Cartagena Day 1: Arrival
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We’re excited to share with you that we’re taking our first trip to Latin America of the year, a special 2-week Valentine’s day trip to Cartagena and Playa del Carmen. We’ll be sharing some of what we discover each day in a series of posts. Each one will be pretty short (we have some exploring to do), but hopefully what we learn on our trip will give you some tips and tricks for your own journey.
We arrived in Cartagena today after a seriously long trip, capped off by an even longer immigration line. Imagine going to Disney land in peak season without a priority pass, and you’ll pretty much understand what an ordeal it was. For us, it was two and a half hours standing shoulder to shoulder with our fellow travelers in a room with fan-controlled air conditioned. We think we saw someone bribe one of the attendants to get to the front of the line, and someone actually passed out while we were there!
But once we finally arrived at our hotel, our excitement energized us enough to start our exploration. Plus with rain in the forecast there’s no better time like the present to start exploring.
Here was the plan from our first-day itinerary:
Your Cartagena journey begins in the vibrant heart of Getsemaní, a neighborhood alive with color, music, and street art. After settling into your hotel, step outside and let the district introduce itself. Wander along Calle de la Sierpe, admire the murals splashed across the walls, and pause in Plaza de la Trinidad, where locals gather and the energy is unmistakably Caribbean.
For lunch, return to Getsemaní for a comforting, coastal meal at La Cocina de Pepina, a beloved spot serving traditional Colombian dishes with heart and heritage.
As the afternoon cools, walk toward the walled city. Enter through the clock tower at Plaza de los Coches, then drift through Calle Santo Domingo, Calle de la Factoria, and the sweet‑filled Portal de los Dulces. When the sun begins to sink, climb onto Las Murallas, the centuries‑old city walls, and follow them toward Baluarte de Santo Domingo for a golden‑hour panorama.
Finally follow the wall south to El Baluarte San Francisco Javier, a tapas bar with a terrace overlooking the water. You can dine there or end your evening back in Getsemaní with dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Because we unfortunately had to start our day a bit late, we had to skip a lot of the walking tour through the old city. We did make it to the Baluarte, however, ALMOST in time for the sunset. El Baluarte is a stunning cabana bar situated smack dab on top of the old walls, featuring live music, beautiful views of the ocean and old city, and delicious cocktails and drinks. It has a classically luxurious Cartagena ambiance mixed with spendid outdoor views. It was a spectacular introduction to the city. There was even a fireworks show just above the cabana that, we humbly believe, was staged to welcome us.
Later that evening we tried another excellent local bar, The Alquimista, whose mixologists create imaginative twists on classic cocktails. The Paloma with Tamarind and Mezcal was the best Paloma I’ve ever had in my life. The deconstructed Pina Coladas, made with Havana 7 (way better than Bacardi), were a tasty surprise, with a coconut candy taking the place of the traditional coconut milk foam.
Here is a visual journey of our first day. Check back tomorrow for more updates from our trip!
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About
Our Journey.
It all began in Guadalajara, the creative heart of Jalisco, where our stay at the award-winning La Perla BnB sparked our devotion to Latin American boutique stays, exceptional hospitality, and meaningful storytelling. That inspiration continues to guide everything we create at Jet Set LatAM — a modern travel platform dedicated to showcasing Latin luxury, signature stays, and immersive cultural experiences. rom wine valleys in Argentina to colonial cities in Mexico, every journey we share is rooted in mindful travel and authentic cultural connection.
At Jet Set LatAM, our mission is to bring the luxury spotlight to Latin America — celebrating the vibrant destinations, heritage, and artistry that define this region’s quiet elegance.
About
Our Journey.
It all began in Guadalajara, the creative heart of Jalisco, where our stay at the award-winning La Perla BnB sparked our devotion to Latin American boutique stays, exceptional hospitality, and meaningful storytelling. That inspiration continues to guide everything we create at Jet Set LatAM — a modern travel platform dedicated to showcasing Latin luxury, signature stays, and immersive cultural experiences. rom wine valleys in Argentina to colonial cities in Mexico, every journey we share is rooted in mindful travel and authentic cultural connection.
At Jet Set LatAM, our mission is to bring the luxury spotlight to Latin America — celebrating the vibrant destinations, heritage, and artistry that define this region’s quiet elegance.
