?  Have you had any experience with the women of any of these countries I've mention?  Can you offer any suggestion?  I feel like I am somewhat flying blind.

Thanks,

[Keith Smith]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by yc on Jul 2, 2001

Hi. Thanks for your response. I really appreciate it. I started traveling to Colombia two years ago. Prior to that, I had visited Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras (in that order). I didn't find romance in P.R. or Mexico. In D.R., there many attractive ladies; however, many of them I met had ulterior motives (a big turnoff for me, but D.R. is a beautiful island. I might return there in the near future). Honduras is where I found romance. Unfortunately, the female I was involved with there tried to use me for her own evil and selfish purposes. In spite of my misfortune, ther are many nice ladies living in Honduras (San Pedro Sula is where I stayed while vacationing there). During the past two years, I've benn sold on Colombia. Prior to two years ago, I wouldn't have considered going there (due to the bad press). But when I went there, I really enjoyed myself. Most of the ladies I met there are not only attractive, but friendly and educated as well (that's important to me). I will be arriving in Barranquilla on August 6. Afterwards, I will go to Cali on August 12 (I'm staying there for two weeks). If you decide to visit Colombia, I'm sure you will enjoy yourself. Remember, if you decide to stay in Barranquilla, visit Cartagena and Santa Marta. You will definitely enjoy those places! Take care. PEACE.

[Rich]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Barranquilla, Colombia, posted by Keith Smith on Jul 2, 2001

Hi keith

I'm off to the dom Republic end of august just really for a holiday but very interested in your views/experiences with the women over there ! Would you say the women are friendly ,educated ?

Cheers

Rich