Cartagena, More than a Playground for the secret service

Cartagena, Colombia
Much More than a Playground for the secret service

Last month Cartagena, Colombia was all over the tabloids. It wasn’t about the city’s beauty or history, but about what transpired before the Summit of the Americas – Twelve Secret Service
& Military personnel were caught paying for prostitutes. The scandal was all over the news and trumped anything positive that came from this huge event, which was supposed to highlight Cuba, the Drug War and the United State’s economic/trade involvement with Latin America. This event was also a huge stepping stone for Colombia, which in years past was considered one of the most dangerous countries to visit in the world. It was time to showcase the country’s #1 tourist destination (Cartagena) and show the world that Colombia can host an event of this magnitude in which 33 Heads of States were in attendance. I’ve traveled all over the world and Cartagena is by far one of the safest cities I’ve been to. Colombia is one of the hottest tour-

ist destinations in South America (1.5 million foreign visitors a year) and Colombia’s Tourism Board’s marketing campaign exudes that in its slogan – “Colombia – The only Risk is wanting to stay”.

The media is what it is and the juiciest and most scandalous story is going to triumph over anything else. The world learned about how some bone-head secret service agents could not control themselves instead of the real story – Colombia is becoming a key player in South America (just signed a Free Trade Agreement with US) and Cartagena, Colombia is becoming one of the most up and coming tourism destinations by hosting such a high-caliber event.

Cartagena has a highly developed tourist infrastructure, and it’s just a short hop from the U.S. — only a 2.5 hour flight from Miami. The city sits on the Caribbean coast and is a wonderfully picturesque, walled-in fishing village of pastel-painted buildings, fine cathedrals, and plenty of Spanish colonial architecture and 17th-century forts that allow you to steep yourself in history. In 1984, it was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently named by Frommers as one of 9 destinations to visit in the world.

If you are looking to travel to Cartagena, I suggest going during its high season if you are looking to party – The second week of November for the Colombian National Beauty Pageant (Check out the Jet Set Republic Trip during this time), Mid December – Mid January & Holy Week (Semana Santa). If you are looking to just relax, Cartagena is perfect any time of the year.