Begin your adventure with a visit to the imposing San Felipe Castle, located in a strategic point with an excellent view of Cartagena Bay. From there, take a leisurely walk along Las Murallas, the fortified walls around the Old Town built by the Spanish in the 16th century to defend against pirate attacks. Along the way, you'll encounter charming plazas and colonial-style houses that make Cartagena a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Take a short ride to the Bocagrande Beaches, where you can relax and have some fun in the sun. Afterwards, go back in time at the Museo del Oro Zenú to see the goldsmithery made by the indigenous Zenú culture that inhabited the region before the Spanish conquest. Finish the day with a walk down "Getsemani," one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Cartagena filled with street art, local food and incredible nightlife.
Escape the city for a day with a 45-minute boat ride to Islas del Rosario, a stunning archipelago with turquoise sea, coral reefs, and abundant marine life.
With more time, you could visit the beautiful Volcan de Lodo El Totumo which is a mud volcano. For a shorter itinerary, select 2 of the above activities per day. Keep in mind that Cartagena can get hot during the day, avoid long walks under the sun and drink plenty of water. Night-time is ideal to walk around El Centro district admire the lighted streets and monuments. Refrain from accepting products or goods from strangers, unless you are buying them from an established shop.