1️⃣ Stroll Through the Walled City (Centro Histórico)

Walk through colorful colonial streets with balconies covered in flowers

Visit Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza Bolivar, and Plaza de la Aduana

Explore San Pedro Claver Church, dedicated to the "slave of slaves"

Stop for coffee at Epoca Café

2️⃣ Visit Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

A massive Spanish fortress with tunnels, viewpoints, and military history

Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon (avoid the heat!)

Entrance: ~30,000 COP (£6)

3️⃣ Explore Getsemaní – Cartagena’s Trendy Artsy Neighborhood

See street art murals at Calle de la Sierpe

Enjoy local bars, cafés, and live music at Plaza de la Trinidad

Try street food like arepas de huevo (fried corn cakes with egg)

Beach & Island Getaways

4️⃣ Take a Boat Trip to the Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) 🛥️

45-minute speedboat ride from Cartagena

Best beaches & private resorts:

Isla Barú (Playa Blanca – famous white sand beach)

Isla Grande (Eco-friendly beach bungalows)

Isla del Encanto (Day pass options)

How to get there? Book a day tour (~150,000-250,000 COP / £30-50)

5️⃣ Relax at Playa de Punta Arena (Tierra Bomba Island)

A quieter beach escape just 10 minutes by boat from Cartagena

Beach clubs like Blue Apple Beach House & Fénix Beach offer day passes

6️⃣ Visit Playa Blanca (Barú Island)

Soft white sand & crystal-clear water

Best option: Stay overnight at an eco-lodge to enjoy the beach after day-trippers leave

Nature & Adventure

7️⃣ Sunset

Visit rooftop bars on the city walls

Perfect for cocktails and breathtaking ocean sunsets

8️⃣ Go to El Totumo Mud Volcano

Weird but fun! A mud bath inside a small volcano

Said to have healing properties – and you float effortlessly!

Tours cost around 80,000 COP (£15)

9️⃣ Visit Aviario Nacional de Colombia (Bird Sanctuary)

Largest bird sanctuary in Colombia

Home to flamingos, toucans, and exotic species

Located near Barú Island – great to combine with a beach day

🔟 Try Cartagena’s Local Dishes

Arepa de huevo – Fried corn cake with egg

Ceviche – Fresh seafood in lime juice

Mote de queso – Cheese soup

Posta negra cartagenera – Slow-cooked beef in sweet sauce

1️⃣1️⃣ Best Restaurants in Cartagena (2025)

Carmen – Fine dining with Colombian fusion

La Cevichería – Famous for seafood & featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show

Celele – Award-winning modern Caribbean cuisine

Alma – Elegant restaurant with local flavors

1️⃣2️⃣ Best Cocktail Bars & Nightlife

Alquímico – Three-story cocktail bar ranked among the best in the world

Movich Hotel Rooftop – Luxury views over Cartagena’s skyline

Café Havana – Salsa bar with live music every night

Day Trips from Cartagena

1️⃣3️⃣ Visit the Magical Town of Mompox

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Known for colonial architecture & peaceful river views

Great for history lovers & cultural experiences

1️⃣4️⃣ Explore San Basilio de Palenque

First free African town in the Americas

Rich Afro-Colombian culture, music, and food

Try "Bollos" (Colombian tamales) & coconut sweets

Cartagena 2025 Travel Tips

✔️ How to get around? Walking, taxis, Uber, boats for islands

✔️ Budget per day? £50 – £150 depending on activities

✔️ Currency? Colombian Pesos (COP), £1 ≈ 5,000 COP