Ocean Malandra - Moon Cartagena & Colombias Caribbean Coast

Johnny Cay.

Colombia is a whirlwind of colors and sensations; magical realism pervades the entire countrys varied terrain. Its Caribbean coast in particular is a tropical dreamscape. Reigning over it in sultry majesty is Cartagena, an architecturally stunning seaport ringed by colonial walls, lined with cobblestone streets, and filled to bursting with nightlife.

Stretching west and east of the city are a kaleidoscope of landscapes and cultures, from the beachfront Afro-Colombian villages of Capurgan and Sapzurro to the red desert bluffs of La Guajira, home to the matriarchal Wayu people. In between, youll find laid-back bohemian villages and flamboyant Carnaval celebrations that last for weeks. Snorkeling, diving, and otherwise playing in the turquoise sea are options, but so are hiking and bird-watching in the Sierra Nevada, the worlds highest coastal mountain range.

Sun worshippers will never run out of devotional opportunities. Unspoiled islands with sugar-sand beaches beckon, from the luxurious Islas del Rosario just offshore from Cartagena to the harder-to-reach, calypso-driven San Andrs Archipelago.

Kogi girl from the Sierra Nevada

Alqumico bar

Santuario de San Pedro Claver

In this multifaceted jewel of the South American continent, youll discover flavorful cuisine and dawn-breaking fiestas that can happen any night of the week. Its the Colombian people themselves who steal the show. Always ready to jump up and dance to the near-constant backdrop of music, their profound passion for life is always on full display. Join them.

palenquero dancers

beach in San Andrs

hammocks and hats for sale

, strings of islands with white-sand beaches that let you live out your Caribbean dreams.

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: Pitch a tent or rent a cabaa and play on the wilderness coastline of Colombias most popular natural area.

is legendary.

Indulge in Caribbean : From the freshest ceviche to aphrodisiacal seafood stews, dining on the coast is a true feast for the senses.

in the San Andrs Archipelago.

the ruins of the ancient Tayrona civilization in the Sierra Nevada.

Desert: Head out on a 4x4 to explore an otherworldly landscape where the desert meets the sea.

Where to Go

Cartagena

Cartagena is a tropical, pastel-hued fortress city straight out of a fairytale and full of sensory experiences. In this sparkling city by the sea, you can feast on Caribbean cuisine and admire colonial architecture in the form of impressive churches, plazas, and fortifications. Catch the sunset along the water from las murallas, the stone walls that surround the Old City, for a good introduction, and soak up the atmosphere in Getseman, the citys bohemian district full of mural-linedstreets. Nightlife in the city is epic, so plan on exploring the lounges, discos, and salsa clubs. Cartagena also makes a great base for day trips or overnights to the Islas del Rosario, a string of postcard-worthy Caribbean islands just off the coast, or the peaceful riverside city of Mompox, a slice of yesteryear that exudes pure magical realism.