The steamy Caribbean coastal city of Cartagena, is a real gem. It’s combination of rich maritime history, literary links, boutique shops, alfresco restaurants, lively bars and creative street entertainment certainly draws the crowds in numbers yet somehow the visitors from all parts of the globe simply add to the melting pot of delights without diminishing the experience too much.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena’s imposing fortifications safeguarded Spanish gold from British pirates. As you wander through the maze of cobbled streets and leafy squares in the Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you are sure to chance upon many wonderfully photogenic scenes from the shade of colonial churches, colourful façades, ornate doorknobs symbolising the trade of the householder, bright floral window boxes, street hawkers with fruit on their heads ready to strike a pose for a tip, all accompanied by the nostalgic sound of horse-drawn carriages clip clopping by. The city offers offer a captivating blend of crumbling architectural grandeur, artistic flair, and tropical heat, somewhat reminiscent of Havana.
Inspired by Cartagena’s beauty, Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Márquez called this city home, capturing its essence in his writing. For an exceptional stay, choose a hotel with a rooftop terrace or pool to enjoy stunning sunsets over the city walls and Caribbean Sea.
Just outside the city’s impressive walls neighbouring Getsemaní, once exclusively a working-class area, now buzzes with hipster cultural energy. Plaza de la Trinidad is a lively hub where locals and visitors gather for music and street art. It has a creative food scene, vibrant murals and some impromptu rapping add to the dynamic atmosphere.
As the thermometer rises perhaps escape Cartagena’s tropical heat and humidity on a speed boat day trip to one of the Rosario Islands where you can swim, snorkel or dive. Be aware that Colombian’s at play do love to hear the latest tunes so any beach time is sure to be loudly serenaded by some Reggaeton or other AfroColombian rhythms.
If peace and tranquillity is what you prefer while relaxing then better to retreat to the shade under a rooftop awning and refresh yourself with a local favourite, coconut lemonade, and soak in the city's photogenic charm from an aerial perspective.