Cartagena de India, a historic port on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is sometimes known as the “City of Walls” for its defensive structures surrounding the Old Town. The residential area of the city sprawls significantly inland, but most tourism is centered around Old Town, the beachfront of Playa Bocagrande, and the cheery marina neighborhoods with their colorful facades and distinguished eateries. Not only is Cartagena a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s a vibrant, cultured city, with an edge reminiscent of Miami Beach. This unique combination of beaches, history, and thriving neighborhoods makes the running in Cartagena some of the best in Latin America.
It’s hard to pick a favorite Cartagena running route, but the boardwalks along the Getsami and Manga Waterfront and the Castillogrande neighborhood are a real treat. Runners can also explore the Caribbean coast of Cartagena on the Bocagrande waterfront or one of the city’s many beaches, which feature top-notch running sand. For a tour of Old Town, it’s possible to run on top of or around the perimeter of the walls to see the sites. Or, runners can combine all our routes into one Grand Tour of Cartagena!
One thing that makes following running routes in Cartagena a cinch is that there aren’t that many streets, and they’re all numbered (Calle or Carerra). In terms of transport, taxis are the easiest way to get around Cartagena, and they provide both individual service and “collectivo” style service, which serves multiple passengers on a set route. There are also buses, which are more economical, but the routes can be a bit difficult for newbies to follow. Most visitors who plan to bide their time in and around Old Town will find their destinations close enough to walk (or run) to.
Special thanks to Mauricio and the team at This Is Cartagena for their help with this guide!
