Cartagena

Although salsa isn't nearly as much part of the everyday in Cartagena as it is in, say, Cali, there are still a few great spots to head to if mastering the iconic Latin American dance is in your plans. Apart from Café Havana, Donde Fidel and Quiebra Canto are two spots that come recommended. A top pick for newbies is Crazy Salsa. This bar not only knows how to throw a great party complete with live music, but also offers a range of salsa classes, covering levels from beginner to advanced.

Alquímico is a hip bar with a rooftop terrace. Since the bar has been featured on the list of 100 best cocktails in the world, its popularity has skyrocketed. There is a line out the door beginning around 9pm on any night of the week, so get there early if you want a smooth entry. Guests are invited to explore all three floors of the venue. Each level has its own menu of inventive cocktails, sandwiches, seafood and meat plates. It is basically bar hopping without ever stepping outside!

Although this won't exactly be everyone's idea of a good time, younger and solo travellers looking to explore local nightlife and make new acquaintances while in Cartagena might enjoy an organised tour on board a vibrantly coloured Chiva Party Bus. While specifics will vary by tour operator, most include an open bar, a selection of Colombian snacks (typically arepas, buñuelos and empanadas), as well as live music and dance shows directly on board. Buses may stop at local attractions en route to the final drop-off point, which is commonly a popular nightclub where the party continues.

El Barón offers plenty of outdoor seating, but you'll be drawn inside the bar — the decor is too nice to want to stay outdoors. This craft cocktail bar has many options, try the mezcal-based cocktail. Try a Puro — rum cocktail with caramelised onion and tobacco leaf. For something fresh, order a gin basil smash.

A buzzing Getsemaní nightlife hotspot, Demente continues to be ever-popular with both locals and visitors. With a convivial outdoor terrace in a busy little town square and scrumptious tapas-style dishes, Demente is an easy pick for a night out in Cartagena.

"World famous Cafe Havana" — reads the signboard, a message recycled all throughout the establishment. Even the coasters sport it. What brought such acclaim to an originally one-of-many Cartagena bars is a memorable visit from none other than Hilary Clinton, the then-U.S. Secretary of State, who can be seen hitting the dance floor with a bottle of Aguila in photographs still plastered all over the web; all this while attending a political summit in Cartagena where US' isolationist policy towards Cuba was one of the primary talking points. The bar is worth a stop up regardless of the celebrity patron: it's a jovial affair with mojitos, live music, and dancing (if you can squeeze yourself onto the dance floor, that is).

Bazurto Social Club pulses with Cartagena’s champeta culture — a folk genre rooted in the city’s African heritage. Locals pack this Getsemaní hotspot to dance to live performances, join free classes, and sing along with gyrating performers. The air thrums with movement and shared rhythm.