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News, Articles, Photos, and Insider Tips showing the very best of what Cartagena offers

We welcome you to explore all the best that the Cartagena Blog offers. Here you’ll find the information you need to plan the perfect vacation in our beautiful and historic city by the sea. These insider tips will help you make the best of your time away and feature a little bit of everything for everyone. You will find updates about the best times of the year to visit Cartagena, highlighted local hotspots and attractions across the city and islands, upcoming featured events and seasonal celebrations, and even spotlighted rental properties in Cartagena’s old city.

Cartagena has so much to offer: sun and sea; spectacular shopping; world-class eateries; historic forts, cathedrals, ruins, and living history left over from colonial and pirate days. It might be difficult for a first-time traveler to pick and choose. That’s why we’ve created this blog to showcase the best of “The Key to the West Indies.”

Looking for relaxed luxury? An exciting adventure? A trip into the past? Cartagena awaits!

Gelateria Tramonti Ice Cream Palour in Cartagena

Cartagena Ice Cream Parlors

An Amazing Gastronomic Melting Pot You might expect that a city like Cartagena (which has become an amazing gastronomic melting pot) would have some sinful temptations for those of us who crave something sweet. And you'd be right about that. What better way to refresh and delight a weary sightseer than with the cool, mouthwatering treat that is ice cream? In recent…

El Baron Bar

El Baron Cocktail Bar

El Baron—Quite Possibly the Best Cocktail Bar in Cartagena There are no shortage of bars and nightclubs in Cartagena. This vibrant international city has retained its historic New World charm (with Old World embellishments) throughout the years but that hasn't stopped world-famous restaurateurs and innovative locals alike from creating one-of-a-kind hotspots in which tourists and vacationers can take in Cartagena's amazing nightlife…

Rent a Boat or Yacht in Cartagena

How much to Rent a Yacht in Cartagena

How Much does it Cost to Rent a Boat or Yacht in Cartagena? Renting a Yacht in Cartagena is the Perfect Way to Getaway. There's no better way to see Cartagena than from the sea. This historic city has functioned as an essential seaport since the Spanish Colonial days. Even now the harbor is a bustling commercial port bringing in goods from…

Alquimico-Bar-in-Cartagena-Colombia

Alquimico a Chill Bar

Alquimico a Chill Bar with a Unique Vibe Atmosphere in abundance and Cocktails to Back It Up Known for its intriguing atmosphere and innovative cocktails, Alquimico Has earned a place among the "must see" nightlife hotspots in Cartagena. This bar in the Old City is built around the concept that a well-crafted cocktail can cure what ails you and the entire theme…

Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI) 59

International Film Festival (FICCI) 59

Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI) 59 Planning for the 59th iteration of the Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI) 59 is picking up steam. Judges are accepting entrants into the festival until December of this year (2018) and the creative team in charge of this year's hottest international festival in Cartagena is arranging special guests, contacting amazing directors from…

Restaurant Carmen, Cartagena

Restaurant Carmen, Cartagena

Restaurant Carmen, Cartagena Restaurant Carmen fine dining restaurant in Cartagena is one of the best around. Part of family restaurants spread throughout Colombia, Carmen specializes in excellent food paired with top-tier service. Indeed, this is the restaurant that locals and travelers in-the-know recommend to each other when they're looking for someplace to host a special dinner—be it an anniversary, a birthday, or…

El Coro Bar Cartagena

El Coro Lounge Cartagena

An Institution in Cartagena El Coro has become an institution in Cartagena—no small task considering the sheer number of excellent bars and restaurants in which folks vacationing in Cartagena can experience an authentic night on the town complete with an excellent local meal and a signature cocktail or two. Indeed, El Coro is regularly listed high on "Top Ten" lists for lounges…

Alma Restaurant

Alma Restaurant in Cartagena

Gorgeous Venue with Authentic Flavor It's not hard to find good restaurants in Cartagena. In fact, the number of excellent places to grab a bite to eat makes it a bit overwhelming when trying to choose just one. But if you're only in Cartagena for a short vacation, Alma Restaurant is a must. This gorgeous little restaurant is elegant and quaint with…

New Year in Cartagena

New Year in Cartagena

New Year in Cartagena When you think of New Year's Eve, Times Square in New York City might come to mind. But why spend the holiday freezing in subzero temperatures crammed in like sardines with hundreds of thousands of strangers watching a glittering ball drop? Why not spend the holiday somewhere warm and sexy, somewhere tropical, somewhere with historic roots that run…

Sunset at Café Del Mar Cartagena

Sunsets at Café Del Mar

Open Air Bar that Looks Over the Caribbean Sean There are a lot of beautiful places in Cartagena to simply sit and enjoy the natural beauty of this exotic vacation getaway but one of the most picturesque spots is Café Del Mar. Café Del Mar is a cozy little open air bar that sits atop Cartagena's iconic wall overlooking the Caribbean Sea…

AJA Company Cartagena

AJA Company Artisan Crafts Clothing & Furniture

Chic Souvenirs for Discerning Travelers at AJA Company No vacation in Cartagena would be complete without bringing home a few souvenirs to remember this glorious city by. But much of the touristy locations you'll come across sell the same low-quality products by the bagful. While this is a great way to stock up on trinkets for far-flung family and friends, when you…

2019 Cartagena International Music Festival

2019 Cartagena International Music Festival

World-renown Artists, Performance Groups, and Students For the twelfth year running Cartagena will once again come alive with the music of hundreds of world-renown artists, performance groups, and students next year. The 2019 Cartagena International Music Festival is scheduled for January 4-13, 2019. Since 2007, organizers have brought classical music in all its forms home to this historic Caribbean city for an…

Ultimate Pub Crawl in Cartagena

Ultimate Pub Crawl

The Best Beverages in Town Cartagena is a wonderful vacation destination with a little something for everyone. But if you're looking for some of the best beverages in town (at some of the best hotspots) we suggest planning a pub crawl. One of the coolest things about Cartagena is that nearly all of the top attractions in the city (including the best…

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