Things To Do
Local Street Foods
As you meander through the streets of Cartagena, keep an eye out for these local street foods: MANGO BICHE: Green mango sprinkled with salt and a squeeze of lime juice. EMPANADAS: Here in Colombia, they are deep fried and the best in the region. CARIMAÑOLA: Yucca fritters stuffed with cheese or ground beef. AREPA DE HUEVO: Deep fried corn pocket filled with fried egg. Key after a late night! LIMONADA DE COCO: Local, classic thirst quencher. RASPADO: Fruit smoothie and popsicles with indigenous fruits like spate, nipper, guanabana, maracuya. PALETA: Refreshing tropical popsicle made with fruits.
St. Dom
The first design concept store in Cartagena - and one of Sandra's favorite spots to peruse. ST DOM aims to expose its international customers to the best of the Colombian and Latin design that does not always find a global reach. Since its opening in May 2014, St DOM has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes and Latin American Vogue, among many others.
Chiqui House Boutique
Casa Chiqui stock Colombian furniture and homeware produced by local craftsman. The price tags can be hefty, but you'll want to keep everything.
La Cevichería
A once little-known spot prized by locals, La Cevichería was given ample publicity in an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations in 2008. If you like Ceviche and beer in a relaxed environment, this place is for you.
Getsemani
If Centro Historico is Manhattan, Getsemani is more Brooklyn. While an emerging hipster hangout, this part of the city has yet to be fully infiltrated by tourism.
Rosario Islands
Rosario Islands National Park is an idyllic archipelago of 30 islands only 45 minutes southwest of Cartagena. Accessible by boat, the Rosario Islands' crystal clear waters and platinum sands provide the perfect foil to the hustle and bustle of life in Cartagena's colonial centre.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Built by the Spanish to defend their stronghold in the Americas, the San Felipe castle was built by slaves over a 220 -year period. Explore the complex maze of tunnels and learn about the city's most famous military battles with English and French pirates.
Palace of the Inquisition Cartagena Historical Museum
The Palacio de la Inquisición in Cartagena features stories and examples of the torture devices used in Cartagena as the Spanish Inquisition permeated the Americas.