Visible from almost everywhere in Cartagena, the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa all the way up the 150-metre hill known as Mount Popa. The hill got its name for resembling a poop deck of a ship. After four centuries of varied history, the convent itself is now open as a religious museum. From the top Mount Popa you’ll get the best panoramic views of Cartagena and its beaches. The fastest and least stressful way up the hill is with a taxi (be sure to haggle on the price). Important tip: if you take a taxi or a car service to this location, pay them a few pesos to wait for you to drive you back. The taxis on top are all already "reserved" and Uber drivers are not eager to drive all the way to the top to pick you up.

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño was the first Asian basilica, built in 1740. It teems with devotees clambering to catch a glimpse of the oldest and most celebrated religious icon in the Philippines, the Santo Niño statue, presented to Queen Juana of Cebu by Magellan.

Once the first free settlement in the Americas, founded by those who escaped slavery during the colonial period, the town of San Basilio de Palenque still stands today, and with it the unique culture of its inhabitants. A portion of the population still speaks palenquero, a creole tongue that emerged from a mix of several European and African languages, now used almost exclusively in San Basilio de Palenque. Music and dance occupy a place of paramount importance in residents' lives, with the Drums and Cultural Expressions Festival held annually in October. The palenque cuisine deserves a separate mention — a culinary tradition upheld by inhabitants of a small Colombian village has garnered international acclaim, with a cookbook written in the town receiving the highest prize at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2014. If your schedule happens to be too tight for a dedicated day trip (which earns our highest recommendation), try some of the tropical fruit sold by palenqueras in downtown Cartagena. The village was named Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.

For those seeking a dash of thrill and adventure, Raftingo has just the ticket. This Antalya-based adventure company organises heart-pounding activities including river rafting, canyoning, and river kayaking. Backed by a team of professionals who provide guidance and information, you're sure to have a memorable, adrenaline-fuelled experience.