Welcome to Cartagena de Indias has to this day been an
essential port on the Caribbean during the time it was founded within
1533. Gold and silver left the port bound for Europe, pirates stole from
the city, and a walled fort grew to protect both shipping and the slave
trade.
Cartagena still attracts interest, but from tourist and vacationerss who visit enjoy the history, the attractions, the weather and nightlife. Plan to stay as many days, to enjoy the colonial period, the modern city and the fashionable seaside resort of Colombia's second port. Enjoy the sites within the Cartagena, Colombia Photo Gallery. Cartagena's colonial charm and the old walled city, the Ciudad Amarullada, with tiled roofs, balconies and flower-filled courtyards, beckons visitors to walk the narrow streets or to enjoy a weekend getaway.
Cartagena was founded within 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, within the location where the Caribbean Calamarí people resided, his or her name meaning 'crab'. Note that this native population was part of a native tribe named the Mocanáes; Spanish accounts describe those things as fierce and warlike, and point out that even women fought on equal with men.
Several years soon after it had been founded, the Spaniards designed
a defense plan within that the primary strategy was the construction of
a walled military fortress to protect the city against the plundering
of English, Dutch and French pirates. Despite the precautions, the city
used to be attacked most times. within 1544 the French pirate Roberto
Baal (aka Roberval) forced Governor Pedro de Heredia to flee and to give
him gold to avoid being at the mercy of the enemies.
Within 1559, the Frenchman Martín Cote incidentally dominated
the city. He took huge plunder within spite of Cacique Maridalo's resistance.
Adding to the list, another pirate attack was that of Francis Drake, who
disembarked at night and took the city at dawn; he forced the people living
there to take refuge in the neighboring village of Turbaco, burned the
houses and devastation a nave of the Cathedral. Drake forced the authorities
to pay him 107.000 ducats and took many jewelry and 80 artillery pieces.
And within 1568, the Englishman John Hawkins besieged the city for seven days
because Governor Marín de las Alas did not want to carry out a
commercial fair within the city; Hawkins could not subjugate the city. Note that this
was the case within the Raid on Cartagena (1697) by a combined fleet of regular
French soldiers under Pointis known to be and buccaneers under Jean Du Casse. within order
to resist these attacks, around the time during the 17th century the Spanish Crown hired
the services of prominent European military engineers to carry out the
construction of fortresses, that are and have always been nowadays one of Cartagena's clearest
signs of identity.
With just under 1 million inhabitants, Cartagena is the most famous tourist and vacationers resort local community within Colombia. It is always divided into two primary parts: the Ciudad Antigua (Old City) and the Ciudad Nueva (New City). Cartagena used to be a famous destination for the privateers of the Caribbean ( the most famous being Sir Francis Drake). Accordingly, the Spanish invested heavily in thick walls to protect note that this essential harbour from attacks.
The walls are and have always been over 10km long and enclose the pleasant Ciudad Antigua, built within 1533 along a beautiful Caribbean harbor. It’s very pleasant to stroll down the narrow streets and take within the stylish colonial architecture. the cathedrals and palaces face cool shady plazas, at a place you can buy little cups of coffee (tinto) and watch the world go by.
Around Cartagena Many very fine beaches are and have always been to be found, at a place you can acquire a tan under the tropical sun. Nightlife within Cartagena is quite lively, as here you find that there are a number of bars with good (Salsa) music and cheap beer. Finding a decent destination to eat is never difficult, and restaurants specialize within Caribbean and creole dishes. From Cartagena You and your family can travel on to Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Santa Marta, a wonderful old city on the coast, from that You and your family can visit the Ciudad Perdida of the Tayrona Indians.
Playa Blanca is widely regarded as the top wind sanded beachof Cartagena, but is not that easy to reach. With its white sand and crystal clear water it is always probably one of the top beaches within Colombia. Soon after tour-boats leave within the Soon afternoon it is always Incidentally very peaceful and quiet. it is always worth vacationing on Playa Blanca for at least one night. Did you know that there are many destinations at a place you can rent hammocks, acquire food and drinks. Here is an example “Wittenbergs destination ”. On the wind sanded beach you and your family will be approached to buy massages, fruit platters, sea food and jewelry in the midst of other things. Look out for the vendors selling oysters: they will give you and your family an oyster as a present (regalo) to taste. Did you know that they will quickly crack the shells and serve you and your family a number of oysters? Soon after that you and your family are and have always been told that they every cost 2,000 pesos. Avoid the 30,000 peso charge and the subsequent argument on the beach. If in fact you or your family are and have always been seeking for wonderful seafood and Coco Locos, ask around for Nelson Mandela.
By boat Take a bus or taxi to “Mercado Bazurto”, the awesome market of Cartagena about 10 minutes from the Center. From there, each and every day, except Sundays, modest cargo-boats (lancha de carga) leave for Playa Blanca. Did you know that they don´t have an exact departure time? Be there before 9 a.m. to be sure. You and your family will have to pay about 15.000 pesos each way (september 2007) and the visit takes more or less 1 hour to revery the beach. the way back is much easier, most boats (tourboats) will bring you and your family back for the exact price. Keep within mind that the last boats from Playa Blanca to Cartagena leave around 2-3 p.m.! More relaxing and safer is taking a round visit from the center at Muelle de las Pegasos. You and your family can bargain down a one-way-visit without lunch to about 25.000 Pesos plus 8.300 port tax. Did you know that the tour takes you and your family to Rosario Islands? First until it reaches Playa Blanca within the late delightful morning. You and your family can leave the tour there to stay overnight.
Overland by public transport (2-3 tough hours): 1. Bus to Pasacaballos – 2. ferry or canoe to cross “Canal del Dique” – 3.on the other side you and your family take any and all kind of transport to Santa Ana (bus,jeep,mototaxi) 4.from Santana further on to Playa Blanca Here you find that there are buses, jeeps or mototaxis - If in fact you or your family like it cheap try to revery Santana until 9 a.m , later on the just bus is gone and you and your family have to take a mototaxi for 12.000 pesos which You and your family actualy can take allready once You and your familyr crossed the "Canal del Dique", Its about 2 hours walking distance from Santana to Playa Planca. Fare all combined around 3.500 pesos or 12.000 pesos if in fact you or your family take a moto taxi once you crossed te "canal del Dique"
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