Neighborhood Watch

The Mercado de Bazurto, about ten minutes away, is Cartagena's great popular market, chaotic, loud and unforgettable. Fish, fruit, meat and spices fill endless alleys, and small kitchens serve fried fish with coconut rice to market workers. It is best visited in the morning with a local guide or a taxi driver who knows the area, keeping valuables out of sight.

The Convento de la Popa, on the hill above El Bosque, is the highest point of the city and offers panoramic views over the bay, the old town and Bocagrande. The seventeenth century convent has a beautiful cloister. Walking up is not recommended; a taxi is the safe option.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, about three kilometres away, is the massive Spanish fortress that protected Cartagena from pirates and foreign navies. Its tunnels and ramparts impress even visitors who are not interested in military history. Visiting early in the morning avoids the heat.

The walled city, fifteen minutes by taxi, remains the essential visit, with its plazas, churches, colourful balconies and restaurants. After a working day, an evening walk on the walls at sunset and dinner in the old town or Getsemaní is the best way to experience Cartagena.

Close to the hotel, Restaurante Santa Cruz serves Caribbean dishes a short walk away, and several Chinese restaurants, a local tradition in Cartagena, are within five minutes. Street stalls sell arepas de huevo, empanadas and fried yuca. For seafood, Manga district nearby offers more choices.