Oh Cartagena, you’re so charming, you never stop being the talk of the town! Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Latin America. So a trip to Cartagena starts with a visit to the must-see sights, which you’ll already know from our article ‘What to do in Cartagena de Indias’ (if you haven’t read it yet, you can find it here). But Cartagena and the surrounding region have so much more to offer. Bewitching marshes, a slave village, activities in support of local NGOs, even a mud volcano! We’re telling you again and again, a trip to Cartagena is like no other.
A trip to Cartagena: 6 secret places to visit
The mangroves of the marais de la vierge
The mangroves are a marine ecosystem rich in specific plants. They are very important for the environmental balance, particularly for ecological resilience after cyclones and other natural disasters. The mangroves of the marais de la vierge, just 30 minutes from Cartagena, are a wonderful example of this type of biomass. You’ll climb aboard a rowboat driven by a fisherman from the village of La Boquilla. You’ll explore the tunnels created by the mangroves, see exotic birds and reconnect with nature.
San Basilio de Palenque
If you have time during your trip to Cartagena, don’t miss this village, listed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. San Basilio de Palenque, with a population of 3,500, was the first free slave village in the Americas and was founded by an African named Benkos Biohó. He fled after impregnating his master’s wife and took refuge in Palenque. A touch of Afro-Colombian culture for your stay! If you’d like to visit the mangroves, Palenque or any other part of Cartagena, we can help! Contact us here.
Spend a day with a local family
Cartagena is a very prosperous city with a large industry dedicated to oil and tourism. However, this is not the case for the inhabitants of the neighboring islands. Loving low-income families have settled there for generations. The NGO Amigos del Mar works with children to help them improve their situation through surfing, kitesurfing and paddle lessons. Take advantage of your stay in Cartagena to visit these welcoming families and their children, discover their culture, exchange about your different lifestyles and enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean Sea.
The Totumo volcano
Are you looking for an out-of-the-ordinary experience during your trip to Cartagena? How about a hot mud bath inside a volcano? In the village of Santa Catalina, less than an hour from Cartagena, there is a small volcano about 15 meters high. Its crater is accessible via a staircase and is large enough to accommodate between 10 and 15 people. Colombians are very fond of this experience and every Colombian child has taken this atypical bath at least once in their life.
Bazurto Market
In our video and article « Colombian exotic fruits» we talk about the huge variety of fruits that can be found in Colombia. Frequented daily by locals, the Bazurto market is a treasure trove of authenticity for all your senses; you will find all kinds of food there, but the real attractions are the fruits and local meals. You will be able to taste, smell, see and touch these fruits so different from anything you can find in Europe: carambolo, uchuva, lulo, maracuyá, guanábana, mangostino, the list goes on!
Rest on a private island
The San Bernardo archipelago is made up of 10 islands located in the Caribbean Sea about 2 hours from Cartagena. A turquoise sea, white sand, coconut trees, a nearby coral reef with multi-colored fish and unforgettable sunsets, this is the setting of these islands. The hotel Punta Faro on Isla Mucura and the hotel Decameron on Isla Palma there are two heavenly places of rest.
You want to go to Cartagena, and visit other jewels of Colombia? Contact us now to obtain more information and work together to create your tailor-made trip.
Would you like more tips on what to do in Cartagena? Do you have any other ideas on what to do in Cartagena? The comments section below is for you!
Do you have a travel plan to Colombia?
We are French-speaking Colombians who are expert travelers of our country. We have 100% customizable tours to visit the real Colombia. Check out our stay ideas here or contact us, we will be happy to discuss this with you.
Do you want to know who we are and why go with us? Click here.
