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I am debating between going to Buenos Aires, Argentina vs Cartagena, Columbia. I want a mix of beach time and city exploration time. Does anyone have any suggestions as to places to stay in either city that will give me both beach time and easy access to the city. I really do not want to rent a car when I am there. Any other tips regarding either places would be greatly appreciated !
I can't speak to the beaches, but I've been to both cities. Cartegena twice. BA once.
If I never go back to Cartegena, I'm good with that. BA was a delight and I'm hoping to return sometime. No comparison IMHO.
Why did you dislike Cartagena? Was it related to feelings of safety? What did you not like about Cartagena I really just wanted to get a vacation package thing so I did not have to deal with any leg work getting at least from the airport to the hotel as I do not speak Spanish. However there is no company that does vacation packages from Toronto (where I am) to anywhere is South America right now so if I now have to put a lot more effort in to arranging the trip.
Cartegena was a bit gritty, as compared to BA. And not nearly as pretty. BA feels more like Europe to me, while Cartegena feels like Mexico. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But BA just seemed more relaxing, luxurious, friendly, and nicer atmosphere/scenery.
The first time I was in Cartegena was about 14 years ago. Then I did a group tour as safety was a factor. We were there again, briefly, in Dec 2014. No safety concerns (beyond those that normally occur in a city where poverty is rampant), but I can't say we enjoyed the day very much.
In regard to organized tours, look at Air Canada. They fly from Toronto to BA and should offer something. Or get yourself to NY or Miami and you'll have TONS of choices for escorted tours.
Cartegena was a bit gritty, as compared to BA. And not nearly as pretty. BA feels more like Europe to me, while Cartegena feels like Mexico. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But BA just seemed more relaxing, luxurious, friendly, and nicer atmosphere/scenery.
The first time I was in Cartegena was about 14 years ago. Then I did a group tour as safety was a factor. We were there again, briefly, in Dec 2014. No safety concerns (beyond those that normally occur in a city where poverty is rampant), but I can't say we enjoyed the day very much.
In regard to organized tours, look at Air Canada. They fly from Toronto to BA and should offer something. Or get yourself to NY or Miami and you'll have TONS of choices for escorted tours.
I checked out Air Canada, but it did not exactly seem like a really package vacation. It just seemed like a pay for a hotel and flight threw them ... which I could do myself. They did not really say anything that would make it worth my while to get it threw them ex free hotel transportation from hotel to airport or meal or anything like that. I know a few years ago there were packages from some of the more popular companies that sell things in Toronto, but it seems these same companies only fly from Montreal? Oh well. Thanks for the information regarding your impressions. I want to go to both places eventually, but I got to start somewhere. Thanks again.
I am debating between going to Buenos Aires, Argentina vs Cartagena, Columbia. I want a mix of beach time and city exploration time. Does anyone have any suggestions as to places to stay in either city that will give me both beach time and easy access to the city. I really do not want to rent a car when I am there. Any other tips regarding either places would be greatly appreciated !
I am wondering what you eventually decided on. Did you go to Buenos Aires or Cartagena? I am asking because I am considering a trip to Argentina next summer. Did you use a travel agent to put together a package? If so how did you like the service? If you did it yourself did you like the outcome?
LOL... no. I did not end up going. If I did in this country I would be planning it myself at there does not seem to be packages or stuff like that sold in Canada to got there. I decided to go to Mexico instead for Dias De Los Muertos (something I have always wanted to do). I am actually feeling like I will more likely be going to Colombia instead. Once my brain flicked on and I was reminded they have similar weather patterns then where I am from the idea of being cold while exploring a southern country sort of turned me off a bit. Ignorant or not, when I think south I think warm, hot, tropical. So now my aim is south... but not that south ex keeping closer to the equator ! I think I will hopefully go eventually ... but it got bumped off my priority list for now.
LOL... no. I did not end up going. If I did in this country I would be planning it myself at there does not seem to be packages or stuff like that sold in Canada to got there. I decided to go to Mexico instead for Dias De Los Muertos (something I have always wanted to do). I am actually feeling like I will more likely be going to Colombia instead. Once my brain flicked on and I was reminded they have similar weather patterns then where I am from the idea of being cold while exploring a southern country sort of turned me off a bit. Ignorant or not, when I think south I think warm, hot, tropical. So now my aim is south... but not that south ex keeping closer to the equator ! I think I will hopefully go eventually ... but it got bumped off my priority list for now.
Thanks for the update. I am in the planning stages. It may or may not end up in a trip there. it could be somewhere else as well. I am with you with wanting to be at or near the equator. We come from similar regions. Me I am from Maine originally and live in Massachusetts now. So going to Argentina in June to July which is the middle of their winter seems counter productive. I still feel the cold in my fingers from all the snow shoveling I have done.
I will see in the next few days if Argentina is our destination. Personally I would prefer Fiji or New Zealand.
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Cartegena
ex keeping closer to the equator 
