... in response to upcoming trip, posted by elessar on Oct 8, 2001I have been to Cartagena four times. There are many, many things to do and see there:
La Popa Convent - a monastery on top of a hill overlooking Cartagena.
San Felipe Fortress
The Old Town. Take a carriage ride at night through the old town.
Many museums.
Many cathedrals.
Rosario Islands - about an hour long boat trip takes you to this lovely island group that has a neat oceanarium.
The Bocagrande - many restaurants, casinos, dance clubs, etc.
Mr. Babilla's - a nightclub in the Getsemani district.
Take a side trip one day and visit Santa Marta - it's a small town on the coast about 200 miles northeast of Cartagena.
Here's a link to what to do in Cartagena:
http://www.geocities.com/cartagenadreamin/
Hotels I have stayed in:
Hotel Barlovento - 3.5 stars, located in the Bocagrande near Carrera 3 and Calle 6, $40 per nite (August 2000 and November 2000), breakfast included.
Hotel Charleston at Santa Teresa Plaza - 5 stars, located in El Centro (the old town), $120 per nite (April 2001), breakfast approx. 18,000 pesos.
Hotel Capilla Del Mar - 4 stars, located in the Bocagrande near Carrera 1 and Calle 8, $80 per nite, breakfast buffet included.
Recommendation: Stay at the Hotel Barlovento. Not only is it cheaper, but it's across the street from a supermercado, unlike the other two hotels mentioned above.
Florist I have used:
Al Ala (? not sure of spelling) - located in the Bocagrande, Carrera 4a, No. 7-97, tel: 665-5030 and 665-4051. They charged me 40,000 pesos for a very nice arrangement of flowers, including a vase, and 30,000 pesos for a dozen roses.
Restaurants I have eaten at (all prices are meals for two persons). Unless otherwise noted, all have inside dining with air conditioning:
La Olla
Avenida San Martin (Carrera 2) No. 5-10, ate two meals there for $24.93 and $21.97. Specialty: seafood. Recommended.
Dany Steak
corner of Carrera 3 and Calle 5, ate twice there for $17.51 and $23.80. Specialty: steaks. Recommended.
La Rancheria
Carrera 1 No. 8-86, ate there twice for $13.10 and $15.10. Specialty: variety. Recommended.
Hotel Flamingo
Avenida San Martin No. 5-85. Has no inside dining. If you don't want to be bothered by street vendors, don't eat here. I have eaten here several times. One dinner cost me $18.96. Specialty: variety.
Que Rico
Calle 35 No. 3-30, in El Centro (old town) near the Plaza Santo Domingo. I ate one meal here for $9.68. This is a Mexican restaurant. I don't recommend eating here because after having lived in Texas for 20 years, the food there didn't seem authentically Mexican to me. Also, there is no air conditioning, the lighting is poor, and the seats were not comfortable.
Donde Olano
Carrera 3 No. 33-08, in El Centro near the Plaza Santo Domingo. Ate one meal here for 40,000 pesos (about $20 at the time). This is a rather small and cozy restaurant with an unusual entrance. The food here is rather good. I recommend Donde Olano for an intimate dinner.
