10 Reasons to Visit Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia’s old town of Cartagena is on the northern Caribbean coast. Popular as a port stop for Caribbean cruises, Cartagena (pronounced carta-HAY-na) was founded in 1533. It became an important administrative center during the colonial era of Spanish rule.
This old walled city and fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a wealth of history just a few steps away from the beautiful sandy beach.
This city is swiftly becoming one of the trendiest vacation spots for global travelers. Here’s why vacationing in Cartagena, Colombia is a must at least once in a lifetime.
1. Culture and Festivals:
Cartagena is big on festivals, such as the Classical Music Festival in early January, the Sweets Festival in March, and the Bagpipe Festival in August.
The main event is the International Film Festival in early March when the city becomes a giant outdoor screening room. Independence Day (November 11) includes a National Beauty Pageant, and there are plenty of beautiful contestants lining up!
2. Old City Sights
The whitewashed buildings and flower-decked balconies hanging over the narrow, cobbled streets are just one of the delights of this charming city.
Other highlights best seen on a guided walking tour include the beautiful Puerta del Reloj (Clock Gate) entrance to the downtown area, the colonnaded Plaza de la Aduana (Customs Square), and San Pedro Claver Church where the body of the “Saint of African Slaves” lies under the gilded altar.
The center of this pint-sized city is the flower-filled Plaza de Bolivar, with a statue of the revolutionist from the history of Cartagena in front of the 18th century Palace of the Inquisition, now an interesting museum.
A short walk from downtown is the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, the greatest fortress constructed by the Spanish in their colonies. Tunnels beneath the castle allowed the soldiers to hear the footsteps of an approaching army and can still be explored.
Finally, a walk along the city walls with views out to sea completes the tour of this delightful old town of Cartagena.
3. Local Art
Amid Cartagena’s leafy streets and plazas, don’t be surprised to come across frequent sculptures and artworks. They depict everyday life in the city, from card-playing friends to a woman carrying a basket of fruit on her head. Designed by Colombian artist Eduardo Carmona, they are mostly made of bronze or wrought iron.
For a fantastic display of local contemporary art, must see the Museo del Arte Moderno on the Plaza de la Aduana.
4. Friendly Locals
When I visited Cartagena, I pre-booked a taxi from the cruise ship into the old town. On the journey, I asked the taxi driver to stop while I bought a bottle of water from a local café.
Unfortunately, the cafe did not take plastic, and I had no dollars, so I returned to the taxi empty-handed. When my driver saw what had happened, he jumped out of the taxi, went into the bar and bought me a water bottle with his own money.
Thoughtful acts like that of Cartagena people take some beating and make this place worth visiting!
5. Horse Drawn Carriages
The best way to get around Cartagena is on foot, but look out for uneven pavers, low doorways and lots of unexpected steps! Horse-drawn carriages are an appropriate way to drive around the old city, starting at the Plaza de los Coches (Carriage Square). This is also a place that attracts enterprising street artists and street vendors selling everything from cigars to sombreros.
6. Colombian Cuisine
If you are foody, then answering the question of why I should visit Colombia would be quite easy!
Foodies will definitely enjoy the gastronomic scene in Cartagena. Delightful bars and cozy restaurants with exposed brick walls and bentwood chairs are good place to find salty-sweet crispy plantains and flavorful coconut rice. Seafood is a staple of this waterfront city, and you’ll find it is fresh, tasty, and very affordable.
Try fresh seafood, ceviche, or crabmeat stuffed eggplant washed down with a crisp white Colombian wine. Sunset is a good excuse to sit down with a chilled beer or handcrafted cocktail and a few tapas.
7. Boutique Accommodation in Cartagena
Cartagena in Colombia has many charming vacation rentals and places to stay in restored colonial buildings.
Look for hand-painted tiles, feature windows overlooking the street or treat yourself to a vacation rental in Cartagena with your own pool for cooling off.
8. A Photographer’s Dream
From an Instagram devotee to a professional photographer, visiting Cartagena, Colombia, could be like a dream. Each street in the city is worth adoring, not only that, but the beautiful pastel-colored buildings, metal door knockers, bougainvillea plants, and old wooden balconies everything make it like a place only one sees in their dream.
9. A City Of Romance
As the setting of the great Gabriel Garcia Marquez romantic novel Love in the Time of Cholera, Cartagena is the ideal city for weddings, honeymoons, and romantic escapes. Myriad romantic boutique hotels, elegant bars, and intimate restaurants, as well as numerous high-end jewelry shops, are the reasons for increased tourism in Cartagena, Colombia. Sitting on the city walls at sunset, sipping cocktails at Cafe del Mar, it’s hard to think of a more romantic city.
10. Nightlife
Cartagena transforms at night, and the bustling streets in the historic center and trendy Getsemaní neighborhood transform into vibrant nightlife hubs.
Music spills from relaxed jazz bars and rooftop speakeasies while nightclubs with local DJs pulse with energy. From a laid-back vibe to high-beat dancing music all night, Cartagena's nightlife has something for everyone.
Remember, Cartagena nightlife tends to get going later, so don't be surprised if things don't pick up until after 10 pm.
Hopefully, now you know some interesting facts about Cartagena, Colombia and reasons to visit this amazing place. If you are all set and ready to plan your vacation, be sure to book your vacation rentals with VILLAWAY.
With the help and welcoming nature of the locals, traveling to Cartagena in Colombia would be nothing less than a fun adventure!