Uncover Cartagena's Warm Hospitality And Cultural Traditions

​By Joanna Allen at Allen Batista Travel, Inc.
 
Nestled in between the Cartagena Bay and the Caribbean Sea. Cartagena, a charming city in Colombia, captivates travelers with its fascinating history, vibrant culture, and beautiful surroundings.  The city seamlessly blends the colonial charm, contemporary attractions, and spectacular coastline beauty.
 
Cartagena offers an alluring fusion of the past and present, from discovering the city's historical treasures and indulging in culinary pleasures to immersing yourself in dance, music, and art. Allen Batista Travel has teamed up with Groove Trips to offer first-time and repeat travelers a truly immersive experience Cartagena sightseeing tour focusing on the Indigenous, Spanish and African cultural influences, mouthwatering cuisine and alluring natural beauty.
 
Here are a couple of fun facts about Cartagena.
 
Spanish is the predominant language in Cartagena, Colombia.  Other languages that are spoken in the city include 65 Amerindian languages, two Creole, English, Portuguese and Romani.
 
The Cuisine Of Colombia: A Fusion Of Flavors
 
Colombia’s cuisine is a delectable fusion of Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Middle Eastern influences. When visiting Cartagena, travelers should savor the following popular dishes.
 

• Bandeja Paisa is made up of arepas, rice, beans, ground beef, plantains, avocado, chorizo, and a variety of other tasty ingredients.
• Arepas are delectable cornmeal patties that are stuffed with a variety of ingredients, including cheese, meat, or eggs.
• Cazuela de Mariscos is a mouthwatering stew with prawns, crab, fish and coconut milk.
• Ajiaco, a hearty Bogota-style soup, is made with chicken, three different kinds of potatoes, maize, and guascas, a regional herb.
• Posta Negra, a flavorful meal of slow-cooked beef topped with a deep, sweet sauce made from panela, an unprocessed sugar.

 
Exotic Fruits
 
Colombia is home to many exotic fruits such as curuba, cherimoya, pitaya, soursop, and others because of the country's varied landscape and equatorial temperature. Bazurto Market, one of Cartagena's liveliest and busiest markets, offers a comprehensive look at the regional food scene. Vendors can be seen here expertly arranging pyramids of vibrant fruits, inviting guests to sample and explore the region's unique flavors.
 
Delicious Coffee
 
Colombian coffee is recognized around the world for its superior coffee. Cartagena offers endless opportunities to learn more about coffee making – from growing and harvesting the beans to producing the coffee to creating a delicious cup of coffee.
 
A trip to Cartagena would not be complete without taking part in cupping sessions to experience Colombian coffee's distinct flavors and fragrances. The city has many coffee shops and specialty cafés where visitors may enjoy a wide range of blends, from light and aromatic to bold and robust.
 
Rum Tastings
 
Colombia also produces world class rum.  Rum tastings are plentiful in the city and tourists visit local rum distilleries or specialty bars to enjoy a selection of aged rums, flavored with caramel and tropical fruits.
 
Rum specialists will educate travelers about the history of making rum, as well as take them on a tasting journey of the rum.
 
Exquisite Emeralds
 
Colombia is known for its emeralds, with some of the best stones coming from the Muzo and Chivor mines.  The country has established a reputation for producing the highest caliber emeralds.
 
The brilliant green stones are displayed in many jewelry stores and galleries in Cartagena.   Travelers will discover Cartagena’s emerald is simply more than a treasure since it serves as a reminder of Colombia's extensive geological history.
 
Travelers should also visit the Emerald Museum and take an in-depth look at the mining, cutting, and cultural significance of the stone.
 
Here are highlights of the Cartagena sightseeing tour.
 
Walking Tour Of The Old Walled City
 
A walking tour of Cartagena's Old Walled City explores the layers of history left by Spanish colonization, African enslavement, and indigenous cultures. Your knowledgeable guide will share engrossing tales and offer historical context for the city's architecture, landmarks, and culture.
 
Street Art And Foodie Tour Of Getsemani
 
Art lovers and foodies alike must pay a visit to the exciting Getsemani neighborhood. The neighborhood, famous for its vibrant street art and murals, is the destination for a street art tour showcasing the originality and artistic expression of local painters and the social and political influences in their works.
 
Getsemani is also a food lover's heaven with a wide variety of delectable street food booths, conventional restaurants, and modern eateries. Your taste buds will be tantalized with the regional food in this neighborhood.
 
Art Gallery Hopping
 
Cartagena has a vibrant art scene that goes beyond the city's streets.  Travelers should visit the city's art galleries to discover the city's artistic talent. The art galleries display the ingenuity of Colombian artists from contemporary art to traditional crafts.
 
There are also opportunities to get to know the creators and learn about their artistic influences and styles. Galleries shopping will give a beginner art or experienced art connoisseur a deeper understanding of Colombian art.
 
Private Island Hopping To Isla de los Rosarios
 
Our sightseeing tour transports guests on island hopping on a private tour of Isla de los Rosarios to escape the busy metropolis and unwind in the peace of the Caribbean Sea. Our guests will spend the day lounging on immaculate white-sand beaches and cooling off in the crystal clear waters. As part of the tour, travelers will indulge in a delectable seafood lunch and a glass of champagne while taking in the amazing natural beauty.
 
Palenque Tour
 
Our sightseeing tour visits Palenque, a historic village located not far from Cartagena, to learn more about the city’s African-Colombian roots. Palenque is renowned for being the first free African settlement in the Americas. The village also has a rich oral and living human history.
 
Our tour provides an insider’s view of the local culture – traditional music, dance, and language. It's a powerful and illuminating experience that shed light on Colombia's past.
 
Salsa, Champeta and Cumbia Dance Classes
 
Our tour enables dance enthusiasts to take dance classes and become closer to Colombia's infectious rhythms. Dance instructors will teach our guests the fundamentals salsa, champeta, or cumbia.
 
Guests will embrace the lively moves of Latin dance and feel the music pulsing through your veins. It is a great way to meet people from the community and get a feel for the real Cartagena through dance classes.
 
Two-Hour Zumba Class On The Plaza
 
Our tour will give you endless opportunities to maintain your fitness routine on vacation.  There will be a fun two-hour Zumba session on one of Cartagena's picturesque plazas to get a taste of the country's thriving dance scene. Zumba, a blend of Latin, African, Brazilian and Hip Hop rhythms, is a great way to stay in shape on vacation. This session, led by knowledgeable instructors, will have you moving to contagious beats and learning the moves to well-known Colombian dances.   
 
Drumming Lessons
 
Our tour will give our guests a taste of the soulful rhythms and rich traditions of African-Colombian music with an immersive drum lesson.  Knowledgeable percussionists will teach guests the fundamentals of playing traditional African rhythms.  The drum class is a great way to connect travelers to Colombia's African legacy and provide a distinctive and comprehensive cultural experience.    
 
Night On The Town For Salsa Dancing And Live Music
 
Our tour enables travelers to visit the best salsa clubs in Cartagena to truly experience the city’s nightlife.  Our guests will enjoy live music featuring talented local musicians.  Our guests will join locals and tourists for an unforgettable night of salsa dancing.
 
Visit Cartagena to discover its treasures, where history, culture, and adventure await around every corner. Join us on this amazing adventure.