Cartagena, Colombia

We used our Aeroplan points to fly business class to Colombia. I booked the land package with kimkim.com and worked with Marine in Colombia.

Be aware of the visa fee for Canadians:
All Canadians are required to pay the new "Reciprocity Fee" of approximately $75. (Pesos 1 600 000. or US$70.) upon entry at either airports or seaports. Colombian officials have been collecting this fee for each entry.

Day 1 Thursday November 23, 2017

We were met at the airport and taken to our hotel, Casa Pizarro.

My first fresh fruit drink was corozo, a fruit that grows on various types of palm trees. It has a strong presence in the culinary traditions of Colombia's coast, dating all the way back to the arrival of African slaves.

Located in the area of Getsemani, which is where people live, drink beer and listen to street musicians. Lots of small restaurants and street murals. Easy walking distance to the touristy walled city. The hotel is small with a rooftop breakfast and lunch area with sun loungers. They serve a full breakfast. The pool is small but large enough to cool off and offers a place to relax surrounded by nice vegetation. 

Within the walled city is where we found all the cruise passenger and touristy shops, but history was everywhere.

Day 4 Sunday November 26, 2017

Day on the Pirate Island in the Rosario Island archipelago. 

We speak no Spanish, only English and had no trouble navigating the crowds. Window 1 to pay the tax, go through the turnstile, find your tour company, wait and then board. It took 45 min bouncing across the waves. All loungers, tables and chairs appear to be free for all. We didn’t leave the area where we docked, so don’t know about the rest of the island. By the dock is where the generator is, it's very noisy. Our tour included lunch of fried fish, coconut rice, salad, and dessert. We opted to take a snorkeling tour for 40,000 COP each. We took a boat to a bit calmer water. Jumped in off the boat and looked at coral (not very bright) and small fishes.