Cruises from Cartagena - Colombia

The capital of Colombia’s Bolivar Department located on the northern coast is the city seaport Cartagena. As the fifth largest metropolitan city in Colombia, it has a population of 1,240,000 residents. It is an early settlement in the Americas. The first human community in Colombia was the Puerto Hormiga Culture around 7000BC.

Cartagena was a major hub for commerce and transportation during the vice royal era. Today it is a favourite tourist destination and the leading economic hub of the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Sea is west of Cartagena and its bay is to the south. North of Cartagena is the Bocogrande. Cartagena was a port of call for fifty cruise ships during 2007 and estimates predict at least 150 cruise ships will enter the port during 2008.

The city of Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was prosperous from the beginning. Therefore, it was of great interest to the pirates, thieves and conquerors that often attacked the city. By 1756, the city was a major trading port under Spanish control. Cartagena declared and fought for independence from Spain in 1811 earning its title “The Heroic City.” The Cartagenians were at last free of intruders attempting to take over their city.

Cartagena retains the gates to the walled city. The Fortaleza de San Filipe built in 1657 still stands as a memorial to those who fought off marauders repeatedly during its first 200 years. Remnants of the past preserve the history of Cartagena within its museums, buildings and culture. Cartagena, the centre of the Spanish Inquisition, preserves the Palace of the Inquisition. The Cathedral of Cartagena built in the sixteenth century and the University of Cartagena are among the old buildings in use today.

Stay at the Hotel Santa Clara, the former convent of the Order of Saint Clare. Visit the last church built in the Walled City, Santo Toriba Church and visit Fernandez de Madrid Square. Inside the Old City are the vaults attached to Santa Catalina Bastion, climb to the top and view the Caribbean Sea. Matuna, the commercial and financial centre of the city, is home to the Saint Phillip Hotel and a number of restaurants.

The modern part of the city is the Bocagrande residential area. There are several hotels, restaurants nightclubs and galleries along Avenida San Martin. The discoloured beach waters along the northern shore of the Bocagrande hide the blue waters of the Caribbean due to the poor waste disposal systems. A short boat ride beyond the shore reveals the true colour of the Caribbean.

Shoppers will love the antique shops, shopping malls, boutiques, handcrafts and jewellery shops throughout the city. If you are looking for gold and emeralds, then visit Casa Amberee in Pierino Gallo, Voucher in San Pedro Square or the El Laguito, which is always crowded.

The humidity is 90% year round; the rainy season is April-May and October-November. It is always hot but also windy, which helps make the climate more comfortable. Temperatures drop a little between November and February due strong winds. As a tourist destination, Cartagena is safer than other Caribbean cities. Hurricanes are rare!