Returned from 7 days in Cali. Solid experience.
Accommodation:
Mid-range Airbnb near the main area. $48/night. Clean and central.
Scene:
About what the forum described. Prices were great value.
Quality:
Better selection than last time. Had 5 encounters total.
Logistics:
Rented a motorbike for flexibility. Eating out was very affordable.
Safety:
No issues at all.
Overall: 8/10. Solid choice, will be back.
Happy to answer any questions.
Menga trip report — what I found
Started by BangkokVet · 12 Mar 2026 · 1254 views
Posts: 1,914
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Dallas, TX
12 Mar 2026 at 11:25
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
0
Posts: 1,915
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Ottawa, Canada
13 Mar 2026 at 23:25
This matches my experience. Cali is one of my favorites.
Ottawa, Canada | 18 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,876
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Halifax, Canada
14 Mar 2026 at 18:25
+1 on this. Exactly my experience too. Solid destination.
0
Posts: 1,993
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Washington, DC
16 Mar 2026 at 14:25
Can confirm. Was there recently and everything checks out.
0
Posts: 1,915
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Ottawa, Canada
18 Mar 2026 at 00:25
I was there in February and prices were great value. Spent about $50/day all-in.
My tip: try the local spots away from tourists.
My tip: try the local spots away from tourists.
Ottawa, Canada | 18 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,898
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Denver, CO
18 Mar 2026 at 22:25
Also recommend downloading Grab before you go. Essential.
Do your research, respect the locals, stay safe. — Wanderlust Carl
0
Posts: 1,888
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Perth, Australia
20 Mar 2026 at 21:25
Spot on with the prices. Matches what I paid recently.
0
Posts: 1,837
Rep: 0
Joined: Dec 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
22 Mar 2026 at 03:25
What was your total spend roughly? Trying to budget for mine.
San Diego, CA | Member since 2024
0
Posts: 1,928
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
22 Mar 2026 at 08:25
Good info. Going during the week is much better — less crowded and better prices.
Winnipeg, Canada | Member since 2024
0
Posts: 1,951
Rep: 0
Joined: Dec 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
23 Mar 2026 at 03:25
Nice report. Heading there next month — exactly the intel I needed.
0
Posts: 1,882
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Philadelphia, PA
24 Mar 2026 at 13:25
Thanks for the detailed write-up. Very helpful for planning my upcoming trip.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice." — Philadelphia, PA
0
Posts: 1,904
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Buffalo, NY
24 Mar 2026 at 22:25
Adding my experience: scene has stayed the same since pre-COVID. Biggest change: better quality.
Buffalo Bill — Buffalo, NY
0
Posts: 1,890
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: London, UK
25 Mar 2026 at 09:01
Nice report. Heading there next month — exactly the intel I needed.
0
Posts: 1,924
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Austin, TX
25 Mar 2026 at 11:01
Also recommend downloading Maps.me before you go. Essential.
Austin Alex — Austin, TX
0
Posts: 1,898
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Denver, CO
25 Mar 2026 at 16:25
What was your total spend roughly? Trying to budget for mine.
Do your research, respect the locals, stay safe. — Wanderlust Carl
0
Posts: 1,900
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Boston, MA
26 Mar 2026 at 05:01
Good info. Going during the week is much better — less crowded and better prices.
0
Posts: 1,813
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Portland, OR
26 Mar 2026 at 12:01
Great report, thanks for sharing. Had a similar experience there last month.
Portland, OR | 20 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,813
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Portland, OR
26 Mar 2026 at 18:01
Nice report. Heading there next month — exactly the intel I needed.
Portland, OR | 20 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,897
Rep: 0
Joined: Dec 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
27 Mar 2026 at 07:25
Did you use freelancers or find girls at the hotel?
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
0
Posts: 1,927
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Vancouver, Canada
27 Mar 2026 at 08:25
Different experience for me. Prices were higher when I went.
0