About Me

I was born in Bogota but when I was 4 years old we started a journey around the world because of my father's job. Maracaibo, Venezuela; Edinburgh, Scotland and Barcelona, Spain are some of the places where I grew up. I visited Colombia every summer and always felt a strong connection to my roots, but I never thought I'd go back. However, on my 17th birthday we moved back to Bogota. Even though then I was kind of an outsider to my own country, I was able to see above a sad reputation and got to know the real Colombia from my own eyes. The problem is that everyone knows about Italy's great food and beautiful architecture; and France's Eiffel Tower and great vacation spots in the French Riviera; and New York's Central Park and amazing restaurants; and Brazil's Carnivals and Caipirinas; but not many people know the good side of my country. Colombia is known for its tragedy but not for its people and amazing places. Its writers like Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, its artists like Fernando Botero or Formula I drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya. So, I want tell my personal experience and show you that Colombia's only risk is wanting to stay.

Friday, May 28, 2010

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!
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