1

My comments are about Cartagena.

I liked El Viajero hotel, not the one in Lonely Planet but it was in Calle Porvenir. I paid COP 80,000 per night for the airconditioned room for two (because we stayed 5 nights, otherwise it would have been COP 90,000). The room has a private tiny bathroom, the shower only has cold (lukewarm) water, it has tv and a very comfortable bed. The hotel has a kitchen you can use, free wifi, free computers with internet, and is in a perfect location in the historical centre which normally has hotels that cost a lot more.

As for food, I liked the Spanish tapas at Sibaris (expensive); I liked breakfast and lunch at the mellow and affordable El Bistro (Plaza San Diego); I loved! the expensive but delicious sushi at Tabetai; I liked the pizzas at that small pizza place on Plaza Fernandez de Madrid (on the corner of Sargento Mayor); I liked the affordable mojitos and the amazing views of El Balcon; and I loved the food and atmosphere at Krioyo restaurant (not cheap, but the portions are filling and were worth it).
Most of these places can probably be found in Tripadvisor if you want to know where they are and see photos or such.
Cafe del Mar also seemed nice but it was very stormy when we looked so we didn't stay.

Don't let people fool you when they say the bus to Barranquilla is 1.5 hours, it really takes 2.5 hours one-way. But you might not go there. And you probably already know that you always need to add an hour to the travel time they tell you. :-)

¡Feliz viaje!

2

P.S. At El Bistro in the afternoon they don't give you the sandwich / breakfast menus anymore, but you can still ask to see them! And you can still order those dishes in the afternoon.
You can also ask them to make a salad, which is not on any menu. They made us a delicious, big salad with lettuce, juicy fried chicken, broccoli, apple and other vegetables and fruits. One day it was COP 16,000, the other day it was COP 15,000... :-)

And their fruit juices are huge!

3

question for #1 post.

I booked a room for Hotel El Viajero (calle Porvenir) for next week. Do the rooms have a in-room safe box? Thanks.

4

Yep they do ...you just need your own lock!

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#4

Thanks for the quick answer.

6

Check out Taganga! We fell in love with it and stayed a week. If you want recommendations where to stay let me know.

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#6 ... Yes, gonna check it out there ... Any fresh, hands on info is appreciated for places to stay, since places & quality can change quickly sometimes...

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#3, sorry I didn't see your question, somehow I don't get the updates in my email anymore.
Yes they have a small safetybox (shoebox size), and you need a lock that's not too thick.

Enjoy Cartagena!