Cartagena

Cartagena raised the thickest walls in the Spanish Americas to guard its gold, and inside them the old town is a maze of bougainvillea balconies and shaded plazas.

Step outside to Getsemani for the street art and salsa, or sail out to the white-sand cays of the Rosario Islands.

Fly into:

• Rafael Nunez International CTG

The walled centre and Getsemani are best on foot. Taxis and Uber reach Bocagrande and the fortress for a few euros; boats to the Rosario Islands leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita, so book a tour the day before.

Walk the ramparts at sunset when the heat breaks and the Caribbean turns gold, then let Getsemani's Plaza de la Trinidad fill up for street food and impromptu salsa. Skip the midday sun for a long lunch, the city only really wakes after dark.

Best in Winter

Winter: hot and humid around 28 to 32C, with sea breezes and little rain in the dry months.

• light breathable clothing for the heat
• sandals for cobbled streets
• a sun hat and reef-safe sunscreen
• a swimsuit for the islands
• a refillable water bottle