ALYSSA & ARIELALYSSA & ARIEL
Explore CartegenaExplore Cartegena
Restaurants: Fine Dining & Special NightsRestaurants: Fine Dining & Special Nights
(Remember to reserve ahead of time to secure your reservation): •Carmen Cartagena – Upscale dining with modern Colombian flavors. •Celele – Award-winning restaurant celebrating the Caribbean coast. •Restaurante 1621 (Sofitel Santa Clara) – Elegant dining in a historic convent. •Erre de Ramón Freixa (Hotel Las Américas) – Spanish Michelin-starred chef with a Caribbean twist. •Alma (Casa San Agustín Hotel) – Romantic setting with a mix of Caribbean and international dishes. •Mar y Zielo – Stylish rooftop restaurant with seafood and creative cocktails. •Club de Pesca – Waterfront dining specializing in fresh seafood.
Restaurants: Local Flavors & Colombian ClassicsRestaurants: Local Flavors & Colombian Classics
Local Flavors & Colombian Classics •La Cevichería – Famous ceviche spot, loved by Anthony Bourdain. •La Mulata – Colorful, casual, and great for traditional Colombian comfort food. •La Cocina de Pepina – Cozy and authentic Caribbean heritage dishes. •Restaurante Interno – A unique social project inside a women’s prison. •Espiritu Santo – Popular with locals for hearty Colombian plates at affordable prices. •La Perla – Seafood and ceviche with Peruvian influence. •Candé – Traditional Colombian dishes with live music.
Best Ice Cream shops:Best Ice Cream shops:
• La Paleteria (Must go and try the yogurt & red fruits paleta) • Gelateria Paradiso (really good)
Rooftop BarsRooftop Bars
•Movich Hotel Rooftop – Best panoramic views of the old city and the bay. •Alquímico – A multi-floor cocktail temple, consistently ranked among the world’s best bars. •Townhouse Rooftop – Fun, colorful, and casual — great for a pre-dinner drink.
Best Bars & NightlifeBest Bars & Nightlife
•Alquímico (yes, it deserves two shoutouts) – inventive cocktails + great music. •La Jugada – Classy vibe with live DJs. •Babar – For those who want to dance into the night. •Cafe Havana (Local spot, live band every night, opens Thursday-Saturday) •El Coro Bar Lounge (on the lobby level of the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel)
Things to doThings to do
•Walk the Old City – Cobblestone streets, colorful balconies, and endless charm. •Getsemaní neighborhood – Street art, cafés, and nightlife in a more bohemian setting. •Castillo San Felipe de Barajas – Explore the city’s impressive fortress. •Rosario Islands – Take a boat tour for beaches and turquoise waters (day trip).
Colombian Food to TryColombian Food to Try
•Arepas de huevo – Fried corn cakes stuffed with egg. •Patacones – Crispy fried plantains, often topped with cheese or meat. •Ceviche cartagenero – Local-style ceviche with shrimp and coconut milk. •Posta negra cartagenera – Slow-cooked beef in a sweet dark sauce, a local specialty. •Fresh fruit juices – Mango, lulo, guanábana… you’ll see vendors everywhere!
Hotels in the Old CityHotels in the Old City
LARGE SIZE HOTELS IN THE OLD CITY • Sofitel Santa Clara • Charleston Santa Teresa MEDIUM SIZE HOTELS IN THE OLD CITY • Casa Pestagua • Hotel Bastion • Hotel San Agustin • Hotel El Marquez • Movich Cartagena de Indias SMALLER MORE ECONOMIC BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN THE OLD CITY: • Hotel Voilá • Hotel Privado • Hotel Delirio • Hotel Anandá • Hotel Sofia • Casa Blanca B&B • Quadrifolio • La Merced • Hotel Casa del Arozobispado New Hotel outside the wall: Nearby the Old Town in Getsemani • Osh Hotel