Cartagena de Indias

Colorful Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is rich with history, colorful buildings, warm people, it has a good vibe and lots of beautiful energy. From beaches to great restaurants, from clubs to churches, great shopping, music, a tropical climate and happy people. I completely lost my heart! I have never travelled to a city more soul-shaking and exciting than Cartagena. The old walled city of Cartagena de Indias remains the 16th-century treasure. 

Gold made Cartagena a city of mansions, the Queen for the Spanish colonies and it made Cartagena to the richest and the most beautiful Spanish colonial city in the Americas. After the golden days Cartagena has had to struggle with civil war that lasted for decades, American imperialism, independence and the drug trade. 

Walk around in the walled city, I did for one whole week and did not get bored. There is a 13 km wall around the old city once built to keep the city´s population safe from pirates and invaders. 

San Filipe Castle is a landmark in Cartagena. The walled city is full of life day and night.

Visit Cafe Del Mar for the sunset. The bar is located on top of the old wall, it faces the ocean and is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset together with great music and great coctails. A cheaper option to enjoy the sunset is to the right of Cafe Del Mar, on the wall itself where local vendors sell Colombian beer and refreshments. We had a great time at Club Havana, in Getsamani just outside the walled city, a fun salsa bar with live music and mojitos.