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Cartagena Explorer

A City and Travel Guide to Cartagena, Colombia

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Why Did Cartagena Declare Independence? – Historic Background to November 11

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 23, 2018November 19, 2018
  • Learn About Cartagena
A photo of the Act of Independence declaring why Cartagena declared independence.

On November of 1811, Cartagena declared independence from Spain.  It was the first area of modern day Colombia to set up a truly functioning, independent government that rejected Spanish rule.  However, the city had been a […]

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Guide to the Cartagena Independence Festivities – What to Expect During the Fiestas Novembrinas

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 21, 2018November 19, 2018
  • Learn About Cartagena
Photo showing a truck with partiers and people on the street watching the parade during the Cartagena Independence Festivities.

Every November, the city of Cartagena, Colombia holds a carnival in celebration of the city’s declaration of independence in November 1811.  Featuring a parade, a beauty pageant, and tons of dancing in the streets, the […]

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Insider’s Guide to the Best Areas to Stay in Cartagena, Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 16, 2018February 11, 2019
  • Visit
A picture of Cartagena showing the buildings of the Centro in the distance.

From hipster backpacker hostels, to boutique bed and breakfasts in majestic colonial houses, to beachfront high-rises, there is a wealth of options of places to stay in Cartagena.  I’ve lived in Cartagena since 2011 and […]

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History of the Battle of Cartagena de Indias – The Heroic Defense of Cartagena Against Edward Vernon

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 14, 2018January 29, 2019
  • Learn About Cartagena
A historic painting of the Battle of Cartagena de Indias depicts British ships firing on the Spanish defenders of the city.

In the Spring of 1741, a massive British force led by Edward Vernon attempted to take Cartagena, Colombia.  He hoped to deal a crucial blow to Spanish power and trade in the Caribbean.  Outnumbered by […]

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History of the Castillo San Felipe Fortress in Cartagena, Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 6, 2018January 29, 2019
  • Learn About Cartagena
A Colombian flag flies over the walls of the Castillo San Felipe Fortress.

The largest colonial Spanish fortification on mainland South America, the Castillo San Felipe Fortress in Cartagena, Colombia has a rich history.  First built in the 17th century, the fortress fell once to the French but […]

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Visit South America’s Largest Spanish Fortification – A Guide to Cartagena’s Castillo San Felipe Fortress

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on October 3, 2018January 29, 2019
  • Things to Do
The massive San Felipe Fort in Cartagena in the background with a few palm trees in the foreground.

Located just a short cannon ball’s throw outside of Cartagena’s historic walled city, the Castillo San Felipe Fortress is hard to miss, and it is certainly a can’t miss activity during a visit to Cartagena.  […]

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Go Whale Watching on Colombia’s Pacific Coast – A Guide to Seeing the Humpback Whales in Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on September 17, 2018November 19, 2018
  • Other Destinations
A whale tail sticking out of the water with the jungle covered hills of Chocó behind, a common site when you go whale watching in Colombia.

From June to October every year, humpback whales travel north from the Antarctic to the warmer waters off of Colombia’s Pacific coast to mate and give birth.  By traveling to the area, visitors can get […]

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Anti-Corruption Referendum – What Will Colombians Vote on in the Consulta Anticorrupción?

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on August 20, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Learn About Colombia
Clip art of people protesting politicians accepting under the table payments.

This Sunday August 26, 2018, Colombians will take to the polls to vote in an anti-corruption referendum.  While, there’s a bit of snickering that people have to vote at all against corruption, the referendum proposes […]

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Pensions in Colombia – Guide to How the Colombian Pension System Works

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on August 13, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Expat Corner
Stacks of money with plants growing out of them growing from left to right, a representation of how cesantías in Colombia function.

If you are live and work in Colombia, you are entitled to a pension.  You and your employer are required to contribute to the pension fund in Colombia.  Read on for a guide to pension […]

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What are Cesantías? – Explanation of Cesantías in Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on August 13, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Expat Corner
A stack of coins with a clock in the background representing how you earn cesantías over time in Colombia.

If you are employed in Colombia, you have a legal right to cesantías, a form of bonus/unemployment insurance.  While the system is somewhat difficult to wrap your head around at first, it’s fairly simply once you […]

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History of the Battle of Boyacá – Why August 7 Is a Holiday in Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on August 6, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Learn About Colombia
A painting depicting the battle with men fighting on the bridge at the Battle of Boyacá.

Every year, August 7 is a holiday in Colombia.  This date celebrates a decisive patriot victory over Spanish and royalist forces during Colombia’s struggle for independence.  What happened on August 7, 1819, and why is […]

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Understanding Colombian Paychecks – A Guide to Wages, Deductions, and Taxes in Colombia

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on August 5, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Expat Corner
A calculator, pen, and financial document, in this guide we will show you how to use them to understand a Colombian paycheck.

If you are an expat, living and working in Colombia, it’s worth understanding your paycheck.  In this guide to Colombian paychecks, I will explain what may appear on your paycheck, including what is deducted from […]

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Visit Cartagena’s Naval Museum – A Guide to the Museo Naval in Cartagena

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on July 31, 2018January 29, 2019
  • Things to Do
A big historical anchor you can see when you visit the Cartagena naval museum.

The walls and fortifications of Cartagena speak to its importance as a coastal trading port during the Spanish colonial era.  A visit to the Naval Museum of the Caribbean in Cartagena will give you some […]

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Visit Cartagena’s Gold Museum – A Guide Cartagena’s Museo del Oro

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on July 31, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Things to Do
A bowl holding examples of gold artifacts on display in the Museo del Oro in Cartagena.

The Gold Museum in Cartagena displays examples of the lovely and intricate goldsmith work of Colombia’s indigenous peoples.  Visiting the Museo del Oro in Cartagena will give you a glimpse of these ancient gold artifacts […]

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Visit the Palacio de la Inquisición – A Guide to Cartagena’s History and Inquisition Museum

  • by Adam McConnaughhay
  • Posted on July 31, 2018November 20, 2018
  • Things to Do
The arched entryway into the colonial building housing the Cartagena Inquisition Museum

The Spanish Inquisition conjures visions of witches, torture, and religious persecution.  As an important seat of Spanish colonial power, Cartagena housed an office of the Inquisition.  Today the Palacio de la Inquisición in Cartagena doubles as a […]

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About the Author

 

Hi, my name is Adam McConnaughhay and welcome to the Cartagena Explorer.  I came to Colombia as a volunteer teacher in a town just south of Cartagena in 2011 and have stayed ever since.  I started Cartagena Explorer to share my experience and love of this wonderful city and country.  I hope you enjoy and get a ton of value out of all the content on the site.  Learn more at our about page.

Please note that by continuing to use the site, you agree to our terms and conditions of use, disclosure policy, and privacy policy.

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About Cartagena Explorer

Cartagena Explorer was created in 2018 to be a resource for visitors and residents of Cartagena.  Find out more about us at our About page.  Please note that by using the site you agree to our Terms and Conditions of Use, Disclosure Policy, and Privacy Policy.



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