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Title: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Pete E on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM I am taking my no 1 girl to Santa Marta next week,she has 2 weeks off from work.It the only place in Colombia I have not yet gone that I really want to go to.
I want a first class hotel on the Beach in Rodedero.Something nice.I have someone working on it but I get no real imformation on the hotels and don't want to make a mistake. Pete Title: update on SantaMarta trip Post by: Pete E on February 25, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
We got a 3 day pachage,3 meals plus drinks and airfare for 545,000 pesos each,about $235 each.The airfare alone could be almost that.I paid 500,000 each to Cartagena last miniute flight.The minimum airfare is 360,000 pesos but that requires a 14 day advance purchase. The hotel is the DeCamaron Galeon,Looks like up the beach from Rodedero,they say 15 min walk.The one I wanted to stay at,the Irotama,would have been 525,000 pesos more each,or a total of 1,050,000 pesos,$450 more for 3 nights at a different hotel,$150 more a night. Hope the place is good.Looked OK from the brochure,right on the beach. We leave Monday,back Thursday.I will do some pictures. Pete Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Gator on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
Try checking on the Hotel Tamaca, Santamar (their bungalows are not on the beach), Irotama & Zuana. None of these places are cheap but apparently that does not worry you. Any questions about SM just ask. Tours: http://www.monumentaltoursca.com/paq-surame.htm Irotoma http://www.irotama.com/ (will translate to english) Santamar http://www.hotelsantamar.com/ Zuana http://www.zuana.com/ or a reservation site http://www.intervalworld.com/iw/cs?a=1503&resortCode=ZUA&parentResortCode=ZUA Here are some more hotels in Santa Marta (El Rodadero which is the tourist beach area about 3 miles out of Santa Marta) A google search may have information on some of them. Title: Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Pete E on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Gator on Feb 23, 2005
Thanks for all the good imformation,leaning toward Irotama,haven't got the price yet. Pete Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Calipro on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
Pete, I hope you are going to be in Cali on March 10th. I have to swing by your place to pick up my stuff. Title: Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Pete E on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Calipro on Feb 23, 2005
Looks like it will be Feb 28 - March 3 in Santa Marta.I will definetly be back before the 10th,my girl hasto be back at work the 7th.Plus if there ever is no one here Adrian will be able to let guys in ect. I have ordered some things that if I get them I may want to have you bring them.I was going to ask you when you were coming. Pete Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Seeker on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
Hi Pete, I was a little naive about Santa Marta when I invited my girl from Bucaramanga to go there on a vacation. I made the mistake of arriving to Santa Marta in the evening without a reservation. Big Mistake! We ended up staying at the Hotel Zuana Beach Resort in Rodadero which was very expensive and disappointing. We looked at 3 to 4 star hotels the next day in Rodadero and decided to stay at one of these for a few days. However, no rooms were immediately available, so we left our luggage with hotel security and went to the beach. As we were walking along the Rodadero, we were approached by various guys offering us furnished apartments. When I inquired about the price, I couldn't believe it was actually cheaper than our hotel. We started looking at a few within walking distance and then took a taxi to look at a very beautiful one-bedroom apartment, with a huge balcony and a hammock overlooking the ocean. It was on the 15th floor or there abouts. It had a pool on the roof, very secure and only two blocks up from the beach. Within a few hours, we had returned to the hotel to get our luggage. As we were waiting for a taxi, a friend of the agent passed by on a Chiva. She asked him to take us on the Chiva to the high-rise a few miles away. He agreed and before you know it, here I am in the middle of Rodadero, with a beautiful chica, riding on a Chiva in the middle of the day, heading towards this luxurious apartment. You may not want to go through this hassle...Our "broker" is a stylist. Her name is Clara Ines and her number is 422-8417 in Rodadero. Although it may seem that there are many different agents, they seem to work together and will cooperate to find you what you want. Make sure you go to Taganga. Santa Marta is nice, but I found Rodadero more exciting and this is where we stayed. Lastly, book a trip to Parque Tayrona. It will be very worthwhile. Another great place is the Quinta of San Pedro Alejandrino. You'll see the bed upon which Simon Bolivar gave his last breath. Don't be surprised if you start making plans to move to Santa Marta upon returning to Cali. You're going to love it. Good luck. Title: Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Pete E on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Seeker on Feb 22, 2005
S, Thanks for all the great imformation.I had forgotten about the apartment option,even though I did that in Cartagena,a friend set it up for us. I am inclined towards staying at Idotama I think its spelled.It a huge complex with lots of restaurants,all inclusive plans including food drinks and water sports and little bungalos you can stay in. My friend stayed there in his honeymoon in 2001.Said it was$100 anight including food and drinks and recreation.BUT it might be more expensive now,we will see.Bungalo near the beach appeals more than a high rise. Funny you should mention living there.I had forgotton about that.On poor but happy a guy came on saying he had lived there for 20 years,dropped out of the rat race and never wanted to go back,loved it.I could never get him to respond with any more imformation.It was number one on my mind for awhile,then I forgot it.I can't believe I went to Cartagena 3 times last year without getting to Santa Marta.The first 2 times I was exploring living there,the second time just a lark following my friend. I am still wondering what I really want to be doing,I feel like I am treading water here untill it happens.And I love beaches.We will see.I could be really open to something different.Cali is great for the women,kind of boring otherwise. Hmm.I woke up thinking about lots of things.Business and investment ideas.Whats up in my love life.Some of the opportunities I missed by coming here.If I had just hung on to one of those condos I would have another $200,000.I was a real estate bull but didn't think it had anything left in it.I was wrong.But I'm not sorry I came,I wouldn't have really taken advantage of the opportunities considering what was going on in my life anyway. But my life is easy here.I start talking to my maid and know I have it made.Problems I do not have.Dilemas what to do,yes,but they are not pressing. Hmm. Thanks for the informative and thoughtfull post. Pete Title: Re: Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Cali James on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions..., posted by Pete E on Feb 23, 2005
"If I had just hung on to one of those condos I would have another $200,000." Hey Pete, I bet your house in Willow Glenn went up $200,000 since you left also. It's been a crazy market for sure, continuing to rise for no logical reason that I can figure. I read in the paper that the median price in Los Banos shot up 74% in 2004. Now mine hasn't gone up like that because it's on the high end of prices but it has gone up about $100K. Title: Santa Marta, the city, is nothing Post by: Malandro on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions..., posted by Pete E on Feb 23, 2005
the surroundings are spectacular. If you never set foot in the actual city you will not have missed anything. I asked a taxi driver to take me to a nice restaurant there and he took me to Frisby's the fried chicken chain. El Rodadero is a great beach and on the other side you got Taganga and the deserted Parque Tayrona which probably has the cheapest diving in the world. I wonder if it is safe to go venturing out into the Park and or up to the jungle. Title: Re: Santa Marta, the city, is nothing (not really true IMHO) Post by: Gator on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta, the city, is nothing , posted by Malandro on Feb 23, 2005
Lots to do if you know the place but the best beach is in El Rodadero Title: Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. Post by: Dr Aaron on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
I think it is beautiful in many aspects. First, the coast lays next to a large mountain range, and there is a desert region nearby. I was not near the desert, but there are cacti on the mountains. There are numerous beaches in various parts. These beaches are extremely clean and beautiful. The water is clean, not like Cartagena. Along parts of the coastal regions, the only way to travel is by boat. People use lanchas, regular speed boats. Some people have water speeders. It's great !!! Near the place where I was staying, there is a beach called La Playa Blanca, which you can only reach by boat. The sand is white, and it can make your feet burn. On the way to this beach, you'll see private houses owned by rich Colombian buisness men, and entertainers. Carlos Vives has a coastal house near there. One Colombian oil tycoon has a house on an island that is right next to the coast. The island shoots up like a mountain, and his house is built right on top. It is a really great place, and most Colombians like Santa Marta allot better than Cartagena. I stayed in a 5 star resort area called Hoteles Galeon Decameron. I purchased a cheap package off season. The price was $500.00 USD per person for a five day stay. Food, drinks including alcohol, entertainment and airline travel was all included. The rooms are condo style with two floors. While I was there, I purchased an international time share for $3000.00 USD. The company has affilations with various resorts in different countries in Europe, USA, Latin America, and even Africa. I also won a free stay in Italy, but I haven't used it yet. With my time share, I can stay at various resorts that they are affiliated with, and I can bring guests. Food, lodging, entertainment, drinks are all included. I haven't used it yet. Hoteles Decameron in Santa Marta is the best because the planes when they come in for landing glide right over the beach for the resort. I can remember just relaxing on the beach, and watching the planes glide in over the beach and water. It was really slick. Aaron Title: Aaron...please contact me! Post by: Hoda on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. , posted by Dr Aaron on Feb 22, 2005
I have a few questions about your timeshare. thanks in advance... Title: Timeshares Post by: Pete E on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Aaron...please contact me!, posted by Hoda on Feb 23, 2005
Not to start a debate here,but the basic advice with a time share is don't buy one.The only way it makes sense is if you buy them on the resale market for 10-20% of what they went for new,which is what you will find out they are worth if you try to sell one.And then you have to be selective.Those time share trades?Just try it.My cousin has 2 in Mazatlan.He can't rent them for the maintenance fee.The most flexible thing is invest to make money,don't confuse it with vacations,then get the best deal and FLEXIBILITY on your vacation by being able to pay cash. Anyone considering a timeshare desperately needs the course Neal is recommending above. Sorry Aaron.Don't want to rain on your parade,but timeshares are in there with cash value life insurance as a bad investment. Pete Title: Re: Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. Post by: OkieMan on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. , posted by Dr Aaron on Feb 22, 2005
Aaron, You mentioned that the package you purchased included airfare, as well as accomdations, etc. So, where did you fly from? I am asking that because I want to know if that package was priced for a person or couple leaving from another Colombian location (ie Cali, Medellin or Bogota), or the price started with your flight from the States? By the way, that place does sound nice. It would probably be a great place to go on a honeymoon, or just a week's getaway, like you did. Thanks for the info. OkieMan Title: Re: Re: Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. Post by: Dr Aaron on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. , posted by OkieMan on Feb 22, 2005
The price for the package was for round trip airfare from Cali to Santa Marta via Bogota, $500.00 USD per person. Covering airfare, lodging, food, and entertainment. The food was buffet style, all you can eat. They had 3 meals a day, 3 different restaurants at the resort, Italian, Asian, and Ranch/Western style food. Unlimited drinks, cocktails and rum, or non-alcoholic drinks. Spa, beach volleyball, great Colombian cultural shows, and boat trips. This was the off season price. High season it is way more expensive, and usually only the most affluent Colombians go. The resort is a well secured place, and has a clean family style atmosphere. It wouldn't be well suited for the partying and nightlife that most gringos seek when they run the streets in Cali. This was another reason why I liked the place. Aaron Title: Re: Re: Re: Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. Post by: OkieMan on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: Santa Marta is extremely beautif..., posted by Dr Aaron on Feb 22, 2005
Aaron Thanks for the info. If the atmosphere is like you said, I am sure that I would like it even more. I am not the party type guy. I don't drink, etc. When you say off season, I would bet it is a different time then our off season. So, can you be a little more specific? I will not be able to do something like that right away, but I could file it all away, so to speak, for future use. OkieMan Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: OkieMan on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
Pete, Have you priced the airline tickets from Cali to Santa Marta? How far is that from Cartegena? Since I have never been to either place, I would also like some info on both. I am not planning a trip to there right now, but I always like to be informed. But, I have noticed that on this board, there has been much more talk on Cartegena than Santa Marta. I don't know why. Maybe someone can enlighten me. OkieMan Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Traveller on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
Here's one I always wanted to go to there. http://www.hotelballenaazul.com/ Title: I stayed there Post by: Malandro on February 24, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Traveller on Feb 22, 2005
brought a girl from Cali there so I wasn't as bored as I otherwise might have been. it is right across from a diving center that only cost $30 when I was there. The restaurant is pretty good. there is beach just to the east of the town of Taganga that is pretty cool. they have those wooden shacks and sell fried fish and beer and the like. very cheap. just beyond that to the east is the Parque Tayrona where you can go diving, go to a deserted beach, or get kidnapped. A large hill separates Santa Marta from Taganga. you go from the "bustling metropolis" of Santa Marta to the sleepy little town of Taganga in about 10 minutes or less. Title: You would die of boredom... Post by: Gator on February 23, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Traveller on Feb 22, 2005
after one day. Taganga has zilch to do but it is worth a visit. The hotel is now new but nice in a funky way, two story and about ten rooms-the reasturant is good. Title: Re: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: Seeker on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Traveller on Feb 22, 2005
If I remember correctly, this hotel is beachfront in the little fishing town of Taganga. Highly recommended to learn to scuba dive. Very beautiful and off the beaten path. Title: Re: Santa Marta hotel suggestions? Post by: roadken on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
I stayed there two years ago.Loved it.The beach is so so though.We stayed outside town at the Coastal Azul.Good prices and a private beach.I liked Santa Marta much better than Cartagena.Have fun Title: Try a search on Cali-Vet... Post by: Hoda on February 22, 2005, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Santa Marta hotel suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005
I'm sure he's been there or points near-by. |