Where to Drink:
Cartagena Craft Beer Company - Cartagena Craft Beer Company was our first stop in Cartagena (mostly because of the craft beer). Nate likes to find all the craft beer spots wherever we go, and this was a good one! They do have a food menu, but we specifically picked it for the beer. We did order shushi and guac while we were there, though and it was delicious! This bar is located in Getsemani.
Alquimico - Alquimico is one of our favorite spots, and such a unique one. Each floor of the bar has a different feel to it. The first floor is really dark, and sort of felt like an older bar. The second floor has a pool table with more tables up there but the rooftop is our favorite. Open Wednesday's-Satuday's the rooftop is a fun tropical paradise right in the heart of the walled city.
Cafe Del Mar - Cafe Del Mar is a a huge tourist trap, but still a "must do" when you're in Cartagena. Cafe Del Mar sits on top of the wall within the walled city, overlooking the ocean. It's best to go there and watch the sunset while having a few drinks. Sometimes there's live music too! They have a food menu, but we favor it for a cocktail hour spot.
Bourbon St. - We came across this bar while walking through the walled city. We were drawn in because of the New Orleans theme, which is one of our favorite cities. The entire bar has a New Orleans feel to it from the drinks, to the snacks as well as the decor. They also have the occasional live band!
Farandula - Farandula is more of a night club, rather than a casual bar. Located in Getsemani, this spot is somewhere to go for a late night party. We went here with some friends from Nate's work to celebrate a birthday. There's lot of dancing so be prepared!
El Mirador - El Mirador is a great spot for evening drinks. This rooftop overlooks the clock tower, providing some great views. You can't miss this spot straight across from the clock tower within the walled city.
The Clock Pup, Cartagena - The Clock Pub Cartagena is one of our frequented spots. Just steps away from El Mirador, the Clock Pub is just to the right of the entrance into the walled city via the clock tower. This bar gives us a very London-y vibe. We like it because they play US music and NFL games. It's a taste of home away from home! We've often times ran into other Americans there while watching some football, even a few from Chicago!
Restaurante Palenquera - Restaurante Palenquera is exactly the type of bar I was hoping for when I was researching Cartagena and seeing all the colorful buildings. This spot explodes with color, you can't miss it! It's located in Getsemani right next to one of the main churches. We spent hours here drinking our mojitos on the balcony and people watching below. They do have food as well, we got a shrimp appetizer that was delicious! I can't tell you the name of it though because we ordered it by pointing to the plate of a table next to us and requesting the same.
The Rum Box - The rum box is another unique spot. Located just inside Getsemani, The Rum Box is fun little bar/restaurant. When you walk up to the restaurant they have a designated employee out front offering free hugs. Inside the waiters and waitresses have the best customer service. The tables are lined with butcher block paper and crayons for you to scribble. Our waiter asked us to put our names down so he could refer to us all personally. We didn't do it this time, but we've been told to try a rum tasting here! However - during our meal they did provide us with one tasting and some chocolate to pair with it!
Buena Vida - Buena Vida is a fun little spot in the walled city. We saw the rooftop from the street and thought it looked like such a cute little spot, we had to try it! They serve food too, but we went there for a quick drink before dinner.
El Baron - El Baron is another bar within the walled city. It's a really small bar on the inside, but they do have outdoor seating which has a great view of the chapel next door. We did a rum, cigar and chocolate tasting which was held at this bar, and that's how we found it. It was a really unique spot, and fun to watch the bartenders make all the fancy drinks!
Cafe Havana - Cafe Havana is a hot spot for Salsa Dancing. It's a great place to go and watch some of the best salsa dancing you might ever see in your life!
Castallena DF - Castallena was a cute Spanish bar right on the edge of Getsemani with a nautical feel to it. We stopped here for some Sangria and it was delicious!
Casa de la Cerva - Casa de la Cerva was an open bar similar to Cafe del Mar, but WAY less crowded. Located in Getsemani, this is truly a hidden gem. This bar overlooks Boca Grande as well as the castle providing amazing sunset views! Definitely worth the trip.
Puro Cuba -Puro Cuba is a cigar bar located within the walled city. If you're a cigar person this is a good spot to check out. They roll the cigars right there in the dining room, so cool!
51 Sky Bar - 51 Sky Bar was located in Getsemani and was a really cool spot. Located at the top of a hotel, you get a 360 degree view of the ocean, the bay and the city. It would be a great place to watch the sunset! You do have to pay a cover to get in though!
Beer Lovers - Beer Lovers is a great spot in the walled city to try a bunch of local craft beers! While we were here we also got some apps which were really yummy!
Montesacro Resto Bar - Montesacro was a spot we were recommended to go. We didn't eat here, only got drinks, but the food looked good! We sat out on the balcony overlooking the square. It was a great view and very peaceful! This was a really nice spot!
Where to Eat:
Varadero - Varadero is a place we've been to multiple times. It's very close to Cafe Del Mar inside the walled city so we typically went there for dinner after our sunset drinks. It's traditional Cuban food with a super unique interior. The food was phenomenal and we definitely recommend it!
Crepes & Waffles - We love a good brunch spot and this is our new favorite here in Colombia. Crepes & Waffles has many locations, but the one we've been going to is located in Boca Grande, just a couple blocks from our apartment.
Masaki Sushi Wak - I am always craving Sushi so when on the search for a great place to go in the walled city I came across Masaki on Google. It was really yummy, we both enjoyed it a lot!
La Cevicheria - La Cevicheria is one of the most popular places to go for Ceviche, not only in the walled city, but in Cartagena overall. We went there with friends and ordered a few different dishes to share as a table which was a good way to try out a bunch of new dishes!
Gran Inka - Gran Inka is a restaurant within the walled city with a really great view. Sitting on the outer edge gives you a great look at the square so you can people watch while you enjoy your meal. The food here was delicious!
Marea - Marea is located right in the bay between the walled city and Gestemani. With the patio running right up the the water it makes a beautiful spot to dine. We enjoyed it a lot. The food was really good too! Definitely a fun and unique spot!
Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine - Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine is a spot we've heard of a few times through recommendations and different blogs we've read. Located in the walled city, this spot offered delicious food, live music, and beautiful scenery with a really cute interior as well as a pool inside the restaurant! We liked this spot a lot!
Restaurante Palenqueras - I have this restaurant listed under places to drink in Getsemani, but they have a second location in Boca Grande right up next to the beach. This is one of the best spots to eat in Boca Grande due to the view and the atmosphere. We've been here a couple times. They offer very traditional Colombian foods.
Sierva Maria - We stopped here for breakfast one morning in the walled city when two friends of ours were in town. We went in search for arepas, and they did not disappoint. It was also very reasonably priced! I recommend getting a juice with your meal, they're all super fresh and delicious!
Juan Valdez - Juan Valdez is the Starbucks of Colombia. They have stores on just about every other corner making it a great stop for a quick breakfast! It's also a good place to go if you need a spot to sit and work for a while!
Alma - Alma is one of our absolute favorites! It's located in the walled city. I swear by the crab burger, it's mouthwatering! ALma has a super cute interior with very bohemian decor making it an instagrammable spot. I highly recommend making a stop here!
Di Silvio Trattoria - We found this spot via google search when our original plan ended up being closed. It turned out to be one of our favorite spots! It's another very reasonably priced spot, we got bruschetta, drinks and four dinners for about $40 USD! Not to mention, the food was amazing, I had a cheese pasta and it was to die for! We were also eyeing pizzas from the table next to us, maybe next time! It's located in Getsemani.
Cande - Cande is a restaurant located in the walled city known for it's traditional Colombian cuisine. The food was delicious but what really struck us about this spot was the atmosphere. The inside was beautiful and they had live entertainment all night. There was a couple dancing right by our table and it was so fun to watch.
Costa Bar Restaurant - This was another cute spot located in the walled city with some amazing food options. I got the chicken sandwich and loved it! Ate my leftovers the next day for lunch!
Maria Bonita - Maria Bonita was a Mexican themed restaurant with a bunch of unique paintings lining the walls in Getsemani. We stopped here for some apps before dinner. We ordered tacos and nachos and they were both really good!
Demente - Demente was next door to Maria Bonita. The interior here is super fun, all the chairs are rocking chairs. We split a handful of tapas and really enjoyed them all!
Sushi Room - We came here twice throughout our time in Cartagena. We thought the sushi was so good and the staff was great. If you like sushi I definitely recommend checking this place out in the walled city.
El Gobernador - El Gobernador was located in the walled city as part of a hotel. This was a super nice spot with amazing food. Everything looked super fancy, and tasted delicious! We all really liked everything ordered!
Lobo De Mar - Lobo De Mar was a restaurant we went to right in the walled city. The inside was really cute and they had live music! The food was delicious, some of our favorites were the shrimp tacos and lobster tacos.
Zaitin - Zaitin is a Lebanese restaurant located in the walled city. Nate's family really wanted to try this spot while they were visiting. Everyone really liked it, my favorite was the humus we got as an app! It was delicious!
What to Do:
Beaches -
Cocoliso - Cocoliso is a Rosario Island resort located on Isla Grande. We did the all inclusive plan for the day. It includes transportation there and back (about a 45 minute boat ride), lunch and unlimited drinks. It wasn't crowded at all which was nice! We spent most our time at the pool, but they did have a small beach area. The water here was the beautiful turquoise you hope to see in the Caribbean. The rest of the ocean view chairs were along a concrete wall which wasn't out favorite spot to hang out, and that's why the majority of our time was spent by the pool. *Note that you need to pay a docking tax at the port before you get on the boat for the day*
Bomba Beach Club - Bomba Beach Club was a much closer excursion. It was only about a 10 minute boat ride from Cartagena, you could actually see the sky line from the beach. This was also a cheaper option than Cocoliso. Your purchase includes transportation there and back, a welcome drink and lunch. Bomba has a larger sand beach area, but the sand is a little rough with sea shells throughout it. They have a pool area to hang out at and you get your own covered area which could include a table, hammock, and bed. There's also a bar you can order drinks from throughout the day and servers who come over to you so you never have to get up if you don't want to!
Gente De Mar - Gente De Mar, like Cocoliso, was on Isla Grade (another 45 minute boat ride). Here your purchase includes your transportation to and from the island, a welcome drink, and lunch. Gente de Mar has a bunch of chars on the beach. The sand in front of the water was much smoother than Bomba, but there was a lot of coral in the water. If you have waterproof shoes, it might help to wear those while walking in the water! This felt like a much bigger resort with more to do. There was also sand volleyball, a ping pong table and a pool table. Plus the view was great! *Note that you need to pay a docking tax at the port before you get on the boat for the day*
These are just the resorts we've been to, there are ton's more to choose form!
Pool Day Passes -
The Conrad Cartagena - The Conrad Cartagena is a bit further away. It's about a 45 minute drive from Boca Grande, past the airport. My mom and I spent the day here while Nate and my dad golfed at Karibana Golf Course. They had three pools with a beautiful views. Your day pass includes a towel, and 200 pesos to use on food or drinks. The staff was very attentive, and eager to help! It was a super relaxing day, we really enjoyed it!
Hotel Caribe - Hotel Caribe is at the far end of Boca Grande. A day pass here includes access to the pool from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, a welcome cocktail, towels and lunch. We really enjoyed this pool because it was in a beautiful and quiet resort. The staff was really attentive and lunch was a delicious buffet. We would definitely go back to this spot!
Hyatt Regency Cartagena - My parents stayed here during their visit to Cartagena and really liked the hotel. I spent a couple days here while they were in town and got to experience their awesome pools. They have three pools all at different levels and all overlooking the ocean. The most jaw dropping would have to be the first pool you see walking out onto the deck on the first floor. We spent two days here just relaxing and enjoying the view. They also have a bar where you can order food/drinks and they'll bring them right to your lounge chair, or spot in the pool!
Activities -
Castillo de San Felipe - Castillo de San Felipe is a great attraction for history lovers. It's got some cool features and underground tunnels you can explore! Admission is cheap, about $6 USD. You get a great view of the city as well!
Free walking tour - I totally recommend this as a first stop when arriving to Cartagena (or in any city). They guides are very knowledgeable, and it helps you plan out the rest of your trip once you know where you want to go back to! You also get the inside scoop on different facts you otherwise wouldn't learn!
Chiva Party Bus - Any day of the week you will see these buses driving the streets of the city with people singing, dancing and having a great time. These buses are a party and a tour in one. It takes you all around the city while providing music, drinks, and a guide.
Double Decker Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour- Similar to the walking tour, these double decker tours are a great way to start off a trip to a new city by seeing all the different areas within the city and figuring out what spots you would like to go back and spend more time in. We've done these tours in a few of the cities we've traveled to and we never regret it!
Rum Tasting - This is something we did while my parents were in town, and we plan to do it again when Nate's family comes. Rum is a drink you see everywhere in Colombia, so learning about the history and trying it out with someone who knows what they're talking about was such a unique experience. Our guide was a super nice guy who knew a lot about not only Rum, but Colombia too!
Coffee Tour - Colombia is known for it's coffee, so a coffee tour here seem's like a no brianer! The coffee here is delicious, and learning about how it's made is such a unique and enlightening experience! For all you coffee lovers out there, this is a must do!
Rent a Private Boat for the Day - If you have a big enough group, this is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the sun! Renting a private boat can be pricey, but that's why we chose to do it when a group of Nate's family came to town since there was so many of us. Rentals usually go from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and allow you to BYOB on board!
Visit the Aviary - As someone who is NOT a bird person, I thought the aviary was pretty cool. Despite my actual hatred of these creatures, some of these birds were just so beautiful! Their bright colors make the trip worth it.
Trip to the Pink Sea - The pink sea isn't pink all year round so do some research to see what the sea is like at your time of visit. This is a great place to take photo's, but not much else. There's not very much to do around the area so the tours usually group this trip with a stop at the mud volcano as well.
Sunset Cruise and Drinks - Cartagena has some amazing sunsets and what better way to experience them than from a catamaran? Set sail with a cocktail in hand to watch the sun set from the best seat in the house!
Golf - Is golfing your thing? Try a round at Karibana Golf Course located just north of the city. The views are stunning!
Chocolate Making - This was an activity we did with Nate's Family while they were in town. We signed up right at the Chocolate Museum and got in that day. We were able to make our own chocolate to take home as well as roast, crush, and create drinks out of the beans. Such a cool and unique activity right in the heart of the walled city.
If you have any suggestions on places I should add to my list, I'd love to hear it! Send me a message, or comment it below!
Thanks for reading!
Jen