About Cartagena

Cobble stone roads, horse drawn carriages, historical colonial homes with grand balconies, canons along a massive wall that kept pirates away, a 400 year old city, ancient cathedrals, salsa music, bright colors everywhere you look, delicious cuisine, and some of the most beautiful and friendly people on the planet…even this description fails to capture the beauty and marvel of Cartagena, so it is a place you must see firsthand in order to appreciate it. Cartagena is first and foremost a great and safe place to vacation. In fact, for many Colombians and non-Colombians, Cartagena has become a great area where folks settle down to make a living, and still others have discovered that it is a wonderful place to retire. Most people call it a city, but once you get to know Cartagena, you will quickly learn that it resembles a large town, where people are very warm and welcoming. As for the weather, don’t be fooled by the forecasts, it is always a hot and sunny tropical environment that defines what the Caribbean is all about. The tourist high seasons (mid-June to mid-July, and mid-December to mid-March) coincide with the windy months, but many folks share a well-kept secret: the low seasons are actually even better, because it rains sporadically, there are less people in the city, and the prices for everything drop.

Favorite Activities

Stroll through the Old City
Take a tour of Castillo San Felipe
Dine like royalty in one of the delicious gourmet restaurants
Watch the sunset at the Café del Mar
Go on a boat trip to the Rosario Islands
Get your party on in a Chiva bus

Favorite Photo Opportunities

Group photo in front of the Clock Tower
Take pictures from one of the docks in Castillo Grande
Walk from the Clock Tower to Plaza Trinidad, making sure to go down the side streets that lead to great graffiti and wall art
Go to the top of Castillo San Felipe and take a photo with the huge Colombian flag
Take a photo with your feet in the white sand and blue water of Playa Blanca

Favorite Excursions

Take a trip to Palenque, the first freed-slave town in South America
Visit Volcan Totumo and roll around in the mud

Lunch Options

La Mulata

Experience the flavor of the city with the great lunch specials at La Mulata. If you need some help with the menu, ask for Kelly. She speaks English and can help translate. Only open for lunch.

La Cocina de Pepina

La Cocina de Pepina has great authentic Colombian food, and is located in a Bohemian part of the Old City known as Getsemani. The different types of Colombian stews and soups are great, and the prices are friendly.

Espiritu Santo

Few tourists venture to this Cartagena lunch hot spot. The portions are big and the prices are great. Try to go early, because by 12:30 it is hard to find a table. Only open for lunch.

Gokela

This a great place for a variety of healthy options and fast service. On a hot and steamy Cartagena day, try the fruit smoothies and blends at Gokela. The sandwiches and salads are a great alternative to the typical coastal fried dishes.

Casual Dining/Street Food

Ostreria Sincelejo

This local favorite has been around for years. It is a definite local hang out. Colombians and foreigners alike enjoy trying some of the local street food cuisine of fresh ceviche at a great price.

Aguanile

Aguanile has the best view for the best price. You can find a postcard worthy view of the marina, Old City, and Bocagrande from the tables at Aguanile. Plus, the pizza is just as delicious! If you’re a fan of onions sautéed with a splash of red wine, go ahead and order a Celia Cruz pizza and prepare yourself for a slice of heaven.

Plaza Trinidad

Are you a fan of food shows like No Reservations or Bizarre Foods? If so, go ahead and try the mix of flavors and street food that Andrew Zimmerman and Anthony Bourdain highlighted in some of their past episodes. The street vendors in Plaza Trinidad are a must and require no safety precautions. You can find a typical Colombian hotdog or “patacon con todo” at the vendor on the left of the Plaza or some delicious burritos up the street at the Taquitos restaurant. With a little more precaution, ask us to help you find an escorted tour to the Bazurto Market where you will find truly bizarre foods.

Carbon de Palo

Carbon de Palo is located along the main avenue in Bocagrande. It’s an inexpensive restaurant open air restaurant that has amazing steak and very good drinks. It’s a great spot for a casual dinner, and there is often live music played on the weekend.

Vai piano

Vai Piano in Bocagrande is a nice Italian restaurant with excellent traditional Italian food. Everything from the pizza to pasta is excellent and it’s not expensive.

Fine Dining

1621

One of the most elegant places to dine in the city. Visit 1621 for a true fine-dining experience. The wine cellar and service there are both amazing. Reservations needed.

La Vitrola

Rub elbows with politicians and the who’s who of the city. The last time I was there the President of Panama a few tables over. You never know who you will see. Reservations are a must

Carmen

Carmen is an amazing Asian fusion restaurant located at the Ananda Boutique Hotel. The atmosphere is great and the food is definitely one of the top 3 in Cartagena. I would recommend for appetizers: banh me of pig, beach, tacos Caribbean, ceviche laminate. For entrées, I would recommend the lomo fino, pig 2 ways, pargo platero.

El Santisimo

El Santisimo is a Colombian style restaurant in the Old City. I highly recommend this plan for large groups. Their miracle plan dinner is an appetizer, entree, dessert, and 2 hours of top shelf open bar for around $40USD. Unlike other price fixes in the States this one includes everything on their menu. The food is very good and if you like to drink the deal can’t be beat.

Boka

Boka is located in Bocagrande and is probably my favorite restaurant in that area. It has great decor and also amazing food and drinks. I would recommend the burrata, eggplant Carpaccio and the coconut battered calamari.

Andante Allegro Vivace

Andante Allegro Vivace is located in the old city and is my favorite Italian restaurant here. I would highly recommend the pasta with pancetta and the veal Milanese.

Monmatre

Monmatre is a new French restaurant in the old city. It has some of my favorite traditional French bistro food in Cartagena. My recommendations are the country pate and the salmon Carpaccio to start. As for entrees I would highly suggest the duck and lobster risotto, which are both amazing.

Oh…Dessert!

Paradiso

Once a small hole in the wall. Paradiso has grown into a wonderful escape from the all the hustle and bustle of city and heat. Eat fresh, homemade gelato in a variety of flavors which change seasonally.

La Paletteria

La Paletteria has amazing popsicles in a variety of flavors. My favorite is the tropical flavor which actually is a mix of many different kinds of fruit.

Crepes and Waffles

A Colombian dining staple. Crepes and Waffles offers both main entrees and dessert in a comfortable environment and at a reasonable price. My favorite is the fresh salad bar and the banana and Nutella waffle.

La Dulceria

The best 4 leches and chocolate cake in town. Elizabeth Diaz also makes a mean coconut pie. A great place to stop for an afternoon coffee and dessert in Bocagrande.

Casual Drinks and Cocktails

Bogota Beer Co.

The Bogota Beer Company is a great option if you want to have a no frills lunch or dinner and sit back and watch a soccer or football match whichever you prefer to call it. It has great artisanal beer and has good bar food as well..

El Baron

El Baron makes my favorite cocktails in Cartagena by far! The bartender Noah is an artist with the drinks he makes, and this is the only place you will get the speakeasy feel. The Gin Basil Smash and the Citric Manhattan are two of my favorites but everything on the cocktail menu is sublime.

Agua del mar

Aqua del mar is on this list for #1 drink and they do it the best of anyplace I’ve been to in the world. Their gin and tonic with Gin Mare, 1724 tonic water and rosemary is the best gin and tonic bar I have ever had. If you go there, order one, and you will understand what all the fuss is about.

Nightclubs

Babar

Babar is open Thursday through Saturday, and it is the only bar that is styled after a nightclub in the United States. With an elevated DJ booth and multiple screens, this club is always packed on the weekends, but Thursdays are hit or miss. The majority of tourists end up here while on vacation.

La Movida

La Movida is open Thursday through Saturday and is the nightclub where the elite of Cartagena usually party. There are occasional tourists like myself that go, but it’s generally a very attractive nearly all Colombian crowd.

Fragma

Fragma is open Friday and Saturday and has multiple rooms with different types of music. One room focuses on Latin music while the other is mostly electronic. Fragma is usually packed both nights and the crowd varies from night to night.

Getting Around

Taxis

Taxis are a reliable and inexpensive means of transportation in Cartagena. Each taxi must carry an official rate or tariff card. It is yellow and must have a photo of the driver. If they show you anything else, check the minimum rate and if it is more than $5.500, then it is most likely a hustle. Also, it is best if you ask the rate before you get in the taxi or have the exact amount in cash in hand. Getting a taxi to give you change for a $50.000 peso can be almost impossible.
Below are the rates for the yellow taxis. The white mini-SUV taxis will be an additional $500 pesos.

Minimum Rate- $5.500 Day, $6.000 8pm-5am
Hourly Rate -$25.000 per hour

Walking

Walking is the best form of transportation. I highly recommend walking around day or night in the Old City and in Bocagrande. You will find the best restaurants and neighborhood shops by getting lost inside of the walled city, but make sure to stay hydrated and use lots of sun screen.

Private Van/Transport

Hiring a private transport is a great way to see the city, visit Playa Blanca or take a trip to the mud volcano. A 6 to 16 passenger van can be an affordable option for large groups, especially for airport pickups.

Find out more about our concierge services including taxis and vans

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