Getsemani is beautiful, magical, and unique and I want to protect it. If you go, to Getsemani don’t be a stranger. Be respectful, listen and observe this magical place on earth. Don’t leave marks only memories in your heart! Any Colombian Caribbean Coast Itinerary should include Cartagena de Indias and a stop in the authentic neighborhood of Getsemani.

Getsemani, Must You Never Change!

Read 5 Places to Eat in Getsemani.

Break out of being a stranger and enter Getsemani the authentic neighborhood of Cartagena de Indias. Only 10 minute’s stroll outside the city walls, and you can discover one of the most sparkling areas in Colombia. Getsemani is the neighborhood where everyone is welcome. Poor or wealthy, tourist or local?

Nobody cares who you are which is an incredible feeling! In Getsemani we are all together in the neighborhood. There is no difference between you and me. We are in Getsemani together as one big family with a blend of the world. Europeans, Americans, Colombians, Australians, Venezuelans, and Italians — Getsemani doesn’t discriminate.

Everything in Getsemani is Vibrant

From the colorful houses to Plaza Trinidad and the humidity from the sweltering Caribbean sun. In Getsemani every street corner has history and art, making it a unique neighborhood.

Mostly your best memories will come from Plaza Trinidad, talking to the people, buying Cerveza Costeñita on the corner, and eating the street food. Some memories will come from aimlessly wandering the streets of Getsemani and discovering the talented graffiti and taking it all in.

Why is Getsemani Authentic?

Getsemani is the neighborhood for the people. Back in the day, it was a dense neighborhood. It was the neighborhood for prostitution, drug, and violence. We know that winter can be long, but in Getsemani spring has arrived. It has all changed.

Getsemani is Thriving

It is the place where you still have the proud locals in the street with tourists, language students, police, bohemian artists, the homeless, enigmatic street vendors, and street performers. The best part is the warmth of the smiles that greet you in every corner in true Caribbean spirit. Everybody huddle up in Getsemani! It is similar to the Wynwood Art District in Miami but, in a different way. Getsemani is authentically charming and easy to fall in love with.

Inside Information About Getsemani

A unique place in Getsemani is Plaza Trinidad. You should spend a day and a night at Plaza Trinidad. Or at least a couple of hours. Plaza Trinidad gives you the most lively plaza in Cartagena de Indias and is the heart of Getsemani. Everything is going on, and everyone is on the Plaza either talking, dancing, eating, or people-watching.

Getsemani is all About the Life On the Street

It is the perfect spot for people-watching and eating Arepa de huevos. The most important part is to be in the street in Getsemani. Look at the street performance. If you go to Plaza Trinidad by night, don’t miss out on Shakira! The old chubby guy playing Shakira has a great sense of humor and gives his soul when performing Whenever and Wherever – We’re Meant to be together.

Street Performance – Warriors en La Calle!

If you want to see something remarkable and maybe more talented? Then wait for the dancing group: Warriors en La Calle, they have escaped from Venezuela. Because of the violence and the number of people killed during the last wave of political unrest. They perform their dance routine with whopping energy and passion for a lifetime of a 5 minutes performance.

They are dancing for their lives, for their family, and for the future! Their performance is five liberating minutes where they only focus on the dance, not yesterday and neither today or tomorrow. The most beautiful part of watching is their freedom and the fun they have in their dance.

Getsemani & Street Art

Street art is a form of expression and Getsemani has many things to say. The different morals represent new issues that are plaguing Getsemani, such as racial segregation, gentrification, and increasing tourism. December 2013 was the first-ever International Festival of Urban Art. The festival was held on the Streets of Getsemani with 11 Artists from Cartagena de Indias, 24 Colombians, and three international artists. Together they gathered and created stories all over Getsemani. Here’s what I found in February 2017:

Maria Mulata

Street artist Yurika MDC took inspiration from a traditional story told to her by an old lady living close to the plaza. As the story goes, in olden times, the neighborhood was populated not only by humankind but by exotic animals too, like the vivid bird named Maria Mulata. The exotic multi-colored birds with the melodious songs came to the rescue when the town was enveloped in flames and helped carry the local people to the city limits in their beaks. But flying back and forth through the smoke and soot the Maria Mulatas lost their colorful feathers and were blackened after that. The villagers were saved and forever grateful to Maria Mulata. On bright days, locals can still see the brilliant colors in the bird’s black plumage. To see how it was made, go to the artist’s page here.

Artist: DEXS

You can find the Art:

  in Calle de la Sierpe

Artist: Fin DAC

Las Tres Guerreras

Artist FIN DAC is teaming up with his old friends. He undertook an ambitious project to find an authentic ‘Face of Cartagena’ by reaching out to locals. Through social media channels, and asking them to submit personal photos: the idea was to find an indigenous person that represented the mix of ethnicities and cultures in the cultural coastal hotspot.

The Irish artist presented a canvas work of the winner, Ana Luisa Muñoz, to the Museo Histórico Cartagena de Indias, which will become a permanent part of their collection. He then set about painting a large mural, featuring the winner, on the facade of Quintal Distrito Gourmet in the Getsemani neighborhood where he has painted many times over the last few years.

‘Las Tres Guerreras’ is the result: a vibrant and powerful depiction of Cartagenan indigene that looks out over the walls of the old city. –“Las Tres Guerreras” by Fin DAC in Cartagena, Colombia

Looking for cool tours in Cartagena? I recommend checking out:

CONNECT TO THE BEST OF CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

Places to Spend the Night in Getsemani

Wednesday in Getsemani is Media Luna day! In Media Luna (Half Moon) Street, there is the Media Luna Hostel, that host a great party. The Party is on the rooftop terrace, which is a magical feeling when the humidity is around 73 % – This is the place where you finally feel the air all the way from your hair to the back of your dress. Yes, honey, you will still be sticky at one point, if not you are not dancing! That is not a real Latino!

Nightlife in Getsemani

On the second floor at Media Luna, they have a live performance from Cartagena which is sometimes brilliant! The truth to be told. Media Luna is the perfect spot to meet up with other foreigners. There are some locals, but for them, it is mostly too expensive to go to Media Luna. If you are looking for the local touch, this is not the place to be.

If you want the local feel, go straight for Bazurto Social Club! This is where you will find the Costeños and even Bogotanos visiting for the weekend. The Caribbean coast is the place for more fun. In Baszurto they play everything! It involves some sultry dancing with Afro-Latino music and everything from salsa, bayenato, bugaloo, folklore, and cumbia from Colombia, and Champeta. The energy is on another level; it is crazy fun with an unbeatable atmosphere where everybody is smiling.

If you want to pay for the expensive entrance tickets for the famous hotspot Cafe Havana, then do it! If you are only one time in Cartagena, maybe you should. Cafe Havana delivers salsa and mojitos, live performances, and more salsa dancing to sunrise. Yes, this is where Hillary Clinton had a night out in Cartagena de Indias.  

Hotspot for Eating in Getsemani

If you have money to splurge, I recommend eating at Demente Tapas Bar at Plaza Trinidad. Demente gets a bit of everything right. My favorite is hanging out in the back garden with the wood-fired pizza oven and the big fan that makes you escape the humidity of Cartagena while having dinner. Or read this: Places to eat in the Neighborhood of Getsemani. Also read 5 Places to Eat in Cartagena.

Get a Group of Friends for Demente!

Because you would like to eat Tapas and share a bit of everything and maybe you will be lucky narrowing down the 14 plates, or perhaps you go all in and have them all! Order the Argentinean parrilla meat with perfectly balanced chimichurri and chili peppers with plenty of flavors to snack on. Do not miss out on the Pizza! Order the pizza! It is the best: Fried Artichoke Pesto Pizza. It is worth booking a return ticket for Colombia.

If you are in the beer garden, go local go explore the different beers in Colombia. Enjoy Demente’s full selection of Colombian beers.

Another great place for eating is Cháchara on the other corner of Plaza Trinidad. Cháchara has a selection from hamburgers to chicken wings and more; it is always fully booked.

Maria Bonita Taqueria Cantina delivers an extensive list of delicious bite-size tacos to choose from including, prawn, chorizo, and pulled pork. It serves up some of the best slushy frozen Margaritas in town. You will pretty much get the party mood.

The Budget Spots for Eating

We all love to splurge on food experiences, but sometimes, you have to get back to the budget. That requires more pocket-friendly places to eat. Getsemani has many of them, of course, you have to use your eyes. Budget-friendly places don’t pop up on Facebook or Google. Use your eyes when being on the street and find the restaurants with Menu el día. Or the Food Vendors with a lot of people waiting to eat. On one of the corners at Plaza Trinidad, you can find delicious chicken barbecue on the charcoal grill with coconut rice, and salad for 12 000 COP which is 4 US dollars. The barbequed chicken is tasty food with an authentic smoky Caribbean flavor perfectly paired with our all-time favorite coconut rice.

My Favorite Place for Lunch in Getsemani

My best lunch option is at Carrera 10 B – Enter the street on the left side of the church (Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad) in Plaza Trinidad. Walk down the road until you have this yellow building with a small sign on the top of the door: Restaurant Mama-Nilma Pizzeria. Here you will find a smiling Lily, waiting to serve you the best Menu el día.

Lily serves up generous portions of food, like being home with grandma. First the local soup with a bit of everything. Probably leftovers from yesterday, but plenty of flavor and pieces of tasty vegetables, meat, and corn. The Colombian you don’t know what soup is my favorite. Sometimes I order the soup with rice for around 8 000 COP which is maybe 2 US dollars; then I had a complete meal.

The Colombian Way- Menu El Día

If I’m going all Colombian, I tend to do the entire Menu el día, starting with the soup and then choosing between chicken, fish, or vegetarian. My favorite is the fish with coconut rice and avocado salad; it is so big and tasty that you will not need to eat it before 22.00 at night. Of course with a glass of juice included. All of that is for around 18 000 COP / 6 US dollars. If you don’t finish the meal get a doggie bag and have it for dinner. There are cheaper places to eat menu el día, but not as tasty! That’s why Maria wins my food heart and my money. The night at the same place but with different waiters, there will be a Mojito bar! With great prices!

Breakfast Either Healthy or With Heart Attack – Arepa de Huevos

When it comes to Breakfast eat on the street! Colombia has the best Papaya in the world seriously. Have a mix of Papaya, Pineapple, and Watermelon with a glass of fresh orange juice ( 7 000 COP / 2 US dollars) and you’re ready for your Spanish Class. Of course, if you want to be naughty eat Arepa de Huevos and then die of a heart attack for lunch.

The Best School for Studying Spanish

Cartagena is maybe one of the most comfortable places to start your travel in Colombia. First of all, flying in from Miami is cheap, and second, it is safe. Cartagena is a huge tourist destination, which means many Colombians speak English, and many police patrol the streets of Cartagena, which makes everything a bit smoother from the beginning.

Study Spanish at Nueva Lengua at the heart of Getsemani

Brushing up with some Spanish phrases to escape tourist scams is always great. If you want to get into Spanish, Why not return to school for a week or four? Truly immerse yourself in Spanish and Colombian culture. I had a great experience with Nueva Lengua, with great teachers explaining everything in easy Spanish with a great passion for you as a student. Every day, you are becoming better at the Spanish language. The best part of this school is that you can continue to study Spanish in Medellin and Bogota.

Where to Stay in Getsemani

Without a doubt, you should book your accommodation at Casa Venita. It has the perfect location with the authentic Colombian style, the best breakfast, and Julian (who speaks English and Spanish), the owner and receptionist who answers all your questions in an informative way and with excellent patience when you have even more questions. Other places is also loved staying were Voila Getsemani & Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique.

The Location is Everything in Getsemani!

Casa Venita is only 200 meters from Plaza de la Trinidad where everything happens and only 10 minute walk to the old city. Casa Venita was my home away from home in Cartagena. I could not have loved it anymore. I was in the only dorm; it contains no more than 4 beds which is excellent when you’re traveling solo but tired of being in a party hostel. Casa Venita Hostal Boutique has a restaurant, bar, free WiFi, and excellent breakfast. It was perfect for a 1-month stay in Cartagena in de Indias.

Another thing that I loved about the Casa Venita was the safety, it is in the street of the Police station, and as a solo female traveler, it was a bonus. I was not afraid of walking home at night; everything was safe and secure.

Julian the host and the owner of the house, is a very patient man from the UK but has now created a home in Cartagena. He answers all the questions as best he can. I also have to mention Maria, the best breakfast lady, she makes some great eggs. The breakfast in Casa Venita is simple but tasty. For fresh eggs, recommend huevos revueltos  – which are scrambled eggs with tomato and onions, then you get the fruit of the day bowl with some delicious juice and coffee. My favorite is, of course, Lulo juice.

Receive € 15 discount on your Booking!

Another great place I recommend checking out is Selina Cartagena, which also has beautiful rooms, but also dooms. They have a cool and urban design. Best of all it has a rooftop swimming pool with a view of Getsemani.

Luxury Stay in Cartagena de Indias

If you want to splurge and want to treat yourself because you deserve it, I highly recommend staying at Moviche Hotel in Cartagena de Indias, and the view is the best in Cartagena. The infinity pool, well it’s easy to spend a day or two.

If you are on a budget, you go there for a pool day or a cocktail drink at sunset!

Getsemani Don’t You Ever Change!

Getsemani is the neighborhood where my heart belongs and this is the place where I always find a smile around the corner. Let me know where else I should put my heart. Because Getsemani is truly the place to be when visiting Colombia and Cartagena de Indias.

Getsemani is an authentic, charming neighborhood with soul. You will wonder why should I ever leave. If there is one reason to leave it is for the reason that you want to discover Costeño Beach the Rare & Hidden Paradise in Colombia. Only for a couple of days and then you are back sitting in Plaza Trinidad watching the life in Getsemani. Also, check out 12 Days in Colombia – Caribbean Coast Itinerary

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