Exploring Cartagena: A Complete Guide of Colombia’s Vibrant Coastal Gem

Intro

Welcome to a journey through the vibrant streets of Cartagena, Colombia! Buckle up and get ready to explore this enchanting city, starting from the moment you lift off from JFK International Airport aboard a Copa Airlines flight bound for Panama.

As you soar through the clear skies, don’t miss the breathtaking view of Orion’s Belt and the twinkling stars overhead. Once you touch down in Panama City, indulge in the delectable culinary offerings served on board before continuing your adventure to Cartagena.

From the cobblestone streets of the Historical Center to the bustling energy of Bocagrande, we’ll traverse through the city’s rich tapestry of sights and sounds. Get a taste of local culture and treat yourself to some Colombian coffee and traditional arepa de huevo at Donde Magola.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool at Hyatt Regency Cartagena or exploring the Christmas decorations at La Serrezuela Mall, every moment in Cartagena promises to be unforgettable.

Join us as we uncover the beauty and charm of this coastal gem, one adventure at a time.

Back to my roots

Having grown up in Colombia, makes me mix the very traditional New Years celebrations in this country. New York City is too cold and I feel the NYE celebrations lack togetherness.

In Colombia, NYE is the equivalent to Thanksgiving, where family and friends come closer to receive the New Year in the best shape.

I had bought this trip since April, and even though I modified it a couple of times, now I was on my way to Panama City, where I would take my flight to Cartagena. Bye bye New York city for now.

On the way to Panama in this 4.5 hours flight, I got food, which was surprising. Gotta love Copa Airlines.

I arrived to Panama City, and this time the Tocumen airport was looking way better than ever. Even though the stop was 2 hours, I was called into my flight right after I landed. Time to run!

On the way to Cartagena, in this 1 hour flight the sky was so clear, and the stars were so vivid, I was so happy I was going to my hometown.

Landed and did Customs, and all my family were waiting for me. We hung out and had some first Colombian food. I decided to stay in the Historical Center, and went to the Airbnb right away. The place was huge!

Exploring Centro Historico

The first I did the next morning was to get some authentic breakfast, and then have a massage. I loved not having to pay so much money (like in New York City).

After that, I started exploring the beautiful streets of the Historical Center.

The Historical Center of Cartagena captivates with its charming cobblestone streets, vibrant colonial architecture, rich cultural heritage, and bustling atmosphere, offering an authentic glimpse into the city’s storied past.

One curiosity of New Years Eve in Colombia, is that they wear yellow underwear to bring prosperity on the new year lol. Of course, I had to buy some for me.

After a lot of walking, I got to Starbucks, to get a cold brew. I was happy this chain finally opened a few stores in Cartagena, about time.

San Diego

Got a little snack afterwards, by going to Donde Magola, in the neighboring San Diego. The arepa de huevo is a tradition in this part of the country.

It is basically a corn flour fried patty, filled with eggs and ground beef. It is so delicious.

Barrio San Diego in Cartagena is a quaint neighborhood known for its picturesque streets, colorful colonial buildings, cozy cafes, boutique shops, and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for leisurely strolls and exploration.

The colorful streets are present everywhere, and the bougainvilleas decorate the fronts of these historical houses.

La Serrezuela Mall

Located in San Diego, La Serrezuela Mall in Cartagena is a modern shopping destination housed within a historic, thankfully extinct bullfighting ring.

It offers a unique blend of upscale boutiques, restaurants, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions, all set against a backdrop of architectural splendor.

Inside of La Serrezuela, we got to go to Andrés Carne de Res, the famous BBQ restaurant from Bogota, had recently opened in Cartagena.

The food here was delicious, and the ambience, with all the live music was all that I wanted at this point. After this and a bit later I went with my family to the East side of the city to go see Aquaman 2 at the movies.

The Combo Salchipeta (sausage in popcorn) was something I was not expecting lol. Also, getting used to the currency is always difficult, but for reference 1 USD is approx. 4000 pesos.

Plaza Bocagrande Mall

Plaza Bocagrande is the newest mall of this neighborhood, located in the same building as the Hyatt Regency. The views from this 50 story building are breathtaking, but for now I needed to eat, and the Christmas decorations were distracting me lol.

For lunch on this New Years Eve day, I got the Chicken, Cheese and Mushrooms, a traditional staple of Crepes & Waffles, one of the best Colombian restaurant chains.

Views from Plaza Bocagrande Mall

Bocagrande in Cartagena is like the city’s beachy playground. Very tall buildings lining the shore, sandy beaches packed with locals and tourists, and lively streets buzzing with shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

The Manga neighborhood, La Popa Hill and the internal bay are fully visible from this mall.

And from the front of the building, you are able to see the Bocagrande beaches, recently amplified and preferred by locals and national tourists.

And of course you can see the Historical Center with the cathedral and the Santuario de San Pedro Claver being the tallest buildings.

Hyatt Regency Cartagena

New Year’s Eve was excellent. I got to spend time with my family and loved every second of it.

After that, I came back to my Airbnb to sleep, but not too much because I was checking in the Hyatt Regency Cartagena, located in the same building as Plaza Bocagrande.

Got a few nights scoring Chase points and transforming them into Hyatt Rewards points. The regular price of the night was extremely expensive, especially on New Years. But the room was also unbelievable.

The views from this higher floor were amazing.

And of course I could not miss the sunset on the Caribbean sea and the Bocagrande beaches.

Went downstairs to get some food, and explore the hotel. I was definitely going to check this pool later on.

The Buque Gloria is the floating ambassador for Colombia, and you can see the colors of the flag, decorating the boat.

But after all these days of fun and meeting friends and family, exploring the city, enjoying the traditional food, and relaxing, it was time to go to my next destination.

For the first time ever I would be travelling to one of the Natural Wonders of the World: the Amazon River.