A non-touristy guide to Cartagena’s Caribbean paradise
Known for its beaches and the romance offered by its colorful streets and aging colonial buildings Cartagena is the place holding the title as Colombia’s most popular city for tourists, a place frequented equally by sun-deprived “Rolos” (people from Bogata) or by the weary cruise-ship tourists taking their first tentative steps into Colombia.
During the narco-heydays, Cartagena was considered the only “safe” spot in Colombia for tourists. It was where foreigners vacationed, cruise ships docked, and rich Colombians built their vacation homes.
Behind this look of glossy magazine, Cartagena floats in a cliché aura: eating a lobster in famous Playa Blanca beach with feet half buried in the sand, swigging rum and listening salsa surrounded by palms and crystal clear water on Baru Isla…
Throughout the years waves of tourists came to see the wonder, to make selfies with the sea and buy slices of papaya from the exotic black women in colorful clothes.
I’m not so impressed for so resounding words. I don’t say yes, I don’t say no and anyhow the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
One thing is for sure: As if time did not pass, Cartagena will always play the same.
Just smile and say “Hola”!
A non-touristy guide to Cartagena’s Caribbean paradise
Known for its beaches and the romance offered by its colorful streets and aging colonial buildings Cartagena is the place holding the title as Colombia’s most popular city for tourists, a place frequented equally by sun-deprived “Rolos” (people from Bogata) or by the weary cruise-ship tourists taking their first tentative steps into Colombia.
During the narco-heydays, Cartagena was considered the only “safe” spot in Colombia for tourists. It was where foreigners vacationed, cruise ships docked, and rich Colombians built their vacation homes.
Behind this look of glossy magazine, Cartagena floats in a cliché aura: eating a lobster in famous Playa Blanca beach with feet half buried in the sand, swigging rum and listening salsa surrounded by palms and crystal clear water on Baru Isla…
Throughout the years waves of tourists came to see the wonder, to make selfies with the sea and buy slices of papaya from the exotic black women in colorful clothes.
I’m not so impressed for so resounding words. I don’t say yes, I don’t say no and anyhow the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
One thing is for sure: As if time did not pass, Cartagena will always play the same.
Just smile and say “Hola”!
