Cartagena, Colombia - Playa Blanca and other sites

Sun-baked Cartagena is the gem of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. This is the place to drop any sightseeing routines and just stroll through the maze of cobbled alleys, where enormous balconies are shrouded in bougainvillea and massive churches cast their shadows across leafy plazas. Take time out to relax at one of the cities many open-air cafés, prime viewing spots to watch the parade of horse-drawn carriages, fashionable locals and mystified tourists. Cartagena is a never-ending dream of beaches, beautiful women, incredible restaurants, and inescapable Latin beats - all held firmly together by thick roots of historic architecture, culture and tradition. So taste the beauty of this fishing-town-turned-tropical daydream before everyone else realizes what they are missing.

Playa Blanca

Get up bright and early to head to Playa Blanca, one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Cartagena proper has its own beaches, but they tend to be crowded and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. Playa Blanca, across the bay, can get busy too, but there’s guaranteed to be enough space on the 3-kilometer stretch of soft white sand for your towel and a tropical drink. Boats start leaving from the Muelle Turístico between 7-8 am – you can either do the trip there and back, 35-60 minutes each way, or add in a stop at the nearby Rosario Islands and make a day of it. Be warned, though – all negotiations of ticket prices are done at the docks, so sharpen up your Spanish and be prepared to haggle!

Boats leave from Muelle Turístico pier, Avenue Blas de Lezo: departs 7-8 am, returns 3-4 pm. Boat trip averages $15-30 per person.

Caribbean Ceviche

It would be a crime to stay in Cartagena without enjoying the excellent seafood offerings in a classic form – ceviche – so grab a late lunch at one of the city’s many lime juice-soaked locations. You can find ceviche everywhere from handcarts on the beach to restaurants with white tablecloths, but a few of the best options are the informal and beloved El Boliche Cebichería, the Peruvian-influenced and impeccably decorated La Perla, and the easy-to-remember La Cevichería, a noted haunt of everyone’s favorite rogue traveling chef, Anthony Bourdain.

Shopping

Stroll along the wall and take in the sights and sounds of the city center. Stop to buy hats, jewelry or artwork from local vendors, or duck into the many shops selling high-end emerald jewelry, artwork, handicrafts, clothing and hats. Make a point to stop by the shop of international designer Silvia Tcherassi and save some time for Colombian swim- and resortwear lines Onda del Mar and Agua Bendita, which specialize in Caribbean-ready prints.

Music & Mojitos

Dinner starts late in Cartagena, so don't worry if you need to take a nap before heading back out. Hit up bistro-jazz club La Vitrola for a romantic dinner, complete with live musical accompaniment from a Cuban band. If you're in the mood for drinks after dinner, head to Sibaris Wine Bar for a glass (or three) of quality vino, and a few tapas – that is, if you saved any room in your stomach!

Getsemaní Nightlife

If you can’t wait to hit the dance floor, strap on your shoes and get ready to party at one of the city’s red-hot clubs. For salsa, you can't go wrong with the classic Café Havana or popular Quiebracanto, both in the older neighborhood of Getsemaní right beyond the walls. For a different style of music, check out Bazurto Social Club, a lively nightlife spot that offers the best in cumbia and champeta, two fast-paced styles of music that originated in Colombia’s Caribbean cities.

Sightseeing and Landmarks

TripAdvisor has a fantastic list of museums, landmarks, tours, and other outdoor activities in the Cartagena area. You can book tours and get pricing information from HERE.