Four Destinations to Enjoy in Record Time
Colombia is one of the few countries in the world that has port infrastructure in two different oceans. Visiting our coasts on board a cruise ship will let you to live unique experiences along the best ports of the country.
Our country is one of the most attractive tourist destinations for those who want to experience an adventure on a cruise ship. The Pacific, Cartagena, Santa Marta and the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina are four mandatory destinations on any traveler’s navigation chart.
The landscapes in these four places mix seas of different shades of blue and green, hundreds of trees, colonial streets, historic buildings, magnificent castles, islands populated by palm tree-lined shores natural paths and a bright sun shared by thousands of different species birds and marine life, to schools of iridescent fish.
Upon arriving at any of these destinations on board one of the multiple cruise liners that visit our ports, in their itineraries, it is possible to live a variety of experiences for any taste: enjoying dreamlike beaches, riding in Victorian carriages, hiking on ecological paths, watching birds and whales, and practicing water sports such as diving, kayaking or snorkeling. Not to mention that Colombia’s greatest appeal is the warmth and contagious joy of its people, which fills any visit to the country with laughter and human warmth.
Colombia is an important cruise liner destination on an international scale. Out of the more than 100 cruise lines that navigate the seas of the world, 32 visit the country; and among them, some of the most important ones, such as Pullmantur, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, Aida Cruises or TUI Cruises. Currently, more than 200 cruise ships arrive in Colombia every year, which compared to the 53 that arrived here in 2006, indicates an increase of over 300% in just a decade. This figure says quite a lot about Colombia’s touristic and human appeal.
Cartagena de Indias
It is the most important touristic port in Colombia. Annually, Over 424,000 tourists disembark cruise ships of various sizes at the city’s port annually. Once there, the length of their stay is enough to stroll the cobbled streets of colonial style, watch the sunset from the walls that surround the historic city center and enjoy the gastronomic offer with the sea’s soft rumble in the background.
Cartagena is a subtle blend of heritage, with its over 500 years of perfectly preserved architecture, and modernity, with imposing white skyscrapers lining the shore. It is framed by an azure bay, from where it is possible to see the small islands that embellish the horizon. It is an unforgettable experience.
Weather
In Cartagena, the climate is semi-arid tropical. This means it has wet seasons, in which the weather is cool, and dry seasons, with the sun shining brightly above. The temperature ranges between 26.8 ° C and 31.5 ° C.
Port
Cartagena’s port has more than 20 years of experience, hence its ability to provide state-of-the-art cruises with excellent ground logistics for passengers.
The cruise ship terminal at the port is located about three kilometers from the walled city and, therefore, at an ideal distance to enjoy the whole city in a short span of time. It is possible to get tour packages to visit the main touristic sites, entertainment and shopping spots in Cartagena, or to simply go to the Port Oasis Eco Park located within the port.
Some places to visit
Historic city center: the walls shield the colonial part of the city and, at the same time, you will find the border the sea. The streets are cobbled and there lies the Clock Tower, main entrance to the walled city; the Plaza de San Pedro, home to the church of San Pedro Claver; the Plaza Santo Domingo, whose main attraction is the ‘The Fat Lady’ sculpture by artist Fernando Botero; and the Plaza de los Coches, whose portals house the iconic traditional market “Portal de los Dulces” dating back to the 19th century.
San Felipe de Barajas Castle: it is the largest fortress built by the Spanish in America during the colonial era. Throughout its history, cannons have lined the walls, while tunnels leading to numerous galleries and passageways are found inside.
Museums and galleries: Cartagena is an important artistic hub in the north of the country.Some worth noting are the Museo del Oro y la Arqueologia, shelter of the ancestral cultures of the region; the Museo Historico de Cartagena, a prime example of colonial architecture; and the Museo de Arte Moderno, an enclave of the contemporary pictorial and sculptural art scene of the city.
National Aviary: a reserve for the conservation of over 1,800 specimens of 138 different Colombian bird species. It is a valuable representation of the biodiversity and ecological tourism of the country.
Gastronomy
Cartagena’s cuisine delightfully merges traditional flavors with the flavors of the world. The city’s port nature and the influx of international visitors serve as a melting pot for a range of native restaurants specialized in coconut rice, botifarra, carimañola and seafood, as well as Italian, Arabic, French or Asian restaurants.
Night life
The night in Cartagena is ideal for a tour of the walled city while riding in a horse-drawn Victorian carriage; for enjoying the sound of the sea and the sea breeze in one of the squares where it is common to witness artistic shows; or for having fun in the terraces, bars and nightclubs that light up the party to the rhythm of Caribbean music.
Discover: Five traditional foods that tell you everything about Colombia.
Santa Marta
It was the first city founded by Europeans in Colombia and second in South America. It rests on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, lined by beaches of fine white sand. From aboard a cruise, the view is topped by the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the tallest coastal mountain in the world, and one of the few snow-capped peaks near the Equator. A truly unique view.
Tourism in Santa Marta encompasses the possibilities of resting by the beach, having an adventure at the sea or in the mountains, visiting archeological sites in indigenous settlements, or practicing ecotourism in natural wildlife ecosystems.
Wheather
In Santa Marta, the climate is usually dry, with an average temperature of 27 °C, as a result of a constant sun and a calm breeze that together make up a cool environment. It is an ideal weather for swimming, walking, climbing or resting during the stay time in the city.
Port
The cruises that dock in the city are usually state-of-the-art ships due to the city’s wide experience in maritime and nautical tourism. The team at the port is highly trained to meet the needs of travelers and guide them accurately during their stay in the city.
The port of Santa Marta is located within the urban area of the city, which makes it easier to reach the most interesting tourist sites.
Some places to visit
Catedral Basilica: known as Basilica Menor, it is a national monument built in 1766 with calicanto and stone. It was the first basilica built in South America and, therefore, an architectural jewel of the region.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino: it is a 17th-century colonial period house that preserves intact all of the architectural details of the time and some objects that belonged to The Liberator, Simón Bolívar, who passed away there on December 17, 1830. Today the house holds a museum and a botanical garden.
Tayrona Natural National Park: it has more than 15,000 hectares of untouched vegetation and shores that border the city. It is a key enclave of the country’s biodiversity, as well as an ideal place for bird and native flora watching ecological tourism. The park’s coastline has some of the best beaches in the region.
Sunny beach days: Santa Marta’s beaches are famous for their fine white sand that borders the coast for miles. The sea is light blue. A day at the beach means living a rewarding rest experience, accompanied by delicious tropical cocktails and an extensive menu of sea food prepared with fresh fish brought from the best fishing ports in the region.
Gastronomy
Santa Marta is an important fishing port in the region, hence a cuisine supported by an impressive variety of fish and seafood-based dishes. Although large restaurants can be found in the city center, close to the beaches and squares it is possible to get delicious fresh and traditional food at a very good price.
Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is one of the most amazing places in Colombian geography. In a few kilometers you can enjoy the contrasts of white sand beaches, a generous jungle and the magnificent presence of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. A sustainable hotel infrastructure is ready for receiving visitors.
San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina
This group of islands forms an archipelago that is said to have been discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second trip to America in 1496. The truth is that, a hundred years later, it ended up becoming a frequent destination for pirates and privateers, which is why each of the islands is wrapped in some magical mist and populated by thousands of incredible stories of love and adventure.
The archipelago of San Andres is known for the characteristic color of its sea. The waters surrounding the three islands are called “Sea of Seven Colors”, for the different shades of blue and green that cover the crystalline surface throughout the day. A spectacle that is worthy to appreciate from the privileged location of a cruise ship.
Wheather
El archipiélago tiene un clima semihúmedo con una temperatura media de 25 °C. La brisa marina y el sol hacen de estas islas un lugar idílico para descansar o practicar deportes acuáticos de cualquier índole, desde buceo hasta windsurf (tabla de vela).
Port
The location of the port on the island of San Andres facilitates mobility to any of the other two islands and also to the 16 different cays that surround them.
Although there is a port, it is currently not used by cruise ships, given the depth of ascent to it. Everything is done by anchoring.
Some places to visit
Providencia and Santa Catalina: each one is located less than 60 miles away from the port and has some of the best bays in the Colombian Caribbean, which makes these islands perfect places to swim in the sea or enjoy trips on a sailboat.
Johnny Cay: it is one of the main cays of the archipelago and an islet three kilometers away from the beach of San Andres. The small size of Johnny Cay’s small size, lined by tall palm trees and surrounded by nothing but azure waters on all sides make it a true paradise perfect for resting, listening to Antillean music and tasting typical dishes prepared with fresh fish.
The aquarium: a few kilometers from the beach, the coral reef forms a natural aquarium in which it is possible to see multicolored fish and mangroves full of marine life. Here, coastal flora and fauna is abundant, lush and green, as it is characteristic of the region.
Tour the island in a single day: the whole of San Andres can be covered on four wheels in just one afternoon. The journey usually includes the most important natural touristic spots on the island, such as Morgan’s Cave, famous for being a pirate meeting point; Hoyo Soplador, a natural phenomenon that expels water to the surface from an underground cave; and the Botanical Garden, known for its collection of live aquatic plants of the region.
Gastronomy
Coconut is the archipelago’s main delicacy and, therefore, the cuisine of the three islands is a rich exploration of its culinary possibilities. San Andres and Providencia have a long tradition of island and chefs who are easy to find in the North End area.
Night life
The sound of Antillean rumba begins at nightfall in unexpected places. In both Sand Andres and Providencia, it is possible to enjoy good music on a terrace next to the beach, dance and eat to the rhythm of drums and Caribbean melodies, like the sea breeze itself.
Isla Gorgona in the Colombian Pacific was for many years a prison. Currently, it is the perfect place for a series of sustainable tourism activities and to enjoy diving in crystalline waters and surrounded by an environment with incomparable marine fauna.
It may be of interest: 5 perfect places in Colombia to connect with nature.
The Pacific
Visiting the Colombian Pacific by cruise can be one of the most enriching experiences for a traveler. The tropical landscapes and the deep and dark blue of the sea make up a beautiful view to appreciate from the deck of a ship. In this area of the country, the must-see cruise destinations are Bahia Solano, to the north of the region; Utria, further down south; and Isla Gorgona, in the lower part of the Pacific coast.
This region stands out for its flora and fauna biodiversity, of its fauna and flora, traditional cuisine and sweet music that resonates behind each house, tree and river. The Pacific ports are tasteful places, this is a perfect destination for exploration cruises and ecological and adventure tourism.
Weather
Due to its geographical position, the Colombian Pacific is the most humid area in the country, and therefore one of the hottest. The sun is a constant invitation to the beach. The average temperature of the region is 27 °C.
Anchor sites
Due to the breadth of the Colombian Pacific, it is much easier to talk about anchorage places than ports as such. These sites in this area of the country are ideal for arriving at isolated where cruise visitors can live ecological adventures without time pressures, supported by the professionalism and human quality of the inhabitants of the region. Bahia Solano, Utria and Isla Gorgona are maritime destinations par excellence, receiving the latest technology in cruises.
Some Places to visit
Bahia Solano: every year, between July and November, the waters of the bay are aboard by humpback whales, whose sighting is possible in small boats. There, they can be seen jumping over and fiddling in the water, and that giving Bahia Solano its greatest tourist attraction. However, contact with indigenous communities and the crafts they make with patience also makes it a unique tourist destination.
Ensenada de Utria: it is part of the Utria National Natural Park, a biodiverse reserve with access to the sea, which allows for walking between centenary trees, watching seabirds, and practicing water sports such as diving and scuba. The main attraction of this destination is ecological tourism.
Isla Gorgona: it is located half an hour from the coast and its 26 km^2 area is easy to cover in just a few hours. The island is an important marine reserve, which is the reason why ecological tourism is its strength. Activities within the island include different levels of difficulty kayaking, snorkeling, diving, hiking; and a visit to an abandoned prison gobbled up by the jungle.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of the Pacific plays in a thousand unimaginable ways with fresh fish and sea food and the variety of native tropical fruits that grow on the trees of the region. It is worth noting the sancocho de pescado, sudados de camaron, encocado de jaiba and seafood cocktail.
Night life
The night in the Colombian Pacific is calm. The weather, the sea and the breeze are ideal to enjoy the night landscape and the natural sounds that flood the ambiance. Music is always present and, on some occasions, rhythms based on traditional instruments such as marimba and drums are the perfect company for the night calm night of the region.
The archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina is an island complex in the Caribbean that offers both the natural richness of its beaches and the experience of getting in touch with ‘Raizal’ culture. It is one of the Afro-Colombian cultures that retain their own language and live with Anglo-Antillean musical and gastronomic traditions.
