Issues to Do, See & Eat

There are numerous alternative ways to plan your journey to the Colombian metropolis of Cartagena. It will probably get overwhelming! After spending virtually a whole month within the metropolis, I created this nice Cartagena journey information that can assist you profit from your time.

From one of the best issues to do and eating places you’ll be able to’t miss to the place it’s best to keep, this information will enable you plan the right itinerary in your journey. And this little style of Colombia may even encourage you to return to the nation to discover much more.

➞ In case you are quick on time, I’ve made the right someday cartagena itinerary for you.

Planning Suggestions for Visiting Cartagena

Greatest Time to Go to

Top-of-the-line instances to go to Cartagena is from December to April, when the climate is sunny and dry. I went in February and the climate was fairly heat through the day with highs within the low 90s, although it cooled right down to the 70s at night time, which was excellent. 

How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena

Though I stayed for nearly a month with a view to do a lot of analysis, a 3-4 day journey is good. This provides you time to discover the outdated city, go to a close-by island and take an area tour or two. 

The place to Keep

I stayed in an Airbnb rental in Bocagrande, a residential neighborhood a few 10-15 minute Uber experience from town middle. It was the right spot for an extended keep, providing a extra native really feel whereas nonetheless being shut sufficient to all of the motion.

However, for a shorter keep, I’d suggest these motels within the metropolis partitions (or shut by)::

Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Cartagena

Getting Round

Getting round Cartagena is pretty straightforward, particularly within the Outdated City and Getsemaní, that are finest explored on foot. If you happen to want a experience, taxis are available, however they don’t have meters, so you’ll want to agree on a value earlier than getting in. 

Personally, I principally used Uber as a result of I completely hate negotiating with taxis. The simplest place to catch a taxi or an Uber is on the Clock Tower, the principle entrance to the Outdated Metropolis—that is the place most drivers decide up and drop off passengers.

Airport Transportation: I don’t like to fret about navigating transportation once I first arrive at a vacation spot, so as a substitute I prepooked an airport shuttle on Viator for about $25 for the 2 of us. However, you may additionally take a taxi upon arrival for those who desire. It’s less expensive.

Simply exterior of each home and worldwide arrivals, you’ll discover a line of yellow taxis able to take you into town. The fare to the Walled Metropolis must be round $5, however all the time double-check earlier than hopping in. 

The airport really has a taxi fare sheet you’ll be able to obtain right here—although truthful warning, these won’t be the precise value they ask from you, so all the time verify the worth with the driving force earlier than getting in.

➞ I’d avoid any drivers who strategy you the second you step out of the safe space and as a substitute head to the designated taxi lineup for a extra official experience.

Language

Spanish is the official language, and whereas many locals in touristy areas converse a bit of little bit of English, I discovered that studying a number of primary phrases will go a good distance. However, I all the time additionally suggest downloading a translation app, like Google Translate. 

Foreign money/Credit score Playing cards/Banks

Colombia makes use of the Colombian Peso (COP). ATMs are extensively out there, and alternate charges are sometimes higher at official forex alternate workplaces than on the airport. 

Credit score and debit playing cards are extensively accepted, but it surely’s good to hold some money for smaller outlets, markets, and taxis.

Bancolombia, one in every of Colombia’s largest banks, presents one of the best alternate charges in Cartagena, making it preferrred for exchanging bigger sums. Simply you’ll want to go early or proper after they reopen at 2 PM to keep away from lengthy strains. You’ll want your passport to alternate cash.

If you happen to’re within the Walled Metropolis, you’ll discover loads of forex alternate spots, particularly alongside Carrera 7 close to the Clock Tower. Charges are related all over the place, however this space is a well-liked and protected alternative with good police presence.

What Issues Price

• Road meals (arepas, empanadas): $1–$3 USD
• Native meal: $10–$15 USD per particular person
• Fancy dinner: $20–$50 USD. Our costliest meal was at Celele, rated one in every of Latin America’s prime 50 eating places and it price $81.98 for 2 of us (completely price it!). However, a lot of the different fancy eating places fell within the $50 vary for 2. 
• Taxi experience throughout the metropolis: $3–$7 USD
• Bottled Water: $0.40

Security

Cartagena is usually protected, and I felt snug even when touring solo. I adopted customary journey security precautions, like avoiding strolling alone late at night time, and by no means had any points. 

As with all vacation spot, it’s necessary to remain conscious—keep away from flashing valuables, control your belongings in crowded areas, and be cautious at night time, particularly exterior vacationer zones. 

For transportation, persist with official taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber. Additionally, be conscious of well being precautions—faucet water isn’t really useful, so persist with bottled water to keep away from abdomen points, and don’t overlook mosquito repellent, particularly for those who is perhaps visiting the Rosario Islands or areas close to the mangroves. For the newest security updates, test Journey.state.gov.

Issues to Do in Cartagena

There’s no scarcity of nice issues to do in Cartagena, so that is only a style of my prime picks. If you would like the complete listing of all my favorites (there’s a lot of them), you’ll want to try my for much longer listing of the finest issues to do in Cartagena.

Take within the Road Artwork in Barrio Getsemani

Barrio Getsemaní has reworked into one in every of Cartagena’s most vigorous and creative neighborhoods—and it was one in every of my favourite spots within the metropolis! We spent hours right here wandering by means of the colourful colonial streets trying out the highly effective road artwork, and soaking within the buzzing vitality. 

Calle de la Sierpe is legendary for murals, however don’t miss Callejón Angosto and Calle de la Magdalena, the place colourful umbrellas create a dreamy cover. That is the place I took dozens of pictures! 

Plaza Trinidad is the neighborhood’s coronary heart the place you’ll be able to seize a drink, chat with locals and, after all, snap a photograph with the long-lasting Las Palenqueras, whose brilliant attire and fruit baskets symbolize tradition and resilience.

Get pleasure from Some Salsa Golf equipment – Cafe Havana, Donde Fidel

If you happen to love music (or simply love a very good time), you’ll be able to’t skip Cartagena’s electrical salsa scene! My picks for the highest two to go are Cafe Havana, a legendary hotspot with killer mojitos and stay bands that may have you ever dancing whether or not you deliberate to or not, and Donde Fidel, a extra intimate however equally high-energy spot the place the music spills out into the streets.

Take a Colombian Cooking Class

If you happen to love meals as a lot as I do, then taking a cooking class at Lunatico is a should! I spent a day with Chef Maria and her staff, studying methods to make mote de queso, plantanos en tentacion, and the freshest ceviche ever—it was so good! 

The category was tremendous hands-on, and I left not solely stuffed but in addition feeling like I had a bit of piece of Colombian cooking to take dwelling with me. If you wish to attempt making the ceviche your self, you’re in luck—I’ve shared my model of the recipe right here: Sea Bass Ceviche with Banana Emulsion.

If Lunatico is all booked, I like to recommend one in every of these lessons:

➞ If you happen to like to attempt the normal meals of a rustic, then see my 15 Colombian Meals Dishes to Strive in Cartagena. 

Discover Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

We took a straightforward 10 minute Uber experience from town middle to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas which is a fortress constructed by the Spanish within the sixteenth century and designed to maintain out pirates and invaders. In fact the historical past was fascinating, however what I discovered actually cool was that you may really wander by means of its tunnels and climb up the battlements—and we did! However, one of the best half was town views from the highest. It’s price going only for that.

Seize Cocktails & The Sundown at a Rooftop Bar

Rooftop bars in Cartagena are one of the best place to be for an ideal sundown expertise, and I made it my mission to attempt a number of. My absolute favourite? Alquimico. Their cocktails are next-level—inventive, flavorful, and completely definitely worth the hype.

However, there are many others to take a look at too! Cafe del Mar sits proper on town partitions with killer ocean views, Movich Lodge Rooftop has a shocking cityscape backdrop (plus a pool for those who’re staying there), and 51 Sky Bar is the very best rooftop on the town. 

Irrespective of which one you select, be sure that to both make reservations or get there nicely earlier than sundown so you will get a major viewing spot. 

Cease by Museo Naval Del Caribe

If you happen to’re even remotely into historical past (or simply love a very good pirate story), the Museo Naval Del Caribe is price a go to. Tucked contained in the historic Outdated City, this place is full of cool maritime artifacts—assume mannequin ships, outdated nautical devices, and work that carry Cartagena’s seafaring previous to life. 

You’ll get the lowdown on town’s position throughout Spanish colonial instances and past. Heads up—a lot of the indicators are in Spanish, however you’ll be able to seize a tour information to fill within the gaps. 

Take a Road Meals Tour

If you happen to’re a foodie like me, you then’ll agree that among the best methods to style the normal meals of a spot is to eat the road meals. However, I additionally need a proof of what the heck I’m consuming, so a road meals tour is a should. 

I beloved wandering town with an area information, stopping on the busiest stalls to style all the good things—crispy fried plantains, juicy grilled meats, recent seafood, and naturally, arepas (as a result of no journey to Colombia is full with out one!). These little pockets of deliciousness are made out of floor corn dough and full of every kind of tasty fillings. 

➞ If you wish to e book a tour, the one I extremely suggest is that this one: Road Meals Tour in Cartagena

The place You Ought to Eat (Greatest Eating places)

Cartagena is a foodie’s dream, and actually, one of many fundamental causes I selected to go to. You actually can’t go fallacious with the eating places right here, however these three have been my absolute favorites. If you happen to’re in search of much more scrumptious choices, try my listing of the highest 10 finest Cartagena eating places.

Celele

Celele is the type of place that may fully change the way you view Caribbean meals. Chef Jaime Rodríguez spent years touring by means of Colombia’s coastal communities, unearthing forgotten substances and strategies, and he’s turned them into one unimaginable menu. No marvel it’s ranked among the many World’s Greatest High 50 Eating places—each dish is a murals! 

I selected Celele for my birthday dinner, and it was completely price it. Whereas it’s on the pricier aspect (round $80 for the 2 of us), the expertise is unforgettable. Don’t miss the Caribbean flower salad with pickled cashew fruit, Emperor’s cane flower, and gulupa dressing—it’s as gorgeous as it’s scrumptious. And a heads-up: positively e book your reservations upfront (I grabbed mine two weeks out!).

El Burlador Gastro Pub

The time period “gastrobar” doesn’t fairly seize what El Burlador is all about—it’s a spot that takes its meals and wine listing simply as significantly. Situated within the coronary heart of the Walled Metropolis, El Burlador masterfully blends Mediterranean flavors with Cartagena’s freshest substances.

I beloved it a lot that I needed to make it my closing meal within the metropolis on my final night time. What to order? The truffle eggplant chips and beef carpaccio—simply belief me, you gained’t remorse it.

Mar y Zielo

Mar y Zielo is a restaurant that superbly blends conventional Colombian recipes with fashionable strategies, bridging the previous and current. The kitchen staff has traveled throughout Colombia, studying from market distributors and residential cooks, making a menu that’s each deeply genuine and creatively revolutionary.

What to order? The Titote Mar Y Tierra—a shocking dish with octopus, shrimp, langoustine, and pork stomach in a tamarind sauce. All I can say is “Yum”!

Conventional Issues to Eat in Cartagena

Cartagena’s meals scene is bursting with taste, and these are the must-try conventional dishes you’ll be able to’t go away with out tasting. However for those who’re hungry for extra, try my full listing of conventional Colombian meals to eat in Cartagena.

Arepas de Huevo

Arepas are Colombia’s reply to the right road snack! These crispy, deep-fried corn desserts are full of an egg, fried as soon as, then cracked open so as to add the egg earlier than going again within the fryer for spherical two. The consequence? A golden, crunchy exterior with a delicate, savory middle. You’ll discover them all over the place—from market stalls to seaside distributors—and positively on a road meals tour.

Ceviche

Positive, you’ve most likely had ceviche earlier than, however Cartagena does it their approach. Right here, shrimp or fish are marinated in lime juice with onions and spices, generally tossed in a tangy, tomato-based sauce. In contrast to the citrusy, uncooked Peruvian fashion, Colombian ceviche has a daring, refreshing twist that’s excellent for the Caribbean warmth.

Sancocho

Sancocho is a hearty Colombian stew full of rooster, beef, or fish, plus plantains, potatoes, yuca, and corn, it’s a heat, flavorful hug in a bowl. Some variations even throw in tomatoes, scallions, and a cob of corn for further richness. It’s sometimes served with rice and avocado on the aspect—as a result of, after all, extra is extra!

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