Romantic Things to Do in Cartagena

There is something you have to know about me. I am a hopeless romantic, romantic comedies have a special place in my heart, not to mention the details like handwritten letters, or a flower as a gift without necessarily being a special day.

If there is something that can brighten my days like never before, it’s when my boyfriend tells me that we are going on a trip to a new place, even to places we have already been to, but to get to know new experiences and new places, this is one of the best news I can get. Today I’m going to give a couple of tips to that person who wants to surprise your partner with an amazing trip, and also recommendations that you cannot miss on your visit to Cartagena de Indias, one of the Caribbean paradises that you must have on your list of places to visit as a couple.

This romanceaholic is ready to get started, are you?

Romantic restaurants in Cartagena

Cartagena is known for many things, one of them (and perhaps my favorite) is its food. When it comes to romantic plans, there is nothing like a lunch with the salty smell of the sea coming in, or a candlelight dinner to the rhythm of Latin music and the waves in the background. Would you like to get to know Cartagena through its flavors with that special someone? Then you can’t miss these restaurants:

For a luxury experience ($$-$$$)

Experiences in Cartagena come in different forms, some with a higher cost than others, if you want a romantic meal, and your budget is medium high to high, these are the restaurants you can’t pass up.

Marea

If you want an atmosphere for a seaside lunch, a refreshing cocktail and a minimalist decor, this is the perfect place! Among its benefits are the beautiful view of the historic center of Cartagena and that it is located right on the shore of the bay, offering the possibility of arriving by boat, or taking one after lunch. If you want to enjoy the sunset, they usually have Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm. You can make a reservation with them directly or contact us and leave everything in our hands.

Cuisine: seafood menu with non-seafood options.

Open on: Tue – Wed 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. / Wed – Sun 12 – 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Dress code: tropical chic by day, smart casual at night.

Fuerte del Pastelillo

Imagine arriving at a private table, right in front of the bay, decorated especially for the occasion. That awaits you at this restaurant, one of the most traditional in Cartagena. Also known as “Club de Pesca”, this restaurant has a long history of offering its customers the best ambiance when it comes to romance. Whether you want a private dinner in one of their spaces with tables for only two people, or a larger event such as a wedding, you can count on them. We recommend making reservations, especially if you plan to go on the weekend.

Cuisine: seafood menu with non-seafood options.

Open on: Mon – Sun 12 – 11 p.m.

Dress code: casual – smart casual.

Arrabal Gastrobar

This restaurant offers you a complete experience, its photographable indoor and outdoor spaces, the music, the art, the food, a bar to share a drink, could you ask for more? Arrabal Gastrobar moves away from the bay to enter the historic center of Cartagena where the colors vibrate. It offers a signature cuisine that invites you to let yourself be surprised. Two things you have to keep in mind is that they are usually closed on Sundays and Mondays, and they have Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday between 3pm and 7pm.

Cuisine: modern seafood cuisine (with non-seafood options).

Open on: Tue – Sat 12 – 10 p.m. (Fri & Sat until 10:30 p.m.).

Dress code: informal by day, casual at night.

Budget friendly ($-$$)

Romance can also fit your wallet, if you want to experience a romantic meal and stay within your budget, we recommend you to check out these places that offer you the best of both worlds.

La cocina de Pepina

If you want romance, and to feel at home, this place is ideal for you. It is a small restaurant located in one of the most Instagrammable areas of Cartagena that offers you a cozy atmosphere along with a menu straight from the hands of its owner, Pepina. This is a perfect place for a lunch on a day of touring the historic Cartagena route, and if the heat is too hot, you can accompany the dish with one of their famous refreshing cocktails.

Cuisine: traditional Colombian-Caribbean food.

Open on: Tue – Sat 12 – 4 p.m. & 7 – 9:30 p.m. / Sun – Mon 12 – 4 p.m.

Dress code: informal by day, semi casual at night.

La casa de Socorro

Staying in the colorful neighborhood of Getsemaní, right in front of the Gersemaní Shopping Center is this restaurant with a more modern atmosphere, without leaving aside the charm and flavor of the Caribbean. For a romantic occasion we recommend going at night with its dim lights accompanied by a bottle of wine.

Cuisine: seafood (with non-seafood options, including meals suitable for vegetarians).

Open on: Mon – Sun 11:30 a.m. -11:50 p.m.

Dress code: informal by day, semi casual at night.

El Burlador Gastrobar

Did you know that Cartagena has a strong Spanish influence? If you want to get to know these roots from the food, and also enjoy a romantic atmosphere with live music, you can’t miss this restaurant. Near the Plaza de Santo Domingo, a place we will talk about later, you can go in the afternoon to enjoy some tapas and wine or at night and eat a delicious meal that will transport you to Spain without leaving Cartagena. I assure you that romance will not be lacking.

Cuisine: Spanish cuisine inspired menu.

Open on: Mon – Wed 12 – 11 p.m. / Thu – Sat 12 – 11:30 p.m. / Sun 12 – 10 p.m.

Dress code: casual.

Cycling in Cartagena

Yes, just as you read it, riding a bike through the colonial streets of Cartagena is a safe, entertaining plan, where there won’t be a street that won’t leave you amazed. This is one of those activities that sound like the first thing couples ask about when they decide to go. If you want to get to know the historic walled city and its art (and keep fit, why not?) this is an excellent alternative. You can hire a tour or do one at your leisure.

If you decide for the latter option, you can choose several routes to do, such as the photogenic route, the artistic route, the historical route or the gastronomic route, but we recommend you not to miss:

The different Baluartes: Santa Catalina, San Lucas, San Pedro Mártir, Santo Domingo, Francisco Javier.
Parque del Centenario (and get to San Andres Street).
The Plazas of Trinidad, Bolivar and Santo Domingo (especially if you go at night).
The surroundings of Santo Domingo Vidal Hostel.
The old town.
The homemade or street restaurants of Getsemaní.
The Bay, to enjoy the sunset.

Nightlife to enjoy

Yes, there are couples who party, and you guessed right, Cartagena is one of those places where nightlife is a resounding YES, there are many different clubs where you can go according to the music of your preference, several of them take into account the volume to also offer restaurant services, and at times you can certainly get your partner to dance.

For quieter environments, we have bars with beers and cocktails that will blow your mind, specializing in tropical fruits such as pineapple and coconut. Their locations make you fall in love with the city for the prospect of knowing Cartagena at night, with its smell of sea and laughter in the middle of the street.

You can’t talk about nightlife in Cartagena without knowing a couple of places where you can admire the stars with a bottle of wine. The Plaza de Santo Domingo is the first place to know, called the epicenter of nightlife, has outdoor venues where you can not only enjoy the starry sky, but also enjoy the artistic movement of the area. If instead you prefer a more peaceful atmosphere as company, the Convento Santa Cruz de la Popa will offer you an enviable view of the Cartagena skyline and its wonderful sky from sunset until the first stars come out. Finally, the Fenix Beach Club offers you the best of both worlds, from a party to a romantic dinner under the stars and in front of the sea you can get it here.

Tourist Tours

Traveling without knowing new places is like not traveling, and part of enjoying as a couple is to be able to have memories and anecdotes. Let’s take a look at a couple of tours you can do to fall in love with Cartagena in the most romantic way:

Visit the city on foot

Being a colonial city, history is what abounds along with its spaces with this old vibe full of bricks, walls, and picturesque colors. There are many tour services that leave you with your mouth open and your stomach full, as they offer the option of tasting typical foods. If you are on a budget, you can also visit it by yourself, we recommend you not to miss the Walled City, the San Felipe Castle and the Gold Museum, passing by the Santo Domingo square (and church), the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría and closing with the viewpoint at the Convent of La Popa.

Night carriage ride

If a horse-drawn carriage ride at night doesn’t win your partner over, I don’t know what else will. At night Cartagena feels just as, if not more, romantic than during the day, thanks to the lights that adorn the buildings. You can take a 30 to 60 minute tour in a carriage for two where the driver will tell you a bit of the history of the place. You can take a carriage directly on the street or book it, our services include helping you to plan everything.

Snorkeling and plankton

For those who enjoy more extreme activities, you can visit, 45 minutes from Cartagena, the Rosario Islands, the San Bernardo Archipelago and Baru Island. Here you will be enjoying the diverse company of corals and a varied aquatic life, and at night you can marvel at the bioluminescent plankton, a beautiful phenomenon that dyes the water with colors from another world. It will be like having the starry sky surrounding you in the sea.

Sunsets by the beach

Head down to the beach a little before the sun goes down, and I promise you’ll love it. Look up the sunset time on the date you’ll be there (as it changes throughout the year), to make sure you arrive in time. Since sunsets near the equator last the least, it’s quite important to be on time.

And since Cartagena looks almost directly west, you’ll get the perfect ocean sunsets, lighting up the sky in a brilliant orange/red/yellow blend of colors.

Here you’ll find the beach, Caribbean Sea, and plenty of bars and restaurants. Here is a list of our favorite places that offer sunset drinks and dining in Cartagena:

Walls of the Ciudad Amurallada: one of the most iconic places to watch the sunset while you connect with the history of Cartagena. If you want to have something to eat or drink you can choose from the bars and restaurants located on top (we recommend Café del Mar and El Baluarte), although it is also possible to go for free by sitting somewhere in the building.
Bahía Manga: the bay has several places from where you can see the sunset sneaking between the buildings of the city. You can go to the San Sebastian de Pastelillo fort and have a picnic, or go to a restaurant (such as Club de Pesca) and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
Hotel terraces: before traveling, check with the hotel where you are staying to see if they have a terrace with a bar or restaurant. If not, you can go to others since they allow entry to people who are not staying at the hotel. The options with the most privileged view are the Movich Hotel, the Townhouse Hotel, the Amarla Boutique Hotel and the Cartagena Estelar Hotel.
Beaches: from almost any beach you can appreciate a beautiful sunset. You can walk the Castillo Grande Beach and catch the sunset on the terrace of the naval club. Another option is the Bar-Restaurant El Muelle on the beaches of El Laguito, where you will have a more intimate experience. If you are willing to make a short trip, La Boquilla beach is a less crowded place that also has bars and restaurants from which to watch the sunset.

Anything can happen at sunset, even a magical proposal to the love of your life, or a memorable destination wedding on the beach. Both of which Tata’s Connections can help you coordinate.

Sunset boat charter

If you thought there was nothing better than a sunset by the beach, then you haven’t experienced a sunset on a boat with nothing but the sea surrounding you and your loved one. Departing from the bay of Cartagena, a romantic two-hour journey awaits you where you can share a bottle of champagne while the sky drops around you and the stars start to appear again. Whether you want to take pictures or just relax and enjoy the company, this plan can be the most unforgettable you’ll have on your Cartagena vacation.

Are you up for it? If you need more information, feel free to contact us.

How We Work:

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