Many of the characteristics that make Colombia one of the most fascinating countries in South America can be found in Cartagena. The city's established tourist attractions are not to be underestimated. They take tourists through the twists and turns of Cartagena's complicated history, making stops to admire each ingredient in the melting pot.

Adventures in these popular locations have already been planned. Tourists can take it easy and enjoy the trip. Those locations are complemented by lesser-known areas. These places highlight aspects of Colombian culture that don’t make it into the travel guides.

Photos taken firsthand from tourists in Colombia hint at the hidden magic of Cartagena‘s underrated attractions. To make the most of a single trip, it’s important to include the usual spots and the unexpected ones on the itinerary.

11 Clusters Of Colorful Flowers Hang From Entire Neighborhoods

The vibrant buildings of Cartagena's Old Town come in every color. Flowering vines found in various shades of purple wrap around the building facades to unite the neighborhood. They give life to a city that would otherwise feel claustrophobic with its rows of high walls. Picturesque details like these give the neighborhood an old-timey feel. The look is completed by cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and Spanish Colonial architecture.

10 A Café Is Hidden Inside This Cozy Bookstore

Avid readers who make a point of visiting beautiful bookstores around the world seem to have missed a spot in Cartagena. The City Lane states that locals still feel comfortable making visits to Ábaco Libros y Café which speaks to its authenticity. All guests are welcomed to settle in at a table between the shelves that house great works from around the world. They can choose coffee or tea, hot or cold, to complement their chosen novels.

9 The Vibrant Colors Of Palenqueras Are Known Worldwide

Escaped slaves came together to form their own society in the southeast of Cartagena. Their village is known as San Basilio de Palenque which makes its citizens palenqueras. They travel to Cartagena with their baskets in tow to sell fresh fruit to tourists. Fruit is the tradition, but Donde says some palenqueras have taken to selling exotic sweets made from family recipes. These women keep the culture missing from Cartagena’s Old Town alive.

8 Wildlife Roams Cartagena's Lakeside Park

There is more to Cartagena than its busy city. A little way out of town is Los Lagos Turbaco. Tourists man paddle boats for a joyride between groups of ducks, fish, and turtles. The occasional monkey may climb down from the trees for a sip. Tours taken on horseback are a delightful alternative. Afterward, tourists return to land for a taste of traditional Colombian cuisine. The entrance fee scales up from $90 which covers up to four people.

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6 A Communal Mud-Pit Rests At The Top Of Totumo Volcano

This tiny volcano located 45 minutes outside Cartagena may not look like much, but it is still active. Visitors climb rickety stairs to the top to reach the crater filled with warm mud. Locals perform massages on fully coated tourists before they are sent down to the lagoon for a bath. The experience is rejuvenating for people who already enjoy messy activities. Skeptics will have a hard time thinking about anything other than the heat.

5 Souvenir Shops Occupy Las Bóvedas

It’s hard to imagine that this sunshine yellow building was once a dungeon as Hi Cartagena reports. Instead of prisoners. its cells now hold handmade souvenirs. Common souvenirs include backpacks woven with traditional patterns by the Wayuu people and emblematic sombreros vueltiaos. Tourists willing to shell out more cash can take home jewelry made of emerald, Colombia’s most important gem. Coffee beans are a better souvenir for shoppers on a budget.

4 Learn To Craft Chocolate At Chocomuseo

Chocomuseos exist in a few other South American countries, but the only one in Columbia is in Cartagena. The $30 workshop, $22 for children, takes two hours since it begins with the cacao bean. Guests make traditional drinks and bars to take home. The second option takes half the time and is slightly cheaper at $17. Groups can tour the free museum of chocolate while they wait for their candy to be ready.

Related: 10 Best Places To Visit In South America

3 Puerta Del Reloj Marks The Entrance To The Old Town

The gateway didn’t just link the Old Town to the barren wilderness. Lonely Planet states there was once a drawbridge that connected it to Getsemani. This upcoming neighborhood contrasts with the atmosphere of the Old Town since its historic walls are now covered in colorful graffiti. The bright yellow clock tower between these two areas can be viewed from afar, but people usually get a close-up on their way to other tourist attractions.

Related: 20 Stunning Photos Taken By Travelers In Colombia (That Give The Caribbean A Run For Its Money)

2 Peddlers Offer Exotic Ingredients At The Mercado Bazurto

Dive into a Colombian market to see the lives of the real locals. No one there is employed to sweep away the unsightly bits of reality that make tourists nervous. Exotic fruits are displayed in high stacks next to the spices that make the meals at restaurants so delicious. Purchase candies and handmade trinkets to take home here too. There are several markets but Mercado Bazurto is one of the largest.

Related: A Travel Guide To Colombia: Tourists Should Plan Their Trip Around These 11 Things

1 Remnants Of A Spanish Fortress Lie On The Outskirts

The sloping walls of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas lead to a clear view of the bay. Soldiers manning the fortress would have enjoyed that same view up until the day it was filled with Spanish ships. They came in 1816 to retake a rebellious Cartagena during the Spanish American wars of independence. The Culture Trip says the fortress had survived hundreds of years before them, having faced just one other attack.

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