Visiting Cartagena, Colombia

May 19, 2005 8:46 PM

A cousin of mine is getting married in Cartagena and I'll be spending a week there at the end of July. Any travel tips? Recommended places to visit/eat? I may have opportunities to travel outside of Cartagena after the wedding festivities are over, considering I'll be staying over longer than many of the guests; after I do the official Romancing The Stone walking tour (kidding, I think) where should I go from there?
posted by emelenjr to Travel & Transportation around Colombia (2 answers total)

Cartagena is a walled city (like Quebec City, for example).

The top of the wall is nice - there are events organized there every so often. When I was there, we had a dance that went on until dawn.

Fresh fruit juices are unlike anything I've ever had in North America. Imagine a flavour that is 10x more intense. A greater variety of fruits, too.

The old town is beautiful - it is a UNESCO-preserved heritage site. Colonial architecture - beautiful! However, beware of panhandlers after dark.

BUT - you must know that in July, it will be bloody hot there. Cartagena is not far from the equator. When I was there (in October, many years ago) it was well over 100F and very humid, so God knows what kind of heat you will encounter while there.
posted by seawallrunner at 9:05 PM on May 19, 2005

I was there in the 80's, and I was a kid, but I do remember going to the rosario islands in a very choppy ocean, but it was beautiful. We just took a day trip, I think, and I did a bit of swimming in beautiful crystal clear waters while my mom did a bit of shopping.

I also got a third degree sunburn, with blisters and the whole bit, so don't forget to pack your sunscreen.

Have fun!
posted by monkey!knife!fight! at 10:59 AM on May 20, 2005