The 5 routes you must discover in Cartagena, Colombia

Getting to know Cartagena de Indias is one of the most important challenges for those who travel to this wonderful Colombian city, full of beaches, old walls, craft shops, and, of course, the vibrant Caribbean. This article will give you a few tips on how to plan a tour by Cartagena, and it will give you the details to put together an itinerary to make your trip something else.

There are 5 choices of popular tours in Cartagena. Each one of them has been assembled taking in account the visitor’s taste, so there won’t be a problem to enjoy them all.

Once you have decided what to do in Cartagena, it will be easier to put the rest of the trip together.

Islas del Rosario Tour

This experience includes a tour by the 27 Caribbean islands that are located within this small archipelago that belongs to Cartagena. This gorgeous place belongs to one of the National Natural Parks of Colombia, created to protect one of the most important coral reefs, not just of the Caribbean, but of the whole world.

When you travel to this place, you will have the opportunity to experience life in the middle of the sea, as well as the chance to meet the local communities and taste their delicious gastronomy. It is one of the most popular places to visit, due to its amazing natural offer full of white sand beaches and crystalline waters. There is a wide offer of activities to do, including hiking, birdwatching, camping, as well as the chance to observe unmatchable sunrises and sunsets surrounded by the most beautiful sounds of the sea.

Craft Shops Tour

This is an interesting tour that puts together different attractions, such as Las Bóvedas, and some Historical Center streets which have become an authentic outdoor art gallery. There are a lot of souvenirs and crafts elaborated by local craftsmen from the towns and villages nearby Cartagena, so it is the perfect opportunity to acquire the right memory of your visit.

Tourists can walk around the Historical Center and get amazed by looking at the diverse offer of crafts and paintings that decorate these stone streets.

The Peace Tour

San Basilio de Palenque, located one hour and twenty minutes away from Cartagena, was declared a Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It was a place away from the colonies, used by African slaves to escape and live as free men, with autonomy and independence. In San Basilio de Palenque there are still some African traditions such as language, food, and dances. This charming place is full of stories, characters, special celebrations, gastronomy, and some other customs kept from the past.

The Sun, Sea and Beaches Tour

There are over 13 kilometers of beaches to discover in Cartagena. The landscape’s diversity, as well as the activities to do, that includes surf, kayak, and scuba diving, among others, will make you have an unforgettable time. If you are in Cartagena, and you feel like having a sea bath, you can find lots of ideal beaches from Manzanillo del Mar to El Laguito.

The shock of the waves on the beach, the smell of salty water, the feeling of soft sand on your feet, and the sound of the wind, are all perfect elements to make your body get overwhelmed with the joy of the Caribbean. It is the perfect plan to enjoy the city where the summer lives on all year long, and it is the right time to take advantage of such natural wonders. The beach is open everyday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Historical Tour

The old walls of Cartagena were built to protect the city from invasions. Its construction began by the end of the XVI century. This fortification is the largest one ever made in the New World, and it is the one that has been best kept. This 11-kilometer marvelous construction was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and it is the perfect place to contemplate the sunset and take a romantic walk. If you travel Cartagena de Indias guided by these 5 routes, you can bring home the best memories from this historical and adventurist city.