Cartagena - Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
If you are itching to experience Colombia at its most enchanting, than booking a trip to Cartagena should be a no-brainer. A favorite among honeymooners and other romantic souls, this town boasts miles of lush Caribbean coast and delightful colonial architecture. Of course, no trip to Cartagena would be complete without losing yourself in the magic of the Old Town, where the city will welcome you in one of its many cozy bars and restaurants.
Tour Highlights
- Perched atop the Hill of San Lazaro, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a massive fortress that dates back to 17th Dominating the city’s skyline, it represents one of Cartagena’s major points of interest.
- Visit the Palace of Inquisition and you will get to learn all about the brutal methods local authorities used to clamp down on heretic practices in colonial Columbia.
- Iglesia de San Pedro Claver is one of Cartagena’s most beautiful churches. This opulent building was founded by the Jesuits in the first half of the 17th
- The 150-meter-tall La Popa hill will reveal some of the most spectacular views of the town. This is also the place where you will find Convento de la Popa, a religious complex known for its gorgeous cloister.
Travel Tips
- It would be a sin to visit Cartagena without taking a dip in the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean coast. A perfect getaway to do just that are Rosario Islands, which lie about 100 kilometers off the coast from Cartagena and are famed for their pristine white beaches.
- If you want to avoid the crowds, make sure to visit the city outside of the local holiday season (around Christmas in December and Holy Week in spring), which is when most Colombians go on vacation.
- Cartagena is notorious for stubborn street vendors, so make sure to practice how to say “no” firmly (and in Spanish).