Alex’s Cartagena Guidebook
Food scene
We love the design and architecture here, and they have very fun live music. the food is phenomenal as well, and very authentic cartagenero cuisine.
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RESTAURANTE CANDÉ - Cocina 100% Cartagenera
No 39-02 Cl. de la SerrezuelaWe love the design and architecture here, and they have very fun live music. the food is phenomenal as well, and very authentic cartagenero cuisine.
- Republican and Colonial design and architecture.
- Also a hotel, beautifully done
8 polecane przez mieszkańców
DOÑA LOLA comida del caribe
- Republican and Colonial design and architecture.
- Also a hotel, beautifully done
Local eatery that is fast, inexpensive, and great food. One of our guest favorites. I always get the mojarra frita and a limonada con coco, but there is a large menu with many options.
47 polecane przez mieszkańców
Holy Spirit Restaurant
6-69 Cl. 35Local eatery that is fast, inexpensive, and great food. One of our guest favorites. I always get the mojarra frita and a limonada con coco, but there is a large menu with many options.
Interesting Seafood dishes and nice rooftop
18 polecane przez mieszkańców
Buena Vida Marisquería - Cartagena
Esquina Cl. del PorvenirInteresting Seafood dishes and nice rooftop
- Hipstery and/or low key.
- Service is slooooow, but very low key with some charm.
La Vieja Guardia Fish&Beer
- Hipstery and/or low key.
- Service is slooooow, but very low key with some charm.
- Local favorite though pricey.
- Great steaks
- In Manga neighborhood)
15 polecane przez mieszkańców
Restaurante D'Res
24-90 Cra. 17- Local favorite though pricey.
- Great steaks
- In Manga neighborhood)
Old school known seafood spot, in the walled city. It used to be one of the favorites decades ago when Cartagena was a little sleepier, but worth recognizing.
11 polecane przez mieszkańców
Porton de San Sebastian
Old school known seafood spot, in the walled city. It used to be one of the favorites decades ago when Cartagena was a little sleepier, but worth recognizing.
IN GETSEMANI, kinda hipstery. Rustic feel with good Italian food.
The Airbnb Guidebook template query results for this spot is showing the wrong address and pictures.
Di Silvio Trattoria
+57 317 6592329
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2CZ7BaFLeJM8bjGF7
96 polecane przez mieszkańców
Di Silvio Trattoria Getsemani
#9 - 72 Calle 29IN GETSEMANI, kinda hipstery. Rustic feel with good Italian food.
The Airbnb Guidebook template query results for this spot is showing the wrong address and pictures.
Di Silvio Trattoria
+57 317 6592329
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2CZ7BaFLeJM8bjGF7
Great Getsemani restaurant to people watch if you can get one of the two outside tables.
Sierpe Cocina Caribe
# 29 -09 Calle de la SierpeGreat Getsemani restaurant to people watch if you can get one of the two outside tables.
- Good option if you're craving sushi, also in Manga.
10 polecane przez mieszkańców
Sr. Miyagi Sushi Express
- Good option if you're craving sushi, also in Manga.
This restaurant has been a favorite among tourists for decades, going back to the days when other Colombians were essentially the only tourists. My family stopped going because the quality waned, but they revamped it recently and it's gotten good again.
69 polecane przez mieszkańców
Restaurante La Casa de Socorro
#8B-112 Cl. 25This restaurant has been a favorite among tourists for decades, going back to the days when other Colombians were essentially the only tourists. My family stopped going because the quality waned, but they revamped it recently and it's gotten good again.
Probably the best foodie experience in Cartagena. very creative dishes with interesting twists on Colombian favorites. For dinner, you have to book ahead of time.
38 polecane przez mieszkańców
Restaurante Celele by Proyecto Caribe Lab
29-200 Cra. 10cProbably the best foodie experience in Cartagena. very creative dishes with interesting twists on Colombian favorites. For dinner, you have to book ahead of time.
This is where we get quick breakfast items. They have an espresso/latte machine, fruit smoothies, a liquid oatmeal that's good, Milo which is a Colombian drink treat, and great pastries. Ask which ones have just come out of the oven. It's two long blocks from the apartment along Calle de la Moneda.
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La Esquina del Pandebono
This is where we get quick breakfast items. They have an espresso/latte machine, fruit smoothies, a liquid oatmeal that's good, Milo which is a Colombian drink treat, and great pastries. Ask which ones have just come out of the oven. It's two long blocks from the apartment along Calle de la Moneda.
Beautiful Views
Café del Mar Ltda.
- Great views, but can get packed
Great view of Castillo San Felipe and bay, less packed than Cafe del Mar. May still be closed due to Covid.
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Casa de la Cerveza
Great view of Castillo San Felipe and bay, less packed than Cafe del Mar. May still be closed due to Covid.
Good Bars and/or Rooftops
Alquimico Bar
##34-24 Cl. del ColegioGreat republican design
La Jugada Club House - Bar
34-25 Cra. 6Fun place also with good ambiance
Nice rooftop, it's an upscale hostel as well
30 polecane przez mieszkańców
Townhouse Boutique Hotel & Rooftop
#36-88 Cra. 7Nice rooftop, it's an upscale hostel as well
Café Havana
ESQUINA Cra. 10Good for dancing salsa, cumbia, merengue ect...
Fun local place for live music on weekends and cold beer on top floor. Have always seen big groups of locals here.
El Cabildo Gastromar
30-65 a 30-1 Carrera 10Fun local place for live music on weekends and cold beer on top floor. Have always seen big groups of locals here.
Great rooftop bar in beautiful colonial hotel. Very nice views of the marina, Bocagrande, Old City, La Popa, and el castillo. Good drinks too.
Corriente Latina
Great rooftop bar in beautiful colonial hotel. Very nice views of the marina, Bocagrande, Old City, La Popa, and el castillo. Good drinks too.
Pool Day Pass Options
They have a day pass for $120.000 a day, $80.000 of which go towards food a nd drink, but it's all about their availability which is tighter on weekends. It's a former monastery and beautiful hotel if just for a drink in the central patio.
33 polecane przez mieszkańców
Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
39-36 Carrera 8They have a day pass for $120.000 a day, $80.000 of which go towards food a nd drink, but it's all about their availability which is tighter on weekends. It's a former monastery and beautiful hotel if just for a drink in the central patio.
They have a day pass for $120.000 a day on weekends and $60.000 weekdays, all of which go towards food a nd drink. Very nice option with great views of old city on their rooftop.
Santa Catalina Hotel
32 - 62 Calle del CandilejoThey have a day pass for $120.000 a day on weekends and $60.000 weekdays, all of which go towards food a nd drink. Very nice option with great views of old city on their rooftop.
This a great option recommended by a guest. They charge between $100.00 and $130.000 for their Day Pass depending on availability, per person. You have access to their 4 swimming pools and their private beach. It's about 15 to 20 mins by taxi from the apartment in Bocagrande.
12 polecane przez mieszkańców
Hilton Cartagena
Avenida Almirante BrionThis a great option recommended by a guest. They charge between $100.00 and $130.000 for their Day Pass depending on availability, per person. You have access to their 4 swimming pools and their private beach. It's about 15 to 20 mins by taxi from the apartment in Bocagrande.
They have a day pass that includes a sauna for $180.000 a day, $80.000 of which go towards food and drink. Quirky with nice rooftop views.
Bantu Hotel
7-62 Calle de la TabladaThey have a day pass that includes a sauna for $180.000 a day, $80.000 of which go towards food and drink. Quirky with nice rooftop views.
Classes and Activities
My wife and I haven't done it yet, but looks like an awesome place to take Caribbean Cooking classes with an incredible view of the castle and bay.
Lunático Cooking Studio Cartagena
29-225 Avenida PedregalMy wife and I haven't done it yet, but looks like an awesome place to take Caribbean Cooking classes with an incredible view of the castle and bay.
This is a Salsa School about a block away from our apartment. They seemed nice when I spoke to them, and have good reviews on Maps, but we haven't taken classes there ourselves nor have any of our guests yet. However, if you do, let us know if you recommend them!
10 polecane przez mieszkańców
Crazy Salsa, Salsa School
This is a Salsa School about a block away from our apartment. They seemed nice when I spoke to them, and have good reviews on Maps, but we haven't taken classes there ourselves nor have any of our guests yet. However, if you do, let us know if you recommend them!
Shopping
This is my favorite little local gallery. They have creative, locally designed clothing and accessories, paintings, decorations ect...
Casa Abba - Gallery-Boutique
This is my favorite little local gallery. They have creative, locally designed clothing and accessories, paintings, decorations ect...
A good central point to see Getesemani's street art, but the best is to stop by here while also walking the streets and taking it all in.
Arte Getsemani Galery
A good central point to see Getesemani's street art, but the best is to stop by here while also walking the streets and taking it all in.
About a 10 minute walk from the apartment in the direction of the Castle San Felipe, this is a good mall experience for shopping. Colombia produces good clothing at good prices. There's Falabella, Arturo Calle and Tennis among other good stores with affordable prices for foreigners.
140 polecane przez mieszkańców
Mall Plaza El Castillo
Carrera 13 Av. Pedro De HerediaAbout a 10 minute walk from the apartment in the direction of the Castle San Felipe, this is a good mall experience for shopping. Colombia produces good clothing at good prices. There's Falabella, Arturo Calle and Tennis among other good stores with affordable prices for foreigners.
This is the real, local Cartagena market. You'll find everything here. It's chaotic and fun, but check it out only if you are comfortable possibly standing out a lot, and know you have to keep a very close eye on your valuables.
23 polecane przez mieszkańców
Rynek Bazurto
This is the real, local Cartagena market. You'll find everything here. It's chaotic and fun, but check it out only if you are comfortable possibly standing out a lot, and know you have to keep a very close eye on your valuables.
Pasaje Nueva Colombia is almost right across the street from the apartment. You'll find Colombian jerseys and souvenirs here, tailors, cobblers, hat salesmen ect... it's worth walking through since it's a good mix of souvenirs and items locals are shopping for. Also, if you buy a shirt that doesn't fit perfectly, have it tailored here.
Colombia Shopping Center 1st. Entrance
Pasaje Nueva Colombia is almost right across the street from the apartment. You'll find Colombian jerseys and souvenirs here, tailors, cobblers, hat salesmen ect... it's worth walking through since it's a good mix of souvenirs and items locals are shopping for. Also, if you buy a shirt that doesn't fit perfectly, have it tailored here.
Sightseeing
If you want more beach time, or prefer to entirely skip a guided Islas del Rosario tour, when my wife and I are craving a beach day we go to Playa Blanca. You can get there by reserving a private car (we have a trusted driver Don Julio you can help with that) which runs $220.000 there and back. Or to get more sea time, go by boat which runs approximately $100.000 per person.
If you'd like to go by boat, you can walk to the marina by the Convention Center and Clock Tower the day before or the day of in the morning. Ask the various boat companies there how much they are charging for rides back and forth to Playa Blanca in Baru. Last time we did it about a year ago it was COP $100.000 per person.
The boats leave about every 30 mins, but check with the boat operator first before buying the ticket. Once at Playa Blanca -- or before -- make sure you know where and when the boat is passing by in the afternoon for the ride back.
The best part of the beach is towards the right when you get off the boat onto the shore. (If you drive there with Don Julio, he'll orient you upon arrival). You can rent a chair for the day, and hang out, and negotiate lunch and drinks. Always ask for the price first before receiving any food or service like massages, and it's a touristy place, so be ready for pushy vendors.
This is a more "do it yourself" and low key beach day, and not for everyone. Islas del Rosario is very special, so ideally you're just squeezing in another beach day once you're comfortable with Cartagena with this beach option.
Playa Blanca Barú
If you want more beach time, or prefer to entirely skip a guided Islas del Rosario tour, when my wife and I are craving a beach day we go to Playa Blanca. You can get there by reserving a private car (we have a trusted driver Don Julio you can help with that) which runs $220.000 there and back. Or to get more sea time, go by boat which runs approximately $100.000 per person.
If you'd like to go by boat, you can walk to the marina by the Convention Center and Clock Tower the day before or the day of in the morning. Ask the various boat companies there how much they are charging for rides back and forth to Playa Blanca in Baru. Last time we did it about a year ago it was COP $100.000 per person.
The boats leave about every 30 mins, but check with the boat operator first before buying the ticket. Once at Playa Blanca -- or before -- make sure you know where and when the boat is passing by in the afternoon for the ride back.
The best part of the beach is towards the right when you get off the boat onto the shore. (If you drive there with Don Julio, he'll orient you upon arrival). You can rent a chair for the day, and hang out, and negotiate lunch and drinks. Always ask for the price first before receiving any food or service like massages, and it's a touristy place, so be ready for pushy vendors.
This is a more "do it yourself" and low key beach day, and not for everyone. Islas del Rosario is very special, so ideally you're just squeezing in another beach day once you're comfortable with Cartagena with this beach option.
"Las Islas" are by far the prettiest beaches in Cartagena, and are accessible by hiring a boat tour operator. We don't officially "recommend" one because my wife and I have just not found one that we loved, and that we know is consistent. However, here are links to operators that previous guests have had a good experience with, and may be worth checking out! (Airbnb doesn't allow copying links but you can type these names adding dot com at the end for their sites in the search box):
tourspalmerasparaiso
islasdecartagena
296 polecane przez mieszkańców
Rosario Islands
"Las Islas" are by far the prettiest beaches in Cartagena, and are accessible by hiring a boat tour operator. We don't officially "recommend" one because my wife and I have just not found one that we loved, and that we know is consistent. However, here are links to operators that previous guests have had a good experience with, and may be worth checking out! (Airbnb doesn't allow copying links but you can type these names adding dot com at the end for their sites in the search box):
tourspalmerasparaiso
islasdecartagena
Many of our guest have visited it and loved it, though we haven't been able to ourselves. Definitely worth reading up on, and we can help with transportation down there since it's a little over an hour car ride from the apartment.
183 polecane przez mieszkańców
Kolumbijskie Narodowe Ptaków
Many of our guest have visited it and loved it, though we haven't been able to ourselves. Definitely worth reading up on, and we can help with transportation down there since it's a little over an hour car ride from the apartment.