A Photo Tour through Cartagena, Colombia

Six Months in South America, Part 23

Whenever I arrive to a new city, I like to sign up for a free walking tour to get a better feel for the area. You can spot the local guides holding a red umbrella or wearing a distinct T-shirt, and join them for a two to three-hour ramble around town.

In Cartagena, Colombia, a city known for its bright and brilliant street art and Afro-Caribbean influence, I took a walking tour through the downtown district and also visited the Islas del Rosario, a group of islands off the Caribbean coast.  

We learned about Cartagena’s diverse history, saw vibrant murals and street art, and even spied a sloth hanging around in the public park.

Cartagena felt alive, even in the dead of summer, when it was too hot to function; the city was bustling with movement and color.