Guidebook for Cartagena
Sightseeing
Café del Mar is the most popular place to watch the sunset. It opens at 5 and fills up fast for sunset. A bit pricey, but great atmosphere and the #1 place to be at sundown.
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Café del Mar Ltda.
Café del Mar is the most popular place to watch the sunset. It opens at 5 and fills up fast for sunset. A bit pricey, but great atmosphere and the #1 place to be at sundown.
The San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a property of national cultural interest which forms part of the Cartagena Cultural Heritage Ensemble included by UNESCO in the World Cultural Heritage List in 1984. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial era, and its name was given in honour of Philip IV of Spain. It was a project that would conclude only at the end of the XVIII century, always under the direction of military engineers with the manual labor of artisans, prisoners, and slaves.
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San Felipe de Barajas kastali
17-85 Calle 32The San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a property of national cultural interest which forms part of the Cartagena Cultural Heritage Ensemble included by UNESCO in the World Cultural Heritage List in 1984. The castle is located on the Hill of San Lázaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial era, and its name was given in honour of Philip IV of Spain. It was a project that would conclude only at the end of the XVIII century, always under the direction of military engineers with the manual labor of artisans, prisoners, and slaves.
The Convento de la Popa tour provides the best views of the entire city as it sits on the highest hill in Cartagena. The religious complex dates back to 1607, when the original wooden chapel and palm of the Popa was erected. By 1612 construction of the convent was completed. Every February the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria de La Popa is celebrated. From the dawn of February 2, crowds of devotees make a pilgrimage on foot to the top of the hill of la Popa.
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Klausturinn Santa Cruz de la Popa
Calle 37The Convento de la Popa tour provides the best views of the entire city as it sits on the highest hill in Cartagena. The religious complex dates back to 1607, when the original wooden chapel and palm of the Popa was erected. By 1612 construction of the convent was completed. Every February the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria de La Popa is celebrated. From the dawn of February 2, crowds of devotees make a pilgrimage on foot to the top of the hill of la Popa.
Food Scene
Peruvian fusion cuisine at its finest. My favorite place for seafood, and a favorite all around for many of my guests and friends.
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Cuzco Cocina Peruana
33-48 Calle Santo DomingoPeruvian fusion cuisine at its finest. My favorite place for seafood, and a favorite all around for many of my guests and friends.
My favorite place for breakfast in the old city...try the eggs benedict!
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La Brioche Centro Histórico
6106 Cl. 36My favorite place for breakfast in the old city...try the eggs benedict!
Quebracho is the name of a tree that grows in Argentina, and they cook all of their meats with it. Amazing flavor. The smoke whole hog as an appetizer called lechón...get it! The also do a cordon blue with filet mignon instead of chicken....to die for delicious. I take all my friends here on their first night.
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Quebracho Parilla Agentina
#2-69 Cl. 33Quebracho is the name of a tree that grows in Argentina, and they cook all of their meats with it. Amazing flavor. The smoke whole hog as an appetizer called lechón...get it! The also do a cordon blue with filet mignon instead of chicken....to die for delicious. I take all my friends here on their first night.
Good place to have typical Colombian cuisine. The menu is vast and you get multiple sides....great lunch spot.
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Restaurante San Valentin
#2886 Cl. 37Good place to have typical Colombian cuisine. The menu is vast and you get multiple sides....great lunch spot.
Have a craving for mexican cuisine or can't miss out on taco tuesday? This is the place....tacos al pastor are the best I've had anywhere....my wife loves the octopus tacos...most evenings they do 2x1 mojitos &/or margaritas. Large tequila selection as well!
Rosa Mezcal - Taqueria Mexicana
36-11 Cra. 5Have a craving for mexican cuisine or can't miss out on taco tuesday? This is the place....tacos al pastor are the best I've had anywhere....my wife loves the octopus tacos...most evenings they do 2x1 mojitos &/or margaritas. Large tequila selection as well!
giant gyros...pork, chicken, or falafel....tzatziki sauce is on spot. Owner grew up in Chicago so feel free to order in English.
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Novo Kebab Grill
9-136 Cl. 39giant gyros...pork, chicken, or falafel....tzatziki sauce is on spot. Owner grew up in Chicago so feel free to order in English.
One of the restaurants that services the plaza santa domingo. They have a platter called fruta del mar that has crab claws soaked in garlic butter, fried snook, calamari, shrimp scampi, parmesan shrimp....its under appetizers...but trust me, its a meal for two or three people!
Café Conde de la Cruz
One of the restaurants that services the plaza santa domingo. They have a platter called fruta del mar that has crab claws soaked in garlic butter, fried snook, calamari, shrimp scampi, parmesan shrimp....its under appetizers...but trust me, its a meal for two or three people!
Tucked away in Getsemani is Pizza Carbon....this place isn't fancy, but sure is good...cooked in stone ovens with hardwood charcoal....yumm
Pizza Carbón
9122 Cl. 29Tucked away in Getsemani is Pizza Carbon....this place isn't fancy, but sure is good...cooked in stone ovens with hardwood charcoal....yumm
crepes are amazing, great place for lunch with a full salad bar. It's also a great place to go just for desert after you've eaten elsewhere....best ice cream in Colombia! There are two locations in the old city, two in Bocagrande, and there is a location in all of the malls as well. Don't leave Colombia without trying their ice cream!
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Crepes & Waffles
4 #31-24 Pl. de San Pedro Clavercrepes are amazing, great place for lunch with a full salad bar. It's also a great place to go just for desert after you've eaten elsewhere....best ice cream in Colombia! There are two locations in the old city, two in Bocagrande, and there is a location in all of the malls as well. Don't leave Colombia without trying their ice cream!
Just a block away from the property is the nearest Juan Valdez. They have beans from all of the regions of Colombia and you can select which one you want your coffee made with. It's an every morning stop for me!
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Juan Valdez University Square
Calle 36Just a block away from the property is the nearest Juan Valdez. They have beans from all of the regions of Colombia and you can select which one you want your coffee made with. It's an every morning stop for me!
Love this place for lunch. The menu is different every day and comes with a salad, your choice of two soups, and a choice of 8 or 10 entrees that change daily depending on what the owner/head chef liked the most at the market that morning.
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El Bistro Cartagena
#36 Cl. 35Love this place for lunch. The menu is different every day and comes with a salad, your choice of two soups, and a choice of 8 or 10 entrees that change daily depending on what the owner/head chef liked the most at the market that morning.
Large selection of german beers and in-house made sausages. The Picada de Leon in a platter full of different sausages, sour krout, hash browns....delicious
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El León de Baviera
10B-65 Cl. 24Large selection of german beers and in-house made sausages. The Picada de Leon in a platter full of different sausages, sour krout, hash browns....delicious
Shopping
Want a real cuban cigar? This is the place to get it. All of the cigars the street vendors sell are fake. They also sell small batch local rum aged 30+ years.
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La Laguna Azul Cocktails
8B-74 Media Luna 8BWant a real cuban cigar? This is the place to get it. All of the cigars the street vendors sell are fake. They also sell small batch local rum aged 30+ years.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar Tu Candela
#32-25 Cra. 7Local and Crossover music in a popular dance club
Mister Babilla
8B-126 Calle 25Large discoteca in Getsemani....always busy
Salsa bar in the heart of Getsemani. If you like salsa, this place is a must. Loud live salsa music....loud!
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Café Havana
ESQUINA Cra. 10Salsa bar in the heart of Getsemani. If you like salsa, this place is a must. Loud live salsa music....loud!
Parks & Nature
A short hour drive by car to the island of Baru is the Aviario Nacional of Colombia, a world class bird aviary. Hours of operation are 9am to 5pm, and demonstration shows are given at 11:30 and 2:30. In the tour through the aviary you will encounter six different environments, located in an area of seven hectares, where you will see and learn about over 1,800 birds, with over more than 135 different species. Admisison fees are 40,000 Colombian pesos for adults, just under $15 USD. Total time, including travel, for the Aviary tour is 4 to 5 hours. Many people combine this tour with playa blanca as they are next to each other.
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Kolumbia Þjóðfuglasafn
A short hour drive by car to the island of Baru is the Aviario Nacional of Colombia, a world class bird aviary. Hours of operation are 9am to 5pm, and demonstration shows are given at 11:30 and 2:30. In the tour through the aviary you will encounter six different environments, located in an area of seven hectares, where you will see and learn about over 1,800 birds, with over more than 135 different species. Admisison fees are 40,000 Colombian pesos for adults, just under $15 USD. Total time, including travel, for the Aviary tour is 4 to 5 hours. Many people combine this tour with playa blanca as they are next to each other.
Take a short trip by car to Isla Baru, and relax on beautiful Playa Blanca. Crystal clear blue waters and white sands will be waiting for you. Lunch and beverages can be purchased on the beach, or you can pack a cooler and bring your own. Avoid the masses that travel by bus, and go at your own pace. There is also a world class bird aviary on Isla Baru for those who want to do both in the same trip. Tours to Playa Blanca range from 3 to 8 hours, depending on how long you want to be on the beach. Playa Blanca is a must see for one of Cartagena's most picturesque beaches.
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Playa Blanca, Baru Bolivar
Take a short trip by car to Isla Baru, and relax on beautiful Playa Blanca. Crystal clear blue waters and white sands will be waiting for you. Lunch and beverages can be purchased on the beach, or you can pack a cooler and bring your own. Avoid the masses that travel by bus, and go at your own pace. There is also a world class bird aviary on Isla Baru for those who want to do both in the same trip. Tours to Playa Blanca range from 3 to 8 hours, depending on how long you want to be on the beach. Playa Blanca is a must see for one of Cartagena's most picturesque beaches.
A short hour drive by car to just past the pueblo of Galerazamba is the Volcan Del Totumo, an active mud volcano. A local tourist destination that is popular for its alleged healing mud bath. The mound stands about 49 ft (15 m) and it is accessible via a staircase that leads to the crater, which can accommodate about 10 to 15 people at a time. The experience is then followed by a bath in a nearby lagoon to remove the mud. According to local lore, the volcano used to spew fire, lava, and ashes, but it was turned into mud by a local priest who believed it was the work of the Devil, and endeavored to banish him by sprinkling holy water into it. Tours to the volcano take 4 hours in total.
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Lodo El Totumo eldfjall
A short hour drive by car to just past the pueblo of Galerazamba is the Volcan Del Totumo, an active mud volcano. A local tourist destination that is popular for its alleged healing mud bath. The mound stands about 49 ft (15 m) and it is accessible via a staircase that leads to the crater, which can accommodate about 10 to 15 people at a time. The experience is then followed by a bath in a nearby lagoon to remove the mud. According to local lore, the volcano used to spew fire, lava, and ashes, but it was turned into mud by a local priest who believed it was the work of the Devil, and endeavored to banish him by sprinkling holy water into it. Tours to the volcano take 4 hours in total.