Cartagena (Colombia)

Wonderfully preserved, Columbia's Cartagena (officially "Cartagena de Indias") is major port city and also one of the country's oldest settlements. The Cartagena cruise port is a popular port of call, especially on Panama Canal transition itineraries. The city has a total area of 572 km2 (221 ml2) and a population of around 1 million inhabitants.

• During the Spanish colonial period the city played a key role in the expansion of the Spanish empire and was also a center of political and economic activity.
• The city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of South America's most impressive colonial cities. It features cobbled streets, imposing fortifications with a series of 7 forts protecting sea approaches and inexpugnable city walls. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas dates back from 1639. It was the biggest Spanish fort created in the Americas. The historic centre features narrow old streets, grand colonial buildings and arcaded plazas.
• Notable among the buildings is the Palace of the Inquisition, the Cathedral, and the Gold Museum, all located around Plaza de Bolivar. Several interesting churches and monasteries are found in Cartagena, including San Agustin, Santo Domingo, San Francisco and Santisima Trinidad. From here tourists can also explore the coral reefs around Islas del Rosario or take a mud bath close to El Totumo volcano.
• In 1984, the colonial walled city and fortress of Cartagena were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cartagena cruise terminal

Cartagena tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Walled City (guided tours, including on bicycles)
• Bocagrande (leisure and shopping area with galleries, clubs, cafes, shops)
• City Trolley Excursion
• City Sightseeing Excursion
• Totumo Volcano Excursion
• Organic Mud Bath Excursion
• Native Fishing and Cooking Excursion
• SCUBA Diving (Boat Excursion)