What things to do in Cartagena Colombia, is a question lingers in every tourist’s mind planning to go to the destination. From asking for help from tour guides to exploring personally, there is a chance of suffering from miss-management. Well, if you are a first-time traveler to Cartagena Colombia, this article is for you to know what Cartagena has in store for you to make your trip memorable.
Cartagena Colombia is the powerhouse of activities, such as city walk tours, mouthwatering taste buds’ satisfaction in meals, exquisite nightlife, and water activities at beaches. In short, the old colonial city offers so many options through which you can have the best time of your life.
So, without wasting any time, dive into this guide to know the top things to do in Cartagena Colombia. By the end of this article, you will have the pre-planned list of things that will make your vacation worth remembering for a lifetime.
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What are Some Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia?
Cartagena, famous for the nickname La Heroica, offers everything for everyone. In fact, it is no surprise that the destination hosts uncountable visitors every year on and off season. The city is a land, located on the northern coast of the country, rich with architecture, vibrant lifestyle, and nature loaded picturesque beaches.
When thinking about the best things to do in Cartagena Colombia, it often makes everyone overwhelmed. But not now! This article has done a lot in providing exact information to keep enjoying every bit of it. Here is the list that most travelers love to do:
Cartagena Old Town Walking Tour
The first one on the list is exploring Cartagena in all its glory by walking the old walled city. It increases your knowledge about the history and way of life of the natives. This old town was built to protect the inhabitants from the invaders during the Spanish colonial era in the 16th century.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site adds a unique charm to Cartagena city. From old-age walls to cobblestone streets, the richness of culture, architecture, and beauty offers a worth noting sight to watch. You have numerous options to make you busy while walking on the streets like boutiques for shopping and cafes to mitigate hunger.
In addition, there are flower-draped balconies, mesmerizing buildings, and plazas to enjoy your best time. At the grand entrance, you will find a Clock Tower telling you a story about the colonial past and Cartagena cultural experiences.
Cartagena Street Food Tour
Food marks meaningful significance when it comes to visiting tourist attractions. The same way Cartagena is no less than serving mouth-watering food options. Besides premium or luxury restaurants, the local food stalls are at the par with their Caribbean twist Colombian-style dishes.
Street food tour is one of the fun things to do in Cartagena Colombia because it does not create a hole in your pocket. You can have numerous street-eats while saving a lot of money for your next activities. In addition, the Colombian local ingredients and aroma provokes you to live the life as natives.
For a food lover, Cartagena local food is a hug to taste buds. The rice meal, loaded salad platter, freshly prepared cheese fritter, and stuffed potato balls, offers you a unique taste in a local setting.
Beach Fun
Being a coastal city, beaches in Cartagena are not-to-miss opportunities. Many people plan their trip to get a break from their daily hectic routine. Cartagena beaches serve the best in every aspect and present a vibe that matches fun-loving and adventurous travelers’ interests.
Beaches in Cartagena are different in serving different activities. Some offer ultimate relaxation, while others are famous for their memorable thrills and nightlife. Moreover, you must not worry about hunger and your stay, there are hotels, restaurants, and local food stalls.
You can have your best time at beaches. The vast watery lands showcase picture-perfect scenes of nature away from the busy city. You can sunbathe, witnessing sunrise or sunsets. Plus, you can participate in snorkeling, diving, and boat parties.
Praise Art and Culture of Stunning Buildings
Cartagena’s art and culture tells a story about the city and its inhabitants. It derives its roots from the Caribbean past and merges into modern creativity. When you visit Cartagena, you cannot resist visiting sites offering historic knowledge, quality art, and stunning views.
The lively environment of the walled town represents romanticism, colonial forts hold military significance, artistic buildings, such as museums and galleries showcase highly deep art scenery. You can also get your cameras ready to capture eveything for a memorable experience.
Furthermore, craftsmanship is a must have culture in Cartagena. A popular market, Las Bóvedas, makes and sells handcrafted products. It includes handwoven bags, local Colombian-style jewelry. You can visit these streets praising the culture and buy from the local artisans to appreciate small businesses.
Cartagena Nightlife
One of the fun things to do in Cartagena Colombia is experiencing its nightlife. The starry sky of the Cartagena presents a vibrant and lively atmosphere where tourists enjoy the best time of their life. For night owls, many restaurants, streets, or places become alive at night.
You can start your evening by having full meals, including cocktails and ravishing dishes. It makes you prepare for the fun for the entire night. After witnessing the sunset, you can wander in the streets for different performances.
What to do in Cartagena for free?
Practically, there are no such things you can do for free in Cartagena. Even then, analyzing tourists’ stories highlights that a few options are worthwhile when you are not interested in spending money but want to enjoy your Cartagena trip.
A list of a few free things to do in Cartagena Colombia is mentioned below.
- Experience Getsemaní Street Art
- Photograph Your Heart Out
- Witness Colorful Nightlife
- Stroll streets of walled city
- View stunning views from Cartagena’s buildings (sunrise or sunset)
Over To You – Things to Do in Cartagena Colombia
A trip to Cartagena Colombia will not make you regret your decision. The coastal city is at your service to invite you to witness stunning natural views and delve into the natives’ culture, history, and architecture.
In addition, you can select a tour of your interest, like, city walled tour, hop-on-hop-off bus tours, and foodie tours making your tedious trip worthwhile. Your experience of visiting Cartagena and doing things that most tourists love to do will not make you forget memories that you will make there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Safe to Stay in Cartagena, Colombia?
Yes, it is safe to stay in Cartagena, Colombia. It is because the city claims a lower crime rate. Though, pickpocketing is common at tourist attractions, police officers patrolling makes the chance of financial damage reduce to zero.
Non-Touristy Things to Do in Cartagena?
Apart from the touristy things, there are many non-touristy things you can do in Cartagena. You can learn about the traditional fishing techniques, enroll in the local cooking class, and visit a nearby village to learn about Afro-Caribbean culture.
When Not to Go to Cartagena?
Cartagena invites tourists all year. However, if you make the most out of your Cartagena Colombia trip, you must not visit in two cold months, such as December or January. It is because the tourist rate is overwhelming and the city become jan-packed for all the activities and worth remembering tours.
