Cartagena de Indias, the Historical Queen of the Caribbean Coast

Cartagena de Indias is an enchanting and magical city that whispers the secrets of its history through the colonial walls and balconies that frame an amazing architecture built in stone roads.

Considered an historical Heritage of Humanity, Cartagena city has such antique and distinguished colonial treasures that makes it one of the most beautiful and preserved cities of the American Continent. It was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia.

Today most of its colonial architecture is located in the famous “walled city”, also known as Cartagena’s old town with the most complete set of fortifications in South America. The walled city is definitely the soul of the Cartagena. All the charm of the culture, beauty and history of the city are surrounded by a system of walls inherited from the time of the conquest and colony.

At the old town you can explore the San Felipe Castle, marvel at a tour of ancient churches and, nearby, to swim and float on a mud volcano. Other colonial treasures available to visit are the Palace of the Inquisition and the Clock Tower.

You will also find places such as the public plaza “La Aduana”, where cultural events usually take place or the Plaza “Santo Domingo”, surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants and where you can sit outdoors. You can also visit the “Plaza de Bolivar” which is one of the cultural hubs of the historic center of Cartagena.

A perfect way to make a tour at the historic town is to walk when the sun is setting or at night, when the gentle breeze refreshes the tropical climate and the nightlife begins to wake up. The colonial alleys illuminated by lanterns give a magical touch to the route, constructions with large wooden doors and colorful balconies turn into the perfect background of an unforgettable photo.

The gastronomy is taken very seriously in this city. The alternatives multiply for travelers looking to experience new and exotic flavors of local and international cuisine. And if you want to stay at the old town you should find options from hostels to 5 star hotels of great luxury and comfort.

Taking a Spanish course in Cartagena is an excellent choice if you want to expand and improve your experience. Centro Catalina is a Spanish school located in the heart of Cartagena’s old town, just one block away from the well-known plaza “Fernández de Madrid” and the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel.

Our Spanish school is housed in a colonial building and offers all the necessary facilities for the organization of the classes: Internet access, Wi-Fi, air conditioning (AC), a small library, video projectors, audio material, TV, and DVD players. We also have a patio and a coffee shop where students can take a break while enjoying a good Colombian coffee.

The team is young, dynamic, and passionate about the language and culture. If you are looking for a friendly atmosphere and modern methods to learn Spanish in Colombia you should feel at home in Centro Catalina.