Cartagena, Columbia
Im thrilled to introduce my inaugural travel newsletter to you, brimming with fantastic recommendations and valuable tips from my recent escapade in Cartagena. My journey there ignited the desire to share it with you all through travel newsletters, featuring all my cherished destinations. This trip is a little reminder of the incredible beauty that awaits when we explore new places and embrace different cultures.
Before you arrive — plan ahead
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Visit Colombia’s immigration website Here — to print the immigration form before your arrival and departure from Cartagena. Although the website may be a bit challenging to navigate, you will require this form for entering and exiting the country.Here
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Remember that while credit cards are widely accepted, having some cash on hand can be convenient, especially in smaller shops, markets, or for tipping. Consider getting Colombian pesos from your local US bank before traveling to Cartagena. In Cartagena, you can also find currency exchange booths, but ATMs are not very common.
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To arrange a guided tour of Cartagena, get in touch with local tour guide Belkin Martinez. You can reach Belkin on WhatsApp at +57 300 3454275.
Where to stay…
Casa San Agustin
This boutique property is built around a courtyard with a small but inviting pool at its center. The hotel beautifully captures an authentic Colombian style with its breezy balconies and tall windows, which I absolutely love!
The Sofitel offers a vibrant and bustling atmosphere for those looking for a larger hotel experience. They serve a buffet breakfast, offer sweet treats from a dessert cart in the late afternoon, and have a vibrant bar scene in the evenings. If you're traveling with teenage kids or children who enjoy a spacious pool, Sofitel is an excellent choice to consider.
Casa Pestugua
Casa Pestagua is the sister property to Casa San Agustin; however, it was still under construction and had not yet opened during our visit. While I heard there will be a gym at Casa Pestagua, it's worth noting that Casa San Agustin does not have a gym facility.
Psst — rumors suggest a future four seasons hotel in Cartagena
Tip — treat yourself to a basket full of pandebono (Colombian cheese bread made with cassava or yuca flour) during breakfast!
Sofitel Santa Clara
At the moment, San Agustin is my favorite place in Cartagena. Guests who indulged in the onsite spa recommended communicating their preferred pressure level to the masseuse, as they can be quite firm. Although I didn't personally use the spa, I did enjoy an excellent in-room blowout arranged by the hotel.
Where (and what) to eat…
Go to La Cevicheria for lunch – it’s fantastic!
For dinner, consider Carmen. While the tasting room is alright, the main restaurant offers a much better vibe.
Juan del Mar is a great spot for lunch, but if you're a fan of live music, be sure to come for dinner. Don't forget to try the Limonade De Coco – a frothy sweet drink, perfect for warm days!
I had hoped to make it to Cafe Havana but ran out of time. However, I’ve heard this is the best spot to enjoy live music while salsa dancing!
Celele is considered one of the top restaurants in Cartagena and ranks high among the best restaurants in Latin America. The intimate space offers both tasting menus and a la carte options. While I found it to be very good and innovative, I would not describe it as over-the-top amazing.
I enjoyed the dinner at Alma in Casa San Augustin, although I did find the service to be slow. I highly recommend trying the octopus dish with truffles on top!
Tip — when you’re at the bar at Alma, try the pureed watermelon drink served in a martini glass with your choice of either vodka or tequila.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to Café Havana on this trip. I’ve heard it’s the best spot to enjoy live music while salsa dancing!
Where to drink & indulge…
El baron
is a trendy, small bar with a restaurant next door. Juan, the owner, is fantastic and gave us lessons on crafting delicious and beautiful cocktails!
El Baluarte
has a stunning terrace overlooking the water, and is one of the most iconic spots in Cartagena
Tip — On your first evening, consider taking a 20-minute horse-drawn carriage tour through Cartagena's streets. Make sure to arrive in time to enjoy sunset cocktails here.
Alquimico
is on the list of the World's Best 50 bars!
Tip — mixology classes are offered at both bars. We chose a private mixology class at El Baron and I highly recommend booking this in advance!
What to do…
Boating
Rent a boat for a day to explore the Rosario Islands, go snorkeling, and try paddleboarding. The boat company can arrange for paddleboards, but it's advisable to check the pricing and logistics beforehand.
We booked the Bavaria 44 through Boating Cartagena, and it proved to be an excellent choice for island hopping and exploration.
Taking a break at one of the beach clubs for lunch is a nice idea, but if you plan to spend the whole day on the boat, a larger option might provide more comfort.
This company also offers a really nice selection of light food options!
If you're a fan of coconut water, you're in for a treat with AWAECOCO, one of the best coconut waters I've ever tasted. Remember to request it in advance when booking through Boating Cartagena!
Biking Tour
We did a 2-hour biking tour through the walled old city. This was an incredible opportunity to experience much of this area on a bike, including the trendy, artsy sister of Cartagena's old town, Getsmani Tour.
Make sure to visit the umbrella road for a photo opportunity and explore the murals and street graffiti. While I have done this bike tour twice and really enjoyed it, I hesitate to recommend it due to the challenging traffic and cars. A walking tour of the same area might be a safer and a more relaxed option.
Museo de Arte Moderno De Cartagena
Established in 1979, this museum sits outside the walled city near the clock tower. It showcases a small collection of Colombian and Cartagena-born artists, and it’s worth a quick stop.
Cooking Class
I highly recommend taking a private cooking class with Maria Delgado, the founder, chef, and owner of Lunatico Experience. The setting is picturesque, offering a view outside the walled city. Maria, a talented chef and teacher, makes it a truly exceptional experience!
Salsa Lessons
While in Cartagena, you have to take salsa lessons! During our lesson, the instructors began by teaching us the basic steps and later paired us with local dance partners to help perfect our moves.
Tip: Casa San Agustin features an open solarium on the roof with a bar, making it the perfect setting for a group salsa class. They can even serve cocktails to you while you salsa!
Private Beach Clubs
Cartagena offers several private beach clubs. These beach clubs have a laid-back, tropical aesthetic that's great for relaxing, swimming, and having lunch.
If you can connect with a member of one of these clubs, they can add your name to the entrance list for access. We visited Punta Iguana, approximately 45 minutes from Cartagena, but I've also heard that Matimba Club and Spa is another excellent choice.
Las Islas Baru
You have the option to stay overnight or simply visit for lunch.
Sofitel Baru
I highly recommend taking a private cooking class with Maria Delgado, the founder, chef, and owner of Lunatico Experience. The setting is picturesque, offering a view outside the walled city. Maria, a talented chef and teacher, makes it a truly exceptional experience!
Where to shop…
St Dom
This beautiful boutique offers designer labels such as Johanna Ortiz, Agua by Agua Bendita, and other Colombian designers. However, the availability of specific sizes may vary depending on the season, with stock sometimes being plentiful or limited.
Loto Del Sur
This skincare brand is uniquely Colombian. You’ll feel like you've stepped into a combination of a Colombian/Parisian apothecary!
Tip: I loved their makeup remover, which has an oil-like texture but turns foamy when mixed with water.
Agua De Leon
This boutique has multiple branches, and I wasn't impressed with the merchandise in most of them. However, the Agua de Leon located at CL. San Pedro Claver #31-18 had a good selection of interesting pieces. Additionally, there's an Agua De Leon kids' store in La Serrezuela Mall featuring adorable swimsuits!
Tip: Keep an eye out for clutches in vibrant, fun colors made in Colombia by A Rinkel. They are lot less expensive in Cartagena!
Centro Histórico de Artesanías de Colombia:
Down the street from Casa San Agustin and adjacent to Casa Chiqui, is this delightful shop offering a wide array of Colombian handicrafts, including hats, bags, and tabletop decor. I couldn't resist purchasing some fantastic rainbow rattan placemats here!
Tip: Although this store may appear small at first, be sure to walk through the coffee shop, as the store continues beyond it.
Ancora Swimwear
This store has beautiful feminine swimsuits and gorgeous lace bathing suit cover-ups.
Baobab
A beautifully designed resort wear store featuring a rainbow of colors. It's definitely worth a visit, and if you're in need of a pick-me-up, there's a charming coffee stand at the front of the store!
Agua by Agua Bendita
Here, you'll discover exquisite feminine dresses and swimsuits with handmade embroidery. It's a great spot to purchase special and unique pieces.
To avoid confusion, it's worth noting that there's a more casual swimwear store by Agua Bendita a few doors down. If you're interested in the dresses, be sure to visit Agua by Agua Bendita.
Silvia Tcherassi
A small store with women's clothing. This shop can be hit or miss, but I found a really fun red gingham summer dress on a recent trip!
Malva in La Serrezuela
I wasn't particularly impressed with this shopping mall, and while Malva was just okay, it did offer a variety of bathing suits and fun cover-ups.
Interestingly, they had a good selection from one of my favorite bathing suit designers, Maygel Coronel. Although it's mentioned online that Maygel Coronel has a retail store in Cartagena, I had difficulty locating the physical retail space.
Mercedes Salazar
Offers unique and whimsical costume jewelry that you're unlikely to find elsewhere. It's definitely worth a visit to see these one-of-a-kind pieces, and on occasion, they may also have tabletop decor available.
Maaji
A brand that specializes in bathing suits, and while I was not familiar with it before, it proved to be a great find for those on the trip with younger kids. The prices of the children's bathing suits were significantly less than what you'd typically find in the US or online.
Let’s talk taxes…
In Cartagena, you can receive a 19% VAT refund at the airport, although the process may have some quirks. Here's what you should keep in mind:
Carry a copy of your passport while shopping, as you'll need it during payment.
Most stores will email you a tax form within 24 hours. Print this form at your hotel and attach it to your receipt.
Before checking your luggage, visit the tax window at the airport. Present your forms and receipts for the purchased items at the tax window, and they will issue a refund to your credit card. Be sure to have your purchases on hand in case you need to present them to the officer.
So, all in all…
Cartagena is a fantastic place to unwind, bask in the sun, and enjoy its tropical climate. With its laid-back vibes and undiscovered charm, it has a special allure that will captivate you. From immersing yourself in Colombian culture and savoring delicious cuisine to exploring local shops and mingling with welcoming locals, Cartagena offers a genuinely distinctive experience!