Cartagena is the coastal city of the Caribbean not to be missed. You will be seduced by its architecture, its festive atmosphere, its beaches, its exotic fruits and its craftsmanship. Here are the essentials in 3 days…
Wander the old town
Take the time to wander around the old town. The architecture is amazing in a colonial style and above all very colorful. We admire the houses with wooden balconies from which fall a cascade of plants and flowers in flamboyant colors. Horse-drawn carriages roam the streets giving the illusion of a distant era. Palenqueras (women selling fruit), street singers and dancers bring smiles, joy and good humor to the old town.
These are some of the main streets to visit in the old town:
Located in 10-46 Media Luna 10, Getsemaní, this street is know for its hotels and popular places to visit by foreign.
The churches, the convent and the fortress are among the essentials to visit as the architecture is amazing. The fortress is also listed as a UNESCO heritage site. Built to protect the city from permanent attacks by pirates and French, English and Dutch troops, it stretches for 11 km around the old town. You can walk on it and enjoy the magnificent view.
(Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Fortaleza San Felipe de Barajas, Convento e iglesia de San Diego)
At sunset, enjoy a good cocktail at Cafe del Mar. Located in Baluarte de Santo Domingo, Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
A black sand beach located near a fishing village. The place is atypical for those looking for a quiet place away from tourists. You can taste excellent fish caught of the day accompanied by a fabulous taste discovery: coconut rice (see recipe) as well as these famous patacones (plantain pancake, see recipe).
Ask the taxi to drop you off at the last restaurant on the beach, it’s the best.
You can even give yourself a relaxing massage on the beach… To get out of the ordinary, let yourself embark on a rowboat to criss-cross the canal in the middle of the mangroves of the marsh and observe many birds.
The best known! A magnificent beach with turquoise water and white sand but it is a parade of tourist boats, jet-skis and street vendors. For those looking for peace and quiet this is not the best place.
This is an archipelago with 27 islands about 1 hour from Cartagena. We advise you to visit the Pirate Island or the Grande Island where you can even allow yourself a night, the dream…