A Guide to San Diego, Cartagena’s Bohemian Neighborhood
Spanning an area of 16 blocks northeast of El Centro, Cartagena’s San Diego neighborhood is home to some of the Walled City’s most picturesque streets and plazas, not to mention some of the best restaurants this Caribbean city has to offer.
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While calling Cartagena home, the San Diego neighborhood was always one of my favorite spots to wander, catch shade, or sit down for a delicious meal. While you’ll find my full bucket list of things to see and do in the San Diego barrio over on Juan Ballena’s blog, here a three places that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Las Bovedas
I’ll bet you’ve never shopped for souvenirs in former dungeons? Well, in Cartagena’s San Diego neighborhood that’s exactly where you’ll find the best selection. There are 23 vaults in total to stroll through and your mission is to at least pop your head into each and every one of them. It’s a also great photo opp with lemon-hued Bovedas as your backdrop. After you’re done shopping, you can follow it up with a wander along the walls that hang just overhead the dungeons, I mean shops.
Interno
Here’s a concept you’ve probably never heard or experienced before. El Interno is a restaurant literally located inside of San Diego’s women’s prison. It’s staffed entirely by the prison’s inmates. Where else can you dine on gourmet local cuisine while supporting the female inmates on their way out and into life post-prison.
Santo Toribio Church
Though the exterior of this colonial church isn’t much to look at, step inside for a glance at its drop dead gorgeous wood-paneled ceilings crafted by the Spanish Moors. Then gawk at its baroque-style altar coated in black lacquer and gold foil. Insider Tip: There’s a bullet on display inside the church that was fired by a pirate during a church service in 1741. As it hurt no one, the parishioners decided to keep it as a symbol of God’s divine intervention.
Read the rest of my San Diego recommendations over on Juan Ballena’s blog.
Where to Stay in San Diego
San Diego is a great part of town to stay while visiting Cartagena and it’s actually home to one of the city’s most iconic hotels, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara. This luxurious 5-star hotel lived another life as the Santa Clara Convent and source of inspiration for one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ best known novels, Of Love and Other Demons. The hotel is also located just next door to Marquez’ former Cartagena residence.
If you’re more of a backpacker like me, Viajero Hostel is a popular San Diego hostel option, known for hosting weekly pool parties. If instead you’d prefer something in the middle of luxurious five-star hotel and backpacker hostel, look no further than Townhouse Boutique Hotel. Townhouse is known around town for its incredible rooftop bar and cocktail menu. Even if you don’t stay here, head up for a sunset drink at least once during visit to Cartagena.
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