Cartagena is way and away Colombia’s premier worldwide journey vacation spot, and with good motive. Who doesn’t love a spot with colonial allure, an enchanting historical past, and a vibrant tradition? And that’s to not point out the yr spherical seashore climate!
Right here you may find out about a number of the finest issues to do in Cartagena, Colombia and methods to plan a tremendous journey there!
Tour the Historic Colonial Districts
On the prime of any record of what to do in Cartagena needs to be roaming the historic colonial districts of the Centro Histórico aka Historic Heart aka Walled Metropolis and neighboring Getsemaní, the colonial residence of the town’s artisan class and often thought of the cradle of Cartagena’s tradition.
Cartagena is one in every of solely a handful of locations with most of its colonial period wall nonetheless standing. That wall was put there to guard towards assaults by pirates and Spain’s European rivals. The wall was really constructed after the town was sacked by Francis Drake.
Inside that wall, you’ll discover some hustling and bustling streets as the world stays the downtown business coronary heart of the town. Nonetheless, a block or two over, you’ll discover quiet streets with flower coated balconies from the mansions of the colonial retailers and royal officers of yesteryear, lots of which home some Cartagena’s finest boutique inns and eating places as we speak. There are additionally a variety of pretty plazas.
Attention-grabbing stops embrace the Museo Naval del Caribe, the place you may be taught extra concerning the metropolis’s historical past, fortifications, and the varied assaults on it in addition to the trendy Colombian Navy. For extra historical past, head to the Palacio de la Inquisición, as soon as the positioning of the Spanish Inquisition’s places of work in Colombia and residential to a museum on the town’s historical past and the Inquisition as we speak. Lastly, the Gold Museum, or Museo del Oro, though a lot smaller than its counterpart in Bogotá, has some pretty examples of precolonial period gold work.
You’ll in fact wish to take a while to benefit from the views of the town on one facet and the Caribbean on the opposite from atop the wall itself. A cease for sundown drinks on the Café Del Mar, atop the oldest part of the wall is all however one of many compulsory issues to see in Cartagena. One other nice view and sundown spot is the rooftop bar on the Lodge Movich.
Head exterior the wall to Getsemaní to get pleasure from extra charming colonial structure in addition to see one of the best avenue artwork within the metropolis. Plenty of fashionable cafes, bars, and eating places have additionally opened up on this space, making it one of many hippest neighborhoods in all of Colombia. You’ll additionally discover a number of the finest nightlife within the metropolis right here alongside the Calle del Arsenal and the Calle Media Luna. The Plaza de la Trinidad can be a preferred gathering spot for locals and vacationers alike.
Seaside it within the Rosario Islands
No journey to Cartagena is full with no go to to the Rosario Islands. There are respectable seashores within the metropolis itself and different widespread seashores like Playa Blanca close by. Nonetheless, they endure from overcrowding and plenty of pushy distributors.
So, most vacationers will discover the idyllic coral islands of the Rosario Islands one of the best seashore expertise in Cartagena. The islands are a bit of over an hour boat experience away however the crystal clear waters make the journey greater than value it.
There are a selection of boat excursions in addition to resorts and eco lodges that provide day passes and in a single day stays within the islands. Nonetheless, one of the best ways to do the islands is with a personal boat rental that lets you make stops to snorkel, go to a number of the smaller seashores, or spend a while having a dancing occasion at Cholón Island (or, even higher, all three!).
The personal boat might be on the dear facet if you’re touring solo or in a small group. In that case, think about the catamaran boat tour or one of many shared multi-island boat excursions. For day passes or spending the evening, take a look at Las Islas or Isla del Encanto for luxurious experiences, IslaBela for good worth, or Bora Bora Seaside Membership for a vigorous, occasion ambiance.
Go to the Castillo San Felipe
Along with the partitions, Cartagena had an elaborate community of fortifications meant to guard it. The biggest and most well-known is the Castillo San Felipe, situated only a quick taxi experience from the Walled Metropolis.
That is really the largest fort constructed by the Spanish on the South American mainland and has a singular structure. Most forts constructed on this period had been perpendicular squares or rectangles. Nonetheless, as a result of the fort was constructed atop a hill and its enlargement was performed by mainly protecting the hill with stone, it has non perpendicular design.
You will get some wonderful views from the highest of the fort and a terrific picture op with the large Colombian flag. You should definitely stroll via the eery tunnels connecting the completely different sections of the fort as effectively.
Pattern Some Scrumptious Meals
It shouldn’t be a shock you may attempt some nice seafood in Cartagena! One of many unmissable issues to do in Cartagena is certainly making an attempt the standard fried fish plate. You’ll get a complete fish served up fried to a crispy, golden brown, together with coconut rice and patacones, mashed and fried plantain patties. This meal pairs completely with a sunny day on the seashore and an ice chilly beer or coconut limeade, an area favourite.
Cartagena has been more and more placed on the foodie vacation spot map with a proliferation of terrific eating places opening up in recent times. Some favorites embrace Alma, Marea by Rausch, Restaurante Fuerte del Pastelillo, Candé, La Cevichería, and Buena Vida Marisquería.
For reasonable eats, you need to attempt an arepa de huevo, a singular to the Caribbean tackle the standard Latino favourite. Virtually extra akin to an empanada, it’s a spherical, corn meal fritter stuffed with an egg and often floor beef. Yow will discover them at avenue stalls round city or head to Donde Magola for some distinctive takes with completely different fillings. It makes an particularly good breakfast on the go or afternoon or late evening snack.
Strap On Your Dancing Footwear for a Night time Out on the City
It’s no secret Colombians like to get their groove on, and Cartagena doesn’t disappoint in that space both. As talked about above, Getsemaní is residence to loads of the town’s nightlife. Head to the Calle del Arsenal and Mister Babilla, identified for generally attracting Colombian celebrities, for a enjoyable evening of consuming and dancing. The lengthy working Café Havana can be nice for people who strictly need salsa music, and the close by Seven 7 Occasions is without doubt one of the metropolis’s latest nightclubs and presents completely different areas with completely different themes and music.
When you forgot your dancing sneakers and simply need a spot to get pleasure from a number of drinks, the skin tables at Donde Fidel, by the town’s iconic clocktower is a superb spot for a extra relaxed ambiance. So is the rooftop bar at Townhouse Boutique Lodge, which has nice drinks and tapas along with a nightly DJ. Lastly, native favourite Caponera makes for a enjoyable place to get pleasure from a number of drinks.
Some Ultimate Tips about Visiting Cartagena
Now that you’ve got an thought of a number of the finest issues to do in Cartagena, what else do it’s essential to know to plan your journey?
First, let’s speak about security. Security in Colombia has improved drastically in recent times, and almost the entire nation is now very secure to journey. Cartagena is very fairly secure. So long as you comply with regular precautions and follow the vacationer areas, security shouldn’t be an enormous concern.
Talking of one of the best areas, for many vacationers staying at one of many inns within the Walled Metropolis or Getsemaní are the only option. It’s straightforward to stroll round to most of the metropolis’s points of interest, eating places, and nightlife right here. The Sofitel Santa Clara, Casona del Colegio, and Lodge Capellán are standouts. The high-rises of the Hyatt Regency, Estelar, and Hilton within the extra fashionable Bocagrande district will also be good choices.
For getting round, taxis are plentiful, straightforward to flag down, and usually cheap. It’s best to at all times agree to cost when getting in to the taxi although. Uber continues to be considerably unusual, however the utility InDriver is sort of good.
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