Cartagena, Colombia

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*** UPON ARRIVAL ***

The taxis are registered from the airport - go to the taxi ticket box when you exit, give them your address and they will give you a slip with the taxi price. No more than 15,000 to get there (~$ 8 usd).

*** RESTAURANTS ***
* = absolute must

• 1621 (@ SOFITEL SANTA CLARA) - High-end dining and although it's in a hotel setting, the Sofitel is actually a converted convent and worth walking around admiring the beautiful interiors
• CAFE SAN PEDRO - Great location with fusion inspired menu and cocktail bar
• CLUB DE PESCA - First class menu & live music.  In the 300-year-old Fuerte de San Sabastian Pastelillo, one of the most exclusive and romantic dining options in town overlooks Cartagena's marina. In fact, this is the only restaurant in town where you can arrive by land or by sea. The restaurant offers delicious Caribbean-inspired dishes, all with a contemporary touch ... although, it's a bit of a trek from Old Town.
• JUAN DEL MAR - great pizzas and pastas - grab a table outside as it’s a great place to people watch and take in the atmosphere
• LA CASA DE SOCORRO 
• *LA CEVICHERIA - Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain dined at this tiny seafooder for his television show and for good reason: unconventional ceviches (shrimp with mango, passion fruit, garlic butter, mozzarella cheese and white wine, for example) offer a culinary quest into the exotic ingredients of Colombia’s coast.  Quaint outdoor seating in a fab location. Great for a long lunch. <travelchannel>
• LA PERLA - Peruvian/Fusion: small location with superb menu, size adds to the charm but makes tables limited especially on weekends  - popular, everyone suggests ....Colombia's top mixologist ... Food & Wine Magazine says to get the suckling pig and corvina carpaccio
• LA TINAJA 
• *LA VITROLA - Arguably the most famous restaurant in the city, this restaurant with the feel of a very VIP private club can only be entered by ducking through a small wood door, often guarded by an armed man.  During the holidays, book months in advance - or know someone! Cartagena's unofficial clubhouse <nyt>
• OH LA LA - French cuisine, nice patio, good food, the lovely owner couple Carolina (colombian) and Gilles (french) are always there - she is the "soul" and he is the Chef. This 6 table restaurant is in all the 'important' magazines!
• (RESTAURANTE) PLAZA DE LAS ARMAS 
• SANTISIMO - Cordon Bleu Chef Federico Vega offers delicious compositions of french cuisine combined with local colombian ingredients ... and the space feels like a home <nyt>
• VERA (@ HOTEL TCHERASSI)

*** COFFEE, JUICE BARS, A QUICK BITE ***

• JUGOSA - THE place to enjoy a fresh fruit juice or typical colombian "raspado"
• LA SANDWICHERIA - for a casual, healthy lunch & juice
• MILA PASTELERIA & CAFE - quaint, modern breakfast spot with excellent pastries and fabulous coffee

*** NIGHTLIFE ***

• BABAR, MR. BABILLA & TU CANDELA - "oontz oontz" clubs
• CAFE DEL MAR 
• EL CORO LOUNGE (@ SOFITEL SANTA CLARA) - Gorgeous bar. Gorgeous cocktails. The opposite of Babar, Mr. Babilla & Tu Candela!
• HAVANA - salsa dance the night away

*** SIGHTS ***

• PLAYA BLANCA (ON ISLAND OF BARU) - If you are interested in beaching it, Playa Blanca is the place to be. Drink beer. Eat fresh lobster.  Rent a private boat!  Ask your concierge.  Don't get suckered into the lame group tours.  
• CIUDAD PERDIDA & SANTA MARTA - 4 hours each way from Cartagena (The Lost City).  
• PORTAL DE LOS DULCES - Visiting this part of town takes about 5 minutes of your time (there's not that much to see) ... but there are kiosks upon kiosks of local candy!
• BOCAGRANDE - The new, modern part of town.  An unnecessary visit.
• FUERTE DE SAN SEBASTIAN DE PASTELILLO 
• LA TORRE DEL RELOJ 
• CONVENTO DE POPA 
• PALACIO DE LA INQUISICION - a must. Interesting relics on display from this time.
• SANTA CATALINA DE ALEJANDRIA 
• PLAZA SANTO DOMINGO 
• CASTILLO SAN FELIPE 
• CALLE DE LA MANTILLA 
• MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO 

*** SHOPPING ***

• SAN JUAN DE DIOS 
• MUSEO DE ARTE MODERNO 
• CASA CHIQUI 
• ATENEA 
• LUCY JEWELRY 
• NUEVO MILENIO 
• CARTEL DE LAS BOVEDAS - a must!  This is a strip of enclosed kiosks filled with a mix of junk as well as beautiful artwork and souvenirs.
• EL ARCON 
• GALERIA CANO 
• HERNAN ZAJAR