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With its cocaine days in the past, the Colombian seaport of Cartagena has emerged as the belle of the ball. Cartagena, a fairy tale city of romance, legends, and sheer beauty, is a captivating place that can be hard to escape. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cartagena draws legions of tourists and thus, inevitably, aggressive touts and money changers. This is the place to drop all sightseeing routines. Instead, just stroll through Cartagena's maze of cobbled alleys, where enormous balconies are hidden and massive churches cast their shadows across leafy plazas.
Cartagena offers a variety of restaurants and accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets. This is the city to splurge on a pricey historic hotel or extravagant restaurant. The old city is bookended by a pair of medieval convents that have been turned into luxury hotels.
The monk architects of this city knew how to design for comfort. The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara hotel is located in the heart of the old city. It’s an architectural jewel from the 17th Century with luxury service and human warmth. The original details preserved in this 17th century convent are exquisite. The entire hotel was built within the walls of a convent and the former cloister now forms massive hallways that surround the gorgeous interior walls and open-air courtyard. There is a crypt you can descend into in the middle of the trendy bar, and little things like original cannonballs (used as doorstops) and oratories throughout elevate this choice to a level not reached elsewhere in the old town. With its blend of colonial architecture and modern comfort, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara hotel offers the perfect combination of old-age tradition, local hospitality, and French luxury.
This tropical city on the Caribbean is pulsating like a salsa party, drawing wealthy Latin Americans and European socialites to its restored colonial mansions, fancy fusion restaurants and Old World-style plazas. For sunset cocktails, stroll over to one of Cartagena's many open-air cafés. The Plaza Santo de Domingo is home to six open-air cafés, which serve a varied menu of entrees, snacks, sweets and drinks. It's one of the prime viewing spots to watch the parade of horse-drawn carriages, fashionable locals and mystified tourists.
This breathtaking city features a rich culinary palate, combining flavors and ingredients from the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and even Asia. Dine and wine at the stylish restaurant, La Vitriola, that has become the gathering place of sophisticated Colombians. Perfectly lit and comfortably furnished, this 400-year-old colonial home converted to a seafood restaurant is a must-go. The atmosphere is 1940s Cuban, with sepia photographs lining the walls, high ceiling fans and mahogany wine racks. The Mero Don Román, with a tamarind, nam pla and chilli sauce, is the standout dish, tasting like a day trip to Bangkok.
Cartagena is a city for walking, and its historic walled district feels like a Moroccan medina, with 300-year-old Spanish colonial buildings huddled along brick streets. Guitar players stroll through the cobblestone alleyways. Beauty pageants and dance festivals keep the city swinging after dark. And techno dance clubs keep Cartagena’s revelers up till dawn. But this extraordinary beautiful city also has its quiet side. Just a short hop away, you can escape to the nearby Islas de Rosarios (Rosarios Islands) when the lively city gets too much.
The Islas de Rosarios is a magnificent archipelago and a must-see while in Colombia. Spend the day relaxing in the national park, swimming in the crystal-clear Caribbean water, and visiting the local aquarium. The Islas de Rosarios is a group of private islands off the coast of Cartagena. Due to its beautifully intact ecosystem, the archipelago was declared a national park in 1977. The beautiful collection of natural vegetation and wildlife is sure to impress you.
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia is where luxury, history, and nature come together to create one of the most stunning cities in Latin America.
June 29, 2023
