Cartagena’s Cruise Port: A Hidden Gem Full of Surprises!

On our recent cruise through the Panama Canal we had a stop in the port of Cartagena Colombia. I was definately excited for this port as it would add another continent to our list but also had some apprehension. I have to say that this city captured my heart. It was my favourite stop of the cruise. We did a private tour of the city with our tour guide Benny who really made the day for us.

The cruise port itself is the most beautiful port I have ever been to. We could have just spent the day there and have had a fabulous experience. It is lush and green and you feel like you are walking through a tropical jungle.

Numerous macaws, peacocks, and cockatiels are present, with some even greeting you with a "hello" as you arrive in Colombia. At the beginning of our day, we didn't have the time to fully appreciate it all because we were whisked through the port to meet our guide, but we were assured we would have plenty of time later to relax and enjoy this area.

Our tour started with a visit to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a fort built in 17th century. It protected Cartagena from pirate attacks from the land side since Cartagena was the city where Spaniards kept the Gold, Silver and Emeralds . We did not go inside the fort but did stop to get pictures and hear about its history.

The next stop was Las Bóvedas. Las Bóvedas or Barracks was a residential building for soldiers during colonial times, now converted to a handicraft mall. It was a great place to pick up souvenirs and to shop for emeralds. We learned that 70% of the world's emeralds come from Colombia. It wasn't really something I had planned to buy but I thought this was a great chance to get a Colombian emerald. The finished jewelry was a bit out of my price range, but we picked up two cut emeralds that I plan to have each set into a pendant for my daughter and me.

Benny mentioned that if we needed or wanted to purchase anything while we were there, he could take us to the right place because he "knew a guy" for almost everything. The two items we were interested in were souvenir t-shirts and Colombian coffee. He managed to get us the freshest coffee beans, which resulted in the best coffee we've ever tasted. He also took us to a small outdoor market for pure Colombian vanilla. I regret not buying more of it. I used it in my baking at home, and the difference was incredible. Vanilla and coffee will definitely be on my list for the next visit, and I'll bring an extra suitcase to bring them home!

We then entered the walled city which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

A walking tour around the city showcasing the vibrant coloured buildings, lush grounds and so many local artisans. The stone walls are actually made of crushed shells. We toured a historic church where Spanish Jesuit priest Peter Claver once served. He was later recognized as the patron saint of slaves. As numerous slaves were brought to Colombia for the gold and emerald trade, Peter's efforts to aid these enslaved individuals led to Colombia designating September 9 as the National Day of Human Rights in his honor.

With all our senses having experienced the beauty that is Cartagena, Colombia we headed back to the cruise port. Our tour took about 5 hours so we still had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the cruise port oasis.

We wandered though the garden paths in search of the sloth we heard lived there but unfortunately did not find it. We did see flamingos, turtles, peacocks, macaws.

With some time to rest our weary feet we took a break at the Juan Valdez Cafe where we were entertained by visiting peacocks and a small monkey looking to fill his tummy with leftovers thrown in the garbage can.

After a full day exploring and experiencing the sights, sounds and tastes of Cartagena, we headed back to the ship. The one regret I had was not having more cash (USD) with us. Many of the local vendors only took cash. But other than that it was a perfect day. At first, I was worried about safety for our trip to Colombia, but those concerns vanished as we explored this incredible city. I will definitely plan to return here.