SEP – Cartagena – Barks Abroad

Cartagena is a port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. By the sea is the walled Old Town, founded in the 16th century, with squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings.

With a tropical climate, the city is also a popular beach destination. Reachable by boat are Isla de Barú, with white-sand beaches and palm trees, and the Islas del Rosario, known for their coral reefs.

Because of the rich trading, Cartagena is also the Caribbean port most associated with pirates.

The best of the forts are the Castillo de San Felipe of Barajas, the Battery of San Ángel in Tierrabomba, the Castillo Fuerte of San Fernando and the Battery of San José in Bocachica.

Or for a different experience, visit Oceanario with marine life, including turtles and sharks, on show in the beautiful waters – it’s a great excursion for visitors of all ages.

Volunteering with dog related organizations is a wonderful way to help out while you visit this country. Check out the following links for detailed information to make a difference locally! Use Google Translate for the entire website if needed.

Cartagena Paws

DIsclaimer: Barks Abroad has not vetted, endorses, nor guarantee these organizations or their work.

Cartagena may not be the official capital of Columbia, but some would argue that it’s the culinary capital.

The local seafood and tropical fruits serve as the foundatin for the cuisine and the unique blend of cultural influences — Spanish, African, and indigenous — give it a special edge.

From delicious juices to hearty fish dishes, this coastal city has earned its spot on the culinary map.

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Generally, the most affordable tickets can be found between January and October, with some scattered availability during the summer.

And despite the ticket prices, full-service airlines like Copa, JetBlue, United, Avianca, and Delta are offering these low fares.

The traffic in Cartagena in particular seemed to always be at a standstill within the small historical center of the walled city. The roads are narrow, and sidewalks are insufficient in width for the amount of foot traffic they receive. Within the Centro Histórico, bicycling is absolutely the best mode of transport. I cannot imagine having to navigate a car there

Stroll around the walled Old Town – everything you’d expect a Spanish Colonial settlement to look like.

This is one of the best places to stay in Cartagena if you’re ‘hanging the expense’ and want to really be in the heart of things. Despite being ravaged numerous times this area is full of beautiful buildings.