Cartagena, Colombia: A Unique Spring Break Destination

If you’re looking for a unique spring break destination—a vibrant city, unique cultural experience, and warm getaway all-in-one—look no further than Cartagena, Colombia!

In March of 2019, I travelled to Cartagena for 5 nights, and it was incredible! Keep reading for my itinerary and recommendations…

Stay

We stayed at the Hotel Casa San Agustin (read my review of this wonderful hotel here), which was the perfect spot. Located in Cartagena’s charming Old City, the hotel’s authentic character is visible through its delicious food, beautiful architecture, and remarkable service. We personally loved the daily tea time in the hotel’s library, lounging by the pool in the afternoon, and the amazing spa.

Dine

Known for its fresh fish dishes, such as the best ceviche you’ll ever have, vibrant fruits, and other flavorful cuisine, Cartagena’s dining options are certainly a highlight of the city. Here’s where we ate:

Carmen … Definitely one of the best meals I’ve had to date, this Colombia restaurant offers delicious food, including freshly caught fish, all in a vibrant atmosphere. I recommend the Pez Palma (Colombian fish served with coconut rice risotto) – amazing!

Marea by Rausch … Another favorite, this incredible restaurant’s amazing food is matched by its location on the harbor, the perfect setting for our last night in Cartagena. The food was beautifully plated and equally flavorful. I would definitely recommend sitting outside to take full advantage of the restaurant’s view.

Bohemia … Though we came for lunch, this restaurant also serves dinner, offering Colombian and Peruvian dishes. My mother and I split some amazing ceviche and a salad, both of which were delightful. The restaurant is located in the El Marqués Hotel Boutique’s shaded courtyard, offering a lovely breeze while you enjoy your meal.

Alma … The restaurant of the Casa San Agustin, we ate breakfast here daily, many lunches, and and dinner once. I particularly loved the pancakes for breakfast, and nothing beat enjoying a beautiful lunch by the pool. The restaurant has a live band play one night a week, so we chose to dine here then. Our meal was very nice, and the music was great. Definitely a fun atmosphere.

La Vitrola … Given this restaurant is a historic Cartagena classic, we had to try it. The restaurant was charming, the service was great, and our food was very good, but was it as exceptional as the other restaurants on this list? Probably not. Worth trying to check this item off of your Cartagena bucket list, but perhaps it’s over-hyped.

Di Silvio Trattoria … If you are looking for a change from (delicious) ceviches, this casual but lively restaurant offers great pizzas and pastas. We went to the Getsesmaní location.

Explore

City Tour … Take a tour of the city and the surrounding area. Witness Cartagena’s unique architecture, and venture outside of the city to see the old fortress San Felipe de Barajas, the beautiful La Popa Convent, and more! We did this on our first day to get acquainted with Cartagena and Colombia.

Shopping … Cartagena is home to amazing authentic Colombian goods, from clothing to homeware. For higher-end Colombian designers, check out Glory Ang, St. Dom, and other boutiques nearby, or Silvia Tcherassi just a short walk away. Not interested in fashion? Stop by Museo del Chocolate for, you guessed it, amazing chocolate.

Vist a Local Market … Though Cartagena’s top restaurants offer some delicious cuisine, taking a tour of Cartagena’s Bazurto Market will show you not only where locals buy their food, but some unique Colombian dishes and ingredients you might not otherwise find. We used the Bazurto Foodies Club, which I would recommend.