Cartagena city is a very pretty place brimming with colonial architecture. In 1984 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A WALK THROUGH CARTAGENA CITY
You can walk the circumference of the Cartagena city walls, enjoying the breeze, views of the ocean and an elevated vantage point for photographing the colourful streets.
If you venture into the old city’s main streets, you’re likely to get lost. Unlike most of the major populated areas in Colombia, there are street names, rather than numbered blocks, so it’s best to take a map with you.
PUERTA DEL RELOJ
The official entrance to the old city is called Puerta del Reloj, which means ‘clock gate’.
PLAZA DE LOS COCHES
The first of many plazas in Cartagena City, the Plaza de los Coches, or square of Carriages, is on the inside of the entrance gate. Not surprisingly, it’s full of horse-drawn carriages offering couples romantic tours.
The square used to be used for slave trading but now there are a variety of street performers and many vendors of sombreros, tobacco, music and souvenirs.
PLAZA DE LA ADUANA
The Plaza de la Aduana, or customs square, is only a few paces away and has a statue of Colombus at its cenre. This was the administrative centre during the colonial era.
IGLESIA CONVENTO SAN PEDRO CLAVER
Immediately adjacent to the Plaza de la Aduana is the Iglesia Convento San Pedro Claver, which is situated on a plaza of the same name.
The monk’s skull and bones are kept in a casket here and you can sit yourself down on a throne that Pope John Paul II warmed with his derriere in 1986.
There are also some very interesting wrought iron sculptures by the Colombian artist Eduardo Carmona.
PLAZA DE BOLIVAR
Just around the corner, you will find the flower-filled Plaza de Bolivar – a popular meeting place for locals.
The pretty Catedral is on its northeast corner. It was partially destroyed in 1586 by canon fire and finally completed in 1612.
PLAZA DE SANTO DOMINGO
The Plaza de Santo Domingo is another block west and a great place to grab some lunch in Cartagena City.
There are few places in the old city where you can sit outside to eat, and there are plenty of shaded tables linked to a number of restaurants selling mainly Italian cuisine.
There is also a sculpture by the famous artist Botero, whose work depicting all things obese, you will become very familiar with while travelling through Colombia.
BOCHAGRANDE
The beaches at Bochagrande, south of the old city have a backdrop of high-rise hotels and timeshare apartments.
You can rent loungers here, but there are many more beautiful beaches along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, and you will be hassled constantly by souvenir sellers.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re looking for a party, the Hostel Media Luna in the Getsemani district of the old town, has a big rooftop terrace and infamous Wednesday night parties. Get there early to avoid having to queue. Make sure your room has air conditioning because Cartagena City is very hot and humid.
Am I bugging you by saying (once again!) how much I love your pictures?!? Thanks for the tour! I’ll dream of that until I get there.
Enjoy your day!
Jul’
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..Paradas sabrosas en San Cristóbal de las Casas
Not at all. I’ll take any compliment! Thanks. You’ll have to let me know when you get to Colombia so I can read about your experiences and compare.
Hello Hello Arianwen!
We’re currently visiting Colombia and will be in Cartagena tomorrow morning after a night bus ride! We’d love to know in which hostel you stayed there since, following your advice and words, we stayed in the same ones in Pasto and Cali on our way in and truly enjoyed your choices.
Colombia has been incredibly beautiful (we went to Guatape yesterday! what an incredible place!) and we have a few days more to enjoy it. All your articles have been really helpful and we keep having a look for our next stops! ;-)
thanks again for your time and advice!
Cheers and happy diving and adventures in Australia!
Jul’
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..The Call of the Desert
I’m so glad my posts were useful. I stayed at El Viajero in Cartagena and it was pretty good. It has a big open courtyard where you can chat to people in the evenings. People tend to pop over to Media Luna on Wednesday nights for their rooftop party. Have a great time! Guatape is special!
I’m actually in Belize now. I’ve been travelling down from Mexico. I just have too much content to post on Australia first! :)
You were in Mexico?!? I hope you had a great time over there, specially now that I can call it my second home! where did you go? when will we read posts about your adventures there?
Thinking about diving the Blue Hole in Belize? We loved Caye Caulker last year and the diving is very impressive; go with Frenchie’s Dive Center, they’re awesome!
http://lespetitspasdejuls.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/the-day-we-dove-the-great-blue-hole-of-belize/
(maybe this time, I can too be of some help!)
where to next?!?
Enjoy the Road!
Jul’
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..The Best Tour in Southern Bolivia: Crossing the Salt Flats!
I started in Mexico City and travelled through Oaxaca, San Cristobal and Palenque to the coast. Visited the usual spots, as well as Holbox, Mujeres and Cozumel, did a lot of diving, then stopped in Bacalar before crossing the border. It was fantastic! I only have a couple more Australia posts left to publish before I start on Mexico, so soon!!
I did the Blue Hole on Monday, but I went with Belize Diving Services, who were fantastic. Some friends used Frenchie’s and likes them too. I adored Caye Caulker. Stayed a week!
I’m in San Ignacio now, but heading to Guatemala this afternoon for Tikal.
I hope you’re having a great time too! x
So much fun I see! I’m glad you enjoyed Mexico and can’t wait to read your adventures there! you’ve been to all our favorite places!
Enjoy Tikal, it’s a fantastic place too! You’ll be amazed! I’m leaving for the Lost City tomorrow for 5 days!
Enjoy the Vibe!
Cheers!
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity
Tikal was awesome! It was even worth getting up at 3:30 for! The Lost City is incredible, but the hike is quite tough. I can’t wait to hear about it!
Ahhh, Romancing the Stone! :P
Indeed. It was such a romantic place. Shame I couldn’t find a nice gentleman to accompany me on my walk.
I stayed at the Media Luna too – so fun (and that pool was bliss). Great pics, love that clock one!
Callie recently posted..SNAPSHOTS FROM LIMA
A pool is a really great idea in Cartagena. It’s the best way to end a hot day’s sightseeing on the coast.