Things to Do)
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The Cartagena walled city located in Colombia’s Caribbean sea has nearly one million locals. As a tourist, you may find the Cartagena walled city a blend of old and new that makes this town Cartagena famous.
Even though the Cartagena walled city is far from beaches and high-rise hotels, it captivates travelers. So if you’re in your 50s and enjoy exploring, then you can complete your bucket list with the top things to do in the walled city of Cartagena in this blog.
Top Things to Do in Cartagena’s Walled City
Cartagena, a Caribbean coastal city in Colombia, has many attractions, historic sites, and colorful colonial buildings. Visiting the walled city of Cartagena, you can experience all the best things of old-world charm. Let’s look at some of the best things to do in Walled City Cartagena:
Take a Tour of the Historic City
It would be best if you stayed in Cartagena Walled City, which includes the cities of Centro, San Diego, and Getsemani.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Ciudad Amurallada is one of the city’s most historic areas within walking distance. This walled city is full of colorful colonial architecture, artisans, and street vendors selling souvenirs.
Additionally, be sure to visit walled city attractions such as Plaza Aduana, the Plaza Santo Domingo with its Botero statues, and leafy green Plaza Bolivar, where performers can be found.
Explore San Felipe de Barajas Castle
Castillo de San Felipe is one of the Spanish’s most impressive fortresses ever built in their colonies. In 1639, construction began, and the city resisted repeated attacks. Even small sounds can travel through the network of tunnels, making detecting intruders easy.
When you visit Cartagena Walled City, you’ll be able to walk through some of the fort’s dark streets, walls, and battlements. Also, if you’d like to learn and discover more about its fascinating history, you can join in free walking tours and hire a guide or use one of the audio tour headphones.
Streets Food Tour
Street food tours are an excellent way to sample some of the town city’s delicacies, including cheese-filled arepas and fresh-squeezed citrus juices.
Indeed, the things you wouldn’t have found on your own will be available to you if you have a guide. This interesting tour will take you around Cartagena Walled City, where they will teach you about the walled city’s food and culture while you sample exotic fruits. Generally, this includes fried snacks like empanadas and bunuelos, local salty cheese, frozen treats, and tinto.
Nonetheless, to get the most out of your trip to La Mesa and sample some of the area’s best restaurants with seafood delights, you’ll need to pay a little more.
Old City Walking Tour
Most visitors enjoy visiting Cartagena Walled City as they explore the streets of the Cartagena de India. Generally, it is surrounded by stone walls with a unique culture and all the stories of the old town over the last few years. The old town of Cartagena offers a variety of tours, such as a free walking tour or a private tour.
You can explore the main plaza of old Cartagena or other nearby attractions, depending on the location of the high-rise hotels you book. Typically, the nearby attractions available are the Tayrona national park, the clock tower, and San Pedro Claver Church.
Take note that the tour may last approximately three hours but don’t worry because you can visit coffee shops or restaurants along the way.
Visit a Mud Volcano
El Totumo is a small volcano outside the walled city of Cartagena, with hot, bubbling mud you can bathe in. Inside the hill-like tank, you’ll enjoy a relaxing mud bath and massage.
If you want a picture, hand over your camera or phone to the guy who takes pictures of tourists coated in mud. After your mud bath, local women will scrub you down in the lake. Everyone expects a gratuity, but it’s all in good fun and worth it.
In addition, make your visit to the walled city of Cartagena a wonderful day trip as you explore and discover the 27 islands of the Islas del Rosario, located just off the coast of Cartagena Colombia.
Take a Glimpse of Islas del Rosario
A day spent sailing, swimming, or snorkeling in these waters will expose you to an abundance of marine species that calls these coral reefs home. Aside from the hotels, there is also an aquarium and a few hikes on the mainland.
You may take the public boat to the larger islands or hire a private tour boat to visit some smaller ones. There’s an island for everyone, whether you like white sand beaches, a party scene, or an untouched shoreline.
Shop for Artwork
The town Cartagena is an amazing walled city whose streets are filled with art that has a history. That’s why Cartagena is extremely popular with the vast majority of tourists.
Walking down the streets and the old town, you can explore the different styles of worthy art with shockingly low prices. So don’t forget to explore the vendors that sell art at night in the old town of Cartagena Walled City.
Indulge in the Sunset at Cafe del Mar
This restaurant is a local favorite in one of the city’s most desirable locations. If you’re hoping to take in some sunset views while relaxing outside, this coffee shop is a great spot.
Although the rates are more than the average for the Cartagena Walled City because of the prime location, the cocktails are excellent. Avoid the rush by arriving early or making a reservation in advance.
You can’t beat photos here because of the large Colombian flag on the terrace, plus there’s typically a breeze and live music to enjoy after a long day in the sun.
To go around the Cartagena Walled City, you can see the sea on one side and residential streets on the other side of the city’s many stairwells and inclined ways. Even if you can’t afford to dine at Cafe del Mar, you can still enjoy the sunset from the wall next door by purchasing a few beers from one street vendor.
Ride the Chiva Party Bus!
Many visitors from Colombia and elsewhere in South America like this entertaining midnight activity, although it does seem tacky. Hop aboard a colorful, rustic party bus with an open bar and dance to your heart’s content.
A live band may even perform as you drive around the walled city of Cartagena, having the time of your life and stopping at various bars and clubs along the way. Most hotels and tour operators can arrange them for you, but double-check to be sure you get all you paid for.
They’re a terrific way to see the walled city nightlife and have a truly good walled city Colombian time by drinking beer and eating delicious food, and you’ll meet many locals too.
Go Shopping
If you’re seeking souvenirs while vacationing in the walled city of Cartagena, you’ll have no problem finding them. Check out Las Bovedas, the small stores built into the city walls with nooks and columns all around if you cannot locate what you’re looking for on the streets of Mexico City.
Everything touristic, from souvenirs to clothing, original artwork, and hammocks, may be found at these shops like Las Bovedas. Luxury shops like Silvia Tcherassi sell strappy sandals, bags, and gowns, and Casa Chiqui sells home decor items like ceramics and glassware.
Also, many jewelry stores offer emerald and gold pieces with local motifs and exotic creatures so you won’t be short of options.
Take a Scuba or Snorkeling Trip
As a direct Caribbean Seafront location, you’ll have many possibilities for exploring the ocean depths. It’s roughly an hour’s boat ride away if you merely want to go snorkeling in the natural park of the Rosario Islands and its San Bernardo reef.
Scuba divers can also explore coral reefs and shipwrecks right off the coast, where they’ll be able to see a wide variety of marine life, as well as a variety of corals and shipwrecks. Lionfish, lobster, and moray eels may be found in addition to healthy soft corals.
Diving Planet can help you plan a snorkeling or diving vacation, and Cartagena divers are highly rated if you wish to acquire your Scuba certification while you’re in the old town. And after trying scuba or snorkeling, you’re surely tired from the trip, so try out the Cartagena de Indias dinner cruise partnered with beer.
Consider Spending the Day at the Mayan City of San Basilio de Palenque
Visit this village, located about 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the walled city of Cartagena Colombia, to see where the brightly colored palenques come from. The birthplace of popular Colombian performers and genres of music like champeta and Palenque, it is one of the first cities in the Americas made up of fugitive and freed slaves.
They have a unique country language and customs, but tourism is starting to play a role in the local economy. Take the bus or organize a tour to learn about Palenque’s history, from slavery to current social movements to insights into their clothing styles, folkloric dance, and cuisine. Alternatively, you can take a bus or organize a tour.
Come and Visit the Magical Place of the Cartagena Walled City!
The walled city of Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s easy to understand why. Undoubtedly, it is popular for many reasons, including its proximity to the beach, scenic surroundings, colorful architecture, rich history, and numerous things to do in Cartagena Walled City.
Cartagena’s old town is a magical site simply waiting to be discovered. Make the most of your stay in the Caribbean and enjoy yourself!
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