Cartagena
Through all my travels, South America was somewhere I never got the chance to visit. Colombia was the closest option, plus the girls are hot, so I convinced half my class and we sent it for spring break. Here’s how we did it:
Stay
AirBnB is undoubtedly the way to go if you are in a group. If you’re a couple, definitely stay at the Sofitel Legend (we visited it just to roam around, as hospitality students do, and were super impressed). And as for location, I’d highly recommend getting one within Old Town for the best combination of fun, safe and proximity. If you are younger and want a trendier vibe, stay in the Getsamani area, and if you want to be on the beach, stay on Boca Grande.
Dine
For the best ceviche in town, La Cevicheria is a must. It’s so good, I went twice, which is very rare for me.
Carmen is the best spot in town for a fancier dinner.
The Rum Box was also a lot of fun with some great food.
Have street food, especially around Getsemani area. We did a street food tour as well, which I would highly recommend. There are a ton of options to choose from, and learning about the fruits, meats, and even the Chinese influence on Colombian food was quite fascinating.
Cafe Del Mar for the best views, although getting in is annoying. You can only make a reservation if you have a large group, otherwise it is first come first serve, and there is always a LARGE line before sunset.
Drink
Alquimico, alquimico, alquimico. This place is awesome, and was our favorite night out in Cartagena. It was also just ranked as the #9 bar in the world. For me, it might just be #1.
Getsemani at night is phenomenal, just roam around and walk in to shot bars, get a mojito on the street, and have a good time.
Do
San Felipe Fort is a must, check it off the list and just explore it on your own (no tour needed as there is plenty of signs with information on the fort’s history). Walking through the narrow tunnels is super interesting as well!
Totumo Volcano. Just do it. Don’t be a bitch. Only 3 out of our group of 23 people went on this tour, which was super cheap, including transport and lunch, and the wildest experience of the trip. We bathed in mud in a volcano. That is about as unique as it gets! Don’t listen to any negative review on it and trust me, just do it.
Take a day trip out to the islands. There are plenty of tour companies that provide this, and in fact, ours was included with our AirBnB (something actually kind of common here). You’ll find beautiful clear water and snorkeling and some fun parties on the islands - Bora Bora beach club is the place you want to be though for sure.
Good to Know
Safety is a big topic here, and honestly, we felt fine everywhere we went. You’ll get a lot of people trying to sell you drugs, come into their club, and, of course, asking for money. In fact, the asking for money reality did become a nuisance. There are kids asking, old people begging, and teenagers who will follow you around and rap about whatever they noticed about you (if you like it an sing along, you’re screwed). With all that said, we were a group of 23 people on spring break, and we all made it back safe and sound!
