Oh Cartagena, where do I begin?
I suppose the narrow winding streets, colorful architecture, charming locals, amazing food, and vibrant nightlife are a good place to start. We spent 5 days in Cartagena and loved every minute of it. Whether you’re looking to relax, shop, dine, take in a bit of history, or salsa the night away- This city has it all!
The streets of the Walled City are lined with cute boutiques and street vendors selling hand made pieces. There are plenty of rooftops offering tasty cocktails & amazing views as well as restaurants serving up fresh & local cuisine. And last but certainly not least, there are several options to book a boat tour of the islands surrounding the city which was by far our favorite part of the trip and a must do for anyone visiting!
WHERE TO STAY:
I visited Cartagena with two girlfriends and we chose to stay in a cozy Airbnb overlooking the square within the Walled City. It was the perfect location for everything we wanted to see and do both during the day and night and we felt completely safe at all times. One thing to be aware of: the panhandling within the Walled City is a bit much. We couldn’t walk down a single street without someone coming up every 5 seconds and asking us to buy something. It is certainly not a perk of staying within the Walled City. But, the pros outweigh the cons and I would highly recommend the Walled City to anyone debating where to stay during their travels to Cartagena!
WHERE TO EAT:
BRUNCH/LUNCH
1. La Cevicheria – extremely popular ceviche & South American restaurant recommended by Anthony Bourdain
2. Caffe Lunatico – tapas cafe serving Columbian and Catalan dishes.
3. Epoca Cafe –cozy cafe, great food, amazing coffee!
4. Di Silvio Trattoria -charming Italian spot with great reviews
DINNER
1. Carmen – Located in an intimate & beautiful house offering Columbia dishes and offering a tasting menu.
2. Alma – this was my favorite meal during our trip and is an absolute must. The food, people, and ambiance are amazing!
3. Maria – tasty dishes made from local products in a snug spot with stylish decor.
4. Don Juan –Mix between Caribbean restaurant & a bistro in a cozy & cute space
5. Juan Del Mar –very popular, live music and fun atmosphere on rooftop terrace (come for sunset)
6. Cande- Brings both culture a tradition to it’s experience with live music, dancing, and great food.
WHERE TO DRINK:
1. La Movida – night club for dancing which can get quite rowdy.
2. Alquimico- We went here three nights in a row. This 3 story cocktail lounge has an amazing atmosphere and cocktails
3. Cafe Havana- great spot for salsa dancing
4. La Jugada- night club for dancing a bit less intense than La Movida
5. El Baron- owned by a German chemist the cocktails are strong and the setting is quaint.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
1. Walking Tour- you can pay for a private walking tour of the city (you will be asked by several people offering this within the streets) or you can also choose to join the free group tour which takes place every day at 10 am & 4 pm
2. Salsa Dancing Lessons- we took (beginners) lessons at the Crazy Salsa studio in the Walled City. It was definitely worth the experience and we learned a thing or two to help us out on the dance floors for the rest of our trip. Word to the wise: dress comfortably and bring water- it’s a work out & it will be HOT!
3. Horseback Riding –this is something we wanted to do but unfortunately, did not have time for.
4. Shop Las Bovedas Market- large outdoor market selling hand made local pieces, art, and fresh fruit!
5. Stroll Centenario park and visit the Monkeys/Sloths
6. BOAT DAY- a MUST do! Our favorite day of the trip was spent swimming and touring the islands. We hired the company below and they were fantastic. If no one in your party speaks Spanish fluently, it’s wise to pay for an English translator to be on board so that you can customize your tour in anyway you’d like. Some highlights are the Rosario Islands and Baru. Head to Cholon for an upbeat boat party scene!
DAY CLUBS
We wanted to visit a day club during our trip and struggled with which one to choose as there are quite a few. We selected Blue Apple Beach Club as it is a very short ferry ride from the city. We had an okay time (it rained for most of the day which definitely killed the vibes) but overall, this experience did not meet our expectations. Others have had great things to say about it -so, it’s worth giving it a shot and hoping for a sunny day!
There are other options that interested us as well that are a bit further away from the city and require a longer boat or cab ride to reach.
- Karmairi hotel spa
- Bomba beach club
Finally, Cartagena Connections is a great resource that we used for much of our planning. They have recommendations on all things to see and do in Cartagena and they break down the details for boat rentals/ day clubs so you can choose the best option for you. I have the link to their website below:
Passage Seventeen. 