Discover the Top 8 Amazing Fun Facts About Cartagena, Colombia That You Never Knew!

1. Pirate-Proof City

Ahoy, matey! Cartagena played quite the hard-to-get damsel when pirates, including Peter Pan's very own "Captain Hook" idols Hawkins and Drake, came a-callin' for treasure and grand conquest: Resisting the advances of these scallywags, the feisty city fortified itself with mighty walls and forts in the late 17th century, effectively curbing these criminals' passion and ensuring its continued existence as a ravishing coastal gem for us to admire.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Mud Wrestling Spa Day

Once upon a slime: Cartagena's local mud wrestling ring is nature's version of a spa day! Descending into the warm embrace of El Totumo Mud Volcano, tourists can bask in a skin-tastic cocktail of water, silica, aluminum, magnesium, sodium chloride, calcium, sulfur, and iron – all while getting kneaded by the hands of diligent, mud-masked masseurs and conquering the ancient curse of the Devil-turned-wellness-guru.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Florida is home to one of the tallest lighthouses in the nation? Discover the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, standing 175 feet tall with 203 steps, as it offers breathtaking views and a fascinating connection to the famous explorer. 🌊⚓️🔭

=> Fun Facts about Florida

3. Lemonade-From-Lemons Rebellion

When life gives you lemons, Cartagena made weapons: Cartagena played a pivotal role in the Colombian War of Independence, enduring a months-long siege and triumphing under the spirited leadership of Simón Bolívar to eventually rebel against Spanish rule. You can time travel to the glorious past by admiring preserved fortifications and battle sites dotted around the city – a picturesque reminder of how Cartagena helped change the course of Colombian history.
Source => cartagenaexplorer.com

4. Eerie Fortress Labyrinth

Whoever said "Don't be afraid of the dark" clearly never ventured into the labyrinth of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, where even the bravest souls think twice before exploring its eerie, narrow tunnels: In Cartagena, Colombia, this colossal fortress, built by the Spaniards, served as an artillery-armed stronghold to stash treasures and keep unwanted visitors at bay, offering no breathtaking city views but ample opportunity to get lost in history.
Source => tripadvisor.com

5. Classical Music Sea-Legs

Ahoy, music lovers: The Cartagena International Music Festival drops its anchor in classical waters every January, attracting 20,000 sea-legged aficionados and international virtuosos. This Colombian gem sparkles with over 40 concerts and masterclasses in spectacular settings, building a bridge from Bach and Mozart to bagpipe craftsmanship and instrumental maintenance.
Source => colombia.co

6. Dolphin-Free Tropical Bliss

Looking for a breathtaking tropical paradise where you can kick back and soak up the sun without accidentally getting photobombed by playful dolphins? You're in luck: The Rosario Islands off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, offer all the stunning beauty and marine life you could dream of — minus the dolphins — thanks to being a protected National Park with stunning white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and diverse ecosystems home to sharks, giant sea turtles, and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.
Source => bigguybigworld.com

7. Baby's Corner Dance Culture

In Cartagena, Colombia, you might feel like you've put Baby in the corner with all the rhythmic footloose shenanigans: Known for its enthusiastic dance culture, Cartagena hosts Crazy Salsa, a premier dance school offering various classes in salsa, Cuban, Colombian, and other Latin, Afro, and Caribbean dance styles, making it a perfect spot for tourists to get down and boogie with the locals in this enchanting city.
Source => tripadvisor.co.nz

8. Fruit Hat Ladies' Heritage

If Carmen Miranda and a fruit stand had a love child, it might resemble the palenqueras of Cartagena who gracefully balance fruit-laden baskets atop their heads while donning rainbow-hued dresses: These entrepreneurial women hail from San Basilio de Palenque, a UNESCO-recognized town known as the first freed settlement of African slaves in the Americas, and can frequently be found peddling their colorful, tropical wares in the bustling plazas of Cartagena's Ciudad Amurallada.
Source => houstoniamag.com