Colombia

Cartagena

Crepes and Waffles Cartagena

A Colombian chain beloved by families, the Cartagena location in El Centro serves reliable sweet and savory crepes, waffles with tropical fruit toppings, and ice cream in a clean and air-conditioned setting that tired kids appreciate after a long market morning. It is a dependable choice when the group cannot agree on anything more adventurous.

Cartagena

Lunch at Restaurant El Corales, Isla Grande

This open-air waterfront restaurant on Isla Grande is a staple for day-trippers, serving grilled red snapper, coconut rice, and patacones at plastic tables right beside the water. It is simple, fresh, and exactly the kind of meal that tastes best after a morning in the sea.

Cartagena

La Cevicheria

Widely regarded as Cartagena's best ceviche restaurant, La Cevicheria serves coastal Colombian classics including shrimp ceviche, octopus, and fried fish in a cheerful open-front space. It is casual enough for sandy kids coming off the beach and popular enough to merit a short wait.

Cartagena

La Paleteria Artesanal de Cartagena

A short taxi ride from the castle, this beloved local paleta shop in the Manga neighborhood serves handmade fruit ice pops in flavors like tamarind, passion fruit, and corozo berry that kids will want to try in multiples. It is a perfect mid-morning reward after the castle climb.

Cartagena

El Bistro Cartagena

A relaxed, family-friendly restaurant tucked into a colonial courtyard on Calle del Torno, known for its fresh fish, arepas, and fresh-squeezed juices that kids love. The open-air patio is shaded and unhurried, which is exactly what you need on an arrival day.

Cartagena

Restaurante La Boquilla

Right on the beach at the fishing village of La Boquilla, this open-sided seafront restaurant serves whole fried fish, fried shrimp, and coconut lemonade at long communal tables overlooking the water. It is the kind of relaxed, generous, local lunch that families remember long after they have forgotten the tourist restaurants.

Cartagena

Helados Jahir

A tiny old-school ice cream cart institution in the San Diego neighborhood where a single vendor has been scooping homemade flavors like nispero, mamoncillo, and cafe con leche for decades. Prices are absurdly low and the line moves fast, making it a perfect late-afternoon sugar stop between shopping and dinner.

Bogotá

Mercado de La Macarena

This open-air weekend market along Carrera 5 is lined with stalls selling empanadas, tropical fruits, artisan cheeses, and freshly squeezed lulo juice. Arrive hungry and let the kids point to whatever looks interesting.

Cartagena

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

This massive 17th-century Spanish fortress is one of the best-preserved military castles in the Americas, with tunnels, ramps, and hidden passages that turn into an adventure for kids aged 5 and up. Bring a flashlight for the tunnels and arrive before 10am to beat the heat and the crowds.

Cartagena

Las Bovedas Artisan Market

Built into the old city walls, Las Bovedas is a row of 23 vaulted chambers that now house vendors selling Colombian crafts, hammocks, tagua nut jewelry, and painted mochila bags. It is a manageable, shaded shopping experience where kids can pick out a souvenir without the pressure of a larger market.

Cartagena

Mercado de Bazurto

Cartagena's main public market is chaotic, fragrant, and completely alive with vendors selling tropical fruits, fresh fish, spices, and street snacks that you cannot find anywhere else in the city. Go with a guide or a local contact if possible, keep the group together, and let older kids try fresh guanabana juice poured straight from the fruit.

Cartagena

Getsemani Neighborhood Street Art Walk

Getsemani is Cartagena's most vibrant neighborhood and its walls are covered in massive murals by Colombian and international artists, making it one of the best outdoor art galleries in South America. A self-guided walk starting at Plaza de la Trinidad takes about 90 minutes and kids respond enthusiastically to the scale and color of the work.

Cartagena

Snorkeling at Playa Blanca, Isla Baru

The reefs just off Playa Blanca offer some of the clearest shallow water snorkeling near Cartagena, with parrotfish, sea fans, and the occasional sea turtle visible in less than three meters of water. Rental snorkel gear is available directly on the island and guides can accompany families with young children who are new to snorkeling.

Cartagena

Lanchas from Muelle de la Bodeguita to Islas del Rosario

Fast boat ferries depart from the Muelle de la Bodeguita dock each morning and reach the Rosario archipelago in about 45 minutes, passing through open Caribbean water that kids find exhilarating. Book tickets the day before and sit toward the middle of the boat with younger children to avoid the biggest spray.

Cartagena

Aquarium Mundo Marino Cartagena

A small but engaging aquarium near Bocagrande with Caribbean fish species, touch tanks, and shark feeding demonstrations that younger kids find thrilling. Sessions are short enough to keep attention spans intact, and staff explain the marine ecosystem in both Spanish and English.

Cartagena

Playa de Bocagrande

Cartagena's most accessible city beach is a long stretch of Caribbean shoreline within walking distance of most hotels in this neighborhood, with calm enough water for younger kids to splash safely. Arrive by 9am to claim a spot before vendors and parasol rentals crowd the sand.