The Definitive Guide to Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is a large city with nearly a million inhabitants. It combines the prosperity of tourist areas and affluent neighborhoods such as the Walled City, Bocagrande, and Castillogrande, with marginalized neighborhoods characterized by poverty and insecurity, which tourists should avoid (No des papaya hermano).

With this guide, I guarantee that nothing bad will happen to you because I'm a genius, a knowledgeable Colombian who knows it all. You'll have all the activities, restaurants, links, and contacts to have a great time in Cartagena. I hope you enjoy it and share it.

You won't be given scopolamine either if you follow my guidelines. Don't be with any prostitutes who gather at night in the Clock Tower, or even talk to them. Focus on doing everything I say, and you'll be fine.

The most touristy area is the Walled City, which serves as the historical center of Cartagena de Indias. The entire old town, where many interesting colonial buildings are located, is surrounded by an impressive wall, hence its name. It is a completely safe area at any time of day or night.

Around the walled city, there are some interesting neighborhoods where you can walk safely during the day and reasonably safe at night. One of them is Getsemaní, a small neighborhood located just outside the Clock Gate, famous for its nightlife.

Adjacent to the Walled City is a small peninsula with neighborhoods like Bocagrande, El Laguito, and Castillogrande. It is a very modern area with skyscrapers, and many tourists choose to stay there when visiting Cartagena de Indias.

One of the things I love about this city is the contrast between the old and the new. The contrast between the skyscrapers of Bocagrande and the colonial buildings of the Walled City is one of the most memorable images from my time in Colombia.

It's amazing to have a beer at sunset on the terrace of Café del Mar on the wall, with the Bocagrande skyscrapers in the background. It's also incredible to sit on the terrace of one of the apartments in the Bocagrande skyscrapers and have a panoramic view of the city. Priceless!

The Walled City, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture in all of Latin America. The cultural and heritage legacy is simply extraordinary. It's a pleasure to stroll through its streets filled with churches, plazas, and colonial buildings, which transport you to another era.

In addition to its tourist and cultural attractions, it is a city with a vibrant atmosphere, offering many activities and excursions. In terms of nightlife and gastronomy, it deserves the highest praise. The food is excellent and reasonably priced, and there is a vibrant nightlife.

The tourist areas of Cartagena de Indias are very safe. You can walk the streets of the Walled City and Bocagrande with complete safety. Getsemaní, just outside the walls through the Clock Gate, is a safe area during the day and also at night if you stick to the busiest streets with more activity.

Most of your stay in the city will likely revolve around these areas, and you will only leave them to visit the San Felipe Castle, which is very close to the Walled City, and Mount Popa. If you plan to visit other areas of the city, make sure to gather information about where you are going and take extra precautions because some neighborhoods are really dangerous.

If I had to mention something negative, it would be the beaches. The beaches of Cartagena de Indias are quite unattractive. However, you have all the facilities to take day trips to fantastic beach destinations like Rosario Island or Barú, among others.

The best plans to do in Cartagena:

Cartagena de Indias, as one of the most important and spectacular colonial cities in all of Latin America, has a huge cultural and architectural heritage. There are plenty of things to see. Here are some of the most important: