Discover Cartagena De Indias : Neighborhoods of Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is obviously not limited to its glamorous and touristy areas on the Caribbean Sea. It is a very large city, with more than a million inhabitants, most of them living in miserable conditions. It is easy and quick to get around (by bus, cab, on foot or by bicycle) between the tourist areas, which are all close to each other. The main one is the "Ciudad Amurallada", the old city located inside the walls, with three barrios making up the historical center: San Pedro (or Centro), San Diego and Getsemaní. This is where you will find the most beautiful architecture and the most atmosphere, day and night. But there is also plenty to do outside the walls, starting with the beaches of Bocagrande, 5 minutes to the south, or La Boquilla, a little further north, or the unmissable castle of San Felipe de Bajaras.

The historical center

The Centro histórico is made up of the three districts inside the city walls: San Pedro, San Diego and Getsemaní.

Thefirst two, San Pedro and San Diego, come to mind as one and the same. A favorite haunt of the local haute bourgeoisie, it's a delight to stroll through the shady squares and tangled little streets, lined with palaces and stately homes with elaborate balconies and finely chiselled watchtowers. The old town is home to a host of luxury hotels and boutiques that are constantly renewing their eternal elegance.

On the other side of the Torre del Reloj, you can see the Getsemaní district. Formerly the slaves' quarter in colonial times, until a few years ago it was not very well known. All you could find here were roots inns and brothels. But Getsemaní has been transformed by tourism and real estate. It has become a trendy district. Boutique hotels have sprung up alongside trendyhostels . This is where you'll find most of the nightlife. The architecture is modest compared to that of San Pedro and San Diego, but the barrio remains authentic, with its inhabitants still getting out their rocking chairs or improvising a soccer game in the middle of the street.

Outside the center

To the south of the old town, the Bocagrande peninsula stretches out in an L-shape, home to the neighborhoods of Bocagrande, El Laguito and Castillogrande. The seafront is home to large residential buildings, much in the Costa Brava style of Spain. This is where you'll find a concentration of large hotels with swimming pools and buffet restaurants, popular with South American tourists and their families. Rooms generally overlook either the Caribbean Sea or Cartagena Bay. We're 5-10 minutes from the historic center by cab or bus.

Opposite Bocagrande, to the south of Getsemaní, lies the island of Manga, linked by bridges to the mainland. Its maritime terminal is a reminder that the city is not only an important commercial port, but also hosts numerous cruise ships. The island boasts a variety of architecture dating back to the early ^20th century. It's worth taking a bike ride through its residential districts to observe the mix of styles, including the Islamic influence of immigrants from the Middle East.

Tourism is also spreading northwards, notably to La Boquilla. This traditional fisherman's quarter lies some 20 minutes from the historic center, north of the airport, between the Caribbean Sea and the marshes of the Cienaga de la Virgen. The people of Cartagena come here to eat grilled fish, and the beaches are larger and more beautiful than in Bocagrande, as well as more popular. Investors are increasingly interested in this area, and large hotel chains and chic residential buildings are beginning to spring up.