My Gateway Vacation

Cartagena is a very important city in Colombia. This city has many nicknames such as The Heroic City, The Door to the Americas, Capital of the Caribbean, and several others. If you are planning a trip to Colombia this is a must see on your touring of the country. There is a wide variety of things to do here in Cartagena and it is also considered to be one of the more safe cities in Colombia. Cartagena is also well known for being a great vacationing escape for honeymooners.

Like Bogota, Cartagena is a city that is divided into main sections. There is of course downtown, there is the northern section of town, the Matuna, San Diego, Bocagrande, and the Getseman neighborhood. These different areas are of course known for the different attractions and parts of the city that they house. Downtown is, of course, the heart of this city and the history of Cartagena can best be seen from here. The Northern part of town holds the airport and the old part of the city. The section of town referred to as San Diego is home to the Beaux Arts School Building and the Convent of the Nuns of the Order of Saint Claire. The part of town called Matuna is much like the business section of town and if you are staying here in Cartagena this is more than likely where your hotel would be found. The Getseman neighborhood is home to the Centennary Park and it commemorates a century of independence. So, as you can see, Cartagena is a grand city with many places to see and many different things to do!

Downtown is where you can find the most attractions of the city. If you get to visit nowhere else in the city, downtown should be your first stop. The style of things here in the downtown is a more colonial style with a little bit of Italian influence. There is an official entrance to downtown which is through Puerta del Reloj, or the Clock Gate. This Clock Gate comes out and onto the Plaza de los Coches or Square of the Carriages. Not but a moment's time from there is the Plaza de la Aduana or the Custom's Square, which is next to the mayor's office. Yet another Plaza not so very far from these points is the San Pedro Claver Square and of course his namesake's church. Here close to this Square is the Museum of Modern Art. As you travel along from here you will find the Plaza de Bolivar and the Palace of the Inquisition on one side. Not too much further from here you will find the office of Historical Archives which holds Cartagena's colorful history. Next to the Archives building you will find the Government Palace which, of course, holds the governor of the Department of Bolivar. If you travel across the street from this building you will find the Cathedral of Cartagena. If these religious temples interest you there is one more stop you should make in you journey around Cartagena. The Santo Domingo Church is a beautifully restored landmark and is worthy of the time taken to see it.