Barranquilla

As Cartagena was cloudy and wet we decided to explore the nearest city, Barranquilla , 115 km from Cartagena.

On the way we stopped at Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, a volcano that spews mud instead of lava.

Legend says the volcano used to produce fire but the local priest, seeing it as the work of the devil, frequentlly sprinkled it with holy water. As a result he managed not only to extinguish the fire but also to turn it into mud. 

They say the mud contains minerals that have good therapeutic properties.

El sombrero Vueltiao

El sombrero Vueltiao is a restaurant built in the shape of a Colombian hat, a national symbol.

The cathedral is a huge structure with capacity for 4000 parishioners. It was completed in 1982.

 Casa del Carnaval explains the importance of this festival which started in 1914

This charming building represents the importance of the harbour for international trade

The Museo del Caribe is a modern museum that shows the history, geography and cultures of the people of the Caribbean region using the latest technologies.

The beautiful 19 century church of Saint Nicholas

On the way back to Cartagena we could rest in Castillo San Antonio de Salgar, an historic building that keeps the colonial architecture and has a  bar/restaurant with a nice view of the ocean.


Vallenatto is the typical music of the coast ( it includes accordion and local instruments), a different sound from Shakira´s music. The artist was born in Barranquilla.