Discover Cartagena, Colombia
A Modern Caribbean Beach Resort with a Rich Colonial History
Nov 29, 2008
A combination of sandy beaches, fortified walls, and cobblestone streets make Cartagena a unique vacation spot. Unfortunately, security concerns have deterred many travelers from visiting Colombia. While this may be bad for business, it saved Cartagena from becoming a trashy tourist trap. Romantic and classy, Cartagena offers brave visitors a safe and relaxing beach holiday with a historical backdrop.
A Brief History of Cartagena
Founded by the Spanish in 1533, Cartagena de Indias is a Caribbean seaport. For centuries, it was a distribution center for treasures and goods shipped between Spain and the Americas. Fortification of the city began in 1586 and the original walls are still standing today.
In 1811, Cartagena declared independence from Spain. However, according to Tim Parsa in the May 20, 2007 New York Times article, "Colombian Gold in Cartagena" the end of the slave trade in 1851 and an outbreak of cholera contributed to the decline of Cartagena’s wealth and importance.
The city has been resurrected and restored in recent decades. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and was the setting of the 2007 movie Love in the Time of Cholera.
Colonial Town and Modern Beach Resort
Cartagena is two cities in one, the old city and the adjacent beach resort of Bocagrande. The walled old city is divided into two sections, inner (where the colonial upper and middle classes lived) and outer (where the artisan and merchant classes lived). Bocagrande is an adjoining strip of land lined with waterfront hotels and high-rises.
When to Go to Cartagena
Cartagena has a stable tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of about 32°C (88°F). October and November are the wettest months.
Top Things to Do in Cartagena
• Get Lost in the Old City: Wander aimlessly and imagine what life was like during the colonial era. Sample the tropical fruit sold by street vendors. Make your way to the Puerta del Reloj, the clock tower that separates the inner and outer sections of the city, where you will find the Plaza de los Coches. At the Portal de los Dulces you can purchase traditional, homemade candies. When you tire of walking, take a seat at an open air café in the Plaza Santo Domingo.
• Beaches: The beaches of Bocagrande are dirty but decent. Beware of persistent vendors. Women offering massages, manicures, and braids often don’t ask permission before getting started. For white sand and turquoise water, take a boat to Playa Blanca on Isla Barú, or visit the Islas del Rosario.
• Scuba Dive/Snorkel:The Islas del Rosario Coral Reef National Park houses fascinating marine life (including crabs, fire worms, and starfish). The water is warm with good visibility. Various diving centers, such as Diving Planet, arrange classes and day trips. (Prices around $50/$125 snorkel/scuba, including transportation, lunch, equipment, two outings, and a guide.)
• Totumo Mud Volcano and Mangrove Forest: Outside of the city is a mud volcano. For a small fee, you can bathe in the therapeutic mud alongside other tourists. Local men offer massages and local women help clean you off in a nearby lagoon for a tip. Both services are optional, but hard to refuse. Daily tours often include a canoe ride through the nearby Mangrove Forest.
• Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Cartagena has excellent seafood and fish restaurants. Combine history and mojitos at Café del Mar, a bar on top of the city wall. Dance salsa at Quiebra Canto or La Candela, both in the old city.
How to Get to Cartagena
Spirit Airlines flies nonstop to Cartagena from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. No service on Mondays and Fridays. Colombia’s Avianca offers direct flights from Miami. Flights from other cities connect through Bogotá.
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