"Cartagena mia! "- says the tourist slogan of Cartagena, a colorful port city on the Atlantic coast of Colombia..For such a bold and even moderately intimate statement, there are all grounds: the amazing Cartagena mysteriously knows how to find an approach to each $ .For some, it will appear as a labyrinth of cobblestone streets, on both sides of which colonial mansions descend from the postcard of the 18th century, for others - invitingly waves a crimson bougainvillea, winding along the white wall of a pompous hotel on the coast, and someone will be fascinated by the almost impossible mixture of ancient sights and modern buildings - and this will hardly amount to a tenth of all its enchanting riches .Poor African neighborhoods and boutiques selling first-rate emeralds, bustling markets and the silence of five-star hotels, the fashionable rhythms of the Playa Blanca discos and the gracious silence of the Rosario islands are all Cartagena .
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How to get to Cartagena
In Cartagena you can arrive by international flight with a transfer - in the cities of the USA and Canada, as well as in Madrid, Paris and Helsinki. If you intend to come to Cartagena from another city in Colombia, you have the same airplane, bus or ferry.
Domestic flights are serviced by the national air carriers Avianca, Copa and AeroRepublica and come to Cartagena from all major cities of the country, for example, Bogota (about 120 USD and 1 hour in flight), Kali (from 130 USD and a little over an hour in the air), Cucuta, Medellin , San Andres, etc. Cartagena Airport is located in the suburbs of Crespo, 3 km from the city. From there, the center can be reached by frequent shuttles of municipal buses, minibuses or taxis, which will cost about 5 USD.
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Intercity buses arrive in Cartagena from Bogotá (20 hours en route and around 45 USD for travel), Medellin (13 hours and about 42 USD) and other more or less large settlements of the country.
How to navigate
Cartagena is located on the north coast of Colombia and overlooks the Caribbean Sea .Despite the abundance of districts and the fact that almost 1 million people live in the city, tourists are "hammered" here in two places - Bokagrande, a coastal area with a string of modern hotels and developed recreational infrastructure, and a medieval city behind the fortress walls of Ciudad Amuralade, where most of the attractions are concentrated, and there is a small number of boutique hotels and upscale restaurants "named" .The area of elite housing Castiglordande is also interesting for well-groomed areas for outdoor walks and secluded beaches..
Climate
| Weather forecast for Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) for 10 days |
Transport in the city
The old city can easily be walked on foot - road traffic here is not the best: many pedestrian streets, and not pedestrian traffic jams are not infrequent. Bocagrande also makes sense to move on foot - at least to enjoy the life-giving breeze from the ocean.
For trips to longer distances, it is recommended to take a taxi. The fare from the Old Town to Bokagrande ranges from 2, 5-3 USD - the amount must necessarily be negotiated with the driver in advance, as these counters are not heard by decent men. At night, the trip, of course, will cost more.
In the harbors of Cartagena waiting for their riders bouncy boats, ready to take to the islands of Rosario or the beach of Playa Blanca. A trip on a high-speed merchant ship will cost about 30 USD, a cruise "with a claim" to an entertainment voyage (albeit much slower, up to 4 hours on the way) - at 25 USD.
Cartagena hotels
Hotels for every taste and purse can be found in the coastal area of Bocagrande. In general, for 110-130 USD per night, a qualitative four-star service is offered. In the Old Town behind the fortress walls there are several ancient charm hotels, rebuilt from medieval monasteries. The set of services in them, however, is luxurious, and the price tag is appropriate - but here you can feel the true spirit of Cartagena. Budget travelers may be interested in similar options: colonial houses, limitless to hostels or modest "kopeck piece."
Book popular hotels in Cartagena (Colombia) at the best prices
| Ananda Hotel Boutique - Hoteles Cosmos from 13 074 rubles Cartagena de Indias Calle del Cuartel 36-77 | Las Americas Torre Del Mar from 11 784 rubles Cartagena de Indias Anillo Vial Sector Cielo Mar | Bantu Hotel Preferred Boutique from 8 513 rubles Cartagena de Indias Calle de La Tablada, 7 - 62 |
| Casa de los Reyes Hotel Boutique from 4 922 rubles Cartagena de Indias Centro, Calle de las bovedas # 39-91 | Hotel Dann Cartagena from 8 323 rubles Cartagena de Indias Avenida Las Velas No 1-60, El Laguito | Hotel Casa Don Sancho By Mustique from 13 595 rubles Cartagena de Indias Centro Historico, Calle Don Sancho N ° 36-126 |
| Hotel Patio de la Cruz from 2 997 rubles Cartagena de Indias Centro Historico, Calle de la Cruz No 9-41 | Hotel Blue Concept from 4 319 rubles Cartagena de Indias Bocagrande Avenida Tercera N ° 6-102 | Zalmedina Hotel from 3,445 rubles Cartagena de Indias Bocagrande Avenida San Martin N ° 5 52 |
| Hotel Santa Cruz from 1,772 rubles Cartagena de Indias Centro Calle De La Moneda, 7 - 54 | Hotel Peña's Boutique from 7 382 rubles Cartagena de Indias CRA 9 n 46-20 La Boquilla | Hotel Villa Colonial from 2 092 rubles Cartagena de Indias Calle de las maravillas 30-60 |
Beaches
The main beach of the "mainland" Cartagena is Bocagrande. Here, a wide sandy coast, a fairly smooth descent into the water and everything you need for a comfortable beach holiday: umbrellas, chaise lounges and mattresses (on the beaches). In the season, however, the "overpopulation" of the resort makes itself felt, and the sea becomes not very clean.
For its pristine nature and seclusion, it is worth going to the islands of Rosario - it is here, on the island of Baru, the best beach of Cartagena Playa Blanca with fine white sand and a lot of secluded corners, where nothing will prevent enjoying the scenic nature. You can come here as part of a one-day excursion from Cartagena (about 70 USD) or on your own - on a ferry or bus, following the bridge.
Punta Arena beach on the island of Tierrabomba is famous for its excellent quality of sand, clean sea and elegant palms bent over the water. There are many fish restaurants here, and a beautiful view of the harbor of Cartagena opens.
The beach of Bokachik on the same island is interesting not only for a good sea, but also for a restored fort. There are also restaurants and cafes where you can have a snack during the day.
The beach of La Bokilia is known for secluded lagoons with mangroves; there are almost no people there - only fishermen who go to sea for a catch. For the same reason, you can taste dishes from freshly caught fish at La Bokilje.
Shopping and shopping in Cartagena
The beauty and pride of Cartagena - decorations with emeralds can be bought in specialty shops in the Old Town, where each product must be provided with a certificate of authenticity. Sellers of "real emeralds" from the hands, of course, should be resolutely avoided.
For authentic souvenirs it is worth to go to the central square of Santo Domingo, where every day after dinner a colorful market takes place. In the very noisy Basurto market you can buy fresh fruits and "earth products", as well as try the real Cartagena cuisine (you need to closely monitor the wallet). Exclusive items are sold in the Upalema boutique in the Old Town.
- Settled in a monastery hotel outside the fortress walls.
- Visit Dante's Hell - a market with a promising name of Baserto.
- Glad that in the yard of the 21 century, at the Palace of the Inquisition.
- Relax on the white sandy beach of Playa Blanca.
- See how the poor Indian tribes lived in pre-Hispanic Colombia, in the Museum of Gold.
Kitchen and restaurants
Gastronomic traditions of Cartagena - a colorful mixture of European and Latin American dishes that have experienced African and Arab influences .The best restaurants are in the Old Town, near Santo Domingo Square, and on the promenade of the resort of Bocagrande; Snackbars are located everywhere, literally at every turn .Local cuisines called "Corte" offer a menu of the day for about 3 USD, consisting of a piece of meat, fish or chicken with coconut rice, fried potatoes and a salad .For 1 USD you can quench your thirst with a glass of freshly squeezed juice .
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Cartagena
The main attraction of Cartagena is the picturesque old town behind the fortifications, you can get to it through the main entrance, located in the Clock Tower .Here, the mass of narrow colonial streets with "open" mansions, majestic squares and a large number of historical sights .Particular attention should be paid to 500-year-old forts, built of slabs of shell rock and areas of massive fortress walls of the times of Spanish rule .Among the most remarkable examples of medieval architecture - the castle of San Felipe (17th century), built to protect against pirates, and the oldest square is the cozy Plaza de la Aduan, where you can see the Town Hall and the Columbus Monument .
Monuments of religious architecture - the majestic Cathedral, the churches of Santo Domingo and San Pedro, as well as a large number of medieval churches and temples in the heart of the Old City.
Another pearl of the Old City, however, with a gloomy history - the Palace of the Inquisition 17 in with an exceptionally beautiful baroque gate, topped with the Spanish coat of arms, and long balconies on the façade.
Enjoy panoramic views of Cartagena and its harbor from the 150-meter high hill of La Popa, which also houses the 17th monastery in Santa Cruz and the magnificent image of the Holy Virgin of Candelaria.
Certainly worth a visit to the Museum of Gold, which features a rich collection of gold jewelry and pre-Hispanic items belonging to local Indian tribes. In the Maritime Museum you can learn more about the history of navigation in Colombia and the whole Caribbean, and in the Museum of Modern Art see the work of the famous Colombian artist Alejandro Obregon.