Overview of Cartagena
I have visited yet another South American country – Colombia. It was my first time there and it wasn’t a long trip. I had 5 days planned for Colombia, so I chose to discover just the city of Cartagena. Some years ago, I have seen pictures from this city, which made me want to visit Colombia, and finally it happened. Now, that I’m writing this blog post, I feel like I want to return to Cartagena again in future, and I want to see more of the other parts of the country.
Cartagena is known since the colonial era as Cartagena de Indias. It was the first Spanish colony in the Americas, and its location on the Caribbean Sea made it an important port city. To defend Cartagena, they built a huge stone fortress around it that is still standing there up to this day. The city remained under Spanish rule for around 275 years. Cartagena led the charge for breaking free from Spain, declaring its independence before the rest of the country on November 11, 1811.
Things to do
Here are some great places to visit in Cartagena based on my personal experience in those locations.
Old Town
Cartagena’s Old Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is the main attraction of the city, particularly the inner walled town, consisting of the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego. There you will see a maze of cobbled alleys, churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces and mansions with their balconies and patios. Cartagena has one of finest examples of preserved colonial architecture in the Americas.
Getsemani
Getsemani is an artistic, bohemian quarter located just outside of Cartagena’s Old Town. Once known mostly for its drugs and prostitution, today this district is popular with tourists. Getsemani is a neighborhood that should be explored on foot. There are narrow streets with colorful colonial era buildings, and there’s plenty of street art to be found all over Getsemani. The murals focus on the city’s history, people’s stories, and current topics relevant to the district’s, including racial gentrification, segregation, and mass tourism.
Cerro de la Popa
The highest point in Cartagena is the 150 meter (492 foot) high hill Cerro de la Popa. This means Stern Hill because it resembles the back of a ship. On top of the hill stands convent named ‘Convento de la Popa’. Founded by Augustine fathers in 1607, it was initially just a small wooden chapel, but when the hill was fortified two centuries later it was replaced by a sturdier construction.
The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city. The best time to be on the observation platform in front of the convent is before the sunset.
Bocagrande
Bocagrande is the most popular and commonly known beach area in Cartagena. Many people compare this strip of beach to Miami. In Bocagrande you can find shopping centers, restaurants, high-rises, and much more locals compared to the Old Town. Cartagena is known for being both modern and colonial. There are extremely historic aspects of the city, preserved in their natural state, while there are also modern skyscrapers and infrastructure, making the difference between the two styles remarkably interesting and especially attractive to me.
Where to stay?
During my stay in Cartagena, I was able to experience two wonderful five-star hotels in two different quarters of the city. If you’re looking for places to stay, I would recommend you both of these hotels equally.
Movich Hotel
Movich Hotel Cartagena is a small luxurious boutique hotel in the Old Town, heart of the city. It was convenient just to be able to walk out of the hotel’s doors and be surrounded by the tourist attractions. The highlights at this luxurious hotel include a rooftop pool, a rooftop terrace, and a poolside bar. The views over the city are the real selling point at this property. And I loved to see the contrast between old and new Cartagena from the rooftop pool.
Rooms of Movich hotel have soothing color palette and feature a cream stone walls. Some rooms have views of the Old Town, while others are interior facing. Bathrooms are marble and include rainfall showers.
Hyatt Regency
The Hyatt Regency is a modern skyscraper overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the bustling Cartagena Port, and its entrance faces directly onto the beachfront. It is located in Bocagrande district. This property was the first Hyatt-family hotel in the country, having made its debut in 2016. The rooms at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena feature floor-to-ceiling windows with plenty of natural light. My room was at the 31st floor with a view of the Port and Cerro de la Popa.
I liked three-level outdoor infinity pool setup from 12th to 14th floor, which is divided between family and adults-only pools. The pools overlook the Caribbean Sea and Bocagrande, and it’s an inspiring place to soak in the views or just to make those Instagram perfect shots.
Safety in the city
Is Cartagena safe to visit? Generally speaking – yes, in fact, it’s one of the safer places in Colombia. Especially if you stay in touristy areas like the historic center, Getsemani, and Bocagrande. The vast majority of tourists remain in those areas, which benefit from crowds and an increased security presence. You should be aware of the most common issues that tourists are experiencing – pickpocketing and armed robberies. Many tourists also fall victim to druggings, especially in nightclubs. Both men and women face this risk, although foreign men are often targets for their money.
So, my advice is to be cautious, to use common sense, to google districts and your concerns about certain things. Don’t be afraid and come to explore Cartagena.
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