Curator’s statement
Having a father from Colombia, I spent my childhood traveling to Bogota and Cartagena, and have fond memories of the culture and energy of this beautiful country. Cartagena is full of energy, music, great food and wonderful people. They have done a wonderful job of preserving the Old Town within the walls, and in the last few years some of the most beautiful boutique hotels have emerged from traditional homes, while wonderful restaurants align the cobblestone streets.
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Where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia
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Things to do in Cartagena, Colombia
Go shopping!
When you have a city as charming to walk around as Cartagena, one of the most enjoyable activities can be to just do a little retail therapy. Some of my favorite spots include:
La Serrezuela - A historic bullfighting ring lovingly restored and transformed into a mall, La Serrezuela is one of the architectural marvels of Cartagena's historic walled Old City. Stop in Velez (many locations throughout Cartagena) for some beautiful well priced leather pieces.
Plaza de Las Bovedas - Built as storage vaults in the 18th century, these dungeon-like spaces were also used to house prisoners during several different battles in that era. It's an iconic place to do some shopping. We grabbed bikes at San Augustin and rode there.
MAAJI - Founded by two Colombian sisters, Maaji is an international bestselling swimwear brand that has numerous locations across Cartagena.
Centenario Park - This lush city park is not only home to monkeys, iguanas and sloths, its eastern side is also lined with a row of vendors who offer some amazing deals. Grab an iconic Panama hat or Mochila to bring home as a souvenir.
Sleep in a Baru Treehouse
Take one of the many boat tours that are offered and go snorkeling. Make sure you buy some fresh seafood from the local fishermen that sell it off their boats and kayaks (and take a stroll through one of Pablo Escobar’s old homes).
Dance the Night Away!
The nightlife in Cartagena is unmatched and they have some of the best music and dancing you'll experience. Try Alquimico, a three-level party palace with a rooftop dance floor or take a dance class!
Watch the Sunset from the Wall
Las Murallas, or the famous walls, surround the Old Town. Near the westernmost stretch of the wall, the sun descends right over the Caribbean Sea. Café Del Mar, a restaurant beside the wall, is a great place to enjoy the day's end. Or bring your own picnic and perch yourself on the wall's warm stones, a practice many locals enjoy.
Consume Copious Amounts of Colombian Coffee
You'll find fantastic coffee all over the city. We enjoyed visiting and meeting the owner of Coffee, who is incredibly conscious of curating only the finest export-grade roasted Arabica whole beans from five different growing regions. Libertario Coffee Roasters is another spot where you can customize your bags of beans to purchase. Another drink of choice in Cartagena, or anywhere in Colombia is the mojito. Grab one to go and take with you along your leisurely strolls.
Sightseeing
Visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle to fully understand the brutal history of this area.
Be sure to also visit one of the many museums in the Old Town. I would recommend the Museum of Cartagena de Indias to learn about the history of Cartagena or the Museo del Oro Zenu to comprehend the role Gold has played in Colombia over the centuries.
Day Trip!
The Rosario Islands are located on the outskirts of Cartagena, about 45 minutes away by boat. the Rosario Islands archipelago is a must-see to discover the magnificent white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. These islands are a marine treasure, ideal for snorkeling and diving in the heart of the colorful coral reefs.
Places to eat & drink in Cartagena, Colombia
Buena Vida - (across the street from San Augustin) has a cute little rooftop restaurant. The food isn't anything to write home about, but it is a charming atmosphere and you have to do a rooftop restaurant/bar while you're in Cartagena.
Cande - A super fun restaurant with trees and dangling lanterns, live music and dancers that walk around the restaurant. A great first night in Cartagena stop.
La Vitrola - Cuban restaurant with an amazing live Cuban band. Food was great, highly recommend.
La Cevicheria - Delicious ceviche (one of Anthony Bourdain's stops in Cartagena) on a charming street. You can sit outside and people watch. It's highly recommended. I bought the hot sauce, it was that good.
Marea - Located outside of the Walls, with a great atmosphere. You can sit outside on the water and view the Old Town from outside the walls. Good food. We were lucky to catch a fireworks show and you can watch the boats go by.
Casa Della Pasta Don Ignazio - A restaurant next to Casa Don Luis. I had the best pasta of my life here. Get the pasta tossed in a cheese wheel.
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Travel Advisor
Erica Alexander
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Cartagena. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Erin Brundage’s guide, The Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia.