Your Perfect Long Weekend in Cartagena, Colombia

• A walking tour: Do a half-day walking tour to get acclimated to the city. A comprehensive tour should include a stop at La Popa (the church located on top of the tallest hill in the city with a great vantage point of Cartagena), the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, and a tour of the incredible street art in the hip neighborhood, Getsemani.

• Coffee tasting at Café Mural: If you’re a coffee-lover, visit Café Mural, located in Getsemani. The owner of the shop is extremely passionate about coffee. A tasting typically includes three different coffees, each one with amazing ingredients, including cloves, cinnamon, rum and passionfruit.

• A day trip to the Rosario Islands: Since Cartagena is a port city, there aren’t many beach options except in Bocagrande. For a more laid-back experience, sign up for a daylong trip to one of the island's beaches, like Playa Blanca on Baru Island, a 45-minute boat ride away. A trip typically includes access to the island’s resorts and amenities, including paddleboarding, snorkeling and bike riding. Or you can just sit on the beach!

• Indulge your inner photographer in the Old City: Cartagena’s walled old city is the perfect place to snap some photos. Between the colonial architecture, the colorfully dressed people and the plazas dotted with palm trees, there’s no shortage of inspiration!

• A sunset drink at Cafe del Mar: Located on top of the city walls, Café del Mar is a great spot for a sundowner. It’s a sprawling space and they usually have live music at sunset. It’s a fun vibe and if it’s not cloudy, you’ll get a spectacular view of the sun going down.

• Dancing at Cafe Havana: If you spend one night out on the town, make sure you hit up Café Havana. True to its name, as soon as you walk through the door, it's as if you’ve been transported to Cuba. The mojitos are cold and sweet, and the live music had us dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Day trips:

I recommend taking a day trip to the Rosario Islands for a beach day and swimming. Or, if your itinerary allows, spend three nights in the city. Then spend two nights at the Sofitel Baru Calablanca Hotel, where they have gorgeous, white sand beaches and seven pools. Pro-Tip: Take their 30-minute private boat transfer from downtown Cartagena to the hotel.

• La Cevicheria: This Peruvian Colombian-inspired café is a great lunch spot. The tiny restaurant fills up fast and does not take reservations. If you want to make sure you get a table, I recommend getting there before the restaurant opens to avoid waiting in line. Order the ceviche, and another stand-out dish I recommend trying is the Octopus with peanut sauce.

• Nia Bakery Coffee Shop & Cocktails: You can't go wrong with Nia, a very popular coffee shop and bakery by day that turns into a cocktail bar in the evening. Come during the day for their baked goods, smoothies and coffee, and come back at night for inventive cocktails.

• Alma: Located at the beautiful Casa San Agustin Hotel is Alma, a refined restaurant serving Colombian and Caribbean cuisine. The service is top-notch and they have an impressive wine list. (And if you can stay at Casa San Agustin, it's a hotel you won't want to leave!)

• Alquimico: If visiting the top 50 bars in the world is your thing, then you must visit Alquimico. Located in the heart of the old city, this multi-level bar, including a rooftop terrace, offers a unique experience on each floor. My advice? Come thirsty and try a cocktail on each floor!

• Juan del Mar: This spot is great for lunch or dinner. Grab a table in the outdoor courtyard and feast on amazing seafood and curry dishes.

• 1621: If you’re looking for a formal and fancy place for dinner that feels like you’re eating in a palace, then head to 1621 at the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel. The hotel itself is stunning, and the food and service at the restaurant are top-notch. However, luxury comes at a price. Be prepared to pay NYC prices for the meal.