If you want to vacation in Colombia, plan your perfect getaway to Cartagena. In this guide we present the 10 best cultural and nature plans for discovering Cartagena de Indias, a vibrant cultural destination on Colombia’s Caribbean coast: its rich history, colonial architecture, traditions and food. The city is known not only for its paradise beaches but also for its cultural heritage and biodiversity.
Come along as we discover these activities!
1. Walk the Historic Center of Cartagena
The Historic Center, known as the Walled City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can stroll cobbled streets, admire colonial architecture, visit centuries-old churches such as the Cathedral of Santa Catalina of Alexandria and enjoy the lively nightlife in squares like Santo Domingo and San Pedro Claver.
One of our guides can go with you to tell you the city’s great stories and help you find your way around during your visit. See our private Cartagena city tour.
2. Museums of Cartagena
Cartagena has a variety of museums that offer a rich view of its history and culture. Some of the best are:
- Zenú Gold Museum: a fascinating collection of pre-Columbian goldwork from the Zenú culture. After visiting, we recommend a trip to the town of San Jacinto, an hour and a half from the Walled City.
- Historical Museum of Cartagena (Palace of the Inquisition): exhibitions on the Inquisition, colonial history and Colombia’s independence.
- Cartagena Museum of Modern Art: an interesting collection of modern and contemporary Latin American art.
- Caribbean Naval Museum: a complete look at the region’s naval history and the importance of the port of Cartagena.
- San Pedro Claver Museum: besides a visit to a well-preserved colonial building, it offers a sunset activity with a cup of coffee to set the mood.
Which ones would you like to visit?
3. Getsemaní
This bohemian neighborhood is known for its street art, murals and graffiti, live music and lively nightlife and culture. It is the perfect place to dive into local culture, with colorful murals and squares full of life like Plaza de la Trinidad.
To understand its full historical meaning there are several guided options: you can take the graffiti tour or the “From Macondo to Getsemaní” route inspired by Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize winner in Literature, sometimes called the Latin American Cervantes.
4. San Felipe de Barajas Castle
This impressive fortress is one of the symbols of Cartagena. Built in the 17th century, it offers panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea. It is an ideal place to learn about the region’s military history and explore its underground tunnels.
Plus: art, brunch and sunset
Relax on a secret, luxurious terrace in Cartagena, where you can enjoy appetizers and let your creativity flow by painting as the sun goes down. This experience combines art, a gourmet brunch and spectacular views, and is ideal for travelers who want to explore Colombia’s vibrant culture in an unforgettable setting. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. See the Art, Brunch & Sunset experience.
What about… a rum and chocolate tasting?
A plan of about one hour to taste Colombian rum paired with local chocolate. Learn more.
5. Beach clubs on Tierra Bomba
Just minutes by boat from Cartagena, Tierra Bomba island has a variety of beach clubs where you can enjoy the sun and sea in an exclusive setting. Some of the most popular are:
- Fénix Beach Club
- Morena Beach
- Namaste Beach Club
- Makani
- Vista Mare
Each has top facilities, great food and water activities. Depending on your taste and the vibe you want, we advise you on the best fit. See our Tierra Bomba beach day.
6. Rosario Islands and community tourism in Orika
An archipelago of 27 islands that is part of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo National Natural Park. You can snorkel and dive, enjoy white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water, and even paddle through the mangroves by canoe.
You can also experience community tourism with the Afro-descendant community of Orika, where you learn about their traditions, culture and food. The experience includes a canoe ride, a hike, underwater restoration trails and the community museum, inside the Corales del Rosario National Park, over about 9 hours. See the Rosario Islands & Orika tour.
The best beach clubs for day passes in the Rosario Islands
- Paué
- Isla del Sol
- Rosario del Mar
- Sabaï
- Majagua
- Isla del Encanto
- Cocotera
- Isla Palma
Tours with island stops
- 3, 4 or 5 Rosario Islands: VIP or standard, with or without plankton.
- San Bernardo islands, the house on the water and Tintipán, overland to Tolú or by sea from Cartagena.
Boat rental
Boats, sport boats, yachts and catamarans for island trips, sunsets and special events. See our private boats.
Which plan suits you best, and what would you like to know more about?
7. Mompox
Santa Cruz de Mompox, also spelled Mompós, is a colonial jewel on the banks of the Magdalena River in the department of Bolívar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is perfect for a trip back in time, with well-preserved churches, squares and colonial houses.
8. Mud baths in the region’s volcanoes
The Bolívar region has several mud volcanoes where you can enjoy therapeutic baths. Besides the famous Totumo Volcano, there are smaller mud volcanoes in the area where you can experience the healing properties of volcanic mud, followed by a refreshing dip in a nearby lagoon.
9. Montes de María: San Jacinto, San Juan Nepomuceno, Proyecto Titi, Los Colorados Sanctuary and Palenque
San Juan Nepomuceno offers natural landscapes and hiking trails to enjoy the local biodiversity. In its rural area you can see the tropical dry forest restored by Proyecto Titi, which rebuilds the ecosystem so the cotton-top tamarin, now endangered, has a healthy habitat. This magical town is also known as the Art Deco town of the region, with colorful streets and distinctive architecture.
San Jacinto is famous for its crafts, especially the traditional weavings of Zenú indigenous heritage, such as the big hammock (we recommend visiting the Zenú Gold Museum in the Walled City first). It is a land of troubadours and folklore, home to the heirs of cumbia, and a destination of peace, where resilient farmers with their cacao crops offer a workshop on turning the seed into a chocolate bar. See the San Jacinto, hammock town tour.
10. Nature activities in Bolívar
The department of Bolívar offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers. Some highlights:
- Birdwatching: Bolívar is home to rich birdlife, especially in protected areas such as Montes de María. There are already 25 established routes for this kind of tour. See our birdwatching in Turbaco tour.
- Los Colorados Flora and Fauna Sanctuary: home to rich biodiversity, including endemic species of flora and fauna. To visit, you need to register and schedule your visit.
- Proyecto Titi: works on conservation and reforestation in the region, promoting sustainable, community-based tourism.
- Hiking: explore the many trails in natural parks and reserves, such as the Los Colorados Sanctuary.
- Kayaking and water sports: enjoy the calm Caribbean waters and the region’s rivers, ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, kitesurfing and other water sports.
- Mangrove ecotourism: visit the mangroves of the Ciénaga de la Virgen and learn about this vital ecosystem on guided canoe tours.
Conclusion
Cartagena and the department of Bolívar offer a wide range of cultural and nature activities for every taste. From history and colonial architecture to lush Caribbean nature, this destination is perfect for an unforgettable vacation. Write to us and start planning your next adventure in this magical corner of Colombia.
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