Mar 01 2009
THE TOP FIVE PLACES TO VISIT IN CARTAGENA DE INDIAS
Introduction:
As a Colombian and as a Cartagenero, I always been proud of whom I am, the place I was born and I always like to share what cool places are in Cartagena if you like to know another facet of the city.
Cartagena is a city filled with many contrast and with a wide variance of people and culture, as well many places to visit, places that are not strictly tourist traps but those aren’t places to go with small children; basically Cartagena is a great city to a newlywed couple or a family with grown up children because toddlers will get bored as there isn’t activities for them around the city.
One of my favorite places was El Leon De Baviera, a Rock pub where bands and music use to play live and beer flows like money in a bank, but let me tell you, I don’t drink but the atmosphere of the place is amazing and enjoyable with a glass of Coke as well a pint of beer.
THE LIST:
1) The Old Town (La Ciudad Vieja): Amazing and beautiful this monument of the Republican architecture. The Old Town is the insignia of the city, is the living monument of Cartagena’s past as well a living proof of history of one the oldest city of America. Walking down the streets you can feel the ghost of the past in the present, you can breathe the same salty air that was breath 300 years ago and if you have money you can spend the night in one of the old houses that are renovated into hotels.
2) El Leon de Baviera (Bavaria Lion): The coolest rock pub in town, really spectacular but not a place for kids as is a pub and alcohol is always present. If you are in la Boehme this is the place to be and be seen.
3) The Pizzeria of the Almirante Hotel: I don’t know the name of the pizzeria of this hotel, but is located in Bocagrande. This pizzeria is a really neat spot because is located right in front of the beach, you have the ocean in front of you while you eat pizza which is an amazing experience; also this is one of the few places that if you go or if you are a guest at the hotel your children will have activities to do.
4) El Cerro San Felipe (Saint Phillip Fortress): Interesting and really educative, is a living testament of the bloody and heroic past of the city. The fortress was used to defend the city from pirates but for the construction many slaves lives where sacrificed in the process.
5) Las Islas del Rosario (Rosario Islands): A paradise on Earth, but beware is kind of expensive if you plan to go over a week, but there are some tours that last one day and you can spend the day with the natives.
