CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
Holiday Houseboys
To fully appreciate Cartagena you need to book a Holiday Houseboy, your local gay friendly tour guide. If you want to see the tourist sites, places off the beaten track or discover new experiences, the Holiday Houseboy is there to help you. He looks after your safety and welfare at all times. It is a fun way to explore a new city.
Gabo
Gabo is short for Gabriel, and is what everybody calls him. He is an actor by profession, having had small parts in some series and local movies. Gabo describes himself as a “super friendly person who respects everybody and everything”. Apart from watching movies, Gabo likes to cook, listen to music, go to the beach and exercise at the gym. To book Gabo, please click on the green button below.
Gabo is a smoker, and speaks English and Spanish.
Total cost for the guide services of Gabo for 8 hours during the day time = a non refundable deposit of USD 45 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 120 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 165 US dollars.
Similarly the total cost for the guide services of Gabo for 4 hours during the day = a non refundable deposit of USD 25 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 60 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 85 US dollars.
If you want a gay night bar tour of 4 hours at night = a non refundable deposit of USD 25 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 80 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 105 US dollars.
This does not include transport, entrance fees or any food & beverage costs.
Testimonials:
“Before arriving in Cartagena, Gabo was in communication with us, asking what we wanted to do, was there anything he could get for us, and offering to meet us at the airport, independent of our paid tour. Gabo was charming, attentive to our needs, and always looking out for our best interest. He showed us his amazing city, we ate delicious food, got to know him personally, and we laughed and enjoyed ourselves the whole time. When it was time to leave, he was at our hotel to escort us to the hotel. His warmth, hospitality, and love of Cartagena was always present and we consider ourselves lucky to have met him. I can’t recommend him as a tour guide enough.” – Dave, USA
“I had a great time with Gabo as my guide from Cartegena! He tailored my excursions based on some advanced messages and ideas, making sure I was safe in our adventure. When presented with an inappropriate service charge from the restaurant, he made sure I wasn’t about to be ripped off! Gabo has great personality and knows his way around Cartagena, even offering some advice to keep me safe as I transitioned home through Bogota for a few days. I highly recommend him if you plan to visit Cartegena!” – Larry, USA
“Gabo didn’t disappoint. He was a class A guide. He was prompt and ready to tour the city. His knowledge and history of the city provided me with an experience that I would never forget. He was fun and liked to have a good time too. I would recommend Gabo to anyone wishing to learn and enjoy themselves in the culture of Cartagena.” – Raymond, USA
“My husband and I spent two full days with Gabo in November 2023. Prior to the trip, Gabo reached out and maintained regular communication over WhatsApp to discuss what activities were of interest to us, and also to get to know us a little bit. Frankly, I was a little bit surprised by this as it was something I was not used to. Typically a business is there to do whatever their business purpose is, but Gabo made a genuine effort to make a personal connection such that we were comfortable with each other from the first moment of our arrival to Cartagena. For the second day, we wanted to have a full-day boat trip to the Rosario Islands and Gabo made all the arrangements for this as well. Everything worked out seamlessly for both of our days. Gabo was prompt and followed through with everything that had been arranged. He was always energetic and in a positive mood! He really made the two days we spent in Cartagena enjoyable. Thanks!
“ – Chris & Rony, USA
“Gabo in Cartagena is very entertaining and a lot of fun. It is very clear that he has acting experience :-). The day with him was fun, but at the same time he provided us with exhaustive information about the city, its monuments, history and present. If we ever go to Colombia again, we will definitely be very happy to meet him again.” – Jan, Czech Republic
Gabriel
Gabriel has just finished his modern language studies and is currently a simultaneous translator. He has experience of working in a travel agency too, so is well in tune with suppliers of tourist facilities. His contacts will be indispensable for a great vacation to showcase Cartagena and what it has to offer. Gabriel also offers walking tours of Cartagena’s Historial Quarter, which he says, has some of the richest histories in the whole of Colombia. With his knowledge Gabriel can take you to the best restaurants in town that offer the best value for money. Indeed one of his hobbies is cooking, but don’t be misled. He is also a good chess player and is also a member of a book club. Apart form this Gabriel also welcomes you on some bar hopping experiences to enjoy Cartagena’s gay nightlife. To book Gabo, please click on the green button below.
Gabriel is a non smoker, and speaks English, French and Spanish.
Total cost for the guide services of Gabo for 8 hours during the day time = a non refundable deposit of USD 45 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 90 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 135 US dollars.
Similarly the total cost for the guide services of Gabo for 4 hours during the day = a non refundable deposit of USD 25 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 50 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 75 US dollars.
If you want a gay night bar tour of 4 hours at night = a non refundable deposit of USD 25 by Paypal or major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) PLUS USD 60 in cash to Gabo after his services. Total 85 US dollars.
This does not include transport, entrance fees or any food & beverage costs.
Testimonials:
“I just wanted to say thank you for connecting me with Gabriel. He is truly an amazing guide. He was always on time, he was incredibly informed about Cartagena, and he had really cool insights into the culture that I just never would have gotten without him. His English skills were like a native speaker, and when I wanted to speak Spanish with him, he easily accommodated me. He instantly made me feel at home in the city. I would highly recommend him.” – Norman, Canada
How To Book A Holiday Houseboy
To book any of our Holiday Houseboys please go to the enquiry form.
Or send an email to info@holidayhouseboys.com.
Alternatively WhatsApp +94-76-630-1069.
Remember a Holiday Houseboy is your gay friendly tour guide who looks after your safety and welfare at all times.
Please note these are guide services and not sexual services.
Our other destinations in Colombia are Bogota, Cali and Medellin.
Highlights of Cartagena
Colonial Cartagena
Cartagena or its full name Cartagena de Indias, is in the northern state of Colombia called Bolivar. It is a city on the coast-line looking out to the Caribbean Sea. With an average annual temperature of 27.6 C (81 F), it is a sought after destination both for vacation and retirement. Whilst the temperatures do not change that much all the year round, that can’t be said for the rainfall. Between December and April don’t expect more than 3 days of rain per month but watch out for September and October when 15 days of rain per month is normal.
Cartagena grew in importance especially with the Spanish in the 16th century until it gained independence from Spain on 11th November 1811. This day is special throughout Colombia as the Day of Independence. However in Cartagena it carries much more importance. Here they celebrate the occasion with 4 days of “Fiestas de Independencia”.
As a result of its strategic position, Cartagena was very important to the Spanish. To this end they went a long way to protect it. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (The castle of Saint Phillip of Barajas) was built for this purpose. Situated midway between the city port and the top of Popa Peak, it became a useful fortification.
One place to visit that is certainly worth while is the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver. Founded by Jesuits in the 17th century, they initially built a church and a school. Following the use of Cartagena port as taking an important role for the salve trade for the Spanish, one particular Jesuit father is Pedro Clavar believed more in the value of human life. He dedicated his whole life to the protection of slaves. However it took another 300 years before his work was fully recognised and became a saint.
Thereafter Jesuits came back to his sanctuary at the end of the 21st Century and made a museum to honour his saint hood. They collected pieces of all types such as items of religious value, pre-colombian artifacts and African Caribbean art. Using the space of the sanctuary with its chambers became the perfect place for the museum. In addition to its religious significance, the sanctuary rejoices in the name of the spirit of Human Rights.
If you are looking for a gentle walk, go to the neighbourhood of Bario Getsemani. In contrast to modern Cartagena, the houses are painted in bright colours. The centre of this barrio is Holy Trinity Square. Expect to find musicians, and plenty of places to have a beer or a local arepa. The atmosphere is strictly relaxed. You can go down the narrow streets and admire the bistros and vivid murals. Look out for a salsa bar called “Cafe Havana” which is a nighttime bar that keeps the vibe well into the early hours.
The very top of the hill is called “La Popa de la Galera”. A large cross stands here which looks out on to the city below. Here is a beautiful church and a colonial convent built between 1606 and 1611. What is most impressive is the cloister of the convent. With its arches adorned with overflowing flowers, it is a must-see. One of the most beautiful sights of Cartagena. Nowadays you can find a Temple dedicated to Virgen de la Candaleria, the patron saint of Cartagena.
To discover much more about Cartagena, book a Holiday Houseboy to revel in its mystery and history.
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