Under $100: Cartagena

Colombia’s small town is a place steeped in history, while quietly growing its more cosmopolitan side. With less than 1 million residents, Cartagena is a great destination for travelers who want a more intimate city than Rio or Buenos Aires. With about 244,147 Columbian Pesos, here’s what you can do in the city for less than $100.

Cartagena is a walled, coastal city on the Caribbean Sea, the first Spanish colony in the Americas and the first safe haven of freed slaves, which can be seen in the town’s diverse population. While it has been nurturing its more modern side, Cartagena is pictured for its colonial architecture and “Old City.”

Cartagena Cathedral, Columbia © Jesse Kraft | Dreamstime

As you start your day exploring the walled city, stop by Pasteleria Mila, a popular breakfast place located in the Centro neighborhood, just around the corner from the Cartagena Cathedral. With jazz and French music playing in the background, Mila Vargas’s bakery is not a place for authentic Colombian fare. Rather, the menu features an eclectic range of sandwiches, bakery goods and deserts, as well as some great Colombian coffee. A simple brunch here will cost you about $20.

The outer walls of Old City are great for walking during the day, though it can get a little touristy. These 500-year old fortifications were built to defend against pirates who plundered gold being shipped to Europe, but today they serve as great photo ops against the Colombian coast. Close-by sites include El Puerto del Reloj, the clock tower gate into the walled city, and El Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, which costs $7 for admission.

Clock Tower Gate to Old City, Cartagena, Columbia © Jesse Kraft | Dreamstime

Nearby El Castillo is La Popa Monastery, a convent situated on a hill, giving you a great view of the city. This colonial complex has beautiful gardens and ornate architecture, as well as English speaking guides to show you around, priced at just $3.50, though it is expensive to get up the hill. Walking is not advised, so you will need to hire a taxi, which will most likely quote you an outrageous $21. The official one-way price is $5, so be prepared to negotiate.

Cartagena also has a lively nightlife scene, especially in the Old City, but if you want to check out an up-and-coming neighborhood, take a stroll through Getsamani, where new restaurants, bars and shops have been popping up in recent years. This area had a history of crime before it was recently revitalized, so exercise caution as you enjoy the art, drinking and Columbian music.