Cartagena

Abaco

Cafe & Book Store is a great place to relax and get some peace and quiet. Local books on Cartagena in addition to great coffee.

Hot beverage and cake around COP$9000

Atahualpa

Peruvian place with fresh fish. The menu of the day is great value

Set dinner soup, main and juice for COP$12,000

Cafe del Mar

Located atop the western wall providing sunset views and cocktails.

Casa de Rafael Núñez

This wooden building was the home of the 19th-century poet and president Rafael Núñez (1825-1894). He wrote the text to the Colombian national anthem, and also participated writing the constitution which was in force from 1886 to 1991.

Tue-Fri 09:00-17:30, Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 10:00-16:00·COP$4,000

Castillo de San Felipe

A fortress designed by the Dutch engineer Richard Carr and built in 1657 by the Spanish for protection against pirates while shipping gold out to Europe. The largest fort the Spanish ever built in their colonies, this fort was conquered only once by French privateer Baron de Pointis in 1697. It's filled with an extensive maze of tunnels, which you can explore on a guided tour. Don't miss the 24-minutes long video that tells the history of the fortress.

Open now · closes 6 pm·COP$30,000 (foreigner). Audio guide COP$10,000

Catedral de Santa Catalina

A three-naved cathedral which is rather crude on the inside, but has an impressive tower.

Tue-Sun 09:30-18:30·COP$10,000

Citibank

There is a large Citibank ATM location on calle Venezuela near Barrio San Diego that has a guard out front. ATMs appear to be available 24/7.

Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:30

Club de Pesca

Fine dining restaurant specializing in the "fruits of the sea". Great seafood and great atmosphere. Located in Manga with view to the bay and marinas of Cartagena.

Mains COP$40,000-60,000

Convento & Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Named after Pedro Claver (1580-1654), a Spanish Jesuit who worked for 40 years for the rights and the wellbeing of the slaves in the city. He was beatified in 1888, and in 1985 named the patron saint of human rights. His relics are visible in a crystal arch under the altar. Moreover, on the second floor you can visit the room where he lived the last times of his life and died. On the second floor there is also an exhibition of Afro-Caribbean art.

Mon-Sat 08:00-17:00, Sun 08:00-16.30·COP$6,000

Donde Olano

Olano´s

Great sea food with fusion style, don´t miss the shrimps in passion fruit and coconut rice!

Mains COP$30,000-70,000, but does have some more affordable alternatives

El Balcón

2nd floor restaurant that overlooks the Plaza San Diego. Small balcony for seating, but great food, both fish and meat. Good set menus and 2-for-1 specials on cocktails every day from 18:00-21:00.

About COP$45,000 with drink

Gelateria Paradiso

Has unreal ice cream, with a large assortment of different exotic fruit flavors. Fans of coffee ice cream must stop by for a scoop. Corner of Calle del Cuartel and Calle de la Estrella.

COP$4,000 for small cup, $6,000 for medium

Iglesia de Santo Domingo

Not far from the cathedral is the oldest church in Cartagena. Santo Domingo on the eponymous square has been here since 1552. You can rent audio guides, available in many languages.

Tue-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 12:00-20:00·COP$10,000

Juan Valdez University Square

Coffee chain with a large variety of coffees and different cakes. Free WLAN.

La Avenida del Arsenal

La Avenida del Arsenal is located along the bay near the Centro de Convenciones. In its heyday it was the place to be. Now much of the nightlife in Cartagena has moved to the Ciudad Vieja, but this strip of about 10 discotecas is still a raging place to experience on weekends. Entry to most of the discos is COP$10,000-20,000.

La Mulata

A choice of a few set lunch options. Different menu every day of the week. Delicious and unpretentious.

mains COP$20,000-30,000

La Popa

Close to the San Felipe fortress is the 150-m high La Popa hill, which offers great views over Cartagena and the harbour area. The 17th century Santa Cruz monastery is here, which has a beautifully restored courtyard and a fine image of the Virgin of La Candelaria, the patron saint of the city. On the 2nd of February every year, pilgrims celebrate her. Entrance to La Popa is COP$8,000 for adults and a little less for children. Taking a taxi up and down the hill will cost you a shocking COP$50,000. Negotiate this with the driver before going. It is advised that you do not walk up as it can be dangerous.

La Vitrola

Considered the best restaurant in town. Cuban ambiance, good food - high prices. It is on Calle Baloco at the corner front to the historical walls.

Mid-range

Mister Babilla

One of the most popular watering holes for local Cartageneros is Mister Babilla, located on the Avenida del Arsenal, near the Centro de Convenciones. This place is great on the weekends and is notorious for having people dancing on the tables and the bar late into the night! A great time!

Monumento a la India Catalina

A landmark dedicated to and named after the city's founder Pedro de Heredia's native translator Catalina.

Museo Naval del Caribe

In a former Jesuit college right behind the convent. It offers an informative overview of the history of the city and the naval history of the Caribbean. However the exhibits are replicas, not originals.

Open now · closes 7 pm·COP$6,000

Museo del Oro y Arqueología

Also at the same square, this museum shows the religious gold artefacts of the Zenú (or Sinú) people who used to live along the coast. Not as large as the gold museum of Bógota, but still very worth seeing. However, the museum's archaeological museum is even more interesting, showcasing the native people's impressive achievements in controlling and canalling Rio Magdalena.

Tue-Fri 10:00-13:00 & 15:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00, Sun 11:00-16:00·Free

Otro Mundo

Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria

Otro Mundo Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria it is in Centro Historico de Cartagena de Indias, Calle San Agustin 6-68, close Universita de Cartagena (Cartagena University). There you can eat excellent Croatian dishes, pastas, and the best pizza of America. Ambient is rustically tip, very clean with excellent service. The price of dishes and pizza is very good. In the local you can use gratis WiFi internet connection. They do also pizza delivery.

Open now · closes midnight tomorrow·Croatian Cevapcici COP$18,000; Pasta frutos del mar $20,000; small pizza from $12,000, medium $25,000, large $35,000.

Otro Mundo

Bistrò-Bar.Pizzeria

Otro Mundo Bistrò-Bar-Pizzeria is in Centro Historico de Cartagena, Calle San Agustin 6-68 and is near Universita de Cartagena. There you can eat excellent Croatian dishes, pastas, and the best pizza of America. Ambient is very clean and service is excellent. The price and quality of the dishes and pizza are very good. Every day you can listen good music and taste also good drinks, like beer, cocktails, juice and natural juice, all this with very good price and hospitable service.

Open now · closes midnight tomorrow

Palacio de la Inquisición

Museo de la Inquisición

The museum of Palacio de la Inquisición (Palace of Inquisition) was where the Spanish Inquisition tortured, judged and convicted people accused of crimes against religion.The tribunal was responsible for all of South America and sentenced almost 700 people, including Jesuits opposing slavery. Many of the accused were badly tortured. Today the museum shows some instruments of torture actually used back then.

Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-16:00·COP$17,000. A tourist guide, in English, can be purchased for COP$15,000.

Plaza de Bolívar

Some blocks inwards there's the Plaza de Bolívar with an equestrian statue of the liberation hero. Before the independence of Colombia this was known as Plaza de Inquisición, and next to it you can find the inquisition palace. where during two centuries the Catholic church held processes against heretics.

Plaza de la Aduana

Next to the former, there is another beautiful triangular square, Plaza de la Aduana, surrounded by impressive arcaded buildings.One of these is Casa del Premio real, the house of the Spanish viceroy. This square has a statue as well, of Christopher Columbus.

Plaza de los Coches

From Camellon de los Martires you pass through the historical city gate Puerta del Reloj, the gate of the clock, onto the triangular square Plaza de los Coches, the place of the carriages. Once this was one of the largest slave markets in all of Latin America, a major source of wealth to the city, aside of the gold export to Spain. Nowadays a statue of Pedro de Heredia, the founder of the city, stands on this square.

Quebracho

Argentinian restaurant at its best. Good meat, good ambiance.

Dishes around COP$55,000

Raíces: Spanish & Culture

The main focus of this Spanish school is immersion courses: their philosophy is that it's more interesting and better for students to learn in a cultural environment that shows the richness of the Spanish language. Flexible schedule, good prices, nice and friendly teachers committed with the learning of their students.

Open now · closes 6 pm