Our 9-day Viva Cartagena tour has you spending two full days in Cartagena, a beautiful colonial UNESCO world heritage spot and a must-see destination on any itinerary in Colombia. On the first day, you’ll have a free day to relax after a week of visiting tour destinations or take some time away from the group and do some solo exploring.

For inspiration on what to do in Cartagena, we love this article. However, be careful not to do any repeats!

Here’s what you’ll already be doing in Cartagena as a part of our Vive Más Tour:

1. Explore The Walled City

2. Take A Walking Tour

4. See the Street Art Of Getsemani Neighborhood

5. Visit Castillo De San Felipe De Barajas

6. Stroll Along The City Walls At Sunset

If you want to explore something we won't do as a group, consider our top seven favorite ways to spend a day in Cartagena:

Enjoy a premier dining lunch experience at Celele. Celele is within a block from our hotel in the Getsemani neighborhood, and was voted one of the top fifty restaurants in all of South America four years in a row. They’re currently number 16 on the list. Celele offers up traditional Coastal Colombian fare with an elegant twist, led by one of the best chefs in Colombia. Lunch reservations are a little flexible, with some reservations available as soon as the next day. But it’s better to reserve in advance, that way you’re guaranteed a spot.

2. Hear Ghost Stories at the Naval Museum of the Caribbean. You can hire an English-speaking guide when you arrive and learn about the pirates (British & Spanish) that fought to take control of this important port city. The museum is built around a cemetery, so there are a lot of legends about ghosts in the building.

3. See the Colombian National Aviary on Baru Island. This well-done aviary has everything from flamingos to condors to macaws in several different habitats. You can go on a day tour, book with an agency in Cartagena upon arrival, or hire a taxi for more flexibility.

4. Visit Rosario Islands by catamaran or speed boat. This group of 27 islands feature pristine beaches, chilled-out island vibes, and a break from the heat of Cartagena! Our travelers have enjoyed this tour (which includes snorkeling), although have said it is a little rustic. They recommend bringing a book to enjoy during some of the downtime at the beach.

Travel smart: Read our top 7 tips for travel safety in Colombia

5. Coffee tasting experience. You’ve been to the mountains and picked the berries, but what is the best way to brew it in your kitchen? Cartagena has many options for coffee tastings: check with San Alberto if they have availability, or just a couple blocks from our Cartagena hotel is the Hi Cartagena Tasting Room.

6. Get a four hands massage at Uraku. In Boulder CO, where we’re based, a four hands massage will run you about $218 for an hour. In Cartagena, a four hands massage comes with a steep discount, thanks to the strength of the dollar: an hour will only cost about $360,000 pesos, or ~$92 USD. After a week of travel (plus, our big hike usually happens two days prior to your free day in Cartagena), it’s nice to lay back and relax in a spa. You can make reservations here, although you can usually decide the day of and still get in.

Before you go: download our three essential apps for traveling in Colombia

7. Go Emerald Shopping. Colombian Emeralds are said to be the best quality emeralds in the world, due to their warm hues and apparent fluorescence. While emeralds may be a little more expensive in Cartagena than they are in Bogotá (since they have to fly the emeralds further from the mines), the Cartagena emerald stores might be a more comfortable shopping experience. The stores all offer a welcome respite from the heat, and the salespeople are all quick to show you the price calculation in dollars and talk to you about the jewels in English. Our favorite place to go emerald shopping in Cartagena is Lucy Jewelry, a family-owned business founded and led by women (just like Vive Más Tours!)

What adventure will you choose in Cartagena?