Activities Beyond the City

Colombia has over 2,000 recorded bird species, more than any other country on earth, and the Cartagena Aviary gives you one of the most accessible introductions to that biodiversity you'll find anywhere. Exotic birds fly freely through walk-through enclosures, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. Plan this as a full day trip since it's a long journey out with no cell service along the way, so coordinate your transport in advance and arrange your return before you leave. The cooler months between December and March are ideal, and we strongly recommend arriving right when it opens at 9 a.m. before the heat builds. From there, call ahead to Casa Manglares (ask for Olga at playamanglares.com) to arrange lunch on a beautiful property a few minutes away, fresh local food right on the water, and some of the best patacones we've ever had. You're well positioned from there to find a quiet stretch of beach and cool off before the journey back.

Activities Centro Historico

For decades, horse-drawn carriages were one of the signature ways to explore Cartagena's Walled City. Under Mayor Dumek Turbay and a coalition of animal rights groups, all 120 horses have been retired and replaced with a fleet of fully electric carriages that look almost identical to the originals — same old-timey colonial aesthetic, zero emissions, and no animals involved. It's a genuinely thoughtful initiative and a great way to see the city.

Activities Centro Historico

Right next to Plaza Santo Domingo in the heart of the Walled City, Magno Chocolates is where Colombia's fine-flavor cacao story comes to life. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse cacao-producing countries in the world, and most visitors leave without ever knowing it. Our