Top 5 Adventures in Cartagena, Colombia
Located along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the historic town of Cartagena is likely high on many traveler's lists. With its colorful boulevards, elegant architecture and overall European feel, this metropolis is a lively spot that pulls tourists in with its music, food and culture.
We spent a month in the city, exploring its various neighborhoods and beaches, and getting a feel for what Cartagena was actually like. Below are some of the best adventures to be had in and around the city, including some that are definitely more off-the-beaten-path (perfect for you adventurous travelers).
\\ Walled City
If you have looked up any photos of Cartagena then you probably already have some idea of what the walled city, or old city, looks like. Colorful, ornate buildings dating back to the time when the region was known as New Granada and the ruling party were the king and queens of Spain. The historic center is pretty well preserved, so much so that in 1984 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But be aware that because it is by far the most popular area for travelers to explore, hawkers will constantly be trying to sell you stuff and the food and drinks are more expensive.
Where: the historic area is located along the coast and is completely surrounded by an old stone wall (hence the name) that was used to protect and fortify the city against invasions.
Need to Know: this is the epicenter of Cartagena, so expect it to be the most touristy, the busiest and the most lively (usually). Almost all of the photos you see of Cartagena are of the old city (Walled City), including all of the colorful historic buildings, the tall ornate churches and the street performers. At night the place can get pretty crazy, so if you are interested in getting good photos or just wandering around the buildings without being hawked at the whole time, we definitely recommend going earlier in the morning (like around 5:30–6 AM),
Time Needed: we recommend giving yourself a full day to explore it, with a nice break in the middle (the heat of the day) to relax and recharge at a coffee shop or restaurant in town. Some of our favorite cafes are Cafe Quindio, Folklore and Bozha.
Cost: free! But be prepared to spend money on things like food and drinks. And maybe a trinket or two.
\\ Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Sitting just outside the wall of the old city, this massive fortress is one of the most iconic destinations in all of Cartagena. Originally built by the Spanish starting in 1536 (though it would be added onto more than 100 years later), Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas was originally known as Castillo de San Lázaro because of its location on San Lazaro hill. But the Spaniards eventually settled on the current name in order to honor King Philip IV of Spain. When it was finally finished the fortress consisted of eight batteries and a garrison of 200 soldiers and 4 gunners — making it one of the most formidable defensive complexes of Spanish military architecture. Today you can tour the castle (fortress) and walk along most of the batteries and a few of the interior tunnels.
Where: located right outside the Walled City; it is about a 1–1.5 kilometer walk from the historic district
Need to Know: we suggest checking out the fortress later in the day and staying for sunset (the views of the city and beach are top-notch). While there are signs around the building talking a bit about the history, we suggest using the QR codes (there is an English option) to learn more about the castle (or doing a bit of research beforehand).
Time Needed: about two hours
Cost: 25,000 pesos (about $6.60) per person as a traveler (costs 20,000 pesos as a Colombian)
\\ Mercado de Bazurto
Located a bit farther away from the historic area, this traditional market is a great way to connect with the local food scene and local culture in general. We headed to Mercado de Bazurto (mercado is market in Spanish) to see what it was like and to see the price difference on some of the more common goods (especially fruits and vegetables). Turns out, the market is way more hectic than any public market we had been to before. The sights, sounds and smells were a lot — but it felt so good to once again be outside of our comfort zone. Plus, tucked away on one of the many side “alleys” we actually found a lady selling chia seeds — which was a real win.
Where: located about 4.5 kilometers from the historic city down Avenida Pedro de Heredia (same road you take to get to La Popa); you can walk to it (we did and it was relatively easy) or you can take the public bus (get off at the stop called Bazurto — easy enough).
Need to Know: if you aren’t prepared for tight, loud, hustling groups of people then maybe Bazurto isn’t for you. But if you are looking to explore what a traditional market is like in Cartagena, then definitely plan to wander around the crazy maze of shops and stalls selling practically anything you could ever need or want.
Time Needed: we spent about an hour in the market and felt that we definitely only scratched the surface of it. Depending on whether you want to dive in deeper (like having a meal in the “food court”) you could spend a couple of hours here.
Cost: free! But we suggest grabbing a couple of things here (especially fruit) because it is much cheaper than other stores, especially near the historic area.
\\ National Aviary
Where: funny enough, the aviary is located right across the street from the turn off for Playa Blanca so you could easily combine the two spots into one day trip (and many tours do).
Need to Know: directly from the aviary’s website: “Aviario Nacional in Cartagena, Colombia is a conservation organization that seeks, through a modern and representative exhibition of avifauna in natural environments, to promote knowledge about Colombian biodiversity, its sustainable use and responsible management.’
So if you are worried that this is another “pseudo-zoo” rest assured that it is in fact not only suitable for the birds themselves, but it also prides itself on conservation, sustainability and promoting knowledge about the birds to the outside world. Within the 7 hectares that the park takes up, you can find three different ecosystems and 21 exhibitions, which altogether contain 190 species of birds and about 2000 specimens overall.
Time Needed: 2–4 hours to do the full tour
Cost: 60,000 pesos per adult (non-Colombian), so roughly $16 each.
\\ Cartagena Botanical Garden “Guillermo Piñeres”
Hidden on the outskirts of Cartagena, and not far from the lively little town of Tubaco, sits one of the best day trip destinations. This botanical garden, once part of the Matute Estate and its owner Maria Jimenez de Pinares, is today one of the most important natural institutions in research, education and conservation of the flora and fauna of the entire Colombian Caribbean ecosystem, including one of the most endangered biomes the Dry Tropical Forest.
Where: about an hour outside of Cartagena off highway I-90. There are signs for the Botanical Garden off of the highway (you do pass it and then take one of the highway U-turns (retornos). From the highway it is 2 kilometers down a dirt road. The full address is: Sector Matute km 9 Autopista I-90, Naranjas, Turbaco, Bolívar
Need to Know: if you are starting to miss nature while in Cartagena (we know we were) then this is a great spot to spend most of your day (we spent 4 hours there). Because of its lush environment, the garden has become one of the last refuges in the area for migrating birds and various wildlife — including howler monkeys! Just remember to come prepared with sunscreen, bug spray (very needed), water and good shoes for the stone paths do get slippery.
Another thing to note is that the garden is open 6 days a week (not Mondays) from 8 am — 4 pm. We rode our motorcycle there and were able to park it just inside the gate (no extra charge).
Time Needed: we spent 4 hours in the garden and definitely took our time savoring all the plants and animals (especially the howler monkeys). Even if you are less inclined to stop and smell all of the roses like us, expect to spend 2–3 hours exploring.
Cost: 19.400 pesos per adult (as a non-Colombian)
You can find 5 more amazing destinations in and around Cartagena, perfect for the adventurous traveler and slow traveler looking to explore a bit more of the Colombian Caribbean coastline. Find it all here.
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