Cartagena, Columbia

Our Colombian adventure kicked off with an overnight layover in Bogata and then a quick one-hour flight to Cartagena. After landing, a taxi whisked us away to Hotel Las Americas Casa de Playa, right on the ocean. The boys wasted no time, swapping travel clothes for swimsuits and jumping straight into the pool. They were excited to see there was a water slide, zooming down it over and over while Marshall and I relaxed and soaked in the sun. With the beach just steps away, we wandered over to the oceanfront, where the boys body surfed for a solid hour, riding waves like pros.

Lunch at the hotel was a welcome refuel, and after freshening up, we headed out to explore Cartagena’s famous old walled city. Our taxi dropped us near Centennial Park, a spot I’d read about, was home to monkeys and sloths. We kept our eyes peeled and it didn’t take long for the locals to spot us first—friendly hustlers eager to point out hidden animals for a tip. Sure enough, we spotted a sloth lounging high in a tree, thanks to one persistent local. After searching a few other trees, we saw some of the tiny monkeys hanging on branches as well. So cute!
​
Next, we stumbled into a courtyard swarming with pigeons. A man stood in the center, covered in birds, selling corn kernels to the tourists. The boys couldn’t resist. They bought a handful, sprinkled some in their palms, and within seconds, flocks of pigeons swooped down, pecking away at the boys. Nearby, a group of dancers performed a traditional vibrant dance, drawing a crowd in the park. 

​We capped the afternoon with a horse-and-carriage tour through the cobble stone streets. Our guide spoke only Spanish and didn’t give a rip that we obviously didn’t. He spent the whole time passionately telling us tales of the city that we couldn’t understand a darn word of — so we smiled, nodded, and pretended we were so amazed. It was a nice leisurely ride and we enjoyed soaking in all the sights anyway.

​Before dinner, we stopped at a quirky restaurant adorned with fish figures dangling from the ceiling to grab a quick refreshment before walking to a rooftop bar on the other side of the walled city. The views, the breeze, and the food made it a perfect first night.

​Day two started with a taxi ride to a beach where we met our tour guide for an island excursion. A 15-minute boat ride later, we arrived at our destination, strapped on motor cycle helmets, and hopped onto ATVs! We did a quick practice lap to prove we could drive then roared off, weaving through a small town littered with more trash than we’d ever seen—a stark contrast to the postcard-perfect Cartagena we’d seen so far. We paused at a historic fortress, where our guide shared snippets of its past, then tackled a steep, rocky hill. All our ATVs got stuck on the way up, so we had to go back down and wait for the guides to push them up to the top, but we made it! A short hike from there rewarded us with a jaw-dropping viewpoint overlooking Cartagena’s skyline. We were all completely covered in dust from head to toe when we returned from our adventure, but it was totally worth it!

Once we got back on the mainland, we returned to the hotel for some body surfing in the ocean and more pool time. After showering off the saltwater, we realized we didn’t get enough time in the walled city, so we ventured back to walk around and explore more for the evening. The streets were packed with people and lively music everywhere. Our favorite part may have been the puppeteers who were the best we’d ever seen. Really impressive story lines and complicated set ups.
​
Dinner was at (you guessed it) another rooftop restaurant, where Tyson decided to test his luck. He told our server it was his birthday (a month late, but who’s counting?), hoping for a super delicious dessert, but without any awkward birthday song. Instead, the DJ cut the music, switched to a lively Spanish birthday song, and our server paraded over with a chocolate cake topped with sparklers. Strangers joined in the singing, and Tyson turned beet red as we all laughed and sang along. There also happened to be live performers wandering around the restaurant, a belly dancer and a creepy guy swirling a ball around (the boys were not impressed with his questionable talent, lol).  

​We spent our final morning bouncing between the beach and the hotel pool before moving to a new hotel in the old town. I’d intended to save the old town for the last two days, but it was just too enticing, and we were excited to spend our remaining time seeing the rest of the sites. As soon as we got settled in, hunger hit, so we hunted down a cafe before we set off for San Felipe de Barajas Castle, a massive fortress with a maze of dark tunnels. The boys turned it into a game, hiding in nooks and popping out to scare us, their laughter echoed off the stone walls and definitely livened up the place and the experience.

​We were pretty tired after all that and decided to go back and lounge in the rooftop pool. We enjoyed the mesmerizing view that layered the old town’s colonial charm against the modern skyscrapers in the distance. After drying off, we hit the streets to shop. Art stores, clothing boutiques, and souvenir stalls lined the way. Wesley had his heart set on a super cool art piece statue of a man with half a body carrying a briefcase. We told him we’d browse more but could circle back tomorrow if he was sure he wanted to buy it. 

We’d booked dinner at our hotel’s rooftop restaurant, where we enjoyed a sunset that painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. The kitchen, unfortunately, was out of what Marshall and I wanted, so just the boys at dinner there. Afterward, we gave the kids some iPad time and slipped away to an Italian spot next door for an impromptu date night—a sweet end to our last evening. 

The next morning, we explored the hip neighborhood of  Getsemaní where you'll find the best street art in the city. By this point, Wesley’s was ready to go back to his favorite store to buy his coveted art piece before heading to the airport. He negotiated  a great price and was super excited to bring it home and display on his desk.

​Cartagena stole our hearts with its vibrant history, colorful streets, and endless character. From surfing and sloths to rooftop dinners and unexpected birthday serenades, every moment felt alive. It’s a city that blends the old and the new effortlessly. We’d highly recommend anyone interested to book a trip to experience it for yourself!