Set on Colombia's beautiful northern coast, the
city of Cartagena offers corporate groups colorful culture, pirate-filled history, and plenty of
modern-day fun.
Day 1: History and Nightlife
11:00 AM
Walk through Cartagena's historical center, enjoying the city's
wealth of museums, churches, and monuments, like the Palacio de
la Inquisition, where pre-Colombian art and furniture - and
instruments of torture - are on display.
6:00 PM
Enjoy a themed dinner in the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a
16th-century castle set imposingly atop the Hill of San Lazaro.
The view of the city and the bay from this UNESCO World
Heritage Site is as hard to beat as the fortress was to conquer
several centuries ago.
8:00 PM
Experience the city's cheerful spirit by taking a private
"chiva" tour through Cartagena. Passengers on these colorful,
open-air buses sip on tropical rum drinks and sample local
snacks while being driven through the city streets. The really
adventurous can be dropped off at one of Cartagena's many
popular nightclubs.
Day 2: Cultural and Natural Beauty
11:00 AM
Tour the fortresses with high stone walls that protected the
city from pirates centuries ago and now lend it a romantic
backdrop, and check out the Museum of Fortifications to learn
more.
1:00 PM
Explore the magical side of Cartagena with the Gabriel Garcia
Marquez audio-guided walking tour which captures the literary
history and life of the Nobel laureate and demonstrates how
they intersect with the city's monuments and historical
heritage. The tour can be purchased online and experienced
simultaneously by as many as 1,200 people. www.tierramagna.com
7:00 PM
Sail across the Bay of Cartagena de Indias in the
Galeon Bucanero, a replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon,
complete with a crew of soldiers and pirates. While the food,
drink, dancing, and folk music will entertain, the real show is
the sun as it sets on the breathtaking bay.
Day 3: Sun and Fun
11:00 AM
Beach day! Lounge around on some of the city's 12 miles of
sandy urban beaches, enjoying the year-round warm water. Better
yet: Take the one-hour boat ride to the Rosario Islands, and do
some snorkeling or scuba diving in the crystal-clear water. A
wide range of private facilities for groups are also available.
3:00 PM
Get some last-minute shopping in at the city's designer
boutiques, jewelers, and antique shops, including
interior-design offerings at Casa Chiqui, the homewares of
Emociones, or the colorful Colombian fashions at the Bettina
Spitz boutique.