Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias sits on Colombia's Caribbean coast, a walled colonial city founded in the 16th century as a Spanish port for shipping gold and silver. The cruise terminal is close to the old walled city, and you can walk through the Puerta del Reloj clock tower gate into the historic centre within minutes. Inside the walls, colonial buildings with wooden balconies line narrow streets, and bougainvillea spills over courtyard walls. The Castillo de San Felipe, a large stone fortress on a hill above the city, is the most visited site. The old town is walkable and best explored without a plan, ducking into churches, squares and small museums as they appear. Street vendors sell fresh fruit cups and arepas de huevo, fried corn pockets stuffed with egg. Getsemaní, the neighbourhood just outside the city walls, has colourful street art and cheaper restaurants than the touristy plazas inside. Colombian pesos are the currency, and ATMs are easy to find in the old town.