Photographing Cartagena Colombia: Old City, Walled City & Best Views
Previous: Exploring the Colombian Amazon
After surviving the Amazon, I thought Cartagena would feel cool.
It did not.
It is very, very hot in August. So hot that I basically didn’t go outside from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Which, actually, isn’t that far off my normal travel schedule. I get up early to photograph sunrise, retreat to the comfort of an air-conditioned room during the middle of the day, and head back out for sunset.
Cartagena is beautiful. Like, really beautiful.
If you’re over 40, there’s a good chance the first thing that pops into your head when someone says “Cartagena” is the movie Romancing the Stone.
That was certainly one of my first thoughts.
Little did I know that when the movie was made, filming in Cartagena wasn’t really practical because of security concerns and the drug cartels. The “Cartagena” you see in the movie was actually filmed in Mexico.
Yes, a little disappointing.
Fortunately, the real Cartagena is well worth the effort.
Surrounded by roughly 11 kilometers of old Spanish defensive walls and easily explored on foot, the historic center is a maze of colorful colonial architecture, churches, plazas, balconies, and narrow streets where it’s very easy to lose yourself.
In a good way.
Photographing Cartagena
Looking for that classic panorama of Cartagena’s Spanish cathedral with the high-rise buildings of Bocagrande rising in the background?
Look no further than the rooftop of Hotel Movich, where you can order a wildly overpriced cocktail or beer while enjoying one of the best views in the city.
I went twice to photograph Cartagena in different light.
It’s worth it. Really. This one viewpoint will eventually become a full-sheet watercolor batik—and that painting alone could pay for the entire trip.
This is the iconic Cartagena photograph you see in brochures and all over the internet.
Speaking of iconic photographs, I also spent most of my three days in Cartagena searching for a location that apparently doesn’t exist.
Seriously.
You can read more about that adventure in my blog post HERE.
Original painting and fine art prints available
Pro Photography Tip
There are some excellent views of the Old City churches from Calle Larga, just east of the historic center.
You’ll also find great viewpoints along Avenida Venezuela—as long as you’re comfortable dodging oncoming traffic.
Purchase this original watercolor painting & fine art prints
Early in the morning, when there’s very little traffic, it’s actually pretty easy.
I had a great time simply exploring the streets and alleyways of the Old City and the neighborhoods immediately to the east. Cartagena is one of those places where you don’t necessarily need a destination. Just start walking.
The rooftop at The Townhouse hotel also deserves a visit.
They had Tres Cordilleras beer—my favorite from Colombia.
So obviously I conducted extensive research.
Is Cartagena Safe?
Before this trip, I was worried about safety in Colombia.
Like, really worried.
I’d read so many horror stories online, on Instagram, Facebook, and travel forums that during my first two days in Medellín I was constantly looking over my shoulder.
You absolutely need to remain aware of your surroundings. I also made deliberate choices about when and where I carried my expensive camera equipment. I didn’t take it into downtown Medellín, for example.
But during two weeks in Colombia, the only actual crime I witnessed was a guy sprinting down the street carrying a woman’s purse.
About 500 feet behind him was the woman’s boyfriend—or friend, husband, whoever—running after him and yelling something.
The police were on the scene about ten minutes later.
Made for an interesting dinner show.
Free of charge.
One Photography Spot You Can Skip
Another photography tip: I visited the newer mall on the east side of the Old City because it looked like there might be fantastic views looking west toward Cartagena’s historic skyline.
There might be.
But apparently you need to go into an expensive restaurant to access the best one.
Other parts of the mall with potentially fantastic views were closed to the public.
Unless you actually need to go shopping, I wouldn’t bother visiting the mall for photography.
Walk the old Spanish walls instead.
Much better.
My Final Day in Cartagena
By my last day in Cartagena, I was dragging.
My feet were a mess after two weeks of traveling. My sneakers needed to be thrown away.
Actually, I left them on the street the morning I departed.
They were gone within ten minutes.
Gross!
I had about six hours between checking out of my hotel and catching my flight. I knew that if I spent those six hours walking around Cartagena in the midday heat, I’d arrive at the airport as a hot, sweaty, smelly mess.
Nobody wants to sit next to that guy on an airplane.
Rather than camp out in a café with all my luggage, I headed to the airport early and used the time to start writing about everything I’d experienced during my two weeks in Colombia.
One warning: Cartagena’s airport doesn’t have a lot of seating or tables.
Luckily, I snagged one.
I sat down, cooled off, started writing, and had a comfortable place to wind down the adventure before flying back through Medellín.
After the Amazon, Medellín, Bogotá, and Cartagena, I was exhausted.
My shoes were apparently beginning their new life with someone else. My feet needed recovery. A lot of recovery.
And I had thousands of photographs waiting for me at home.
Not a bad way to end Colombia.
References:
Hotels
Mariel Hotel Cartagena offers modern accommodations in a convenient location, providing easy access to Cartagena’s colorful Old Town, historic landmarks, Caribbean beaches, and vibrant dining scene—an excellent choice for travelers exploring Colombia’s most iconic coastal city. I stayed at this hotel- great location
Palacio del Agua by Faranda Boutique– is an elegant boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Walled City, blending beautifully restored colonial architecture with modern comforts. Its central location makes it easy to explore colorful streets, historic plazas, rooftop restaurants, museums, and the Caribbean waterfront, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking an authentic Cartagena experience.
OZ Hotel Collection– offers stylish, modern accommodations just a short walk from Bocagrande Beach, making it an excellent choice for travelers who want to enjoy Cartagena’s beautiful Caribbean coastline while remaining just minutes from the colorful streets and historic landmarks of the UNESCO-listed Walled City.
VOILÁ Centro Histórico is a stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Walled City, offering modern comforts just steps from colorful colonial streets, historic churches, lively plazas, rooftop restaurants, and the beautiful Caribbean waterfront.
Coffee
Unfortunately, most bakeries and coffee shops in don’t open until 8 a.m. For photographers chasing summer sunrises, that means being up hours before your first shot of caffeine—an impossible situation. I was convinced I’d die of coffee deprivation before then. My advice: stock up the day before on supermarket iced coffees and drink just enough to survive until the cafés open (a strategy I tested and can confirm works).
There are a lot of coffee shops in the city- go to one surrounding the main square.
Tours
Find things to do in – day trips (museums and public transport), and more:
Travel Guides
Here is the recently published Lonely Planet Guide. This is what I used to plan the trip (in conjunction with the all-beloved internet):
Another travel guide available for :
Flights:
Buses are slow and long in Colombia- which is much larger than I thought. For long distance trips I flew:
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting