Guide to visiting historic Cartagena from a cruise ship
Posted on 09. Feb, 2011 by admin in Cartegena
The attractive old city of Cartagena is a very calm introduction to the wilds of Colombia, and after some time here you’ll wonder what all the negative publicity was about.
Here you can plunge in the town’s gruesome history concerning pirates, conquistadors and cursed gold or even shop until you drop at a glut of classy boutiques.
Ancient forts, palaces and cathedral fill the walled town with fine 16th century colonial architecture. And soft white beaches and world-class snorkelling are close at hand as well. Some first class restaurants offer delightful waiter service in Cartegena and worry not about security; highly visible and friendly tourist police peddle push bikes around the main attractions all hours of the day and night.
Cartagena also is a regular stop on the way to Panama’s picture postcard San Blas Islands and great for stocking up on supplies before hitting countless sandy palm tree-covered inlets.
Cartagena’s colonial fortress and walled city were declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. There are only a few places in the world with such a rich and varied history, and countless people come into this magical South American port every day. Without doubt everyone who arrives here leaves utterly enchanted by its bewitching splendor.
Where ships dock in Cartagena
The port of Cartagena offers a free shuttle bus service for the 20 minute trip towards the old town.
Getting around Cartagena
On foot: getting about Cartagena is simple on foot and there are plenty of free tourist maps available to keep visitors on the right track.
By hire car: major hire car operators operate from the town if you would like to explore the surrounding countryside. Although, with so much life to experience in the old town, it is unlikely you will have sufficient time to make it worthwhile.
By taxi: fast and efficient metered taxis are on hand all over Cartagena. Be sure the driver puts the meter on immediately, however.
Shopping in Cartagena
All sorts of curios, souvenirs and trinkets can be found in the town, from ‘designer’ watches to traditional handicrafts. The main square boasts lots of budding artists hawking pencil sketches of ancient buildings or portraits for very reasonable prices – but be ready to haggle hard. Near the city walls are more reputable boutiques doing a superb line in reproduction colonial artefacts of varying quality.
Bars and nightlife in Cartagena
Cartagena offers a good range of nightspots ranging from quite sterile local bars, trendy lounge pubs with live music and the more seedy ‘hostess’ variety of establishment. There are also young places aimed at backpackers and NGO volunteers which keeps on partying until the wee small hours. Calle del Arsenal has the most to offer visitors to Cartegena including Mr Babilla, which is the most famous nightclub in town with great ‘crossover’ music.
Beaches by Cartagena
La Boquilla is the most convenient beach to get to and lies around eight kilometers north of town.
Ten minutes further down the coast is the well-maintained Manzanillo Beach, which is popular with families.
Playa Blanca is without doubt the prettiest beach in the surrounds. Take a boat, bus or taxi 22kms south of the old town.
The Rosario Islands have good snorkeling and fine sand if you fancy taking a tour 30kms south of town.
Where to eat in Cartagena
There are a few decent Cartegena restaurants by the harbor, but otherwise many people just sit out in the old town and dine under the stars while listening to live music. There are Italian, French and especially local Creole dishes to try and prices are reasonable on the whole. Just head for anywhere which looks busy.
Main sightseeing attractions in Cartagena
Naval Museum: This attraction within the old walls has permanent exhibits on the military history, Universal Navigation and the Colombian Navy.
Church of San Pedro Claver: Built at the start of the 17th century by Jesuit priests. There is also an archeological museum here.
Fort of San Filipe de Barajas: Completed in 1789 to guard against pirates. The city was placed under siege five times during the 1500s.
Inquisition Palace: Constructed in 1770 for the Spanish Inquisition, this is one of most important examples of civil architecture in the city.
Swamp of the Virgin: The unique plant and animal life of this mangrove swamp is fascinating to explore by an organized tour.
The Gold Museum: charts the history of the conquistadors and their oft ill-fated quest for all that glistens.
Cartegena’s ‘seaside resort’: is filled with bars, good quality hotels, shops and restaurants. It is a magnet for international tourists and holidaying Colombians alike.
Activities in Cartagena
Scuba diving: is very popular with lots of unique reefs and wrecks to be explored. PADI courses are very cheap too if you’ve a few days to spare.
Partying: not many places in the world do a party quite like Colombia! Salsa until dawn whilst sipping on mojitos and daiquiris.
Relaxing: the Rosario Island chain is a designated national park richly adorned by coral reefs.
Taking a ride on a chiva: these colorful buses made wood have become an iconic symbol of the country, with historical scenes, festive designs and even biblical imagery. Nowadays they’re used for city tours or bar on wheels.
Travel tips
What to enjoy: sinking a cool beer in the Plaza de Bolivar.
What to avoid: begging and some of the seedier bars.
Language: Spanish.
Essential info: temperatures stay around 90˚F all year with April, May, and October, November the wettest months.
Money: Colombian peso, although US dollars are sometimes accepted.
Fact: Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez set his book, Love in the Time of Cholera, in the city.
Where to eat in Bangkok – best restaurants, pizza, curry & steak
Posted on 02. Nov, 2010 by admin in Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the world’s great restaurant cities. The monster metropolis is home to chefs from all over the world, and the range and quality of cuisines on offer in Bangkok is equal to Paris, London and New York. A favourable exchange rate means that excellent dining experiences in Bangkok can be had for a steal but some of the all-out luxury restaurants in Bangkok are incredibly expensive. (more…)
Discovering Vietnam on a budget – flashpacker routes, hints & tips
Posted on 19. Oct, 2010 by admin in Travel articles
Vietnam is an ideal place for backpackers. It is very inexpensive and there is a tangible sense of adventure here for even the most basic day to day activities. Though plenty of expensive travel tours make it here and even though there is no shortage of luxury options, the backpacker circuit here is well established and most budget adventurers will get ample bang for their buck in Vietnam. (more…)
Stunning islands of the Philippines – beaches, diving & resorts
Posted on 14. Sep, 2010 by admin in Philippines
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands. How can any visitor make a choice from this amount of destinations? There are some real highlights to the Philippines archipelago and visitors may be able to narrow their itinerary down by doing some brief research online.
There are three large islands. Luzon is the main island of the Philippines with the capital and largest city of Manila located here. Orbiting the island of Luzon are, from the north, the Batanes Islands, which are the northernmost islands in the Philippines. The rocky shores here are not conducive to mass tourism. (more…)
Nightlife in Kuala Lumpur – KL pubs, bars & clubs
Posted on 10. Sep, 2010 by admin in Kuala Lumpur
As host to some of the planet’s cheapest luxury hotels, best shopping, and most thrilling nightlife, it’s hard to believe Malaysia’s bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur was only a tiny tin-mining village barely 150 years ago.
With so many fantastic options for Kuala Lumpur nightlife, it’s difficult for visitors to know exactly where to head for the best parties and trendiest music. So hopefully this comprehensive guide will make heading out on the town easier. (more…)
Why choose a beach holiday in the Thai resort of Pattaya?
Posted on 31. Aug, 2010 by admin in Pattaya
Pattaya is one of Thailand’s busiest and most notorious tourist destinations. It has been a popular place to spend a weekend or much, much longer since the 1970s when American soldiers spent time off here. There are plenty of reasons to visit Pattaya and below are the first ten. (more…)
Phuket’s paradise beaches
Posted on 22. Aug, 2010 by admin in Phuket
The ‘Pearl of the Andaman’ would not be drawing more than four million holidaymakers annually if it didn’t boast some of our planet’s most appealing beaches. Not solely that, Phuket has brilliant variety, from the wide range of exciting water-based activities, the kinky atmosphere of Patong to the laid-back and tranquil white sands of Kata Noi beach and Laem Sing. (more…)
Rustenburg restaurants & dining guide
Posted on 06. Apr, 2010 by admin in Rustenburg
Restaurants in Rustenburg may not be renown across South Africa for their culinary expertise but there are more than a few that will get tastebuds tingling. Although vegetarians may find eating at Rustenburg restaurants a little trying, meat eaters will be in their element with plenty of exotic game to sample such as ostrich, wild pig and warthog. (more…)
Nelspruit restaurants & dining guide
Posted on 31. Mar, 2010 by admin in Nelspruit
Although most tourists come to this city to see the wild animals of the Kruger National Park, there are also some remarkable beasts to be enjoyed on the plates of Nelspruit restaurants. Meat and game often the stars and although you wont find a lion on the menu, you may need one’s appetite to do justice to the tremendous eateries found here.
This is definitely meat eaters territory. And while you can find seafood in some restaurants in Nelspruit, there really isn’t much point this far from the coast when there are so many other goodies around to take advantage of. Check out the JF guide to the best restaurants in Nelspruit and you cannot go far wrong while in town. (more…)
Tshwane restaurants in Pretoria – dining guide to curry, steak & pizza
Posted on 28. Mar, 2010 by admin in Pretoria
As the seat of government, it is little wonder that there are arguably better restaurants in Pretoria than Jo’burg or other metropolitan areas off the coast. Diplomatic dinners and lingering government lunches means finding innovative cuisine and extensive winelists in the city is pretty straightforward. Pretoria restaurants are generally classy affairs with comfortable leather chairs and Havana cigars offered alongside coffee. It is easy to splurge on restaurants in Pretoria as the choice is so great, with luxuries such as oysters and champagne regularly found on the city’s menus. So why not go with the flow and enjoy the good things in life while in town. (more…)
Mangaung restaurants in Bloemfontein – curry, steak & dining guide
Posted on 26. Mar, 2010 by admin in Bloemfontein
Although the city may not be renown as a centre of South African culinary excellence, there are quite a few Bloemfontein restaurants that would make even the snobbiest gourmand sit up and take notice. With an emphasis on meat and the prime cattle that graze nearby, menus here are often eclectic with a range of traditional African fare mixing with the best of Europe and Asia. Bloemfontein / Mangaung restaurants are not as filled with seafood as some of the cities nearer the coast, although it is still possible to find fresh fish at reasonable prices if you follow our guide. And the wines on offer are of a tremendously high standard so you will have no trouble finding a tipple to whet your whistle for the post-match celebration. (more…)
Port Elizabeth restaurants by Nelson Mandela Bay
Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 by admin in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth may be a friendly place for football fans to visit but it’s murder on the delicious game and cattle that get served up in the city’s many fabulous eateries. The climate here provides the perfect conditions for rearing all manner of delectable meat and fish with the diverse ethnic makeup adding to the culinary melting pot. Gazing at the superlative Indian Ocean sunsets from any number of Port Elizabeth restaurants while supping a crisp glass of Cape white is the perfect way to unwind after a hard day worshipping the beautiful game. (more…)
Welcome to Jo’burg!
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by admin in Johannesburg
The city of Johannesburg in South Africa’s central Gauteng province promises to be an excellent host for fans travelling to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. World Cup games in Johannesburg will be held at the city’s two main stadiums, Ellis Park and Soccer City, and getting to Johannesburg stadiums on match days should be a doddle, as a brand-new transport system has been put in place to deal with the large numbers of international fans. For up-to-date information on match day travel in Johannesburg, click here. (more…)
Johannesburg restaurants – curry, steaks & fine dining
Posted on 21. Mar, 2010 by admin in Johannesburg
There are restaurants in Johannesburg for every possible taste and budget ranging from streetside snack stalls to the plushest fine dining. Many Jo’burg eateries specialise in game and meat with some exceptionally exotic species gracing the tables here. There is also some seafood available at Johannesburg restaurants but these tend to be more expensive and less fresh than at the coast. (more…)
Cape Town guide for South Africa World Cup 2010
Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by admin in Cape Town
Cape Town has always been one of those ‘must see before you die’ places, but since it was announced that the 2010 World Cup would be held in South Africa, we at Johnny Foreigner reckon you might as well see it sooner. World Cup 2010 games will be held at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium where the atmosphere and the football promise to be worth the trip. (more…)
