I will never forget the moment I stepped out of the airport in Cartagena. The heat hit me first. It was a heavy, humid blanket that smelled of salt water and tropical flowers.
Then came the colors. This city is not subtle. It is painted in bright yellows, deep reds, and ocean blues. Balconies overflow with flowers, and music seems to drift out of every open window.
If you are looking at a map and wondering where is Cartagena South America, look at the very top of Colombia. It sits right on the Caribbean coast. It is a place where Spanish history meets African culture and Caribbean vibes.
When I started planning my trip, I was overwhelmed. There are so many things to visit in Cartagena. Do you spend your time on the beach? Do you explore the history? Do you just eat your way through the city?
I decided to do it all. I spent days walking until my feet hurt, sweating in the sun, and dancing until the early hours.
To help you plan your own adventure, I have put together my personal list of the 15 things to do in Cartagena that made my trip unforgettable.
1. Get Lost in the Old Town Cartagena
My adventure began inside the walls. The Old Town Cartagena, also known as the Historic Center, is the heart of the city.
I put away my map on the first day. The best way to see this area is to just walk. The streets are lined with stunning colonial mansions. Every door has a massive brass knocker in the shape of a lizard, a lion, or a fish.
I learned that these knockers used to signify the profession of the family who lived there. A lion meant a soldier lived there. A lizard meant royalty.
Make sure to look up. The wooden balconies are draped in bougainvillea flowers. It is honestly one of the most photogenic places I have ever been.
2. Watch the Sunset at Cafe del Mar
Everyone told me I had to go to Cafe del Mar. I usually avoid super touristy spots, but I am glad I listened.
This bar sits right on top of the ancient city wall. It faces west toward the Caribbean Sea. I got there around 5:00 PM to get a good seat.
The drinks are a bit pricey, but you are paying for the view. Watching the sun drop below the horizon while the sea breeze cools down the city is magical. The sky turns purple and orange, and the mood is just perfect.
3. Explore the Cool Vibes of Getsemaní Cartagena
Just outside the main walls is the neighborhood of Getsemaní Cartagena. This used to be a gritty area, but now it is the coolest part of town.
I loved the energy here. It feels more local and less polished than the Old Town. The walls are covered in incredible graffiti and murals that tell stories of the neighborhood’s history.
I spent an afternoon just wandering Umbrella Street (Callejón Angosto). As the name suggests, the sky is covered with colorful umbrellas. It is a happy place that makes for a great photo.
4. Eat Arepa de Huevo from a Street Vendor
You cannot come here and not eat the street food. My absolute favorite was the Arepa de Huevo.
It is a corn cake that is fried, then split open. They crack a raw egg inside it, seal it back up with dough, and fry it again.
I bought one from a lady with a cart near the clock tower. It was hot, greasy, and crispy. The egg inside was perfectly cooked. It is the ultimate comfort food and it is very cheap.
5. Walk the Fortress of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
To understand the history of the city, I visited the Castillo San Felipe. It is a massive stone fortress that dominates the skyline.
It was built by the Spanish to protect their gold from pirates. I recommend going early in the morning. It gets incredibly hot up there in the afternoon.
I explored the tunnels underneath the fort. They were designed so that even if the enemy got in, they would get lost. The acoustics are crazy. You can whisper in one part of the tunnel and hear it clearly at the other end.
6. Take a Picture with the Palenqueras
You have probably seen photos of these women. They wear dresses in the colors of the Colombian flag (yellow, blue, and red) and balance bowls of tropical fruit on their heads.
They are called Palenqueras. They come from San Basilio de Palenque, a town founded by escaped slaves.
I found them in the main plazas of the Cartagena walled city. They make their living from photos, so be respectful. I chatted with one lady, bought some fresh fruit, and gave her a tip for a picture. Her smile was radiant.
7. Escape to the Rosario Islands
The beaches in the city itself are okay, but the sand is dark. If you want that Caribbean turquoise water, you have to leave the mainland.
I took a boat for a day trip to the Rosario Islands. The ride takes about an hour. The water there is crystal clear.
I spent the day snorkeling and eating fresh fried fish on the beach. It is a protected national park, so the coral reefs are beautiful. It was the perfect break from the city heat.
8. Dance Salsa at Cafe Havana
I am not a great dancer, but in Cartagena, you have to try. I went to Cafe Havana in Getsemaní.
This place is legendary. It is famous for its live salsa bands. The music is loud, the place is packed, and the energy is high.
Even though I mostly just swayed near the bar with a mojito, watching the locals dance was a show in itself. Their feet move so fast it is a blur. If you are brave, someone will definitely ask you to dance. Just say yes and have fun with it!
9. Visit the Convent of La Popa
For the best view of the city, I took a taxi up to the Convento de la Popa. It sits on the highest hill in Cartagena.
The convent itself is beautiful, with a lovely flower filled courtyard. But the real reason to go is the panorama.
You can see the skyscrapers of the modern Bocagrande district, the red roofs of the Old Town Cartagena, and the harbor. It really helps you understand the layout of the city.
10. Shop at Las Bovedas
Inside the Cartagena walled city, there is a structure called Las Bovedas. It was originally built as a dungeon to store ammunition and later to hold prisoners.
Today, the 23 cells have been turned into souvenir shops. I know it sounds grim, but it is actually very colorful and lively now.
I bought a hammock here. They also sell beautiful mochilas (woven bags) and handmade jewelry. It is the best place to find gifts to take home.
11. Experience the Chaos of Mercado Bazurto
This is not for everyone, but I loved it. Mercado Bazurto is the main market where the locals shop. It is gritty, loud, and intense.
I went with a guide, which I highly recommend. We walked through narrow aisles filled with fish, giant yams, and exotic fruits I had never seen before.
I saw the “champeta” music culture up close here. Huge speakers were blasting music, and people were dancing right in the market stalls. It is a raw, authentic look at daily life away from the tourist zone.
12. Relax in Plaza de la Trinidad
In the evenings, I always found myself gravitating back to Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní Cartagena.
It is the main square of the neighborhood. During the day, it is quiet. But at night, it comes alive.
I grabbed a beer from a corner store and just sat on the stone steps of the church. Street performers do acrobatics, kids play soccer, and food carts sell burgers and empanadas. It is the best people watching spot in the city.
13. Learn at the Palace of Inquisition
Back in the historic center, I visited the Palace of Inquisition. It is a beautiful building with a dark history.
This was the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition. They put people on trial here for heresy and witchcraft.
The museum displays the torture instruments they used. It is chilling to see, but it is an important part of the city’s past. The contrast between the beautiful colonial architecture and the horrific history is striking.
14. Walk the City Walls at Dusk
One of my favorite simple pleasures was just walking on top of the walls, or Las Murallas. The wall wraps around the old city for miles.
I went for a walk just as the sun was starting to go down. The heat breaks, and a cool breeze comes off the ocean.
You can see couples sitting in the cannon embrasures and families flying kites. It is a peaceful way to connect with the city’s history as a fortress.
15. Try the Local Coffee
You are in Colombia, so the coffee is mandatory. I found some amazing specialty coffee shops in the walled city.
I visited a place called Café San Alberto. They treat coffee like wine. I did a tasting where they explained the different notes and aromas.
The coffee is smooth and rich. Sitting in the air conditioning with a cold brew was a necessary recharge in the middle of a hot afternoon.
Why You Need to Visit Cartagena
Cartagena is a city that stays with you. It is intense in the best possible way. The heat, the noise, and the flavors are all turned up to maximum volume.
I found that the things to visit in Cartagena are diverse. You can have a luxury experience one day and a gritty local adventure the next.
Whether you are wandering the romantic streets of the Cartagena walled city or sweating on the dance floor in Getsemaní, you will feel the pulse of the Caribbean.
So pack your lightest clothes, bring your appetite, and get ready to fall in love with this vibrant city.
