There are plenty of amazing things to know about Cartagena, one of the biggest cities in South America and as important as Medellin and Bogota.
Cartagena is located along the coastal fringe of Colombia and has become famous as a resort town, owing to its vast beaches and a slow pace of life. It is also famous for having great food, awesome weather, and San Martin Avenue or Avenida San Martin, a long vibrant avenue that stretches for miles and has everything you could possibly want while you’re on a vacation in Cartagena.
Indeed, a lot can be said about this urban center in Colombia but here are five things we find most fascinating about this old colonial city!
1. The City is Great for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Of the many activities that have emerged in Cartagena, one of the more interesting ones includes that of snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters, an abundance of coral reefs, colorful fishes and even small empty islets, it is a poet’s fancy like no other. While there are many places to check out, the best ones would be that of the natural parks in of the Rosario Islands, and in particular, its San Bernardo reef. So if you like snorkeling, this is a city you want to put on your list of places to visit.
2. Tourists
The city is really all that it’s hyped up to be. This has made the place an important tourist hub in Colombia, which in turn has brought in everything from crowds to the mess it sometimes entails. What this means is that the destination is not really the ideal tourist paradise during peak season. But, if you like a place swarming with people who are ready to relax and have fun, then you can add this to your places to go. But, we still advise to travel off-peak when you can to avoid the crowd but also to save money!
3. The City is Often Booked Out
One of the issues with Cartagena is that tickets to the place tend to be booked out for certain times of the year. Again, the tourist effect! So if you plan on visiting Cartagena sometime in the near future, you might want to make your flight and hotel reservations in advance. We think this is because the city has grown so big with tourism but the facilities are still catching up – just like in so many places where tourism is currently experiencing a high.
4. The Weather is Hot & Stuffy
Although the weather can be enjoyed to some extent, it is rather hot and humid in Cartagena. Due to its location in the tropics, it is hot all year round, and has the added climatic factor of humidity which adds to the ‘stuffiness’ of the destination. But if you’re here for the beach, this is a perfect place to cool down and enjoy the warm Caribbean beaches.
5. Chiva Buses Are A Big Thing
A Chiva bus can be thought of as a brightly colored bus, which operates across the city. Although largely a form of local transportation in the city, they have become an attraction unto themselves, thanks to their bright coloration, unique designs and elaborate decorations. You could say that riding on a Chiva bus is on many people’s bucket list now. And certainly, taking a picture with a Chiva bus make the top things to do in Cartagena while on vacation.
To sum up, there is a lot that can be said about Cartagena, one of the most ‘happening’ places on the continent. All of it makes Cartagena one interesting place you would love to visit, check out and more. And of course, if you really fall in love with Cartagena, you will most like love Medellin and Bogota as well!