travel south america columbia cartagena around the city
Cartagena is a city of contrasts...
Approaching Cartagena from the Caribbean Sea, we can see the bastion of the Old Town to our left that is part of the oldest and largest Spanish fortifications in the Americas.
To the right of this is the modern upscale highrise part of the city, Boca Grande, built on a spit of land protecting the harbor.
Our cruise ship passes to the right of Boca Grande and turns into the main harbor to dock in the commercial container district.
Leaving the dock area to visit the tourist areas, we pass through some of the poorer parts of the "modern" city where most of the locals seem to live.
Unlike the rest of the city, the tourist areas are highly secured by the presence of multiple levels of "police."
Like in many Central and South American cultures, the disparity between the rich and poor is very evident.
Even so, there was no point in our visit that we had any reason to feel threatened.
Unlike our own southern borders at this point in history, the cartels we have heard so much about are not apparent.
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON CARTAGENA
TRAVEL:
November 2011 -
This location has earned an over-all three-and-a-half star (good+) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
***1/2
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Google Earth map view, Cartagena, Columbia.
View of part of the modern side of the city from the cruise ship, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
The Muelle de los Pegasos, (flying horses), don the waterfront connection between mainland and Boca Grande, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
The church of Iglesia de Ermita, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Carrera 22 where it crosses the Canal Bazuirto, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Bus service along Avenida Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
The condition of the sidewalk shown here seemed very typical of many locations.
Uniformed school children coming home from school, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
The modern section of Boca Grande, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
These homes on the hillside were probaably on the above average side of typical residences, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Steps between hillside houses and the flatlands below, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
These women in their shaded patio on a hillside street seemed to be discussing the pros and cons of tourists, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Busy window on laundry day, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Local security system, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
View of the hilltop Monesterio de Pupa from the cruise ship, Cartagena, Columbia, 2011.
Boca Grande is to the left and the older town to the right.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised may 2023