The Highlights of Cartagena

When I told a friend who lives in Colombia about the different cities and towns I was planning to visit, she told me that Cartagena would be the one I would like the least. She was right! The city was expensive, the USD-to-Peso exchange rate used by local money exchanges was criminal, and there were many tourists everywhere. However, here is why I would still recommend Cartagena, a city declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, for a couple of days.

Architecture

Cartagena has arguably the best-preserved colonial architecture in Colombia, and some might say in the Western Hemisphere. The architecture is stunning in both the walled city and outside the wall in the Getsemani neighborhood. The original structures still stand with fresh paint on stucco, and the doors and windows that are a work of art. What makes some of these buildings even more special are the balconies bursting with bougainvillea flowers.

Photo: Shutterstock; William RG

Street art

Walking through Cartagena is an artistic treat, particularly in the neighborhood of Getsemani. It is something that you can experience without paying a dime - all you will need is a good pair of walking shoes.

Music

Champeta, a musical genre and dance originating in the Caribbean Coast in Colombia, is spirited and joyful. Champeta shows influences from African colonial settlements and from contemporary African culture. It’s common to see champeta danced to a soundtrack of African music. Click on the video below to see Champeta and maybe even learn some moves.

See any similarity in moves to the musical hit Gangnam Style?

Hopefully in the future, nightclubs will reopen. When they do, I recommend Buzoto night club - I had a blast dancing champeta there!

Cover photo: Shutterstock; Jeremy Richards

#Colombia

#Cartagena