San Basilio de Palenque

Cartagena

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DESTINATIONS colombia cartagena Do & See San Basilio de Palenque

San Basilio de Palenque

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.

Do & See

There is a great deal of things to do in Cartagena, even if simply taking a stroll through the city's beautifully preserved Old Town with a distinct colonial flare. Some of the highlights include an obligatory visit to the imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a walk along Cartagena's defensive ramparts, a trip to the chilling Inquisition Palace (which still contains the original torture devices used to extract "confessions"), and a deep dive into the incredibly hip neighbourhood of Getsemani, teeming with eateries and bars where locals mix and mingle with guests from far and wide.

Cartagena Walled City

Cartagena Walled City

Enclosed within a protective wall reaching up to 20 m in width, the Ciudad Amurallada (or "Walled City") is Cartagena's old beating heart. Packed with well-preserved colonial buildings, it's a pleasure to stroll through; its streets of colourful low-rise merchant homes marked by iconic balconies are now mostly walked by either tourists or students …

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

A feat of Spanish colonial military architecture, the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is one of Cartagena's most prized attractions. The fortress, whose construction finished in the late 18th century, was never seized – and not for a lack of attempted forays. Part of its sophisticated system of underground tunnels is open to the …

Bazurto Market

While seasoned travellers may venture into Cartagena's gritty Bazurto Market on their own, those not yet toughened by locals-only markets of the region may prefer to explore as part of a guided tour. This sprawling market, where trade starts before the crack of dawn, features incredibly fresh produce and seafood from Cartagena and beyond; …

Getsemani Neighbourhood

Getsemani Neighbourhood

The buzzing Bairro Getsemani is, perhaps, Cartagena's most attractive neighbourhood, for both its well-preserved colonial architecture and vivid street life. Known as the nightlife hot spot of Cartagena, Getsemani stays up until late at night, with locals and visitors mingling in and around Plaza de la Trinidad over drinks and street …

Palace of Inquisition

Palace of Inquisition

This beautiful example of Spanish colonial architecture contains a small museum dedicated to the Spanish Inquisition's brutal persecution of heretics once carried out in these very chambers. Visitors can still see some of the torture devices used to extract confessions of heresy and witchcraft, along with some of the questions used in "witch" interrogations, …

Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa

Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa

Visible from almost everywhere in Cartagena, the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa all the way up the a 150-meter hill known as Mt. 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 …

Museo del Oro Zenú

Museo del Oro Zenú

Museo del Oro Zenú is Cartagena's response to the famous gold museum in Bogotá. Here you'll learn about the culture of the Zenú people through the artefacts of their tribe: over 600 gold, silver and ceramic pieces are on display. Other highlights include displays on body painting and textiles, and an exhibit focusing on …

Rosario Islands

Rosario Islands

Just an hour's boat trip away from Cartagena lie the magnificent Rosario Islands, which belong to Colombia's only underwater natural park (the Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park). Abundant marine wildlife (including over 50 species of corals) and some of Colombia's best beaches draw in many in search of relaxation and active …

Museo Naval del Caribe

Museo Naval del Caribe

Housed in a beautifully restored Jesuit school building from 1612, the Museo Naval del Caribe covers in some detail the 500 years of Cartagena's maritime history. You'll find sunken ships, cannons, ship's bells, muskets, and other treasures here. The descriptions are in Spanish, so it's a good idea to get a guided …

La Boquilla and the Mangroves

La Boquilla and the Mangroves

The mangrove tunnels of nearby La Boquilla are an easy day trip from Cartagena. Guided tours will often combine a visit to the beach (one of the Playas De La Boquilla) with a boat or canoe tour of the mangroves, passing through Cienaga de Juan Polo and the Cienaga de la Virgen lagoons. Some …

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

If snorkelling and/or scuba diving sounds like your idea of fun, Cartagena is the place to indulge. Waters of the Caribbean washing over this part of the coast hold abundant marine life, including multiple varieties of tropical fish and corals, and the several underwater shipwreck sites make for exciting diving. The archipelagos of Rosario and …

San Basilio de Palenque

San Basilio de Palenque

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 …

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Horseback Riding on the Beach

There is more than one way of exploring the beach: if you have had enough of sun tanning and frolicking in the surf, join a tour that puts you on a back of a horse. The ultimate romantic experience of riding along the sandy shore is available to riders of all levels. Feel like …

Sunset Cruise

It would be a shame to be on the Caribbean coast and not take a boat ride out to sea. One of the best ways to enjoy a bit of naval activity and get ready for a fun night ahead is to take a romantic boat trip at sunset. The trips usually depart around …