Colombia day 8: from Palomino to Cartagena de Indias.

Submitted by maria on Sat, 15/09/2018 - 19:55

We get up at six, we have a tough day ahead of us. We have to go back to Santa Marta to pick up our backpacks and take a bus to our next destination Cartagena.

 

Palomino Beach

Palomino beach

 

We would have loved to do the hike to Ciudad Perdida but in September it is closed for the indigenous people to do cleaning ceremonies at the site, so we didn't have a chance, you always have to leave something to come back.

Juli, the owner of the apartment in Santa Marta, recommends that we take the bus to Cartagena that leaves from the center of town because it makes fewer stops than the bus station. It is about 6 blocks from the Parque de los Novios.

The bus stops at Taganga and Barranquilla. When entering Barranquilla a tremendous storm falls and it takes an hour to get to the center of the city, the traffic is chaotic.

 

Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias

 

 

We arrive 6 hours later in Cartagena, the driver leaves us near our accommodation located within the walled area.

 

Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias

 

Cartagena is a very colourful and lively city, it is the most visited place in the whole country and it is not surprising, but the prices are much more expensive than in the rest of the country.

 

Hairdresser shop in Cartagena de Indias

Hairdresser shop in Cartagena de Indias

 

 

It is important to choose well the location of the accommodation, if you do it inside the walled area as we did you can walk quietly until late at night.

 

 

Bus from Palomino to Santa Marta 10.000 COP.

3 blocks 4.500 COP.

2 Croissant 10.000 COP.

Taxi from the market station to the apartment: 5.000 COP.

Bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena 42.000 COP per pax.

Beers 3 to 4.000 COP each in the patio of a restaurant.

Dinner at Queero Arepa 63.000 COP 3 pax. (salty arepas, sweet arepas ... delicious).

Lodging: Hotel Santa Cruz 135.000 COP room 3 pax with bathroom and breakfast.