OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- South America
- Colombia
- Cartagena
Cartagena
Visually, Cartagena is a paradise, with lush bougainvilla
winding its way through a maze of cobblestone alleys lined by
brightly-painted buildings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city
is a popular tourist destination for both Colombian and
international holidaymakers. Cartagena's history goes back to
4000BC, and today its skyline is a blend of modern skyscrapers and
colourful colonial facades.
Cartagena's colourful past is evident in the many historical
attractions in the city. Most are located in the walled Old Town,
which contains beautiful examples of colonial architecture and
excellent shopping and restaurants. Neighbourhoods like Centre, San
Diego, Getsemaní, and the more modern La Matuna all have unique
personalities that delight visitors. Old Town is also home to the
labyrinthine Bazurto Market, which is more of an opportunity to
glimpse the everyday life of a Cartagenan than stock up on
souvenirs.
The Palace of the Inquisition, the dungeons of Las Bovedas and
the Cartagena Gold Museum are good places to get a feel for
Cartagena's history, while the San Pedro Claver Convent and the
Santo Domingo Church offer their own perspective. A number of
stately mansions and fortresses (including the impressive Castillo
de San Felipe) dot the area as well.
The most popular attractions in Cartagena are its sparkling
beaches, however the best beaches in Cartagena are to be found a
little ways out of the city. Playa Blanca and Sportbaru are popular
resorts that offer watersports, boat tours, and other activities as
well as a selection of restaurants and bars. Ferries are also
available for excursions to nearby islands, including the Islas del
Rosario.
Information & Facts
Language
Spanish is the official language.
Money
The unit of currency is the Colombian Peso (COP), which is
divided into 100 centavos. Banks have no fixed policy on exchanging
cash and travellers cheques. Some provide the service, some not,
and different banks can differ on this from day to day. Generally
foreign exchange is only offered in the early morning. Cash can be
exchanged at
casas de cambio, or money exchange bureaux, located in
cities and border towns. US Dollars are preferred for both cash and
travellers cheque exchanges. Travellers cheques are difficult to
exchange outside of Bogota. Visitors are warned to beware of fake
US Dollars, which are printed in Colombia. Credit cards, especially
Visa, are becoming more widely accepted and are welcome at top
hotels and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agencies. In
the main towns and cities ATMs are becoming more prevalent, but
cards should be used with caution for security reasons.
Time