Planning a vacation in Cartagena can be a bit overwhelming. More and more travelers are falling in love with this Caribbean escape with every week-long vacation or month-long holiday. The problem is not figuring out why to visit Cartagena it’s what to see and do in Cartagena while you’re here.
Camellón de los Mártires in Cartagena de Indias When you vacation in Cartagena one of the first things you’ll learn is that it’s known as the Heroic City. Cartagena played an integral part in the liberation of Colombia from the rule of the Spanish Empire. You can see monuments all around Cartagena to great men who stood up against foreign rule—some of…
El Portal de los Dulces in Cartagena Cartagena has becomes something of a world travel destination for foodies with dozens of international restaurateurs bringing their unique twists to traditional Colombian and Caribbean fair. But if you want something simple and traditional there’s nothing quite like a sweet treat made by hand as it has been for generations. So skip the fancy tapas…
The Plaza de la Aduana in Cartagena The largest and oldest plaza in Cartagena, Plaza de la Aduana is located partway between the Cathedral of San Pedro Claver and the Plaza de los Coches. Originally known as Antigua Real Contaduria, the plaza was once used as a parade ground and was home to Cartagena’s Colonial Era government. Visitors are often struck by…
Cartagena’s Historic Performing Arts Venue Teatro Heredia (Heredia Theater) is the premiere center for the performing arts in Cartagena. Architects infused Caribbean flair into Classic Italian style to create a venue that represents both the elegance of the Old World and the cultural heritage of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. And while the outside is beautiful the interior will simply take your breath away…
Drink a Cocktail, Relax, and Soak up the Caribbean life Cartagena is home to any number of lovely little spots to sit with a cocktail, relax, and soak up the Caribbean life that infuses the city. But the Baluarte San Francisco Javier is a little different. This chic outside bar and lounge sits directly atop the fortified wall that surrounds the historic…
Plaza de los Coches in Cartagena This central plaza has held many names over the centuries: the Plaza de Juez, the Plaza del Esclavo, Plaza de Mercaderes, and lastly the Plaza de Yerba. But the Plaza de los Coches, as it is known now, has remained an integral part of Cartagena since the city was founded in 1533. And even as the…
Las Bóvedas (The Vaults) in Cartagena Las Bóvedas (or the Vaults) is really a single complex of 23 individual storerooms (or dungeons depending on your point of view) built between 1792 and 1796. The 47 arches and 23 domes were dreamt up by Antonia de Arevalo, an engineer who was charged with completing the extensive fortifications of the city of Cartagena after…
The Districts of Cartagena With a deep history reaching far back past the Spanish Colonial occupation and a new and vibrant metropolitan outlook, travelers can find something to delight in no matter their interests. Cartagena Colombia is a city of wonders. Throughout the districts of Cartagena you’ll find unique and interesting attractions that will make your stay in this Caribbean gem unforgettable…
The Plaza Santo Domingo in Cartagena This colorful plaza is located in the heart of the historic Walled City of Cartagena, making it a great place to meet up with friends before sightseeing or a night on the town. Surrounded by beautifully restored Spanish Colonial architecture, a Botero Statue, Plaza Santo Domingo is actually named for the famous church that sits at…
Convento de la Popa in Cartagena This beautiful convent sits atop the highest hill in Cartagena, overlooking the city and Caribbean Sea below. From the flower-filled patios you can gaze down into the city and enjoy a nearly 360 degree panorama. Viewing this spectacle from this historic point it’s hard not to imagine what Cartagena would have looked like a hundred or…
Colombian Emeralds in Cartagena Verdant greens and complicated depths have made emeralds one of humankind’s most coveted stones for over 4,000 years. From pre-historic times through today these one-of-a-kind natural wonders have captivated emperors, shamans, kings and queens, movie stars, the elite, and everyday folks alike. Colombia offers some of the most exquisite emeralds around and the shops in Cartagena make finding…
Playa Blanca Playa Blanca on the Isla de Baru (Baru Island) is one of the most popular tourist destinations around Cartagena—and it’s easy to see why. While many of the beaches near and around the city itself are far from spectacular in comparison, Playa Blanca offers soft, white sands, crystal clear turquoise water, colorful tropical fish, local delicacies like ceviche, and tasty…
Iglesia de Santo Domingo Cartagena Of all the Catholic churches and cathedrals in Cartagena, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo is one of the most breathtaking. Not only is it the oldest Catholic church in Cartagena, it also contains some of the most beautiful hand-carved religious statuary in the city. But before the church became a cool retreat in which weary travelers could…
