Ten Reasons To Visit Cartagena, Colombia

I was enamored with Cartagena the moment I saw it. I had in my mind a picture of the town described by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in Love in the Time of Cholera, and I was not disappointed. This lovely city retains the charm of it’s colonial days, a perfectly preserved fairy-tale land, open for us to play in.

Here I describe Ten Reasons why you should immediately book a trip to Cartagena!

1. Cartagena is a Colombian Caribbean Paradise

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Welcome to my Colombia series!! ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ When we told people we are going to Colombia, almost everyone asked – “Why?”⠀ I was confused because no one had asked me such a question about any other destination. ⠀ I hope to answer that “Why?” through this mini-series! ⠀ First up is Cartagena – the deliciously lovely colonial, coastal town on the Carribean. ⠀ Can’t wait to show & tell you more about it tomorrow!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #tandrewtravels #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost #theprettycities #girlsdreamtravel

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2. The food is delicious and very reasonably priced

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Reason #2 to visit Cartagena : the amazing food (especially if you like coconuts!)⠀ 1. Colombia has a rich and exciting variety of tropical fruits (some that don’t even have English names and I’d never seen elsewhere), so that opens up the world of pretty cheap fresh juices – perfect during the hot afternoons.⠀ 2. Cartagena has an excellent food scene going on – especially in the San Diego neighborhood of the old city.⠀ – El Boliche Cebecheria – we stumbled upon this while waiting for the ceviche place that Anthony Bourdain made famous – La Cevecheria. Honestly, La Cevecheria looked so touristy, that we were thrilled to find this gem with amazing ceviche! ⠀ – Carmen which is just a couple doors down from El Boliche, is a lovely restaurant where you can try a delicious 5 course meal + wine pairing for a fraction of the cost in the US. Make reservations! Thanks to @croissantsandcaviar for suggesting this!⠀ – Alma has a gorgeous outdoor garden with live music in the evenings and the best crab burger that #instahubby has ever tasted. Thanks to @acoffeeandacarryon for suggesting this!⠀ Besides these, there are a ton of other cool restaurants, so you definitely won’t be hungry!⠀ 3. It’s quite safe to eat the fruits and drink the coconut water from the ubiquitous street vendors. So indulge!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #tandrewtravels #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #globelletravels #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost

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3. The coffee is perfect and the coffee shops are charming

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Reason # 3 (but let’s be honest, this is actually reason # 1) to visit Cartagena (and Colombia in general) – THE COFFEE!!⠀ Colombia is one of the biggest exporters of the worlds best coffee, but unfortunately that doesn’t always translate to amazing coffee within the country (since the best beans usually get exported) ⠀ However – there are a few coffee shops who use the best beans, pay attention to brewing details, have gorgeous decor – and that coffee is just so so delicious!⠀ My favorites in Cartagena were :⠀ 1. Epoca Espresso Bar – both locations 2. Abacus Books & Coffee (Abaco Libros)⠀ 3. La Presentacion (this one)⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #coffeeshoptabletop #coffeefliicks #coffeeeee #coffeeshopvibes #colombiancoffee #tandrewtravels #iamatraveler #lppostcards #TLPicks #traveldeeper #prettylittletrips⠀ #pursuepretty #theprettycities

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4. You can stay at gorgeous luxury accommodations at a budget price

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Reason # 4 to visit Cartagena : Luxury accommodations at an (almost) budget price!⠀ In Cartagena, you must stay in the historic center (although Getsemani would be a lot of fun too!). Here, you can stay in one of those delightful houses you adore on the streets – we stayed at Casa Don Sancho by Mustique, a 16th century colonial house with six bedrooms. We loved our stay so much, our room was gorgeous, the staff was lovely – and I can’t decide if this balcony, or the rooftop were my favorites! ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #globelletravels #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost #theprettycities #tandrewtravels #beautifulhotels

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5. Cartagena has the prettiest streets in the world

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Reason # 5 to visit Cartagena : the pretty streets! Truly, walking through Cartagena is a dream – I stopped for a picture literally every couple of steps (much to the annoyance of my husband 😅) ⠀ A photography tip for Cartagena – head our early for pictures, or take them during golden hour before sunset – otherwise the harsh sunlight makes photography quite difficult. ⠀ However, you can find some streets with lovely shadows in the San Diego neighborhood even mid-afternoon!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #iamatraveler #lppostcards #TLPicks #traveldeeper #prettylittletrips #darlingescapes #femaletravelbloggers #theeverygirltravels⠀ #dametraveler #sidewalkerdaily #gglocalgems #girlslovetravel #womenwhotravel #theprettycities #tandrewtravels

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6. To walk and hang out on the preserved 16th century city walls

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Reason # 6 to visit Cartagena : to experience a perfectly preserved but living city inside a walkable wall.⠀ Cartagena in the 16th century had the dubious distinction of storing all the gold from the neighboring areas. Of course, this opened it up to multiple pirate attacks, and so they decided to build a wall around the city. ⠀ Did the wall keep the pirates out? Not as effectively as was hoped – but it does make for a beautiful walk with stunning views of the old city, the new city and the beautiful blue sea. ⠀ Tip : don’t go for a walk on the wall at high noon like we did. It gets so so hot in Cartagena, and the sun is very strong. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #tandrewtravels #womenwhotravel #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #theprettycities #traveldeeper #tlpicks

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7. The fresh and exciting fruits and fruit juices that are so readily and cheaply available

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Reason # 7 to visit Cartagena : fresh fruits – especially fresh, green (unripe) mango with salt, lemon (called lime in the US) and chili powder. Colombians call this ‘Mango Biche’⠀ The ladies pictured here come from the villages to sell fruits wearing their traditional, colorful dresses. Of course, tourists love to photograph them, so now they charge for pictures as well as fruits. Why not capitalize on this?⠀ If you want a photograph, I urge you to buy something from them (especially the green mango I described above!). You’ll pay a little more, insignificant for your pocket – but worth so much to them!⠀ I liked these ladies because they didn’t approach me like the others badgering me to take their picture, their fruits looked so fresh and delicious, and their smiles were so sweet! If you see them in Cartagena, say hi from me!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #tandrewtravels #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #globelletravels #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost #theprettycities

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8. To hang out in one of the hippest neighborhoods in the world – Getsemani

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Reason # 8 to visit Cartagena : to hang out in Getsemani – declared one of the hippest neighborhoods in the world by Forbes in 2018. ⠀ Getsemani is separated from the walled city by a little park which houses some iguanas, a family of sloths, and a few naughty monkeys. Walk through the park and you move into a different world of Cartagena – one that is slightly grittier, more real, and has more locals. Getsemani is the top area for backpackers, and has a dense hostel scene – but you do get glimpses into local life if you wander into the side streets. There’s just as many flowers, and an abundance of colorful houses – but also a lot more street art!⠀ Head to Getsemani in the early morning for the street art and colorful houses, then head back at night for the good food and the parties! 💃⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto ⠀ #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #globelletravels #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #theprettycities #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost #tandrewtravels #getsemani

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9. To feel like you are living through a fairy-tale set in the past

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Reason # 9 to visit Cartagena : Feeling like you are walking through the descriptions in the iconic book Love in the Time of Cholera.⠀ Early in the morning in Cartagena, before the cars crowd the streets, and the only ones around are a few fruit vendors – it’s easy to forget that you are in the 21st century. ⠀ Head out for a morning walk, and pretend for a little that you have traveled back in time!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #tandrewtravels #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #womenwhotravel #girlslovetravel #dametraveler #globelletravels #sidewalkerdaily #traveldreamseekers #femaletravelbloggers #prettylittletrips #iamatraveler #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #thediscoverer #sheisnotlost #theprettycities

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10. To take a day trip to one of the lovely Rosario Islands and swim in the clear Caribbean Sea

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Reason # 10 to visit Cartagena : A day trip to the Rosario Islands!⠀ I was almost set on not doing this, based on some negative reviews I’d read. However, we got lucky with our hotel (another shout out to Casa Don Sancho @hotelcasadonsancho ) who helped us book a day trip directly with Coralina Island. ⠀ Coralina Island is on a bed of corals – not much white sand, but with decks that go straight into the delicious blue water.⠀ And such blues 😍 I’d never seen the Carribean before – and now I’m dying to go back!⠀ I think the most fun part of our day trip though was the boat ride to and from Cartagena – one hour of pure, unadulterated rollercoaster style rocking, with Colombian dance music playing in the background! ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #cartagenadeindias #cartagenacolombia #cartagena #colorfulcartagena #visitcartagena #visitcolombia #explorecolombia #colombiatravel #travelcolombia #discoversouthamerica #colombiaissabrosura #colombiaessabrosura #loves_colombia #topcolombiaphoto #iamatraveler #lppostcards #TLPicks #traveldeeper #prettylittletrips #iamtb #passionpassport ⠀ #tandrewtravels #coralinaisland⠀ #pursuepretty #mytinyatlas #rosarioislands #islasdelrosario

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Are you convinced to visit Cartagena? If yes, I have all the important trip planning details in my comprehensive two day guide to Cartagena! I’d recommend flying Avianca there – it was one of the more pleasant flights I’ve taken!

Pin this post to remind you, and share it with your friends so they’ll join you!

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