Alone in Cartagena

Knowing the culture of a country is an adventure I am always willing to take; thus, even if I was alone, I explored Cartagena. 

Norwegian Star visited Cartagena  thrice in 2010 (November 8, December 1 and 8) and twice in 2011 (January 12 and 19).  A colonial city tour described the 1st visit. Fauna and flora was the theme of the 3rd visit. On the last visit, a drive to the Bocagrande with Jane and Lynn is how we spent the day.  The rest of the Cartagena days were spent surfing the net, doing Juan Valdez visits and mailing postcards.

For 20usd, i got myself a private tour guide and a taxi for a colonial city tour. The local rate for a taxi from Terminal de Cruceros in Manga to Centro Historico or the Old city is 10usd. However, Colombians taxi drivers ask for 20usd from tourist. Haggling is a requisite if one wants to tour Cartagena. Quibble with rates and charges; otherwise, prepare for a rip-off.

Cartegena’s old town is a city for walking, and its historic walled district feels like a Moroccan medina, with 400-year-old Spanish colonial buildings along brick streets. The palette is saturated with deep blue, dusty rose, burnt orange and ochre. Cool sea breezes and plenty shade make the old city feel quite comfortable even under a hot humid day.  The stone walls encircling the city are surprisingly intact and stretch for more than 2 miles. Walk west along the wide plaza on top of the wall; the Caribbean is on your right, and the lovingly restored medieval streets on your left. One can rent a horse-drawn carriage for a 15-minute ride across the old city, a Unesco World Heritage site, costs 30,000 pesos (1USD: 108pesos). The coachman will point out sites as one clip-clop along and, at sunset, will light the candles in the headlamps.

This tropical city in South America can also pulsate like a salsa party; drawing well-heeled socialites to its restored colonial mansions, fancy fusion restaurants and Old World-style plazas. Techno dance clubs keep Cartagena’s revelers up till dawn.  Want a more serene and relaxing vacation? White sand beaches and crystal-clear water are just a short hop away from the old town. Due to time limitations, our stay were limited to what the city can offer for a short 7-8 hour stay which includes city tours and sanctuary visits.

A free and unrestricted interactions with Cartagena’s fauna and flora was done in Puerto de Cartagena while a window shopping and “lost in translation” day was spent in Bocagrande.   

This stunningly beautiful city, despite its cocaine and drug-lords reputation, is a city worth exploring.