Coral Princess Cruises Answers

If you love emerald jewellery as I do get a cab who will take you to one or several (depending on what you want) emerald shops/jewellery manufacturers where you can haggle over their lovely stock. I bought several pieces about 10 years ago and the valuation at home was much much higher. Our driver then took us on a short tour of the town and it was all very reasonable although you have to haggle for a price with him as well. Enjoy.

We visited 2 years ago and 4 of us negotiated a taxi ride around the sites. Think it was 20 US dollars each couple. The taxi driver was very knowledgable and spoke very good English. Taxi was very old but did the job. Nothing was too much trouble for him. We stopped for coffee and offered to buy him one too - he was amazed when we asked him to sit with us and he regaled us with lots of interesting stories about his family and Columbia. Much better than expensive organised sanitised cruise company trips.

I think the other people have said what I was going to say. I'll add: use your common sense when getting a taxi. We walked round the fort then over the bridge into the old town. It is worth seeing. It's worth remembering a bit of spanish "No de nero". This means Ive no money and I said it a few times whilst walking round. One time I was reading the words on a statue and a little boy started to tell me about it even though Id got the information sheet myself. i told him politely I knew about it but he then asked for a dollar. (They all asked for a dollar) and was surprised when I said No de nero. This is useful in a few countries actually.

Have done Cartagena twice. On each occasion have taken a taxi from the port to the colonial Old Town which is a little too far to walk to but is lovely when you get there and, in my view, well worth doing . It is true there are plenty of itinerant sellers but a quick 'no thanks' is effective. The port taxis are well organised and there is a dispatcher: they seem to run a cartel on price (US$20 one way) but I negotiated $15. On the way back just hail a 'street' cab; cost about US$5.

Went about 10 years ago with Celebrity. We were glad to be on an organised tour because the people are SO poor they pester you because to them you are rich. We actually passed quite a few shanty towns and must admit felt extremely guilty seeing the conditions the people live in. We were glad to be looked after by our excellent guides. We do lots of our own excursions nowadays, but although I would definitely go into the city, for me I would spend the extra and take the tour.

I would certainly agree that a negotiated taxi ride taking in the fort, the old city and the new business centre would be a worthy trip. But watch out for the condition of the taxi's - a lot arn't exactly UK MoT standard - we refused the first because the tyres were so bald and some of them drive like maniacs - good fun if you keep your eyes closed when going though traffic lights!

We have been to Cartagena twice and I have to say I dont think I would walk around, not because its unsafe but if my memory is correct its quite spread out. There are plenty of Taxi's just outside the port. 4 of us took a taxi tour for a couple of hours he wanted $70 dollars we negotiated down to $50 but its was so good we gave him the $70 anyway.