Author: Igor

Upon arriving in Cartagena, we docked at Club de Pesca Marina, uniquely located within the historic Fort San Sebastián del Pastelillo—one of the city’s former Spanish forts. Our exploration began with the nearest neighborhood, Getsemaní, just a 10-minute walk from the marina, crossing the bridge that links Isla de Manga to the city center.

Once a working-class district, Getsemaní has transformed into the creative and cultural heart of Cartagena, home to artists, musicians, and artisans. The area is full of vibrant street art, colorful colonial facades, and charming balconies draped with flowers. The architecture, with its intricately carved porticoes and pilasters, is a delightful mix of historical elegance and artistic expression. The streets pulse with life—street musicians, open-air cafés, and bustling plazas create an intoxicating rhythm that invites you to wander for hours, always discovering something new.

At the heart of Getsemaní lies Plaza de la Trinidad, a lively square where both locals and visitors gather, surrounded by small bars, restaurants, and street vendors offering delicious local snacks like arepas and empanadas. The district is also known for its affordable boutique hotels and lively nightlife, making it a hotspot for travelers.

Just beyond Getsemaní, we visited Parque Centenario, a green oasis where iguanas, monkeys, and sloths roam freely—an unexpected urban wildlife encounter! Nearby, the Pegasus Pier (Muelle de los Pegasos), adorned with grand statues of winged horses, offers stunning views of Cartagena’s modern skyline, with its towering skyscrapers contrasting sharply against the colonial charm of the old city. From the waterfront, we could even spot our yacht, Oceanolog, nestled at the edge of the marina, completing the picture of our arrival in this remarkable city.

The crew of SV Oceanolog is no stranger to adventure, but our trek to the legendary Ciudad Perdida—the Lost City of Colombia—was unlike any journey we had taken before. Nestled deep in the dense jungles of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this ancient city predates Machu Picchu by centuries and remains one of South America’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites.

Our expedition began in the humid lowlands, where we set out on foot, following a winding trail that took us through dense rainforest, across rushing rivers, and up steep, mist-covered mountains. The jungle was alive with the sounds of unseen creatures, and each turn in the path revealed something new—a vibrant toucan overhead, a butterfly the size of a hand, or the distant echo of howler monkeys.

As we ascended, the air grew cooler, and the dense vegetation gave way to breathtaking views of the valleys below. After days of trekking, crossing ancient stone staircases and rivers that have flowed for millennia, we finally arrived at the legendary terraces of Ciudad Perdida. Standing atop these moss-covered ruins, surrounded by the whispers of history and the never-ending green of the jungle, we felt a profound connection to the past.

The Lost City is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Tairona civilization, whose descendants still protect these lands. As we hiked back, tired but exhilarated, we carried with us more than just memories—we carried a deeper respect for nature, history, and the hidden wonders of our world.

Like sailing the open sea, trekking to the Lost City reminded us that true adventure lies not just in reaching a destination but in embracing the journey itself.