Playa Hollywood

Beautiful beach with restaurant and drink service. I'm writing this review because I consider myself a regular here, as they say, so be warned. I've been traveling here since 2021. Yes, it's very pushy on the beach with vendors selling various items… It's not a rich country, so they have to make a living. However, there's clearly some exploitation of *gringos*. So **NEGOTIATE**. For example: a massage with nail trimming can cost you over **250,000 COP**… for barely an hour. To put things in perspective: a general practitioner earns around **6,000,000 COP per month**, or **1,500,000 COP per week**. If you calculate a 50-hour week (and yes, I know people who work 6 or 7 days a week), that comes to **30,000 COP per hour**. So **how can a simple massage cost over 200,000 COP for 45 minutes?** Now you understand. And on top of that, they use seawater and just a simple moisturizing cream. Talk about profit! Also, when a local tells you, *"It's free for you, mi amigo,"* **RED ALERT**. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Also, be careful with taxis. The first time I went: - from El Laguito to the mall → **25,000 COP** - the return trip (same route, reverse direction) → **50,000 COP** They don't use meters, so **ALWAYS ASK THE PRICE BEFORE YOU GET THE RIDE**. Also, be careful! *** No dar papaya ** remember this phrase! Jewelry (gold chain, $300 watch), showing off your iPhone 19 at night = danger! Jewelry = hotel/Airbnb, and your fancy new iPhone? Well, be discreet! All in all, Colombia is a wonderful country that combines mountains and beaches. In 5 years, I've been robbed 3 times! Once in Medellin on a terrace (2 motorcycles, 4 guys with guns, it didn't even take 2 minutes!), another time on the beach in Cartagena, and in Bogota by fake police officers! Lol!! *English Translation** This beach has restaurant and drink service. I’m writing this review because I consider myself a regular here, as they say, so be careful. I’ve been traveling here since 2021. Yes, the beach vendors can be very pushy… It’s not a rich country, so of course they need to make a living. However, there is definitely abuse toward *gringos*. So **NEGOTIATE**. For example: a massage with nail trimming can cost you more than **250,000 COP**… for barely one hour. To put things in perspective: a general practitioner earns about **6,000,000 COP per month**, which is **1,500,000 COP per week**. If we assume a 50‑hour workweek (and yes, I know people who work 6 or 7 days a week), that comes to **30,000 COP per hour**. So **how can a simple massage cost more than 200,000 COP for 45 minutes**? Now you understand. And on top of that, they take seawater and use a basic moisturizing cream. Long live profit. Also, when a local tells you: *“It’s free for you, my friend”*, **RED ALERT**. Nothing in life is free. Be careful with taxis too. The first time I went: - from El Laguito to the shopping mall → **25,000 COP** - the return trip (same route, opposite direction) → **50,000 COP** They don’t use meters, so **ALWAYS ASK THE PRICE BEFORE THE RIDE**. All in all, Colombia is a wonderful country that combines mountains and beaches. In 5 years, I’ve been robbed 3 times. Once in Medellín on a terrace (2 motorcycles, 4 guys with guns — it didn’t even take 2 minutes), another time on the beach in Cartagena, and once in Bogotá by fake police officers. Lol

The beach is super quiet, great atmosphere.

Good festive beach

The beach is beautiful, spacious, and has perfect conditions for water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and more. The school that offers these activities is called Cartagena Surf 420; they are very professional.

Unfortunately, my experience was terrible. From the beginning, they try to take advantage of tourists: sunbeds start at 30 euros, and only after much insistence and negotiation can they get them down to around 5 euros. This immediately gives off a sense of lack of transparency. Furthermore, it's practically impossible to sunbathe in peace, because the beach is full of vendors constantly passing by trying to sell everything from water, bags, souvenirs, massages, and more. After a while, it gets really annoying. Even the bars seem to have a dual pricing policy: one menu for tourists and one for Colombians, with different prices. It's truly a shame to see such a beautiful city ruined by these situations.

A complete rip-off!!! Totally overcrowded, very pushy, and in the end they wanted me to pay double!!! Worst beach of my life.