Cartagena, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, offers a fascinating blend of historical gravitas and contemporary verve. Established in the 16th century as the principal port for the Spanish Colonization of the Americas, today Cartagena offers a kaleidoscopic blend of Spanish colonial charm within the old city wall, and modern-day skyscraper glamor beyond.
The Historic Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a living monument of colonial era cobblestone streets and restored colorful edifices that’s home to some of the best shopping, food, and nightlife in Latin America. One can literally shop-till-you-drop exploring the boutiques lining the narrow streets. Colombia’s top fashion, jewelry, décor, and personal care producers and innovators can all be found in Cartagena.
For Foodies to indulge in, Cartagena has everything from marketplace and street foods, to interesting and delicious tasting menus by leading-edge chefs like Jaime Rodríguez at Celele Restaurant, or the excellent seafood combined with 1950’s-era Havana style live music and dancers at Restaurante Candé.
Just a 40 minute speedboat ride from Cartagena, the off-shore Rosario Islands are a tropical archipelago great for a daytrip for snorkeling and fishing spots and private beach clubs, or for a few days’ stay at a serviced rental villa on a private island. For Afro-Caribbean culture, a visit with the villagers of Barú Island is a fun, friendly, and fascinating experience.
Its beauty, vitality, and amenities have made Cartagena one of the top wedding destinations in the Americas. This popularity for weddings, combined with its inclusion as a port-of-call for many Caribbean cruises, can sometimes result in crowding and over tourism on weekends especially during winter and spring holiday weeks. Still, the charm and fun of Cartagena make the city a must-visit destination in Colombia, far outweighing any inconveniences caused by occasional mass tourism.
