Cartagena de Indias and Islas del Rosario

A modern city, an export showcase, and a venue for national and international conventions. There is a world of contrasts in the walled city that guarded Spanish treasures walls during colonial times. The 15 km long walls that surround the old city led it to be nicknamed “Corralito de Piedra” (the little stone pen) and to be distinguished as a World Cultural and Historical Site.

• Location: On the shores of the Caribbean Sea.
• Temperature: 28°C.
• How to get there: By the main trunk roads that connect the interior of the country to the Atlantic Coast by air and by sea.

Experiencing Cartagena and Islas del Rosario

On land

Tour the narrow streets to recreate the past splendor of old mansions, Spanish colonial architecture, and imposing military and religious monuments. Smile at the night during a carriage ride, go to restaurants and discos. Feel the contrasts between the old city and its modern version. Do not miss visiting the natural areas in the surroundings, Galerazamba, the mud volcanoes, the Indian cemetery, Turbaco, Islas del Rosario, and Barú, among them.

At sea

Dive in the numerous sites provided by Islas del Rosario and Barú. Outstanding are Bancos de Salmedina, Bajo Burbujas, and the “submarine mountain”, with a predominance of candlestick, feather, and black corals; the nearby banks of Ferrocemento, El Faro; Octubre Rojo, Pendales, and Isla Tesoro, at the north cliff; and to the south, El Aparecido and La Coca, where whip corals are common and the sea bottom is covered by lettuce corals.

December to April is the best time of year for sailing and windsurfing lovers.

Where to stay:

An ample offers satisfies all tastes and budgets.

Source: www.agendadelmar.com