A fascinating port city by the turquoise Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is home to spectacular beaches and is also exceptionally rich in history. The beautiful colonial walled city and fortress of Cartagena are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most visited city in Colombia, Cartagena has lively nightlife and the inviting Latin American Music can be heard almost everywhere in the city.
The old town of Cartagena is surrounded by an impressive wall. The magnificent Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Felipe De Bajaras is located on a hill and has beautiful views over the city and harbor. The fortress was built to protect against the feared pirates of the Caribbean. Close to the fortress is the 440 year old monastery located on La Popa Hill. Palace of the Inquisition displays the historical items from the pre-Colombian, colonial and independence times.
Beaches in Cartagena's coastal district, Bocagrande, offer nice possibilities for sunbathing, but are often quite crowded. The best nearby beaches can be found in Playa Blanca which can be accessed by boat or car via the bridge to Baru. Many travel agencies also organize boat tours to the nearby coral islands of Islas Del Rosario which are tropical paradises with white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The archipelago offers excellent opportunities for admiring the Colombian nature by trekking and water sports like scuba diving, sailing and diving around Cartagena.
Culture & Entertainment. The city also has a lively cultural life with many concerts in Cartagena. Many festivals are held in the city, the Classical Music Festival and the Literary festival being the most remarkable of them. When shopping in Cartagena, visit the numerous small shops selling gold, emerald, souvenirs and handicrafts. The lively nightlife in Cartagena entertains you with many discos and nightclubs playing salsa and all kinds of music.
Historic old town and exotic coral islands around Cartagena
The area today known as Cartagena was first inhabited by Indians until the city of Cartagena was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century to replace the indian village of Calamari and to serve as their main port in South America. Once a center of slave trade, Cartagena is today blessed with many interesting historical sites. Besides the beautiful tropical beaches of Cartagena, the main attraction in the city is the beautiful Old Town in the heart of the city with narrow, cobbled streets and many impressive colonial buildings.The old town of Cartagena is surrounded by an impressive wall. The magnificent Spanish fortress, Castillo de San Felipe De Bajaras is located on a hill and has beautiful views over the city and harbor. The fortress was built to protect against the feared pirates of the Caribbean. Close to the fortress is the 440 year old monastery located on La Popa Hill. Palace of the Inquisition displays the historical items from the pre-Colombian, colonial and independence times.
Beaches in Cartagena's coastal district, Bocagrande, offer nice possibilities for sunbathing, but are often quite crowded. The best nearby beaches can be found in Playa Blanca which can be accessed by boat or car via the bridge to Baru. Many travel agencies also organize boat tours to the nearby coral islands of Islas Del Rosario which are tropical paradises with white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. The archipelago offers excellent opportunities for admiring the Colombian nature by trekking and water sports like scuba diving, sailing and diving around Cartagena.
Culture & Entertainment. The city also has a lively cultural life with many concerts in Cartagena. Many festivals are held in the city, the Classical Music Festival and the Literary festival being the most remarkable of them. When shopping in Cartagena, visit the numerous small shops selling gold, emerald, souvenirs and handicrafts. The lively nightlife in Cartagena entertains you with many discos and nightclubs playing salsa and all kinds of music.
Cartagena - hot and humid port city
Cartagena is located on the northern coast of Colombia along the Caribbean Sea.
Photo: Igvir, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
It has a hot and humid tropical climate with warm weather throughout the year. The dry season in Cartagena is from January to March, while the most rainfall comes in October and November. The best time to visit Cartagena is the dry season.
Flights to Cartagena arrive at the Rafael Núñez International Airport which serves both domestic flights and flights from South and North America. There are daily flights to Caratagena from Panama City and bus connections from other cities in Colombia, such as Bogotá, Medellín, Barranguilla and Santa Marta. There are boat connections to Cartagena from Panama, and Caribbean cruiseships also visit the city.
Local transport. Cartagena has an extensive network of cheap buses. Taxis are widely available but it is advisable to negotiate the price before entering a taxi. The beautiful old town is easily toured on foot. There are several agencies offering car rental in Cartagena, though driving in the city center is not the most comfortable way of travelling.
Hotels & restaurants. As the city is a popular tourist destination, there is a wide selection of hotels in Cartagena. The numerous restaurants in Cartagena offer a fascinating mixture of Colombian, Latin American, Spanish and Middle Eastern tastes.
Safety. Cartagena is a relatively safe destination. However, as armed robberies, kidnappings and pickpocketing does occur in Colombia, it is advisable to exercise normal caution, avoid walking out after dark and keep an eye on your belongings. Some Spanish skills are needed for independent travel in Cartagena, as English is not commonly spoken there.
