Cartagena the Colonial City

I will start with my favorite city: Cartagena. It's located in the northern coast of Colombia and has the best food in the country. Cartagena is most fun during the last week of december but it will be worth going all year round. When I go, I like to stay in the colonial area. If you like big luxury resort-type hotels I recommend Hotel Santa Clara and Hotel Santa Teresa . I've stayed at "Hotel Santa Clara" many times, the best part is having a "Mojito" by the pool and then going across the street to "La Cevicheria" a tiny restaurant with the best Ceviches. Have the Caribbean Ceviche, it has shrimp and "platanos" (type of banana).

Hotel Santa Clara


Hotel Santa Teresa


If you are more into small boutique hotels I highly recommend the Hotel LM and the Silvia Tcherassi Hotel. The experience is completely different, they each have a maximum of ten rooms and the interior design is modern and fashion orientated. In Hotel LM you can ask the chef to make you a private menu with the type of food you like. This is very useful if you are a vegetarian or if you are kosher.

Silvia Tcherassi Boutique Hotel


LM Hotel


Even if the hotel restaurants are amazing, go out for dinner in the colonial area and in El Arsenal, a famouse street in the city. My top 3 recommendations are: 3. Cafe del Santisimo ask for the King Prawns with Tamarind Sauce. This dish is presented wrapped in a big leaf that captures all its scents. 2. El Club de Pesca, its part of a marina in a beutiful remaining piece of the old fortress wall in Manga, a traditional neighborhood away from the crowds. Every fish is good there but my personal favorite the Shrimp Black Ravioli. 1. White Sea Bass Ceviche, Crab and Red Snapper in the islands. You can take off to the nearby islands and native people will offer this dishes made fresh from the ocean. It beats all restaurants I've been to in my life. If you want just a good fast food restaurant go to Creps and Waffles it's the most popular place in colombia, and has a cheaper price range.




Night time is also incredibly fun in Cartagena. After you have tanned all day by the pool or at the islands with a good Cuba Libre Drink of Mojito, I recommend going to Cafe del Mar. This is an outdoor bar/lounge, located on one of the walls of the colonial part of Cartagena, with a view of the beach. There are always good Djs and drinks. If you want to experience true colombian night life go to La Carbonara.

This are just some of the options you have when you visit Cartagena but there is something for every type of person. Enjoy!

Colombian Misperception

Do you live in trees? Is it scary to live in such a dangerous country? Oh yeah, drugs, violence and coffee? These are some of the frequent questions I get after I say "I'm from Colombia". So yes, my country has a complicated social reality and my objective is not to hide that. However, Colombia is a country full of amazing characteristics that I wish more people knew about. For this reason, as I though about a blog subject that would reflect who I am and what makes me unique, it was impossible not to go back to my roots. After living and traveling in several parts of the world, the perception people have of my country makes me feel disappointed but mostly concerned. I want everyone to see what Colombia really has to offer.

This blog is dedicated to show my country as I know it, from a very personal perspective. Places, recommendations and details that only a local can show. Get ready to be inspired because Colombia's only risk is wanting to stay.