Planning a vacation in Cartagena can be a bit overwhelming. More and more travelers are falling in love with this Caribbean escape with every week-long vacation or month-long holiday. The problem is not figuring out why to visit Cartagena it’s what to see and do in Cartagena while you’re here.
Plaza de los Coches in Cartagena This central plaza has held many names over the centuries: the Plaza de Juez, the Plaza del Esclavo, Plaza de Mercaderes, and lastly the Plaza de Yerba. But the Plaza de los Coches, as it is known now, has remained an integral part of Cartagena since the city was founded in 1533. And even as the…
Las Bóvedas (The Vaults) in Cartagena Las Bóvedas (or the Vaults) is really a single complex of 23 individual storerooms (or dungeons depending on your point of view) built between 1792 and 1796. The 47 arches and 23 domes were dreamt up by Antonia de Arevalo, an engineer who was charged with completing the extensive fortifications of the city of Cartagena after…
The Districts of Cartagena With a deep history reaching far back past the Spanish Colonial occupation and a new and vibrant metropolitan outlook, travelers can find something to delight in no matter their interests. Cartagena Colombia is a city of wonders. Throughout the districts of Cartagena you’ll find unique and interesting attractions that will make your stay in this Caribbean gem unforgettable.…
The Plaza Santo Domingo in Cartagena This colorful plaza is located in the heart of the historic Walled City of Cartagena, making it a great place to meet up with friends before sightseeing or a night on the town. Surrounded by beautifully restored Spanish Colonial architecture, a Botero Statue, Plaza Santo Domingo is actually named for the famous church that sits at…
Convento de la Popa in Cartagena This beautiful convent sits atop the highest hill in Cartagena, overlooking the city and Caribbean Sea below. From the flower-filled patios you can gaze down into the city and enjoy a nearly 360 degree panorama. Viewing this spectacle from this historic point it’s hard not to imagine what Cartagena would have looked like a hundred or…
Colombian Emeralds in Cartagena Verdant greens and complicated depths have made emeralds one of humankind’s most coveted stones for over 4,000 years. From pre-historic times through today these one-of-a-kind natural wonders have captivated emperors, shamans, kings and queens, movie stars, the elite, and everyday folks alike. Colombia offers some of the most exquisite emeralds around and the shops in Cartagena make finding…
Playa Blanca Playa Blanca on the Isla de Baru (Baru Island) is one of the most popular tourist destinations around Cartagena—and it’s easy to see why. While many of the beaches near and around the city itself are far from spectacular in comparison, Playa Blanca offers soft, white sands, crystal clear turquoise water, colorful tropical fish, local delicacies like ceviche, and tasty…
Iglesia de Santo Domingo Cartagena Of all the Catholic churches and cathedrals in Cartagena, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo is one of the most breathtaking. Not only is it the oldest Catholic church in Cartagena, it also contains some of the most beautiful hand-carved religious statuary in the city. But before the church became a cool retreat in which weary travelers could…
Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Cartagena de Indias (la Catedral de Cartagena) Officially designated as Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, this outstanding 16th century cathedral is more commonly referred to as the Cathedral of Cartagena (la Catedral de Cartagena). In a city crowded with beautiful buildings, this one stands out with brilliant yellow walls and a domed…
Iglesia de San Pedro Claver The Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (or the Cathedral of Saint Peter Claver) is an ornate Catholic church in the heart of Cartagena’s historic old Walled City. The building is dedicated to a 17th century Spanish priest (later elevated to sainthood) who gave his life to the service of God and those in need. The building itself…
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas The massive Castillo San Felipe de Barajas sits atop the Hill of San Lázaro, overlooking Cartagena de Indias as it has done for centuries. Now instead of Spanish soldiers and crack-shot gunners defending the harbor and city from pirates and rival empires, the fort is full of travelers searching out the rich history of this Caribbean seaport…
Journey into the Macabre For the adventurous traveler diving into Cartagena’s colonial past can lead to some dark explorations. The Palace of Inquisition (or Palacio de la Inquisición in Spanish) is a relic from the end of the Spanish Inquisition when the Catholic Church inflicted hideous tortures and executed thousands of heretics, Jews, and other non-Catholics for crimes real . . .…
