Cartagena is blessed by the blue caribbean sea. An interesting place to visit in Cartagena is the Convention Centre, its a prominent landmark with restaurants and cafes right by the water. Best Things to do in Cartagena inside the walled city, Unique Things to Do in Cartagenas Getseman District, Unique Things to do in Cartagena: Bocagrande and Other Areas, Unique things to do in Cartagena outside the walled city, 30. If you want a unique dance and party experience, hop on a Chiva party bus. Web Visit website. Cheers Henry. Colombia is world famous for its coffee and one thing that shouldnt be missed while youre in Cartagena is to taste some of this delicious coffee. Want to take the hassle out of planning your trip? Things to Do in Cartagena. There is not much respite from the heat as you walk around except for inside the tunnels but even so, this isnt somewhere you can hang out. Cafe Prispri is a nice coffee and gourmet shop located in the heart of Centro near Plaza Bolivar. Its possible to walk around the castle and sections of the tunnels, there are a few canons on display alongside a few plaques, although there is not much information to read. Located in the old city, the Museo del Oro Zen showcases a collection of gold, silver and ceramic relics. Pick-pocketing and bag snatching do occur across the city including in tourist areas and inside restaurants. Champetais a genre of dance and music that was born in Cartagenasbarrios. There are loads of boat cruises to choose from, but why not go the extra mile for your partner, and go for a 4-course meal and wine on a luxury yacht. Just make it on a non weekend or holiday and get an even better tan than you got out in the Rosario Islands. If its not your thing there are places to chill and hammocks. Known as El Centro Histrico, or simply Centro, in Spanish, this historic district remains the city's downtown heart. Youll get to visit the best of Cartagenas walled city and learn about the fascinating history of the city! Wander Getseman. 8.-. Let the experts at our partner BnB Colombia Tours help you! 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. 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. Cartagenas Museo del Oro displays some neat examples of the expert gold work of the Zen indigenous people. With its old walls, sunsets over the sea and endless dancing, Cartagena breathes romance. Take the . Youll want to come back to Getseman in the evening. 3# A walking tour of the old city. Similar to someone like Pocahontas, Doa Marina, or Sacajawea, some see here as a tragic figure, others as perhaps a traitor to her people. Are you in Cartagena for a while? Since the city is quite big, the attractions are found throughout Cartagenas different neighborhoods and areas. Two spots are fantastic for watching sunsets over the water in Cartagenas old city and they are Hotel Movich and Cafe del Mar. My advice would be to take a look in several and compare based on price and which pieces you really want. Book your Freedom tour to Palenque Cartagena Colombia on VIATOR. Offer subject to change without notice. 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. A great place to eat on a budget. South of Cartagena, youll find the gorgeous beaches of the San Bernardo Islands, which make a great stop if you plan to bus to Medelln from Cartagena and can also be reached by speed boat from Cartagena. Next door at the Hyatt Regency, there is also a big rooftop terrace that overlooks the bay. Learning how to cook in different countries is always a great experience. The location outside on the plaza is also sweet and offers some great people watching opportunities as well. The community not only successfully defended itself from numerous attempts to destroy it, but also led raids to free slaves in Cartagena. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You will be treated royally and will come out with a unique piece for you or your loved ones. PRIVACY POLICY Located in the heart of Getsemani, right outside the Clock Tower, this is a real gem in Cartagena. From there youll walk along the Baluartes de Santa Catalina and San Lucas, the second oldest and the tallest sections of the wall, restored after they were heavily damaged during an attack by French Privateer Bernard Desjean aka the Baron of Pointis in 1697. One of the most popular things to do in Cartagena is taking a boat tour around the Rosario Islands. This is the best way to experience the city's nightlife and interact with the locals. First, in Las Bovedas, housed in what used to be the colonial barracks, youll find a number of tourist shops today. Other seafood dishes to try include the Cazuela de Mariscos, a seafood stew with coconut milk. Walk around Cartagena Old Town. Visitors and locals alike share space on the white sand and in the azure waters of the popular Playa Blanca. Located in the old city, a visit to the chocolate factory is a great way to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours, and can easily be slipped into your Cartagena itinerary. Im a fan of the French press, but you can also get a drip as well as some truly interesting preparations, like the syphon method, which looks like something out of a chemistry lab. The Rosario Islands aren't just rich in supposed lost treasure. Perhaps the most famous are the Plaza de los Coches, just inside the Clocktower where youll always find lots of people. He helped to write a new constitution for the country and his presidency brought much needed infrastructure investments to Cartagena. 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. If thats the case, you shouldnt feel like you totally missed out if you dont get to all of these. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the buildings are brightly-colored, the streets are cobbled and the whole scene is picturesque. Luckily for me, I already speak Spanish but if I didnt I would be adding a Spanish course to my to-do list. The collection of small islands are only accessible via an hour-long boat ride, which means that they offer an exceptional feeling of privacy. The pastries are made daily, try the chocolate or almond croissant with homemade granola. Learn more about them at their Instagram. Its about an hour outside the city and will be guided by a local who is a descendant. Heres a detailed guide to emerald quality (I guess the detail forgives them for spelling Colombia Columbia!). The bus makes a big loop around the main tourist areas of Cartagena, including Bocagrande, Centro, and Manga. Doing a tour of the mangroves outside of the community of La Boquilla is one of the neat off the beaten path things to do in Cartagena. Its also worth noting that the people working do expect tips so its a good idea to take some extra cash and to wear sandals and a swimming costume which you dont mind being ruined by the mud. The city began as a small village surrounded by spikes topped with enemy skulls. Getsemani is the district just outside the walled city and is the second oldest part of Cartagena. Peter Claver could be considered a human rights activist of his time; devoting his entire life to converting and redeeming the black slaves of New Granada a group of 16th-century Spanish colonial provinces in northern South America. One of the top things to do in Cartagena is sailing over to the idyllic Rosario Islands, which is an archipelago in the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park. The sun goes down almost directly out to sea, and the feeling of watching it from atop the wall with Cartagenas and Colombias flags flying overhead is really neat. 10 #30-14, Cartagena de Indias, Google Maps. Some spots will have a live DJ playing a mix of smooth house and Colombia music, and will generally run from 11 am to 3 pm. Its overall a good affordable option if you want to stay in this area of Cartagena. One of them was Calle San Juan, and although its now becoming more popular, its still a wonderful street. There is also lots of great street art. For the best dive sites around Cartagena, youll need to hit up the Rosario Islands. Many sources say its best to go from December to April or in August or September as those are months when it usually doesnt rain much, so you should see plenty of pink. This slice of Caribbean paradise offers colonial charm and history, beautiful nearby beaches, and a vibrant culture! ChocoMuseo is not only a place to learn about where chocolate comes from, or see how it is made from bean to bar. There are a few rooftop bars there too which we enjoyed with live music and a cocktail. Although the temperatures tend to stay the same throughout the year there is definitely a difference in the humidity. That includes the attacks by Drake, Pointis, and Vernon. Guests rave about the excellent service and the jacuzzi on the rooftop as the ice on the cake, besides the location in the trendy neighborhood. Defending that entrance was key to the citys defenses during colonial times. Hope to get a positive response from you. The crime rate is about the same in all three cities and Cartagena still remains on our list of top safest South American cities to visit, along with the other two cities - Bogota and Colombia. 14. If you love tasting something new, unusual or locally renowned then you just have to try some of the street food in Cartagena! For us, there were a few museums which we enjoyed: Museo de la Esmeralda and The Palace of Inquisition were among the best. El Museo del Caribe gives guests some insight into this unique portion of the . Many locals also still speak a creole language, the only recognized African-Spanish creole. Adjoining it is the Plaza de la Aduana, which unfortunately houses almost entirely banks. Not as much as youd think! There is never any additional cost to you. And then let the shenanigans begin. On the historic route inside, the tour follows the old walls and visits old defenses, fortifications, museums, squares, parks, and the Palace of the Inquisition while learning all about history. The castle, which is a fortress, was built in 1536 on top of San Lazaro hill and was involved in battles with the Europeans between the 17th and 19th centuries. Just pop into one of the tiendas, grab a cold beer and join the fun! For steaks, check out Quebracho. If you do want to party with the locals, and can swing timing your trip to coincide, then add this to your list of things to do in Cartagena! An inspired museum dedicated to the patron saint of enslaved people, inside the cloisters where he lived and died. An amazing restaurant. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Renting bikes is another one of the recommended activities for children in Cartagena. There are a lot of plaques with useful information (in English) which is helpful to understand the history and purpose of the convent. There are some fruits that youve most likely tried before such as watermelon and mango but you will notice lots of other more exotic-looking fruit such as lulu and granadilla, which is similar to passionfruit. If you are backpacking, ask your hostel to arrange one for you then just bring an open mind and enjoy the evenings festivities! Guests love the pool as much as the great service, the delicious breakfast, and the friendly staff. An active mud volcano, El Totumo rises about 50 feet (15 m) in the air, and its crater is filled with thick mud that is supposedly very good for your skin. Eat Some Tasty Seafood. In 3 days, you might be able to fit in a few more the ideas for your Cartagena what to do list below as well.