15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Cartagena: A Local’s Guide
Introduction
If you can drag yourself out of bed by, say, 7 AM, wander into the Walled City before it floods with tour groups. There’s this soft hush, the façades bathed in honey-light. I once grabbed a too-strong black coffee at Plaza de los Coches—yeah, heavy history there, but in that glow it felt…peaceful. Then I drifted to Plaza de la Aduana, inhaled the scent of arepas frying, watched pigeons strut like they owned the place. Later, I laughed my way through the cringe of hugging Botero’s “Gertrudis” statue in Santo Domingo Square.
(Maybe swing by again around 4:30 PM—the walls go all molten-gold, and if you “accidentally” lose your way in the backstreets, you might find an empanada stand that changes your life.)
Castle Climbing at San Felipe
That looming fortress? Castillo San Felipe. Built in the 1600s to keep out pirates. Its tunnels are so echo-ey you’ll drop a pebble just to hear it roll. I climbed those zigzag walls (um, my calves protested) and, at sunset, stood on a mossy ledge watching terracotta roofs glow pink. I felt like I was in some cheesy adventure film—zero shame, total thrill.
Getsemaní’s Color Explosion
Cross that little bridge into Getsemaní and—bam—someone cranked the saturation. Murals everywhere. Cafés spilling mismatched chairs onto sidewalks. One night I followed the thump of a champeta band into a nondescript alley and ended up dancing under string lights with strangers. No map needed. Just ears, and maybe a dash of curiosity.
Playa Blanca’s Powdery Escape
Barú Island’s Playa Blanca is about an hour’s bumpy boat ride away. The sand is so white it nearly hurts your eyes, and the water is this unreal shade of turquoise. I aim for weekdays—Tuesday through Thursday—so it feels like my own secret. I rented a simple mat from a friendly vendor, dozed in a hammock (warning: lobster red alert), and sampled grilled lobster tails for lunch. Totally worth the sunburn.
Chiva Bus Sunset Fiesta
Picture hopping on a neon-painted bus with benches facing out, a live band cranking cumbia, cold beers in hand, neon lights flickering as you roll through old Cartagena. That’s the Chiva. I booked for about $25, sat in the back for max breeze, and even danced on the street when the driver paused. I looked ridiculous—but I laughed so hard I didn’t care.
Underwater Magic at the Rosario Islands
A quick boat hop takes you to coral atolls with starfish and parrotfish in every neon hue. Shared tours are…cozy. Private charters are pricier but, well, you get the idea. I chased a rainbow parrotfish so long I nearly missed the boat back. Totally worth it. Just remember your reef-safe sunscreen and maybe water shoes for the rocky entry.
Artisan Finds at Las Bóvedas
Under the city walls lie pastel-arched vaults—once dungeons, now stalls squeezed with handmade goods. I wandered through, haggled (badly) over a mochila bag, and came away with a ceramic mug that’s now my favorite coffee cup. Vendors expect you to bargain, so start low and see where it goes.
Sweet Bites from the Palenqueras
Everywhere you look, you’ll spot Palenqueras—women balancing rainbow fruit baskets on their heads. I grabbed a bag of green-tart mango biche (salt and lime drizzled on top), then tried lulo—a citrusy mash that surprised me—and guanábana, which honestly tastes like pineapple-strawberry custard. Standing there, letting the juice drip down my hand, I thought, “Calories? What calories?”
Rooftop Revelations
Cartagena’s skyline begs for rooftop hangs. Café del Mar sits on the old walls—perfect for sunset rum cocktails. Alquímico layers a speakeasy, a cocktail lounge, and an open-air dance floor. And Movich Hotel feels a bit more polished if you want that vibe. I ordered ceviche tostadas, watched the sky bleed from gold to purple, and nearly knocked over my drink in excitement. Sticky souvenir, but every drop was worth it.
Quiet Reflection at San Pedro Claver
This 17th-century church honors Saint Peter Claver, patron saint of slaves. Inside, baroque altars glow softly, and the attached museum’s slave-trade exhibits are sobering. I sat in a pew, half-listening to distant choir practice, feeling Cartagena’s deep past settle in my chest. Heavy, necessary.
Culinary Chaos at Bazurto Market
Bazurto is a labyrinth of aroma and noise—produce piles, sizzling plantains, fresh fish on ice. I tagged along on a guided tour (because, let’s be real, it’s easy to get lost) and tasted egg-stuffed arepas dripping hot sauce, lime-cured ceviche, and fried fish with crunchy patacones. I nearly walked off with a fish so big it dwarfed me—turns out it was for a restaurant order. Oops.
Salsa Till Dawn at Café Havana
If salsa is Cartagena’s heartbeat, Café Havana is its drum. Live bands, palm-framed tables, a packed dance floor. I stumbled through my first steps (they cheered me on anyway), sipped mojitos, and lost track of time. Weekends are wild; midweek has more elbow room. Cover’s about ten bucks. Worth every peso.
Golden Hour on the City Walls
You think you’ve seen every beach, but dusk on the old walls? Another story. Fishermen cast lines below, rooftop lights wink on, and the Caribbean ahead shimmers like melted glass. Lean on the parapet at Baluarte de Santo Domingo, maybe share a churro from a passing vendor, and…just breathe. A stray dog once curled up beside me. Perfect company.
Panoramic Peace at La Popa Monastery
High atop Mount La Popa sits a 17th-century convent with a view for days. Legend says the Virgin of La Candelaria up here watches over sailors—and the city. I took the winding taxi up, wandered blue-and-white tiled cloisters, and gaped at the 360-degree panorama. Once, I even caught sight of a whale spouting miles offshore. Unreal.
Hands-On Colombian Cooking
Food is culture you can taste—sign up for a cooking class. I love Fit for a Queen—market stroll, family recipes, arepas, sancocho stew, ceviche. Casa Lola leans into Afro-Caribbean flavors. My first arepa flopped so badly we all laughed—and ate it anyway. Best bonding ever.
Bonus Tips
Cartagena sparkles December to April—dry season—but late November and May are quieter (and rainier). Stick to well-lit streets after dark, hail registered taxis or use ride-share apps, and carry small bills for tips (5–10 percent at restaurants, a bit extra for guides). Haggling in markets is part of the fun—start low, stay friendly, and meet in the middle.
Conclusions
There you go—fifteen slices of Cartagena, no perfect checklist, just real moments. Which alley will you chase first? Drop your wildest Cartagena tale below—I’m here, coffee in hand, ready to swap stories. Safe travels, and hasta pronto!