In my previous episode, I began talking about Cartagena, probably the most popular city among tourists visiting Colombia for two reasons: its historic center and the beach. I covered the first tourist attraction, the historic center, which consists of the walled city enclosing colors, secrets, flavors, and stories. Some of the sites mentioned were the Castillo de San Felipe, the Clock Tower, multiple squares, churches, historic houses, the San Pedro Claver cloister, and the Inquisition. Additionally, I recommended trying all the dishes available in the historic center. Today, I’ll delve a bit more into the city, sharing insights into the best beaches and islands to visit, places to party with the best local music, and the festivals held in the Heroic City.
Cartagena’s Cultural Importance
Firstly, let me provide more information about Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias was the first Colombian city to declare absolute independence from Spain on November 11, 1811. As mentioned in past episodes, it’s a hot city, with temperatures ranging between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius (85-95 degrees Fahrenheit). This is Colombia’s fifth-largest city, boasting 113 streets, 15 squares, and 8 churches. During the colonial era, Cartagena held great significance for the Spanish, leading to the construction of numerous walls to protect against pirates. The city also served as an ethnic melting pot, contributing to its wealth and diversity in food and music. Spanish, indigenous, and Afro cultures converged in this city.
Beyond being renowned for the walled city, Cartagena adds to its allure with a lively nightlife, cultural festivals, and paradisiacal beaches, making it a perfect city for tourism, relaxation, entertainment, and enjoying the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Today, I’ll share insights into all these city attractions for you to discover the full spectrum of what Cartagena has to offer.
Best Beaches
Let’s start with the beaches. Cartagena de Indias isn’t widely recognized for its beaches near the walled city, as clean sea spots are limited in that area. However, the northern part of the city has a popular beach zone called Morros. In this Morros area, you’ll find many new and luxurious buildings renting apartments with beachfront views. There’s also a large hotel called Las Américas, offering direct access to the sea.
These beaches feature warm Caribbean waters and are generally clean. The sand is typically dark, making the water seem less clear at first glance, but they have few fish and no sharks, making them quite safe for swimming. The only issue is that these beaches attract large crowds. In high season, you usually need to wake up early to secure a beachfront tent, and you’ll find them packed with tourists or street vendors, which can be a bit bothersome if you’re seeking uninterrupted relaxation.
Do a Trip Around the Islands
Therefore, if you prefer more privacy, tranquility, or crystal-clear waters, I recommend visiting some of the islands surrounding Cartagena. Cartagena has over 5 island complexes around it, providing more than 20 beaches to visit and enjoy. White sand, palm trees, sea breezes, and, in some cases, coral reefs will make you feel like you’re in Bora Bora or some paradise island. The islands I highly recommend are Tierra Bomba, Barú, San Bernardo, Islas del Rosario, and Cholón.
The Best 4 Islands
Tierra Bomba has two forts, San Fernando and San José, both built by the Spanish to defend against pirates, now serving as tourist attractions.
Barú has a large crystal-clear beach called Playa Blanca, the most popular for relaxation, and in San Bernardo, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and practice water sports.
The Islas del Rosario are my favorites and the most popular for crystal-clear waters, white sand, tranquility, and privacy. This small and charming archipelago has 28 islands, accessible by boat, with the journey taking just under an hour. The Islas del Rosario are the best place to unwind. Although there are snorkeling services around the islands to explore the corals, there aren’t many fish, so I don’t recommend snorkeling here.
Cholón, my last recommendation, is an island full of party vibes. Here, you’ll find many boats and yachts with loud music, engaging in a “pico” war. The “pico” is a large speaker very popular on the Caribbean coast, and part of Cartagena’s party culture involves a “pico” war, meaning playing music as loudly as possible on your speaker. It turns into a war when many people have their own music at maximum volume, known as “La guerra del pico” (The Pico War). Cholón is not an island for relaxation; it’s a party atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for a lively party with music, this island is perfect for you.
How to Visit the Islands
In Cartagena, you can find many tourist agencies offering tours to one or more of these islands. You can either take a tour on a large shared boat with other people or on a private boat. If you prefer to rent a private tour, there’s an agency called Boats for You, where you can decide which islands to visit and for how long. This option allows you to create your own itinerary based on your preferences, staying at one beach or another without having to wait for shared tour schedules. I’ll leave the link in the description in case you prefer visiting the islands with a private tour.
If you want to enjoy the beaches to the fullest, the best time to travel is late November to late April. These months are the low season, and the climate is drier and cooler due to the sea breeze, allowing you to enjoy more privacy than during other months of the year.
One last recommendation regarding Cartagena’s beaches and bays is to take a cruise. Cartagena receives many cruises throughout the year, and although I’ve never taken a cruise from here, several depart from Cartagena to explore the Caribbean Sea, visiting islands and cities for several days. This can be a good option if you want to dedicate several days to the sea and sail through the warm waters of the Caribbean. Make sure to check prices, itineraries, and destinations before your trip to schedule a cruise well in advance.
Enjoy Cartagena’s Nightlife
Now that you know all about the best beaches and islands in Cartagena, let’s talk about the music of this city. Cartagena is recognized for its nightlife and parties.
Champeta
In Cartagena, there’s a very popular musical genre called Champeta, which is a mix of many genres like reggaetón, hip-hop, and upbeat music. Champeta is a genre that lifts your spirits and puts you in a party mood. It is believed that this genre was created by the community of slaves who went to live in Palenque, as it has a strong Afro influence and is very similar to the music found today in the southern and eastern parts of Africa.
Some Colombian artists who are very popular with Champeta are Bazurto All Stars, Kevin Florez, and Mr Black. This genre, characteristic of Cartagena, is challenging to dance, but there are places where you can go to learn or watch others dance. Bazurto Social Club is the best place to dance Champeta. Also, in this bar, they prepare the Machacao, a variation of the mojito but with a Cartagena twist. This is my top recommendation if you want to party like a local, listen to local music, and get local drinks.
Salsa
If Champeta seems too challenging, you may prefer going to a salsa place. Although salsa is not native to Cartagena, it is a representative genre of Colombia and Latin American culture, making it very popular among foreign tourists. In the walled city, you’ll find a place called Fidel. Fidel is the best place to dance salsa in Cartagena, so if you like this genre, I recommend going there.
Getsemani
Finally, if you don’t enjoy dancing much and just want to go out for a drink, I recommend going to Getsemaní, as it is a very popular neighborhood at night. The Plaza de Trinidad in Getsemaní is a busy spot among Cartageneros to have a drink and enjoy street music. This square also offers free Zumba classes on Sundays, in case you’re looking for a different plan on weekends.
Getsemaní was originally a working-class neighborhood but is now a bohemian district full of artists and street art. Besides going out in Getsemaní, I recommend taking a graffiti tour of the neighborhood. The walls of Getsemaní hold history, memories, and Caribbean symbols, and different tours help you understand the hidden messages behind the artworks.
Conclusion
To conclude my podcast, I also wanted to talk about the different festivals in Cartagena, in case you want to travel to attend any of them. In January, there’s a festival called Hay Festival, where a large gathering revolves around international writing and literature. This same month, there’s also the International Music Festival, showcasing leading instrumental music artists. Later in March, the International Film and Television Festival takes place, attracting filmmakers, actors, and musicians. This festival also includes high-quality free film screenings. As you can see, Cartagena is not only rich in history but also one of the most significant cities for the country’s culture.
