Cartagena Colombia In A Nutshell
Cartagena is one area of the country that is a must see for any tourist to Colombia. The rich cultural and religious history is on display in the area all year round.
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Cartagena Colombia In A Nutshell
Bobby Castro is the online editor at Gringos, where he has published a number of articles about Colombia news for expats and many other topics.
Colombia’s most historic city is Cartagena. It was once the sanctuary of freed slaves from Africa in the Americas. Nowadays, it is one of the most vibrant and exciting places in the country because of its rich history and lively populace.
The city is located on the northern coast of the country and hugs the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the foremost tourist hubs in Colombia, especially during the tourist seasons of December and the Holy Week. Tourists can walk through the Ciudad Amurallada or Walled Colonial City where many fancy bistros, clubs and hotels are located. One enters the walled city through the Clock Tower Building and has many neighborhoods, such as the Centro, San Diego, Getsemani and La Matuna. The other area where tourists can locate themselves are by the beachfront, known as Bocagrande, with its many hotel towers and condominiums.
Other tourist locations in Cartagena include the La Popa hill where there is a panoramic view of the city and the nearby harbor area. Also located on the hill is the 17th century Santa Cruz monastery where the image of the Virgin of La Candelaria is enshrined. There is also the Palacio de la Inquisicion or the Palace of Inquisition where the Spanish Inquisition conducted investigations through torture, judged and convicted individuals because of alleged crimes against the Catholic religion. There are also many religious locations found nearby, such as the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver. The shrine is for the first saint of the new world for his religious work with the freed slaves in the country. There is also the La Catedral near Plaza de Bolivar and the Iglesia de Santo Domingo.
If you want fun in the sun and away from the tourist walks, then the place to be in Cartagena is Playa Blanca. This is acclaimed as the best beach in the city but is quite a distance from the beaten path of tourists. The white sand and crystal blue waters though are well worth the trek together with the peace and quiet of being on the beach proves to be priceless when in Cartagena. It is recommended that one stays overnight at Playa Blanca after the tour boats leave in the afternoon to return to the main city area. Do beware of scam artists though especially those offering free taste oysters on the beach.
As can be seen, Cartagena in the heart of Colombia offers its visitors not only a feast for the senses but also for the intellect. The beaches of the area are the best in the country, especially Playa Blanca. For a more intellectual tourist, then the Walled City and the other historic sites truly makes Cartagena one of the most historically rich cities in all of Colombia.
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