With Cruise lines now including Cartegena in more of their itineraries, I thought it would be nice to give us a thread to post information on this particular port of call, so here it is!
Cartagena de Indias is a large city seaport on the northern coast of Colombia. Capital of the Bolívar Department, it is the fifth largest urban area in Colombia. Founded in 1533 by Spaniard Don Pedro de Heredia, and named after the port of Cartagena in Spain's Murcia region.
A Street in Cartegena
Today, Cartegena continues to be the economic hub of the Caribbean region as well as a popular tourist destination.
Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 along with Lima.
Cartagena de Indias also averages around 90% humidity, with a rainy season typically in April-May and October-November.
Its important to note, that though the climate tends to be hot generally throughout the year, its always windy, and that is a factor to have in account that makes the climate livable and even comfortable. The months of November to February tend to be the most windy months in the year, giving an extra cooling to the low temperatures of those months.
I never realized how hot and windy it is there! I knew it was hot, but just never looked at how hot! The lowest average low temps are 74. Too hot for me.
This calendar will make your vacation planning easier. It includes all festivities, holidays and major events that take place in Cartagena. Days in red are official holidays. Days in blue are events that take place in Cartagena.
High Season(blue squares): December 15th - January 15th, Holy Week (Easter Holy Day), June 20th - July 20 th.
Low Season: Rest of the year (exceptions are noted on the calendar).
We suggest that international travelers consider dates during the low season to obtain the best hotel rates and encounter fewer crowds.
Holidays in Colombia are FIXED: They are the same calendar day, each year. For example: July 20 is Colombi'a Independence from Spain, Christmas Day is December 25, and New Years Day is Jan. 1.
Mobile Emiliani Law: These holidays are moved to the next Monday to enhance free time. For Example: Columbus Day October 12th falls on Sunday, so the next day, Monday the 13th is a no work day.
Here's some excerpts from another interesting page... with a link to see it all, if interested:
ARRIVING BY CRUISE SHIP-TIPS ON HAVING FUN
Discover the truth about personal safety in Cartagena
Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists arrive at our modern Port for a brief visit to Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias was the most important city on the main sea route, then known as: "The Spanish Main". The city held vaults full of gold, silver, emeralds and other treasures looted from the indigenous peoples of the continent, and Central America. Annually, when good sailing months permitted, the hoards were shipped to the treasury of the King of Spain. Because of her stored wealth, Cartagena was high on the "hit list" for the pirates.
And, from farther down the page:
Some of your shipmates will not get off the ship in Cartagena. Others, who are equally un informed, will venture off the ship, but remain in the port, so they can brag to their friends: "I was in Colombia". The usual response will be: "you were where?…are you crazy?"
Cartagena is not representative of Colombia, and there is little to worry about when it comes to your personal safety. The city, and in particular, the old walled portion called El Centro, is clean, safe, fun and romantic. Those who are not as informed as you, will be the big losers if they miss this golden opportunity to visit one of the greatest cities in South America
And, finally, a link to read the whole article for yourself. It's worth a couple minutes of your time, I think!
Of course, the above article IS meant to encourage a visit to the city, but to the credit of the authors, there is also some straight talk about what to avoid, what to do and what not to do to stay safe.
Travel Warning United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Wed Dec 31 09:08:42 2008.
COLOMBIA
August 07, 2008
This Travel Warning updates and reminds American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Colombia. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Colombia issued February 05, 2008.
Violence has decreased markedly in many urban areas; however, the level of violence in Buenaventura remains high. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists. Common crime remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas. For additional details about the general criminal threat, please see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Colombia.
The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak at the beginning of this decade. Nevertheless, terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one is immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. Kidnapping in rural areas is of particular concern. On July 2, 2008, the Government of Colombia rescued 15 hostages, including three Americans, who had been held for more than 5 years. Although the U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently, the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.
(my note: I thought the next paragraph was rather telling!)
U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but normally only by air. They cannot use inter- or intra-city bus transportation, or travel by road outside urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions.
As the Department develops information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at Welcome to Travel.State.Gov. U.S. citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at Important Warden Message for American Citizens in Colombia, as well as the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Colombia and the Worldwide Caution at Welcome to Travel.State.Gov. U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or for overseas callers, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
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The lowest average low temps are 74. Too hot for me.
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