Cartagena in December (2026)

Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)

A UNESCO-listed colonial old town ringed by 16th-century fortifications, its pastel balconied houses and horse-drawn carriages making it one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas.

Getsemaní Street Art

A once-rough neighbourhood just outside the walls, now covered in murals and strung with umbrellas over its plazas — Cartagena's most photographed, and most nightlife-heavy, district.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

The largest Spanish fort ever built in the Americas, with a maze of tunnels designed so sound would carry to warn of approaching enemies — climb to the top for views over the whole city.

Rosario Islands Boat Trip

A coral archipelago an hour by boat from Cartagena, with clear water for snorkelling — most tours combine a couple of islands with beach time and lunch.

Café del Mar Sunset

A bar built into the old city walls at Baluarte de Santo Domingo, the classic spot to watch the sun set over the Caribbean with a drink in hand.

Palacio de la Inquisición

A grand colonial palace that once housed the Spanish Inquisition's tribunal for the region, its museum displaying original torture instruments alongside the city's pre-Columbian and colonial history.