TRAVEL
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