Cartagena is way and away Colombia’s premier worldwide journey vacation spot, and with good cause. Who doesn’t love a spot with colonial allure, an interesting historical past, and a vibrant tradition? And that’s to not point out the yr spherical seashore climate!
Here you may study a number of the finest issues to do in Cartagena, Colombia and find out how to plan an incredible journey there!
Tour the Historic Colonial Districts
At the highest of any record of what to do in Cartagena needs to be roaming the historic colonial districts of the Centro Histórico aka Historic Center aka Walled City and neighboring Getsemaní, the colonial dwelling of the town’s artisan class and often thought of the cradle of Cartagena’s tradition.
Cartagena is one in all solely a handful of locations with most of its colonial period wall nonetheless standing. That wall was put there to guard in opposition to assaults by pirates and Spain’s European rivals. The wall was truly constructed after the town was sacked by Francis Drake.
Inside that wall, you’ll discover some hustling and bustling streets as the realm stays the downtown industrial coronary heart of the town. However, 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 motels and eating places right now. There are additionally a variety of beautiful plazas.
Interesting stops embrace the Museo Naval del Caribe, the place you may be taught extra in regards to the metropolis’s historical past, fortifications, and the assorted assaults on it in addition to the fashionable Colombian Navy. For extra historical past, head to the Palacio de la Inquisición, as soon as the positioning of the Spanish Inquisition’s workplaces in Colombia and residential to a museum on the town’s historical past and the Inquisition right now. Finally, the Gold Museum, or Museo del Oro, though a lot smaller than its counterpart in Bogotá, has some beautiful examples of precolonial period gold work.
You will after all need 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. Another nice view and sundown spot is the rooftop bar on the Hotel Movich.
Head outdoors the wall to Getsemaní to take pleasure in extra charming colonial structure in addition to see the perfect road artwork within the metropolis. Lots of stylish 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 also be a well-liked gathering spot for locals and vacationers alike.
Beach it within the Rosario Islands
No journey to Cartagena is full and not using a go to to the Rosario Islands. There are respectable seashores within the metropolis itself and different widespread seashores like Playa Blanca close by. However, they undergo from overcrowding and many pushy distributors.
So, most vacationers will discover the idyllic coral islands of the Rosario Islands the perfect seashore expertise in Cartagena. The islands are a bit over an hour boat journey away however the crystal clear waters make the journey greater than value it.
There are a wide range of boat excursions in addition to resorts and eco lodges that provide day passes and in a single day stays within the islands. However, the easiest way to do the islands is with a personal boat rental that permits you to make stops to snorkel, go to a number of the smaller seashores, or spend a while having a dancing get together at Cholón Island (or, even higher, all three!).
The non-public boat might be on the dear facet if you’re touring solo or in a small group. In that case, take into account 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 Beach Club for a full of life, get together environment.
Visit the Castillo San Felipe
In addition to the partitions, Cartagena had an elaborate community of fortifications meant to guard it. The largest and most well-known is the Castillo San Felipe, situated only a brief taxi journey from the Walled City.
This is definitely the largest fort constructed by the Spanish on the South American mainland and has a novel structure. Most forts constructed on this period have been perpendicular squares or rectangles. However, as a result of the fort was constructed atop a hill and its enlargement was achieved by principally overlaying the hill with stone, it has non perpendicular design.
You can get some wonderful views from the highest of the fort and an incredible photograph op with the large Colombian flag. Be certain to stroll by the eery tunnels connecting the totally different sections of the fort as nicely.
Sample Some Delicious Food
It shouldn’t be a shock you may attempt some nice seafood in Cartagena! One of the unmissable issues to do in Cartagena is definitely attempting the normal fried fish plate. You will get a whole 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, a neighborhood 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 low cost eats, you need to attempt an arepa de huevo, a novel to the Caribbean tackle the normal Latino favourite. Almost extra akin to an empanada, it’s a spherical, corn meal fritter crammed with an egg and often floor beef. You can discover them at road stalls round city or head to Donde Magola for some distinctive takes with totally different fillings. It makes an particularly good breakfast on the go or afternoon or late evening snack.
Strap On Your Dancing Shoes for a Night Out on the Town
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 dwelling to lots 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 operating Café Havana can also be nice for people who strictly need salsa music, and the close by Seven 7 Times is without doubt one of the metropolis’s latest nightclubs and provides totally different areas with totally different themes and music.
If you forgot your dancing sneakers and simply need a spot to take pleasure in a couple of drinks, the skin tables at Donde Fidel, by the town’s iconic clocktower is a good spot for a extra relaxed environment. So is the rooftop bar at Townhouse Boutique Hotel, which has nice drinks and tapas along with a nightly DJ. Finally, native favourite Caponera makes for a enjoyable place to take pleasure in a couple of drinks.
Some Final Tips on Visiting Cartagena
Now that you’ve got an thought of a number of the finest issues to do in Cartagena, what else do you’ll want to know to plan your journey?
First, let’s discuss security. Safety in Colombia has improved drastically in recent times, and practically the entire nation is now very secure to journey. Cartagena is particularly fairly secure. As lengthy as you comply with regular precautions and follow the vacationer areas, security shouldn’t be a giant concern.
Speaking of the perfect areas, for many vacationers staying at one of many motels within the Walled City or Getsemaní are the only option. It’s straightforward to stroll round to lots of the metropolis’s points of interest, eating places, and nightlife right here. The Sofitel Santa Clara, Casona del Colegio, and Hotel Capellán are standouts. The high-rises of the Hyatt Regency, Estelar, and Hilton within the extra fashionable Bocagrande district may also be good choices.
For getting round, taxis are plentiful, straightforward to flag down, and customarily cheap. You ought to all the time agree to cost when getting in to the taxi although. Uber remains to be considerably unusual, however the software InDriver is sort of good.
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