The Magic of Cartagena

Wow! What a week we experienced. We were not sure what to expect but Cartagena exceeded our expectations for sure. Known for its energy, street art, cuisine, hot sunny weather and history, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in South America... and now I can understand why. One question people kept asking me before I left was, "Is it safe?". I never felt unsafe and people were very welcoming but like anywhere you go you have to be aware of your surroundings. " No des papaya" is something you will hear over and over again in Columbia, and it means do not give someone the opportunity to take advantage of you. So, be smart and be aware, and you will be safe. We decided to stay just outside the walled city in New Cartagena, also known as Bocagrande. Since we prefer to stay further away from the touristy areas this was the perfect location. It was a 45 mins walk (so we mostly walked in extreme heat) to the city or a $5 cab ride (negotiate prices before gettin...