Going to Cartagena

What to do in Cartagena

by Michael T. Luongo

Forget everything you have ever heard about Colombia if your first visit to the country is to Cartagena de Indias. It's a tranquil, popular resort town that once was a special South American secret and now has hit the radar of American and Canadian cognoscenti looking for a new hot spot.

Founded by the Spanish in 1530s, Cartagena is among the oldest of beach resorts in the Americas. The early history of the city includes many grim acts—gold exportation, slavery, sugar production, and piracy—but through all this an architectural legacy began that made Cartagena one of the most important historical gems of the continent. Colonial churches, cobblestone streets, long seafront walkways, and other ancient treasures abound in the old walled city. Beaches begin just feet from the old walled city, the most popular include...

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