Jaunted - cartagena

Shake It All Night Long in Cartagena

The Lost Girl — 2009-02-26T15:26:11-05:00

All this week, Amanda Pressner will be bringing us reports from her recent trip to Colombia. Was her adventure more "Romancing the Stone" or more "Medellin"? Stick with us this week to find out. Any questions about traveling to Colombia? Let us know.

Unless you’ve downed a few of the super-octane coffee drinks at Milas around 4 or 5 pm, we highly suggest catching a nap before attempting to take on the nightlife in Cartagena: it starts late (most clubs don’t even open until 11:00p or midnight) and ends when you might otherwise be getting up to start your day.

Wanted: An Authentic Taste of Cartagena

The Lost Girl — 2009-02-25T11:56:11-05:00

Ask a local in Cartagena to describe the flavors and dishes that make up his city’s cuisine (or better yet, as a head chef in one of the city’s myriad restaurants) you’ll probably be met with some quizzical looks, or as I did, blank stares. Define the local cuisine? �C�mo?

Some Starbucks Alternatives in Cartagena

The Lost Girl — 2009-02-24T13:36:10-05:00

Pop quiz, caffeine junkies: What’s the only coffeehouse that’s actually headquartered in a coffee producing country? It’s Juan Valdez Caf�, a multinational chain created in 2002 by Colombian National Federation of Coffee Growers. Named after the country’s longtime java icon (you know, that mustachioed guy with the donkey who hand-delivers beans to sleep-deprived Americans in commercials) the company has locations in 25 Colombian cities, nine countries, including the U.S.

Getting What We Paid For On Avianca

The Lost Girl — 2009-02-23T12:27:58-05:00

After traveling to Ecuador last year, my guy Jeff and I volunteered to give up our seats on a very overbooked Avianca flight from Bogota, Colombia back to New York City. The incentive: a total of four international airline vouchers, good for anywhere in the world that Avianca flies, plus a free night in the InterContinental Bogota Hotel. How could we pass up such a deal? We didn't.

Love For Cartagena Continues

sedona — 2008-10-29T10:00:04-05:00

November's issue of Budget Travel reminds us all again of how vibrant Cartagena, Colombia has become and how it only seems to be gaining in popularity. A first-person feature on the seaside city explores some of its coolest must-dos--and dispels petty myths about crime.

Cartagena's tourist scene seems to be an authentic blend of the city's old and new, with funky, bright guesthouses springing up all over (read on for some recommendations) and Cuban- and Spanish-influenced restaurants and after-hours spots for passing the evenings.

We think we might need to break out our guyaberas pretty soon and head there!

Cartagena's Cuisine Revival

sedona — 2008-10-27T09:15:10-05:00

When Cartagena, Colombia comes up in a convo it's often replete with references to Pablo Escobar, marching powder and imitation accents. It's hardly ever paired with hip bistros, authentic seafood fare, bright veggies mixed with pungent spices and refreshing mojitos.

But The New York Times begs us this week to look at that side of Cartagena, one that's rapidly making a mark on the (very) competitive foodie scene. The tropical city is home to some of the area's freshest fish, inventive, hip chefs and discerning diners. Folks that once headed to Paris and Rome for culinary vacations, the Times says, are re-thinking Cartagena.

Read on for some of the city's most amazing (and upcoming) new restaurants, and trust us, drop the "Romancing the Stone" references when you make your reservations:

It's Summer Somewhere: Romance in Cartagena, Colombia

amandak — 2008-01-17T09:15:01-05:00

In Cartagena, the average high throughout the year is around 88 degrees, and the temperature doesn't often drop below 77. Sure, there's 90% humidity for most of the year, but that's just part of the joy of the eternal summer.

With the expected influx of tourists after the release of the movie Love in the Time of Cholera, which was largely filmed there, Cartagena is ready for visitors. Parts of Cartegena are already World Heritage listed, including 500-year-old forts and the old town center. It's also interesting to visit museums such as the Palace of Inquisition, and to stop in to some of the beautiful churches like the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver and the Iglesia de Santo Domingo.

Cartagena is turning up on travel trends lists everywhere for 2008, so try to get there this summer before it starts to get overrun. And if you believe in the magical romance of the Garcia Marquez film, perhaps Cartagena is the perfect place for a summer fling, too.

Related Stories:
· Films Will Inspire Tourism Boom [UK Independent]
· Why Cartagena is the Next New Zealand [Jaunted]
· Colombia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: drpritch]