Why This City on the Caribbean Should Be On Your Wishlist
Cartagena is an adorable city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia with live Latin Music everywhere. Some friends and I traveled here on a whim with minimal research, and absolutely fell in love with the history, culture, and nature. Here are 5 reasons why your next trip should be to Cartagena!
1. Old Town
Old Town, or the "Walled City", is Cartagena's historic and touristic center (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We could feel the history around us as we walked on the narrow cobblestone streets to our hotel. With its colorful buildings in Spanish and Caribbean styles, the Old City is absolutely stunning. It's nestled on a peninsula facing the Caribbean Sea, so walking on the coastline around sunset yields some gorgeous views.
I cannot recommend staying within the City Walls enough. The proximity to everything is unbeatable, and you can walk (have I mentioned how charming the cobblestone streets are) to effectively anywhere. We stayed at a Boutique Hotel called Santa Catalina (highly recommended), but there are many hotels, hostels, and Airbnb's suitable for any budget in the Old Town.
2.The Food Scene
I was blown away by the food scene here. I had never heard of Cartagena (or Colombia to be honest) as a foodie destination, but it definitely is! Our favorite restaurants were Carmen and Alma, The late Anthony Bourdain also has a great list of restaurants here. The ceviche here is supposed to be great, but it's admittedly not my thing.
3. Some of the Best Bars in the World
2 of the Worlds 50 Best Bars are in this tiny city: Alquimico, and El Baron. I highly recommend both of them. They are both housed in beautifully restored colonial buildings, and sport great rooftop terraces offering stunning views of the Old Town and the Caribbean. The cocktails (both the classics and local creations) are also obviously impeccable.
4. Rosario Islands
The Rosarios are a group of islands (not sure if this counts as an archipelago) to the southwest of the City, and they are absolutely worth a visit! The islands are part of a protected area (the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals Natural Park), and are rightfully known for their beautiful coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.
We took a day trip here and fell in love. Trips usually last around 6-8 hours (we stayed as long as we could), and include visits to multiple islands, swimming, snorkelling, and lounging on the beach. Most tours leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, a bustling pier near the Old Town, I would recommend using a local company - we booked this exact trip from Get Your Guide,
5. Beaches
Cartagena and the surrounding islands are home to beautiful beaches. My favorites are definitely found in the Rosarios (featured above), but there are some great beaches on the mainland too. If you are heading to the modern part of Cartagena, Bocagrande and the nearby Castillo Grande are great destinations. If you have the time though, make sure to go to the Rosarios, or the Baru Island famous for its white sand. For those after a lazy beach vacation, a nearby resort may be the best bet.
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