Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Well deserving of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena de Indias is steeped with history. In Cartagena, one can experience the modern offerings of Boca Grande, with its tall office buildings and high rise condominium living with ocean view and the old world that is Ciudad Antigua. The restaurants in Boca Grande are mostly fastfood with a sprinkling of fine dining restaurants. I found Cartagena generally expensive especially when ordering seafood but the quality of food and the service can very well convince you why that is.

We stayed in Ciudad Antigua, as recommended by L and he sure knows what he was talking about. Ciudad Antigua should be experienced in romantic splendor (forgive the drama queen - I felt like renewing my vows while there) as suggested by the interiors, surrounding architecture and service of Hotel Sofitel Sta. Clara.This hotel used to be a Monastery during the Spanish occupation with the layout of the inner building (the hotel expanded around it) virtually unchanged and where one can still see some of the original walls from that era (1700s).

One does pay a premium visiting a world heritage site but I'm sure it can be done cheaper as Cartagena has a lot to offer travelers on different budgets. Regardless of offering, every accomodation in Ciudad Antigua is expensive because of maintenance and restoration costs - they do have a standard to uphold - so, for those who want to spend less, there are many hotels and private rentals in Bocagrande that are just a tad cheaper (if you want beachfront view, then you pay the price too). Staying some 10 - 15 minutes away by cab from these 2 places, I think brings the rent down, but I'm just guessing. Cab is cheap (we took a 20 minute cab ride for 8,000 Pesos, roughly $4 or no more than 5) but needs to be negotiated before hand.

Nevertheless, be ready to shell out some hard earned cash to really experience the place.