Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most romantic cities I’ve ever experienced.

It was founded in the 16th century and looks like a quintessential colonial town. Part of the city is preserved within stone walls built by the Spanish (to protect against pirates!) and that is the part you must visit. There are many little parks and plazas, and the buildings are all brightly colored and have bougainvillea on their balconies. You can’t help but want to take pictures everywhere.

The food is amazing. You can find cheap eats and extravagant meals, and you can’t really go wrong. We had good value/affordable meals at places like El Bistro, and went all out at places like La Vitrola and Club de Pesca. We lucked out and wandered into Club de Pesca without a reservation, then got the best table in the place. With La Vitrola, our hotel set up our reservation, and that is when I was so grateful to be in a luxury hotel with the right relationships.

For live music, we of course went to Cafe Havana, but the locals really gave us props for going to Bazurto Social Club. There are small cover prices at the clubs, but they’re much less than you would pay in NY for great music. Both clubs are well worth the trip outside the old city walls.

I’ve stayed in a few hotels in Cartagena, and the top one for me is the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa (I wrote about it previously). But Arsenal Hotel Boutique is a close second and it’s just outside the old city walls.

So that’s Cartagena in a nutshell. If you get the chance to go, take it. You won’t regret it.

Cartagena Sunsets

  



Left photo on the city wall near Las Bovedas, right photo on the rooftop of the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa

The 2 places you have to go to in Cartagena: Bazurto Social Club & Cafe Havana.

"This is your home": Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa

I’ve been having an incredible time in Colombia these past two weeks. There was a slight misstep when we realized an expensive boutique hotel we’d reserved in Cartagena was a) more run-down than their beautiful website let on, and b) under renovation, so we left after one night. Luckily we did not have to pay for the additional nights we had reserved. And even luckier (more luckily?), there was a room available at the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa. Our new room is perfect and the hotel and staff are magnificent. They let me check in early and when they brought me to the room they said, “If you want anything, let us know. This is your home.”

"This is your home": Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa

 
La Passion Hotel, Cartagena, Colombia

La Passion Hotel, Cartagena, built in the 18th century

 

 
Arsenal Hotel Boutique, Cartagena

Cure for December-
Arsenal Hotel Boutique, Getsemani, Cartagena, Colombia

 
Snacks in Cartagena / Arsenal Hotel Boutique / Getsemani

 

Doors in Cartagena

 
 
Food in Cartagena- Creme brulee at the Sofitel, ceviche at La Cevicheria (2 pics), & gnocchi at El Bistro

What to Pack for Colombia

via Travel Fashion Girl & Jasmine Wanders:

Cartagena – As Cartagena has a tropical climate be sure to pack your favourite pair of sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sun cream to protect you from the suns glare, light coloured flowing maxi dresses and skirts are perfect for women, men should purchase a ‘guayabera’ for a local clothing store, it’s kind of like a safari/camp shirt, popular in South America. Don’t forget to pack a printed swimsuit/bikini and cute cover-up to hit up Cartagena’s beaut sandy beaches.

Medellin – For this fashionable city pack your favourite printed dresses and colourful tops team these with a pair of on trend jeans and you’ll fit right in, oh and don’t be afraid to show a little skin.

Bogota – Think slightly conservative and sophisticated clothing (if you want to fit in, maybe you don’t though!), essentials include sunglasses for during the day, a pair of jeans or dark pants, a printed scarf and a light coat and jacket, dress up not down!

What to Pack for Colombia