One of our must see cities in South America was definitely Cartagena on the Caribbean cost of Colombia. After discovering Coffee zone, which was amazing but unfortunately also rainy every day, we wanted to change for a little bit of sunshine so we decided to hit the Caribbean cost and just enjoy warm weather before heading back to European winter in December. We chose Cartagena as our first stop on the North cost. And we couldn’t have chosen better. This beautiful Colonial city has a lot to offer. The historical centre is an amazing combination of Spanish colonial buildings, mixed with some Caribbean flair and Latin American energy. It’s an intoxicating cocktail for the senses. You can enjoy every corner, every narrow street embraced with balconies covered with flowers. The tropical heat and humidity is a little bit of killer but with a cool sea breezes and plenty of shade under the balconies and trees it’s very comfortable to walk around.
A lot of the old centre is definitely set up to appeal to the tourist market, with cafes, bars and restaurants as well as the obligatory souvenir shops and fruit-seller ladies ready for a photo. But it is still a captivating place and if you go a little further, and down the less populated alleyways there are still many local treasures to be found. Market stalls of fresh fruit and small hole in the wall family eateries. You can wonder the streets and alley for hours and it is wonderful. And being encapsulated by the walls you really can’t end up to far lost as you eventually will find yourself on the wall with some fresh Caribbean breezes on your face.
Just outside the main city is a massive Spanish fort that you can visit and wander around. Castillo de San Felipe is a huge stone castle built to defend the town from overland attacks. Now it offers breathtaking views over the city and a great place to watch the sun set over Cartagena and the Caribbean. We spent a good few hours wondering around its many levels and sections and it is really worth a visit.
If you need a break from the all the colonialism, Boca Grande is the modern beachside resort part of town. With high rise buildings, high end shopping and luxury apartments and hotels all just down the beach from the old city. We didn’t spend much time over there, it’s much more modern and offers a nicer beach to sit and swim at but otherwise didn’t hold to much interest for us. Makes for a nice skyline view from the old city wall or the fort.
If you are planning on travelling to Colombia I’m sure Cartagena is already on your list as well. But if anyone is in any doubt, don’t miss it! It’s sultry charms capture the essential ingredient's of Latin America and the Caribbean and is well worth the trip. Like all great cities in the world it has its own life and energy and there is always something going on. Loved it!
To see more pictures from Cartagena check out our album on Facebook here.
