Pirates and Passion in Colombia’s Beautiful Harbour..

By Posted in - Columbia & Featured Post & Guest Post & Photo Journal & Photography Posts & Photos & South America & Travel Resources on February 7th, 2011

We’ve got a great week coming up here at BeersandBeans. We’re doing our first ever guest blogging week! I will still be putting up at least one post written by yours truly but the bulk of the week is going to be a series of great stories from travel bloggers you either know and love or ones that you will love to discover!

Today’s guest post is from Ayngelina. You might know her from her fantastic blog, Bacon Is Magic. You can learn more about her at the end of this awesome photo post she put together for BeersandBeans.

One of the most popular cities in Colombia, Cartagena has an adventurous history. The beautiful harbour is not just another pretty face but has a rich romantic history from being a pirate haven to becoming one of the first sanctuaries for liberated African slaves.

The Old City known as Ciudad Antigua features some of the world’s best-preserved colonial architecture and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. These city walls are a reminder of the strong civil and military architecture of the Spanish colonial times and protected the city during numerous attacks, earning Cartagena the nickname ìLa Heroicaî.

Many consider Cartagena to be the most beautiful city in South America and is perfect for photographers and travelers who want to spend the day wandering the streets admiring the vibrant colored buildings.

I arrived during the rainy season and was disappointed to be awoken by a torrential storm my first morning but a few hours later the rain stopped and the beauty of the city unveiled itself.

Cartagena’s beauty makes it a natural destination for budget travelers but Cartagena attracts a lot of wealthy tourists which means it can be a bit expensive when on a backpacker budget.

When visiting make lunch your main meal and choose an almuerzo, which is a set lunch and a great deal. Restaurants outside the walled city are on a ten minute walk away but considerably less expensive.

Regardless of your budget, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this jewel of South America.

Ayngelina left a great boyfriend, job and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. She writes about the people, places and food she discovers as she changes her life.

You can find her on her website, Bacon is Magic, as well as on Facebook and on Twitter.


* Photos in this post courtesy of Ayngelina.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!


(45) awesome folk have had something to say...

  • Gisele -

    February 7, 2011 at 2:20 am

    Oh wow those pictures are absolutely stunning

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 8:43 am

      She does a great job doesn’t she? @Gisele,

  • Kristy -

    February 7, 2011 at 5:32 am

    Amazing photos!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 8:44 am

      Thanks for commenting Kristy – I love them too. @Kristy,

  • Tweets that mention Pirates and Passion in Colombia’s Beautiful Harbour. | beersandbeans.com — Topsy.com -

    February 7, 2011 at 5:43 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michael Lynch, Laurel and Ayngelina , BeersAndBeans. BeersAndBeans said: Pirates and Passion in Colombia’s Beautiful Harbour. http://goo.gl/fb/mnHcx […]

  • Zablon Mukuba -

    February 7, 2011 at 6:00 am

    Great post, i’d love to go there an learn about the sanctuary of african slaves

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 8:44 am

      That would be an interesting trip. I didn’t know about that until I read this post. @Zablon Mukuba,

  • Tijmen -

    February 7, 2011 at 8:23 am

    I always love old cities, there is always so many interesting old buildings to see and photograph.

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 8:46 am

      Thanks for commenting – I couldn’t agree more. I love the old cities in Mexico, I can’t wait to see them in Columbia. @Tijmen,

  • Christy @ Ordinary Traveler -

    February 7, 2011 at 8:56 am

    Great photos! Especially the first one. I’m a sucker for reflections.

  • Kyle -

    February 7, 2011 at 9:02 am

    I love Bacon Is Magic! She’s awesome. And so are these pictures.

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 10:25 am

      Thanks for commenting Kyle 🙂@Kyle,

  • Michael Hodson -

    February 7, 2011 at 9:06 am

    Ahhhh, one of my favorite cities in one of my favorite countries. Such a great place.

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 10:26 am

      I can’t wait to go to Columbia. I’ve been dying to go for a while now and these photos just make me want to go more. 🙂@Michael Hodson,

  • Annie -

    February 7, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Such great photos! Ayngelina does such a great job portraying her travel in South America, I have a great appreciation for the countries even though I haven’t visited yet!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:41 pm

      I know, I was psyched when she wanted to submit a guest post. 🙂 @Annie,

  • Christine -

    February 7, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Amazing photos Ayngelina!!!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:44 pm

      She did a great job didn’t she? @Christine,

  • Pete -

    February 7, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Some awesome photos, my fave is the coastline with the motorcycle, well done.

    Although Cartagena was not our favorite in Colombia, it had some beautiful architecture and we did spend quite a bit of time taking photos here. We found the taxi drivers and store owners constantly harassing us a bit of a disappointment. The serenity of such of a beautiful place was taken away from these annoyances.

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks for commenting Pete! I have had similar experiences in Mexico but it seems that Cartagena is really photogenic! @Pete,

  • Gareth L. -

    February 7, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    I just got back from Cartagena last week and I’m disappointed to say that none of my photos came out this nice. For some reason all of my pix were of women in white clothing! Weird!

    Awesome shots!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      That is strange Gareth, Thanks for commenting though. Ayngelina did a great job capturing the city. @Gareth L.,

  • Cailin -

    February 7, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Beautiful photos!! I’m dying to go there now 🙂

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:42 pm

      Thanks for commenting Cailin! I feel the same way! @Cailin,

  • Sophie -

    February 7, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    Spent a day in Cartagena about a month ago and absolutely adored it!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      Lucky you! I can’t wait to get down there myself! @Sophie,

  • Laura -

    February 7, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Fantastic photos! I fell in love with Cartagena on my last visit there as well! 😉 One of my favorite memories is watching soccer and eating ceviche at a street stand just outside the walled city. I can’t wait to go back!

    • Bethany -

      February 7, 2011 at 6:42 pm

      Wow, Laura you are painting a really pretty picture in my mind as well! @Laura,

  • Ayngelina -

    February 8, 2011 at 5:11 am

    .Thanks so much for the kind comments everyone, I guess the good thing about rainy season is that once it stops raining everything is shiny and bright

    @Pete, Pete I hear ya there, it is definitely one of the more touristy places in Colombia.

    • Bethany -

      February 8, 2011 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks for contributing such a great guest post Ayngelina 🙂 @Ayngelina,

  • Margo -

    February 8, 2011 at 6:12 am

    Wow, what stunning photographs… I love all the color and angles and how much personality of Cartagena is conveyed. Serious wanderlust inspired!

    • Bethany -

      February 8, 2011 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks for commenting Margo – I think everyone is officially in love with her photos! @Margo,

  • Poi -

    February 9, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Once again… Amazing photos! had to be said….

    • Bethany -

      February 14, 2011 at 12:38 am

      Thans for commenting Poi! I know she did a great job! @Poi,

  • Lindsay aka @_thetraveller_ -

    February 12, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    G dog… I didn’t know you were such a photographer! These are amazing. Start putting up more!

  • Sarah Wu -

    February 14, 2011 at 12:19 am

    Those wide angle shots are pretty impressive especially when it’s a old charm city like this.

    • Bethany -

      February 14, 2011 at 12:38 am

      The wide angles are beautiful and add so much to the photos! @Sarah Wu,

  • Federico -

    February 22, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I agree with Ayngelina: Cartagena rocks. In fact it is my fav city in South America I think!

    • Bethany -

      March 25, 2011 at 10:32 am

      Thanks for commenting Federico – I can’t wait to visit it someday! @Federico,

  • Dina -

    March 25, 2011 at 12:49 am

    Great photos! We hope to reach Cartagena one day.

    • Bethany -

      March 25, 2011 at 10:32 am

      She did a great job, I agree. I can’t wait to visit one day as well. 🙂@Dina,

  • Federico -

    June 6, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    Cartagena is probably my favourite city in South America, hands down.

    • Bethany -

      June 6, 2011 at 5:40 pm

      I am dying to go. I have a feeling I will really like it too. 🙂@Federico,

  • Don -

    September 6, 2011 at 6:39 am

    Those are amazing pictures… i love the second one.