Travel & Culture: Cartagena

Cartagena

Colonial Jewel on the Caribbean Sea

Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in all of South America, Cartagena is a port city located in north Colombia. Founded in 1533, the Spanish colonizers built the city on land previously occupied by an indigenous Caribbean village. Cartagena grew quickly and became remarkably affluent thanks to its importance as a port and due to the gold in the surrounding region.

The wealth and treasures of Cartagena lured many pirates to the site, which resulted in pillaging. One most famous attack was lead by Sir Francis Drake in 1568, who destroyed a sizable chunk of the city and looted it for a vast amount.

This led to Cartagena's fortification - its walls still stand today, and many of the buildings in the old town are unchanged since the colonial time. The city has been remarkably preserved and its charming alleyways, winding streets and sprawling plazas make it a delightful destination to visit. The fifth largest city in the country, Cartagena caters to everyone, from beach bums to luxury city trippers and budget backpackers. It is a must go destination for anyone visiting Colombia.



It is recommended to spend at least a weekend in Cartagena. One day alone can be spent wandering around the colourful streets and admiring the city's churches and colonial architecture. A good place to start is the old town's former gateway, Puerta de la Reloj. From here you can start in any direction and walk around the old walled city. This is one of Colombia's safest tourist destinations, so there is no possibility of wandering into a sketchy area within the walls. One warning though - the weather is hot and can be overbearing, so you will want to avoid packing too much in. Spend the afternoon cooling down in a plazas such as San Diego, where lunch is served from as little as 9000 COP (3 pound).

Sights and a Museums



There are plenty of museums and churches to visit for when the sun gets too hot - however none are free. The city's iconic Catedral de Santa Catalina is 8000 COP with audio tour.

If pirates and naval history are more up your street, a short walk from the old town (15-30 minutes, depending on the heat!) is the Castillo de San Felipe de Baranjas, which can cost up to 17000 COP (just over 5 pounds). One of the strongest forts ever built by the Spanish in the New World, the complex castle is equipped with secret tunnels and crafty engineering work. The tour recounts the numerous attacks on the city and how the castle had protected and served since it's construction in 1657.

Cartagena at Night



The merciless sun sets at around 6.15pm, and it is worth climbing above the wall on the east side of the city to watch it sink into the Caribbean sea at Cafe del Mar. Drinks are pricey, however many sunset watchers just sit along the wall and buy refreshments from local street vendors.



Across from the Puerta del Reloj, just outside the walled town, is the vibrant Gertsermani, which is packed full of places that boast everything from live music, salsa and big clubs. A lively street to start is Calle Media Luna. It is not far from the old town, however walking at alone at night is unadvised, and you may prefer to get a taxi (which is a flat rate of 7000 COP).

Beach Trip





Cartagena is a mere hour away from some of the most beautiful beaches on the Colombian caribbean coast. Get a boat to Playa Blanca on Isla de Baru. Excursions leave from the port just outside the walled city, where boats will take you for a trip around the Islas de Rosario, then leave you on Baru's finest beach for a few hours. For those seeking a cheaper, more direct way to the island, a new bridge has opened up this year. Catch a bus five minutes from Cartagena's center to Pasacaballo for 1600 COP, and the bus driver will drop you off at a spot where Mototaxis are waiting. For 10000 they will take you across the bridge directly to the playa blanca. From the beach it is possible to negotiate a price on the boats back to the port (10000 COP should be accepted) - most leave around 3.30pm. It is possible to sleep on the island in basic accommodation (hammocks from 10000COP a night), and by doing so you can outstay the swarm of tourists from the boats and enjoy the beach in absolute tranquility.



Sleeping and Transport

El Viajero (30-35000COP) is a fun and lively hostel, while Makkako Chill Hostel (20-25000COP) is cheap and friendly. Both are in the Old Town, in San Diego neighbourhood.

The bus station is far out of town and costs 20000 in a taxi. Door to Door shuttles run from Taganga, Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Sincelejo and may be cheaper than getting a bus and a taxi. However convenient, shuttles usually take a much longer time than the bus.