Cartagena travel guide

The Spanish Empire’s first city is today’s tourist hot spot on the Caribbean coast

Sweltering within its impregnable fortress walls on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena, the Spanish Empire’s first city on the South American mainland, is a delight to behold. As it is Colombia’s principal tourist attraction, massive cruise ships offload passengers for day trips and foreign dignitaries flock here for international summits. But this should not put you off -- wait until the shadows lengthen in the afternoon and the humidity abates and take a stroll through the network of ornate streets that makes up the ciudad vieja. There may be no more romantic place in Colombia to enjoy an evening drink with a loved one than at a bar on the city wall as the sun dips beyond the horizon. Tourists become enamored with the city right away, its chic boutiques, cobblestone streets, eclectic museums, all watched over by the fortress known as Castillo de San Felipe – built to keep British and French pirates out – cast a spell over one and all. While Cartagena’s beaches are nothing to shout about, easy trips can be made to the Islas del Rosario and Playa Blanca, where the azure ocean and long stretches of white sand will be more to the liking and expectations of visitors.

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jonshaw7

If you love history, this is the place to visit. It seems to me that it is the Caribbean's best kept secret. When I was there last summer I was amazed at the surprises that I found around every corner. I was with my young family (my twin boys were under one year of age) and we felt totally safe walking the streets of the tourist section of the city. We had a nice carriage ride around the old city (which feels like 15th century Spain) and we took a boat ride to the Islands of Rosario that are close by. We liked it so much that we are going back this summer! Do not let any fear of the past political situation in Colombia deter you from visiting this place. I take that back... wait until I purchase a condo on the beach there and then tell all your friends. That way I save money before the big tourist boom that is sure to hit Cartagena once the rest of the world discovers this place!

2009-04-22 / follow jonshaw7 / report abuse

Sofiplus

Because is very nice, an fun, and magic, amazing place

2009-03-23 / follow Sofiplus / report abuse