By Karen Quinn-Panzer
Travel Matters
Karen Quinn-Panzer
Cartagena, Columbia has become one of the top South American cities to visit, and it’s also becoming a frequent stop on Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises.
Often called “the jewel of South American cities,” Cartagena has shed its association with the drug cartels of the 80s and the old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage center that is safe to explore on your own. You can see its influence on New Orleans with its colorful colonial architecture, balconies and flower-filled courtyards.
Columbia is the only South American country which borders both the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean; therefore, Cartagena has been an important port in the Caribbean for over 500 years. It was founded in 1533 as a walled fort that was built to protect both shipping and the slave trade from British and French pirates.
We started our tour of Cartagena the first day of our visit at the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa. Dated from 1607, the convent is located on the city’s highest hill, and the cloister offers sweeping views of the city – both old and new.
The next site we visited was the San Felipe de Barajas Fort. A must-see is the tunnel system meant to facilitate the supply and evacuation of the fortress. You can also walk the walls of the old city for a free walking tour where you can relive the battles of the Europeans, the influence of Afro cultures and see the contrast between the old and modern areas of the city.
Las Bovedas, or “the vaults,” are cells of the former 18th-century dungeons which now feature colorful artisan shops in old town – one of the top areas for shopping. A top nearby hotel is the fivestar Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, originally built as a convent in 1621 in the historic center.
The section of town with an abundance of street art and music is called Getsemani. It’s filled with bars, pubs and art galleries. It’s a great place for bar-hopping and salsa lessons, but equally fun to shop for art and to enjoy cafes to sample the fine local Columbian coffee. We even survived a rum and chocolate tasting – two Columbian specialties. We tried eight different Columbian rums, most of which were sipping rums, with one served in a cocktail.
Outside of the city, there are opportunities to go to indigenous villages such as Turbaco, a traditional village near Cartegena. Or you can experience Columbia’s natural biodiversity at Cartagena Botanical Garden, a sanctuary above the walled city.
Yet another option is a journey to the coastal paradise of Baru, a peninsula in Cartagena only 45 minutes by boat, known for its birding. In fact, Columbia is very rich in biodiversity – second only to Brazil and the Amazon.
Karen Quinn-Panzer is the owner and vacation specialist at Dream Vacations Quinn Panzer Travel in Milford.