Safe Marina in Cartagena ?

[Feral Cat]

Having never been to Columbia, I for one would like to see it as the local's would have it... Not some contrived image of what is desired by the lucky few who have the luxury of sailing all over the world and then placing their own expectations upon others while then bemoaning the others for not bowing to their desires.

I am thinking the true adventure of sailing and seeing other cultures is actually seeing other cultures...DUH!

I get a little fired up reading folks from areas considered affluent complaining about some of the "LOCAL" ways in other countries... Get over it!

I want to experience the true lifestyle differences and enjoy other cultures, please don't ruin it prior to my ability to get there and see for myself... Good or bad. (Especially the longshoreman union workers)

I have heard only "GOOD" things about Columbia from others who travel there often and have purchased property there since experiencing the true cultural differences... As with most other places "MOST" of the people are good, honest, hard working people eager to make new friends and share cultural differences.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by john halley

Facts on Club Nautico's history ...
... The debate is open.

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, John.

Facts are good.
I hope you stick around the Forum to contribute your local knowledge and expertise.

[cameron forsyth]

Although an old thread. Would like updated feed back on Club Nautico. Planning on visiting Cartagena over Christmas/New Year, November through January, Is it necessary to reserve a birth during this period?

[jcapo]

We are considering spending part or all of next hurricane season in Cartegena. Its out of the Jackline hurricane box and the Jackline policy allows Catagena for a $100 rider, maybe a bit more.

Looking for any current info on Cartagena.

[wingssail]

We too are looking for current information on Club Nautico in Cartagena. Expect to get to Columbia in July 2013. Will stop in Santa Marts but want to come to Cartagena. We've heard that Club Nautico may not be in operation but maybe this is just more rumors.

Do any cruisers there now have current information?

[s/v Jedi]

I think Club de Pesca is the only operational marina in town... which makes it busy.

[gbanker]

We left our boat in the IGY Marina Santa Marta and took the bus to Cartagena where we had a very nice several day stay in the old city.

We then sailed to and spent one night in the anchorage in Cartagena. Just long enough to pick up a good load of barnacles! The worst anchorage, by far, that I have ever found for bottom fouling.

I personally would never again anchor in Cartagena unless I was going to have my boat hauled and bottom-painted just before leaving.

[Jane.Joy]

We left Cartagena in February 2013, and Club Nautico was busy putting on a new roof, their (crappy) docks were almost full but really not worth the money. Their dinghy dock is a safe place to leave your dinghy, the showers are nasty, decent wifi (about $35 a month, if I recall correctly). If you can afford to stay at a marina, Santa Marta is definitely the way to go - at anchor, Club Nautico remains your best bet. The water is FOUL but there's a guy who works out of Club Nautico who cleaned our hull just before we left. Another off-the-beaten-track option for anchorage and/or marina is the new development at puerto velero, about a 20 minute drive from Barranquilla. en.marinapuertovelero.co They're not really set up for transients but they accommodated us when we were there in November 2012. We really enjoyed a short visit to Barranquilla.