Explore and discover the magnificent city of Cartagena. Begin with a stop at San Felipe de Barajas situated outside the walled city for a panoramic view of this monumental fort considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World.

Continue to Las Bovedas Artisan Center, built as dungeons and as a means of storage. Walk through narrow cobblestone streets and squares inside the walled city. Wander through Plaza de Bolivar which features a statue of its namesake. Visit the Inquisition Palace, established in the year 1610 to punish any crimes against the Catholic faith. You’ll see samples of jails and torture chambers.

Next, visit the San Pedro Claver cloister and monastery built in homage to the protector of slaves. Continue to the Navy Museum which includes a folk show and beverage. Before returning to your ship you will have a free time to explore by your own into the walled city and enjoy panoramic sightseeing through Bocagrande, the modern part of the city.

OVERVIEW

Sample some of the dishes and desserts that best reflect the local gastronomy and discover their histories and traditions. As an introduction to Cartagena, you will first photo stop San Felipe de Baraja, a fortress that has been a landmark since the Spanish built it in 1639. Your culinary immersion will begin with an arepa de huevo – a fried corn cake stuffed with eggs – and carimañolas, which are yuca fritters stuffed with meat or cheese. After an enlightening walk through the walled Old Town, you will stop to dine on Cartagena’s most emblematical dish, posta Cartagenera. Made with braised beef, red onions and tomatoes, this comfort food originated with the city’s early African and Spanish inhabitants. It is usually served with coconut rice and plantains. Dessert will likely be a coconut confection known as cocada and perhaps a caballito papaya sweet. Free time for shopping follows in Las Bóvedas market.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the history and traditions behind Cartagena’s favorite foods through tastings.
• Sample fried breakfast dishes, comfort food for lunch and a selection of desserts.
• Walk through the atmospheric Old Town and snap photos at a 17th-century fortress.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Shop in a historical marketplace and explore other Cartagena attractions before dining on a characteristic Cartagenero lunch. You will get an initial sense of the city’s past while pausing for photos of the 17th-century Spanish-built fortress San Felipe de Baraja. Similarly, during free time at Las Bóvedas, you will see how these 18th-century dungeons were repurposed into a small shopping mall. The merchandise ranges from colorful casual clothing to miniature versions of the works of Fernando Botero, perhaps Colombia’s most famous sculptor and artist. You will browse a collection of pieces from other Colombian artists at the esteemed Cartagena Museum of Modern Art. Even the museum’s 17th-century stone building is a work of art as it was once the Royal Customs House. You will have much to discuss over a traditional lunch that will likely include shrimp croquettes as an appetizer and a whole fried fish or a beef dish flavored with cinnamon as the entrée.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shop at Las Bóvedas, a shopping mall that was once a series of dungeons.
• Browse the outstanding collection at the Cartagena Museum of Modern Art.
• Dine on traditional Cartagenero dishes at a restaurant downtown.
• Pause to take photos of the 17th-century fortress San Felipe de Baraja.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore two of the most atmospheric, historically important areas in Cartagena and come away with a remarkably in-depth understanding of their influence over the centuries. While walking through the Getsemani district, you will learn about the slaves that settled there after their emancipation in the mid-19th century. Many of the landmarks have been restored and repurposed such as Las Bovedas, a low-slung seaside shopping arcade that was once a dungeon. The many squares in Old Town are as charming as ever and still popular meeting places as you will discover while strolling through Plaza de Bolívar and Plaza de Santa Teresa. You will also have the opportunity to browse the Gold Museum, whose collection of gold, silver and ceramic artifacts is mostly pre-Columbian. A stop for photos at the 17th-century San Felipe fortress will offer an entirely perspective of Old Town as you will look out over the sea, as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the landmarks while walking and riding through Cartagena’s oldest districts.
• See outdoor murals that reflect the local Afro-Caribbean history in Getsemani.
• Spend free time shopping in an arcade that was once a notorious dungeon.
• Enjoy the serenity while strolling around the charming plazas in Old Town.
• Browse the impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the Gold Museum.
• Stop for photos of San Felipe, a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site fortress.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover Cartagena's iconic sights and Rhythms in an experience like no other. Starting with a scenic drive by the charming landmarks of the Historic District, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site to enjoy views of the city's old and modern sides that will amaze you, on your way to one of the best musical and cultural experiences Cartagena has to offer. Your tour will start with a guided walking tour through the Getsemaní neighborhood, delving into its fascinating landmarks, history and passageways. Let yourself be transported 300 years back, as you discover through its most emblematic monuments the rich history and cultural heritage this part of the city provides. To end your perfect day, continue to a local inspired venue. Here you will soak in the African-inspired Rhythms of Champeta, a local genre, in a fun and immersive class with captivating dancers. You'll have the chance to learn Colombian dance choreography, purchase local delicacies, and enjoy a delightful blend of flavors and music for an authentic Cartagena experience!

OVERVIEW

Ride through Old Town in an electric-powered replica of a 1920s car and spend free time independently exploring with no schedule to follow but your own. As an introduction to the area, you will first stop for photos at formidable San Felipe Castle, one of several fortresses that earned Cartagena recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once inside the walled Old Town, you will hop in the eco-friendly car for a panoramic driving tour that will present the most fascinating landmarks. Colorful colonial mansions line the streets, and historical attractions are seemingly everywhere. After all, Cartagena was found in 1533, and the fortified walls largely protected it from being plundered and destroyed. While riding around, look for places that you want to explore further during free time. Shopping is always an excellent option, especially if you are looking for emerald jewelry as Colombia is the world’s largest producer of emeralds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Old Town in an electric-powered replica of a 1920s car.
• Spend free time exploring Old Town on your own at your own pace.
• Stop for photos of San Felipe, a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site fortress.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening walk-through Old Town, ride through the atmospheric streets in an electric-powered replica of a 1920s car and cruise around Cartagena Bay in a party boat. Historical landmarks are plentiful as this UNESCO World Heritage site city was founded in 1533. Colonial mansions, leafy squares and military fortifications are just a few of the attractions that you will likely view while walking and driving through Old Town. Because pirates frequently attacked Cartagena in the 16th and 17th centuries, thick defensive walls were constructed that still stand today. Other highlights that you may see include the iconic clock tower at the entrance to Old Town, the Inquisition Palace and the Church of San Pedro Claver, which the Jesuits established in the early 17th century. Once you begin cruising the bay, the mood will become noticeably more festive as the drinks will be flowing and lively music will be playing.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the landmarks in Old Town while walking along the cobblestone streets.
• Ride around Old Town in an electric-powered replica of a 1920s car.
• View Old Town from a bay perspective while cruising along the coast in a party boat.
• Toast the experience with cocktails on the boat and snacks.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Observe the incredible variety of birds at the Colombia National Aviary, which are exhibited by habitat and species so you can concentrate on the types of birds that you find most appealing. Colombia is home to more species of birds than any other country in the world, so there will be plenty to see as you browse the aviary at your leisure. Colombia’s national bird and national symbol is the Andean condor, a massive bird of prey that is a natural scavenger. They mainly grunt, click and hiss because they lack a larynx-like voice box that would allow them to vocalize. Other extraordinary creatures at the aviary include bright-pink flamingoes and pelicans in the coastal area, colorful macaws and harpy eagles in the rainforest environment and flightless emus in their own special habitat. There is even a lake that attracts migratory birds, the species of which will vary with the season.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse Colombia’s national aviary, which exhibits well over 100 species of birds.
• Focus on the birds of most interest to you, whether coastal, tropical or desert species.
• See an Andean condor, Colombia’s national bird and the world’s largest raptor.
• Learn fascinating facts about the birds and whether they are endangered or not.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Begin your experience with a 20-minute coach ride to a local venue in Cartagena, where you’ll be welcomed into a cultural setting that showcases regional flavors and traditions. There, enjoy a live cooking demonstration of a typical Caribbean dish and a guided coffee tasting experience using beans from Colombia’s diverse regions. After your walking tour through Cartagena’s most iconic landmarks—including sites such as Plaza de Bolívar, Plaza San Pedro, the Cathedral, and other highlights within the historic Walled City—you’ll head to the embarkation point to board a comfortable boat for a scenic one-hour cruise across Cartagena Bay. Onboard, enjoy a lively open bar featuring rum punch, rum & coke, Colombian beer, lemonade, and sodas, as you take in panoramic views of Cartagena’s colonial skyline and modern cityscape. After the cruise, a short bus ride will take you back to the pier.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Pause for photos at a fortress built in the 17th century to defend Cartagena from pirates and indulge in a shopping spree at an upscale mall in the historical San Diego neighborhood. San Felipe Castle shares a UNESCO World Heritage site designation with several other Cartagena landmarks, in part because of its thick impenetrable stone walls studded with cannons. It is quite the sight from any angle. While driving downtown, you will pass miles of other defensive walls that were constructed and expanded over four centuries to further protect the port from invaders. Within these walls, you will find La Serrezuela, a shopping center known for its elegant boutiques and one-of-a-kind stores. After opening in 2019, it quickly became an icon as it was designed around the completely renovated Circo Teatro, once a venue for bullfights, operas and theatrical plays. You may spend more than two hours browsing the shops for designer fashions, exquisite jewelry and other exclusive merchandise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stop to snap photos at the thick-walled 17th-century fortress San Felipe Castle.
• Pass miles of other defensive walls on a panoramic drive through downtown Cartagena.
• Spend hours shopping at La Serrezuela, an exclusive mall designed around a historical bullring.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See Cartagena from every perspective imaginable – while walking through Old Town, riding in a convertible car and cruising around Cartagena Bay. The walled city was founded in 1533 and exudes history, especially at landmarks such as the 17th-century San Pedro Cathedral. While strolling through the plaza named for Simon Bolívar – who liberated Latin America from Spanish rule – you will likely see vendors preparing street foods and selling fresh fruits, which you may sample. More architectural treasures will be seen on the car ride as you will enjoy uninterrupted views of this UNESCO World Heritage site. If there are places you still want to see within Old Town, time has been allotted for a bit of independent exploration. You will view the historical downtown from yet another perspective while skirting along the coast in the boat. The bar will be open, music will be playing, and the mood will be wonderfully festive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the landmarks in Old Town while walking along the cobblestone streets.
• Ride around Old Town in a convertible car that offers uninterrupted views.
• View Old Town from a bay perspective while cruising along the coast in a party boat.
• Toast the experience with cocktails and snacks on the boat.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through the walled Old Town of Cartagena and admire the historical architecture between stops to sample a variety of local foods. As an introduction to the city, you will first stop for photos at formidable San Felipe Castle, one of several fortresses that earned Cartagena recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although you will explore other architectural landmarks, including the Church of San Pedro Claver and the Inquisition Palace – where prisoners suffered unspeakable horrors during the Spanish Inquisition – the main focus will then be on food. You will pause for a sampling of fresh tropical fruits in Santo Domingo Square and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Colombian coffee in Customs House Square. At one of the restaurants in Old Town will be served an arepa de huevo, a popular street food consisting of a fried cornmeal cake stuffed with fried eggs. For dessert, you will drop by the confectionery Sweets Portal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy tastings of traditional local foods while walking through Cartagena’s Old Town.
• Savor tropical fruits, Colombian coffee and a popular fried egg-stuffed corncake.
• Stop for photos of San Felipe, a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage site fortress.
• Explore the interiors of the infamous Inquisition Palace and an early 17th-century church.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.