Don’t Choose a Restaurant Just Because It’s in the Plaza
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Cielo Del Mar
One of the easiest traps in Cartagena is choosing a restaurant simply because it has a beautiful table in a famous plaza.
Yes, the location may be spectacular. But a great view doesn’t always mean great food — and some of the most memorable meals in Cartagena happen away from the most photographed streets.
My advice? Before sitting down, take a look at the menu, check where locals are actually eating, and don’t be afraid to walk a few blocks away from the main squares.
Cartagena has incredible food, from Caribbean seafood and street food to traditional dishes you may never find on a tourist menu. Sometimes, the best meal is hiding around the corner.
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Events
Caribbean Vibes
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Camilo
Explore and fully experience this amazing adventure and fall in love with the stunning landscapes and vibrant places of the beautiful Rosario Islands.
QuickTip
Art & Culture
Degustacion
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Vanessa
Lugar muy top para las mejores fotos
Tip
Eat & Drink
Don’t Leave Cartagena Without Trying a Carimañola
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Cielo Del Mar
If you want to taste something truly local in Cartagena, try a carimañola — a fried yuca pastry traditionally filled with meat or cheese. It’s a simple dish, but it tells you a lot about Caribbean Colombian food: generous, flavorful and made for everyday life.
My tip? Don’t look for the fanciest restaurant. Try one from a trusted local spot or street-food vendor, preferably in the morning or early afternoon when locals are actually eating them. And if you’re adventurous, ask for one with meat and enjoy it with a cold local drink.
It’s one of those small experiences that can tell you more about Cartagena than a perfectly staged tourist attraction.
QuickTrap
Eat & Drink
"Free samples" or "Welcome gifts" in Cartagena's Coasts
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Rafael Fajardo
Don't trust the coast sellers, they are most likely scammers, and they act offering 'free' oysters or clams as a welcome gift or samples, but after you eat them, they aggressively demand between $10 and $50 USD per bite.
Eat & Drink