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Classic Colombia / Land of Coffee & Tayrona / Archeology & History / By the Sea / Nature Tour
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Cartagena

Founded in 1533, where the Caribe Indians used to be settled, the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia founded the city of “Cartagena de Poniente” to distinguish it from “Cartagena de Levante” in Spain. Later the city became known as “Cartagena de Indias”, a name which remained until the end of the colonial era and the beginning of the Republic. This colonial city rapidly became the gem in the Spanish Crown’s territories. It was built up between the XIV and XIX centuries and in order to protect it from the continual attacks by foreign buccaneers and pirates, the largest fortification in the Americas was constructed around it. Cartagena was the first province of the Nuevo Reino de Granada which gained its independence from Spain on the 11th of November 1811 and the city still boasts architectural treasures in its civil, domestic, religious, military and governmental constructions.

Just walking through its narrow yet remarkable streets there is enough to understand why Cartagena is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This colonial area is split into three zones, the Centro, San Diego (both inside the wall city) and Getsemaní. This whole city harks back to a time when pirates routinely attacked the bay and when the Spanish Inquisition executed a great number of slaves accused of witchcraft; furthermore strict rules were installed by the Dominicans who had the right to cast judgment over whomever they wished. The real joy of Cartagena is exploring its streets on foot, an experience that awakes all five senses with the rhythms of cumbia and mapalé, with the flavors of the Caribbean, the blend of the natural world against the variations in architecture all the while buffeted by a Caribbean breeze making the city an incredibly romantic destination.

Aside from the centre of the city is Bocagrande, a long spit of land that is home to the majority of modern buildings and hotels, connected to the barrios of El Laguito and Castillo Grande which make up part of today’s modern city. The outstanding beaches of the Islas del Rosario, Barú and Playa Blanca are located at approximately 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. Culturally, Cartagena is renowned for its Cinema Festival; it is the host city of the Hay Festival and is the seat of the National Beauty Pageant each November, the same month as the independence celebrations. The cultural wealth that Cartagena enjoys is a result of the mix in backgrounds of the city’s inhabitants and its architectural beauty. The sea and the warm afternoon winds make Cartagena one of the Caribbean’s most fascinating cities.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 | Cartagena
Arrival at Cartagena airport, transfer to hotel and check in. Overnight stay. Meals: - / - / -

Day 2 | Cartagena
After breakfast, half day visit in Cartagena starting with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Formerly known as the “Popa del Galeon” and famous for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed in 1606 this church and monastery are located at a height of 140masl from where one can enjoy 360º views of the city and the sea as well as the port zone, one of the most important in the Caribbean. Continuing to the San Felipe fortress, erected in honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López, made famous for his sonnet “A mi ciudad nativa.. It was built on San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. Walk around the fortress and know how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then, go on to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Convert and Church of
the San Pedro Claver compound which was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the .apóstol de los esclavos.. Lastly, follow to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan center to appreciate local handcraft. Return to the hotel and free remainder of the day for individual activities. Overnight stay. Meals: - / - / -

Day 3 | Cartagena - Archipiélago Islas del Rosario National Park - Cartagena
All day excursion by boat to the Archipiélago del Rosario, located one hour from Cartagena (25 miles). The national park is ringed by coral reefs and lapped by clear blue waters and is the habitat for a large variety of marine fauna. Free time for snorkeling and relaxation. Lunch during the excursion. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. Meals: B / - / -

Day 4 | Cartagena
Breakfast and transfer to airport. Meals: B / - / -

Optional Excursions:

Rumba in the Chiva (local bus)
Tour Cartagena by night in a “chiva” – a brightly coloured traditional Caribbean bus – with the music turned up, taking in the modern city and then the colonial sector and its narrow streets along near the old city Wall.
2011 Price: US$25 per person

NIGHTTIME CARRIAGE TOUR
Take a magical tour by night of the walled city stepping back in time and enjoying the sights from an open horse drawn carriage. The sound of the horse’s hooves on the colonial streets, the refreshing breeze, the nighttime colors of Cartagena, the architecture and the generally beautiful and atmospheric scenery, make the visitor feel as if he or she is part of a film. Take in the different plazas; pass by the elegant colonial houses with their balconies filled with tumbling bougainvillea flowers. Watch Cartagena by night as tourists, including Colombians and foreigners fill the streets.
2011 Price: US$118 for 1, $61 each for 2-3, $30 each for 4-6