They usually have a pretty decent selection of Cubans as well as some Colombian cigars that are a decent deal. San Pedro Claver stayed busy, and while estimates vary, at least 200,000 slaves passed through Cartagena during the colonial era. Its one of the best places to visit for a chilled beach day with a swimming pool, fresh showers, loungers, and beautiful blue water. Barzuto central market is exactly as you would expect from a market selling everything from fake designer clothes, bags, and shoes; fruits, meats, and seafood; random knick-knacks to animals, and household products. Its a great experience with locals even coming up to the side of the boat to sell lobsters and cocktails (usually coco locos) made hastily in small boats over the side. Its a lively hangout spot and youll be sure to witness some of Getsemanis street acts in the evening. I have to be honest, my first year in Colombia back in 2011, I never would have imagined this becoming one of the popular activities in Cartagena, and would have most certainly considered it one of the most unusual things do in Cartagena as a tourist. For more Places to Stay, check out our fullCartagena Neighborhood Guide! You may notice the posters with brightly colored lettering around town advertising thepics. While there are better waves for this up around Cabo de la Vela or in San Andres, its becoming increasingly popular in Cartagena. There are some great destinations for beach lovers and nature lovers. You will be treated royally and will come out with a unique piece for you or your loved ones. You can book a tour to Palenque here (use the code ExploreColombia10 to get 10% off). Named for Saint Peter Claver, the Iglesia San Pedro Claver is Cartagenas neatest church. Its exactly what you expect these markets to be like, we enjoyed trying the food and bought a bunch of stuff while trying to navigate the maze with our guide. Like most colonial town, youll find a number of plazas and parks around Cartagenas Walled City. In other words, enjoy, but also respect the local residents. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. These are activities to do in Cartagena that, in my opinion, are going to be appealing to some, and to others not as much, hence the could do moniker. Beyond that, you can also check out Airbnb Experiences for even more cool things to do. The Museo del Oro in Cartagena is home to a fantastic collection of gold artefacts as well as sterling examples of pottery created by the ingenious Zenu people who inhabited the area prior to the Spanish conquest. Malagana Caf in Getseman has a tiny rooftop where they serve nice drinks and food to go with one of the more unique views. And the best time to do that is without a doubt at sunset. Here I want to share some tips on the best things to do in Cartagena as well as some places to eat and ideas for where to stay. Ive been on some that have been a lot of fun and some that have been pretty meh. Enjoy the Sunsets. If youll be making it to Bogot as well, be sure to check out the Botero Museum there. Made with sweet, yellow corn meal, thearepa de huevois stuffed with an egg and ground beef when it is fried. Its also where youll find lots of other Cartagena things to do. Upstairs, youll learn about the history of Cartagena. See Tripadvisor's 410,020 traveler reviews and photos of Cartagena free attractions . I took the 5-day sailing trip to the San Blas Islands when we were leaving Colombia for Panama, and it was one of the best trips I have ever done! Most visitors will stay in the walled city of Cartagena, which includes Centro and San Diego while other barrios such as Getsemani and Bocagrande are also popular. 29. They serve traditional food and sometimes have live, local music. Committed sun-seekers and nature enthusiasts will make the hour-long trek south of the city to the Rosario Islands. All of which are free of charge. It served the West Indies trade route and became one of the largest maritime highways in the world, contributing a vital role in global trade. Unfortunately, there used to be a great champeta club named Bazurto Social Club in Getseman, but it has closed down. Old Town in Cartagena is a prominent attraction, and it is blessed with impressive churches, monasteries, palaces, mansions, and plazas. Eat Some Tasty Seafood. I like guanabana a lot as a juice. Some of my favorite brands are Cafe Salento, Cafe Qundio, and 4 Elementos, which sells a great variety pack. On the edge of Centro by the bridge that crosses to the rest of the city, youll find the statue of India Catalina. Big, comfortable, modern-style rooms plus friendly, helpful staff make this boutique hotel a real gem. Past visitors praised the castle for its magnificent views of the city and historical significance. Book your Freedom tour to Palenque Cartagena Colombia on VIATOR. Cartagena is also known to have some of the best restaurants in Colombia serving up a mix of traditional Colombian dishes and Caribbean-inspired recipes to create mouthwatering explosions. Its in a good location with outdoor seating but note, its only for adults, no children allowed! Cartagena is blessed by the blue caribbean sea. There are also a number of smaller places that can be lots of fun along Calle Media Luna in Getseman. Going to other parts of the country can feel like an entirely different county, with everything from culture, accent, food, and weather varying greatly. . The Emerald Museum was not as we expected at all, it was far better. Havana Club draws a mixture of locals and tourists and was even visited by Hillary Clinton when she visited the city not so long ago. For the best dive sites around Cartagena, youll need to hit up the Rosario Islands. Make sure you plan ahead and list your ideal itinerary to get the best of Cartagena and make the most of your stay. That being said, its possible to visit any time of year and it is busy all year round. Looting of their gold helped build Cartagenas early colonial prosperity. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you are, then try kitesurfing. The Rosario Islands are a small chain of islands just off the coast of Cartagena and easily reachable by boat in about an hour. Be sure to check the schedule to make sure you know when the HOHO bus is scheduled to come, it was pretty much on time for us. The bike tours are great and provide an authentic way to learn about life in Cartagena. Centenario Park is an urban park located right in the middle of Cartagena, between the walled city and the Getsemani barrio. Hello traveler! The statue commemorates a famous poem written by Luis Carlos Lpez about Cartagena. Palenque means fortified in Spanish and these communities got that name because the freedmen surrounded their towns with walls to protect themselves from the threat of attack and recapture. Its a very beautiful street with murals on the walls and local art being sold. Sibarita also offers and dinner cruise on the Express and both a sunset cruise and dinner cruise on their larger Sibarita Master boat. End your evening with a delicious meal at a restaurant in Plaza Santo Domingo. Follow in Pope Franciss steps on a visit to the next place on our list. There are locations in Centro, Getseman and Bocagrande. Their coral reefs also make them great fishing grounds, as do the mangroves around the rest of Cartagena. So if youre only going to visit one, make it this one. The plaza is surrounded by restaurants and street food vendors, which makes it the perfect place to go to for an evening meal. Although, a tour that includes lunch at the market itself would also be pretty interesting. The mud is rumored to have healing properties, but even if this isnt the case a bath in the mud is well worth the experience! From mountain escapes to quaint small towns, a blissful trip for two is right around the corner. There is also lots of great street art. Sailing and the neat netting at the front of the boat makes for a unique way to see sunset and some cool photos. Honestly, the vendors can be annoying, and youll want to practice your best finger wag and No, gracias before coming. There are many choices for a meal, and at a couple local cafes you can dine on freshly caught fish. With the renovations in the late 1700s, the entire hill was covered in stone, and an elaborate network of tunnels was built, designed to be blown up to collapse the land around the fort if an attacker ever seriously threatened its walls. In truth, they put almost anything in it! Not to mention, the Pia Coladas,Coco Locos,andLimonadas de Coco are among the best in the city. While not the most touristic (or prettiest) city in Colombia, there are loads of fun things to do in Cali Colombia. A couple things to avoid in tourist shops are the coffee and the Colombia team jerseys, at least if you want a real one. But the guests love the exceptional service delivered by a professional and yet friendly staff. They will include lunch, snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and sometimes, jet skis. Cartagena is basically one giant fiesta. As is tamarindo, which has a sweet and bitter flavor and is an interesting juice. They serve Posta Negra Cartagena as well as other Cartagena classics! No purchase necessary. Violent crime and muggings are also pretty common against backpackers especially in tourist areas. However, if youre not heading to Bogota then its a nice one to visit, its also free entry. On any walking tour around the city you'll visit the fort wall. See my complete visitors guide to the museum to help you plan your visit. Also, its worth mentioning that although the free walking tour is advertised as free, they do expect a tip, so its not really free. Although the temperatures tend to stay the same throughout the year there is definitely a difference in the humidity. When I was there in 2015, I heard several accounts of drug dealers inviting backpackers to bars to negotiate and then pulling guns on them. Cartagena was the site of the entry for many African slaves during the colonial era. You will start in Getsemani and follow a well-thought route of snacks around all of the old city. I find them helpful to get my bearings and get a feel for the place. Knowing what you want to see and how youll get there is going to be an advantage once you begin your travels. We are Adam McConnaughhay and Susana Romero. Sibarita has also started to sometimes offer a brunch on the bay that has all you can drink mimosas, beers, and all you can eat tapas. There are plenty of cheap eats and fine dining to be found in and around the city. Probably the most famous of these Palenques was San Basilio de Palenque, often referred to simply as Palenque, and its next on this list of things to do. Adjoining it is the Plaza de la Aduana, which unfortunately houses almost entirely banks. The best are the funny ones. It is undoubtedly one of the Cartagena, Colombia things to do. Past visitors praised the museum, especially for its focus on indigenous people. Meanwhile, those in search of secluded patches of sand can plan daytrips to the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca. Check out these extra things to do in Cartagena. Its probably one of the most well-known salsa clubs in Cartagena and a really fun end to the night. 17. If you do feel comfortable with your Spanish, I would still encourage you to go here with a local you trust, but the market can be reached easily by taxi or bus. You will find the University of Cartagena housed in the former Convent of San Agustn and the Hotel Charleston in the Convent of Santa Teresa. Looking for some more authentic activities in the city? Theres simply tons of fun things to do in Cartagena, Colombia. If you are reading this, you probably already know that Colombia has a reputation for being dangerous. She remains on the seal of the city today and a stop and photo op here is another one of the must see places to visit in Cartagena, Colombia. Hotel Movich has the rooftop bar with the best view in the city. You can also look into taking classes on Lingoda or Rocket Languages before coming. From Boca Grande, however, families can board a ten-minute boat ride to Isla Tierra Bomba, a nearby island with amazing beaches. Today it is filled with colorful streets, impressive street art, hip cafes and a blossoming nightlife, which makes it one of the trendiest places to visit in Cartagena. Plaza Santo Domingo is a large open plaza home to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, a yellow-painted church that is nice to visit. There are some interesting monuments in Cartagena. Enjoying it yourself has to be on any Cartagena what to do list. Thanks for the kind words! Finally, be on the lookout for pop up crafts markets. You should be able to do all of these must see Cartagena attractions in just 2 or 3 days, and these are really the highlights of what to see in Cartagena. One of the things I love about Cartagena is sitting outside for drinks or even dinner in the plazas. A great educational thing to do in Cartagena is to learn the language! Contents [ hide] Things to do in Cartagena. Stretching over 7 hectares, depicting several habitats, and with over 135 species and 2,000 birds, the aviary is extremely well done! Cool Things To Do in Getsemani Cartagena. Ok, this is sixth just because I feel like it fits the best contextually here, but honestly, this might deserve to be higher since I would consider it a Cartagena must see for sure. Its an impressive structure and was the largest fort constructed by the Spanish on mainland South America. Youll find some cool art in some of the shops in Las Bovedas. Around the city of Santa Marta, youll find some of Colombias neatest natural areas, including the famous Tayrona National Park and its unspoiled beaches and beautiful scenery of mountains running into the sea. 5. On this tour, you will learn about the history and the legend of some Colombian rums. There is accommodation available on the islands if you wish to extend your stay in paradise. Just outside of town, youll find a sunflower farm that was established fairly recently. Cartagena was attacked numerous times during the colonial era, and the museum has some excellent exhibits with dioramas showing the day by day accounts of the major battles. The Tienda Caf Sabor de la Montaa in Centro is also pretty good. Just over the bridge on the outskirts of the Getsemani district is the famous Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas San Felipe Castle. The Plaza Santo Domingo is primarily known as the home of the bronze statue La Gorda Gertrudis, which was created by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Hiring a guide is another option if you are not comfortable coming up alone. The ultimate place to go for lunch and enjoy the Ceviche! Because of its location at the highest point in the city, travelers can expect gorgeous panoramas that capture all of Cartagena, making the convent an excellent option for photos. First, in Las Bovedas, housed in what used to be the colonial barracks, youll find a number of tourist shops today. You can hire a private taxi. If youre looking for a warmer drink, you cant visit Colombia and not sample some of its world famous coffee! A delightful mixture of old and new, between the historic Walled City and the gleaming skyscrapers of Bocagrande. They are known for their unique concoctions with flavor infused rums. Like standing when paddling over the water? Youll find some of the best ones at the Plaza Trinidad in the evening. It gets you more excited for your trip and you learn something in the process. Also, opt to book through your hotel or another reputable vendor if possible. The "old" El Peol was purposefully flooded in the 1970s to create a dam for hydroelectricity generation. Its a fun and happening hostel surrounded by turquoise waters and is becoming quite popular so you will have to book. However, around every corner here youll find cool street art, and some of best photos you can take in Cartagena, so take some time just to wander, and dont be shy about stopping in for a refreshing juice, cold beer, or even a cup of coffee at one of the many neat cafes. Today, this historic neighborhood has become a hip hangout spot, sporting many of the citys trendiest cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs. If you head down on a weekend, you'll find it heaving with Cartageneros who have come to kick back, sip some beer and sunbathe. The convent is great and the views are fantastic, if you dont want to pay to go in you can just walk around the outside and will still get some lovely scenic photos. If youre looking for something more relaxed or too embarrassed in your skills to hit the dance floor, the Clock Pub is a popular watering hole for tourists and expats, Al Qumico offers a nice medium between club and lounge bar, Caf del Mar has a nightly DJ, Mirador has a great rooftop view, as does the rooftop at Townhouse, Demente has a nice beer garden in the back and plenty of other little bars and restaurants are good spots to hang out and have a drink. There are differing reports on the season to see the pink sea. Below youll find over 75 great things to see in Cartagena! We visited a few recommended spots and fell in love with the coffee at Cafe Epoca. In this 2-in-1 trip, you can soak in the volcano mud before relaxing in the salty sea. Its brilliant to learn about the history of these people which will be shown through song, dance, and music, which has been ingrained in their culture. There were worries that the cliffside may be unstable, and the convent was closed for a while, but it is now reopen. With its colorful street life, intriguing colonial history, and tons of museums, Cartagena is fun for the whole family. Hands down, this has to be the top thing to do in Cartagena, Colombia! Filters 1. . The truth is, this is one of the more weird things to do in Cartagena. Hotdogs here and elsewhere in Colombia are unique, topped up with lots of sauces, cheese, and little crunchy shoestring potatoes. The highlights are the condors, the harpy eagle, the flamingo pond, and the twice daily Birds in Flight presentation. It was gold that first drew the Spanish conquistadores to Latin America and legends of El Dorado, the city of gold originate in the nation. This super stylish hostel is the epitome of Cartagena cool. Guys might enjoy grabbing a cigar or doing a rum tour while their ladies shop, or if they are in the market for a great guayabera, check out Edgar Gomez Estevez aka EGO in the Walled City who has hand made them for many a celebrity including Gabriel Garca Marquez, Bill Gates, and Colombian presidents. It used to have a grim reputation as a hub of gun violence and crime; it is now a buzzing hotspot . Ladies should bring along a nice dress or outfit and not be afraid to show a little skin if they want. Be sure to try the hot sauce. Head island hopping. Some of the best ones by the flower market a few blocks from the Clocktower. While youll find lots of street vendors selling things like bracelets, T-shirts, and hats, there are three places I recommend looking for souvenirs. Cafe Prispri is a nice coffee and gourmet shop located in the heart of Centro near Plaza Bolivar. Take advantage of Cartagenas position and take a romantic dinner cruise in the bay. per group (up to 15) Complete Tour 5 Rosario Islands with snorkel and plankton in Cartagena. I recommend doing your session with Marina Maldonado, aka Your Local Photographer in Cartagena. Off of this street, youll find the Calle Tripita y Media with its colorful umbrellas overhead. I know some people hate them as they feel they are so touristy. Nomatic products are sleek, durable, and goddamn efficient. There are some neat pieces on display here and for those who enjoy art, it should absolutely be included on their list of things to do in Cartagena. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. Recent travelers also noted that it doesn't take long to go through all of the exhibits, so you won't need to set aside much time to see it. Its a very narrow side street where the residents have gone to a lot of effort to keep it looking attractive for the tourists. Another nice rooftop bar is the aforementioned Townhouse. You will almost always get a better deal if you pay in cash as well (in Colombian pesos; you wont get as good a deal paying in dollars). As we moved through the rooms we saw tons of specimens of emeralds and learned about the history. The ChocoMuseo is a hit with everybody, but once the little ones hear about it they wont want to go anywhere else! Booking guided tours can also help to get an insight view or a look behind the scenes for some cool hotspots. Visit the Museo de Botero. If you are backpacking, ask your hostel to arrange one for you then just bring an open mind and enjoy the evenings festivities! Finally, lulo is a really popular fruit in Colombia, and while not quite as common in Cartagena as in the interior, it can be found as a juice. The fort was meant to prevent a force that landed from being able to use the hill as a point siege the city. Cartagena has a lot to offer, but depending on your time, you might want to opt to add another destination to your trip (see the other destinations sections for ideas!). 7.-. Its possible to walk along the waterfront from Castillo de San Felipe to Club Nautico, and even further along if you wish, theres another marina further down. For travelers who want . Maybe, Im just trying to include one of my favorite places, but if youre looking for a nice chill bar where you can hear rock music, including occasional live music, check out Leon de Baviera near the end of Calle El Arsenal in Getseman. Even if you are pretty bad like me though, you still have to at least try to do a bit of salsa dancing while in Cartagena. If you want to really go all out, you can do a sunset or dinner cruise on the bay. Weve tested countless day packs over the years, and now weve found our absolute favourite: the traveller-approved Osprey Daylite Plus. Its bursting with historical influences but has grown into a trendy hangout spot full of hidden gems; its the place to go for great nightlife, hip cafes, restaurants, and funky bars. Youll get some of the very best pictures of the city here to go along with your drinks, and there are tasty appetizers on offer if you fancy a snack. You absolutely have to try one of thecocadas or coconut patties. If you will be in Cartagena for more than just a few days and want to truly immerse yourself, youll want to have a good handle on Spanish. Cafe del Mar is one of the most well-known restaurants in Cartagena and the perfect place to romance your partner. Now, the Walled City of Cartagena draws travelers hoping to explore its colonial architecture and peruse the wares of its numerous street vendors. The art is displayed on the walls outside art galleries which just scream to be visited. The area attracts a motley crowd of locals and visitors alike, and there are often street performers. The walled city of Cartagena (La Ciudad Amurallada) is ground zero, the site of the original city. Colombias National Aviary is located just up the road from Playa Blanca. Learn how to Salsa Dance. Explore the city in an entirely unique way. One thing to do in Cartagena if you love to shop is to head to La Serrezuela Shopping Mall. If youd like to walk the entirety of the walls, head up around the Exito San Diego, not far from the statue of India Catalina near the entrance to Centro. It was crowded and bustling, with lots of people shouting and there were some serious smells about the place. Located in Santa Catalina, another city about 45 minutes away from Cartagena, its possible to visit the volcano and take a mud bath while being massaged by a local. When Cartagena declared its independence from Spain, they adopted the symbol of the indigenous woman to help distinguish and separate themselves while adopting symbols that spoke to the pre-Spanish past. For some reason, it tends to be lesser known than some of the other museums, but it is by far the best done and most informative in my opinion. La Brioche is a French pastry shop with great single origin coffee as well. Its really nice with a fun vibe and live entertainment most days serving up nice takes on local traditions. Why not visit an area where, according to legend, pirates would sometimes hide out? That makes it one or our top recommended activities for kids in Cartagena. Champetais a genre of dance and music that was born in Cartagenasbarrios. Getsemani is a newly hip barrio (neighbourhood) in the fascinating Columbian city of Cartagena de Indias. The park her statue sits in is very pretty, although it has very little shade, meaning youll probably just want to take a photo and enjoy the view of the water and Castillo San Felipe for a few moments. Luckily, there are some awesome places to take cooking classes in Cartagena, and cant be missed from your things-to-do list! One of the most interesting places we found during our wanders around the walled city was Portal de Los Dulces which translates as portal of sweets. Things to Do in Cartagena There are many day trips from Cartagena that you can do either on your own or with organized tours. They recommend taking your time in the walled city, as you can easily spend a full day wandering its narrow streets. And the one in Cartagena is nothing short. An interesting place to visit in Cartagena is the Convention Centre, its a prominent landmark with restaurants and cafes right by the water. Theres usually an ice cream man riding around on his bike too and will tell you, in broken English, about the animals that live in the park. Looking for more great places to visit in Colombia? The most outstanding feature of this hotel is the incredible view of Cartagena Marina from the rooftop pool. Browse Artefacts at Museo del Oro Zen. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lazaro the perfect position from which to protect the city from an attack in years gone by. Day 6: Took a shuttle back to Antigua, wandered around there some more and hiked up to the viewpoint for the sunset. Cartagena is an incredible city to visit with so much history and colonial architecture which attracts many tourists.

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