A UNESCO-classified World Heritage site dating back to 1533, Colombia’s coastal city of Cartagena features a vibrant historic center dotted with colonial buildings protected by the most complete set of fortifications in South America. Discover the history of this culturally rich city by exploring its centuries-old cobblestone streets, admiring the 6.8 miles of walls built around it by the Spanish, wandering through the Castle of San Felipe, enjoying a swim in a nearby mud volcano and visiting the city’s many beautiful churches.
GETTING THERE
Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport is set about two miles from the city’s historic center and is serviced by national carrier Avianca as well as by international airlines American Airlines and Copa. Taxi service, convenient and inexpensive from the airport to the old city, costs no more than $5.
GETTING AROUND
Travelers can easily get around by foot inside the open-air museum that is the city’s picturesque historic area. If you decide to take a taxi, be sure to ask the price before getting in, as there are no taxi meters in the city. The minimum taxi fare is about $1.20, while $8 will usually get you anywhere within an hour’s drive.
9–5
Café San Pedro
Mix business with pleasure over lunch at Café San Pedro, located on Plaza San Pedro Claver. The restaurant boasts outdoor seating with views of the stunning Cathedral of San Pedro de Claver and an eclectic menu including local and international dishes.
El Claustro
For a taste of local flavors in a fine-dining atmosphere, visit the colonial-style El Claustro restaurant inside the luxury Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. The venue opens in the early morning hours, serving French dishes fused with the best Caribbean products buffet-style and à la carte throughout the day.
Hilton Cartagena Hotel
Plan an event in this Colombian seaside town at Hilton Cartagena Hotel, capable of meeting all your business needs with more than 26,000 square feet of flexible space. In addition to an exhibition area and several meeting rooms, the 5-star hotel offers unique tropical outdoor venues, enabling event attendees to enjoy the picturesque views and tranquil atmosphere of the Caribbean Sea.
AFTER 5
Café Havana
Live salsa, great music and strong drinks are on tap until the early morning hours at the popular Café Havana. The Cuban-themed nightclub is packed each night with both locals and tourists enjoying live performances and libations from the horseshoe-shaped bar.
Malagana Café
Set just outside Cartagena’s walled city in the hip Getsemaní district, the family-owned Malagana Café is a stylish spot for an end-of-day cocktail, offering sweeping city views and refreshing sea breezes from its lively rooftop bar as well as an extensive drink list featuring cocktails made with local fruits.
Vera
Located inside the gorgeous Tcherassi Hotel, Vera is a 40-seat Italian restaurant and lounge helmed by Daniel Castaño, a French Culinary Institute graduate and one-time protégé of acclaimed Chef Mario Batali. Diners are sure to be impressed not only by the chef’s authentic Italian fare with local seafood but also by the restaurant’s restored, original 250-year-old stone wall and vertical garden featuring more than 3,000 local plants.
RESOURCES
For more information, visit cartagenadeindias.travel
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