Colombia (Lonely Planet, 5th Edition) - Jens Porup [113]
You can also take a city tour in a horse-drawn carriage, which gives a glance of Bocagrande and the walled city. The carriages start gathering at the corner of Av San Martín and Calle 4 in Bocagrande around 4pm to 5pm and depart from there up until midnight. A one-hour tour that takes in the waterfront to the old town costs from COP$40,000 to COP$45,000. After a run around the main streets of the walled city they return via either Av San Martín or the waterfront, whichever you prefer. There are also nighttime tours Click here, which are more a party parade than a sightseeing tour.
For tours to Isla del Rosario, Click here; for Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, Click here.
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Festivals & Events
Feria Taurina (Jan) The bullfighting season takes place at the bullring on Av Pedro de Heredia during the first week of the year.
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Feb 2) The day of Cartagena’s patron saint. A solemn procession is held on that day at the Convento de la Popa, during which the faithful carry lit candles. Celebrations begin nine days earlier, the so-called Novenas, when pilgrims flock to the convent.
Reinado Nacional de Belleza (Nov) The national beauty pageant celebrates Cartagena’s independence day. Miss Colombia, the beauty queen, is elected on November 11, the high point of the event. The fiesta, which includes street dancing, music and fancy-dress parades, strikes up several days before the pageant and the city goes wild. The event, also known as the Carnaval de Cartagena or Fiestas del 11 de Noviembre, is the city’s most important annual bash.
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Sleeping
Cartagena has a reasonable choice of accommodations and, despite its touristy status, the prices of its hotels remain reasonable compared to other large cities. The tourist peak is from late December to late January but, even then, it’s relatively easy to find a room.
Most travelers stay within the walled city. In this area, Getsemaní is the principal area of budget accommodations, while El Centro and San Diego shelter the old city’s top-end hotels.
BUDGET
Budget travelers will find several choices in the Getsemaní area, especially on Calle de la Media Luna. Many are dives but there are a few clean and safe options. The area has cleaned up its act of late (we said its act, not its streets, mind you) and is generally safe to walk around at night.
Hotel Holiday ( 664 0948; www.holidayhostelcaribe.com; Calle de la Media Luna No 10-47, Getsemaní; dm/s/d COP$15,000/20,000/30,000) The long, narrow courtyard here is the gathering place for a sociable crowd that surely must mind the incredibly unmemorable rooms, but digs the lesser dent a stay makes to their bank accounts.
North Star Hostel ( 655 0241; Carrera 3 No 8-96, Bocagrande; dm COP$15,000-20,000; ) As cheap as it gets in Bocagrande, this newer hostel offers hotel-level kitchens and bathrooms and nice air-conditioned dorms on a bustling street on the peninsula. It’s near plenty of great restaurants, just two blocks from the beach, and a quick COP$1000 bus ride to the old town.
Casa Viena ( 664 6242; www.casaviena.com; Calle San Andrés No 30-53, Getsemaní; dm with air-con COP$15,000, d with/without bathroom COP$40,000/32,000; ) This longtime Austrian-run staple is on a rowdy street in Getsemaní. There’s a helpful staff of Colombians who don’t speak English, but charm their point across. The dorm is cramped but wonderfully cold, and the freebies here are considerable (internet, coffee – even local calls), but it must be said you are sacrificing somewhat here on comfort and price in exchange for camaraderie and information. The reluctance to accept reservations is highly irritating.
Hotel Familiar ( 664 2464; Calle El Guerrero No 29-66, Getsemaní; s COP$17,000, d from COP$32,000) Another no-frills Getsemaní option that offers a little more peace and quiet than other budget joints. The mazelike second floor is interesting and some of the rooms have massive