I spent 7 days in Cartagena in April and 5 days in Cali in September, I have done a brief comparison of the 2 cities for your review:

Currency:

The Colombian Peso COP fluctuates daily in comparison to US currency therefore there is no way to predict what the exchange rate will be in the future. In both Cartagena and Cali you will need to do commerce with COP, I recommend checking your bank exchange rate as well as considering ATM fees for the amount of COP needed. You can also exchange US for COP at different locations on the ground in both cities the exchange rate varying from 1600COP-1 US to 1800-1US currently.

Note: Neither Cartagena or Cali is like Sosua, Dominican Republic where you can have a level of trust of changing money on the street. Under NO circumstances would I change money on the street in either city.

Lodging:

Mirador Laquito: (Cartagena) (CH Link)

I had an excellent studio apartment for $60.00 per night. The building is located in Laquito. I didn’t have a good view but I was more than satisfied for the price. There was a kitchen, dining bar, living room and decent size bedroom all in the same space. The internet was slow sometimes but overall it was pretty efficient. Security was on point 24 hours a day. Chicas had to sign in with cedula and the front door was always locked, you had to be buzzed in and out by security.

There was no room safe but the building did have a small pool available for the residents. The advantage to the Mirador was the location was familiar to all the taxi drivers and there were ATM’s and restaurants close by within a 10 minute walk.

Parceros Townhouse: (Cali) (CH Link)

The townhouse is located in Barrio Santa Monica Residencial which is a quiet neighborhood with several other townhouses on the street. The town house is on the 4th floor which is on the top floor of the building. There are 2 front balconies and 1 rear balcony all of which provide an excellent view. I enjoyed the breeze in the late evening. and there is no elevator so be prepared to exercise. The townhouse is a 2 story with a winding staircase and 2 bedrooms down stairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs. There is a kitchen living room and small den with a television. I was given a key to my room the townhouse and the main door downstairs. The master bedroom was $53.00 per night which included breakfast. The WI-FI connection was excellent with great speed.

There is no doorman for security you are simply given keys to a double lock downstairs and a door key to the apartment and a separate door key to your room. There is no room safe and the building did not have a pool available for the residents. The advantage to Parcero's townhouse is its location. You could do the majority of things you would like to do within a 15 minute radius.

Neighborhoods:

Laquito in Cartagena - had more of a tourist feel with plenty of expensive hotels and restaurants. It was a mixed residential and tourist area with a plethora of apartment buildings. Most everything you needed was within a 10 minute walking distance.

Barrio Santa Monica Residential in Cali - was a very comfortable and safe residential neighborhood. Barrio Santa Monica Residential had more of a middleclass neighborhood feel with grocery stores, parks and a mall all within a 15 minute walking distance.

Note: Both areas were relatively safe and put me in the mind of Recoleta, Buenas Aires, Miraflores, Lima and Poblado, Medellin. I walked around the areas during the day and well into the evening with no problems.

Weather:

Cartagena - The weather during my stay was generally hot and humid throughout since the city is at the mouth of the Caribbean Sea. It is not un-common to have 95 degree temperatures during the day and it cools down at night to about 75 degrees.

Cali - The weather during my stay was quite pleasant, it was about 85 degrees during the day and 70 degrees at night. It was a dry heat with very little humidity so I didn't sweat that much. The early mornings and late evenings were very comfortable. The townhouse is situated at the foot of a hill so Parcero would leave the windows open so we could get the breeze of the hill which was quite enjoyable.

Transportation:

Cartagena - Walking was easy to most spots in Laquito and Boca Grand which is the next neighborhood over. Taxis to the Old City were about $3.00.

Cali - Walking was easy to most places in Barrio Santa Monica Residencial. All taxis have a meter that is set at the beginning of the trip, most of my trips were less than $3.00. When I rode to the other side of town I spent around $13.00. The buses are called MIO and you have to buy a electronic debit card that is called a "Gane" for $1.50 and you recharge it at different locations throughout the city. Each trip was .85. The buses were modern clean and air-conditioned.

La Comida:

Cartagena - There were a variety according to taste but I enjoyed Riquisimo’s which was within walking distance of my apartment in Laquito. The food was good but on the expensive side dishes for $20.00 or more. There was something for everybody within walking distance. There are more than enough US fast food chains from McDonalds to Burger King because Cartagena has more of a tourist flavor.

Cali - If you are the type of person who travels to eat at Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken Cali is not the place for you. Cali provides an authentic Latin American culinary experience. Typical foods such as chicken, steak, beans & rice, soups and salads make the staple of the Latin American diet. You can eat a hearty meal which includes soup, salad, meat, and 2 sides for between $3.00 -$7.00 depending on the type of restaurant you are in.

Casas de La Citas Cartagena

I do not have the exact addresses of the below listed Cartagena casas but if you give your taxista the name of the casa and the barrio he should be able to find it. Some of these casa are called "the poor man's casas" and some as you can see not so much.

The Pley Club - Location: Barrio Bosque: (CH Link)
The most expensive casa in Cartagena apparently they pay a big tarifa to taxistas. The casa was dark and dingy inside with a bar dance floor and a few chairs. There were chicas sitting outside and a few inside. The average chica was about a 7, I was NOT impressed!
• 1 hour 300,000COP ($158.00)

Los Angeles - Location: Barrio Brusseles: (CH Link)
This joint was scary as hell! Security is there at the gate which is pad locked. Security opens the gate and pad locks it behind you. You walk into a dark house where you can see little of anything what I could see of the chicas the average was a 6.
• 1 hour 150,000COP ($79.00)

Chicas Linda - Barrio Bomba del Amparo: (CH Link)
Chicas Linda is next store to Chicas Rica. Chicas Linda is nice inside with a wide bar a dance floor and plenty of plastic white chairs to talk to the chicas. The club was well lighted and good for meeting the chicas. The average chica was about a 7. I swore I saw Riahnna there she was soooooooooooo FYNE it was ridiculous but she looked too mean!
• 30 minutes 100,000COP ($53.00)

Empana - Location :Barrio Los Alpes: (CH Link)
It was very dark and there were about a half dozen women averaging about a 7 most of them looked board.
• 30 minutes 150,000COP ($79.00)

Allondra - Barrio Los Alpes: (CH Link)
This joint was off dah chain! There were so many FYNE chicas in there is was ridiculous! The average chica was an 8 like real model types about a dozen were working.
• 30 minutes 70,000COP. ($37.00)

Chicas Rica - Barrio Bomba del Amparo: (CH Link)
• 30 minutes 40,000COP ($21.00)

Casas de La Citas - Cali

Cali has more casas than you can count and while there are some high end casas there are some excellent tarifas with chicas that rate 7-8 in many of them.

Las Calenas 2: Cra 44 #5B -79B Tequndama (CH Link)
I saw approximately a half dozen chicas which ranged from 6-8. Most of them were glued to their cell phones which were plugged in the wall charging. I was turned off by their in-attentiveness.
• 1 hour: 90,000COP ($47.00)

Nuts & Bolts (Tuercas y Tornillos): Calle 17N #5N -33 (CH Link)
I went to Nuts & Bolts which is behind a big metal non descript door. You press the button and security opens the door has you face the camera and pats you down. Then you stand in the center of the hallway and a chica comes out and pats you down again this time checking your package. About 7 chicas came out none of them were less than a 7 and a couple were pushing 9. The set up here was totally different from Calena 2 in that there was no music playing or bar where guys could sit around and talk. You pick the chica you want do the deed then hasta luego. Before I left my chica said she had to call down stairs and I spoke with the mamasan who asked me how was my service and I said "esta bien" even though it was average. Parcero later told me that Nuts & Bolts is one of the strictest casas in Cali.
• 1 hour 65000COP ($34.00)

JC: Avenida Segunda B Norte 34N 55 (CH Link)
The walls were white brick and there were plastic chairs with a small wall fan in the seating area. The chicas presented themselves and all of 5 of them ranged from 7-8 I was impressed with the line up from such a crappy place but they weren't the friendliest group.
• 1 hour 100000COP ($52.00)

Kaliente Calle: 25 Norte #2 Bis-47 (CH Link)
Kaliente wasn't too caliente you walk into a non descript house sit down in the living room and 3 chicas came out and introduced themselves. The chicas ranged between 5-6 and none were very inviting. The increments are as follows:
• 1 hour 100000COP ($52.00)

The Mediterranean Spa: Calle 28 Norte #4N-72 (CH Link)
This casa had a very nice atmosphere that looked like a spa with comfortable chairs and beautiful pictures of models on the walls. There were 4 chicas who introduced themselves. The chicas ranged between 5-6 and all seemed to be very pleasant and inviting.
• 1 hour 80000COP ($42.00)

The Deluxe Club: Calle 5 #65-25 (CH Link)
This casa was very nice inside set up like a club with chairs a dance floor and stripper pole. There were 6 chicas that introduced themselves. Most were 6's but there was one that looked like a model who fell out of a magazine she was a 9. This joint was plastic surgery central and some of the women looked like they were ready to explode. The tarifas here were ridiculous in comparison to the other Cali casa and not worth the expense IMHO.
• 1 hour 250-350COP ($131.00- $184.00)

La Clinica Dr Amor: Avenida 2N No 23N-23 (CH Link)
This casa was nice inside but it was obvious they were doing some renovations with unfinished paint on the walls. Normally they pat you down but since I was with Parcero I just got waived through. There is a big living room with several couches and you can be seated and wait for the chicas to come out and introduce themselves. I would rate most of the chicas between 7-8. There were about a dozen chicas present and maybe 1 or 2 were 9's. The tarifas are based on 3 different levels Classic, VIP and Platinum and the chicas wear bands to indicate their status.
• 1 hour 90000COP ($47.00)

La Picina: Next door to JC at Avenida Segunda B Norte 34N 55 (CH Link)
Although the talent pool fluctuates this was my favorite casa in Cali because of the ambiance. The chicas hang outside and greet you as you walk in. There is a waiting area and a pool area where you sit and wait for the chicas to come out and introduce themselves. Everyone I saw was decent ranging from 7-9 and they all seemed to be very pleasant. Some casa girls it is obvious they don't want to be there but these girls had a very pleasant disposition.
• 1 hour 80000COP ($42.00)

Note: Always remember that the casa business is a fluid in Colombia, casas open and close frequently and the talent pool varies from one day to the next. One day a specific casa may be a gold mine and the next day it may be a salt mine. Most casas have take out where you pay a fine and negotiate separately with the chica her tarifa.

Other Sex Venues:

The only sex venues I visited in Cali were the casas but in Cartagena the sex venues for freelancers are more diverse for example:

La Playa: (CH Link)

There are chulos on the beach that can get chicas for you expect to pay a minimum 150,000 COP for this service and the chicas can range from 5-9 depending on the day of the week. Many of the chicas that you see alone or in groups are available a little eye to eye contact and body language should be sufficient to let you know if you should move forward. You can keep your cost less between 100,000 -150,000 COP if she insist on more you have met a shark on the beach.

The Old City at the Clock Tower: (CH Link)

Activity starts at dark with chicas that range between 5-8. Be careful because you will find transvestites and homosexuals in the same area. I wouldn't pay more than 100,000 COP for any of the chicas in this area regardless as to how beautiful she was.

La Dolce Vida (LDV): (CH Link)

The most popular freelance bar in Cartagena and for that reason it is plastic surgery central, some of the chicas look like if you stick them with a pin they would pop. In addition you are likely to see the best Colombia has to offer because Colombianas come from all over the country to work this venue. Tarifas range from 150,000COP- 350,000COP. Personally I wouldn't pay any more than 200,000COP regardless as to how beautiful she was. It has been reported that LDV had an 80,000COP drink minimum which can be avoided simply by getting the chicas number and meeting her later.

Electrika in the Old City: (CH Link)

Is a hole in the wall small after hours joint in Cartagena that some chicas go to after LDV closes. The tarifas can range from 150,000CP- 350,000COP. You have leverage in this venue because it is at the end of the night and if a chica hasn't worked she is more open to negotiation I would stay between 150 – 200,000COP. There is also a 80,000COP drink minimum here that can be avoided by meeting the chica outside separately. If you leave with a chica you will be stopped and asked to any up.

La Polica & Danger:

Always carry a copy of your passport with you because there is a police presence everywhere especially at night. There is no such thing as reasonable articulable suspicion or probable cause in Colombia, be prepared!

Cartagena - Is a the primary tourist destination in Colombia and for this reason it has a great police presence. There is a Police Station in the middle of Laquito and road blocks abound especially at night. It is not uncommon to be stopped at a road block or by La Policia riding motorcycles and be patted down. If I were you I would avoid party favors it could save you allot of grief. If you are stopped by the La Policia you may notice an uncomfortable pause, this is the time were there may be an implicit expectation of a "multa." Whether you pay this "multa" or not will depend on what you have been stopped for. If you have done nothing you can simply say "lo siento Senor mil disculpes" or just speak in English. Be wary of pushy street vendors who wave T-shirts and other objects in your face if you don't want it DONT TOUCH IT! A simple "estoy bien" or "no gracias" will do.

Cali - Is not a tourist town so the law enforcement emphasis is different. I noticed just as many La Policia en Cali as in Cartagena but they seemed to be more polite IMHO. There is a Police Station in the center of Barrio Santa Monica Residential and while police vehicles abound throughout the city I noticed no road blocks during my stay. It not uncommon for the La Polica to drive around at night with their red lights flashing therefore most times there will be no reason for alarm.

Note:

It might sound obvious, but don't walk around flashing expensive cameras, jewelry, wads of money etc. Places like beaches, outside banks and the area around the clock tower are favored pickpocket haunts.

The biggest concern that many people would have with Cali is the reputation it shared with Medellin in the 1980's-90's with the Medellin- Cali drug cartels. Pablo Escobar is dead and although the drug trade is still alive in Colombia the government has made significant strides combating the problem. Even the problems the government was having with guerillas and Para-militaries in the country side has seriously been abated. It is not that there is no threat in Colombia it's that the threat is minimal and not a significant reason not to travel to this beautiful country. Cali is no Utopia by any stretch of the imagination however it is possible to do well with the right strategy.

Chicas:

The subject of the most beautiful women in the world can be debated into eternity but I prefer Colombianas because of their ethnic diversity. Both cities have their share of people of European, Indian and African decent which makes for an incredible mix. Colombians are truly a hybrid group of people.

Observations:

• Cali was different from Cartagena because it is not a tourist town it lacked a beach and in general everything was less expensive. If there was a Gringo Tax it was hidden unlike Cartagena where it is obvious you are getting gouged.
• You do not need fluent Spanish in Cali but it would be advisable to have basic Spanish if you should decide to visit as there are not as many English speakers as in Cartagena.
• Since Cartagena is a tourist city you will have to deal with touts. Touts are people who are trying to get you to buy something from souvenirs to directing you to a casa de cita. Touts are annoying as hell and you can simply respond by saying "no gracias."
• Cartagena and Cali have more casa de citas than you can count. In addition they open and close regularly and have varying ebb and flows throughout the course of the week with the weekends being the busiest time. I sense that the Facebook, freelance and civilian chica market is very fertile here for a person who has the time to invest.

Conclusion:

I have a personal fondness for Cartagena because it was the first city I visited in Colombia and I made acquaintances there, so I have ties to the city. In addition the Old City at night in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cities in the Western Hemisphere. However, if I had to make a choice between the 2 cities I would choose Cali for the below listed reasons:

• Weather, Cartagena is uncomfortably hot and humid and Cali is hot during the day but absolutely beautiful at night except during the rainy season.

• The Gringo Tax, almost everything in Cartagena is more expensive if you are a Gringo. Unless you have an inside connection be prepared to pay more. The chicas come from all over Colombia for one reason and one reason alone "TO GET PAID!" The same chica you get in Cartagena can likely be had in her home town for half the price with a better attitude.

• Although Cali was a big city I found most of the people I met to be more than hospitable, more so than Cartagena.

As in all things YMMV I encourage you to visit both cities and make an assessment for yourselves.

Thanks for the excellent report.

I have been away from Club Hombre for a while...but very true regarding Cali. I had a confortable stay there for a week in late August. I stayed in San Marcos Apartments paid for $245 for the week. I made few casa runs since I was mostly exploring the city during the day and at night went to clubs to pick up girls. I loved the atmosphere and no one to give me some gringo tax. Great report...still got to finish mine

Great report....thanks for putting in the time to write it. Cali is on my list....Been to Colombia, but just never to Cali so it is on my bucket list. Maybe next year.

I do like the freelancer scene quite a bit.....Also advance dates from the dating websites, which has worked out quite good for me in the past. Been checking out Cali on various sites and it looks good....now just got to sample in person

Excellent report and appreciate your insights on cali and cartagena.
I do hope to go to cartaagena and partake of the ladies there.