Tips for Bogota, the capital of Colombia
March 7, 2023
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If there is one place in Colombia that you must have visited, then it is Cartagena. What an incredibly atmospheric city with so many things to do. It is warm, tropical and colorful, in short the Caribbean influences are abundant here. Cartagena is as beautiful in real life as it is in the pictures. You will find streets full of bougainvillea and one colonial building is more beautiful than the other. Bienvenido a Cartagena, the most beautiful city in Colombia. These are the best things to do in Cartagena!
What to do in Cartagena?
Cartagena de Indias, the city's official Spanish name, is immensely beautiful and you'll want to make the most of your visit. We recommend spending three or four full days in the city. This will allow you to properly experience the city and discover the best places. This is what you must do in Cartagena!
1. Take a walk along the city wall
The city wall surrounding Cartagena is of historical value and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In fact, Cartagena was once a very important city in the Spanish empire. The wall therefore served as a fortress to protect the city center.
Walking along the city wall is an absolute must-do. From the wall, you have views of the sea and the city skyline. The city wall is a very popular place to watch the sunset from. You should definitely do this one evening. A nice place is Café del Mar, but be on time here as it can get quite crowded. A perhaps even nicer alternative is to pick a nice spot on the city wall and bring your own drinks or buy them from one of the many street vendors near and on the wall.
2. Explore the historic center of Cartagena
The perfect picture of Cartagena consists of colorful colonial buildings, beautiful plazas, female Colombians with fruit baskets on their heads and bright bougainvillea. You shoot this picture in Cartagena's historic city center. Wandering around here is a feast for the eyes. You pass picturesque streets and atmospheric squares. The city center has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1984, and for good reason. Go early if you want to avoid the crowds and the hottest part of the day, but remember that the city really comes alive in the afternoon. The squares are then full of musicians, dancers and the terraces slowly fill up as well. Of course, you don't want to miss that!
3. Visit an ancient castle: Castillo de san Felipe de Barajas
One of the more famous sights in Cartagena is the centuries-old Spanish fort Castillo de san Felipe de Barajas. The fort stands on a hill on the outskirts of the city. In the old days, the Spanish could see far across the sea from here to see if any enemies were approaching. The fort dates back to 1536 and had to endure several attacks from the British and French, among others.
You can walk through the fortress and enjoy the views of the city. It is recommended to book an audio tour or guide to hear more about the history of Castillo de san Felipe. The fort is open every day from 07:00 to 18:00.
4. Book a boat tour of the Rosario Islands
Off the coast of Cartagena you will find the Rosario Islands. A breathtakingly beautiful archipelago consisting of as many as 16 islands. The largest island of the archipelago is Isla Grande. If you want to escape the city bustle of Cartagena then a day trip or maybe even a trip with an overnight stay to the Rosario Islands is a very good idea.
If you choose to go to the islands for a day only, the best way to book a boat trip is through Pura Vida. We booked this boat trip. You will sail on a luxury catamaran from the port of Cartagena to Isla Grande. Here the boat docks and you will have time to chill, snorkel and swim. The day aboard this boat is all about enjoying yourself. The views are beautiful and you will totally unwind. On board there are good facilities such as a bar and large nets to lie in. Lunch is included in the price and tastes very good.
If you really want to get away from it all for a few days, the best place to stay is in the Rosario Islands. You will find cute and luxurious accommodations. Keep in mind that locals often head to this archipelago to party on weekends. During the week it is a lot quieter. Check here all the great accommodations in the Rosario Islands.
5. Stroll the colorful streets of the Getsemani neighborhood
Walking through the streets of the Getsemani neighborhood, you can hardly imagine that this was once Cartagena's most dangerous neighborhood. It may remind you a bit of Comuna 13 in Medellín, as this neighborhood has also undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years. From most dangerous place to a vibrant place for creatives. The Getsemani neighborhood lies just outside Cartagena's city walls but is easily accessible on foot. You will find a lot of street art and atmospheric hotspots.
Plaza de la Trinidad is the place to be in Getsemani when it comes to local conviviality. Travelers and locals gather here to watch street performers and who knows, to dance together. You'll find several stalls for buying street food and cocktails.
That Getsemani is a place for creatives is a fact, and this is reflected in the many artists with their own stores. Shops are full of the most beautiful paintings in all colors and sizes. We always take home a souvenir and this time it was a colorful canvas with colonial buildings from Cartagena!
6. Staying in the Getsemani district
If you are looking for places to stay in the city of Cartagena you should look for a hotel or hostel in the city center (El Centro) or in the neighborhood Getsemani. The historic center is the most beautiful, but Getsemani is cozier and often more economical. It is not recommended to look for accommodation outside these neighborhoods in Cartagena. These are the most touristy neighborhoods and also the safest for tourists.
Our favorite hotels in Cartagena
Because of the heat, it is definitely advisable to book a hotel with a pool in Cartagena. An affordable hotel in the Getsemani district is Hotel Cytia Cartagena. It is less than a minute's walk from the atmospheric Plaza de La Trinidad and even closer to one of the most photographed streets; Calle 27. The hotel rooms here are pretty basic but the breakfast, pool, rooftop terrace and location make up for a lot. Looking for a cozy hostel in Cartagena? Then you can definitely book a dorm at Selina Cartagena or Republica Hostel.
7. Eating out at nice restaurants and bars in Cartagena
If you can do anything well in Cartagena it is good food. There are an awful lot of good restaurants to be found, but unfortunately it is not possible to visit them all. The ones we have visited and are absolute fans of we are only too happy to share with you. These are our favorite hotspots in Cartagena:
1. La Tapería
Do you love Spanish tapas and like a carafe of sangría? Then La Tapería the hot spot for you. You will find this cute bar in the historic center of Cartagena, near the city wall. There is only room for about 10 people, but this makes the owner and proprietress take care of you with love and passion. The tapas are finger-licking good. Be advised what to take, because there is no menu.
2. Alquímico
Alquímico is without a doubt the best bar you can find in Cartagena. Even worldwide, this bar is well known, as Alquímico is ranked number 10 of the top 50 best bars worldwide. The bar, located in a magnificent mansion, consists of three floors, each with its own unique identity. The cocktails are also adapted to this for each floor. Sounds good, right?
Is Cartagena safe?
Did you know that Cartagena is one of the most visited Caribbean cities? As such, it is a popular vacation destination for every type of traveler. For example, giant cruise ships regularly enter the port and many wealthy Colombians travel to the city for a mini vacation or to shop. Cartagena is considered one of the safest cities in the country. Of course, staying alert also applies to this Colombian city. We did not feel unsafe in Cartagena for a single moment.
There are many street vendors in Cartagena who will try to sell you souvenirs, or when you are on the beach, massages. Clearly say no if you are not interested in this. This also applies to street performers who start rapping or dancing when you watch them. At the end of the show, they expect a tip.
Tips for feeling safe in Cartagena
Don't carry too much cash;
Leave valuables in your accommodation;
Stay in the tourist districts of Cartagena (El Centro, Getsemani);
Avoid dark alleys and unlit roads;
Put a lock on your backpack;
Make sure your bag is attached to you or to your chair when you are in a restaurant, then it cannot be pulled out from under you.
Transportation to, from and in Cartagena
Cartagena's historic center is fairly compact. The city's well-known highlights are found largely within the walled center and just outside it in the Getsemani district. This is all easily accessible on foot. If you want to travel further outside of Cartagena, the best way to do this is by bus or plane.
In our case, Cartagena was the end point of our tour of Colombia and flew back to the Netherlands from here. However, Cartagena can also be the starting point of your roundtrip or perhaps a stopover. Travel further to Bogota or Medellín then you can choose the economical option of traveling by bus or the slightly more expensive but faster option by plane. Beautiful destinations near Cartagena such as Tayrona, Minca, Santa Marta and Palomino are easiest and fastest to reach by bus. You can often book a bus trip through your accommodation or buy a ticket at the bus station.
The best time to visit Cartagena
As we shared, Cartagena is warm and sunny almost all year round. If you want to get a lot out of your day, it is recommended to do it in the morning and early afternoon when temperatures are still low. Then you can take a splash in the pool at your hotel during the hottest part of the day.
December through April is the dry season, this is the best period as far as we are concerned despite the heat. Outside of these months, it can be very humid and rainy. These are not the most ideal months to be in Cartagena, especially if you hope to take a boat tour of one of the islands. However, we ourselves were in Cartagena during the month of October and had fine days. So it's also a bit of luck!
Take a tour of Colombia
Want to take a trip through Colombia, but could use some help planning? Like sparring about the ideal itinerary and the best destinations? We would love to help you on your way. During a 1-on-1 video interview we will map out your wishes and advise you on the most beautiful places that suit you. Would you rather leave it all up to us? No problem! We organize your trip completely customized. Ask for a travel proposal for your round trip through Colombia.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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