The City in Cartagena

Cartagena's beginnings as a major hub of slave trade in the Americas has had a long-lasting impact on the city's social make-up. Over time, it has created a tantalising mix of cultural influences that are manifested in its cuisine and music. Time runs slow on Cartagena's inviting squares, where locals play dominoes while tourists hunt for the perfect shot of the incredibly photogenic 'planenqueras' in the background. Most tours of the city start with an exploration of Cartagena's incredibly attractive Old Town, soon followed by a dive into Getsemaní, the best of city neighbourhoods to watch local life unfold, both before and after dark. San Diego is another area of the city favoured by visitors, in part due to its high number of solid and affordable accommodation options, while the aforementioned Getsemaní remains a top nightlife pick for many, given its abundance of bars and dance clubs that offer a great taste of Cartagena's take on pura vida. Cartagena is heralded as the most attractive urban destination in the Caribbean, and having walked its beautifully preserved colonial streets, there remains little doubt as to why. Cumbia music fills the air in Cartagena's absurdly beautiful Old Town, while locals enjoy leisurely chats in inviting town squares, street vendors peddle their wares (look out for the incredibly photogenic palenqueras!), and vacationers explore streets lined with well-preserved colonial buildings, their balconies deluged with striking fuchsia-coloured veranera. The first free town in the Americas founded by slave trade escapees — San Basilio de Palenque — is just an hour's drive from here.