A couple blocks away, youll find the Plaza de Bolvar. Thanks. There are other spots with shipwrecks and coral reefs just off the coast too. Claver's body is preserved in the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver in Cartagena. The Rosario Islands are a small chain of islands just off the coast of Cartagena and easily reachable by boat in about an hour. So, if youre wondering what kind of holiday to go on, know you can get a little bit of everything in Cartagena. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Take an interactive look at the indigenous cultures, nature, and history of Colombia's Caribbean coast at the best museum in town. If you are walking from the walled city to Getsemani you might notice it right on the corner as the building architecture is interesting and made from stone. If you still have energy after climbing the steep ways of Comuna 13, head 50 miles east of Medellin to the "new" town of El Peol. Volcn de Lodo el Totumo is a mud volcano located 30 miles outside of Cartagena. Here you'll find gorgeous colonial buildings, plazas, squares, stunning churches and a hot Caribbean sun. Pick-pocketing and bag snatching do occur across the city including in tourist areas and inside restaurants. A bit further north there are fun beach hangouts spots at Costeo Beach and the town of Palomino. Check out our Facebook Group to ask any other questions you have! First up is going kayaking in the bay. There are exhibits displaying how the local cultures worked with the gemstones as well as gold. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you want to get something really unique, get a handmade hammock. The beaches boast white sand, while the islands' clear water and national park designations makes spotting marine life relatively easy. Fast forward to 1984 and the iconic walls were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Two spots are fantastic for watching sunsets over the water in Cartagenas old city and they are Hotel Movich and Cafe del Mar. After climbing up the staircase, you can spend some time chilling in the mud (dont worry, the thickness of the mud makes it impossible to sink below about shoulder height). Cartagena has a lot to offer, but depending on your time, you might want to opt to add another destination to your trip (see the other destinations sections for ideas!). However, north of Cartagena, youll find even more nice destinations. If you want to try some really special ones, check out Donde Magola, located by the Exit Supermarket in San Diego in Centro. Enjoy the Sunsets. Another great option would be doing a tour that combines a visit to the Bazurto Market and cooking class where you source the ingredients to make your meal, a true immersive experience. Sibarita also offers and dinner cruise on the Express and both a sunset cruise and dinner cruise on their larger Sibarita Master boat. Needed a covid test to fly back to the US but got it done in the airport for 200 quetzales. Possibly Cartagenas most iconic bar, Donde Fidel has (for Centro) fairly reasonably priced beers. There you can see the neat 1600s Jesuit architecture, galleries of indigenous, African, and religious art as well as exhibits dedicated to San Pedro Claver, including his humble living quarters. One of them was Calle San Juan, and although its now becoming more popular, its still a wonderful street. There are also exhibits on the Zens culture and history at the museum. Maybe just dont go by yourself if you are traveling solo. A visit here is another one of the best things to do. There is a wealth of charming colonial architecture to enjoy. In the late afternoon, take a walk along the wall to Cafe del Mar and enjoy a cocktail sundowner. If youre walking in the morning it can get rather busy in the Manga district as this is when the day trip boats head out. All of which are free of charge. 1. Cartagena was the site of the entry for many African slaves during the colonial era. The first stop should be to take photos of the historic clock tower monument and enter the city through the original gateway! No vacation is complete without taking yourself something nice home. Another really popular thing to do in Cartagena is to take a mud bath at Totumo Volcano. We're usually huge fans of joining free walking tours, but after hearing mediocre reviews about the ones in Cartagena, we decided to explore at our own pace. Donde Magola also serves up some of the best other street foods. Its a fun activity and theres a beach perfect for it about 10 minutes from Centro. While frequented by Colombians in the know, they remain a lesser-travelled place by foreigners. . Luckily for you, the area is heaving with coffee shops. However, Id really suggest planning on 5 or 6 days in Cartagena so you can see all of these plus do all or most of the should sees below as well as even a few of the could do Cartagena attractions that get your attention. The Rosario Islands are one of the best places in Colombia for scuba diving, so dont miss out! It wasnt only the city walls that the Spanish invested in for the defense of Cartagena. Colombia has some great national dishes and the two best places to try are Bogota and Cartagena. Aside from the church, the statue of Mujer Reclinada a rather voluptuous woman, laying on her side is found in this plaza. Source: Alcanusa89 / Wikimedia. They have great beach bungalows and you can also do a day pass (use the code ExploreColombia 10 for 10% off). Boat back to Pana, did all my shopping. Colombians love to dance and theres no better way to enjoy a trip to Cartagena than to spend an afternoon learning to dance. In Colombia and around Latin America, run away slave communities became known as Palenques. Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. For an even more unique extreme water sport, you could try paratriking over the beach. The other two most impressive are the Santo Domingo Convent located a few blocks up from San Pedro Claver, and the Cartagena Cathedral or Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandra, located by the Plaza de Bolvar. While it's also safe and has plenty of fun things to . Visiting the Museo de Cacao is one of the best things to do in Cartagena with kids. Ive read a few contradicting reviews on this, however, the majority all agree its a fantastic experience. 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. The rooms boast a mix of contemporary ad vintage style and although some guests may argue that its a little dated and need a revamp, its a comfortable property overall with nice staff and a good location for the beach lovers. Heading towards the Plaza de la Trinidad, youll find a number of colorful streets with neat street art, including those on the Calle San Juan across from Caf del Mural (on this street you can also find some neat art for sale). In the town, many African traditions continued to be practiced. In fact, Colombia is fast emerging as one of the best destinations in the world to learn to scuba. Find out in this hilarious book. After visiting the forts, you can hang out at the beach for a bit and enjoy lunch or a beer. The Santa Cruz de La Popa Monastery is located at the top of Cartagenas tallest hill and although a little tiring, it is possible to walk there. I actually had him make a vest for my wedding. Looking for more great places to visit in Colombia? 29. This is a popular spot for locals to go for a late weekend breakfast. Rosario Islands. End off your evening with a night of salsa dancing at Havana Club or another bar in the area! You will also prepare a rum-based cocktail which you can enjoy at the studio or on the stunning terrace of our Caff Luntico while enjoying the spectacular views of San Felipe's castle and la Popa. Due to this, Cartegena boasts an old walled city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of narrow cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, picturesque plazas, and iconic post-card-worthy multi-colored buildings. (Unless you want to.). Drink water from ANYWHERE. This is why we compiled this pretty damned awesome guide to give you all the insider low down. There are so many activities from dance classes to boat rides and historical sites that you will need more than 2 days to really enjoy Cartagena. Obviously, youll find empanadas but the carimaolas, made with yuca are also particular to the Colombian Caribbean and worth trying. However, some are really good. Walking around the city, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. You will start in Getsemani and follow a well-thought route of snacks around all of the old city. For those who already have some experience, you can also complete a PADI Certification or even an Advanced PADI Open Water course while in Cartagena, again at considerably better prices than youll find in many other places. The Best Things to do in Cartagena: Day Trips. I have to be honest, my first year in Colombia back in 2011, I never would have imagined this becoming one of the popular activities in Cartagena, and would have most certainly considered it one of the most unusual things do in Cartagena as a tourist. At the fort, you can explore on your own or join a tour for an additional fee. This next section Im calling the should dos. In fact, this was one of our first dates. 2. Past visitors were impressed with the museum aspect of the attraction, saying that the tour is very informative and showcases many beautiful pieces. You can run through the seige tunnels, take pictures over the city and count the lizards climbing the walls. I know, I know, a big red double decker bus, what could be more touristy? A stop at the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is a must when visiting Cartagena. A beautiful colonial building that was the seat of the Spanish Inquisition during the colonial era, thePalacio de la Inquisicin doubles as a historical museum and museum of the Inquisition. Never get caught with your pants down again! So, they might not all be inside the walled city but a few are and its fun to walk around and find them. In the poem (read it in Spanish here), Lpez compares his love for the city to the love for an old, well worn pair of shoes. 7. The colonial city's social history is reflected in its fanciful door knockers. Others such as Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice), Mote de Queso which is a cheese soup, and Posta Negra which is roasted beef with a sweet sauce are also good. It is full of wonderful activities for tourists and hidden gems to explore. The highlights are the condors, the harpy eagle, the flamingo pond, and the twice daily Birds in Flight presentation. Youll be amazed by the schools of colorful tropical fish, underwater landscapes and bountiful biodiversity hidden beneath the surface. Gold played an important role in the development of the city which is neatly laid out at the museum. Food vendors have put Cartagena on the map with a delicious array of flavors on offer all over the city. If you are a bird lover and nature lover then head over to the National Aviary of Colombia. While we are on museums on this list of Cartagena what to dos, the Cartagena Modern Art Museum is also a good way to spend a bit of time. You can also find lots of avocados. At the edge of town, youl find the Chicharrones de Turbaco. Check availability and Rates on Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com. Its a very beautiful street with murals on the walls and local art being sold. There is accommodation available on the islands if you wish to extend your stay in paradise. A company that has had good reviews is Letra Caribe. As is tamarindo, which has a sweet and bitter flavor and is an interesting juice. The Museum of Modern Art, Cartagena. In fact, many said the main attraction is the convent's view, claiming that the convent is nothing special in and of itself. We were taken along the winding streets side alleys and to local galleries. Hello traveler! 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. The building used to be the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Cartagena. I have been using SafetyWing as I found it to be the best for what I need. Here youll find beautiful crystal clear blue and turquoise waters and some terrific resorts and eco-lodges. There are some cool interactive models of a submarine and warship that make this one of the fun things to do with kids in Cartagena too. The places I mentioned above for where to go out dancing all play a variety of music, so youll be able to get a taste of salsa at any of them. They tend to come on one after another with allocated time sets before moving along down the street. You can check out my complete visitors guide to the Aviary to help plan your trip. The Rosario Islands arent just rich in supposed lost treasure. Youve almost certainly seen photos of it on Instagram. An 18th-century battery complete with original kitchen and garrison. Located about 90 minutes outside of the city, Playa Blanca is perhaps Cartagenas most well known beach. I have made a couple of stops in Cartagena during my time in Colombia. We did the Sibarita Express once with our mothers and had a good time seeing the sunset and enjoying the open bar of rum and cokes and rum punch (you can read about our experience here or book your own here). Located about 15 minutes outside of the edge of Cartagena (about an hour outside of the city center), Turbaco is a small town. As an ordained priest, Peter Claver primarily provided spiritual guidance to the numerous slaves who were moved through Cartagena. You absolutely have to try one of thecocadas or coconut patties. A few local dishes to Cartagena and worth trying are Cazuela de Mariscos which is a seafood stew cooked in coconut milk, Ceviche, Camarones al Ajilo which are prawns in a sizzling garlic sauce and Arroz de Mariscos or otherwise known as seafood rice. Second, there is a store on a corner a block up from the Clocktower, caddy corner the Cathedral named Almacn Un Centavo Menos. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lazaro the perfect position from which to protect the city from an attack in years gone by. 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. Address a 31-81, Cra. Discover fun and unusual things to do in Cartagena: visit Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, experience a food tour, see the Torre del Reloj, take a day trip to Tierra Bomba Island, explore the city on a hop-on hop-off bus, and much more. Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do and see in Cartagena. Finally, be on the lookout for pop up crafts markets. I think the neatest ones are where you go to the market to source ingredients to have a cooking class. 83 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Colombia Updated July 20, 2022. It can get busy so a more local spot to dance is Bazurto Social Club. A visit to Cartagena is all about exploring the city and with many different places to visit, hidden gems, and secret spots to find; one of the best things to do is to discover the city on a bike tour. There are locations in Centro, Getseman and Bocagrande. If you want to try to look like a true Cartagena local, drink it with an arepa de huevo! The Bay has been a commercial gateway for over 500 years and was considered, by the Spaniards, the perfect spot to establish a principal port. The Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa is located on top of a hill and is the highest point of the city. Her family is also credited with inventing the the local favorite boli popsicles. Past visitors to the islands were disappointed that many of the activities and amenities cost extra, such as snorkeling equipment and towels, chairs and food. Its also possible to buy some from the town, especially from the Palenqueras who sell fruit and sweets in the bowls above their heads! Whether it be in a coffee shop or a takeaway cup to drink under the trees of a plaza, make time for a coffee break! The crab nachos at Harrys at the Santa Teresa are also bomb. 7. Although we love independent traveling sometimes its best to join a tour because it spares you the hassle of the organization and the local transportation, especially if you don,t have much time. Getsemani used to be a place tourists avoided at all costs and was a hub for prostitution and drugs. For somewhere with a great atmosphere and the best pizza and pasta in Cartagena (as well as limonada de coco) head over to Di Silvio. It's beautiful biggest square was a bustling slave market. Along the way, stop for a delicious local snack. Also, its worth mentioning that although the free walking tour is advertised as free, they do expect a tip, so its not really free. The ultimate thing to do in Cartagena is to go on a sailing trip. Especially seeing the walls lit up and different light decorations around town are really pretty. Hyatt brand is always a guarantee of high quality room and service. While he is most well known for his Nobel Prize winning 100 Years of Solitude, one of his other famous works Love in the Time of Cholera is loosely set in Cartagena, and he always loved Cartagena.

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