For anyone traveling to South America on one of our all inclusive cruises, Cartagena, the beautiful coastal city in Northern Colombia, is a must-see destination. Unlike other South American cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, Cartagena is not well-known to Americans, so many visitors aren’t quite sure what to do when they visit.
In this article we’d like to give you a few ideas for things you can do when you’re touring Colombia’s most famous seaside city.
Eat!: Cartagena’s location on the Atlantic Coast of Colombia means that it is a prime location to grab some delicious seafood. Local favorites include ceviche, a citrusy fish salad that is as refreshing as it is cheap. In addition, just about every bar will serve you a piña colada that is to die for.
Shop for local crafts and clothing: There are many areas of Cartagena where you can purchase local crafts made by artisans. This is a great way to pick up souvenirs for you and your family. The best places to shop for these items include Calle Santo Domingo and Calle San Juan de Dios.
Visit the Old City: Cartagena is very old, and as such it’s very walkable, as most of it was constructed before cars were invented. The Old City provides some of the most scenic parts, and you can easily find street performers, tasty cafes and interesting shops to visit.
Many travelers end up passing on visits to South America because they’re overwhelmed by the idea of planning a major international trip. If you’d like to see the wonders of Cartagena and other South American destinations, but without the headache of creating your own itinerary, CruiseExperts.com is here to help. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com, to find out about our latest South American excursions and Amazon River cruises.
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3 Comments
I would like names of safe restaurants close to the cruise ship dock.
Is taxi service reliable?
Hi Pat – when you book with CruiseExperts.com, you can rest assured that all of your questions will be answered, we’ll give you restaurant recommendations, and offer transportation services too. Please feel free to give us a call at (866) 361-3405 and we’ll be happy to help you with travel plans to Colombia, or wherever else you’d like to travel to!
There is a restaurant in the gardens just inside the terminal. We had something to eat there after our visit to the city. Outside are many taxis that will take groups of clients on tours, at a negotiated price. I felt very safe, and saw the old city, an emerald factory, the new town, and more. Felt very comfortable walking in the old city during our taxi tour. I would not be hesitant to eat in any of the places the taxi took our group of folks. We just grouped with a couple other couples at the curb who wanted to use a taxi tour. I was very favorably impressed with Cartagena and would be glad to visit again.
I would prefer NOT to use these threads to advertise my own successful business, but rathter to share information and opinions based on my own experience.