City of Cartagena Colombia

Technically speaking, the larger city is composed of several suburbs as we know them. San Diego is where we went and prefer to stay. This is one of the ancient parts of the city, dating back to the 1600's - with a history of conquistadors and pirates. It is quaint, under a type of metamorphosis where old timer homes are being displaced with renovated buildings and tourist facilities. We stayed in two bed and breakfast hotels this trip. In its narrow streets, you will see few motorcycles, since they are banned here.  People walk but there are many taxis on the streets, taking tourists and residents to and fro. The cobblestone streets makes one feel like he is in a European city.

It can be quite warm during the heat of the day, but at this time of the year, it is tolerable. In the summer months one is less likely to go to the market in the heat of the day, but 90 degrees is not that bad at this time of the year.

The public beach near downtown is very busy and crowded with tourists and locals. From the beach there is quick and easy access to the downtown markets just a couple of blocks away. Here is a city on the Caribbean with a sheltered and guarded harbor.

Cars, carriages, bicycles, horses, donkeys and the whole works mix on the streets. It is a colorful place in terms of people, places and history.

Near San Diego, one can see the protected commercial port across the bay and the modern high rise downtown area where the very active beach is located.

At night, the place is lit up in colors that make tourists want to walk about and see.

In the plazas of the walled city of San Diego, there is a wide variety of entertainment from singing, dancing, juggling, and just about anything you can imagine.

During the day in one of the plazas, you might want to watch the guys play cards. They gambled with a few pesos- young and old.  The bottom left guy lost 10 American dollars that morning but was still in the game. I was unfamiliar with their game.

You might go out to a bar in the walled city to listen to music and talk. The surroundings are superb - sight, sound and people.

From the fortified wall, one can see the modern city as well as the ancient fortifications within.

Just outside the wall, there are very interesting markets - plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available.

Here, I stopped to purchase a new belt. It was customized for me. I walked out wearing my new 15 peso ($7) belt.

At night the spectacular fort guarding the city can be seen under its lights.

Occasionally, one will see the classical woman carrying fruit on her head.

Modern flashy malls are available also.

A tour through the fortress will provide great insight into the history of the place and how the structure was built to ward off pirates and other enemies arriving by ship.