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Hostal Baluarte is a very pleasant place to stay for budget travellers. There are many places on the same street that are cheaper (about 12,000 pesos), but they are often hot, dirty, dark, poorly ventilated, and sometimes used as brothels. After a pretty miserable night in one of these places we decided it was worth a few extra dollars to be comfortable, and Hostal Baluarte was definitely well worth it. The first price we were quoted was a bit out of our range, but it turned out to be negotiable. In the end we paid 25,000 pesos (less than US$10) per night. The rooms were cleaned daily, the whole place was spotless and nicely decorated, and the turbo-charged ceiling fan kept us cool (quite a feat in Cartagena).
It's in a colonial building on Calle Media Luna, which is in the historic centre but not within the inner walls, which is Cartagena at its best. So don't be disappointed when you get here; the city gets much better. Staying within the inner walls can be expensive though, so the Media Luna area is a good option for budget travellers as it's much cheaper but still only a ten-minute walk away from the really good stuff. Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Calle Media Luna 10-81Phone: 6642208Directions: In the area of town called Getsemani. Calle Media Luna later becomes Paseo de la Plaza de la Independencia.
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In Bogota the most popular option by far among backpackers is the Platypus Hostel, and its reputation really is deserved. The owner German is very friendly and knowledgeable, and there are all kinds of services offered here, such as internet, book exchange, kitchen facilities, free coffee, etc. Prices in Bogota are higher than elsewhere in the country; we paid 28,000 pesos for the cheapest double room with no bath. We looked around though, and the cheapest we could find was only 1,000 or 2,000 less than Platypus, and of course it didn't have all the facilities and atmosphere. Theme: HostelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Calle 16, No. 2-43Phone: 3412874Directions: In the historic centre of La Candelaria, near Parque Santander.Other Contact: Fax: 3413104
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This clean and pleasant budget hotel is just across the street from the very popular Miramar hotel. Most backpackers stay at Miramar, but since our guidebook (Footprint) said robberies had been reported there we avoided it. We were quite happy with Casa Familiar, which, as the name suggests, is run by a friendly local family. There is a communal kitchen for those who want to cook, and tours can also be arranged here. A double room costs 18,000 pesos. Theme: Pension/GuesthousePrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Calle 10C, No. 2-14Phone: 4211697
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The first night at Hotel Morgan I got a room with four beds, but when I arrived back the next afternoon they had moved my things to a smaller room with a double bed. But this was a nicer room and it had a balcony facing Calle 35 (which is a pedestrian street). Both rooms had a fan, a TV and a bathroom. Soap and towel are provided. I paid 25 000 pesos per night (July 2007). The staff was all very kind and helpful.
The day before I had called from Mompos to make a reservation at another hotel, the cheapest one in my guidebook (they wanted to have 30 000 pesos for a room for one person). But as I arrived they said there was no room and the woman in the reception was not very kind. I was very happy to come to Hotel Morgan where I at once felt welcome Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterAddress: Calle 35 No 18 - 33Phone: 7 - 6303949 / 7 - 6522581Other Contact: Fax: 7 - 6303741
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This family-run place is on the edge of the village in San Andres de Pisimbala. The owners are very friendly, and the rooms are built around a pleasant courtyard with lots of animals running around. We ate all our meals here, as we couldn't find anywhere else in town that would serve food. Fortunately, the food here was good, and they also prepared some nice fresh juices. A double room cost 14,000 pesos. Theme: Pension/GuesthousePrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensive
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Casa de Felipe is a very popular place so it is good to make a reservation. I sent them an email a few days before arriving, but then there was no available room the first night, but only a bed in a dorm. The dorm had three beds, a bathroom and a kitchen and it was 15 000 pesos a night. For the rest of the time I got a room with bathroom for 25 000 pesos (July 2007). In the room there is a towel and soap.
Many things are nice with Casa de Felipe. There is a very pleasant terrace with tables and hammocks where it is nice relaxing in the afternoon or evening, reading or talking to other people. There is a kitchen the guests can use (but not so much in the morning as they are preparing breakfast for the guests who pay for it). The breakfasts are good. For 5000 pesos you will get eggs, bread (four pieces), coffee (a whole pot) and juice. In the reception there are two computers, and fridges with drinks you can buy. You can leave your valuable things in the safe and if you are going to Ciudad Perdida or Tyrona you can leave some of your belongings in the storage room. And the staff is very kind and helpful and can give you a lot of information (but they don’t speak much English).
The disadvantage is that it is a bit unfamiliar as there are a lot of tourists staying there. I was surprised coming from Venezuela where there were few tourists at the posadas and most people greeted each other. Theme: HostelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterAddress: Carrera 5A No19 - 13Phone: 5 - 421 9120Directions: As you enter Taganga, turn right and follow the road past a football field and continue to the top of the road and there you will find Casa de Felipe.Website: www.casadefelipe.com
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I think Hotel Holiday would be a nicer place if the people staying there were less noisy during the night. I got a basic room with bathroom for 15 000 pesos (July 2007). The rooms are facing a narrow courtyard and my room did not have a window but only mosquito net (high on the wall) between me and the people sitting by the table just outside. The only night it was quiet it was raining and the people going late to bed sat in the TV-room instead (I was happy because I could sleep). There is a sign saying it should be quiet after midnight (not all guests respect that), but I think that is too late. I also think it is very ignorant of people (guests at the hostel) to play music outside other peoples rooms that late (or even earlier as everybody doesn’t like the same kind of music). Theme: HostelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Calle de la Media Luna No 10 - 47Phone: 5 - 664 6242Directions: Getsemani
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 Corner of San Andres - Media
Luna by MalenaN
Well, when I finally got a reply it seemed impossible to make a reservation and I was told that only if someone left the hostel I could get a room. Arriving in Cartagena there was no room but only a bed in the door. As I knew the dorm had air-condition, which I can’t sleep with I decided to go somewhere else.
The staff at Casa Viena are very helpful and will call other hostels for you to find a room. Even if you are not staying at Casa Viena you can come here for information or using the Internet. I booked a tour to the mudvulcano through Casa Viena and while on the tour they let me have my valuable belongings in their safe.
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 View from the dinning
room ot to the courtyard by MalenaN,
1 more photos
Many things are good with Platypus. It feels like a safe place with a security camera outside. There is a kitchen with free coffee, and a communal area were you can chat with other tourists. In the reception there are three computers (can’t remember how much it cost to use them) , books to exchange, safety boxes, possibility to store luggage and helpful staff.
The disadvantage is that it can be noisy. The first night I stayed there I had a room facing a small courtyard. Some people were sitting there talking in the middle of the night and others came back making noise and speaking load. I didn’t sleep very much that night. So the rooms without bathroom outside the reception (by the courtyard) is not to recommend if you want to sleep. When I had the room with bathroom it was situated around the corner and therefore more quiet.
The evenings in the communal area were nice, but the last evening it was too noisy and full of smoke. We were three people sitting by a table trying to speak to each other and the rest of the room were full of people who all seemed to know each other (there had been a party another night and it seemed to be one that night too.
Another thing I didn’t like was that the light in the bathrooms were turned off automatically after a short while and I often found myself standing in the shower in complete darkness.
The owner Germán is said to be very helpful, but he was not in Bogotá when I visited.
A double room (with one person) without bathroom was 30 000 pesos. And a double room (with one person) with bathroom was 35 000 pesos (August 2007).
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In my guidebook it is said that La Roca is a budget hotel with good value for the money. When I some days ahead telephoned to make a reservation I was told a room for one person was 35 000 pesos (July 2007). It is not as cheap as it used to be and that is probably because the rooms are now renovated. The rooms around the courtyard closest to the square were still being renovated when I was there.
I had a charming room on the second floor, above another courtyard full of flowers. The room had a double bed, TV and bathroom. The bathroom was very modern and all tiled, but I had some difficulties getting enough hot water. It was two thick blankets in the bed as it can be a bit chilly.
The location is great, just on Plaza Mayor. It was a very nice feeling to step out of the hotel in the morning having the huge square all surrounded by white buildings in front of you. Theme: HotelPrice: less than US$20 » Currency ConverterAddress: Plaza MayorPhone: 8 - 732 0331
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