MARINA DE BARU CARTAGENA COLOMBIA

“Modern Tropical Architecture open to Mother Nature".

Beautiful homes - villas of two or three stories.
Spacious living area with brick vaulted ceilings.
Master bedroom with walk in closet, bathroom and deck.
Bedrooms share a bathroom and there is a half bath in the living area.
Kitchen, laundry area, and maid's quarters with bath.
Large community swimming pool.
Sports area with tennis and soccer courts.
Nice gardens and children's playground.
Wide paved roads.
Private and visitor's parking.
Water and energy from the city of Cartagena.

Marina de Barú is ideal for fun filled water sports and nature lovers where you can relax and enjoy a clean, refreshing environment.

Sale Price

USD $370,000

Specification

* Year Built:2009
* Bedrooms:3 Bedrooms
* Bathrooms:2
* Total Space:190 m² / 2045 sq. ft.
* Floor:
* Zones:Residential, Touristic

* Agent: Juan Medina.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT :

http://investincartagena.easybroker.com/real-estate-sale/2557-CA1-condominium-in-colombia-cartagena-bolivar-baru

Cartagena SAILING

Cartagena de Indias was founded by Don Pedro de Heredia in 1533. UNESCO declared the city a "World Heritage Site" based on the incomparable fortifications and colonial buildings. This makes Cartagena one of the most interesting sites in South America.

White sandy beaches, coconut palms leaning over the turquoise water, deserted islands surrounded by magnificent corral reefs, indigenous Indians in their canoes filled with lobsters:

It is not without reason that San Blas belongs to one of the "last paradises" on our planet. In the untouched island world of the Kuna-Indians, 365 islands are awaiting your exploration.

In 1533 the Spanish explorer Pedro de Heredia discovered the beautiful Islands and bays of today's Cartagena de Indias, which over the centuries has grown to become one of the most significant and most beautiful cities in the Caribbean.

cartagena colombia sailingThe joy of life here in this cosmopolitan melting pot is addictive to both indigenous people as well as visitors from around the world. Here you can expect a unique mixture of Caribbean friendliness accompanied by merenge, the warm sounds of salsa, a historic city center, and crystal clear water. The perfect start to an adventurous discovery into an almost undiscovered Sailing Area.

Source:

http://cartagenasailing.com/ENG/cartagena.htm

Cartagena Logistics Center

Cartagena de Indias has one of the best logistic and port support in the country, represented by several services and infrastructure, and supported by the best efficiency rates. The port of Cartagena has many strategic advantages that favor the consolidation of the city as a center of logistic distribution and of container transfer in the Caribbean region:

Proximity to the Panama Canal: Proximity to the Panama Canal: Cartagena is the nearest port to Panama and is thus considered the first alternative for shipping companies due to geographic, economic and operative reasons.

Growth of transfer cargo in the Caribbean: Currently, Cartagena manages 43% of the cargo of containers in Colombia and 75% in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. According
to the ocean shipping consultants, the Caribbean area and Central America will play a decisive role in the world of commerce during the next years, when hoping to manage a volume of about 5 million TEUs a year (projection for 2010). Today, Cartagena participates with a 5% of this volume and it hopes to reach 10% of the total management of containers in the Caribbean.


National commerce abroad: Colombia registers considerable increases in cargo volume mobilized by the Atlantic Slope with Brazil, Mexico, United States and Europe in which Cartagena manages more than 90% of the merchandise destined / originated in the mentioned geographic zones.

Free Trade Agreement with North America: The F.T.A. with the United States will widen the international market of all Colombian companies, and will make Cartagena a strong strategic ally with more than 23 shipping lines that perform direct routes to / from North American ports. These shipping companies, which are available to the Colombian business sector, cover the North American East Zone Cartagena route, which constitutes the first bridge and access way between Colombia and the USA.

Source:

http://www.puertadelasamericas.com.co/cartagena-ventajas/capalogistica/

Cartagena Virtual Tour

Cartagena Virtual Tour part I






Source :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmoppBFRKDU


Cartagena Virtual Tour part II





Source :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es02Oh4cM2c&feature=related

Cartagena, Colombia a Dream Come True

Museo del Ron Cartagena de Indias

Museo del Ron Cartagena de Indias

El Museo del Ron is a restaurant-bar where rum is the host. It is located in the heart of the beautiful city of Cartagena de Indias, surrounded by walls and immersed in the legends woven into this mythical city of pirates and privateers. Many were the battles in which the only purpose was to seize the city and its treasures, among them rum and their secrets.

Today's Restaurant - Bar El Museo del Ron, offers its customers the ability to meet these secrets and also discover the aromas and flavors of Caribbean cuisine.
El Museo del Ron, invites you to live the experience of travel through the history of Cartagena and his pirates, revealing to you the magic of Caribbean cuisine. All this of course, accompanied by the best-kept treasure of the Caribbean: Ron.

History

El Museo del Ron has a privileged location within the Walled Center, one of the most emblematic buildings of the ancient city, as is the Convent of Santo Domingo. In 1522 the Dominican friars began construction of this imposing building whose work lasted for 150 years.
The Convent of Santo Domingo played an important role in the evangelization of the Church and was also training center for monks and an important point of economic development in the growing city.
This building had to endure various hardships and witnessed important moments in history. In the eighteenth century the convent was looted several times during the bloody attacks by hackers to the city, who not only steal art treasures and caused enormous damage to the building.
Several times and at different times in history, the royal army took the convent as temporary barracks, subjecting them to the ravages of war and military use.
Even nature has dealt a significant blow to the convent, since a strong earthquake in 1761 caused a collapse of the building. The reconstruction of the disaster was slow and the building was gradually abandoned until, in 1821 was completely taken by the Colombian army.
In 1833 the Colombian Government informed the provincial curia that the Convent had been expropriated and turned over to the Diocese of Cartagena to become the seat of a seminar.
For over 170 years the building was in the hands of the archdiocese until it was delivered in Spanish loan to an entity that completely restored some years ago.
Currently at work building the church and agency cooperation where library and art rooms and conventions. On the outside of the convent are among the shops that are, in addition to El Museo del Ron Restaurant-Bar, crafts, emeralds and other restaurants.

Factsheet

* Location: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
* Address: Corner Gastelbondo with Calle Calle Santo Domingo.
* Tel: * 57 5 6642370
* Offer: Restaurant-Bar, Live Music, Catering and Events.
* Capacity: Restaurant 60 persons.
* Cocktail: 90 persons.
* Other: Stage and sound system: 5 microphones, 10 channel console, speakers, return.

Source:

http://www.museodelroncartagena.com/

About Cartagena

About Cartagena

Cartagena is fast progressing into the premier investment and tourism destination for Latin America.

Originally named Cartagena de Indias. This Caribbean city has a long and varied colonial history as one of the most important cities of the Caribbean, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether one is looking for excellent world-class tourism, fantastic dining and entertainment, white sand beaches, or three centuries of colonial history Cartagena has something for everyone.

Three Hundred Years of Colonial History

Founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533, Cartagena was the second city colonized in South America by Spanish explorers and quickly became the most valuable city in the Spanish colonial empire. With its ideal topography, the Spaniards quickly developed this settlement into their principal port and extraction point for the riches they took out of South America. Soon after Cartagena’s inauguration, English, Dutch, Portuguese and French pirates took note of the cities wealth and launched invasions to plunder the Spanish treasures.

Spanish Kings and Caribbean Pirates

In many ways, the pirate attacks and heroic defenses of the city have forged the identity of Cartagena. Many famous men fought in these heated battles, from Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins to General Blas de Leso. As a result, the most identifiable feature of the city is the antiquated colonial neighborhoods and the various forts, castles and 300-year-old protective walls built to defend from invaders. These secure battlements took over 100 years for the Spanish to complete, making Cartagena one of the most fortified cities in the new world. Ironically, within 25 years of finishing construction, the Spaniards lost Cartagena to independence in 1811. Nowadays, the historic walls provide a splendid place for tourists to enjoy an afternoon, shopping at cute little boutiques, eating at restaurants overlooking the bay, or soaking in a sunset walk.

Activities in Cartagena

Castillo de San Felipe

Not one of the countless invaders and attackers of the city overtook el Castillo de San Felipe – The grand Spanish castle sitting at the entrance to the bay of Cartagena. When lit a night, the Castillo de San Felipe is one of the true beauties of the Caribbean. Be sure to experience the tunnels that line the interior of the structure. They were purposely constructed with a low ceiling, so the taller invaders would not be able to catch the local defenses.

Puerta del Reloj (Clock Tower Door)

As Cartagena was also a slave port, this square was originally constructed as a slave market.

Now it is an open-air plaza filled with wonderful restaurants, discos, and people out for a stroll. An evening in the plaza will fill your soul with romance and the necessity for a return trip to Cartagena.

Plaza San Pedro de Claver

San Pedro de Claver was a Spanish priest dedicated to developing the rights of the local populations of colonial and independent Cartagena. Both the plaza and church are dedicated to his memory. There is a small museum inside the church that describes the story of de Claver’s struggle for human rights.

Las Bóvedas (The Vaults)

Originally built as a storage area for munitions by the Spanish, these fortified rooms were converted to a jail for dissenters when Colombia gained its independence. Contemporaneously, the Bóvedas have been converted to beautiful artesanias boutiques, where locals sell extravagant Colombian hand-made crafts and souvenirs, inspired by the culture of Cartagena.

Plaza Santo Domingo

This busy square is full of restaurants and live entertainment at night. Fronting the elegant Santo Domingo church, one of the original architectural monuments of the city. Allow yourself to be immersed in the ambiance of Colombian dancers, sensual Caribbean smells, culinary delights, and warm Cartagena evenings.

Barrio San Diego

This was originally the upscale neighborhood of the old city, which can be seen in the doorways of the houses. In Cartagena one can determine the status of a household by the size of the nails in the doors. Stroll by the house of Gabriel García Marquez, the famous Colombian author, or pass the hours wandering through the many cobblestone side streets, enjoying the fine restaurants and contemporary fashion and artistic boutiques surrounded by centuries of colonial history.

Plaza San Diego

This small vibrant plaza in Barrio San Diego is fronted by the famous Hotel Santa Clara. This hotel was originally a Spanish Cathedral and has been converted into a stunning five-star hotel. Be sure to walk through the courtyard where one can see the resident toucan. Lining the plaza are numerous restaurants to dazzle the taste buds, and local artesanias sellers to tempt your cultural fashion senses.

Boca Grande

For those looking for the beach life, Boca Grande is the place to be. Here one will find numerous high-rise hotels and apartments lining the white-sand beaches. Enjoy a swim in the ocean or a cold beer sold by one of the local vendors while watching the sunset. Fast becoming the new “South Beach, Miami” of the Caribbean, take in the luxury of what Cartagena has to offer.

Rosario Islands

Take a day-trip or spend the night at these lovely Caribbean islands. Composed of 27 islands, this Colombian National Park offers an aquarium, snorkeling, and a day in the sun for those who take the 45-minute boat ride.

Source:

http://www.formosarealty.com/en/invest-in-colombia/invest-in-cartagena.html

Deep Sea Fishing in Cartagena , Colombia

DEEP SEA FISHING IN CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

SPAN
The Lord does not subtract from man´s allotted Span
That time, spent while fishing!

The General Manager, Carlos Londono, of Todomar Marina

http://todomarchl.com/index.htm

offered the following on the basics of: When, What and Where to to go after game fish in Cartagena.

WHEN: There are two seasons per year.

The best days, according to Carlos are:
2 Days before, and 2 days after the Full Moon
2 Days before, and 2 days after the New Moon
SEASON #1 The INCOMING MIGRATION takes place between September and March.

WHAT: In order of most catches:
1. Barracuda
2. Black fin Tuna, Dorado Tuna
3. Blue Marlin, White Marlin
4. Sailfish
5. Wahoo
7. Blue Marlin
SEASON # 2 The RAINY SEASON takes place between April and September.

WHAT: In order of most catches:
1. Barracuda
2. Black fin Tuna
3. King fish
4. Wahoo
5. Dolphin
6. Sailfish
7. Blue Marlin, White Marlin

WHERE: Three of the most popular "holes" or "drops" (drop offs) within a short distance from the marina.

1. VOLCANIC DROP... best during the Rainy Season. 95-1,000 feet deep, within a 2 mile area.
2. NOKOMIS DROP... best during the Dry Season. 100-2,000 feet deep, within a 2 mile area.
3. BANK TESORO DROP... best during Dry Season, but good all year long.

BOATS:

"Enchanter of the Sea"... a 50 foot re-powered Bertram
"Gab Mar"... a re-powered 38 foot Bertram Classic
"Peachy"... a 41 foot Hat.
"Gaviota"... a 36 foot Black Fin

COST: For six fishermen, 3.000.000 Pesos (about $1,500 u.s.) for a full day-complete.

Source :

http://www.cartagenainfo.net/noticias/MarlinMagazine/index.html

Pullmantur reaches Cartagena

Pullmantur reaches Cartagena


SPANISH SHIPPING BEGINS OPERATIONS IN THE HEROIC

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Lis Guillermo Plata will welcome this cruise.

The world's largest shipping companies are putting their eyes in Cartagena, thus ratifying the Spanish company Pullmantur, which began shipping operations in the Pearl of the Caribbean.

Everything is ready for the ship Ocean Dream Cruise arrives at the port of Cartagena Port Society, tomorrow at 8 am. Palanquero, mimes, living statues, folk dance will welcome this ship, which has a capacity of 1422 passengers.

At two in the afternoon, we 623 passenger boarding process, which will begin its tour of several Caribbean destinations: Santa Marta, Aruba, Bonaire, Isla Margarita and Curacao. This same boat will perform 39 times the port of Cartagena.

This new point of embarkation positions Cartagena in the world market for cruise tourism, thus improving the chances of the productive chain of the industry without chimneys, due to the flow of foreign exchange. For example, the current cruise season will leave the city about $ 30 million, about 60 billion pesos.

"This wonderful news means we are doing well, investors and foreign companies come to Cartagena as a business opportunity and we look at them, including the ability to expand our market internationally." Said Luis Ernesto Araujo Rumi, chief executive of the Corporation Turismo Cartagena de Indias.

The official recalled that "in 2008, the shippers Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean's chosen as an intermediate port of embarkation, which brings us very well positioned in the operation of cruise" The ticket of the cruise, all inclusive, will start from $ 872 , one million 600 thousand pesos. The current cruise season expected to arrive in Cartagena in more than 195 on board ships that will bring 360 thousand and 140 thousand tourists on board.

For its part, Nubia Stella Martinez, vice president Proexport Tourism, said in the web portal of the entity that is a great achievement that Cartagena is chosen as the home port, because it shows the strength that is acquired as a destination and that Colombia becomes the benchmark in the region to establish itself as a starting point for tourists from South America cruises.

On Monday 7 December, the shipping company Royal Caribbean, for the second straight season, will also launch its operations in the Stone Corralito as an intermediate port of embarkation

Figures

•
# 46 cruises this season will have more from 2009 to 2010 than the previous one, which only had 149. This means that arrive to this destination in the Caribbean to 30% more passenger ships.

•
# In terms of passengers this tourist season will be an increase of 37%. About 93 thousand new passengers arrive in Cartagena in this season ..


Source:

http://www.turismocartagenadeindias.com/es/muestra-noticias.htm?25122563

Nationals of the following Countries Do Not Require visa to enter Colombia

Nationals of the following Countries Do Not Require visa to enter Colombia


"Article 1 of Resolution 5707, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 5
November 2008,
provides that nationals of these countries do not require
visa in the categories of tourist visitors, temporary visitors and technical visitor, to enter
and remain temporarily in the Colombian territory:
Germany, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas,
Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil,
Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Canada, Chile, Vatican City, South Korea, Costa
Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Estonia, Fiji, Philippines,
Finland, France, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong
(SARGChina), Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Marshall Islands, Israel,
Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico,
Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Papua New
Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Northern, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San
Marino, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland,
Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. Additionally, the Resolution
0928 March 2009 stipulates that citizens of Russian nationality who wish
enter Colombia not need a visa. "

Source:

http://www.investinbogota.org/

The Future of Cartagena’s Real Estate Market ?

The Opinion of Paul Juan, October 27, 2008.

From the webpage: http://www.cartagenarealty.com/

Prospects, clients and friends frequently ask me questions regarding the mortgage, housing and deepening financial crisis which began in the United States and now effects various degrees, around the world. Most importantly, they are interested in Cartagena, and Colombia.
We experienced a downturn of real estate sales beginning in 2007 and this trend continues in 2008. This is attributed to two main factors: the revaluation of the Colombian Peso, the oversupply of properties, However, when compared with other realty markets in Colombia, our city, principally because of personal safety and our positive international recognition, is fortunate.
Oscar Borrero, a real estate professional based in Bogota, believes this cooling period may extend a couple of years. Importantly, he predicts that the Colombian Economy "will not enter into serious recession."
In the Colombian mortgage market there appears to be no serious risk of non payment, which continues the housing crisis in the United States. The Colombian government has also shown fast response in both consistency and flexibility, in managing the countries economic, banking, and monetary policy.
After the boom of 2003-2006, Barcelona de Indias, was perhaps, based on location, the last project which met with rapid response in successful pre-construction sales. Here in Cartagena, they presented a novel market product: suburban houses.
Now there are good opportunities to buy at below market prices. Many international buyers who bought with speculative investor or even "flipper" purposes, are in need of money. Most will now sell at their same purchase price, yielding zero profits. Many of these properties will sell in a reasonable time, depending of course, on their correct purchase decisions, which primarily should have been based on good locations.
Currently there are fewer international "investment" buyers. I sense however, that sales will steadily increase as more international buyers correctly assess their own local situation when compared with the favorable over-all stability and low-cost-of-living in Colombia.
The Colombian government expects NO revaluation. Prices of new and re-sale properties located in good areas, with good design and construction should remain stable. Historically, in the world wide recession of 1999 property prices, Cartagena prices did not drop. I feel that this maybe a good historic indicator that prices here in Cartagena will remain firm.
My Sales Office, here in Laguito, experiences slower traffic. My bi-lingual Internet Home Pages continue to provide daily current changes, tips, and important information on more than 200 good properties. International and Colombia visitor statistics remain strong and E mail interest, less than in the boom years, is keeping me busy.

Paul Juan.

Source:

http://www.cartagenarealty.com/articles/index.php?art=future-real-estate-market&var=33&nro=1

Cruise Season to Cartagena

Cruise Season

Bogotá, September 28, 2009
Pullmantur Cruises is the third shipping that select for the Cartagena Colombia , the heroic as their port of embarkation of passengers, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.
The season will start on October 3 With the arrival for the first time, the ship Ocean Dream for Pullmantur Cruises to Spanish shipping chose Cartagena as a port of embarkation, begins its 2009-2010 cruise season on 3 October. The ship Ocean Dream for Pullmantur Cruises will launch Spanish shipping in Cartagena as a port of embarkation on 3 October. Additionally, there will be the opening of the cruise season from 2009 to 2010. Ocean Dream The ship made 39 touches in the ports of Cartagena and Santa Marta every 7 days during the season which runs until 26 June next year. Aruba, Bonaire, Isla Margarita and Curacao are the destinations you visit after leaving the boat from Cartagena. Nubia Stella Martinez, vice president Proexport Tourism, said that is a great achievement that Cartagena is chosen as the home port as it demonstrates the strength that has been acquiring and Colombia as a destination becomes reference point in the region to establish itself as a starting point for cruise tourists in South America. During the cruise season 2009-2010, the Colombian ports await the arrival of 460 thousand 823 tourists, of which 336 thousand 995 passengers aboard will arrive in Cartagena of 185 vessels, 120 thousand 482 to Santa Marta on 77 ships and 3 thousand 346 San Andres. This represents an increase of 22.78 percent over the 2008-2009 season in which 375 thousand 320 tourists came to Colombian ports. Pullmantur Cruises, the tour operator Pullmantur, a Spanish shipping company with over 10 years experience in cruise tourism to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean. Since opening, the main idea was to create cruise especially for the Latin community. In 2005, Pullmantur became the first Spanish shipping company offering the plan "all inclusive" in their cruisers. Today Pullmantur has a fleet of 6 vessels (Empress, Atlantic Star, Zenith, Ocean Dream, Sovereign and Pacific Dream).
PROEXPORT COLOMBIA
Source :

http://www.proexport.com.co/VBeContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=10536&IDCompany=16

TRIP PLANNER: CARTAGENA

TRIP PLANNER: CARTAGENA

• How to Get There: You can fly directly from Miami. But some tourists come through Bogotá, the capital, which is worth a visit in its own right. • Where to Stay: In the Old Town, the two converted convents, the Santa Clara and the Charleston, have good reputations, with rates starting at about $300 and $270 respectively (http://www.hotelsantaclara.com/, http://www.hotelescharleston.com/). There are also several charming boutique hotels, including La Merced, where rates start at about $295 (http://www.lamercedhotel.com/).
• What to do: The Gold Museum features pre-Colombian metal and ceramic treasures. Set above the Old Town is San Felipe Castle, which local historians tout as the most formidable Spanish military fortification in the New World. In the Palace of the Inquisition, there is a replica of the rack used during interrogations. Also, a 45-minute boat ride away is Barú Island, which offers crystal-clear water and one of Colombia's finest beaches. • Where to Eat: The city has good restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Spanish, Arab and Japanese. But seafood is what Cartagena's chefs do best. Stalwarts include La Vitrola (Tel: 575-664-8243) and the Club de Pesca (http://www.clubdepesca.com/), where dishes start at just under $20. Try the cazuela, a steaming seafood stew. -- Matt Moffett I've spent the past 20 years in Latin America reporting for The Wall Street Journal and have visited Cartagena -- with its unusual blend of colonial architecture, easily accessible beaches and wide variety of water sports -- three times in the past five years. I've always felt at ease here, and the other American visitors I've met while traveling have told me they felt the same way. Andrea Greenberg, who works at Fortune International, a Miami real-estate development company, has been to Cartagena twice in the past few years. "The first day you might have some worries, but then you just get caught up in all of the beautiful things there are to see," says Ms. Greenberg, who enjoys dining in the array of restaurants, from Caribbean to Italian, and sitting in a café watching all the movement on Cartagena's bustling plazas.This is still a country at war, as it has been for four decades. The State Department warns that terrorist-related violence affects all parts of the country and U.S. citizens continue to be "victims of threats, kidnappings, and other criminal acts." But it says that urban areas like Cartagena have become markedly less violent.The surge in tourists over the past several years has been a shot in the arm for the local economy. While the city still suffers from high unemployment, there has been a rise in investment and business startups. "There were some lean years when no one much was coming around to dance," says Tania Gomez, a pianist for a local music group. It's much easier getting gigs these days, she says.In the walled Old Town, visitors can take in a concert or cultural event at the Heredia Theater or walk the leafy garden of the 18th-century San Pedro Claver Church. Gabriel García Márquez, Colombia's Nobel Prize-winning author, owns a newer house with a wall and watchtower that has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Just a short ferry ride away is Barú Island, with its white-sand beach, and the Rosario Islands, a coral reef archipelago that is popular for snorkeling, fishing and surfing.In my trips around the region, I've seen classic colonial architecture in places as distinct as the venerable mining town of Guanajuato, Mexico, and bustling Old Havana. But what's unusual about Cartagena is the creative way it has taken the buildings that have won the city recognition as a United Nations World Heritage Site and adapted them for tourism.Sofitel's Santa Clara Hotel, which occupies the site of a 17th-century convent, has a bar built into the choir and a restaurant in the refectory. Set on a parapet with canons pointing out to the sea, the Café del Mar bar is a romantic spot with drinks such as fiery aguardiente, a sugar-cane spirit and limonada de coco, a mix of coconut milk and lemon juice. The Palace of the Inquisition, where Roman Catholic tribunals persecuted alleged witches and heretics, is now a museum whose lawn is used for banquets; the diners at one recent event were unfazed by the replica gallows set up near the head table.

La Vitrola, a restaurant specializing in seafood, retains a spirit of Caribbean adventure. With its ceiling fans, intimate lighting and old photographs on the wall, the restaurant looks like a place where conspirators would go to plot a coup. And one night when I was there the restaurant was the scene of an uprising of sorts. A troupe of tipsy Spanish tourists commandeered the maracas from the Cuban house band and started a conga line snaking through the restaurant.
"You never know how people will behave when they come to Cartagena," says manager Gregorio Herrera. "Some get very, very relaxed."
Despite the long bloodletting their country has endured, locals are genial and eager to cater to visitors. "Some visitors come here expecting to see sad people who are demoralized and beaten down by war," says Joan Mac Master de Gamarra, manager of La Merced hotel. "But instead they find that locals are light-hearted and very happy to meet them." I can vouch for that. When I asked a motorcycle cop for directions, he wasn't satisfied with simply telling me how to reach my destination. He insisted I hop on the back of his bike so he could take me himself.

Security experts say the Marxist guerrillas who have placed bombs on burros and canoes -- and who almost got away with reconstructing a Russian-style submarine -- are still a threat. Indeed, in recent months there has been an upsurge in guerrilla attacks, albeit mostly confined to isolated rural zones hundreds of miles from here. But even in the bloodiest years of the Colombian conflict, Cartagena was largely spared due to the presence of Colombia's largest naval base. And Mr. Uribe in May won a landslide re-election to a second four-year term, ensuring some continuity in security policy. Just to be safe, newcomers to Cartagena should probably make the tourist-friendly Old Town the hub of their activities. Beyond the walls lies a typically sprawling developing world urban area, parts of which are nice and parts of which aren't.
Perhaps the biggest sign of Cartagena's renaissance is that Hollywood is taking an interest. Director Mike Newell just finished shooting "Love in the Time of Cholera" in Cartagena, a $50 million production with an international cast featuring Spanish actor Javier Bardem. The film, based on a novel by Mr. García Márquez, is the first major Hollywood picture produced in Cartagena since "The Mission," starring Robert De Niro two decades ago.


"Cholera" producer Scott Steindorff was set to film in Brazil, where he'd made a previous picture. "Partners, family, friends, every single person, said, 'Do not go to Colombia,' " says Mr. Steindorff, in an interview in the colonial house he was staying at in the Old Town.For Colombians, having the movie made in Cartagena is a point of national honor. Colombia's vice president, Francisco Santos, insisted on meeting Mr. Steindorff to sell Cartagena. "When I got here, I fell in love with the place and realized I couldn't film the movie anywhere else," Mr. Steindorff says.
The closest thing to a security scare during the three-month shoot came when actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno heard some odd hooting sounds coming from a closet in the old house where she was staying. It wasn't one of the moments of "magic realism" that Mr. García Márquez specializes in; it turned out to be a pair of owls, which the crew christened Florentino and Fermina, after the film's romantic protagonists.Write to Matt Moffett at matthew.moffett@wsj.com

Source :

http://www.bahiahomes.com.co/en/cartagena.php

Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena, Colombia, also known as Cartagena de Indias, is a large seaport on the north coast of Colombia. Founded in 1533 by don Pedro de Heredia, and named after Cartagena, Spain, it was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas, and continues to be an economic hub as well as a popular tourist destination.
Cartagena faces the Caribbean Sea to the west. To the south is the Bahia de Cartagena (Bay of Cartagena), which has two entrances: Bocachica in the south, and Bocagrande in the north. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Cartagena was part of the Spanish Main, one of the chief ports of the Spanish treasure fleet and so a prime target for English and French pirate and privateers (such as Sir Francis Drake, who sacked the city in 1580). Many of Cartagena's fortifications still stand: the Castle of San Felipe, built between 1536 and 1657; the walls around the Old City (las Murallas); the undersea wall across Bocagrande built between 1771 and 1778; and the forts of San Jose and San Fernando, built between 1751 and 1759 at Bocachica.
Many colonial buildings can be found in the Old City, including the Palace of the Inquisition, a cathedral, the Convent of Santa Clara (now a hotel) and a Jesuit college. St. Peter Claver patron saint of the slaves worked in and from the Jesuit college. Just outside the city walls, you can see the "India Catalina" statue, a local Indian hero.
To the south of the Murallas is the modern city of Cartagena on the peninsula of Bocagrande. Cartagena is the capital of the department of Bolivar, with a population of 812,595 (1997 estimate). It is one of Colombia's major seaports as well as the terminus of an oil pipeline. The city is served by Rafael Núñez International Airport, north of the city. Cartagena also is home of the largest Colombian Navy (Armada de la Republica de Colombia) base over the Caribbean, named A.R.C Bolivar.
About 30 km southeast of Cartagena are the Islas de Rosario (Rosario Islands), a nationally protected park which features an aquarium with trained dolphins and many varieties of tropical fish and sharks.
Due to Cartagena's tropical location, the climate changes very little, with an average highs of 31°C (88°F) and average low of 24°C (75.4°F) throughout the year. Cartagena also averages around 90% humidity, with a rainy season typically in October. Cartagena receives about 100 cm (40 inches) of rain a year.

Source :

http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_turismo/destinos/cartagena.html