Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias a is one of the most important touristic places in Colombia. Also It was declared World Heritage by Unesco in 1984. According to 2013 Census, Cartagena has a population of 1.471.337 inhabitants.

Cartagena de Indias: always colorful, beautiful, and romantic.

Cartagena is known as "corralito de piedra" because the old city is surrounded by old walls with cobbled streets, colorful colonial houses and so many historic places. It looks like if It has not changed since the 16th century. 

Weather

The weather is tropical wet and dry climate. The climate tends to be warm, sunny and windy. Humidity averages is around 90%, with rainy seasons typically in May–June and October–November. Strong cool winds occur from November to March.

Temperature range: 24°C (75,2° F) - 32 °C (89.6 ° F).

The most interesting places to visit are:

-Palacio de la Inquisición

It was builded in 1770. It is a place where you can see objects used for torturing during the inquisition time. 

-Las Murallas

The fortress are 11 kilometers of fortified walls that surround the old city or “corralito de piedra”.

-Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress. It was constructed by the Spanish Crown, There are galleries and a system of tunnels inside.

-Las Bóvedas

These 23 vaults were builded in the middle of the XVIII century. These are . First, these were used as store fireworks and prisons. Currently, you can find a big variety of handicrafts.

The hill of La Popa - La Candelaria Convent

In colony times,  La Candelaria Convent was built a convent on the top of the hill for the church members. On the Twentieth Century, it was used as headquarters and fortress during the independence and civil wars. Currently, it is a good site to appreciate the city. It is one of the most visited places in Cartagena de Indias.

MONUMENTS

Zapatos Viejos monument (Old shoes monument)

India Catalina monument

BEACHES: 

In cartagena, there are so many beautiful beaches: a total of 19 km (11 mi 1418.7 yd) of beaches in the metropolitan area, another 100 km of beaches north to Barranquilla and 43-island archipelago. 

The most important beaches are:

Marbella beach

 Bocagrande beach

Castillo Grande beach

 La Boquilla beach

Typical food:

In Cartagena, You can find so many places of international cousin but We want invite you to taste the typical food of Cartagena.

Costeño cheese: It is cheese originated in Caribbean Coast of Colombia. It is made from cow's milk. It is a very important ingredient of many recipes of traditional Cartagena's cousine. The characteristic of Costeño cheeses including white colour, salty flavor, fresh and soft consistency.

Mote de queso: It is a delicious soup made with yam and "Costeño" cheese, coconut milk and some vegetables like garlics, tomatoes, onions and leaf of "Bleo de chupa" and some drops of lemon . 

Suero Costeño: It is a type of sour cream of originated in Caribbean Coast of Colombia. It is made from cow's milk. The characteristic of Suero Costeño including white colour, salty flavor, fresh and soft consistency. It is a delicious garnish.

A typical dish have Arroz con coco (It is white rice cooked with coconut milk, salt and sugar) Patacón (plural: Patacones. It is fried unripe bananas) fried fish and salad of tomatoes, onions, cucumber, salt and lemon.

Seafood casserole: This dish is so special because It is prepared with coconut milk. It has fish, lobster, shrimps, prawns, clams, winkles, white wine and some vegetables.

Exotic drinks

In Cartagena, there are so many exotic fruit juice. We recommend you: Tamarindo juice, Corozo juice and Guayaba Agria juice. These juices are refreshing and delicious.

Music:

In Cartagena, people hear all kinds of music. For example, salsa, merengue, vallenato, reggae, rock, jazz, blues, electronic music, among others. But the traditional music are Cumbia, Vallenato, Mapalé and Champeta. Because there is a big musical influence from Afro-Caribbean rhythms. 

Champeta:                                    Mapalé:      

   

Vallenato:                                      Cumbia:

   

SPORTS

Cartagena's most important sport is baseball, but people of Cartagena plays other sports like soccer, boxing, skating, basketball, swimming, kickball, softball, volleyball, beach volleyball, among others. 

Windsurf, surf, kite surf and snorkel, and other  water sports are the most preferred for tourists.

Fairs, festivals and events in Cartagena

Cartagena is a privileged place for cultural events and fairs that attract visitors from all over Colombia and the rest of the world. The most important events are:

Summerland: January 

Bullfighting: January

Feria Origen Colombia: January

Hay Festival: January 

Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria: February

International Film and TV Festival: March

Caribbean Music Festival: March

Easter Week: March/April

Cartagena Sailing Festival: April

Fashion Week: May 

Gourmet’s Delight: June

International Sailing Championships: June/July

Summer Festival: June/July

Cartagena's Independence Day Celebrations: 11th November

Miss Colombia: November

Jazz Festival: December

FAMOUS PEOPLE

Some famous people have born in Cartagena: 

CLOTHES

Fashion is importat in Cartagena but It is not indispensable. People usually wear lightweight clothing because the weather, but dress code depends on the occasion.