Paloma Veloz

On my last post I told you about my day walking around Cartagena and showed some of my favorite photos from that stroll.  I also told you that when I visited this city I actually explored the streets after sunset for the most part.  The daytime was dedicated to exploring nature outside of Cartagena.  But it is after sunset when this city is most alive.  

We headed to the neighborhood of Getsemani on our first night for dinner and drinks. This is regarded as one of the coolest areas of Cartagena and I can attest to that.  It wasn’t always like this, though. Up until a few years ago, Getsemani was considered one of the most dangerous neighborhood of Cartagena.  This is in the past now an the neighborhood is full of great restaurants, bars and dance spots.

Take for example Havana Club where we danced the night away on our first night in town. This for sure was one of my favorite nightlife spots during the trip.

The amount of dancing I did that night was enough for the rest of the year.  This place does get quite crowded and you have to pay a cover to get in, but the live music and the drinks are off the hook. I felt so alive and happy to be in there sipping my mojito and dancing to good old salsa classics.

A personal favorite of nightlife in Cartagena were all the plazas and balconies around town, perfect to catch a drink and enjoy the sea breeze.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

One of those great spots is right inside the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel.  

Another spectacular space is right outside the church of San Pedro del Claver.

And one cannot go to Cartagena without the mandatory photo of Botero’s Gorda Gertrudis sculpture.  

Now in the Walled City one can walk up the walls and see the coast from side or take the magnificent view of the quiet streets at night.

And in such a magical city the gift of a sincere smile could be in any corner. 

If shopping is your thing there will be plenty of opportunities even after sunset. Life does not stop here at night.

Sunset is simply when Cartagena is most alive — when is most vibrant.

Hasta pronto,

Paloma