:) CITIES : CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA


Pointers from our Cartagena Global Explorer, Catalina M.


RESTAURANTS
There are many excellent restaurants in Cartagena that have great character, delicious food, and eclectic menus. You can eat anything from traditional Colombian seafood to modern fusion cuisine. One of the greatest advantages of these restaurants are the prices. The following restaurants will have prices that are half to one third the prices of equivalent eateries in North America or Europe.

In Plaza San Diego (the plaza closest to the Hotel Santa Clara):

Teriayki Thai: Modern décor. Large menu with selection of Asian food and sushi.
Cevicheria: Cosy spot for ceviche. Good for quick snacks.
Café Zebra: Very relaxed spot for snacks (quiche, mini-pizzas, empanadas). Also sells Guatamalen arts, crafts and jewellery.
Juan Del Mar: Live music and delicious seafood dishes.
Pizza Luna: Believe it or not, pizza.
La Bruschetta: Formal Italian dining.

OTHER RESTAURANTS
San Pedro: Outside seating in the shadow of a beautiful colonial church. Modern décor, international menu including sushi, asian, seafood and steaks.
Santissimo: Outside patio seating and indoor air conditioned seating. Two blocks away from the Santa Clara Hotel. Fantastic colonial décor in a traditional Cartagena mansion. Gourmet dining. Special set menus with choice of entrees, main course and dessert for 35,000 pesos (approx. $15 U.S.).
Enoteca: Italian food in a beautiful colonial mansion. Patio and air-conditioned seating. Pizza and easy lunch menu also available.
8-18: Modern, minimalist décor. Exotic, gourmet menu. Reservations required.
La Vitrola: Traditional Colombian seafood in a colonial mansion. Live Colombian music. The Cartagena restaurant that all Colombian vacationers visit. Reservations required.

CASUAL EATS
Crepes and Waffles: The name explains the food including salads and desserts. Casual décor. Very popular with all Colombians. Low prices.

DRINKS
Plaza Santo Domingo: Most popular plaza for drinks in Cartagena. Live, traditional music. Street shopping and people watching.
Café Del Mar: Located on the colonial wall that surrounds the city. Absolutely beautiful views of the ocean. Trance and trip-hop music.

CLUBS
Most clubs are located on the street named ¨Calle Arsenal¨ in the neighborhood named Getsemanie.

SHOPPING
There are many shops and boutiques near the Santa Teresa Hotel, including Colombian designers: Silvia Tcherassi (haute couture), Vicky Tcherassi and Claudia Lievano (purses and shoes), Salomon (for a bit of everything). Also, there are amazing bikini and lingerie shops.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Castillo San Felipe (Colonial Castle)
Carriage rides (maybe one of the best ways to see the old city)
Rosario Islands

ADDITIONAL POINTERS
  • It´s safe to walk in the old city, but always pay attention.
  • Beggars and mimes: Give at your own risk, but once you give, other beggars will approach you.
  • Street sellers: Smile, make eye contact and say, ¨No gracias.¨
  • Taxis: There are no meters in the cabs. From airport-around 10,000 pesos. From neighborhood to neighborhood-around 4,000 pesos. If the taxi driver gives you a hard time about the price take another, or just pay a little more. Remember that one American dollar is equivalent to 2,300 pesos. Also remember that the taxi drivers and street sellers love to rip off foreigners.
For additional info. on Cartagena:
> www.cartagenainfo.net

>www.hotelescharleston.com

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