Cartagena Colombia 101
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Let the Concierge from the Intercontinental Cartagena
give you a quick 3 minute tour highlighting:
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Trendy and Sophisticated, Cartagena (also known as Cartagena de las Indias), is the perfect destination for those who like to combine a Caribbean vacation with a big dose of South American history. The port's majestic fortress, built by the Spanish in 1536, and its historic walled city are both UNESCO World Heritage sights. To this day they're in remarkably good shape, adding much to the city's charm.
Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia. Thanks to the exchange rate US Dollar versus the Colombian Peso, for North Americans the destination is a bargain. Four and five star hotels are very affordable, and airfares are reasonable from the USA. There are plenty of flights.
Cartagena is Colombia's fifth largest city, home to approximately one million inhabitants. Tourism is centered around three districts within the city and the Rosario Islands.
Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia. Thanks to the exchange rate US Dollar versus the Colombian Peso, for North Americans the destination is a bargain. Four and five star hotels are very affordable, and airfares are reasonable from the USA. There are plenty of flights.
Cartagena is Colombia's fifth largest city, home to approximately one million inhabitants. Tourism is centered around three districts within the city and the Rosario Islands.
- Bocagrande - situated to the east of the old city this section is surrounded by the Caribbean and the bay. Learn more about Bocagrande by CLICKING HERE.
- Old City - also referred to as the walled city, this is Cartagena's historic section. Much of the city's nightlife and street entertainment is centered here, as well as numerous hotels. The trendy neighborhood of Getsenami is part of the old city. Learn more about the old city by CLICKING HERE.
- Los Morros and Manzanillo - north of the airport, are newly developed areas. Many new hotels and condominiums can be found in Los Morros, but little else in terms of restaurants and shopping. Still further north in Mazanillo, the luxurious Conrad Resort and Golf Club has just opened its doors. Learn more about the fabulous Conrad Cartagena by CLICKING HERE
- Rosario Islands - The Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands), also referred to as Coracles Isles Del Rosario(Coral Islands of Rosario), is an archipelago located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Cartagena. It is one of the 46 Natural National Parks of Colombia. The national park was founded in 1988, to protect one of the most important coral reefs of the Colombian Caribbean coast. It is easy to visit the national park area of the islands, and tours are available and easily arranges. Isla Rosario has an an open-sea oceanarium (oceanario) that people can visit. Activities include swimming, snorkeling and fishing, among others. It is also possible to stay overnight.
Touring Around Cartagena
There's a wide variety of tours and tour operators available. Private guides are reasonably priced here. If you don't speak Spanish, definitely pre-book an introductory tour in advance. With the favorable exchange rate. there's really no reason not to see the sites with a reputable operator. Seeing the historic sights in Cartagena take a day or day and a half tops. Should you want to take a ride around the old city, hop on services and tourist trolleys exist. When pre-booking tours don't be surprised if you are asked for your passport number, so write it down. That info is requested so you can be covered by the operator's insurance. Tour operators that offer pick up service at your hotel will cost more. Do avail your self of that service if available. Not all tours take you back to your hotel, opting to drop you off in a central location.
There's a wide variety of tours and tour operators available. Private guides are reasonably priced here. If you don't speak Spanish, definitely pre-book an introductory tour in advance. With the favorable exchange rate. there's really no reason not to see the sites with a reputable operator. Seeing the historic sights in Cartagena take a day or day and a half tops. Should you want to take a ride around the old city, hop on services and tourist trolleys exist. When pre-booking tours don't be surprised if you are asked for your passport number, so write it down. That info is requested so you can be covered by the operator's insurance. Tour operators that offer pick up service at your hotel will cost more. Do avail your self of that service if available. Not all tours take you back to your hotel, opting to drop you off in a central location.
Cartagena Old City at Dusk
Bocagrande (to the left), the old city of Cartagena, and the port area
Cartagena is located on Colombia's north coast
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Where is Cartagena?On the northern coast of South America, 400 miles west of Aruba,
Cartagena is very accessible by air: Avianca from Miami: Daily 2 and a half hours. Also American daily from Miami Jet Blue from Ft. Lauderdale Daily 3 hours Delta from Atlanta up to 3 x weekly 4 hours Avianca and Jet Blue from New York/JFK 5 hours |
Cartagena Weather
By having a tropical climate Colombia’s weather doesn’t really change throughout the year so there are no seasons as we know them – just two rainy and dry seasons that Colombians call ‘Summer’ and ‘Winter’.
Colombia has warm to hot average temperatures all year round. Cartagena on the Caribbean coast for example averages around 325 days of sunshine a year, even during ‘Winter’.
The severity and length of these seasons also depends on where you are in the country – the coast has slightly more severe and longer dry seasons than the Andean region, for example.
Dry seasonThe dry seasons generally last from early December to late March and from July to early September though on the coast the rainfall stays low during the whole of September.
Wet SeasonThe wet season lasts through April to June and from October to early December.
Temperature Mid 70's to mid 80's year round with humidity
Colombia has warm to hot average temperatures all year round. Cartagena on the Caribbean coast for example averages around 325 days of sunshine a year, even during ‘Winter’.
The severity and length of these seasons also depends on where you are in the country – the coast has slightly more severe and longer dry seasons than the Andean region, for example.
Dry seasonThe dry seasons generally last from early December to late March and from July to early September though on the coast the rainfall stays low during the whole of September.
Wet SeasonThe wet season lasts through April to June and from October to early December.
Temperature Mid 70's to mid 80's year round with humidity
Meet Cartagena on Video
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VIDEO: Magical Cartagena =- short
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VIDEO: The sites you'll see - more comprehensive
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Gay and Lesbian Cartagena
Cartagena has a small but visible gay and lesbian population. The local gay bar is Le Petit, near the Hard Rock Cafe. Best time to visit Le Petit is late evenings. I wouldn't make a trip to Cartagena solely for its gay nightlife. Bogota and Medellin would be more appropriate choices. Cartagena's charm, especially in the old city, is the draw for gay and lesbian travelers.
Cartagena attracts a more worldly and international crowd than many other destinations in the Caribbean.
Rumors Festival, the annual July dance party, will once again be held in Cartagena for 2018. Dates to be advised here.
Cartagena attracts a more worldly and international crowd than many other destinations in the Caribbean.
Rumors Festival, the annual July dance party, will once again be held in Cartagena for 2018. Dates to be advised here.
Nightlife
The Old City is where most people gravitate in the evening hours once the sun has gone down.
Nightclubs are busy on weekends, but don't start filling up until after 11PM, and go til 4AM in the morning.
Nightclubs are busy on weekends, but don't start filling up until after 11PM, and go til 4AM in the morning.
Is Cartagena Safe?
If you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here. Especially after a night of drinking. Don't wear expensive jewelry and watch out for your electronics.. Expect aggressive sales folks on public beaches peddling their wares. Same for local markets.
Cartagena's a really fascinating place. Colombian's couldn't be more hospitable, and they do like a good time. Enjoy!
Cartagena's a really fascinating place. Colombian's couldn't be more hospitable, and they do like a good time. Enjoy!
