Two Backpackers

Photo of the Day: Inviting Beach of Playa Blanca

| by Aracely on June 14th, 2025 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Playa Blanca is located off the cost of Cartagena, Colombia.  It has white sand and crystal blue warm waters.   Playa Blanca can be reached by boat or overland.

Inviting Beach, Playa Blanca Colombia

Photo of the Day: Old Fort of Cartagena

| by Aracely on June 3rd, 2025 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

During the seventeenth century, the Spanish paid for prominent European military engineers to build the fortresses which are today Cartagena’s most significant identifying features. Engineering works took well over 208 years and ended with some eleven kilometers of walls surrounding the city, including the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas shown below. In 1984, Cartagena’s colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fortress of San Felipe de Barajas

Photo of the Day: Cartagena Skyline

| by Aracely on April 25th, 2025 | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

We sailed from Panama to Cartagena Colombia in a 32ft sailboat. After 4 days of sailing; 2 days of island hoping in San Blas and 2 days of open sea, the city skyline began to appear across the horizon. At first glance it resembled Miami, but behind the high rise buildings is a enchanting colonial city full of history and gorgeous plazas. Click the photo below for more pictures of Cartagena, Colombia.

View of Cartagena Skyline From Our Sailboat

Discover Cartagena, Colombia

| by Aracely on March 4th, 2025 | 6 Comments » | Colombia, South America

Cartagena Skyline

After two long days of sailing the open seas Cartagena’s skyline slowly revealed itself to us as we approached its harbor.  It appeared majestic, especially for those of us (me) who spent 48 hours in bed fighting sea sickness.  Land!  And a beautiful land it was.

Cartagena is a city on the northern coast of Colombia and it’s the fifth largest urban area in the country.  Today the city is a center of economic activity in the Caribbean region and a popular tourist destination.  There are different sectors that make up the city each having its own charm. (more…)

Why Travel to Colombia?

| by Aracely on February 15th, 2025 | 26 Comments » | Colombia, South America

Early Morning Cartagena Skyline

We are all aware that Colombia has a reputation of being a dangerous country. The country has been battered by drug cartels, guerrilla wars and public kidnappings i.e. Ingrid Betancur.

After spending 20 days traveling in Colombia, we now consider it one of our favorite Latin American countries. The country of Colombia has much to offer its foreign and national tourists. (more…)

Photo of the Day: Streets of Cartagena, Colombia

| by Aracely on February 11th, 2025 | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

Cartagena, Colombia is a beautiful colonial city with clean streets, open plazas and flower filled balconies. The heart of the colonial city is named Old City and is surrounded by a wall which originally was for pirate protection. In this photo we capture the activity around the vendor cart.

Streets of Cartagena, Colombia

Mud Bath in Volcano Totumo, Colombia

| by Aracely on February 7th, 2025 | 11 Comments » | Adventures, Colombia, South America

Scott, Aracely & Jason at the Mud Volcano of Totumo

Just an hour outside of Cartagena, Colombia you can visit Volcano Totumo and experience a volcanic mud bath.

We booked our tour through our hostal, Casa Viena.  The cost was $20 USD and it included transportation to the volcano, entrance fee, and a snack. When we arrived, our van pulled up next to a hill about 50 feet tall (15M).  We were all eager to have some fun in the mud! (more…)