Highly recommended
The jewel in the crown of the colonial Caribbean, this fine 16C fortified city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Cartagena de Indias is proud of its sturdy ramparts and its fortress. Houses painted bright or pastel colours, built out of stone or hard coral, with interior patios and wooden balconies decorated with flowering plants: it's a pleasure to meander about the narrow winding streets in the shade of the wall, around bustling little squares and shady cafés.