Cartagena

Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, Cartagena—officially known as Cartagena de Indias—is a charming, colonial port city located on the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city features a well-preserved colonial stone wall, which encircles the old city center, historic buildings and an accompanying protective fort, El Castillo de San Felipe, built to protect the city’s shipping and slave trade.

Cartagena feels like two destinations in one. Its picturesque, historic center is a romantic step back in time: narrow, cobblestone streets lined with colorful boutiques and shops, restaurants and bars, hotels and inns, a classic cathedral and historic museums, romantic horse-drawn carriages, and a main square filled with outdoor restaurants that serves as an entertainment hub in the evenings.

Outside the old city walls lies a modern developed city with large, international hotels and all-inclusive resorts, and high-rise offices and apartment buildings.

Though Colombia has suffered from security concerns—which is finally beginning to change—Cartagena has always been a protected tourist hub and is relatively safe, provided visitors take certain precautions that would be recommended in any popular tourist destination. The charming city is increasingly being added as a stop on many Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise routes.