unique things to do in cartagena, colombia

Among all the multiple reasons why you should get travel insurance, is the peace of mind it gives you! It is possible to do a day time tour on a Chiva as well, but the funnest way to do it is a night time party bus tour. Good if youre missing some tastes from home! For both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, many restaurants in the Walled City set up tables in the streets and offer fancy dinners. And the one in Cartagena is nothing short. A highlight of any trip to Cartagena is the freedom tour of Palenque. Its a really lovely park with a few wild animals running around, although its more likely you will see squirrels unless you head there early in the morning when they are more active. 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. Head island hopping. Gabo attended the University of Cartagena for a short time, owned a home here, and is buried here. Despite its neglect by the state, recent interest in the town has not only helped to preserve its unique culture but also turn it into a popular day trip from Cartagena and a chance to learn about a lesser known part of Colombias history. See my visitors guide to the fort to learn more about planning a visit. Written . Walking through the streets you will understand why. The park her statue sits in is very pretty, although it has very little shade, meaning youll probably just want to take a photo and enjoy the view of the water and Castillo San Felipe for a few moments. There is accommodation available on the islands if you wish to extend your stay in paradise. Some of the more popular ones are Plaza de Los Coches right under the clock tower so a great meeting point, Plaza de la Paz, Proclamation Square, and Plaza San Pedro Claver which is full of cafes to grab a delicious Colombian coffee or a popular raspao which is the Colombian version of shave ice usually covered in condensed milk and jellied sweets. Hotel Movich was a little more snazzy and wasnt as busy when we visited. Youll find some of the best ones at the Plaza Trinidad in the evening. The picture below is from the Sibarita brunch. We took a tour through this 400-year old convent (Convento de Nuestra Seora de La Candelaria). The convent is great and the views are fantastic, if you dont want to pay to go in you can just walk around the outside and will still get some lovely scenic photos. The fort was built at the top of a hill outside the colonial city in 1657, and it played a decisive role in the defense of the city from an attack on the city by Edward Vernon in 1741. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Anne from Ontario, Canada. Read on to learn about the best non-touristy things to do in Cartagena, Colombia, when holidaying here. When youre at the coast, there is no better way to cool off on a hot day and keep the kids entertained than a trip to the beach. Hope to get a positive response from you. Plaza Santo Domingo is a large open plaza home to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, a yellow-painted church that is nice to visit. Thank you so much !! Cafe del Mural, Calle de San Juan #29100, Cartagena, +57 5 6472912. 33 #2-69, Cartagena de Indias, Bolvar, Colombia Google Maps. Find the best powder, panoramic vistas and alpine ski experiences in the Treasure State. Its a very beautiful street with murals on the walls and local art being sold. Tourists flock to Cartagena to enjoy its architectural charm, character, and trending Getsemani neighborhood. Let's explore the best things to do in Barranquilla: 1. Cartagena is also known to have some of the best restaurants in Colombia serving up a mix of traditional Colombian dishes and Caribbean-inspired recipes to create mouthwatering explosions. Some complained of persistent, intrusive vendors selling massages and food. Take some time to enjoy the atmosphere while walking the streets and enjoying the many picture opportunities. Then, they are given the option to buy emerald and gold jewelry of their own. Even if youre not buying its still lovely to walk around and admire. The neighborhood houses some of the best nightlife in Cartagena. PLUS, you save money and the environment! Like any cooking class, you will be in groups with other like-minded travelers who love to cook too. As you walk around, be sure to admire the brightly colored houses, flower covered balconies, and massive wooden doors. Keep your eye out and you might catch a glimpse of monkeys or sloths. Finally, lulo is a really popular fruit in Colombia, and while not quite as common in Cartagena as in the interior, it can be found as a juice. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is the huge fortress dominating the town. At the fort, you can explore on your own or join a tour for an additional fee. We are also members of other affiliate programs and this page contains links we can earn from. 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. You can easily get water taxis out to Bocachica from the docks by Centro (go in through gate 3 to get the cheaper boats locals take). Its spot near the edge of the wall is a privileged one. See the famous Clock Tower Monument up close. Its in a good location with outdoor seating but note, its only for adults, no children allowed! Supposedly sunny, windy days are best. Another great restaurant is Cand. If youre looking for an enjoyable evening, filled with Latin music and salsa dancing then youll be spoilt for choice in Cartagena. Located about 45 minutes outside of Cartagena, youll find the Volcn del Totumo. Its not cheap for a hostel but the great locations and vibes make up for the pricey rates. This first list are my top 11 picks for what you absolutely must do in Cartagena. Inside youll find impressive interiors, including the image of La Virgin de la Candelaria, the patroness of the city. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in November. Its a nice place to get a respite from the heat. Once inside everything is within walking distance, so take your time to soak it all in and visit some of the most popular Cartagena tourist attractions. The brats here are great and you can also get Paulaner on tap. oull also find the Inquisition Museum and Gold Museum here (more on those below). Check out my visitors guide to the Naval Museum to learn more about planning a visit on your own. PRIVACY POLICY Cycle Through the World's Biggest Palm Forest with Salento Cycling. Explore the city in an entirely unique way. One thing that we absolutely loved was the limonada de coco, its coconut limeade made from fresh coconut and coconut cream, limes, sugar, and ice all blended. You can book a tour to Palenque here (use the code ExploreColombia10 to get 10% off). Al Quimico does have a rooftop bar, but theres not much of a view there. One of the best things we did in Cartagena was going on a guided street food tour! Guests love its great location and its thoughtful amenities such as a spa, pool area, great breakfast options, and very friendly staff. As far as what to get, I think the handmade bags are really neat. You pop your email here, and we promise to send you only travel content thats actually relevant sounds like a pretty good deal to us! Some highlights include the great brick oven style pizzas at Demente, the pasta at Di Silvio, and the terrific brunch at Caff Luntico. Its best to move around a lot, kicking and splashing to get them to light up more. Just pop into one of the tiendas, grab a cold beer and join the fun! His home just outside the wall in Cabrero is a museum today. The statue is a bit of a hidden gem tourist attraction and another nice photo op, especially since you can climb in the shoes if you like and the backdrop of the fort is really neat looking. Its historic charm is perhaps the greatest of Cartagena attractions. The streets are lined with small fisher houses and some shacks, but make no mistake, this is an authentic piece of Colombia. Ive read a few contradicting reviews on this, however, the majority all agree its a fantastic experience. Another popular spot is Plaza de Bolivar which houses the Inquisition Museum and Gold Museum, and Plaza Santo Domingo. Available tour: Rosario Islands Private Speedboat Tour from Cartagena. Visitors to the museum learn about the history, techniques and heritage around emeralds and gold. Ok, this is sixth just because I feel like it fits the best contextually here, but honestly, this might deserve to be higher since I would consider it a Cartagena must see for sure. To make this list a bit easier to go through, Ive decided to split it into three sections. Cartagena was attacked numerous times during the colonial era, and the museum has some excellent exhibits with dioramas showing the day by day accounts of the major battles. It is also unique to Colombias Caribbean coast. The collection of small islands are only accessible via an hour-long boat ride, which means that they offer an exceptional feeling of privacy. The breakfast served here is complementary and tasty. I actually had him make a vest for my wedding. Located a couple blocks from the Plaza Santo Domingo, it is a neat little store where you can also enjoy a coffee or even a beer or cocktail. Youll enjoy amazing views of Cartagenas waterfront neighborhoods as the yacht sails along the coast. The aviary is located in Bar just up the road from Playa Blanca. when the class end we will send you a video turorial made by us with all the steps learned during the class, in case you want to keeping practicing them after! Luxury Private Boat Island Hopping To Rosario Islands, Cholon, Baru. UP YOUR PACKING GAME! The lessons include learning the basic moves and choreography of the main dances at different tempos with drinks; water, wine, rum, and beer included. South of Cartagena, youll find the gorgeous beaches of the San Bernardo Islands, which make a great stop if you plan to bus to Medelln from Cartagena and can also be reached by speed boat from Cartagena. Looking for more great places to visit in Colombia? . Shore Excursions. Of course, you can also come multiple times! Despite the crowds, it still boasts beautiful, clear blue water. You can also look into taking classes on Lingoda or Rocket Languages before coming. Townhouse has some great drinks, and their downstairs bar, Members Only has a neat 1920s prohibition vibe. The city has three main districts; Centro, Getsemani, and Bocagrande, each providing a unique experience when visiting Cartagena. The coffee is often packed in cool little bags, but it is usually the cheap Sello Rojo brand, which is really bad. Get your cash stashed with this awesome Pacsafe money belt. He is renowned for his paintings and sculptures of overly-sized cartoonish people and animals. Our guide talked about the history of the area and how its represented through the images. The New York Times once compared the Walled City to a Moroccan Medina. This is by far the quirkiest thing to do in Bogota. The neighborhood of Getsemani in the old city is a beautiful example of Colombian flair with loads of colorful street art on offer! Upstairs, youll learn about the history of Cartagena. Around the city of Santa Marta, youll find some of Colombias neatest natural areas, including the famous Tayrona National Park and its unspoiled beaches and beautiful scenery of mountains running into the sea. They offer a shorter one as well as a complete bean to bar explanation. Knowing that whatever happens, from medical emergencies to lost bags, canceled flights, theft, and more, your bills are taken care of. The neatest bookstore in Cartagena is baco Libros y Caf. On the edge of Centro by the bridge that crosses to the rest of the city, youll find the statue of India Catalina. Cartagena's Zen Gold Museum. I have to be honest, after buying a nice camera myself and starting to dabble in touching photos up in post production, I have a new found respect for professionals. 5. They serve great cocktails and you dont have to be a guest to enjoy the bar. As far as for where to eat, here are some of our favorites: La Mulata and Espirit Santo both have fresh local fare at reasonable prices. Crazily, ticket pick-up is from the McDonalds in Boca Grande which is actually a stop! The waterfront is much quieter with the buses running along the main road. In truth, they are! Caf del Mar also has decentpicada platters to munch on if youd like to stick around for a snack or dinner after sunset, although given the fact they are pricey, Id probably recommend just having a drink or two here then finding somewhere else to eat or have more drinks once youve enjoyed the amazing sunset. The Rosario Islands arent just rich in supposed lost treasure. Cartagena is a city full of unexpected delights for first-time visitors, where you can find exceptional dining experiences along with unique attractions and things to do by day and night. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. It was built in the early seventeenth century, and the colourful courtyard was a highlight. They also do a great brunch, good lunch sandwiches, and even have a full service bar. This is the place to enjoy fancy sundowners! Also, check out the art for sale on the corner outside the Cathedral next to Plaza de Bolvar, and that sold on the street of Calle San Juan in Getseman, near Caf del Mural. There are a few day trips that include a visit to Rosario and the San Bernardo Nature Park, so its worth checking out the different options. There really is a wealth of places to visit in Colombia, so be sure to check out the other destinations section to learn which ones you might want to visit whether it be during your first trip or your seventh! There are umbrellas to rent so you can relax in the shade while your kids have fun playing in the water! I mentioned this above, but Caffe Lunatico has a cooking class that I have heard many people rave about. On the historic route inside, the tour follows the old walls and visits old defenses, fortifications, museums, squares, parks, and the Palace of the Inquisition while learning all about history. You can see the plankton off the coast of Bar not far from Playa Blanca. Outside of the Walled City, the Plaza de la Trinidad houses the Iglesia de la Santsima Trinidad. Learn more about them at their Instagram. The city is a popular beach destination that enjoys a tropical climate. They are all open to the public with free admission. I too would like to contribute an article on your web page. There are plenty of beautiful beaches around Cartagena to choose from, but the most accessible has to be Playa de Bocagrande. The best ones are creamy and have a perfect balance between sweet and sour. Colombian Spanish is actually one of the easiest accents to understand as its very clear and they tend to not speak as fast as others. 14. I like to do top 11 lists because, well, every travel blogger has a top 10 things to do in Cartagena list, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more. They also mention that an indoor, air-conditioned activity is always a plus. The introduction of a few hotels and restaurants has given this neighborhood a new lease on life. As we moved through the rooms we saw tons of specimens of emeralds and learned about the history. You will get locals to come up to you but be polite and they soon leave, most just want to have a chat and practice their English! The monastery itself is neat, but the view of the city is even better, making this another one of the nice things to see in Cartagena. Somewhere we enjoyed was Donde Fidel, its an old salsa bar where you can listen to live salsa music and dance. Its definitely a neat activity for all ages. The town is very modest, having recently only started to develop from tourism, the locals are happy to talk to you, some more curious although they are now used to visitors. Whether you want white sand beaches, a festive atmosphere, or virgin stretches of shoreline, there's an island for you. My favorite is the one withchicharrn. Continue on and youll get some great views of the modern buildings of Bocagrande before coming to the Baluarte San Francisco Javier behind the San Pedro Claver Church, where youll find another nice bar atop the walls. At the top of any list of things to do in Cartagena has to be simply strolling the charming historic streets of the Walled City. Finally, you can combine a walking tour with rum tasting in a unique tour. Honestly, the vendors can be annoying, and youll want to practice your best finger wag and No, gracias before coming. Ive already mentioned Movich as a must do, so make sure you do that one. Youll find more incredible experiences in Cartagena on GetYourGuide. Champetais a genre of dance and music that was born in Cartagenasbarrios. A private guided journey through the quirky neighborhood of Getsemani learning about the vibrant local muralism and graffiti art. There are also a lot prostitutes and drug dealers operating. Again, thank you! If you want MORE top-tier Broke Backpacker content like this, then sign up for our weekly newsletter below to get the latest and greatest! Find the top spots for couples planning elopements and destination weddings. These are activities to do in Cartagena that, in my opinion, are going to be appealing to some, and to others not as much, hence the could do moniker. You can, of course, find some neat finds here, include a selection of books in English on Cartagena and Colombias history and culture. Leave early morning to avoid big groups and set off for an amazing muddy adventure to the Totumo volcano also called MUD volcano with the properties of the dead sea. 17. Getsemani is a newly hip barrio (neighbourhood) in the fascinating Columbian city of Cartagena de Indias. The architecture is particularly impressive, with the building containing elements from a number of places of influence. The hot weather helped us kick off the seasonal blues from the winter back home and the cheerful and fun personalities of the locals warmed our hearts. When the sun goes down, carry on experiencing the city with these top Cartagena activities at night! Explore the Walled City. The hosts were great and talked about the history of Cartagena and the importance of the food. Youll also find the pretty mountain town of Minca where you can hike to waterfalls and enjoy some of the best coffee grown in Colombia. Especially neat is the wooden building of the famous and long standing Tienda de las Tablitas. You can get boats there from the behind the hospital in Bocagrande. The building itself is lovely, with great views of the walled city from above. Since the city is quite big, the attractions are found throughout Cartagenas different neighborhoods and areas. Theres little doubt that much of his writing was inspired by Cartagena and the rest of Caribbean coastal or costeol culture. They also warned that getting to the castle is a bit of an uphill trek, and suggest bringing bottled water as well as wearing a hat and applying sunscreen. I was able to go scuba diving with a fantastic dive shop calledDiving Planet. You can choose between a bed in a dormitory or a private room. Afterward, its a rinse-off in the nearby lake, a visit to the salt ocean where the salt crystallizes, and lunch before returning. Youll be amazed by the schools of colorful tropical fish, underwater landscapes and bountiful biodiversity hidden beneath the surface. to several spots to show what youve learned at night or these lessons on a rooftop in the Walled City. At the far end of Tierra Bomba is a narrow channel that is the entrance to Cartagenas bay known as Bocachica (literally little mouth). Taking a Free Walking Tour is the ultimate way to dive head-first into the insane history and culture. Beer Lovers in Getseman has the best selection of national and international craft beers. A colonial center of wealth, there are a number of beautiful, colonial era churches in Cartagena. One of them was Calle San Juan, and although its now becoming more popular, its still a wonderful street. Your info was truly fabulous !!!! The building looks like its about to collapse which adds character making it a popular place for tourists. They offer awesome quality coffee and a variety of different preparations. Cartagena, Colombia. Youll definitely be approached by salesmen trying to take you into the emerald shops. Yes, you do! Here I want to share some tips on the best things to do in Cartagena as well as some places to eat and ideas for where to stay. One of the most famous nightspots in the city is the Cuban-style Havana Club. Check out our Facebook Group to ask any other questions you have! There are so many cool things to do in . Its good luck if you give her a gentle rub! Walk along the City Walls. The Mercado de Bazurto is a busy food market that gives travelers an authentic taste of Cartagena. Considering the holiday season and Colombia's more travel-conducive weather during December, it's no surprise that travel costs do rise during this time. Visiting the Museo de Cacao is one of the best things to do in Cartagena with kids. Regardless of what tour you choose, a guided walk around old town, Cartagena is a must and one of the best things to do in Cartagena! Let a trained driver worry about the traffic while you enjoy the Big Apple's best sights. The books stacked to the ceiling between the brick archways are really neat to see even if youre not looking for a book. They tend to come on one after another with allocated time sets before moving along down the street. You can see my review of the book here or check it out on Amazon here. And here Im going to share them all with you! Particularly fun might be this night time street food tour. Zaitun Cartagena located in the walled city is central to Cartagena's unique Lebanese-Carribean fusion. Here are some ideas that will guarantee a happy family holiday in Cartagena. Watch the Sunset at Caf Del Mar, Cartagena. The restaurants have outdoor tables spilling into the plaza, which are very reminiscent of Italian cities. As far as for where to go, youll find a handful of places in the Walled City like Babar, Tu Candela by the Clocktower, and La Jugada that are all popular. A handful of travelers expressed disappointment that the plaza is so crowded during the day, making it hard to move around. Other good brunch spots in Cartagena include the aforementioned Cafe Epoca, Caffe Lunatico, which has a bottomless mimosas option, and El Barn. Whether youre on your own or taking the family, there is something for everyone in this popular Colombian city. Speaking of Nuez, he has a connection to a soda native to Cartagena too. Located in Bocagrande, a neighborhood on the eastern edge of the city, Caribe Jewelry was founded by three brothers in 1983.

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