7 Best Things To Do In Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is a historical city full of heritage and colonial treasures. It is located on the Atlantic Coast of Colombia and it is a very friendly city. It has a very active nightlife and offers visitors a variety of activities. You will never be bored here. There are things to do every single day.

Cartagena is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombia. If you are a reader, you might know Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Nobel Prize winner. He grew up in Cartagena.

Just walking by the streets is a pleasure. The weather is warm and humid, but nothing that a cold beer cannot refresh. There is enough breeze to help you cool off as you walk by the city.
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The UNESCO named Cartagena a World Heritage site and it is a great place to travel with family or just as a romantic gateway.

1. Take a tour by the "Ciudad Amurallada"

The Walled City, is the historical area in Cartagena. Cartagena was a target city for pirates. Cartagena is a former port for goods and slaves. It was a transit point for gold and other value products from and to Spain. Due to its location, it was attacked several times and a huge wall around the city was built to protect the city from those attacks. Now behind those walls, you will encounter a beautiful city full of colonial architecture buildings and great places to eat. The city has been declared national heritage. The historic walls, built between 1586 and 1796, are now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site

From your hotel you can take a taxi. Once in La Ciudad Amurallada, you can walk by the narrow streets and admire all the beautiful houses with balconies full of flowers. As you walk by the city you can find restaurants, street food vendors, crafts and even stores with emeralds. At night is recommended to take a horse-drawn carriage trip around the city. It is a very family friendly activity. Don't forget to try some of the authentic delicious snacks available while you tour the city.

You can also explore the Castle of San Felipe, a fortress built in the 1700s and for a small fee you can tour the castle and walk thru the tunnels and see the canons that were used to defend the city.

Colonial architecture in la Ciudad Amurallada

Beautiful narrow streets with balconies with flowers in la Ciudad Amurallada

Castillo San Felipe, Cartagena

2. Go Snorkeling 

There are plenty of places to go snorkeling in Cartagena. Some of the beautiful beaches near by such as Islas del Rosario, San Bernardo and Baru. 

We went to Baru, where you can also do diving if you are certified and even take a course. Since I was a little sick, we decided just to go snorkeling. 

You take a boat ride to the first snorkeling site. They provide the mask, snorkel and fin set.

Once you get in the water you can enjoy the coral reefs and see some colorful fish. The guides will point what are the best places to be at and they will even guide you to new snorkeling areas so you can really enjoy the most of your experience. 

The waves here are not strong, which makes this a great experience for beginners. 

3. Visit the Mud Volcano (Volcan del Totumo)

El Totumo Mud Volcano is a mud volcano located near sea level in northern Colombia, just an hour dirve from Cartagena. 

Once you arrive to the Volcano, the locals will great you. You climb the rustic wooden staircase and then wait for your turn to get in the mud. If you would like to help the locals, you can choose to have one of the male locals give you a massage while you are in the mud. The mud is very dense, so do not worry you will not sink, you actually tend to float. 

The mud contains elements such as Silica, Aluminum, Magnesium, Sodium Chloride, Calcium, Sulfuro and Iron which gives it healing charecteristics and leaves your skin soft. 

Once you get out of the Volcano, you can go to the water and wash up the mud. The local women also offer the service for a very low fee. (Just remember that all the ecotourism is based on helping the local communities). There is also a service where you can give them your cell phone and camera and they will take pictures for you.

This was on my bucket list, so I feel acomplished to cross it off. It is for sure an activity you should experience at least once in your life.

4. Take a Canoe Ride at the Mangroves

Just 20 minutes away from Cartagena, you can get a Canoe Tour by the Mangroves. When you board the canoe, a native guide will take you through the tunnels of a dense ancient growth of mangroves.

You will be able to enjoy the amazing ecosystem with a great diversity of birds, fish and other animals. Your tour guide with tell you all about the shallow waters and local communities around the mangroves.

For around 1 hour and a half you can enjoy the sound of the birds and breathe the much oxygenated air. It is not only beautiful but relaxing. You kind of forget about the rest of the world during the ride.

5. Water Sports

You can choose from motorized sports such as jetkies or just simple kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, surfing or just a sailboat.

Since my husband knows how to sail, we got a small sailboat (velero) and enjoyed seeing the wildlife while cruising while being pushed by the breeze.

6. Go Shopping

There is plenty to things you can buy at Cartagena. Local crafts, clothes and typical Colombian things. You can find shops both at the old city (Ciudad Amurallada) or and the newer place, Bocagrande near all the hotels.

One thing to learn while shopping in Cartagena is that you can bargain prices (at most places). Make sure you ask what is the lower price and look for the same product in different shops. It is pretty common to raise some prices for the tourist, because they know they will pay higher prices. 

You can find pretty much things made in Colombia, and from different places around the world. I would recommend buying local products and crafts. Prices are good and they make awesome souvenirs.

7. Eat Fried Fish by the Beach

There is nothing like indulge in the local Colombian cuisine. There are so many delicious foods you can find while walking on the streets and even while relaxing at the beach. You can enjoy the local fruits sold by the 'Palenqueras" or you can even order fried fish at the beach. Local seafood and variety fo fruits will have your palate joyful.

The fried fish plate comes with a small salad, coconut rice and patacones (also known as Tostones and they are twice fried plantain slices). It cost around $20,000 Colombian pesos.

If you ever visit Cartagena, feel free to contact me. I can give you tips on how to get the best deals there!