Cartagena with almost 900,000 inhabitants is situated on the north coast of the Caribbean Sea. Founded by the Spanish, it was fortified and hosted the Inquisition court for the region.

When to go

As the city is situated in the tropics, the city's climate is divided into two seasons: the dry one and the rain one. The dry season runs from December to April. In July, the rains were slightly lower than in the previous months. During the rainy season, on average there are more days with sun than there are with rain in a month. With the exception of September and October, the average rainfall is not much more than 100 mm. Thanks to this climate, the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year at a daytime temperature of approximately 32°C and a night temperature of approximately 23°C.

The city becomes crowded during the December and Holy Week holidays, when Colombian schools are closed and a large number of the inhabitants of the country go on holiday.

History

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Pedro de herdia, who baptized the new settlement in the name of a Spanish city of Murcia. In the place where Cartagena was built, there was a population called Calamarì, whose Spanish accounts tell us that he was ferocious and war-loving, to the point that women too fought like men.

A few years after the founding of the city, the Spanish built a fortress with walls to protect the region against pirates from the English, Dutch and French. Nevertheless, Cartagena was attacked several times.

In order to put a stop to all these attacks, the Spanish Crown employed famous European military engineers during the 17th century, who provided Cartagena with the defensive structures that are still the most characteristic of them.

In March 1741, an enormous English fleet was presented in front of the city port, under the orders of Admiral Edward Vernon, composed of 186 ships and 23,600 men. The city had only 6 ships and 3,000 men, but the siege was finally rejected by General and Admiral Blas de Lezo, mainly thanks to engineering works built in previous years.

Cartagena was a very active slave trading port, the only city with Veracruz (Mexico) authorized to trade with black people. The first slaves arrived since the city was founded, working on the construction of roads, the desecration of graves of the Sinu people and the construction of buildings and fortresses. The agents of the Portuguese company Cacheu distributed human cargoes from Cartagena throughout South America to work in the mines of Venezuela, West Indies, Vicereame of Peru and Vicereame of New Granada.

On 5 February 1610, the Inquisition Court was established in Cartagena, by direct order of King Philip II. The building, completed in 1770, still shows its uniquely colonial style.

When Cartagena declared his complete independence on November 11, 1811, investigators were forced to leave the city. They returned in 1815 after the Spanish recapture, but in 1821 they were finally expelled after the insurgency Simón Bolívar.

Quarters

The city has two main parts of tourist interest: the colonial city ("ciudad amurallada"), which is truly amazing and has many restaurants, clubs and hotels; and Bocagrande, a long strip of hotels and apartment blocks along the beach. The CastilloGrande Exclusive Quarter, rich in newly built apartment blocks, jogging sites, and a quiet beach to sunbathe, also deserves a visit.

By plane

Internal airport

1 Rafael Núñez International Airport (IATA: CTG) (The airport is located 3 km north-east of the old city. To get to the city, go to the taxi stand, which will deliver a receipt with the exact amount to be paid to the taxi driver, about COP 10-12,000 depending on your destination (2015 prices). To get to the most economically viable city, walk for about 50 meters and take a yellow taxi. With these taxis, you should be able to get to the center with about COP 6,000, but as always, it is advisable to contract the price before you leave. An even more convenient alternative would be the "Metrocar" and "Vehitrans" minibus, going from Calle 70 near the airport (COP 1,800) to the India Catalina monument in the western part of the city. To get to the airport, it is convenient to take the "Vehitrans" bus at the India Catalina Monument - it is better to ask the driver for confirmation that the bus goes to the airport.). The following international routes are departing from the airport: New York (JetBlue), Panama City (Copa Airlines), Quito, Fort Lauderdale (Spirit Airlines), Miami (Avianca) and Madrid (Iberia). There are also numerous seasonal flights from major Canadian cities. There are domestic direct flights to Medellín, Cali, San Andrés, Bogotá, Montería (ADA airlines), Barrancabermeja, Bucaramanga, and Cúcuta. The new low-cost airline VivaColombia is also flying to Cartagena.

Several ATMs and cash changers can be found at the airport where cash and traveler's checks can be exchanged. 

By car

The city is linked to the rest of Colombia by good roads. Ruta 90 (Caribe Transversal) follows the coast by connecting Cartagena to Barranquilla and Turbo and has been expanded due to limited accessibility of the motorway. It's possible to get by car from Bogotá too, but the journey is more than 1,000 kilometers long.

By ship

Cartagena is an important port for the rental of boats with drivers for journeys between Colombia and Panama. There are many private companies that do this journey, but it's important to know that if you don't reserve the waiting time, it's a few days. Prices vary from US $375 and US $500 depending on the size of the boat and service on board. The journey lasts approximately 4 nights and 5 days and normally includes a rest of a few days (2 or 3) in the San Blas Islands. At the end of Panama, the boats or boats depart from Portobelo, Carti Islands Kuna Yala or Colón. Reliable information on the departure dates and captains can be found at the Casa Viena hotel.

Especially during the coldest months in North America, they make a daily stop here. Depending on the duration of the trip, the trips on the ground may vary from visits to the city itself, to beaches and neighboring islands. The 2 port for cruise ships is located about 3 km southeast of the old city, probably well accessible by taxi or by foot.

By bus

skyline of Cartagena from the walls of the city

The three bus stations are located 11 km east of the old city. Frequent white and green buses with air conditioning from Metrocar head towards the old city at COP $1,800 (depending on traffic, journey time is 45 to 90 minutes). Taking a taxi costs COP 10,000, after 8 p.m., an overcharge is applied for the COP 500 night service.

Exsume Brasilia has the following lines:

• by/for Medellín: $90,000 (normal)- 130,000 COP (VIP)/ 13 hours (6+ bus per day)
• by/for Bogotá: $128,000 COP / 18 hours

Unitransco has lines:

• by/for Barranquilla: $12,000 COP / 2.5 hours (4 buses a day)
• by/for Santa Marta: $28,000 COP / 4 hours (4 buses a day)
• by/for Mompox: $40,000 COP / 6 hours(1 bus per day)
• by/for Tolú: $23,000 COP / 3 hours (6:30PM)
• by/for Montería: $40,000 COP / 4.5 hours (every 45 minutes)

Rapido Ochoa has the following lines:

• by/for Riohacha: $30,000 / 8 hours (every day)

If you're getting down from Panama, the first bus will be Turbo. The journey from Turbo to Montery costs COP 25,000 (4 hours) and from Montana to Cartagena costs COP 35,000 (4 hours) for express service.

The first two cost $200,000 and take 20 hours. If you travel with Unitransco, the ticket is a bit cheaper, but it involves an extra transfer by bus from the border.

You can contract prices, you can lower them, even for long-distance bus tickets, locals do.

The best way to visit the old city is probably to walk. Many places in Bocagrande are also accessible on foot.

Public transport

To other destinations such as Forte San Felipe, Bocagrande, Castillogrande, airport, ... there are many buses with lines covering much of the city. Ask the driver or other people waiting for which bus leads to their destination. The city bus ticket costs COP 1800 if bought on board. The route of the bus is often much longer, both in terms of time and distance, than the direct road leading to its destination. If you're in a hurry, maybe the bus isn't the best option.

By bicycle

• Velotours, Calle Don Sancho, Edif. Agua Marina Of. 100A, ☎ +57 5 6649714.   3 hours COP22,000, 8 hours $47,000, (first) day $120,000, other days $30,000, a week $240,000. Bicycle rental (Update: Sep 2015)
• Bike & Art , Media Moon 10 n 23, ☎ +57 311 4185883, @[email protected]   1 hour $4,000, 3 hours $10,000. Bicycle rental (Update: Jun 2016)

By taxi

Taxi are yellow in Cartagena

Taxi in Cartagena do not usually have a taximeter, so it is advisable to fix the rate before getting into the car. There are printed tariffs, but these must be taken more as minimum tariffs. In addition, taxi drivers charge overprices (usually a few hundred pesos) for air conditioning and night services.

Taxis are generally easy to find, although in the old city it may be necessary to walk a few blocks away from the center to the large road near the walls. The average cost from the old city to Boca Grande or vice versa or any other route to the old or Bocagrande city is COP 6 000; From the airport to the old city or vice versa it costs COP 10-12,000.

In the carriage

The carriage is a popular medium among tourists to move and know the historic center of the city. These can be stopped in the street. Usually, there's a little waiting in Plaza Bolívar or near the Santa Clara Hotel. These means recall the public transport of colonial Cartagena, and enrich the atmosphere of the old city with an ancient charm.

By ship

Cartagena has several ports for boats going to the islas of the Rosary and Playa Blanca, including the Tourist Muelle de la Bodeguita and Muelle Todomar. One of the most comfortable options (including a good meal and a round trip ticket - you can return the same day or even the following days if you keep the ticket) is to board one of the largest ships like the Alcatraz. The price starts at COP 25,000, but carefully, it takes about four hours to actually get to Playa Blanca because they move very slowly and stop at the aquarium at the Rosary Islands (which is pretty boring) first.

Colonial style road inside city walls

Cartagena has many faces: The move from a well - guarded and organized colonial city to a more chaotic Caribbean metropolis. The main attraction of Cartagena is its historic center surrounded by the wall. The main entrance is the clock tower building. Inside the city walls are the neighborhoods of San Diego, Getsemaní and the modern area of La Matuna. The oldest part of Cartagena goes around Plaza Trinidad in Gethsemaní. The 500-year-old fortresses of coral stone and much of the murary city are still admirable today and are one of the best examples of the civil and military architecture of the times of Spanish colonization.

Almost all the churches in the historic center deserve a visit, especially Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, dedicated to St. Pedro Claver, who was the first saint of the New World, La Catedral, near Plaza de Bolívar and Iglesia de Santo Domingo

The old city is divided into three parts: El Centro, with the cathedral and many buildings in the Andalusian style, San Diego, which was the neighborhood of traders and bourgeoisie and Getsemaní, which was the place where the lower classes lived. The old port of Getsemaní, which previously separated El Centro and San Diego, has become a new modern commercial area, La Matuna, in the last century. This is the Camellón de los Martires pedestrian area, a great place to explore the old city.

• 1 Plaza de los Coches. From Camellon de los Martires you pass through the historic Puerto del Reloj town door, the door of the clock, and you reach the triangular Plaza de los Coches, the square of carriages. This used to be one of the largest slave markets in Latin America. This activity, together with gold exports to Spain, was one of the city's main sources of wealth. Today, a statue of Pedro de herdia, the founder of the city, stands in the square. 

Church of San Pedro Claver

• 2 Plaza de la Aduana. Beyond the previous one, there's another beautiful triangular square, Plaza de la Aduana, surrounded by large porticated buildings. One of them is Casa del Prize real, once the home of the Spanish Vice-President. This square also has a statue, this time of Christopher Columbus. 
• 3 Convent and Church of San Pedro Claver, Plaza de San Pedro Claver, ☎ +57 5 664 4991.   COP6,000.   Mo-Sa 8-17, Out Of -16.30. This is the name Pedro Claver (1580-1654), a Spanish Jesuit who worked for more than 40 years for the rights and welfare of slaves in the city. He was beatified in 1985 and appointed patron saint of human rights. Its relics are visible in a crystal arc beneath the altar. Also, on the second floor, you can visit the room where he lived the last moments of his life and where he died in 1654. On the second floor is an Afro-Caribbean art exhibition. 
• 4 Museum Naval del Caribe, Calle San Juan de Dios N 3-62, ☎ +57 5 664 2440.   COP6,000.   9-19. Located in a former Jesuit boarding school just behind the convent. It gives an overview of the history of the Caribbean city and naval history. However, the documents listed here are not originals, but copies. 
• 5 Plaza de Bolívar. A few blocks inland are Plaza de Bolívar, with an equestrian statue of the liberation hero. Prior to Bolivia's independence, this square was known as Inquisition Square, because it is the building that was the seat of the Inquisition during the period of Spanish rule. 

Museum of La Inquisición - Museum of Inquisition

• 6 Palacio de la Inquisición (Museum of La Inquisición - Museum of Inquisition), Plaza de Bolívar, ☎ +57 5 664 4570.   COP17,000. A guided tour, in English, costs $15,000..   Lun-Sab 9-18, Dom 10-16. The Palace of Inquisition museum was the place where the Spanish inquisition tortured, judged and convicted those accused of crimes against the Catholic religion. The court was responsible for the whole of South America and spoke out about over 700 people, including Jesuits opposed to slavery. Many of the accused were brutally tortured. Nowadays, the museum exhibits some of the instruments of torture actually used by the court. 
• 7 Museum of the Oro y Arqueología, Plaza de Bolívar, ☎ +57 5 660 0778.   free.   Mar-Ven 10.00-13.00 and 15.00-19.00, Sab 10.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00, Dom 11.00-16.00. In the same square, the museum exhibits gold religious artifacts of the Zenú (or Sinú) population living on the coasts of the country before the arrival of the Conquistadores. Not as big as Bogotá's gold museum, it certainly deserves a visit. The archeological section of the museum is even more interesting, showing the remarkable achievements of the native people in controlling and channeling the Rio Magdalena. 
• 8 Catedral de Santa Catalina.   COP10,000.   Mar-Dom 9.30-18.30. A three - way cathedral with a fairly large inner shell, but with an imposing tower. 
• 9 Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Plaza de Santo Domingo, ☎ +57 5 664 1301.   COP10,000.   Mar-Sab 9-19, Dom 12-20. Not far from the cathedral, it is the oldest church in Cartagena. Since 1552, the church has been in the square. You can rent audio guides available in multiple languages. 
• 10 Casa de Rafael Núñez (outside the walls, direction Marbella), ☎ +57 5 664 5305.   COP4,000.   Mar-Ven 9-17.30, Sab 10-17.30, Dom 10-16. This wooden building was the home, during the 19th century, of the poet and President Rafael Núñez (1825-1894). The poet wrote the text of the Colombian national anthem and collaborated in drafting the constitution that was in force from 1886 to 1991. 
• 11 Monument to India Catalina. Monument dedicated to the founder of the city, Pedro de herdia. 

Castillo de San Felipe

• 12 Castillo de San Felipe.   $17,000 COP (half price on Wednesday). Good audio-oguide at $10,000 COP.   8-18. A fortress designed by Dutch engineer Richard Carr and built in 1657 by the Spanish to protect themselves against pirates. The largest Spanish fortress ever built in the colonies, this strong force was conquered only once by the French ship Baron de Pointis in 1697. In the fort there are many tunnels and secret passages, which can be visited with a guided tour 
• 13 People (Taking a taxi to the top of the hill will cost about COP50,000, negotiate the price before you go up. Walking to the top could be dangerous.)   COP 8,000 for adults, discounted prices for children. Near the San Felipe fortress is the The 150m People Hill that offers excellent views about the city and the port area. On the hill is the 16TH century monastery of Santa Cruz, with beautiful cloisters and an image of the patron saint of the city, the Virgin of La Candelaria. Every year on February 2, the inhabitants of the city and not only do a pilgrimage to the monastery. 

Most events take place during the dry season, when in the Northern Hemisphere, and therefore also in Italy, it is winter.

• Fiesta Taurina.   January 2-6. Party with a bullfight in Plaza de Toros, Av. Pedro de Heredia outside the city center. 
• International Festival de Música.   early January. classical music festivals with concerts in the theater of Heredia, in the convent of Santa Teresa and Santa Clara and other places in the center of the city. 

• Hay Festival.   end of january. Literary festival with book readings. 
• Carnaval de Cartagena.   January to February. During the celebrations of Carnaval de Cartagena, parades, dances, a competition of costumes and many other events take place. 
• Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria.   January to February. The patron saint of Cartagena is celebrated with various events in several days. The main one is the procession at the convent on the La Popa Hill every February 2nd. 
• O'Cine International Festival.   February to March. A film festival promoting Latin American documentaries and films. 
• Festival de Música del Caribe.   late March. As its name reveals, the festival has organized numerous performances of reggae, calypso, sauce and merengue. 
• Bajo La Moon Jazz Festival.   December. Jazz festival with music all over town. 

Night view of the facade of Cartagena de Indias Cathedral

coral reefs, sand beaches, impressive mangroves and watercourses add to the city's heritage.

Tour

• Chiva Bus.   Prices range from COP 18,000 to 25,000 depending on the tour you choose.   afternoon and evening. Chiva Bus is an unavoidable activity when you visit Cartagena. Visiting Cartagena, you can see the colorful buses that have no roof over their heads around the city, loaded with tourists who enjoy listening to local music. It is recommended for couples, families, and groups alike. There are numerous stops to get on the bus, especially at the major hotels in the city (Decameron, Caribe, Hilton ...). 

You can also ride a horse and carriage, as reported in #How to move.

• Bicycle-driven tours, Calle Don Sancho, Edif. Agua Marina Of. 100A.   historic US$ 45 tour, US$ 60 night tour. 

Learn

• 1 Latin dance lessons (c/o Crazy Salsa), Cr Center 7 Calle de las Carretas #34-23, @[email protected]. Latin cockles, first and foremost the sauce, which is an integral part of Caribbean culture. The melting of populations of different cultures and their passionate way of living give the dance a very lively rhythm. Crazy Salsa offers a wide range of dance classes focused on Salsa, Meringue and Bachata. There are introductory courses every Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. at a cost of COP 10,000. 

• Spanish lessons. Cartagena is an ideal place to study Spanish - a wonderful but not too big a center, near the beaches and with a lot of work to do. Colombia is also known for its pure Spanish, perfect for those who are learning the language. There are some language schools in the city. The BABEL International Language Institute is located in one of the picturesque streets of the historic center. There are courses at all levels in the school, and Spanish + sauce packages are also proposed. 

• Casa Cultural Colombo Alemana de Cartagena, Calle 38 No. 5 - 31, Calle Estanco del Aguardiente. 

• Nueva Lengua, Pozo Calle No 25-95. Located in Getsemaní, this language school offers courses from 5 days up. 

Beach to the south-west of Cartagena

The easiest way to reach the beaches is to reach the west coast, where there are sand beaches both north of the historic center and on the Bocagrande peninsula.

There are also some beaches a few hours by boat from Cartagena. The boats usually sail from Cartagena (especially Muelle de la bodeguita) in the morning and return in the early afternoon. Tickets usually include both outward and return trips and lunch, but to avoid any surprises, it is best to buy tickets only from offices or other official resellers. It is good to know that there is a supplement to COP 10 000 which is not included in the advertised price. For excursions outside the city, it is also advisable to carry repellent spray.

Playa Blanca

2 Playa Blanca. Most people consider it to be the most beautiful beach in Cartagena, and it's not easy to reach. With its white sand and crystalline water, it is probably also one of the best beaches in Colombia. When guided tours in the afternoon return to the city, it is also very peaceful and peaceful. It's definitely worth spending a night here. There are many places where you can rent amaches, and buy food and drink. For example, Wittenberg place.

Many street vendors will offer massages, fruit plates, seafood, jewelry and much more on the beach - sometimes quite insistent. Beware oyster vendors: they'll give you a free oyster to taste. Then they'll make more oysters and they'll serve you by telling you that each Coast COP 2,000. Surely it's better not to have to pay for around COP 30,000 or have a discussion on the beach. If you want to enjoy some very good seafood and Coco Locos, ask for Nelson Mandela.

• Take a bus or a taxi by boat for "Mercado Bazscimpact", the large market in Cartagena 10 minutes from the center. Every day, small boats (lancha de carga) leave for Playa Blanca. There is no real departure time. To make sure to get on a boat, it's better to be here before 9:00. It will take about 20,000 COP per journey (December 2008) and the journey will take about 1 hour. The return journey is much easier, many boats (including tour-guided boats) will take you back at a cost starting at COP 15,000. However, please note that the last boat\boat leaves at about 2:15 p.m. It's more comfortable and safe to take a ticket for the entire journey to the center of Muelle de las Pegasos. You can get a one-way meal ticket for about 25,000 pesos plus 8,300 pesos. The tour takes first the Rosary Islands and Playa Blanca (arriving late in the morning). You can leave here if you want to spend the night on the beach.
• Land with public transport (approximately 1 h and 30 min): To take a bus in Pasacaballos from Calle 30 / Carrera 17 (opposite the castle - the bus will have a big sign pasacaballos). The bus goes to Pasacaballos or, depending on the end of the line, a little earlier, under a highway overpass. You can take a taxi or a motortaxi to Playa Blanca either on the way or back. The bus costs 1,900 COP and the taxi costs about 1,000 COP per person (the taxi slightly less). 

Bay of Cholon. Besides Playa Blanca on Isla Baru in Cholon Bay there is Sportbaru - a place that deserves a visit. This quiet resort on the beach offers water sports, boat trips, wildlife excursions, a restaurant and a bar; You can take a daily trip from Cartagena, or stay here in the cottage, Cabaña, which they do on the beach. 

Islas del Rosario

Islas del Rosario. Many companies organize guided tours to the islas of the Rosary, a collection of small islands just off the coast. Trips usually include lunch, a visit to an aquarium and a few hours in Playa Blanca. Not included in the price are parking (approximately COP 12,000 in total) and entry ticket to the aquarium (COP 15,000). If you buy your tour from street vendors, it's best not to pay all of it in advance, it's best to pay part or all of the cost on your return to Cartagena. At least one of these tours is bound for the resort "Coco Liso", a Colombian chain similar to the English Butlins. From the sellers on the beach, you can buy pieces of coral, and if you continue the conversation, you can convince them to accompany them to a private beach, very beautiful and suggestive and usually denied to tour operators. It is possible to compare the various options and to choose the trip that suits your needs at the tourist offices in the historic center. 

View on the historical center of Cartagena

Currency exchange

Most hotels and luxury restaurants accept credit cards, but many places, especially taxis, accept only Colombian pesos. Some banks change their money, but exchange rates or service costs may not be the cheapest. The easiest way to get pesos is to take your credit cards from ATMs. Another option is to turn to different currencies, but even here exchange rates will be more disadvantageous than credit card rates. A PIN code will be required to withdraw from an ATM card with a credit card, if you do not have a PIN code, you should ask your bank before the trip.

Banks

• 1 Citibank, Av Venezuela, Citibank Building (First Floor).   doors: lun-ven: 8-12, 14-16-30. There are many ATMs in the Citibank of Calle Venezuela near Barrio San Diego, with a guard outside the building. 

• 2 Banco de Bogotá, Av Venezuela (Center Comercial Uno # 105-107).   Lun-ven 8-11.30 & 14-16. 

• Giros y Finanzas (numerous offices in the city center).   Lun-ven 8-17, Sab 8-14. Exchange bureau affiliated with Western Union. 

Artisanate

Some very common souvenirs

The city's crafts are fashionable and sophisticated. Emeralds are for sale throughout Cartagena, including shiny, uncarved emeralds and beautiful jewelry. Prices can be reasonable and there is a wide variety of shops and emeralds in the historic center. Shops selling emeralds and jewelry shops use numerous names such as "Taller y Fabrica de Joyas" (jewelry workshop and manufacture), "Museum of Artesanias y Esmeraldas" (museum of artisans and emeralds) or simply "Joyeria" (jewelry store). The store owners will negotiate the price and provide a certificate of "authenticity".

• 3 Bemba Galería , Calle Tumbamuertos #38-65 (near Plaza San Diego in the historic center), @[email protected].   9:30-20, 9:30-21 gio-sab. A gift shop and a gallery. Urban and pop art, to be worn, used, played, seen, given or simply remembered. This is the right place to buy sustainable gifts from Cartagena. The items in the store are produced, painted and designed by local or Colombian artists. Bemba Gallería supports foundations of local artists. 

• 4 Bóvedas (near the city walls and the bastion of Santa Catalina.). Numerous craftsmen of good quality. 

• 5 Q Design, Calle de la Iglesia, 4-16. Design objects. 

• 6 Portal de los Dulces (near Puerto del Reloj). Local cakes 

Books

• 7 Ábaco (corner of Calles de la Iglesia and de la Mantilla No 3-86).   lun-sab 9-20.30, dom 16-20.30. Library and coffee shop. He has a good assortment of books in Spanish on Cartagena and also some in English. 

• 8 Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi, Cl. 34 No. 3-37 Lnurbe Building. Specialized in maps. 

Around

It's important to pay attention to street vendors who are ready to take you to shops that pay them considerable fees (actually you pay them at higher prices than normal). Many credible sources also report that, without the thorough knowledge of emeralds and the ability to recognize 14- and 18-carat gold-plated gold, there is a risk of buying or selling "improved" counterfeit stones or gold-plated metal, or paying more for products of lower quality than expected.

When you are met by a street vendor, one of the best answers is to smile and say a simple but effective "no, thank you." If you respond impolitely, they could follow you and rattle you for a while.

Night view of Cartagena from La Popa

Coffee

The most common type of coffee in Colombia is sweet dye. It can be bought by street vendors across Cartagena for about 500 pesos.

Night rooms

Many bars and clubs are located in the Old City or Avenida del Arsenal near the conference center. Plaza San Diego is a square with lots of bars and restaurants, very crowded over the weekends.

• 1 Arsenal Avenida. The Avenida del Arsenal is located along the bay near the conference center. Until recently, it was the place to be, the place not to lose. Today, the night movida in Cartagena has moved to Ciudad Vieja, but this strip of about 10 discos is still a good place to live the weekend. It costs 10,000 to 20,000 COP to get into many of the discos. 
• Two Mr. Babylon. One of the most popular locals for the inhabitants of Cartagena is Mr. Babylon, situated on La Avenida del Arsenal. This place is very crowded on weekends, and it's known for having people dancing and the bar late at night. 
• 3 Cafe del Mar, Baluarte de Santo Domingo. Located at the top of the western walls, it provides sunset views and cocktails. 
• 4 Donde sauce Fidel, Plaza de la Aduana (next to the gate of the clock). Good place to sit down and admire the city at night. The room has seats both indoors and outdoors. Good prices for drinks (2,500 COP beer) is the meeting place between Cartageneros and tourists. 
• 5 Zorba Wiskeria, Plaza Fernandez de Madrid (Right next to a pizza place and a short distance from a Lebanese restaurant in Falafel.). A big corner bar that serves bottles and has a decent view of the city. Very local. Beers cost about 3,000 COP and a bottle of rum about 27,000 COP. 

Colored road of Cartagena

In Cartagena, it is possible to enjoy multi - ethnic dishes that combine methods and work of the new and old world, but also of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and other countries. Eating fixed lunch menus and dinner in local restaurants called 'corrientes' costs about 6,000 COP (US $3). A typical dish consists of fried fish (if on the beach), chicken or meat, served with coconut (coco roz) rice, platano (banana-like exotic fruit) fried (patacones) and salad. There's a lot of places selling fruit juices at 2,000 COP. Colombia has an excellent and wide range of exotic fruits that can be mixed with water or milk.

In the historical center, dozens of good restaurants are scattered around Plaza Santo Domingo. Attention: Many restaurants are closed on Sundays.

Modest prices

• 1 Pan de Bono.   low prices. A bakery where you can buy cheap padded sandwiches. It's the cassava bread shop to try. 
• Café Juan Valdez.   low prices. Café chain with a large variety of coffee and cakes. Free WLAN. 
• Crepes and Waffles.   Dishes at about 15,000 COP. Colombian franchise restaurant, which is really cute, offers dishes at very good prices (about 5 US dollars). 
• 2 El Corral.   Good quality Hamburgers at 10,000-15,000 pesos. franchising chain selling hamburgers. 
• 3 Paradise ice cream.   4,000 COP for a small cup, 6,000 for an average. Great taste of ice cream, especially exotic fruits. Nice coffee ice cream, too. 
• 4 Abaco, Calle de la Mantilla.   Hot drinks and cakes at about 9,000 COP. Cafeteria and bookshop, it's a great place to relax in a very peaceful and peaceful environment. In addition to good coffee, there are books on Cartagena (in Spanish and English). 
• 5 Atahualpa, Carrera 7.   Menu for dinner with soup, main flow and juice at just 12,000 COP. Peruvian restaurant with fresh fish. To try the day menu. 

Average prices

From street vendors, you can buy refreshing fruit, for example.

• 6 El Bistro , Calle Ayos 4-46, ☎ +57 5 664 1799.   Breakfast for about 10,000 COP, main dishes at about 25,000 COP. A restaurant run by Germans with excellent dishes for European cooking, especially steaks. You can also eat homemade bread and drink German beers in the treasury. 
• 7 Cevicheria , Calle Stuart 7, ☎ +57 5 6642760.   about 25,000 COP per plate. A good selection of hot and cold evictions. 
• 8 Vitrola, Calle Baloco No. 33-201. Considered one of the best restaurants in town. Cuban environment, good food, but quite high prices. It's in Calle Baloco on the corner of the city walls. 
• 9 Sol de la India , Calle Tumbamuertos 38-43, ☎ +57 5 6609476.   dishes at about 25,000 to 30,000 COP, even pizza and pasta at about the same price.   11:30-22:00. Excellent vegetarian Indian food in the historic center. For lunch, they offer an all-inclusive buffet menu that varies from day to day. The menu price is 15,000 pesos (including beverages). The facility also organizes yoga courses (about US $8) and massages. 
• 10 Restaurant Bar El Muelle (El Laguisto Beach Club), Carrere 1 ra. 1A-23. On the beach in Bocagrande there are many good restaurants. The food is discreet, but the good thing is to see the water of the sea reaching almost to the restaurant. The managers speak English, Spanish, French and, in part, Portuguese and Turkish. 
• 11 The Fine, Calle Quero 9-58, ☎ +57 5 66 46 222.   main dishes at 20,000-30,000 COP. In the restaurant, you can choose some lunch options: different menus every day of the week. Delicious and unassuming. 
• 12 Otro Mundo (Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria), Calle San Agustin 6-68 (in the historical center of Cartagena, near Cartagena University), ☎ +57 5 6602314.   Croatian peaks at 18,000 COP (10 USD), Seafood Pasta at 20,000 COP (11 USD), Small Pizza at 12,000 COP (7 USD), Medium Pizza at 25,000 COP (14 USD), and Large Pizza at 35.5 000 COP (20 USD).   9-24. Here you can enjoy good Croatian food, pasta and good pizza. The environment is rustic, clean and excellent. The price of dishes and pizza is very good. A free WiFi connection to the Internet is available in the room. They also provide a pizza delivery service at home. Every day you can listen to good music and enjoy good drinks, like beer, cocktails and fruit juices, all with good value for money. 
• 13 El Balkoon, Calle Tumbamuertos No. 28-85 2do. Piso Esquina.   about 26,000 COP. Restaurant on the second floor with a view on Plaza San Diego. Small terrace, but good food, both fish and meat. Fixed menus and 2x1 on cocktails are a great option. 
• 14 Restaurant La Casa de Socorro, Cl. Wider No 8B-112, ☎ +57 5 6644 658.   20,000-40,000 COP. Traditional restaurant serving Caribbean dishes: Norway lobster, crabs, snow, fish, all very good. Popular among the inhabitants of Cartagena, especially at lunch. 

• 15 Teriyaki, Plaza San Diego No. 8-28.   10,000-30,000 COP. Sushi and Thai restaurant. 
• 16 Zebra Restaurant, Plaza San Diego No.8-34, ☎ +57 5 6642 177. African-Caribbean cooking, pasta. 

High prices

• 17 Club de Pesca , Avenida Miramar (Situated in Manga with views on the bay and the tourist port of Cartagena.).   main dishes at 40,000-60,000 COP. A refined restaurant specialized in "seafood". Good fish and atmosphere. 
• 18 Donde Olano (Olano´s), Calle Santo Domingo #33 - 81.   Main dishes 30,000-70,000, but it also has alternatives at a little lower price. Great mergers-style seafood, not to lose shrimp with passion fruit and coconut rice. 
• 19 Quebracho, Calle Baloco 2-69.   Dishes around 55,000 COP. Argentine Restaurant: good meat and good environment. 
• 20 Cafe El Santisimo Calle del Torno 39 - 76.   Dishes around 50,000 COP. One of the most famous and most unforgettable restaurants in town. 

In the Murata city, the most famous hotels are Sofitel Santa Clara and Charleston St Teresa, both ancient monasteries converted to hotels in the nineties of the twentieth century. In both cases, there may be excellent services, but prices are very high comparable to those of the Principality of Monaco. In the new part of the city, Bocagrande, there are many hotels suited to all their pockets. However, it is advisable to stay, for at least part of your holiday, in the historic center, within the city walls: This is the area that makes Cartagena unique (and not its beaches, which are often crowded and sometimes unclean). If you don't want to stay in the most luxurious hotels, you can try one of the many colonial houses that have been turned into hostels, but these are very small, and finding a free seat could be a business.

As in other parts of Latin America, luxury hotels could express their rooms' prices (at least the most expensive) in US dollars on their websites as well.

Modest prices

narrow streets of the center

Hotels at modest prices and hostels can be found in Gethsemaní around the Calle de la Media Moon. If you are already in Cartagena, the best choice could be to walk through Calle de la Media Moon and ask for prices and availability in the many facilities. It's important to be careful about the most convenient option: prices vary greatly from structure to structure, even if they are located side by side: for example, with 50,000 COP, you could stay in a comfortable private room, but also in a dormitory.

• 1 Casa Viena , Calle San Andrés 30-53 (Getsemaní), ☎ +57-5-664-6242, @ [email protected]   26,000 COP dormitory bed, 35,000 COP rooms. This is a very common hotline between backpackers (backpack travelers) with rooms ranging from two to four people with both a public and private bathroom and dorms. The facility offers internet, safes and common kitchen services. 

• 2 Hostal Real , Calle De La Magdalena 9-33 (Getsemani), ☎ +57 5 664 7866.   21,000 COP dormitory bed, 40,000 COP chambers. Opened by the Rincon family more than 30 years ago, Hostal Real is hosted in a colonial building renovated with works of art and a garden where you can relax and read a book. Owners are very friendly and willing to help guests with advice and information. The rooms are pretty old and a little wet. 

• 3 Hotel Familiar, Calle El Guerrero 29-66 (Getsemani), ☎ +57 5 664 2464.   The rooms are clean and bright and the prices start at 18,000 COP per night per person.. Managed by Jairo Toro, it is 100 meters away from Casa Viena and is a good choice in case the first is complete. 

• 4 Hotel Villa Colonial , Calle del las Maravillas No.30-60 (Getsemani), +57 5 664 4996, +57 5 664 5421, @[email protected].   Double from $60,000. Albergo is well kept with friendly and willing personnel to help. The rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom, but some do not have windows. The managers also have another building in Calle de la Media Luna, which has better rooms but also more expensive ones. 

• 5 Hostal La Casona, Calle Tripita y Media - Cra. 0 No. 31-32 (Getsemani), ☎ +57 5 639 5644, @[email protected]   air-conditioned rooms, cable TV and 65,000 COP private bathroom. With about 30 rooms set up around a nice courtyard, this hostel offers an excellent option for tourists. Internet connection available at a good price. 

• 6 Hotel Marlin, Calle de la Media Luna, Calle 35 No. 10-35 (Getsemani), +57 5 664 3507, +57 5 6601497, @[email protected].   75,000 COP cameras. Very popular, it's located in the center. The facility is clean with beautiful rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning in all the dormitories. Services include: common kitchen, free internet, breakfast included in the price, and opportunities to organize tours. Information on sailboat rides for the San Blas and Panamá Islands is also available. 

• 7 Hotel La Muralla, Calle de Media Luna (Getsemani).   65,000 COP cameras. Clean, owners are nice. The structure can be noisy on weekends, not exactly a tourist spot, but certainly a very cheap option. The better the rooms on the second floor, the rooms on the first floor are a little damp. 

• 8 Amber Hostel , Calle Pacoa No 10-103 (Getsemani), ☎ +57 5 608634.   15,000 COP dormitory bed, 40,000 COP chambers. A family-run hostel with a common kitchen (including the handlers), which will give a bit of a sense of being part of the family. 

• 9 Hotel La Espanola , Media Moon 10 #10-58, ☎ +57 5 6604485.   75,000 COP. The same prices and style as the La Muralla hotel, but the rooms are a little darker and smaller. 

• 10 Hostel Mamallena , Calle Media Luna (Viejo Hotel Holiday, Getsemani), ☎ +57 5 6640948, @ [email protected]   High season: A 50,000 COP dormitory bed, a private room bed of 75,000, but more if you want private bathing and/or air conditioning. Prices are about 1/3 lower during the low season.. Hostel Mamallena, Cartagena is the first Colombian hostel in Panamanian chain Hostel Mamallena. cordial staff, free WiFi connection and cordial personnel. Most of the rooms have a private bathroom and can accommodate between 1 and 5 people. The dorms are large and they too have a private bathroom. Economic tours are being organized for Playa Blanca and Islas Rosarios. 

• 11 Hotel El Viajero, Calle del Porvenir No 35-68, ☎ +57 5 664 3289.   Without air conditioning: single at 40,000 COP, double at 60,000 COP, with A/C: single 50,000, double 70,000 (2016). Nice hotel with an inner garden and a guest kitchen. 

• 12 Hotel Bellavista, Av. Santander No. 46-50 (15 minutes on foot from the old city), ☎ +57 5 6646411.   Without A/C: single 40,000 COP, double 70,000, with A/C: 60,000 individual, double 80,000 COP. Hotel from friendly surroundings in the district of Marbella. The rooms are spread across several buildings on one floor and have a private bathroom. 

Average prices

• 13 Hotel Cartagena Premium , Bocagrande Av. San Martín No. 11-113, ☎ +57 5 6552355.   145,000 COP. Cartagena Premium Hotel offers single, double rooms with air conditioning, mini bars and breakfast. The hotel also has a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, room service and parking. 

• 14 Casa India Catalina , Calle del Coliseum No 5-67 (Center), ☎ +57-5-664-4361, @ [email protected]   246,000 COP. Space rooms, some with balcony on the road. Discrete pool, simple furniture. 

• 15 Casa Mara Hostal, Calle del Eoster Santo No 29-139 (Getsemani), ☎ +57-5-664-8724. 

• 16 Vista Heroica, Isla de Tierra Bomba, ☎ +57 3126331825.   100,000 COP. Nice hotel on Tierra Bomba Island (10 minutes by boat from the Hilton Hotel in Cartagena). The hotel is in the center of a local village, not far from the beach and with a good view on Cartagena. The rooms are very clean, 3 beds (2+1), kitchen, individual Jacuzzi, air conditioning. The restaurant prices range from 10,000 to 20,000 COP, the food is discreet. 

• 17 Hotel Bahia , Cra 4a-Calle 4a (Bocagrande), ☎ +57-5-6650316.   176,000 COP. 

• 18 Hotel 3 Banderas , Calle Cotta del Hobo #38-66 (San Diego), ☎ +57-5-660-0160, @ [email protected]   200,000 COP. Small colonial hotel. 

High prices

Cartagena from the sky. Some of the skyscrapers on the right of the Bocagrande Peninsula are hotels

Luxury hotels can be found in San Diego and El Centro, areas of the old city.

• 19 Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena , Centro plaza de Santa Teresa Cra 3rd 31-23, ☎ +57 5 6649494, +57 5 6649547, Fax: +57 5 6649448, +57 5 6649447.   795,000 COP. 

• 20 The Passion Hotel Lounge , Calle del Estanco del Tabaco # 38-81 (Center), ☎ +57 5 6648605, @ [email protected]   617,000 COP. A hotel where an ancient architecture and modern furniture and equipment are combined. Perfect for a romantic escape: There are only 8 rooms in the hotel. Beautiful terrace with pool. Free WiFi. 

• 21 Hotel Ibatama and Hotel Ibatama Real , Avenida San Martin 7 (Boca Grande). With clean, beautiful rooms and good value for money, 

• 22 Casa Marta Cartagena , Calle San Antonio # 25-165 (Getsemani), ☎ +57 310 630 6003, @ [email protected]   $125. Casa Marta is a colonial house today b&b in the historical center of Getsemani. The house has been renovated and has two rooms with a maximum capacity of 4/5 persons. Every bedroom has air conditioning, a fridge, satellite TV and a private bathroom. Internet and breakfast are included in the price. A small children's pool is also available to guests. 

• 23 Hotel Casa del Curato, Calle del Curato Cra. 7 No 38-89 (San Diego), ☎ +57-5-664-3648, @[email protected]   250,000 COP (low season) and 270,000 COP (high season). The hotel is in an 18th-century building, converted to a hotel in 2005. Great breakfast, but the rooms are a little small and some without windows. Two computers connected to the Internet are available to guests. 

• 24 Hotel Cookie de Hobo, Calle Cocosta de Hobo No. 38-55 (San Diego), ☎ +57 5 664 3384, +57 3002153828.   90 US$. In the heart of the masked city of Cartagena, the hotel has four rooms, a restaurant, room service, a free Internet connection, two terraces with views on the historic center and a third with a barbecue. The rooms have air conditioning, minibar, plasma TV with satellite signal. 

• 25 Hilton Cartagena , Avenida Almirante Brion (El Laguito), ☎ +57 5 6650660.   129 US$. 

• 26 Agua , Calle Ayos, No 4-29 (Center), ☎ +57 5 664-9479.   500,000 COP + fees. 

• 27 Hotel Alfiz, Calle Cotta del Gobernador, No 33-28 (between Plaza de la Aduana and the cathedral), ☎ +57-5-660 0006, @ [email protected]   550,000 COP. Romantic hotel in the old city. 

• 28 Hotel Casa la Fe, Calle segunda de badillo #36-125 (Centro), ☎ +57-5-664-0306, @ [email protected]   265,000COP. This small hotel was recommended in the travel section of NYT and is run by English. 

• 29 Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara , Cr 8 No 39-29, Calle del Tomo (San Diego), ☎ +57-5-664-6070.   720,000 COP. 

• 30 The Merced Hotel, Calle Don Sancho No 36-165 / Cra. 4, ☎ +57 5 6647727.   249 US$. 

Cartagena at night

The city's historic center is not more dangerous than other cities of the so-called First World, but when you move away from the beaten track the risk of being robbed increases significantly. It's also important to be very careful when walking at night in uncrowded parts of the city. Locals are generally very friendly and friendly. Street vendors can be really annoying, but a simple "No quiero nada" in Spanish usually stops them.

Possession of illegal drugs in Colombia can lead to criminal convictions. It is widespread that tourists are encouraged to buy illegal drugs. When you try to buy the rest of the gang, it comes out in a minute and, threatening to report it to the police, forces the unfortunate person to withdraw exorbitant amounts from the nearest ATM, sometimes abducting the buyer.

Attention to unofficial currency exchange

Street vendors offer a very good exchange rate. After counting the banknotes, it will become clear that the accounts do not add up. After complaining, the seller will put the banknotes on the desk quickly by removing some of them. Most people don't count money for the second time that they believe they've done a good deal, but they've actually been robbed.

Islas del Rosario and Playa Blanca's deceptive tour

The guided tours for Islas del Rosario and Playa Blanca can be quite disappointing. Normally, a package is offered that includes both snorkeling and aquarium entrance and a meal in Playa Blanca for about 50,000 COP. Once the journey has started, however, it may be discovered that if you want to enter the aquarium and/or snorkeling you have to pay an extra 15,000 COP. It's important to be careful that the people who sold us the package report to the boat guide what is included and what is not.

Take a long-distance bus

If you are planning to take a bus to Santa Marta from the bus station, it is advisable to go in the ticket office and buy the ticket directly there. Otherwise, it's important to be careful. normally there's a swap connection in Barranquilla, where you'll have to change buses and buy a new ticket to Santa Marta, even if you've already bought it on a bus and/or if you've been assured that the bus is on its way. If you need to switch to Barranquilla, it's important to make sure you keep your tickets (even if they are collected after departure) and check that the guy driving us on the new bus is notified by the driver that we've already paid for the ticket to Santa Marta.

Health Security

There have been cases of the Zika virus in Colombia, which is dangerous for pregnant women since it can seriously harm the child in the mother's womb. Before leaving, it is advisable to consult the page on the health situation of the Italian foreign ministry.

Hospitals

• 4 Hospital Bocagrande, ☎ +57 5 6655 270. 
• 5 Hospital Naval de Bocagrande, Carrera 2 No. 14-210, Base Naval, ☎ +57 5 6655 361. It also has a decompression chamber for scuba diving incidents. 

Diplomatic missions and visas

• 6 DAS, Carrera 20B No 29-18, Pie de la Popa, ☎ +57 5 666 0172.   Lun-Sab 8-12 & 14-17. The immigration authority, in order to obtain an extension of the visa, must go here. (Update: Sep 2015)
• Greece 7 Greek Consulate, Carrera 9, Esq. Castillo del Mar building, ☎ +575 6551-352, fax: +575 664-7388. It is recalled that under the 2015 Consular Protection Directive, European citizens in difficulty in a country outside the European Union have the right to receive assistance from embassies and consulates in other EU countries. 
• Panama 8 Panama Consulate, Carrera 1 No 10-10 (Bocagrande), ☎ +57 5 655 155.   Lun-Sab 8-12. (Update: Sep 2015)
• Venezuela 9 Consulate of Venezuela, Carrera 3 No 8-129 (Executive Center Building, 14th floor), ☎ +57 5 665 0382.   Lun-Ven 9-11.30 & 13.30-16. (Update: Sep 2015)

Mailbox in Parque Bolívar

Post

• 10 Deprisa, Av Venezuela, ☎ +57 5 664 7822.   Lun-Ven 8-12.30 & 14-18, Sab 8-13. 

• 11 Adpostal, corner of Calle 34 and Av. Luis Carlos López. Here you can buy stamps 

Shipping postcards in Europe is expensive: a stamp costs 6,800 COP.

Internet

• 12 Contact Internet Café, Calle de la Media Luna No 10-20, ☎ +57 5 664 0681.   $1,000/h.   8-21. 

• 13 Micronet, Calle de la Estrella No 4-47, ☎ +57 5 664 0328.   $1,500/h.   9-21. 

Santa Marta

• You can reach Santa Marta with $32 (American) with Berlinastur. Buses leave every two hours, 12 and 14 are good hours. The journey lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes and passes through Barranquilla (16 dollars if you stop here, I leave every hour — half the buses stop here). In Cartagena, the company's terminal is in Crespo, on the way to the airport. Many nectivos passing through India Catalina can take to the terminal for 1,500 COP. The company also has buses for Cúcuta, Bucaramanga and Bogotá.

Total

• About 45 kilometers northeast of Cartagena on the road to Barranquila is the Volcán del Totumo, a 15-meter high mud volcano. You can go into the crater and take a mud bath (COP 2,000), which is very fun and advisable. The nearby lagoon serves as a natural bathroom to clean itself from the mud.

The easiest way to get here is to take a tour. This costs around 30,000 COP (2010) with Rafael Perez tours (beside the Cartagena Plaza Hotel in Bocagrande) and includes a one-hour round trip for the volcano, lunch and bathroom at La Boquilla. Another company is Los Pinos, whose package costs 35,000 COP, 25,000 without lunch, and which provides for a bath in the village of Manzanillo del Mar fishermen on their way home. This tour can be booked in many hotels, like Casa Viena, in Calle San Andrés (Getsemaní), or the Mamallena hostel at Calle Media Luna. Even if the mud bath and the massages are offered free of charge, it will be necessary to leave a tip to each one. Other services requiring a tip are taking a picture while bathing, storing your luggage, ... The tips are normally about 1,000 to 5,000 COP depending on the service, so it's better to take money with you.

Achieving the volcano by itself may be difficult, but if you succeed in business the trip will be more relaxed and you will have as much time as you like. Take a bus from the city center to the Terminal de transports (1,700 COP), then take the timeshare bus to Galerazamba and get off to Lomito Arena (6,000 COP), where you have to walk for 45 minutes or take a motortaxi (2,000 COP). The entire journey lasts about two and a half hours. The last bus from Lomito Arena leaves at about 3:00 p.m.

• Botanical Gardens Jardin Botanico de Guillermo Piñeres' — a pleasant trip outside the city, 18 km from Cartagena near Turbaco, a small town 20 km from the center of Cartagena. To reach the botanical gardens, take a bus to the bus station and descend to "La Bomba de Amparo", a gas station 25 minutes from the center. Here are buses to Turbaco - get off (ask for help from the driver) a little before the city and keep the right walking for about 20 minutes. The ticket will be accompanied by a flyer listing the 250 species of plants identifiable in the garden, including some varieties of coca.
• Punta Arena — a fishing country 10 minutes by boat from "Tierrabomba" Island, in front of "Laguito" (Bocagrande). You reach the country by boat, starting with "Muelle de los pegasos" or "Laguito" near the Hilton Hotel. Punta Arena probably has the best beaches near Cartagena. In the country there are restaurants where you can enjoy local food and drink. Great for a daily trip to go through a palm tree with a fantastic view of Cartagena.
• La Boquilla — a fishing village (pueblo de pescadores) near Cartagena. Taking a bus for 1,600 COP (March 2013), from India Catalina (Avenida Venezuela), if you get off the bus to the end of the line, you can rent a canoe and reach a beautiful beach (playa de oro) by passing between lagoons and mangroves - you pay for the canoe once back. Even hiring a bicycle is a great way to get to the country in about an hour. Once the airport travels to the beach and the sand pedals on it will reach La Boquilla.
• Bocachica - a fishing country on the island of "Tierrabomb"

Bocachica deserves a visit to see its renovated fortress (Fuerte de San Fernando). The beach is not special, but valid for a few hours' rest. There are many outdoor restaurants in the country that serve food and drink. Boats sail every 30-45 minutes from "Muelle de los Pegassos" to Bocachica, the journey lasts about 15 minutes. The guides will try to sell expensive all - inclusive packages, but the cost of the boat - only journey should be around 5,000 COP (2009).

• 14 Cartagena de Indias tourism, Plaza de la Aduana, ☎ +57 5 660 1583.   Lun-Sab 9-13 and 15-19, Dom 9-17. Main tourist office. 

There are InfoPoints also in Plaza de San Pedro Claver and Plaza de los Coches.