On Monday, April 28, the Government of Colombia officially launched the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20) which will be attended by representatives from more than 100 countries and will take place in the city of Cartagena de Indias Colombia’s bid to host this event was supported by Brazil and civil society organizations during the 52nd Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Members of the International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty (IPC) – of which La Via Campesina is also a part – also attended and spoke at the event “We believe that ICARRD+20 offers a much-needed multilateral space to assess progress in the responsible governance of land and to agree upon and coordinate effective public policies to address critical issues related to land and commons including: land and resource grabbing; the growing concentration of land; climate change and biodiversity loss; violence against land rights defenders; discrimination against women and girls; and conflict and war.” beyond immediate impacts on communities and territories land grabbing has fueled structural changes in the distribution of ownership and control over natural resources Land inequality has increased since the 1980s driven by factors such as the expansion of large-scale industrial agriculture and economic and trade policies that prioritize global commodity production a staggering 70% of the world’s arable land (land suitable for growing crops) is now controlled by only 1% of the largest farms (mostly monoculture) producing a few commodity crops farms of less than two hectares make up 84% of all farms but cultivate only 12% of the arable land Unequal distribution of land ownership and control also leads to concentrated benefits: the wealthiest 10% of the rural population capture 60% of the value of agricultural land land inequality directly threatens the livelihoods of some 2.5 billion small-scale agricultural workers as well as the world’s 1.4 billion poorest people—most of whom rely heavily on agriculture for their survival the General Coordinator of La Via Campesina to ensure effective follow-up to the Conference and a lasting impact ICARRD+20 must define concrete measures to guarantee the implementation of its recommendations through institutional mechanisms These mechanisms should operate both within global multilateral spaces — such as the FAO and the CFS — and in regional multilateral coordination platforms they should support national and regional processes aimed at advancing agrarian reforms and land policies and establishing monitoring systems to oversee States’ compliance with their commitments and obligations under international human rights and environmental law In the lead-up to ICARRD+20 and governments must work together to ensure that peasant communities and other rural populations have access to and control over land and territory — in order to feed the people This post is also available in Español will serve a range of drinks developed by Diana Paola ‘Luna’ Orellano from the city’s El Barón cocktail bar El Barón opened in 2013 and claims to have been the first modern cocktail bar in Cartagena The bar’s drinks will be served at the new hotel’s exclusive rooftop with the menu designed to blend ‘Cartagena’s rich cultural heritage with modern mixology’ said: “We’re proud to bring the essence of El Barón to Casa Carolina Our goal was to create cocktails that don’t just taste incredible but that also share a sense of place – honouring the people and traditions that make Cartagena so unique.” which is a tribute to Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez the Petrona honours the legacy of the ‘cantaoras’ – Afro-Colombian women who tell traditional stories through music The menu’s signature serve is the Casa de la Nueva Granada which is inspired by the story of Casa Carolina The cocktail pays homage to the Leoncita sisters who once lived in the historic colonial house It also spotlights the hotel’s loquat tree “One of our goals at Casa Carolina is to support and celebrate the vibrant local community and this collaboration with El Barón is the perfect way to do that,” said Caroline Soetaert Tchekhoff we’ve been able to offer more than just a cocktail menu – we’ve created a space where guests can experience the rich cultural heritage of our city through innovative mixology and local storytelling.” Cartagena is also home to Alquímico, which was named World’s Best Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards last year We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event. Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia. When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Who is the organisation running the event? Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day? Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb ORLANDO, Fla. (February 18, 2025) — Following an injury in the Lions’ 2025 preseason friendly against Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro, Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena underwent successful surgery to repair his left Achilles tendon. The procedure was performed by Dr. Steven Choung, Orthopedic Surgeon, at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute in downtown Orlando on Jan. 29. “These are the first days for Wilder on the road of a long recovery process and we’re thankful for our partners at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute and their amazing care,” said Director of Medical & Performance Gonzalo Rodríguez. “We plan to fully support Wilder during his recovery process and help him get stronger and we look forward to seeing him back and fully healthy.” The Peruvian international has been placed on the Season-Ending Injury list. and I’m slowly adjusting to the climate – and mentality – of the tropics I can see just why it’s known as the Pearl of the Caribbean The Old Town is a sultry bouquet of extravagant brightly painted churches and mansions in the Spanish colonial style The clip-clop of horses’ hooves as they pull carriages echoes through cobblestone streets and plazas that are festooned with stalls of tropical fruits in a rainbow palette And the entire town is enclosed within 13km of thick two ingredients from this head-spinning recipe constellate in high definition The street is dominated by Cartagena’s cathedral an apricot-coloured basilica topped by a bell tower and dome that dominate the city’s skyline the cathedral is framed by ornate mansions with bougainvillea-draped wooden balconies painted in azure and sienna Beside us are three women in ruffled dresses in the colours of the Colombian flag – yellow a silver bowl of carefully arranged local fruits – bananas These women are called palenqueras because they’re originally from San Basilio de Palenque – the first free town founded by self-emancipated African slaves in the Americas The Spanish arrived here in 1533, making it one of the oldest colonial cities in Latin America. Founded by the conquistador Pedro de Heredia, many of his soldiers were from Cartagena on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and the new settlement was named after that port Sir Francis Drake attacked this city until he received his ransom which required mule trains taking several days to transport the gold and silver to his ships The humiliating assault recalibrated Cartagena’s trajectory: the Spanish started building the impenetrable fortress walls – taking more than 180 years to complete – that still surround the Old Town today Some of the coral stone used in the walls was quarried from the Rosario Islands its shores of sponge-coloured sand gently bathed in the sapphire Caribbean waters the island was the secret retreat of Colombia’s most notorious drug baron and it feels like I’m in a tropical aquarium triangular-shaped angelfish and shoals of pastel-bright parrotfish I try some prawns heavily marinated in lime juice – ceviche – as part of a street-food tour “At no time are you allowed to tell me that you’re full.” The zingy ceviche is accompanied by Kola Román a beloved soft drink invented in Cartagena in 1865 (21 years before Coca-Cola was established) the fire-engine-red soda tastes like fizzy cough syrup This tour began with another city favourite: a slab of deep-fried battered plantain that acts like a foundation for a huge chunk of toothpaste-white cheese The counterpoint between the salty plantain and mild cheese gives the snack its nickname: matrimonio (marriage) TasteAtlas rated Colombia’s traditional pandebono as the world’s best bread roll and golden-crusted delights in a bakery that attests to their importance in the local psyche: it’s open 24 hours a day Showing us the eclecticism of the Colombian diet we sample refreshing coffee lemonade with ice flatbread snack – bursting with cheese and egg Álvaro tells us we’re moving to our next stop The shop’s centrepiece is a section dedicated to Gabriel García Márquez The Colombian-born author set Love in the Time of Cholera in a fictionalised city based on Cartagena and there are photos of him receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature the writer’s image also adorns the street art of Getsemaní locals sit outside playing board games while artists sell their flamboyant canvases beside murals of the afro-blonde national soccer hero Carlos Valderrama and the Old Town was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site and today it’s among the most visited destinations in Latin America Forbes magazine described Getsemaní as Colombia’s “coolest new neighbourhood” but increasing visitor numbers has exacerbated gentrification A short walk from Getsemaní is the sprawling Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas The largest fortress constructed by the Spanish in the Americas it’s honeycombed with tunnels that allowed soldiers stationed in them to hear the footsteps of oncoming invaders claustrophobic maze and then emerging at the top of the fort with its panoramic sweep of the city is a dizzying experience Sitting on a fortress wall near an enormous flag of Colombia bleaching the sky with melon-tinted streaks [ Soaking up the laid-back vibes on a wellness trip to Jamaica: Sun, sand and serenityOpens in new window ] my Old Town tour with Kayla ended at the stately Plaza Santo Domingo After two hours walking in the sun and humidity my head is now the same colour as the umbrellas covering the outdoor restaurant tables on its cobblestoned square: tomato red I’m still trying to decide if Kayla’s initial remarks about the weather were in jest Getting there: KLM (klm.com) flies from Amsterdam to Cartagena via Bogotá and direct from Cartagena to Amsterdam year-round The city’s official name is Cartagena de Indias When to go: The most popular time to visit is the dry season (December to April) Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year but the hottest months are during the wet season (May to November) when the humidity is highest Hazards: Unsolicited groups of street rappers might approach you “Don’t make eye contact and don’t answer their questions.” Eat: Celele (celelerestaurante.com) specialises in contemporary Caribbean cuisine Stay: Cartagena has a wide choice of places to sleep, from the budget Casa Movida (casamovidahostel.com) to the luxury Hotel Casa San Augustín (hotelcasasanagustin.com). You can even stay in Casa de Alba (hotelsalbagroup.com) the residence Sir Francis Drake used when he laid siege to Cartagena [ California dreaming: Road-tripping in the Bay Area and beyond on a Joni Mitchell-inspired jauntOpens in new window ] Facebook pageTwitter feed© 2025 The Irish Times DAC In the lawsuit documents obtained by Complex Fat Joe — real name Joe Cartagena — claims that his former hypeman resorted to “countless posts on social media containing a torrent of wholly fabricated and scandalous allegations — accusing Cartagena of unspeakable acts such as pedophilia statutory rape and sexual assault,” after failing to collect money he believed he was owed Fat Joe alleges that he worked together with Dixon (and compensated him handsomely) from 2006 to 2019 the lawsuit alleges that Dixon believes the rapper blocked him from getting funding for a record label — ultimately pushing Dixon to approach Joe about compensation for working on some of the rapper’s songs Dixon hired lawyer Tyrone Blackburn — who’s also a defendant — and is known for representing Diddy accuser Lil Rodney in another case Blackburn was previously criticized by a judge in the Lil Rodney case for having a pattern of “salacious” filings the Dixon and Blackburn sought payment from Fat Joe — going as far as sending a written demand for compensation as a “ghostwriter and uncredit vocalist” on Mar Dixon and Blackburn allegedly threatened to file a complaint with other accusations such as sex trafficking and forced labor — which Fat Joe claims are false Fat Joe alleges that Blackburn contacted him multiple times with threats via email “We will report him to Homeland Security,” “playtime is over,” and the “case has just expanded into a Civil RICO case.”  Dixon also posted accusations on Instagram alleging that Fat Joe was sleeping with an underage girl and referred to the rapper as a pedophile In a statement to TMZ Blackburn claimed that Fat Joe’s lawsuit is a cover-up Fat Joe has a lot of explaining to do,” said Blackburn “These allegations are completely false and part of a criminal conspiracy orchestrated between a disgruntled former hype man and his attorney These two individuals have been scheming together to extort me with their elaborate and ludicrous demands changing by the day and defamation I’ve endured as they peddle salacious lies are utterly deplorable I’m taking legal action to expose their misconduct and I’m fully confident that the facts will reveal this is nothing more than a deceptive and desperate scam.” Prior to this lawsuit, Fat Joe and Dixon had issues that stretch back to at least 2023 when the latter posted a lengthy message warning Joe of problems to come in his future.  Kali Uchis: Sincerely, Complex Exclusive Shiny Starlight Vinyl Lil Wayne: Sorry 4 The Wait 2LP Deluxe (Complex Exclusive Red & Black Split Vinyl) 2PAC: The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory – LA King’s Edition (Limited Edition Silver/Black Swirl Vinyl) Big Sean: Dark Sky Paradise 2LP Deluxe (Complex Exclusive Clear Vinyl) Fat Joe Pushes for Healthcare Price Transparency in New PSA Fat Joe Reveals Who Was Almost On "What's Luv?" 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You also acknowledge that this site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and that our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply United StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaCanadaComplex ChineseCOMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive Orlando City SC midfielder Wilder Cartagena will miss the 2025 MLS season after undergoing surgery to repair his left Achilles tendon The 30-year-old Peru international's operation took place at the end of last month and he's since been put on the season-ending injury list Cartagena was injured during Orlando's preseason friendly against Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro on Jan “These are the first days for Wilder on the road of a long recovery process and we’re thankful for our partners at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute and their amazing care,” said director of medical & performance Gonzalo Rodríguez “We plan to fully support Wilder during his recovery process and help him get stronger and we look forward to seeing him back and fully healthy.” Cartagena has been a key piece of Orlando's midfield since arriving from United Arab Emirates top-flight side Al-Ittihad Kalba SC in August 2022 tallying 2g/3a in 67 games across the regular season and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Last week, the Lions signed former LAFC midfielder Eduard Atuesta from Palmeiras, giving the club an MLS-proven replacement to line up alongside César Araújo in the center of the pitch Orlando open their 2025 MLS season on Saturday at home against the Philadelphia Union (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass) It has always existed in the imaginations of those who know the legends of Cartagena and fortress colony coveted by pirates for its Spanish gold Constructed on a sand bank at the entrance to the Bay of Cartagena the Fort of San Matías was connected to the mainland by a submerged barricade that would lacerate enemy ships before being attacked from the nearby batteries Flanked by the eastern ridge of Tierra Bomba – a large island near to Cartagena – the Fort of San Matías resisted the onslaught of privateers as a significant archaeological discovery for Colombia Tierra Bomba is located between two channels  the relatively shallow channel Bocagrande and to the south by the smaller and deeper Bocachica Despite its strategic role in the defense of the city and gateway to the New World the Fort of San Matías was dismantled in 1626 leaving only vague references in colonial maps and chronicles historians and archaeologists had searched for its remains in vain a team of researchers from the Colombian Maritime Directorate (Dimar) embarked on an ambitious mission to map the region’s submerged cultural heritage What began as a study of the Bocagrande breakwater – known as La Escollera – revealed a promising lead Using cutting-edge three-dimensional acoustic sonar technology What appeared to be a perfect geometric formation was not a shipwreck with angles too precise to be naturally occurring including comparisons with colonial-era maps the fort’s remnants lie at a depth of six meters below the surface of the Bocagrande Bay It is a poignant reminder of Cartagena’s once formidable defenses designed to protect the city from frequent attacks by pirates and rival European powers As the city’s primary defense against threats from the sea San Matías was an essential part of the fortification system that also included the larger San Fernando and San José forts which were strategically positioned to create a multi-layered defense The rediscovery of San Matías is significant not only for its historical value but also for its potential to deepen our understanding of Cartagena’s colonial past The fort’s location at the mouth of Bocagrande Bay underscores the strategic importance of the territory Its existence offers new perspectives on the scale and ambition of Spanish military engineering in the Caribbean during the colonial period Construction of the Bocagrande Breakwater was ordered by the Crown on 15 October 1764 The project was entrusted to Antonio de Arebalo a mathematician and military engineer appointed to design According to the authors of the survey titled ‘”La Escollera” and a Submerged Structure Related to Fort San Matías in the Bay of Cartagena de Indias’ as the Spanish Crown shifted focus to more modern fortifications such as the Fort of Santacruz de Castillogrande and the relentless erosion of the coastline—conspired to erase all physical traces of the fort leaving only faint records in old maps and documents By the time urban development transformed the coastline in the 20th century San Matías had become little more than a footnote in the city’s history emphasized the importance of the discovery not just for archaeology but for public engagement with the history of Cartagena “This site represents more than just bricks and mortar,” she explained “It is a symbol of the city’s resilience and its ongoing efforts to preserve its cultural heritage Protecting these submerged structures is a delicate balance between scientific exploration and environmental stewardship.” The challenges of preserving submerged heritage sites are not insignificant The waters surrounding Cartagena are home to a rich array of marine life and the fort’s location within a busy urban bay makes it vulnerable to damage from human activity the team’s findings have sparked a renewed commitment to monitoring and protecting Cartagena’s underwater cultural resources ensuring that this chapter of the city’s history remains intact for future generations While the discovery of the Fort of San Matías is a major achievement for Colombian archaeology it also shows the vast potential for future discoveries in Cartagena’s waters The city is already famous for its colonial fortifications which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984 this recent find serves as a reminder that much of the city’s maritime heritage remains hidden beneath the surface The search for Cartagena’s lost fortresses is not over researchers are already considering further exploration of the Bocagrande Bay and surrounding areas such as the Fort of San Luis in Bocachica and the Santángel Batteries their precise locations still shrouded in mystery The rediscovery of the Fort of San Matías opens a new chapter in the ongoing narrative of Cartagena – a city that has borne witness to the ebb and flow of empires its walls crumbling under the weight of time it has found new life as a symbol of the city’s enduring legacy and a treasure trove for future generations of historians The City Paper was founded in 2008 as Colombia’s first free English language newspaper it was awarded the country’s Manuel Murillo Toro medal in communications for contributing to informed and objective coverage of Colombia Copyright © 2024 The City Paper | Terms and Conditions ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelWhy You Should Stay At These Two Luxurious Cartagena HotelsByShivani Vora Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights I cover travel trends and wellness and family travel.Follow AuthorMar 18 10:31am EDTShareSaveCommentCasa Pestagua's lush courtyard and swimming pool I can tell you from my recent trip that properties line the cobblestone streets in every direction they perfectly capture the romanticism and dreaminess that define Cartagena and are design gems to boot Staying in them or even going for a meal or drink feels like being the home of your close friend with the best taste and the swimming pools are places where you want to hang out all day You might be in the city to see the sights but be warned that these twin gems both in prime locations within the old walls Casa Pestagua, Colombia’s only Relais & Chateaux hotel, saw a $15 million renovation and reopened in April 2023. The property has ten expansive suites and six deluxe rooms and features a courtyard full of verdant plants and fragrant flowers with a swimming pool. The high-end restaurant, “Ánima,” is helmed by Chef Heberto Eljach. General Manager Carolina Bernal is behind the aesthetic of the two hotels and chose each carpet, accessory, fabric, and piece of furniture by hand. I caught up with her to delve more into how she picked the pieces, the ways in which the properties differ, and the type of guests they’re each ideal for. When it comes to myself, I’d be thrilled to stay the night in either any day. Can you tell me how you considered the design of each hotel? Did you go in with a vision for each, and what unique elements about the buildings did you consider? The design of Casa San Agustín and Casa Pestagua was carefully tailored to honor the history, architecture, and unique character of each property. Rather than imposing a predefined style, the vision was to enhance their authenticity, preserving original details while incorporating elements of luxury and comfort. Casa San Agustín was conceptualized as a sophisticated yet intimate retreat, maintaining its colonial charm while blending in modern elegance. The restoration focused on preserving original frescoes, wooden beams, and arched windows, which reflect Cartagena’s rich past. Casa Pestagua was restored to maintain its regal 18th-century grandeur. As a former residence of the Count of Pestagua, the design emphasizes aristocratic elegance with high ceilings, imposing stone columns, and intricate moldings, creating a palatial ambiance. How would you describe the aesthetic for each hotel? Casa San Agustín: Understated luxury with colonial charm. The aesthetic is warm and inviting, blending whitewashed walls, exposed wood, handcrafted tiles, and elegant Caribbean influences. The ambiance is refined yet relaxed, perfect for an intimate and authentic experience. Casa Pestagua: Timeless grandeur with aristocratic elegance. The design embraces opulence with a colonial and baroque influence, majestic chandeliers and antique furnishings. The overall effect is regal yet welcoming, offering a refined escape. From a design perspective, what type of guest is best suited for each hotel? Casa San Agustín is ideal for discerning travelers looking for an authentic yet luxurious retreat with a sense of intimacy. It caters to couples, honeymooners, and those who appreciate understated elegance in a historic setting. Casa Pestagua is perfect for younger guests seeking a grand and exclusive experience. It appeals to history lovers, sophisticated travelers, and those who appreciate refined luxury in an aristocratic ambiance. Its spacious suites and palatial feel make it ideal for VIPs and special celebrations. What are the defining design elements for each property? Casa San Agustín: Colonial-style arches, original wooden balconies, centuries-old frescoes, handcrafted tiles, and warm Caribbean tones. The integration of the original aqueduct running through the pool area is a defining architectural feature. Casa Pestagua: Monumental columns, double-height ceilings, baroque-inspired details, grand chandeliers, hand-painted murals, and intricate stonework. The central courtyard with lush gardens and an elegant pool adds to its palatial charm. Where did you source materials and objects, and are anchor pieces identifying each property? The restoration and decoration of both properties involved sourcing authentic materials and handcrafted pieces from local artisans and international specialists. Casa San Agustín features locally sourced wood, handmade tiles, and bespoke furniture crafted in Cartagena, alongside carefully selected antique pieces. The centuries-old frescoes discovered during the renovation serve as an anchor piece, seamlessly blending past and present. Casa Pestagua incorporates imported marble, restored colonial-era furniture, and custom-made decor inspired by the 18th century. A standout piece is the majestic chandelier in the main hall, which sets the tone for the hotel’s aristocratic elegance. Casa San Agustín: Natural woods, terracotta tiles, linen fabrics, and wrought iron accents, all chosen to create a warm and timeless atmosphere Casa Pestagua: Marble floors, hand-carved stone, intricate woodwork, and opulent textiles like silk and velvet, enhancing its regal aesthetic. Casa San Agustín has handwoven hammocks, artisanal ceramics, and soft linen canopies over the beds which add to the relaxed yet elegant ambiance. Casa Pestagua has antique mirrors, gilded picture frames, ornate candelabras, and embroidered cushions. Casa San Agustín incorporates historical frescoes and contemporary Colombian artworks, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. The carefully curated pieces celebrate local craftsmanship and the city’s artistic heritage. Casa Pestagua integrates classic oil paintings, baroque-style murals, and sculptures, reinforcing its aristocratic elegance. Many pieces were restored or sourced to reflect the home’s original grandeur. ColombiaChevron CartagenaChevron Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links a column in which chefs tell us what they ate on a recent trip leading to Catedral Santa Catalina in Cartagena Chef Nina Compton parked outside of one of her restaurants To prepare for her trip she chose not to prepare at all “I didn’t research any restaurants nor read reviews ahead of my trip,” Compton says Other than a few recommendations from mutual friends all local to Cartagena and in the chef space with no expectations.” That approach led Compton to hidden gems and a strongly held belief that Cartagena deserves a bigger place on the global culinary map Compton chatted with us about her favorite places to eat and wander in Colombia’s most colorful city What was the first thing you ate when you got off the plane My husband and I walked around the corner from our hotel and right off the whim there was this beautiful alleyway with pink and yellow houses and every corner from there was more beautiful than the last; each such a sweet surprise It was total sensory overload for a chef—because there are fresh fruit carts that are perfectly arranged everyday so much thought is put into the way they have everything displayed “you eat with your eyes”—so it’s very appealing I just wanted to eat like a local and just go and try the street food—it was an ice cold coconut from one of these stands where they cut the shell open for you to scoop the jelly out one of Cartagena's highly regarded and award winning restaurants I went into the trip knowing I wanted to wake up with the sun when some were on their commute to work and others were letting their dogs out To see the sun hit all those beautiful buildings early each morning One of the street vendors would be making coffee in little thermoses with sugar and milk Then we’d pass another vendor serving deditos de queso which means “little finger of cheese” in Spanish So we’d get these soft yet crunchy breads with this stringy cheese and a coffee sunny-side up—but it was not just bacon with scrambled eggs and toast My husband and I were anticipating this for quite some time—my friend would send me pictures “Hopefully you can get to try this one day.” And it happened to one of those life changing meals and if I could fly back to Cartagena just to have one dinner I do not say this about many people: The way the chef cooks—yes But it’s the way he thinks about food that makes all the difference A whole sierra fish (aka mackerel) at Blue Apple Beach a Mediterranean inspired beach club and hotel on island Tierra Bomba of Cartagena Rabo de Pez is an author-driven restaurant that focuses on local cuisine using modern techniques with a mix of local flowers and different types of greens We ate a rice cake with crab and sea urchin For dessert: a pomelo that they hollowed out to fill with soursop and grapefruit topped with more beautiful edible flowers and a citrus foam I want to come back and work for you—I was that inspired Blue Apple and Townhouse are owned by the same woman We cooked together when I was there with the entire kitchen staff Both Hart and Mosqueda are genuinely incentivized by sharing knowledge with locals and inspiring them on how to use such beautiful produce They offer chef master classes for the Blue Apple staff And you really do see a green footprint here: They have a small farm where they grow their own produce and there is a composting program It really does make your food taste better—all fresh from the farm For travelers who love food—for those really focused on traveling through eating—this is definitely the tour to do cutting beef and fish; but [Ellis] knows every single vendor where the colors and smells are just amazing with varieties of fruits and vegetables I’d never seen before There was a tomato that looked like a peach Think: if a persimmon and tomato had a child There was also an oval-shaped pomegranate that was super sweet While Celele was probably the most expensive meal I had, as well as Blue Apple Beach especially given their Michelin recognition for the entire resort and restaurant the “splurge” is next to nothing compared to what the splurge would be in most American cities Cocktails at El Baron Cafe and Cocktail Bar in the city's Plaza de San Pedro Claver had a rooftop where you could catch the sunset so we did that a lot whether at an open door restaurant or on a bench eating an arepa and chicken from a food stand was the best People watching is something I really loved here with all of the colors—everyone is so brightly dressed some seafood stalls overlook the water’s horizon so we sat there and watched the sunset with some fresh pineapple juice There are a lot of these street stalls that overlook the water—that’s what I enjoy most which had a great scene with beautiful dishes One of them made an empanada from cornmeal—then they added the beef and cracked an egg inside and fried it Then they make sure you have the right sauce: Do you want spicy I just love those touches of very simple—good—food you can take to go Refreshing drinks and savory options at Nia Bakery The chiffon method in action at Nia Bakery Along with some handwoven baskets and candles from local craftmakers on the island, we took a couple of bags of coffee home from Nia Bakery—we had to, they’re just so proud of it. And it’s so incredibly delicious. Other than Celele, the vendor-made fried bread and arepas, when I close my eyes, I could still taste them. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Thank you! You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Comunicação social - todos os direitos reservados. (2005 - 2016) Jewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the Seas7 Nights 7 Nights  Caribbean - SouthernSouthern Caribbean CruiseLeaving from: Colon (Cristobal) →+4 ports 2027(38)Royal Caribbean InternationalLe BougainvilleLe Bougainville9 Nights 9 Nights  Europe - Western MediterraneanMediterranean - Western CruiseLeaving from: Pireaus (for Athens) →+8 ports 2025PonantJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the Seas7 Nights 7 Nights  Caribbean - SouthernSouthern Caribbean CruiseLeaving from: Cartagena (Colombia) →+5 ports 2027Royal Caribbean InternationalSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the Seas7 Nights Serenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the Seas7 Nights 2026(3)Royal Caribbean InternationalSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the Seas7 Nights 2025(3)Royal Caribbean InternationalSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the Seas7 Nights 7 Nights  Caribbean - SouthernSouthern Caribbean CruiseLeaving from: Cartagena (Colombia) →+4 ports 2025Royal Caribbean InternationalSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the SeasSerenade of the Seas7 Nights 7 Nights  Caribbean - SouthernSouthern Caribbean HolidayLeaving from: Colon (Cristobal) →+4 ports 9 Nights  Caribbean - AllCaribbean CruiseLeaving from: Barbados →+7 ports 2025Silversea.css-ad1o0y{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;height:-webkit-max-content;height:-moz-max-content;height:max-content;margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-6);}Cruise Critic FavoriteLe BellotLe Bellot9 Nights 9 Nights  Caribbean - AllCaribbean CruiseLeaving from: Curacao →+7 ports 8 Nights  Caribbean - AllFort Lauderdale To San JoseLeaving from: Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) →+4 ports 2025CrystalIlma (Ritz-Carlton)Ilma (Ritz-Carlton)7 Nights 7 Nights  MediterraneanMediterranean CruiseLeaving from: Barcelona →+6 ports 2025Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the Seas7 Nights 2026Royal Caribbean InternationalJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the Seas7 Nights 2027Royal Caribbean InternationalJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the SeasJewel of the Seas7 Nights 1fr));}@media screen and (min-width: 576px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(1 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(2 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(3 1fr));}}@media screen and (min-width: 1284px){.css-vz9jrm{grid-template-columns:repeat(4 Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings Rates are in GBP and valid for UK and Ireland residents only please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site Cruise Critic is not responsible for content on external web sites Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of 6th May 2025 In two separate maritime incidents this month 75 foreign tourists have been rescued from the choppy waters off the Barú Peninsula approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Cartagena The most recent accident occurred on Thursday when a leisure boat carrying 36 Germans and two Austrians capsized near Punta Gigantes Strong waves and currents triggered moments of panic as passengers clung to each other The Colombian Navy launched a rescue operation after the Cartagena Coast Guard Station received an emergency call via maritime distress line 146 The vessel reportedly sank due to adverse weather conditions in the Caribbean according to Captain Javier Gómez of the Cartagena Port Authority In coordination with the General Maritime Directorate the search and rescue team ensured the safety of all passengers and crew “We were able to safeguard the lives of 38 tourists as well as the two Colombian crew members on board,” said Captain Gómez He added that the quick response of the authorities prevented a potential tragedy as the passengers were found in distress—some had reached the shore Commander Felipe Portilla of the Cartagena Coast Guard Station noted that when the rescue team arrived “some individuals were already on land while others were transported to a secure port it was determined that no one required urgent medical attention,” he said The Colombian Navy worked alongside local maritime authorities and members of the seafaring community The tourists had been traveling aboard the cruise ship AIDA Bella which had arrived in Cartagena earlier that day Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident reviewing weather conditions and assessing whether safety protocols were properly followed by the boat operator Thursday’s incident follows another maritime emergency on March 2 when another leisure craft carrying 42 passengers – 39 of them foreigners – began taking on water near Punta Barú while en route from Cartagena to Isla Palma Passengers described moments of terror as water flooded the vessel forcing them to jump into the sea as it began to sink deploying a Rapid Reaction Unit to the scene they found 30 people floating in the water and safely rescued them while a civilian vessel operating near the Rosario Islands rescued the remaining 12 passengers Survivors recounted the desperate moments spent in the open sea as they awaited help  “Thanks to the swift action of the Coast Guard and support from the local maritime community all 42 passengers were rescued without loss of life,” the Navy reported Among those rescued were visitors from Germany Authorities continue to stress the importance of maritime safety as investigations into both incidents proceed They have urged boat operators to strictly adhere to safety regulations and monitor weather conditions before departure “The Colombian Navy and the General Maritime Directorate remain committed to safeguarding human life at sea and call on all maritime users to comply with safety measures and report any emergencies through distress line 146 or VHF marine channel 16,” the Navy said in an official statement Allegations that El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele made secret deals with criminal gangs have sparked controversy in the country also known as “Charli de IVU,” one of the leaders of the Barrio 18 gang claimed in an interview with El Faro newspaper that Bukele struck deals with gangs to further his political career the alleged agreement began during Bukele’s tenure as the mayor of San Salvador in 2014 and continued until he won the presidential election also known as “El Crook,” a leader of the MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) gang echoed similar claims in statements to El Faro Controversy had already arisen in the country when Cartagena was released shortly after being detained at a police checkpoint on April 21 Bukele’s administration has denied the accusations insisting that no secret agreements with gangs were ever made Bukele declared a state of emergency on March 27 more than 85,000 people have been arrested Yanina Blanco (’24 MFA) has brought the rich history of Cartagena, Colombia, to life through innovative physical and digital exhibits. Her project “Underwater Adventure: An Invisible Hero,” a cornerstone of her Master of Fine Arts in design and visual communication tells a unique and engaging chapter of the city’s history Blanco expanded her project to include a digital exhibit "The project centers on Cartagena's historical fortifications spanning from the 15th to 18th centuries," Blanco said "It uses graphic design tools such as animations games and an activity sheet to teach students about the history and significance of these fortifications." To enhance accessibility and global engagement Blanco created a bilingual digital version of the exhibit in Spanish and English This digital exhibit preserves the interactivity of the physical display while making Cartagena’s history available to a worldwide audience Jessica McClean, director of Open Educational Resources and Digital Scholarship at UTA Libraries, emphasized the importance of the OI grant in facilitating projects like Blanco's "The OI grant funds a variety of teaching and learning projects that result in an openly licensed product of some kind,” McClean said “Our goal is to ensure the projects created at UTA can be shared widely This allows us to promote our community’s creative scholarship through platforms like the MavMatrix institutional repository raising awareness of the impact of our research and highlighting the quality teaching being done here at UTA." to ensure that the interactive features of the physical exhibit translated effectively into the digital format they integrated digital humanities tools that enable users to engage in word searches "The main goal was to make historical knowledge about Cartagena's fortifications accessible and engaging for students inspiring a sense of identity and appreciation for cultural heritage," Blanco said especially for how it presents history in an interactive and engaging manner It has sparked conversations and excited people about their local history." In addition to its permanent display at the Caribbean Naval Museum the exhibit has been featured at several prominent events including the 21st Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education and the Second Annual Broadcast Education Association Latin America Conference in Bogotá Blanco plans to expand her project to include additional historical sites within Colombia and beyond "I want to thank everyone who helped me bring this project to life the McDowell Center for Global Studies and the many project advisers who shared their knowledge and expertise," she said Visitors can explore the “Underwater Adventure: An Invisible Hero” digital exhibit on the MavMatrix website in English and Spanish The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is pleased to announce that Cartagena will host the 24th edition of the Responsible Seafood Summit during the week of Sept on Day 2 of this year’s Responsible Seafood Summit in St Andrews The vibrant Caribbean city of Cartagena will provide next year’s Summit a unique backdrop for industry stakeholders to address pressing issues “It is exciting for us at GSA to bring our signature event back to South America for the first time in seven years,” said Mike Kocsis “As Colombia’s relevance in the global seafood industry continues to grow it’s encouraging that the seafood sector there values responsible production and sourcing in both aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries We look forward to connecting and collaborating with our global network in Cartagena.” features 11 km of defensive walls built in the 16th century Travel + Leisure magazine rated the city as one of the “best places to travel” in 2024 the Responsible Seafood Summit has provided a pre-competitive platform for knowledge sharing and idea exchange amongst the world’s seafood thought leaders and USSEC is proud to be a sponsor of this prestigious event,” said Carlos Salinas “As a trusted partner to the aquaculture industry soy continues to collaborate to drive growth and sustainability We look forward to connecting with global leaders to advance innovation and sustainable practices in aquaculture.” “The Chilean Aquaculture Innovation Club believes that this is an excellent opportunity to highlight LATAM aquaculture’s advancements in technology executive director of Club de Innovación Acuícola Chile & Chairman of the Board Aquaculture Innovation Alliance To be informed when registration opens, click here. To discuss sponsorship opportunities, email Jim Batchelor. GSA is the only organization in the world that offers third-party certification programs for both farmed and wild caught seafood. Programs like GSA’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Best Seafood Practices (BSP) are more important now than ever before. These programs are recognized worldwide for their rigorous standards and credible third-party auditing process and help  The 2025 Responsible Seafood Summit will take place in Cartagena, Colombia from September 29 to October 2, bringing together global seafood professionals for four days of connection, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversation. Sponsoring the Summit isn’t just great for business. It supports the movement toward a more responsible, transparent, and innovative seafood future. Here’s why sponsoring  GSA’s Steve Hart discusses his background in aquaculture feeds and what’s next for the BAP Feed Mill Standard. Let’s take a moment and look at where everything in the aquaculture supply chain truly begins: feeds. I think it’s widely recognized that the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program involves audits of hatcheries, farms, processing plants  Meet GSA at Seafood Expo Global 2025 in Barcelona! We’re heading back to Barcelona for Seafood Expo Global, the world’s largest seafood trade event, taking place May 6-8, 2025, at Fira de Barcelona! Join the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) as we connect with seafood professionals from around the world to discuss responsible seafood, industry trends,  Use our guide to find the best places to sleep No need to tick off all the sights – it’s a perfect place to slowly soak up the unique culture of coastal Caribbean Colombia at its big-city best Cartagena owes a lot of its singular charm to its maze of bright houses cobblestone streets and historic old-world stone walls Discover everything this vibrant city has to offer at one of its many contemporary bars and restaurants stay at the tropical Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena the Amarla is the essence of attentive and personalized service On-site Colombian experiences include classes in cigar-rolling Relax on the rooftop with a poolside spa treatment or have a hot stone or Thai massage in your room Enjoy the tropical ambience at Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena | Courtesy of Amarla Boutique Hotel Cartagena / Booking.com In the heart of the fashionable Getsemani neighborhood the Hotel Getsemani Lux Hotel is a charming spot with exposed-wood-beam ceilings throughout so start your day in the sunny outdoor courtyard Then hit the rooftop pool with gorgeous views of 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas within walking distance of Cartagena’s most-visited attractions Enjoy the stylish traditional charm of Hotel Getsemani Cartagena Lux | Courtesy of Hotel Getsemani Cartagena Lux / Booking.com Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy in the north near the traditional fishing village of ​​La Boquilla – this chic hostel has everything you need with a rooftop terrace with hammocks and great views of the sea Enjoy the vibrant and chic Casa Kerilé Hostel without blowing your budget | Courtesy of Casa Kerilé Hostel / Booking.com Eat and drink in Cartagena Celele It’d be a travesty to go to Cartagena and not sample the Caribbean flavors at this celebrated fine-dining restaurant Try the smoked pastrami served on a purple yam purée with moringa oil and purslane leaves Vibrant interiors feature murals of the rainforests and in the evenings you’ll usually hear live Afro-Colombian music If you don’t stop for drinks and a bite at Alquímico This bar and restaurant covers three floors of a former shoe store – each has a different theme and ambiance Order from the extensive mezcal menu – the drink pairs nicely with snacks such as carimañolas de queso: fried yuca stuffed with cheese no-frills restaurant with plastic chairs serves tasty traditional meals at reasonable prices It’s adorned with assorted sports memorabilia and Cartageneros flock here for the hefty portions and filling dishes Want to try a little bit of everything? Take a look at these bookable food tours and get to know Cartagena through its cuisine One of the most impressive sites in Cartagena is the Castillo de San Felipe a massive Spanish fort and castle built in the 1500s To fully understand its history and significance hiring a guide is recommended since there isn’t very much information available at the site itself A colorful street in Cartagena | Charly Boillot / Shutterstock The best way to get to know the Old City is to take a morning stroll from plaza to plaza A guided stroll through the historic walled city is the perfect to start your day Allow a local expert to take you through the atmospheric streets Keep an eye out for local delicacies like arepas ceviche and rum at the local’s favorite spots Book Tours of the Old City Straw umbrella on La Boquilla beach in Cartagena To see the other side of Cartagena, especially if you want a break from the beaches, visit the fishing village of La Boquilla You’ll learn about the Afro-Colombian roots of the city Immerse yourself in the traditional dances and drumming of the community Try your hand at crab-fishing in the mangroves Book Tours of La Boquilla it’s recommended that you remain extra vigilant when using ATMs withdrawing only the cash you need for the day and using a money belt Keep valuables locked at your accommodation these rustic bus excursions will take you to the major historical sites in town which will help orient you to the city for the rest of your stay Don’t accept any food or drinks without figuring out the price first to avoid being overcharged with an exaggerated bill The same goes for negotiating a price for taxi rides – confirm a price before you set off to your final destination since most taxis don’t use meters This is an updated version of an article originally written by Nikki Vargas See & Do The Best Amazon Locations for Seeing Wildlife Guides & Tips A Locals Guide to Colombia's Amazon Rainforest See & Do The Best Spots To Dance Salsa In Cali Guides & Tips 10 Beautiful Colombian Birds and Where to Find Them Guides & Tips The Ultimate Guide for Visiting La Guajira: Colombia's Northern Desert Guides & Tips The Ultimate Guide to Exploring El Cocuy National Park Guides & Tips The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Cocora Valley Guides & Tips The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Capurgana & Sapzurro See & Do A Beginner's Guide to the Six Regions of Colombia Architecture A Tour of Colombia's Beautiful Architectural Landmarks Guides & Tips The Ultimate Guide to Tayrona National Park See & Do 11 Ancient Colombian Wonders That Aren't the Lost City US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady arrived in Cartagena on January 24 after departing from San Juan This marks the first visit by the U.S.-based cruise line underscoring Colombia’s growing importance in the global cruise sector making it the only Colombian stop on an 11-night itinerary that includes Aruba This enhances Colombia’s maritime connectivity within the Caribbean The sailors enjoyed tours of the walled city and culinary excursions featuring Colombian cuisine “This is a key moment for Colombia,” said Carmen Caballero “It is the result of years of collaboration with Virgin Voyages and other industry stakeholders we have tirelessly promoted the country’s maritime connectivity with the goal of solidifying Colombia as an attractive destination for cruise tourism This achievement reinforces our position as a regional leader and is a victory for all Colombians.” Virgin Voyages selected Cartagena as a key destination due to its rich cultural heritage allowing sailors to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife fully The cruise line has planned itineraries through 2026 and aims to expand its regional presence The influx of cruise guests supports local businesses and drives economic growth while the company offers free training for local suppliers to meet sustainability standards Virgin Voyages’ Manager of Shore Excursions expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to bring Virgin Voyages to Colombia for the first time and vibrant atmosphere offers an incredible experience for our sailors We look forward to fostering a lasting relationship with this beautiful destination.” emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the city’s success: “Today with four ships from three major cruise lines docked in our port and hosting nearly 23,000 tourists and the synergy that defines our tourism ecosystem The arrival of Virgin Voyages further solidifies our position as Colombia’s leading cruise destination.” This milestone elevates the cruise industry and strengthens Colombia’s tourism sector which is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse Colombia welcomed over 6.6 million international travelers reflecting an impressive 8.5% growth compared to the record-breaking numbers of 2023 This steady upward trajectory has positioned Colombia as the top destination for U.S further cementing its status as a global tourism hotspot Colombia’s growing tourism sector has earned its spots on The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious travel lists solidifying its reputation as a top destination With a focus on sustainability and partnerships like Virgin Voyages Colombia is poised for long-term growth and international recognition “The arrival today of over two thousand tourists from the United States to Cartagena reflects the robust and dynamic tourism between our countries Colombia stands out as a top destination for American travelers welcoming over 1.4 million visitors annually This milestone also highlights the confidence of U.S and global tour operators in Colombia’s diverse offerings further strengthening the connections that drive our economic and cultural exchange,” said Daniel García-Peña Porthole Cruise and Travel is your one-stop shop for all things cruise-related our mission is to inspire and inform by bringing you the best in cruising and travel ©2025 Porthole Cruise and Travel – All Rights Reserved The following is a public statement by C40 Co-Chairs at the WHO Conference on Air Quality in Cartagena we represent the world’s largest cities on the front lines of the air pollution and climate crisis C40 Cities is a network of nearly 100 world-leading cities working together to take urgent action on the climate emergency and improve air quality for over 650 million people As mayors of some of the world’s largest cities we are committed to addressing the air pollution crisis that claims over 8 million lives annually and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in our societies We welcome the World Health Organization’s updated road map to address the health impacts of air pollution which sets an ambitious goal of reducing the population-attributable fraction of deaths from air pollution by 50% by 2040 Achieving these ambitious targets will save millions of lives lost to the devastating harm of pollution and make our cities more liveable for communities to thrive Our cities are showing that evidence-based action can deliver tangible results Through commitments 50 cities have made in C40’s Clean Air Accelerator we have set ambitious clean air targets we are implementing bold new policies and programmes and we are transparently reporting on our progress each year since 2019 Our most recent progress report published just last month highlighted that cities around the world are prioritising clean air policies and programmes that are cleaning the air for millions of people These actions include expanding zero-emission transport systems implementing clean energy solutions for heating supporting active and sustainable mobility and improving waste management Through our flagship air quality initiative Clean Air Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies we are working with 14 cities worldwide to drive clean air action from Bangkok to Johannesburg we aim to reduce air pollution and planet-warming emissions by 30% across participating cities by 2030 Cities across the world are already leading the way: Breathing clean air is not a luxury—it’s a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone We recognise that air pollution is not just an environmental crisis—it is a public health emergency and a matter of justice Communities from lower socio-economic backgrounds often disproportionately represented by racial or ethnically marginalised groups and those living with disabilities or chronic diseases major burdens on their quality of life and on public health systems By prioritising clean air policies that protect those most at risk we call on the national governments convened by the World Health Organization this week to prioritise the following actions: We also welcome the vital role of the health sector at the heart of the economic case for action and investment in clean air The benefits of clean air will be felt first and foremost by patients We are committed to working closely with the health sector to advocate for stronger policies and ensure that air pollution is recognised as a public health emergency requiring urgent intervention Through the C40 Clean Air Accelerator and the Breathe Cities initiative we will continue to work to align city-led commitments and action inline with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and the ambition set out in the WHO’s Global Road Map for Air Quality and we urge other cities to join us in this commitment Cities around the world are ready to step up and intensify our efforts to tackle air pollution and we invite more to join us As the first responders to our residents’ needs working closely with our partners in national governments and global institutions to build healthier We use cookies. Learn more about how in our Privacy Policy. Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); An acclaimed bar celebrates the heritage and ingredients of Colombia the newly developed area housing art galleries I visited one of The World’s 50 Best Bars—to be more precise Alquímico proudly showcases Colombia’s agricultural biodiversity within the walls of a historic mansion in the center of Cartagena’s Old City The house was built by French architect Gastón Lelarge known for such important works in Colombia as the Marroquín Castle the Palace of San Francisco and Club Cartagena He also built the Marble Palace in Tehran and was involved in the construction of the Paris Opera one is greeted by the exhilarating sounds of cumbia and Colombian salsa Alquímico spreads its personality across three packed floors thanks to French-Vietnamese owner Jean Trinh who fell in love with Colombia and wanted to give something back to the country he now calls home Yuca cocktail / Photo: Courtesy of Alquímico The main floor pays tribute to the community through the Comunidad menu developed in collaboration with the farmers of Asocoman an agricultural region located three hours from Cartagena These producers supply all the ingredients used in the cocktails the square central bar has three stations operated exclusively by women Alquímico contributes a percentage to make several regional projects a reality from water purification to PVC gutters for rainwater collection Here is what we liked and what it benefits: First came Ajonjolí which supports the water-treatment plant for Asocoman’s headquarters almost clear concoction prepared with green tea This drink benefits the construction of concrete bases for the installation of 10,000-liter storage tanks in the associates’ fields we sampled some of Alquímico’s full-flavored vegetarian dishes A pumpkin ceviche featured perfectly roasted sweet and salty pumpkin mixed with scallions cilantro oil and leche de tigre enhanced by sour cream and coconut similar to a tamal but made with artisanal corn Our third drink was unforgettable: the Santa María all radiating in a beautiful peridot green where classic cocktails are reimagined with Colombian fruits and vegetables Petronio appealed to me for its history and ingredients it combines traditional ingredients such as lulo and viche with silver tequila and lime juice Viche is an artisanal distillate produced from sugarcane juice by women of the Afro-descendant communities of the Pacific who have preserved their tradition for generations preserves this storytelling and cocktail making for posterity Inventive cocktails produced with local ingredients A percentage of the proceeds benefits regional projects for Colombian farmers Located within a historic mansion in Cartagena’s Old City this bar takes patrons on an exhilarating sensory voyage into the country’s traditions alquimico.com Website created by Ink Studio Volume 16 - 2025 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1491987 Background: Considering the general trend toward an increased occurrence of cardiovascular and mental health diseases we studied the relationship between the presence of trait and state anxiety and the alteration of serum cortisol Material and methods: The study assessed 90 full-time workers waist circumferences as well as their cortisol levels at 8 AM and 4 PM and their fasting serum glucose and lipid profiles The construct of trait and state anxiety was assessed by means of the Inventory of Trait-State Anxiety (IDARE Spanish version) Results: The state anxiety scale showed high reliability (ω = 0.94 Moderate to high state anxiety was observed in 61.1% of participants while 71.1% had moderate to high trait anxiety Most participants (94.4%) had AM and PM cortisol levels within normal ranges PM cortisol levels were lower than AM cortisol levels in 95.6% of participants (86/90) Dyslipidemia was present in 60.4% of participants No significant sex differences were found in AM and PM cortisol or anxiety levels State anxiety was positively correlated with PM cortisol levels (r = 0.232 no significant associations were found with AM cortisol or age A significant association was observed between waist circumference and fasting glycemia with 68.9% of participants exceeding the recommended waist circumference threshold Obesity was significantly associated with hyperglycemia (p = 0.010) An ANOVA revealed a significant effect of state anxiety on evening cortisol levels (F(2 with the high state anxiety group exhibiting the highest PM cortisol levels a t-test found a significant difference in triglyceride levels between the presence and absence of state anxiety t (87.999) = -2.244 Conclusions: The presence of state anxiety proved to be the type of anxiety most associated with increased evening cortisol levels and triglyceride levels Understanding the relationships between mental states and biochemical physical conditions will be essential in the future for maximizing the benefits of technological developments applied to the diagnosis and monitoring of patients’ overall health Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders in the world; in 2019, they affected 301 million people (5). In Colombia, the 2015 National Survey of Mental Health conducted in adults reported a prevalence of 1.6% for major depression, 0.3% for generalized anxiety, and 2.1% for any anxiety disorder (6) is one of the most frequent health concerns in the world and Colombia so actions for its prevention and effective treatment are needed Clark and Beck (7) define anxiety as “a behavioral and cognitive response to events that are perceived as threats to vital interests and as uncontrollable or unpredictable.” These authors differentiate anxiety from fear by considering the latter as a primitive automatic neurophysiological response to perceived imminent dangers to physical or psychological safety leading to adverse psychological and physical health effects such as depression and reduced job performance These findings collectively underscore the impact of chronic and acute stress in academia reinforcing the need for institutional strategies to mitigate anxiety and cortisol dysregulation among faculty members One of the metabolic responses related to coping with a stressful situation is the secretion of cortisol, a cholesterol-derived hormone and the main glucocorticoid produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands, located in the upper part of both kidneys. Its main functions include lipid reorganization and metabolism, as well as insulin secretion, blood pressure increase, and suppression of the immune system as an anti-inflammatory mechanism (15) When released, it can inhibit the hypothalamic release of corticotropin-releasing hormone and pituitary release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, known as negative feedback. Under persistent stress conditions, this negative feedback loses effectiveness, and high cortisol levels may remain for a long time, so it can still exercise its supportive functions to face situations that may be perceived as threats (16, 17) Similarly, it has been evidenced that glucocorticoids and insulin enhance the consumption of fatty foods, which allows us to suppose that the combination of high insulin and cortisol levels can be a powerful inducer of obesity and insulin resistance (18, 19). Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 300 million individuals with obesity, and this figure is expected to increase considerably in the coming years (20) cardiovascular risk is still one of the leading causes of death in the world the evidence linking cortisol level alterations with hypertension and prothrombotic activity suggests that adrenal axis dysfunction may be responsible for the metabolic disturbances that promote cardiovascular disease Considering the mental health statistics of the Colombian population and the consistent trend in morbidity and mortality statistics for cardiovascular diseases the purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible association between trait and state anxiety and altered serum levels of cortisol These are known factors for cardiovascular risk which has been scarcely studied in Cartagena and Colombia We included 90 participants of both sexes (47 female ranging in age from 25 to 69 years (X̅ = 44.1 They were selected from a list of 148 faculty members employed full-time The study sample was drawn from faculty members of a private higher education institution with a student population of approximately 3,300 we selected faculty members with full-time contracts and more than two years of experience at the university those receiving medication or dietary regimens that could alter glucose or cortisol levels or adrenal axis dysfunction were not accepted as they could interfere with the results Each participant provided their written informed consent and the study was granted ethical approval from the University’s Research Ethics Committee (project code: CIB-CS-2023-01; date of approval: April 18 This study followed the guidelines set by the Declaration of Helsinki and all participants provided written informed consent This quantitative study was conducted with an analytical cross-sectional design with fasting blood sampling to determine participants’ glycemia and lipid profile levels through spectrophotometric techniques Participants were instructed to refrain from engaging in physical exercise on the day of sample collection and to abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages for three days prior to venipuncture they were asked to arrive 15 minutes in advance Dyslipidemia was considered when two or more lipid profile values were altered Cortisol was measured at 8 AM and 4 PM using a commercial kit based on an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (Elecsys cortisol II®) quality controls were used to ensure the validity of the results The morning (AM) samples were collected between 8:00 and 9:00 AM while the evening (PM) samples were taken between 4:00 and 4:30 PM following the established biosafety protocols for this type of sample The samples were collected at the clinical laboratory facilities of the university Serum was immediately separated by centrifugation and stored at 4°C until processing Participants’ waist circumference was measured at the midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest in expiration, using a non-stretch tape measure. To this end, the International Diabetes Federation recommendations for Central and South America were used as cut-off point (>90 cm in men and 80 cm in women) (32) we used the Inventory of Trait-State Anxiety (IDARE Spanish version) by Spielberger which consists of two separate self-assessment scales All data were initially organized using Microsoft Excel and then analyzed using JASP Descriptive statistics were computed first to summarize the dataset independent samples Student’s t-tests were conducted for morning cortisol (AM) Pearson’s correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationships between morning cortisol Additional Pearson’s correlations were conducted to examine associations between waist circumference and glucose levels A Chi-square test was performed to examine the association between abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia as well as other variables from the lipid profile a one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare evening cortisol (PM) levels across low a Welch’s t-test was performed to compare triglyceride levels between the presence and absence of state anxiety as the Brown-Forsythe test indicated a violation of homogeneity of variances with an average age of 44.1 years (SD = 10.9; range = 25–69) and a slight female predominance (47/90; 52.2%) The internal consistency of the state anxiety items was assessed using McDonald’s Omega (ω) and Cronbach’s Alpha (α) 61.1% (55/90) of participants had medium and high levels of state anxiety, and 71.1% (64/90) had medium and high levels of trait anxiety. Women more frequently exhibited high state anxiety and moderate trait anxiety, whereas men more commonly reported moderate trait anxiety (Figure 1) Presence of state and trait anxiety by levels and sex (frequency) AM and PM cortisol levels; total values and values discriminated by state anxiety levels The presence of dyslipidemia, defined as the simultaneous alteration of two or more lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL cholesterol fractions), was observed in 60.4% of the sample (54/90) (Figure 2) Dyslipidemia (two or more altered parameters) observed in participants divided by level of state or trait anxiety Independent t-tests were conducted to compare differences by sex in morning and evening cortisol levels, as well as in state and trait anxiety scores. No significant differences were found between male and female participants in any of these variables, except for triglycerides (t = -2.535, df 89, p= 0.013) (Table 2) Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between state anxiety and PM cortisol levels (r = 0.232, p = 0.028), while no significant relationship was found with AM cortisol concentrations. Additionally, neither cortisol patterns nor anxiety measures (state or trait) were significantly associated with age (Table 3) Pearson’s correlations between cortisol levels Of all participants, 68.9% (62/90) had a waist circumference greater than 80 cm in women and 90 cm in men. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant association between waist circumference and fasting glycemia (Table 4) fasting glycemia was elevated in 11 participants (12.2%) Pearson’s correlation between waist circumference and glycemia the presence of abdominal obesity showed a significant association with hyperglycemia (p = 0.010 but not with the other variables from the lipid profile A one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in evening cortisol levels across state anxiety levels (low The results indicated a significant effect of state anxiety on evening cortisol levels Mean comparisons showed that individuals in the high state anxiety group had the highest evening cortisol levels (X̅ = 7.88 followed by those in the low state anxiety group (X̅ = 5.77 while the moderate state anxiety group had the lowest levels (X̅ = 5.13 the one-way ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference in mean PM cortisol levels among state anxiety groups (F(2 The high state anxiety group had the highest mean cortisol levels (X̅ = 7.88 µg/dL) followed by the low state anxiety group (X̅ = 5.77 µg/dL) and the moderate state anxiety group which had the lowest mean levels (X̅ = 5.13 µg/dL) An independent samples Welch’s t-test was conducted to compare the concentrations of each evaluated lipid fraction based on the absence (low levels) and presence (medium and high levels) of state anxiety Welch’s t-test was preferred since the Brown-Forsythe test indicated a violation of homogeneity of variances when using Student’s t-test in multiple comparisons A significant difference was found only for triglyceride levels between the absence and presence groups The Welch’s t-test indicated a statistically significant difference The presence group had a higher mean triglyceride level (X̅ = 129.58 SD = 62.32) compared to the absence group (X̅ = 105.53 No significant differences were observed between sexes for any type of anxiety, although higher levels may be expected in women, as it has been evidenced in several epidemiological studies in which anxiety has a marked influence on females (8) could be more pronounced with larger samples our study results are contrasted with those of previous studies that support the conclusions mentioned above Anxiety as an assessment measure for psychological dysfunction is particularly relevant, not only because it is the most prevalent mental disorder, but also because it has regularly been found as a comorbidity of other mental health conditions. For example, Mielimąka et al. (37) found that 69% of patients with personality disorders had state anxiety and 64.7% had trait anxiety personality disorders are a primary condition to take into account in the mental health assessment and intervention of anxious patients The results of studies with different designs focused on social anxiety are consistent with our findings and conclusions about the relevance of anxiety as a risk factor, especially in stressful situations. Mirete et al. (38) studied the increase in salivary cortisol levels in individuals with high and low levels of social anxiety in the face of stressful situations and found that in both groups cortisol levels varied under stress conditions although the response was significantly higher in individuals with high anxiety levels The relationship between PM cortisol levels and state anxiety has also important implications for the development of anxiety management strategies. In particular, the possible dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to stress, along with the association between elevated PM cortisol levels, greater emotional reactivity, and a lower capacity for stress recovery (40, 41) suggests the need to explore interventions focused on stress regulation These strategies may contribute to better physiological and emotional adaptation to stress Additionally, physical activity plays a key role in stress regulation and cortisol levels. Regular aerobic exercise has been associated with more adaptive cortisol secretion patterns and lower stress reactivity (48). Moreover, sleep hygiene interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), have shown positive effects in normalizing circadian cortisol rhythms and reducing state anxiety (49) Since both sleep and physical activity directly influence HPA axis function integrating these strategies into stress management programs could enhance the effects of other psychological interventions and improve long-term emotional regulation and cognitive-behavioral approaches were the most effective at reducing educator stress and improving occupational outcomes emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address both the psychological and physiological aspects of anxiety among faculty members Although the cross-sectional design of this study does not allow for the establishment of cause-and-effect relationships, it is important to consider that the relationship between cortisol levels and mental states could be bidirectional, as stated by Qin et al. (52) This situation once again highlights the complexity that must be acknowledged when studying human beings given that the presence of anxiety triggers cortisol release and alters cardiovascular health including body weight and fat distribution which in turn also influences anxiety levels Longitudinal studies under more controlled conditions could be useful in clarifying the predominant directionality The evidence obtained in a group of patients with depression showed that alterations in the circadian rhythm of cortisol were more frequent in the group that also had anxiety, which suggests that these values should be used as one of the markers of depression and anxiety (53) and should be taken into account when assessing cardiovascular risk related to excess cortisol and rhythm alterations (54) Other studies have shown that cortisol levels are positively associated with negative thoughts, and the intensity of the latter affects the onset of anxiety and depression. This justifies the need to include these values in screening this type of disorder (55) More recently, Anni et al. (58) found that stressful life events were significantly associated with altered lipid patterns and elevated serum triglyceride levels in middle-aged Korean men, highlighting the potential metabolic impact of psychological stress. Other authors, on the contrary, have reported an increase in cholesterol and no association with triglycerides (59) These discrepancies may be attributed to the approach used to define the presence of anxiety an aspect that should be standardized and validated through its application in population studies given that different stressors could trigger various forms of adrenal axis activation and different impacts on serum biochemical levels In addition, it is known that anxiety-related disorders have been linked to alterations in lipid metabolism due to chronic deregulation of the adrenal axis and the action of the hormones related to this state, such as catecholamines and gamma-aminobutyric acid. Cholesterol, the main source of steroid hormones, plays a very important role in this axis, including circadian rhythm, stress, and neuropsychiatric disorders (63) Based on the results obtained, it is possible to suggest that state anxiety may be associated with the sustained elevation of cortisol levels. No studies were found that specifically examined the impact of each type of anxiety on the expected decline in serum cortisol concentrations in the afternoon. However, our findings align with the evidence reported by Mohd Azmi et al. (54) which indicates that cortisol regulates the circadian rhythm and is linked to cardiovascular disease In cases of sleep disorders, jet lag, or mental conditions such as stress or anxiety, circadian dysfunction can be explained by the loss of negative feedback on the adrenal axis, which could account for the sustained increase in cortisol levels in the afternoon among individuals with higher anxiety levels. Additionally, the greater incidence of circadian cortisol alterations observed in patients with depression accompanied by anxiety (53) further supports this association In contrast to our findings, a study conducted in 2013 with a sample of 142 individuals showed that total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels were higher in the group with higher levels of anxiety, but no differences were found for triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and platelets (59) Multiple studies agree on the effect of negative experiences in childhood on alterations of the adrenal axis (66, 67), and show varying degrees of association with the onset of depression and anxiety, establishing a link between these experiences and adult mental health (68) our results showed no differences between sexes suggesting that it may be necessary to study this aspect in depth and include other variables improving the approach to gender perceptions and childhood experiences that could affect adulthood Currently, hybrid models have been proposed to promptly identify heart diseases (69), accurately and reliably classify lung cancer types (70), and, by leveraging the strengths of combined models, integrate complex aspects such as space-time relationships, as proposed by Ali et al. (71) These models would be particularly useful for establishing more precise relationships between variables that follow a circadian rhythm One limitation of our study is that it did not address aspects related to participants’ previous experiences which could have provided robust follow-up of these disorders lifestyle assessments that could positively or negatively affect the associations observed were not included it is worth mentioning that participants who followed special diets or used medications that could affect the results were excluded The presence of abdominal obesity and lipid profile alterations were frequent as well as medium and high levels of trait and state anxiety Our study results showed cortisol levels within the reference values in most of the participants although alterations in the afternoon were also observed which highlights the importance of studying the presence of other medical and mental conditions due to the high correlation between anxiety Our findings also support the role that mental diseases may play in the onset of medical conditions via cortisol alterations this study confirms the association between lipids which has been reported by a growing number of studies which highlights the potential value of measuring this hormone during medical examinations either through psychopharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatments together with those of similar studies following the same lines support the statement that mental health interventions interventions aimed at its mitigation or prevention may also help prevent cardiovascular diseases (and others) resulting from the sum of lipid and glycemia alterations and consistently high cortisol levels The presence of state anxiety was found to be the type of anxiety most associated with increased evening cortisol levels and triglyceride levels It is relevant to continue exploring the relationships between psychological and biochemical variables as they could serve as important inputs for developing AI-supported programs that enhance the diagnosis and outcomes of physical and mental health treatments The differences observed in other studies regarding the association found between the levels of anxiety to the high frequency of alterations in the biochemical variables in most of the study population This reflects the importance of approaching health from a global perspective that integrates biological and psychological factors to contribute to the present and future well-being of the population The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors The studies involving humans were approved by University’s Research Ethics Committee (project code: CIB-CS-2023-01; date of approval: April 18 The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article This research was funded by the Universidad de San Buenaventura The authors would like to thank the study participants and Universidad de San Buenaventura, Cartagena, for making this research possible. 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adverse childhood experiences An intelligent approach for early and accurate prediction of cardiac disease using hybrid artificial intelligence techniques SVMVGGNet-16: A novel machine and deep learning-based approach for lung cancer detection using combined SVM and VGGNet-16 doi: 10.2174/0115734056348824241224100809 A resource-aware multi-graph neural network for urban traffic flow prediction in multi-access edge computing systems López Toro J and Hernández Rojas F (2025) Cortisol and anxiety in full-time workers in Cartagena Received: 11 September 2024; Accepted: 19 March 2025;Published: 10 April 2025 Copyright © 2025 Alayón, Ochoa Arizal, Noreña Correa, López Toro and Hernández Rojas. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Manuel Noreña Correa, bWFudWVsLm5vcmVuYUB1c2JjdGcuZWR1LmNv Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Colombian fashion designer shares her favorite spots in the port city Silvia Tcherassi often draws inspiration from her native country “[Gabriel] García Márquez taught us that the ordinary can become extraordinary a concept I incorporate into my designs,” she told Women’s Wear Daily in September following an invitation by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode with her collections available everywhere from Saks Fifth Avenue to Moda Operandi the Colombian designer shares her favorite spots in the charming port city where she opened the Tcherassi Hotel + Spa in 2009 This restaurant offers traditional Cartagena cuisine, showcasing the diverse influences that have shaped it. It’s worth noting that local cuisine has always been tied to remarkable women like Teresita Roman de Zurek, Rosita de Benedetti, and Doris Chalela. (restaurantecande.com) For those who love a fun night out, this spot delivers an authentic Caribbean experience. (instagram.com) This timeless restaurant has remained a favorite amongst locals and tourists for decades. The food is wonderful, and at night, the ambiance and live music are fantastic. (lavitrola.precompro.com) A classic, unpretentious restaurant in the city, offering stunning views and authentic local fare. (restaurantefuertedelpastelillo.com) This hotel is completely immersed in nature and features traditional architectural elements. (lasislas.com.co) After a meticulous restoration that spanned several years and involved a team of experts from various disciplines, this hotel’s opening has become one of the most anticipated in the city. (fourseasons.com) This lovely hotel was one of the first to be fully restored in the historic part of town. Once an old convent, it is the primary setting for Gabriel García Márquez’s Of Love and Other Demons. (sofitellegendsantaclara.com) This vaulted structure dates back to the colonial era and is adjacent to the city walls. Inside, you’ll find a wonderful selection of locally handmade crafts—perfect for finding a souvenir. (colombia.travel) Here, you can find artworks by two of Colombia’s greatest artists, Fernando Botero and Olga de Amaral. (nhgaleria.com) This is one of the city’s most iconic and beautiful plazas. It’s surrounded by landmarks like the Charleston Santa Teresa Hotel, the Bastion Luxury Hotel, and the Naval Museum—yet it holds special significance to me as the home of the boutique I opened 23 years ago. (noticartagena.com) An example of Italian architecture adapted to the Caribbean aesthetic. Its beautiful frescoes and drapery were created by Enrique Grau, one of the region’s most cherished artists. (ipcc.gov.co) The best way to explore a city is with a local guide and Cartagena offers a wealth of options—from Gabriel García Márquez-inspired tours based on his novels to those focused on architecture and religion including visits to the Cathedral and the San Pedro Claver Church and Monastery this archipelago a few miles off the coast is paradisiacal Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close 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for a tip The free Museo de Oro Zenú has a dazzling display of priceless pre-Columbian artifacts dating back 6000 years Luminous gold pieces continue to be a source of fascination among visitors to the museum breastplates and beaded necklaces are among the exquisite objects fashioned from gold or tumbaga (a gold and copper alloy) by Indigenous peoples that inhabited the Caribbean region before Spanish colonizers arrived They also worked with a diverse range of materials beyond gold ceramics and clay were skillfully crafted into animal and human forms meticulously restored to fulfill their original purpose of producing enchanting melodies which you can listen to with technology-assisted displays All the newly reimagined exhibits help weave a narrative connecting the works of ancient tradespeople from the Caribbean region to present-day Zenú artisans — renowned for the vueltiao a black-and-white woven hat that has become a symbol of national pride for present-day Colombians Planning tip: Guided tours in English take place Tuesday to Friday at 11am and 3pm From a boar’s nose in Florence to a philosopher’s toes in Edinburgh the world has its share of rituals and superstitions that put a twist on the term “rubbed bronze.” In Cartagena look no further than the Old Town’s Plaza de Santo Domingo La Gorda Gertrudís in all her 1433-pound glory lies naked on her side in the southwest corner of the square in front of Iglesia de Santa Domingo Since Colombian-born artist Fernando Botero donated the bronze sculpture to the city in 2000 it’s become customary to give her rear end a rub for luck touching her breasts ensures a long-lasting romance for those in a relationship You don’t have to be a devoted Catholic seeking spiritual solace to step over the threshold of these sacred spaces It won’t cost a thing to peek inside and marvel at their architectural grandeur the remains of the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver’s namesake saint who advocated for equal rights for enslaved people before his death in 1654 lie in a glass coffin below the church’s altar made of Italian marble Local tip: It will cost COP$24,000 (US$5.50) to visit the museum dedicated to his life The neighborhood of Getsemaní is filled to the brim with character Pastel-hued rowhouses stretch along narrow alleyways strung with pennants and other attention-grabbing embellishments the influx of creatives and entrepreneurs has transformed the working-class neighborhood into a cultural district renowned for street art Artistic expression can be found at every turn where the crumbling facades are covered with large-scale murals More murals extend along the Calle de San Juan where you’ll also find art on canvas displayed in front of art galleries and artists’ studios where whimsical statues reflect a slice of life in the neighborhood the central gathering place of the community for centuries where a set of statues pay tribute to Pedro Romero one of the key figures in Cartagena’s independence movement from Spain the popularity of Getsemaní’s colorful streetscapes has captured the attention of Instagram-loving travelers If you want to experience the neighborhood’s charms without the crowds Getsemaní’s Plaza de la Trinidad, anchored by the mustard-yellow Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad is one of the best places to visit in Cartagena after dark both locals and tourists can be seen wandering through the small plaza before disappearing into the narrow streets that radiate from it like the spokes of a bicycle tire and crowds gather on the steps of the church The air is filled with the enticing aroma of street food served from carts enveloped in rising steam The thump of a drum interrupts the low hum of activity and conversation dancers and other street performers take center stage providing lively entertainment for the crowd The nocturnal celebration doesn’t stop until the early hours fueled by mobile bars serving mojitos and other refreshing cocktails You can’t miss the Parque del Centenario sandwiched between Old Town’s Torre del Reloj and the Getsemaní neighborhood although many people pass it by without going through one of its statue-topped arched gates The triangular park — one of the few green spaces in the midst of Cartagena’s urban jungle — is home to a remarkable number of animals concealed in the trees Red squirrels and iguanas are a common sight but you’ll also find a troop of cotton-top tamarins and a sloth or two tucked away in the leafy vegetation Cartagena’s Bocagrande neighborhood offers several advantages Unlike some of the more secluded and pristine beaches that require boat transportation or full-day excursions those in Bocagrande are easily reachable on foot or bus from the Old Town with many people enjoying the sun and sand but this lively atmosphere can also be part of the appeal Keep in mind vendors are a common presence on Cartagena beaches Familiarize yourself with the word “no” since you’ll use it a lot — unless you want what they are offering Understanding you can’t expect rest and relaxation will help you embrace the beach scene for what it is The Mercado Bazurto has a way of assaulting the senses but for those looking for an authentic taste of the local culture The busy streets are filled with a dizzying array of fresh fish Navigating the labyrinth of stalls costs nothing but it’s worth spending a little money to sample things you won’t find outside of Colombia The market gets rolling at the break of day the makeshift restaurants are ready to serve bowlfuls of rich stews seafood specialties and rice dishes for breakfast and lunch You may come across unusual ingredients like armadillo Planning tip: If you’re planning to grab an inexpensive lunch at the market be sure to head there by 11am since food stalls close for the day once the food is gone The least expensive way to get to the market is by taking Transcaribe’s T-103 to the Bazurto stop Planning tip: It’s free to visit the fortifications, but to reach them, you have to pay for boat transportation from the Muelle de Bodeguita. You’ll be met by wanna-be guides, but you don’t have to accept their services. Bring a flashlight for the tunnel. Here's where to eat and drink on the country's Caribbean coast Historic Spanish port to host foiling IMOCA fleet and Ocean Live Park with engaging focus on ocean health The city of Cartagena will become the Spanish stopover for The Ocean Race Europe an event that will bring the most innovative and exciting fleet of ocean racing IMOCA boats to this historic Mediterranean port late next summer along with shoreside activities in the Port of Cartagena focussed on ocean health Located in the Region of Murcia in southeastern Spain Cartagena is a port city open to the Mediterranean Sea through a wide bay Its entrance is guarded by a series of castles and coastal batteries that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries With an incredible past spanning more than 3,000 years of history Cartagena has been the scene of some of the most fascinating moments in Europe One of its greatest monuments is the Roman Theater it has been completely restored and is a jewel in the city with its privileged location on the Costa Cálida which includes 250 km of Mediterranean microclimate offers breathtaking natural environments for sailing and its rich seabed has made it a favourite destination for scuba diving in Spain including the protected marine reserves of Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas near the city Cartagena is located 30 km from the Manga del Mar Menor which includes the Mar Menor coastal lagoon the first ecosystem in the European Union to have designated rights and which serves as an example of what could be a powerful tool to address the many challenges facing our seas The coasts of Cartagena also have large posidonia meadows as well as coral colonies that form the habitat of numerous plant and animal species from Roman shipwrecks to ships sunk during the Spanish Civil War The Port of Cartagena is the fourth Spanish port in volume of goods foreign trade and ranked in the top 10 ports in cruise traffic in the Spanish port system It is considered one of the most sustainable ports in the Mediterranean for its port-city integration model and for being a unique port for its marine and land species The Port of Cartagena has become a high-value area for terrestrial and marine biodiversity and has successfully carried out the reforestation of posidonia meadows This second edition of The Ocean Race Europe - following the inaugural edition in 2021 - will be held under the theme “Connecting Europe” on a route starting on August 10 passing through the North Sea and the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean before finishing in the Mediterranean “For Cartagena this is a great opportunity to be the only Spanish stopover for a major international event that unites sport and the sea and will project the image of the city as a major tourist capital in the Mediterranean,” said the Mayor of Cartagena “The sea brought to these shores the Carthaginians who founded the city the Romans who built our great monuments and it was the sea that turned us into a naval base protected by one of the largest defensive complexes in the Mediterranean This dramatic backdrop will host the most prestigious offshore racing fleet in the world,” she added The stopover enjoys strong support from the Port Authority of Catagena and the Region of Murcia “The fact that The Ocean Race has chosen the Region of Murcia and as the Spanish stopover is a source of pride for all of us and a clear sign of the growing importance of this destination for both tourism and for hosting sporting competitions,” said the President of the Region of Murcia “We will enjoy an event that will be focussed on the Region of Murcia and will also serve to position Cartagena as a real tourist capital The Region of Murcia is a leader in the percentage of water reuse (as high as 98%) which makes it a water bulwark against drought and contributes to the fact that the regional agricultural sector is capable of producing 25% of the fruit and vegetables exported stressed that the relationship with Cartagena is focused on promoting sailing among young people and protecting the health of the sea through increased ocean literacy: “The Ocean Race Europe is an epic adventure in which the best teams harness the power of the wind to race from the Baltic Sea through the North Atlantic Ocean and into the Mediterranean Sea The ocean is our race course and our sailors are direct witnesses to its deterioration and engaged in initiatives to restore its health to raise awareness of how vital ocean health is to our planet through our award-winning learning program We will collaborate with schools in the region to bring the intensity and excitement of the sport of sailing closer to youth and race fans and use the power of sport to help create new ambassadors for marine protection.” the IMOCA fleet will offer fans unprecedented action The latest generation of boats features advances in design and engineering to increase speed as the boats lift up out of the water on hydrofoils and the sailors participating are the best in the world along with being engaging ocean advocates Cartagena becomes the third Spanish city to partner with The Ocean Race Barcelona is the finish port for The Ocean Atlantic in 2026 and the city of Alicante (Valencian Community) which has been the Start Port and Global Headquarters of the round-the-world race since 2008 will host the start of the next around the world race in January 2027 State-owned Ecopetrol SA is building a new plant for production of green hydrogen at subsidiary Refinería de Cartagena SAS’s (Reficar) 210,000-b/d refinery in the Mamonal Industrial Zone on Cartagena Bay Requiring an overall investment of about $28.5 million the proposed plant will be equipped to produce 800 tonnes/year (tpy) of low-carbon green hydrogen using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technology Ecopetrol said in a statement and accompanying video posted to the company’s official social media accounts The operator revealed neither a timeframe for the project nor a specific licensor of the PEM electrolyzer technology Ecopetrol completed construction at Cartagena of Latin America’s first-ever solar farm to be built inside a refinery Located across a 19.9-hectare plot of land and consisting of 40,146 panels Cartagena’s solar farm is equipped with a capacity of 22.1 Mw for delivery of up to 34.4 million kw-hr/year of electricity Scheduled to reach full design capacity by yearend Reficar said the solar farm aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the refinery by 21,000 tpy once fully operational Other works to improve environmental performance of the Cartagena refinery include: Robert Brelsford joined Oil & Gas Journal in October 2013 as downstream technology editor after 8 years as a crude oil price and news reporter on spot crude transactions at the US Gulf Coast He holds a BA (2000) in English from Rice University and an MS (2003) in education and social policy from Northwestern University and drummer has devoted his career to voting rights and criminal justice reform Juan Cartagena ’81 has been steadily pushing forward Latino voting rights including advocating for redistricting maps that preserve Hispanic voting power ensuring the availability of Spanish-language ballot information and keeping Latino and other voters from being improperly dropped from voter rolls.   But Cartagena’s career path traces a full circle: He began in law school with a 1L summer internship at civil rights nonprofit LatinoJustice PRLDEF (then called the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund) he led the organization and grew it into a national presence as a champion of Hispanic civil rights “The best job I ever had in my life,” he says.  “I really liked the work that I was doing,’’ he says Cartagena’s summer at PRLDEF cemented his shift to civil rights law he saw how instead of representing one client at a time lawyers could advance collective well-being through impact litigation and class action suits on behalf of His career following law school led him from PRLDEF to the Community Service Society a nonprofit with a 180-year-long history advocating for low-income New Yorkers where he continued to focus on voting rights work as the organization’s general counsel He worked to eliminate barriers to voting for formerly incarcerated people led litigation over redistricting that diluted Hispanic voting power in New York City and advocated for full implementation in New York City of the “motor voter law,” a 1993 federal measure that required voter registration opportunities at state motor vehicle agencies and public-assistance offices During his leadership of LatinoJustice PRLDEF from 2011 to 2021, the organization’s voting rights work included preventing New York from dropping 1 million “inactive” voters from poll books and requiring Florida to provide Spanish-language sample ballots.   Cartagena broadened the work of LatinoJustice PRLDEF beyond litigation to include pressing for policy change and legislation “I started looking at ways that we can embrace [social justice] organizers in a different way as opposed to just being 12 or 15 really damn good attorneys,” he says And he was able to incorporate his early interest in criminal law into the LatinoJustice PRLDEF mission by focusing on disproportionate impacts of the criminal justice system on Latinos “The irony was … I was now tying criminal legal systems and their impact on civil human rights violations back to the civil rights practice that I’d had for decades,” he says.  “there were very few national Latino organizations that were willing to talk about the issues of the criminal legal system.” For one thing many Latino advocates were focused on immigration reform—and did not want to publicly acknowledge that some immigrants were charged with crimes “Whereas I come from the school of thought that says there is nobody who’s disposable,” Cartagena says “If we are not prepared to talk about the drug offenders and if we’re not prepared to talk even about the violent offenders then we’re not really prepared to dismantle the criminal legal system in a way that makes sense.” LatinoJustice PRLDEF was part of litigation that restricted the New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk practices Cartagena wrote the introduction to the Spanish-language edition of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Michelle Alexander’s book that frames the mass incarceration that resulted from the “war on drugs” as a system of racial control “Latinos and Latinas alike are subjected to the worst manifestation of the criminal justice policies of the United States on a daily basis,” he wrote “Its salience is only dwarfed by the way America treats African Americans … The counterpart in the Latino experience is a legacy of racialized dominance He also undertook the unglamorous but necessary work of strengthening the organization: crafting a strategic plan and expanding beyond New York by opening regional offices in Florida and Texas  “So by the time we finally started getting [grants] to do criminal justice reform work from a Latino perspective the foundation was already built,” he says Cartagena was born and raised in Jersey City insisted on the value of education and gave him two career options: priest or lawyer “I didn't know any lawyers except for Perry Mason on the black-and-white TV I wanted to be like him because he won every week,” he says.  Making music “is a wonderful release,” he says Cartagena’s developing political consciousness was nurtured throughout his growing up in the 1970s by his parish priest, Jack Egan, whose support for Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers’ produce boycotts of the era meant frequent arrests “He was an incredible source of inspiration for me,” Cartagena sayş.  “I saw the riots of Jersey City divide the country after the assassination of Martin Luther King All that and a mix of what I was seeing in my own neighborhood just solidified in me that I was going to use the law as a tool toward social justice and racial justice,” he says connection in my head that lawyering is a major tool of social change in social justice which honestly comes from my mother's upbringing and the mentors around me Cartagena has tried to pave the path for Latino lawyers by mentoring and teaching As a lecturer in law at Columbia Law School he has taught a seminar on civil rights law and the Latino community and he has been a long-time adjunct in law at Rutgers University and City College of New York “I taught the courses that I’d never had a chance to take because they really weren’t offered when I was in school “So I devised a course about immigrants’ rights and I devised a course on bilingualism.”   One lesson he tries to pass on is that the work to achieve social justice is worthwhile but hard and the way movements take two steps forward In a country with “50 sovereign states,” change often has to happen one state at a time and small victories are to be valued.   “The incremental ways that we can win in smaller communities “Nothing should discourage us from recognizing that change can happen The potential to be amazing partners in social justice and racial justice especially because we have the privilege of a law degree The president and general counsel of LatinoJustice has devoted his career as a lawyer and author to advocating for the civil and human rights of poor and Latinx communities © Copyright 2025 The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York Find your way around in Cartagena with this guide to the city’s transport options Cartagena is one of Colombia’s easiest cities to navigate The well-preserved historic center and neighboring barrios invite exploration on foot leading you through the picturesque streets an array of transportation options are readily available to whisk you away Here’s the scoop on all the safe, affordable and quick ways to get around Cartagena Just east of the Old Town’s Torre del Reloj, neighboring Getsemaní is just as walkable Traditionally an enclave of the working class the barrio has in recent years transformed into a trendy district full of boutique hotels the streets and narrow alleyways unveil colorful murals or flags Tips for walking around Cartagena: Head out early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the searing heat of the midday sun you’ll find plenty of vendors selling both Though Cartagena is one of the safest cities to visit in Colombia Keep your valuables hidden from view and opt for a taxi late at night Taxis are the easiest and quickest way to get around Cartagena you can feel safe hailing an official taxi on the streets here have someone at a hotel or restaurant summon one for you.) Official taxis are yellow with the words “servicio publico” on their exterior and the license plate number affixed to the side passenger door It helps to have good negotiation skills as there are no meters If you’re not happy with what the driver wants to charge stop engaging and simply wait for another taxi the minimum fare for travel around the historic center is COP$9800 ($2.25) while a taxi from the airport to hotels in the Old Town is COP$16100 ($3.70) Additional fees are levied for rides late at night but rounding up to the nearest thousand pesos is good practice Tip for paying the right price for a taxi from Cartagena’s airport: At Cartagena’s Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) there is a kiosk just outside of customs that generates the correct taxi fare for your destination within the city Go outside to the designated taxi stand to catch a ride then hand the receipt to the driver with your fare when your ride ends – and feel relief about not getting overcharged Uber can be used in major Colombian cities, including Cartagena – and it’s only one of many app-based services that get you from point A to B. Cabify (which acquired Easy Taxi and Easy Tappsi) InDriver and DiDi Rider are popular with Colombians because the fares tend to be a bit lower these ride-hailing apps’ added security features – including the ability to share the driver’s name with someone you know – make them very popular with Cartageneros Cartagena’s modern bus system consists of four main routes and a series of feeder lines. TransCaribe is a bus rapid transit (BRT) network whose orange-and-white buses use dedicated lanes to serve designated routes throughout the city which operate on clean-burning compressed natural gas circulate from 6am to 11pm Monday through Friday You must have a rechargeable TuLlave card that can be purchased at TransCaribe stations for COP$6000 ($1.40) Top up the card at most stations or other authorized vendors Tip for taking the bus around Cartagena: The free mobile-phone app Moovit provides route information and timetables as well as a sunset catamaran cruise (an unmissable Cartagena experience) While these fares are far higher than those for public transportation such guided tours offer an easy way to crisscross the city and learn as you go – especially if you're traveling with small children Kids ages 4 and under ride the bus for free A boat is the only way to reach several places near Cartagena, and a boat ride is a key component of a memorable day trip On the waterfront near the Old Town’s Torre del Reloj (clock tower) the historic port of Muelle de la Bodeguita is where you’ll find boats to such destinations as the Islas del Rosario Playa Blanca and the Islas de San Bernardo Bypass all the vendors trying to sell package tours and go directly to the official window to pay for tickets Boats leaves in the morning between 8 and 10am and return in the afternoon between 1 and 3pm boats depart from the Castillogrande neighborhood Take a taxi or bus R28 to Playa El Laguito next to the Hospital de Bocagrande you’ll find lanchas offering transportation to Tierra Bomba Unless you’ve already reserved transportation through a particular beach club you’ll have to put your negotiating skills to the test before agreeing on a price for roundtrip transportation Tip for taking a boat in Cartagena: The high winds from January to March can make long boat rides uncomfortable and wet Store electronics and other valuables in a dry bag Getting around Cartagena is easy and affordable using public transportation and your own two feet. Yet if you insist on driving or want to explore the surrounding area, the airport is the most convenient place to rent a car, with most major rental companies on site. As long as the driver’s license in your home country uses the Roman alphabet, an international driver’s license is not required. You will need your passport and a credit card to secure a vehicle. Driving in Cartagena and elsewhere in Colombia often feels hectic, especially with the incredible number of motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic in urban areas. Drive with caution and avoid traveling after dark since obstacles – such as pedestrians, bicycles and animals – are harder to spot. When parking, find a secure parqueadero (parking lot) and take your valuables with you. Tips for driving in Colombian cities, including Cartagena: Larger cities in Colombia have a driving- restriction scheme called Pico y Placa, which is designed to relieve traffic gridlock in large urban areas. Vehicles can only operate on certain days and times of the week, depending on the last number of their license plates. When renting a car, request a vehicle with a license-plate number that doesn’t interfere with your travel plans. Electric and hybrid vehicles are exempt. Cartagena is one of the safest cities in Colombia. The Old Town, Getsemaní, Bocagrande and Castillogrande neighborhoods are regularly patrolled by police. That said, petty theft is still a possibility. Keep valuables out of sight and your wits about you. After dark, you might want to hail a taxi. Unlike other cities in Colombia, you can safely hail a taxi on the street in Cartagena. Licensed taxis are yellow and have “servicio publico” printed on the door. If you’re unsure, a hotel or restaurant can call one to pick you up. Remember to always negotiate the price up front before accepting the ride. If you’re sticking just to the city of Cartagena, renting a car is not worth the hassle. The Old Town has narrow streets and parking can be hard to find. Given that licensing can cost up to US$50,000, it’s not surprising that most rideshare drivers don’t go through official channels. As a result, on-demand drivers risk sanctions that include fines and confiscation of their vehicles. Because of this, you may sometimes be asked to sit in the front seat to avoid drawing the attention of authorities. From narrow or uneven sidewalks and steep curbs to buildings without ramps or elevators, getting around Cartagena is challenging for travelers with mobility issues. Newer TransCaribe buses are equipped with ramps, turnstiles and seating areas that accommodate wheelchair users. There’s often a gap between the platform and the entry doors, so a portable ramp is recommended. Some taxis can accommodate folding wheelchairs, but users of motorized wheelchairs will need private transportation.  Crown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess59 Nights 59 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To BrisbaneLeaving from: Dover →+21 ports 2025Princess CruisesAmbitionAmbitionAmbitionAmbition15 Nights 15 Nights  Europe - AllChristmas & New Year Voyage To Spain & PortugalLeaving from: London (Greenwich 2026Ambassador Cruise LineAmbienceAmbienceAmbienceAmbience45 Nights 45 Nights  Caribbean - AllAmbassador's Caribbean Adventure Including Mexico...Leaving from: London (Greenwich 2027Ambassador Cruise LineCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess53 Nights 53 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To AucklandLeaving from: Dover →+19 ports Crown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess55 Nights 55 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To AucklandLeaving from: Dover →+23 ports 75 Nights  Caribbean - AllAmerica And Caribbean DiscoveryLeaving from: Southampton →+36 ports 2027P&O CruisesSpirit of AdventureSpirit of AdventureSpirit of AdventureSpirit of Adventure18 Nights 18 Nights  MediterraneanA Taste Of Italy And The Western MediterraneanLeaving from: Dover →+9 ports 2025Saga CruisesSpirit of AdventureSpirit of AdventureSpirit of AdventureSpirit of Adventure15 Nights 15 Nights  MediterraneanSouthern Spain And Moroccan DelightsLeaving from: Dover →+8 ports 2025Saga CruisesCruise Critic FavoriteCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess59 Nights 59 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To SydneyLeaving from: Dover →+24 ports 2026Princess Cruises.css-ad1o0y{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;height:-webkit-max-content;height:-moz-max-content;height:max-content;margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-6);}Crown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess61 Nights 61 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To BrisbaneLeaving from: Dover →+25 ports 75 Nights  South AmericaEpic South America JourneyLeaving from: Southampton →+29 ports 2026P&O CruisesCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown PrincessCrown Princess57 Nights 57 Nights  World CruiseWorld Cruise Liner - London To SydneyLeaving from: Dover →+20 ports 35 Nights  Caribbean - AllCaribbean Winter WarmthLeaving from: Southampton →+12 ports 2027P&O CruisesInsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsignia25 Nights 25 Nights  World CruiseWorld CruiseLeaving from: London (Greenwich 2026Oceania CruisesInsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsigniaInsignia42 Nights 42 Nights  World CruiseWorld CruiseLeaving from: London (Greenwich This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. which certainly define this coastal Caribbean destination but these images only scrape the surface of what Cartagena has to offer and culinary excellence of Cartagena makes it a truly can’t-miss destination the city has exploded with world-renowned Colombian restaurants and bars In a city that is no longer considered “off the beaten path,” it is bursting with hidden gems you’d be hard pressed to find another place that is more welcoming to international visitors looking to connect with locals “I really think that what makes Cartagena special are the people. There is definitely an attitude of resilience. There is a very friendly, warm demeanor of all of the locals,” says Carmen Angel, the owner of two powerhouse restaurants, Carmen and Don Diablo “There's just a very strong desire to leave a mark on your experience in the city.” As a Colombian who grew up a bit disconnected from my father’s home country Cartagena was my own entry point to forge a deeper connection to my heritage and I didn’t know much about Colombia beyond what I read in books and saw on TV It was a great first place to learn to speak the language and the history as knowledge is shared generously and graciously and building on my own experiences this is the guide for people looking to have a deeper and truly unforgettable experience in Cartagena and taste some of the best food in the world—whether you’re looking to have a “bang for your buck” budget adventure or want to seek out a new maomejia/iStock/Getty ImagesIf you don’t do anything else: Go to a Tierra Bomba beach clubThe most unmissable part of a trip to Cartagena requires getting out of Old City and taking a 20-minute boat ride Whether you’re seeking a wellness-oriented trip filled with yoga and spa treatments want to spend every minute doing adventurous outdoor activities or are looking to meet new people while you’re spending all day lounging on the beach the beach clubs of Tierra Bomba have you covered “Tierra Bomba is this incredible island,” says Portia Hart, who owns Blue Apple and several other businesses in Cartagena If you want to be a smart traveler going to Cartagena and doing something off the beaten track and not the obvious While Hart owns Blue Apple Beach, she also recommends the beach clubs Amare, Eteka, and Namaste for daytime passes All are operated by locals and prioritize sustainable and equitable business practices—95% of the money generated by Blue Apple has stayed in Cartagena and the surrounding area Eteka offers the most elevated experience, with high-end dining, a deeply soothing aesthetic, and one of the most beautiful, tropical pools you can imagine. Namaste is where you can find true relaxation and other holistic activities—and you can book a day pass where all of this (plus your typical beach club amenities) are included These day-long experiences start at around $35 and most include transportation by boat to and from the island who was born and raised in the barrios of Cartagena and focuses on showcasing Afro-Colombian culture through all of his company’s tours Cartagena and the surrounding islands are home to beautiful, diverse reef systems which are filled with all sorts of marine life. You can scuba or snorkel the Coral National Park off the coast of Cartagena with Paraiso Dive The organization not only has efforts to conserve the reef This class comes highly recommended. If you’re looking to get some great views of Cartagena and to learn the intricacies of Colombian gastronomy, taking a cooking class at Lunático is a can’t-miss opportunity You’ll not only walk away knowing how to make a classic Cartagena dish like ceviche or “Pasta Cartagena,” but you’ll have also learned a great deal about the history of the food which also offers a can’t-miss street food tour Maybe you’ve read 100 Years of Solitude, maybe you’ve heard about the Netflix adaptation. However you’re familiar with Colombia’s most famous author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to see his home in Cartagena. It is not currently open to the public, but you can take a tour of the city related to his work or just walk past its decorated exterior into one of your morning walks as it is located within the walls of the Old City Get one of the best cocktails in the world at El Barón. “The reason that I decided to stay in this city and do what I do is El Barón,” Hart says. The bar has landed on the World’s 50 Best list and is home to inventive cocktails using high-end local ingredients and also offers Cuban and Colombian cigars Not only will you have one of the best drinks of your life but you’ll be paying a fair price for it and drinking it out of sustainably made glassware This is a truly tourist-y activity, but something I am so glad I did. Book a tour and head to El Totumo as you will be tipping everyone at the site of this experience which includes taking a wooden stairway up the volcano and then rinsing off in the river that flows past it and also includes a bus ride that will let you see the natural landscape of the surrounding area of Colombia Some tour options include a lunch of fried fish on the beach afterwards—which is a must when visiting Cartagena whether you get in the mud volcano or not a Colombian coffee roaster that’s also serving up brunch and traditional plates with unforgettable ceviche options and a perfect relaxed environment filled with locals and tourists you’ll find an abundance of Colombian and globally inspired pastries Victoria Holguin for ThrillistWhere to stayHotel Casona del Colegio ($$$$)With a beautiful rooftop pool this award-winning hotel is where you can go for a luxurious celebration of Colombian art and design There are plenty of luxury hotels in Old City but Casona Del Colegio offers the perfect combination of authenticity Townhouse Cartagena ($$$)Townhouse has one of the best rooftop bars in Cartagena and a great jazz bar that’s popular with locals in the lobby there’s an abundance of well-appointed hotel rooms featuring designs from local artists You could just visit Townhouse and still have gotten a great slice of Cartagena and resplendent with solid wood furniture and balcony views of Old City Casa Jaguar Cartagena ($$)A beautiful property in the popular Getsemani neighborhood Casa Jaguar is the epitome of affordable luxury With a minimalist take on classic Cartagena design Choosing where to stay truly depends on the vibe you’re seeking out—there are budget hostels that offer everything from raging party centers to holistic Casa Zahri is a great option that offers a little bit of both with opportunities to socialize while still being a place where you can get a good night’s sleep The hostel features a bright pink exterior and a center courtyard with its own small pool JTobiasonPhoto/iStock/Getty ImagesWhat to know before you goThe currencyCartagena uses the Colombian Peso but on average is about $4,300 pesos to one US dollar Plan to withdraw from reputable Colombian bank ATMs Colombia also uses the same power sockets as the US but you should bring a power adapter just in case as the standard voltage in Colombia is 110 volts compared to 120 volts in the US Most people go to Cartagena during the dry season These will also be the busiest times to visit—particularly from mid-December to mid-Janaury when holidays and breaks bring tourists from all over the Americas If you don’t mind the crowds and high prices Cartagena has one of the most spectacular New Year's celebrations in the world The wettest months in Cartagena are September and October so if you plan on plenty of beach days and outdoor activities Colombia has an outdated and frankly insulting reputation Despite how devastating cocaine has been to the social and some have interpreted that to mean that the country is perfect for “sexcations.” This prevalent attitude means that some tourists arrive in Cartagena feeling completely apathetic to how their misbehavior will impact the real people who live there Do be prepared to encounter lots of street vendors The local economy is heavily reliant on tourism which means you will encounter plenty of people looking to sell tourists their goods and services and agree to prices before accepting any goods Cartagena is basically sitting on the equator and a trip can easily be derailed by dehydration a sunken Spanish galleon was discovered off the coast of Cartagena The ship contained real treasure like gold and jewels the ownership of the warship is still in dispute Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos brings Colombian-Caribbean flavors to SLS South Beach A Colombian-Caribbean restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Juan Manuel Barrientos has debuted in South Beach. Cartagena, located in the SLS South Beach hotel aims to capture the flavors and culture of Colombia’s coastal city of the same name The new spot follows Barrientos’ successful Elcielo pop-up at the hotel and African culinary influences with modern techniques and mains highlighting coastal Colombian cuisine The ceviche bar offers options like lulo yellowtail ceviche and scallop with passion fruit Larger plates range from seafood cazuela (casserole) to wagyu “al trapo” (cooked in cloth) Colombian influences are evident in dishes such as posta negra (braised short rib) and papa criolla puree (creole potato puree) The menu also includes a caviar service featuring corn and rice arepas with suero costeño (fermented milk cream) The bar program leans into Caribbean flavors with tropical and herbal flavors with drinks like the Lulo Margarita and the Soursop Spritz featuring aguardiente and soursop Other highlights include the gin-based Caribbean Sunshine the Cholón Sour with clarified bourbon and red wine and the Tropical Margarita with mango and passion fruit “We look forward to bringing this unique dining concept that highlights the Heroic City to SLS South Beach,” Barrientos says “Cartagena will effortlessly fit into the lively yet refined hospitality of SLS South Beach.” Cartagena is open Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use MAT FotografiaNicki and Emily's extravagant Cartagena wedding consisted of parades through the street led by traditional Cartagenian dancers Choosing Cartagena as their wedding destination was a sentimental decision as Emily has Japanese and Colombian heritage The couple fell in love with the stunning architecture and magical ambiance of El Marqués Boutique Hotel which also provided accommodations for their guests The reception at Baluarte de San Francisco Javier with its breathtaking views of the city and shoreline “Another reason we decided on Cartagena is because of their beautiful traditions We had dancers dressed in cultural wedding attire and had a parade from Marqués to the wedding reception,” adds the couple so the ceremony was very straightforward,” says Nicki “My 34-year-old sister wanted to live out her childhood dreams of being a flower girl The ring boy was Emily’s three-year-old nephew It was adorable watching my sister and her nephew trail behind each other going down the aisle.” with an abundance of greenery and colorful tropical flowers accentuating the already lush surroundings The couple chose sunset colors for their decor vibrant hues of Cartagena’s architecture and street art Nicki and Emily’s attire was a highlight of the day Both brides found their perfect dresses at a Latin-owned shop in Miami They agreed not to see each other’s dresses before the wedding adding an element of surprise to their day The floral design was spearheaded by the planning team “We’re both very hands-off with details like this,” laugh the brides “We sent our wedding planner floral inspiration from Pinterest mixed with white and tropical colors for the reception.” The Two Lovers planning team delivered and created a lush event design that beautifully integrated with the already gorgeous venue The reception decor continued the tropical theme with colorful plant and flower arrangements on each table Large green plants were strategically placed to separate different areas a porcelain white with the couple’s initials in large gold lettering became the foundation for dancing late into the night One thing the couple was detail-oriented about: the dessert “I take my desserts very seriously,” says Nicki The guava-infused wedding cake was complemented with a variety of mini desserts such as mini tortas and copitas and a lively “Crazy Hour” with dancers in extravagant costumes (a Colombian wedding tradition) The couple’s favorite moment was their first dance medley a mix of Nicki Minaj’s “FTCU,” Muni Long’s “Made For Me,” and Lauryn Hill’s “Nothing Even Matters.” Nicki’s father he stood right next to us on the dance floor … photo bombing all of our solo dance pictures,” laughs Nicki Nicki and Emily’s wedding was a beautiful reflection of their love and cultural heritage blending vibrant traditions with personal touches to create a day that will be remembered for a lifetime MAT Fotografia Planning: Two Lovers by TwoTravel Concierge Photography: MAT Fotografia Photography: Fabian Alvarez Foto Venue: El Marqués Boutique Hotel Venue: Baluarte de San Francisco Javier Cake Design: Ely Repostería Catering: Baluarte San Francisco Javier Dress Boutique: Brides of Florida DJ: DJ R King Drag Queen: Kessie Nezdoll Band: Tres Cuerdas Hair & Makeup: Jesús Díaz Brittny Drye is the founder and editor-in-chief of Love Inc. the leading equality-minded® wedding blog and print publication an LGBTQ-inclusive podcast highlighting wedding planning tips and love stories Named by Forbes as “The Woman Leading the Way to a More Inclusive Wedding Industry," Drye has also been featured in/on the New York Times and her candid takes on the state of the wedding industry at large