Back in 2016, I went on a solo trip to Cartagena, Colombia. I had never been to Colombia and hadn’t even done much solo traveling at that point. And it was honestly a perfect trip until a few hours before my flight home when I broke my ankle. But ay, life happens! And TBH, some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken were shot here. Such a beautiful, colorful, tasty city. Oh and do not miss the Rosario Islands! Go for a day trip or even better, a couple nights stay on one of the islands.

Things to eat

• After dark, go to plaza de San Diego, the SE corner: best arepas!

• Lulo juice

• Prawns in curry sauce

• Anything from fruit stands

• Coco limonada

• Paletas (popsicles)

Things to see

• La Popa Monastery (good view)

• Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas 

• Teatro Heredia Adolfo Mejia

• Mercado Bazurto

Restos

• La Vitrola (classic, must do)

• Maria (nice, cool)

• Carmen (hip, really good)

• La Cevicheria (good, must do)

• Demente (hipstery)

• Alma (romantic)

• La Perla (Peruvian, good drinks)

• Mila Vargas (brekky, pastries)

• La Cocina de Pepina (Caribbean)

• Donde Socorro (Caribbean)

• Casa de Socorro (Caribbean)

• Disilvio Trattoria (pizza)

• Don Juan (nice, popular)

• 8-18 (sophisticated Caribbean)

• Palma (more subdued than 8-18)

Bars

• Cafe Havana (dancing/music)

• Casa del Mar (good view)

• Do Bars by Portal de Los Dulces

• Quiebra Canto (music on Friday)

• El Coronar Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara 

Good shopping areas

• Las Bovedas (touristy)

• Calle Santo Domingo

• Calle San Juan de dios

Shops

• St Dom (loved)

• Ego

• Love Me Wappa

• Ketty Tinoco

• Silvia Tcherassi

• Punta Moda

• Azulu

• Casa Chiqui (favorite)

• Agua Bendita

• Lucy Jewelry

Where to stay

• Casa La Fe

• Hotel Ananda

• Hotel Casa San Agustin 

• Casa Lola

Rosario Islands

• Cocoliso (white beach, quiet)

• Isla de Baru (playa blanca)

• Isla del Sol (way more private, where I went)