Top Things to do in Bolivar Department
Top Hotels in Bolivar Department
- 1. Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort
- 2. Hyatt Regency Cartagena
- 3. Hotel Las Americas Casa de Playa
- 4. Hotel Cartagena Plaza
- 5. Hotel Estelar Playa Manzanillo
- 6. Hotel Las Americas Torre del Mar
- 7. Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros, an IHG Hotel
- 8. ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias Hotel & Convention Centre
- 9. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara
- 10. Hilton Cartagena Hotel
10 Things to do Good for Couples in Bolivar Department That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Bolivar Department, Colombia including Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Walled City of Cartagena, Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver, Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de San Diego, Iglesia de la Trinidad, Centro Historico de Santa Cruz de Mompox, Caribe Jewelry Museum & Factory, Casa Museo Rafael Nunez, Jardin Botanico de Cartagena Guillermo Pineres.
Restaurants in Bolivar Department
1. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,870 reviews
Cartagena was always a desirable conquest for pirates and enemies of the Spanish Crown; and for this reason, the defense of the city from these threats was a question of priority for its inhabitants from the first decades of the existence of the city. Once the primitive nucleus of Cartagena and the outlying district of Getsemani were fortified, there was a need to erect a structure on San Lazaro Hill that would prevent an enemy attack from its peak, since the hill dominated the walls and the only entrance to the city, the Media Luna Entrance in Getsemani. In addition, this hill was the intermediate point between the city and the nearby Popa Peak, where some heavy guns and canons were installed between 1769 and 1780 to cross fire with the castle and make an enemy attack more difficult from the large beach of Playon Grande in Pie de la Popa.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
A hilltop fortress (but just a 5-minute-or-so walk up from the bottom) with a "quite sprawling" area above the ramparts, this is really a site for a "high-ground walk" in I would categorize as generally 3 parts: the Central Part with the "national flag" (a good-sized one for a nice photo-op) where there's also a tunnel to go down below which connects with the North Part (a straight walk for just about 5 minutes to the other side but where inside are also some "diverging paths" to wander around a bit); the North Part which is the "most spacious" of the three where there's also like a higher promenade along its one side for some direct views to outside through the openings among the battlements alongside; and the South Part which is actually a 2-level one with its upper level being the "highest part" of the entire fortress (and likely due to that physical position being the "most number" of cannons of the Fortress to be found at that specific location). And yes, to enjoy above apart from spacious grounds are also great views all around especially to the south with just a "pretty phenomenal" view of the city's skyline (generally around the Bocagrande Beach area with really quite a number of modern high-rises spread along an impressive length!) and also to the east with La Popa Hill (a distant-but-clear view of its convent on top with actually also interestingly some of the cannons of this fortress pointed in that direction for some "unique scene" I would say). Just somewhat on the downside though (not personally for me) is that this is a site pretty much "all outdoor" except for some rest shelters, but be sure not to miss the small souvenir shop on the upper level of the South Part (which despite its size has a pretty good collection of a variety of souvenirs). If coming from the "Walled City", after coming out of its east side is just about a half-hour walk pretty much just a straight way (until arriving at the north end of the Fortress which is where to turn right for a further short walk to the ticket entrance), and also to pass by "at about halfway" along the way is the India Catalina statue right beside a big lake (one commemorating the tribal woman who accompanied Conquistador Pedro de Heredia in his quest to establish Cartagena). And actually as for statues, there's also one right at the bottom of this fortress (just to the left after coming back out of the ticket entrance) which is just somewhat of an interesting one featuring a "sword-weilding" commander or such (with my initial impression being one for the Spanish defenders in the 1740's War, but the inscription below mentioning actually being one for the British attackers!).
2. Walled City of Cartagena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,769 reviews
Reviewed By midwaytoheaven - Midway, United States
A PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM! We loved exploring both the inside and outside of the Old City Walls of Cartagena. It is amazing that these walls still exist and standing after hundreds of years of history. Boy, if these walls could talk what stories they would tell. A MUST SEE when visiting Caratgena. BOTTOM LINE: What a fun place to see so much history in a compact area. You can wall atop many parts of the wall and get a different perspective of the old city, too. We found it fun strolling the old narrow cobblestone streets, seeing the Cartagena Cathedral, San Pedro Church, city hall, customs house square, shops, jewelry stores, historical statues, seeing street vendors, Yellow Clock squared and more. Plan to spend several hours strolling the streets and better appreciate the flavor of this walled old city. MY RATING: 9/10. Most of the old colonial homes have been nicely restored. You'll see some beautiful flowered balconies down every street. A photographers dream location. Photo and selfie stops around every corner!
3. Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,829 reviews
Four hundred years ago jesuits established in Cartagena and founded a school and a church in downtown. During the XVII century a father called Pedro Claver dedicated all his life to the protection of the african slaves and became saint 300 hundred years later. To keep alive his legacy, jesuits came back to the city at the end of XIX century and started to collect pieces for a museum that includes precolombian, religious and african caribbean art and, of course, the chamber and other spaces where the saint lived and died. Nowadays it is the museum with the most complete collection of religious art in Colombian coast, and the building preserves the spirit of Claver, the spirit of Human Rights.
Reviewed By ruthandvern - Wilton, United States
Not only is this a museum, it leads to the sanctuary. Within the exterior walls there is a wondrous courtyard full of plants and calm and quiet. The plants and flowers just light up the buildings. On three floors there are colections of ceramics of the saint's, his cell, the most complete collection of of religious art in the area, African arts and crafts both old and new. Workmen were working on the roof of the sanctuary and brought supplies up the narrow winding staircase from the sanctuary to the choral loft and on up to the bell tower. The tower was not available for viewing.
4. Plaza Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,902 reviews
Reviewed By tripswithtai - Jamaica, United States
Lots of local artists, sculptors and gem enthusiasts will approach you! Lots of beautiful art in the plaza and a beautiful statue of the plump saint
5. Plaza de San Diego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,248 reviews
Reviewed By S3035BAnancym
Wonderful place to see life just happening - great restaurants, historical sights, street food vendors, street vendors, and families and friends just hanging out.
6. Iglesia de la Trinidad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By alexismday - London, United Kingdom
We accidentally stumbled onto the most gorgeous wedding service taking place in this incredible church. The music moved us to tears it was breathtaking. Architecturally it is stunning. Please do visit, maybe takr in a church service if you can (we did a few days later) and was marvellous. Wow.
7. Centro Historico de Santa Cruz de Mompox
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By pepertje
We went there by Unitransco bus from Cartagena for 70.000 single journey, tickets bought by internet with a trafel agengy. The terminal of the bus is 12 km from the old city of Cartagena. Taxi cost 30.000 one way. We did a boattrip on the Magdalena river and we saw many different birds and iguana's,you could also swim in the river. The atmosphere in Mompox is very relaxed and save and the prices are much lower than in Cartagena. We stayed in Cafe Mompox whicht was a very nice kolonial house with a helpfull family.
8. Caribe Jewelry Museum & Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,873 reviews
Reviewed By Orovalley2001 - Tucson, United States
We were given a chance to make our own emerald necklace and purchase some at a great discount. The mockup of an actual mine was very interesting.
9. Casa Museo Rafael Nunez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
This is the house where Rafael Nunez lived and died, a most illustrious Cartagenero who sat as president of Colombia at four different ocassions. Inside this house, fundamental ideas were born that later would create one of Colombia's biggest political reforms in the 19th Century: The Constitution of 1886. This was colombia's guideline document until 1991, year in which the current Carta Magna was signed.
Reviewed By PaulF460 - St. Petersburg, United States
Interesting airy house just outside the wall. Great furniture. Small park across the street. Small collage exhibit. Free.
10. Jardin Botanico de Cartagena Guillermo Pineres
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