Colombia’s most popular destination was founded in 1533 by Spanish Conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia as “Cartagena de Indias.” This beautiful colonial city quickly became the gem of the Spanish Crown’s territories and, to protect it from continuous pirate attacks, the largest walled fortress in the Americas was built around it.
Cartagena hides Colonial, Republican, and Italian architectural treasures in its residential, commercial, religious, military, and governmental constructions. Cartagena de Indias was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its walled city; and simply walking through its narrow cobblestone streets is enough to understand why. The city can be explored to discover its historic center with the Clock Gate, Carriage Square, San Pedro Square, the Palace of the Inquisition, the Cathedral dating back to the 16th century, Santo Domingo Square, Heredia Theatre, and the masterpiece, San Felipe de Barajas Castle, built between 1639 and 1762, the largest fortress ever built by the Spanish.
The real charm of Cartagena is found in exploring its narrow streets by foot or on a horse carriage, an experience that awakens all the senses with the aromas, flavors, and warm breeze of the sunset, making it a romantic destination and a hidden Caribbean treasure. In Getsemaní, colorful murals and lively streets blend with a bohemian atmosphere, vibrant bars, and music in the Plaza de la Trinidad.
Bocagrande, along the seafront, offers modern hotels, restaurants, and shops. The fishing village of La Boquilla allows visitors to enjoy community-based tourism and nature experiences, highlighting canoe trips through the mangroves at sunset to observe local wildlife. Finally, the historic San Basilio de Palenque, located about one and a half hours by car from Cartagena, lets visitors learn about the first free-slave settlement in the Americas and its ancestral culture.
