Adriana & Anden

Cartagena (formally known as Cartagena de Indias) is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast. It is a fairy-tale city of romance and legends, superbly preserved through the ages, and infused with the culture and spirit of the Caribbean.

Truth can be stranger than fiction in Cartagena, a city whose real-life blend of seediness and charm was an important inspiration for one of the most imaginative writers of the modern era, Gabriel García Márquez. It is a city so pregnant with the near magical that, when Mr. García Márquez took a visiting Spaniard on a tour one day that included a Creole lunch and a stroll through the old city, it lowered his opinion of Mr. García Márquez’s talents. The Spaniard told Mr. García Márquez, as he would later record in an essay, “You’re just a notary without imagination.”

You don't need to be a diligent sightseer to enjoy the best of what Cartagena has to offer. Even if just for a few hours, stroll through the old town any time of day or night. Soak up the sensual atmosphere, pausing to find respite from the heat and humidity at one of the city’s many open-air cafes, and you may find the same inspiration that fueled Mr. García Márquez.

CITY LAYOUT

Cartagena’s old town is a Unesco World Heritage site: a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across grand plazas lie within an impressive 13 kilometers of centuries-old stone walls. The wedding will take place within the old town.

Beyond the walls is the outer town - the real town - where the bustle of everyday life can leave you dazed and confused in minutes. The honking traffic and the voices of hawkers selling their wares compete throughout the day. It is here that Cartagena becomes a typical workhorse South American city.

Farther south is the peninsula of Bocagrande – Cartagena’s retort to Miami Beach – where fashionable Cartageneros (locals) sip coffee in trendy cafes, dine in glossy restaurants and live in the upscale luxury condos that line the area.

Read more about the city here.

FROM THE US

There are direct flights to Cartagena (airport code: CTG) from the major domestic hubs (and Orlando).

From New York, there are multiple flight options to Cartagena. If you want to fly directly to CTG, an on-time arrival with JetBlue will have you on the beach in less than 5 hours. The other U.S. airlines will have a short layover in their hubs. United, Delta and Avianca also fly direct to Bogotá, and from there, a connecting flight to Cartagena is less than one hour. For the connecting flight, we recommend taking Avianca, the Colombian national airline, which has 25 daily flights to Cartagena.  

Sites like Skyscanner or Kayak often allow you to monitor and book the best deals.

DESDE COLOMBIA

Si sabes español, sabes llegar a Cartagena :) La aerolinea nacional AVIANCA opera mas de 25 frecuencias diarias a Cartagena desde Bogota. LAN y VIVA COLOMBIA también son buenas opciones. 

MONEY & COSTS

The currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). The current exchange rate is available here.

Nearly all establishments, like hotels, restaurants and stores, accept international credit cards.  However, for smaller purchases, you may want to carry some cash. Bank ATMs are your best bet, but ironically, banks and casas de cambio (currency exchanges) are rare at most tourist sights, like the historic center. If you use a casa de cambio, compare rates before choosing. If you use an ATM, do as your parents do and hide your hand from view when entering your pin. Some hotels will also provide money exchange services.  

There are many street "moneychangers" fluttering around Cartagena offering fantastic rates; they are all, without exception, expert swindlers. So unless you intend to pay exorbitantly to experience masters at their craft, we do not recommend changing money on the street. 

A suggested tip is often included as a line item on your restaurant bill, but you can choose to change the amount at your discretion. Tipping in taxis is not customary.

SAFETY

Cartagena is the safest city in Colombia – around 2,000 police officers patrol the old town alone. That said, it is still a big city. Please take the normal precautions when you are out and about, i.e., don't flash giant wads of cash to buy a bottle of water and stay alert at night in less populated areas.

TRANSPORT

From/To the Airport
Taxis are the easiest way to get into the city from the airport. The fare from the airport to the center of the city will be around COP$20,000 (approximately USD$6) and the fare back out to the airport from the city center will be around COP$15,000.

We do not recommend renting a car during your stay in Cartagena if you are staying in the old town, as parking is limited, many tourist sights (and the wedding festivities!) are within walking distance, and taxis are abundant.

REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH CARTAGENA

Walk through the passageway of the Torre del Reloj Clocktower for a majestic entrance into the historical part of town, which is full of colonial architectural gems.  The old town is surrounded by the city walls - a masterpiece from a bygone era. The 13 kilometers of stone, once built to create an impregnable city, are immense and impressive from the distance and striking up-close. The locals are warm, friendly, excellent hosts, and more than happy to show you ways around.

MUST SEES

Palace of the Inquisition (Palacio de la Inquisición):
This palatial building is one of the most historically notable constructions of the colonial era. As the name implies, this is where the Catholic Church condemned its enemies, hence the many torture instruments, documents and paintings from the Inquisition on display.

San Felipe Castle (Castillo de San Felipe): 
Venture through the mysterious, hidden tunnels that run within this impressive fortress, built by the Spanish in the 15th century as a defense against the pirates. It will leave you breathless, and not just because the engineers did pay much attention to airflow in their designs.

Plazas:
Each has its charm, inviting you to relax and watch life unfold. Plaza de San Diego sits between Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara and the Escuela de Bellas Artes and has a unique and particularly bohemian feel to it.

Cuartel de Las Bóvedas:
What were once a military barracks where soldiers stored ammunitions is now a diverse and colorful market brimming with handicraft and souvenirs. Located between the Santa Clara and Santa Catalina forts, the colonial mystique of these 17th century vaults is undeniable.

Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj):
The BBC declared the Torre del Reloj as one of the “world’s most beautiful clock towers”, with good reason; this eminent structure, built in 1631, grants access to the old city, known as the ‘walled city, the most charming part of Cartagena.

Churches (Iglesias):
San Pedro Claver, Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria, Santo Toribio and Santo Domingo

Hay múltiples opciones para alojarse en Cartagena, incluyendo Airbnb y Vrbo entre otros servicios. Para darles una mano a los que todavía no han tenido la oportunidad de estar en esta bella ciudad, hemos seleccionado algunas opciones:

Cartagena is a popular tourist destination, so we encourage you to reserve your housing accommodation as soon as possible. 

Details for staying at the hotel where the wedding ceremony will take place are below.  But there are plenty of options in the old town for different budgets, all within walking distance of the wedding festivities. To help you choose one, we have highlighted a few hotels, some of which are offering special rates for our guests.

Cartagena also has a strong Airbnb and Vrbo culture. If you are traveling as a group, you may find better deals by renting a full apartment or home.

CIUDAD AMURALLADA / OLD TOWN :

Budget Range ($50- $90 USD / night)

Casa Movida Hostel

Casa Pizarro 

Casa Curato

Casa de la Fé

Hotel Monterrey

Budget Range ($100 – $150 USD / night)

Use Code: AdrianayAnden

Delirio Hotel

Bóvedas del Santa Clara

Budget Range ($180 – $230 USD)

Use Code: AdrianayAnden

Movich Hotel

Bastion Luxury

CLOSER TO THE BEACH / BOCAGRANDE:

If you prefer to stay outside of the old town and closer to the beach, below are some options:

Las Americas (North area) 15 minutes by taxi to the Old Town

Hyatt Regency (Bocagrande) 5 minutes by taxi to the Old Town

Hotel Caribe (Bocagrande) 10 minutes by taxi to the Old Town

Intercontinental Cartagena (Bocagrande) 10 minutes by taxi to the Old Town

Las tarifas incluyen desayuno buffet en el Claustro, WiFi Ilimitado, y Cóctel de Bienvenida

Rates include: Breakfast buffet at El Claustro, WiFi,  & Welcome Cocktail

Reservations:
samia.ceballos@sofitel.com 
Códiga Boda / Wedding Code: AdrianayAnden

Incluye desayuno tipo buffet y WiFi ilimitado. Como valor agregado los huéspedes del Hotel Boutique Bóvedas de Santa Clara, tienen el privilegio de hacer uso de las facilidades del hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara como los son Piscina, Gimnasio, Spa, Restaurantes, Bar, entre otros.
* Sin costo adicional se permiten máximo 2 niños
* Los niños mayores de 12 años tienen precio de $60
USD por noche/habitación.

This small, suite-style hotel is affiliated with the Sofitel Santa Clara and is only a few hundred meters away from the main hotel.  It has rooms at a slightly lower price point and guests still have access to all  the facilities of the Sofitel Santa Clara, including the gym, pool and spa. Rates include breakfast buffet and WiFi. 

* Children 12 and younger, stay for free including breakfast.
* Children 13 and above pay  $60 USD/ room. Breakfast included.

Código Boda / Wedding Code: AdrianayAnden

Este hotel esta ubicado en la misma plaza del Santa Clara. Tenemos una tarifa especial de $172 USD noche que incluye WiFi ilimitado y desayuno

This hotel is located in the same Plaza as the Santa Clara Hotel, so you will be very close to the wedding venue. We have a special wedding rate of $172/night.

For reservations please contact :

Adriana Martelo
Coordinadora de reservas
reservasnacar@oxohotel.com
57 (5) 651 70 50 Ext. 5578

Este hotel esta en el corazón de la Ciudad Vieja, a 10 minutos caminando del Hotel Santa Clara. La tarifa incluye desayuno y WiFi ilimitado

This hotel is in the heart of Cartagena and a ten-minute walk from the Sofitel Santa Clara. Rates include breakfast and wifi.

For Reservations contact:
Sara Jayudt
Phone: +57 5 6602404
gerenciacomercial@deliriohotel.co
Código Boda / Wedding Code: AdrianayAnden

This adorable upscale hostel is part of the colonial landscape of the city in a 19th century building. It's only 7 min walk away from the wedding venue and its facilities were completely renovated in 2020.

It has an outdoor pool, 24-hour reception, co-working room, shared kitchen, common room with pool table, Rooftop with solarium and bar.

Offers private suites and shared rooms, some with a balcony and views of the old city. All rooms are equipped with a safe-box, air conditioning, satellite TV, a work desk and free WiFi in all areas. 

It offers breakfast with an abundance of tropical fruits. Casa Movida Hostel offers an exclusive gastronomic offer at Mama's Pizza gastro-Bar, enjoy the best pizzas in town

info@casamovidahostel.com