Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is an unforgettable city which was once the main Spanish port in South America. Surrounded by a wall built to keep out pirates seeking native treasures snatched from the Indians to carry back to Spain, Cartagena looks every bit the part of the fairytale. Protected within the walls of the old city is a maze of cobbled streets and grand colonial houses as well as former slave markets, plazas and churches. It's exciting and colourful history is well documented not only through the sights of the town, but in the excellent museums in the old city.

Famed also for it's nightlife and party atmosphere, Cartagena is a happening city with music in the streets and plenty going on. As in all cities, this means taking the bad with the good. The grittier side of Cartagena is fairly evident so be on your guard when walking at night.

There are also many little fishing villages and pleasant beaches in the surrounding area which might be worth a visit but one particularly interesting sight nearby is the ‘Volcan de Lodo El Totumo'. This is a bubbling mud volcano which you can actually climb inside and bathe in, said to heal all ailments! And should that fail, you'll at least have an interesting experience to write home about!

Hostels...

It's popular to stay in hotels right in the heart of the walled city in an area called Getsemani and conveniently this tends to be where the best value accommodation can be found!

Casa Viena
Calle San Andres No. 30-53
Getsemani
Tel: 503 2440 5302
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Hotel Familiar
Calle El Guerrero No. 29 -66
Getsemeni
Tel: 5 664 2464
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Hostal Real
Calle De La Magdalena No. 9-33
Getsemeni
Tel: 5 664 7866
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Hotel Marlin
Calle Media Luna No. 10-35
Gesemeni
Tel: 5 664 3507
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Hotel Holiday
Calle Media Luna
Gesemeni
Tel: 5 664 0948
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Media Luna Art Hostel
Calle Media Luna No. 10 -46
Getsemani
Tel: 320 838 3867
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Casa Venecia
Calle Tripita y Media No. 31-68
Getsemani
Tel: (5) 664 0530
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Hotel San Roque
Calle Media Luna
Getsemeni
Tel: 5 664 8323
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Hostal San Blas
Calle de la Magdalena N° 10-103
Getsemeni
Tel: 5 664 8049
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Playa Paraiso
La Boquilla
Sector Marlinda
Tel: 5 666 3307
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Don't miss...
Castllio de San Felipe - This massive fortress forms one of the city's main focal points and with it's maze of tunnels and excellent city views, it's well worth a visit! (12,000Pesos )
Playa Blanca - Said to be the number one beach in Colombia, Playa Blanca is a popular day trip by boat from Mercado Bazurto but is usually included in full day boat tours
Isla Rosario - This Caribbean Coral Isle is the usual destination for most of the boat tours leaving from Cartagena. Complete with aquarium, restaurants and sandy shores, this makes for a nice day trip from the city.
Boca Grande - A drastic contrast to the historic centre, this wealthy suburb of 5-star hotels, malls and restaurants is a nice reminder of how the other half live!
Cerro Popa - This 150m hill provides excellent views of the city from a convent dating back to 1607. Best to take a taxi up if carrying cameras or valuables.
Centro Historico - This beautiful Colonial gem surrounded by a pirate-proof wall makes for a great evening stroll or a days culture injection in the fine museums around Plaza Bolivar!
Volcan Totumo (Mud Volcano) Although more of a cramped novelty than a relaxing health treat, it's a fun, popular day trip. Getting to the volcano involves a bus ride for an hour or so to Lomita Arena followed by a bit of a walk to the volcano itself. Buses leave regularly from Mercado Bazurto (about 3km from the Media Luna).
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How 2 get there...
Getting to Cartagena itself should be no problem; it's an important port and is well connected by bus to the rest of the country. Regular buses leave to Bogota, Medellin, Baranquilla and most other main cities from the bus station which is quite a way out of town, but easy to get to by bus in 45minutes or so, or a taxi will cost you around 15,000 Pesos.
Tours...
Alcatraz
Bocagrande
Av. San Martin No. 8-19
Tel: 665 8884/ 665 9339
ventas@cocolisoresort.com

These day tours are a good way to see all the harder to reach attractions around Cartagena. Making stops on the popular Playa Blanca and Isla Rosario, this is a nice way to see everything without the hassles and time restrictions of organising it yourself.

You might need...
Supermarket - There are a couple of supermarkets in the centro historco, probably the handiest is 'Olympica' at La Matuna between Av. Danielle Lemaitre and Av. Venezuela. You have to pass through a pretty stinky market first, but you should find everything you need there.
Internet - There are a couple of internet cafe's in the Getsemani area where all the budget accommodation can be found but there are also several in the walled city. Expect to pay around 2,000 Pesos per hour.
Banks - There are a couple of handy ATM's on Av. Venezuela right by the entrance to the walled city. There's also no shortage around Boca Grande.
Restaurants - There are dozens of expensive restaurants over in Boca Grande as well as the usual fast food fried chicken chains. In the walled city there are also a few good upper class choices for eating.
Sailing to Panama...
A popular trip is to bridge the gap between Central and South America by sail boat. There are now a number of captains who offer this 5-day voyage which usually includes a stopover in the spectacular San Blas Islands.
Sailing Koala
68743410 (Panama)
3008051816 (Colombia)
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Club Nautico Cartagena
666-20000 (Panama)
660-4863 (Cartagena)
310-604-2051 (Colombia Cel)
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