Taxis in Colombia - Cartagena and Santa Marta

We are two ladies cruising to Colombia and wanting to do our own thing in Cartagena and Santa Marta.

In both places, we want to go into the old centre and walk around and have been advised to take a taxi rather than walk.

Feeling a bit timid about the taxis, wondering if they are safe and reliable?

Also, we are very uncomfortable haggling, but afraid of being ripped off.... which taxis are the best option for a reasonable rate please? Which currency is best to pay with and is it customary to tip about 10%?

Thank you in advance.

We are two ladies cruising to Colombia and wanting to do our own thing in Cartagena and Santa Marta.

 

In both places, we want to go into the old centre and walk around and have been advised to take a taxi rather than walk.

 

Feeling a bit timid about the taxis, wondering if they are safe and reliable?

 

Also, we are very uncomfortable haggling, but afraid of being ripped off.... which taxis are the best option for a reasonable rate please? Which currency is best to pay with and is it customary to tip about 10%?

 

Thank you in advance.

All though I did not get to tour Santa Marta I can tell you that the port is crazy with containers every where, It is an industrial container port. We were taken off the ship as my companion had had a heart attack. From what I saw it would not be safe for two woman to go off by their selves,

We were transferred at midnight to a hospital as (that would be the safest time to transport him) according to the urgent clinic we were at. I was also told, after we were transferred that, it would not be safe for my daughter and I to walk 4 city blocks to the hospital. We were told that they could rape us or do whatever they wanted and nothing would be done about it. The hotel hailed the (safe cabs) as they called them, to take us back and forth to the hospital.

We friended a couple from Cartagena who even suggested the same. They were from the American Embassy,

I personally would stick with the cruise ship tours until this stop is checked out more. It is a very new port to most ships.

Enjoy your cruise.

Here is what he sent me on Cartagena,

The port is only about 10 - 15 minutes from the port so it is easy to get to the Old Town and back without worry of missing the ship. The Old Town is a must see in Cartagena. You can do your own tour and take in the majority of what you want to see and do and be able to do it at your own pace and more cheaply. There are taxis at the port which are authorized and safe. Here are some ideas:

• As you enter the port terminal, there will be someone giving out maps of the city and answering questions. They will give you free maps that are great for getting around the Old Town.

• Walk through the store (the big yellow old house) (visit it in more detail when you return)

• When you get outside the front of the store follow the signs to the taxi area.

• There will be guides that hound you to go on a tour. Even when you say that you want a taxi they will try to take you on a tour.

• Tell the taxi you want to be taken to the Old Town with a stop on the way to take pictures of the fort. To visit the Fort takes a fair amount of time and can be quite hot to climb. Most everyone stops in front to be able to take pictures. Ask the taxi driver how much and there should be a sign saying $20 to the Old Town. Agree before you go and tell him it is a one way fare. Don’t’ let them try to sell you some tour or that they’ll drive you around and also bring you back. The normal fare downtown is about $3 but since they’re inside the port they charge a lot more.

• You can have him drop you off at the clock tower which is one of the main entrances to the Old Town. From there you can do your own walking tour using the map. It has descriptions of the sights on the map. You can do a big loop and see the majority of the sights.

• Along the way you can get a snack, or something to drink as there are many places. There are also several shops if you want to shop any.

• You can come back. Either get any yellow taxi inside the Old Town or by going out the clock tower where you came in and going across the street to in front of the Convention Center. Just tell them that you're going back to the port and that you'll pay $5. They'll want more but if they don't accept it, look for another taxi. It will take on 10 - 15 minutes to get back to the port. As you return, you will go through Manga and there are many beautiful old colonial houses to see.

• When you get back, they will drop you off in front of the port store and it's nice to look around the park and see the birds and other animals. The people in the store are very nice and the prices are fixed (except for the jewelry) and they take credit cards. There is a simulated emerald museum that also has a nice display of emeralds (not for sale.)

• In the Old Town there will be many tourists and, like any place with tourists, watch your belongings. There are tourist police all around and it is very safe. Also lots of people want to sell you things and can be very pushy. Just say no and ignore them. The taxis will also try to take you to shopping places and show you other things but there’s always a charge or they have some connection to make money.

Heck! Thank you for your advice lillulu.. at least we will only be around there in daylight. Guess the answer is safety in numbers.

Sorry to hear about your companion's illness.

Heck! Thank you for your advice lillulu.. at least we will only be around there in daylight. Guess the answer is safety in numbers.

 

Sorry to hear about your companion's illness.

Thank you Scriv. Travel safe.