Cartagena Travel Guide

An absolute must for luxury and a view never to forget is the 5* Sofitel Santa Clara. Used to be a monastry which would be abandoned and later rebuilt to the current building serving as the hotel. The security is quite heavy as the hotel is rather small( as not many can afford it) and has only one entrance gaurding the door with a drugdog, to make sure nothing wrong comes inside the hotel... It's situated right in the middle of the Old Town, at the San Diego square where you have an art gallery full of (out of honour made) Bottero's at a reasonable price( with some negotiations you can get some extra discounts). Futher more you have salemen selling real hand made drawing and paintings( not like in other place where you see the barcode at the back. Really wonderfull atmosohere. Although during the day the old part is at good as dead, the expression of Bacardi stating TONIGHT IS ANOTHER DAY, is reality here. Going from bars, to dancings, to artists preforming the sqaure around the old town to lounges with matrasseats giving you a wonderfull view over the old city's rooftops( in La Tarzana in the Los Coches quarter). An nice end of the evening is the Cafe del Mar on old city wall north. Further more the new part of the cities offers plenty of off-shore activities. Cartagena Harbour gives you the offer of sailing to San Andres,   there I haven't been yet to, but I entend to do so soon and report it. In any case enjoy the trip/ visit.

Cartagena's old city is a MUST! Walking around it's narrow streets with beautiful colonial balconies... If possible find accommodation right there, at old (restored) buildings like Hotel Santa Clara or Hotel Santa Teresa (former convent).... At night time, don't miss the beautiful Café del Mar for some drinks, it´s right on top the old city walls, considered national patrimony. And if you are into snorkelling or SCUBA diving, or simply into enjoying beautiful beaches, Islas del Rosario is definitely a place to visit.

ok I am an america living 3 years in colombia the thing about Cartagena is that it is absolutely beautiful but if you dont speak spanish or have an extremely heavy accent the people will try to take advantage so my tip is be aware of what going on and to speak spanish but when the people aren't taking advantage they are the nicest people you will find always willing to help in what ever situation this last comment about the people is for al of the colombians to be honest they are the nicest people I have ever met