[pipdig_banner image=”https://martinemakesmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_81e.jpg” pipdig_banner parallax=”yes”] Cartagena should definitely not be missed during your visit to Colombia. While planning our trip, I was very enthusiastic about the coloured houses and the cheerful fruit sellers. In real life It was even better than I could have imagined. At really every corner of the street you can take a nice picture. I needed an extra battery for my camera. Beside the beauty of city, Cartagena also offers beautiful beaches. There are also many nice restaurants, cosy squares and lots of possibilities in the area. Read my tips!

CENTRO HISTORICO

The city centre is the jewel of Cartagena. When you walk through the Torre de Reloj (The big bell tower) you will be in the middle of the old town. The whole city is a mix of colonial buildings and different colours. The perfect photo spot can be found on every corner of the street. You can buy the most beautiful souvenirs here. From paintings to handmade bags, you can get everything.
THE PALENQUERAS Once you arrive in Centro Historico you will soon encounter the cheerful fruit sellers with traditional attire. These ladies are called Palenqueras and are the symbol of Cartagena. They can be found in every travel guide. On the Lonley Planet there is a Palenquera on the front. The Palenqueras walk around in colored clothing and a bowl of fruit on their heads. Of course everyone wants to join in the picture. For that reason you will have a choice of many ladies, as a photograph is not free. The average price for a photo is about 5,000 COP (€1.30) per Palenquera. They used to earn their money with selling fruit. The Palenqueras come from a small village in the south of Cartagena. After this village became independent, but still very poor, they had to devise ways to get their money. A lot of fruit was grown in the region so they decided to sell it in the big city of Cartagena. Walking from the village of San Basilio de Palenque to Cartagena they bring the harvest daily and only returned when it was all sold. This has become such a great symbol for Colombia. day, women do not have to sell fruit, but they also can make money with posing for the photograph with tourists. They are usually located in the main square at the Torre de Reloj (Clock tower).

GETSEMANI

The nicest barrio (district) in Cartagena is Getsemani. The entrance to this district is full of coloured flags, when there is no live music you can hear the loud reggeaton music from restaurants or houses. The cosy square Plaza de la Trinidad is the place to be in the evenings. Locals fill the square with their street food trucks with the tasty empañadas, live music and street performers. The Square is surrounded by benches on which a mix of tourists and locals enjoy the Colombian atmosphere while enjoying a drink. At the corner of the square there is a small shop where you can buy a beer. During the day you can walk around the streets of Getsemani. Every street has different colours and beautiful streetart. It’s also fun to explore these streets with a local. These locals can tell you the stories behind the street arts.
If you are planning to stay in Cartagena for a few nights, we recommend you to stay in the district of Getsemani. Narrow coloured streets, nice streetart, cosy squares and lovely restaurants make this district amazing! As the tropical and hot temperature of Cartagena, we advise you to book an accommodation with a swimming pool, so you can take a refreshing dive at the end of the day. We stayed in the district of Getsemani and had a super nice small hostel called Casa Relax. The hotel is a bit more expensive, but Casa Relax has a lovely swimming pool. You can also enjoy the best breakfasts made by two Colombian ladies every morning.

BOCA GRANDE

The Miami skyline of Cartagena can’t be missed. This section is called Boca Grande. Here are the most important and largest hotels located. Here are the most expensive houses of Colombia. The part is very American oriented. Here you will find the largest fast food chains and many high buildings. There is also a nice beach and a large shopping centre. You can walk to Boca Grande from the historical centre of Cartagena, but if you do not have much time, we advise you to skip Boca Grande.

VISIT THE TOTUMO VULCANO

Always wanted to take a mud bath? Then you should not let the Totumo Vulcano pass by! This mud volcano is a 1.5-hour drive from Cartagena. The volcano is 15 meters high and an estimated 1500 meters deep! Unfortunately, it is very busy with many tourists want to bathing. They allow 15 people at the same time and that everyone can bath for only 10-15 minutes. We have had to stand 3 minutes in line in the blazing sun. We strongly recommend you to take suncream and wear a shirt while waiting. Once in the mud crater you have the biggest fun. You can also get a massage from one of the employees for an additional charge of 5000 COP. After 15 minutes you walk up the stairs again to get off the crater. The mud will dry soon. At 2 minutes walking distance is a river where you can rinse the mud from your body The locals know that this is sometimes a bit hard and try to earn their money by helping you cleaning for 5000 COP. If you are together you can give a massage and clean each other. At Opitours Book a tour for 65,000 COP P.P. (18EU). This price includes transportation from your hostel to the Totumo volcano, entrance, lunch at the Golden Beach Hotel and you can chill for 1.5 hours in the beautiful swimming pool. A nice zen day!

PLAYA BLANCA

Do you want to relax for a day on a beautiful paradise beach? Go for Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands. We’ve heard a lot of bad stories about the tours around the Rosario islands. You would be sitting for a long time on the boat but the time on the rosario islands or snorkeling wasn’t that long. These tours were also quite expensive. For that reason we have chosen a chill day at Playa Blanca. An organized tour is the cheapest. A lunch (choice of fish, meat or vegetarian) and drinks are included, but you can also go your own way. If you are at meeting point on time. On Playa Blanca you can rent the beds. 2 beds, a parasol and a table are at your disposal all day for 40,000 COP, €11.00. Don’t want to pay for it? Bring your towel and lie down in the sand. Do you rent a bed and have you ordered some drinks? Please check the bill carefully before you’ll pay. The beach boys often throw a tip for themselves, but this is not obligatory. They put a tip of 30,000 COP on our bill. Look for the word’ Propina ‘ which means bill. This is about €8.50. We deside to made a less of this propina. Join the Tour by Opitours, you can choose from two times: 8:00h-15:00h or 11:00h-17:00h. It is about 1 hour drive from Cartagena. For this tour you pay 50,000 COP, €14.00 per person.
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