Fort/Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas The largest Spanish Fort in the Americas and the strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies. It was never taken despite numerous attempts. The fortress is a 20-minute walk or an $8,000 peso cab ride from the old town. Wear a hat and/or bring an umbrella for sun protection as much of what you will tour is out in the open. Audio tour recommended (additional cost). Hours 8am-7pm, tel 605 666 4790; Av Arévalo; adult/child 6-13 pesos $25,000/10,500; reduced fees for Colombian nationals & residents, teachers/students with ID; disabled, 62+ and under 6 free. Free entrance last Sunday of the month between February and November for Colombian nationals.
Around the corner behind the fort off Calle 30 is a large pair of bronze old shoes, Los Zapatos Viejos, by Colombian sculptor Hector Lombana Piñeres. The monument is in honor of Cartagena poet Luis Carlos López, whose poem “A mi ciudad nativa” speaks to how one can love this city like one loves an old pair of (presumably well-worn favorite!) shoes.
The Monastery/Convento de la Popa This is the highest point in the city and has the best view in Cartagena. Take a taxi (no public transport); the fare of ~$100,000 pesos (please confirm with your driver first) includes round trip transportation and 40 minutes waiting at the top while you tour the convent and admire the views. Walking to the top not recommended for safety reasons. Tel: 605 666 2331; adult/child pesos $13,000/6,000; daily 9 am-5 pm.
Inquisition Palace/Cartagena History Museum Downstairs focuses on the Inquisition & Tolerance; upstairs on the history of Cartagena; basic information in English. Centro, Calle 34, 3-11, Plaza de Bolivar; tel: 664 7381, 664 4570; Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun/Holidays: 10am–4pm; Entry Adults = $22,000; Seniors/Children/Students = $19,000 (Free last Sunday of the month from Feb to Nov) Good summary of the museum here.
Naval Museum This is a great museum. Written info is almost all in Spanish, but there is an app you can download to scan codes with your device for translations in English, Portuguese & French. Downstairs has a lot of colonial history; upstairs has more recent naval history. Be careful, they say this museum is haunted! Calle San Juán de Dios No. 3-62, near the Hotel Charleston/Santa Teresa, Centro; Open Daily 9 am – 5:00 pm. Entry: $23,000/Adult; discounts for students, seniors, children, military. More information on the museum here.
Gold Museum/Museo del Oro The Gold Museum is in the fine colonial mansion known as the Casa de la Aduana (Customs House) right on Parque Bolivar; Calle 14 No 2-07; admission free; Hours Tues-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 9-2, closed Mondays) More information on the museum here.
Museum of Modern Art Tues-Sun 11 am – 6 pm. $10,000 adults; $5,000 students with ID and children.
San Pedro Claver Museum (& Church) San Pedro Claver was a 17th century Jesuit know as the “slave to the slaves” as he fought for better treatment for the Africans brought through Cartagena; the museum features his life and work plus religious, African-descendent and indigenous art works. The attached church is a fabulous example of colonial architecture, holds the saints remains, and holds regular masses. Museum: Mon-Fri 8 am-5:30 pm, Sat/Sun 8 am – 5pm. $14,000/Adults; discounts for seniors & children.
Teatro de Adolfo Mejía This is a former church turned theater; there are often free or reasonably priced concerts and performances here. Events are often posted (without much advance notice!) but there is no online schedule. Centro, Plaza de la Merced (Carrera 4), # 38 – 10. Office hours (the office is around the back of the theater on Calle de la Chichería): Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon; 2:30 pm to 5 pm. If you see the door is open, the Portero may let you in to have a peak! (Tip welcomed in this case!)
Gabriel García Márquez Monument The Nobel prize-winning author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, among other novels, lived most of his life in Mexico, but had a home in Cartagena’s Walled City (near the Sofitel Hotel Santa Clara). His ashes are interred in the Merced Convent, part of the University of Cartagena, next door to the Teatro Adolfo Mejía. There is a small museum and book shop plus cultural center.
Parque del Centenario was built in 1911 to commemorate 100 years of independence from Spain; it’s located between the Old City & Getsemaní. The highlight of this park, in my opinion, is the wildlife you can see there! Birds (parrots in the early evening), red squirrels, large iguanas, small monkeys, & a sloth family — you may need to be lucky (&/or patient) for the latter two!
Casa/Museo Rafael Nuñez Rafael Nunez (1825-1894) was a poet, journalist, author of Colombia’s National Anthem, creator of the Banco Nacional, mastermind of its Constitution, and four-time President of Colombia. His former home is located in the Cabrero neighborhood, just to the northeast of the city walls (ie, in the direction of the airport, which is named after him). Visit the ground floor of 19th century home Sat/Sun 10-4; Tu-Fri 9-5. Free. Informational signs in Spanish only.
The Parque Apolo is across the street and is open all day. The chapel in the park, La Ermita del Cabrero, was built by Rafael Nuñez and is a popular place to be married. It is open at mass times only and worth a look if you peek in just prior to mass (Monday – Friday 6 pm; holiday Saturdays 5:30 pm; Sundays 9:30 am, 5:30 pm, 7 pm).
Parque Espiritú del Manglar Located between the Old City & Mall Plaza, stop in on your way back from having visited San Felipe Castle to see sculptures of famous Colombians & more. Bring some treats for the free roaming cats! Renovated & newly reopened July 2024. Free; 10 am – 8 pm except Sundays 3-8 pm; closed Mondays.
Hours & prices listed above subject to change.