Cruise destination CartagenaWelcome to the Cartagena – Colombia cruise port guide. On the north coast of Colombia we find the magnificent city of Cartagena. The city is home to over 900.000 inhabitants. When your cruise ships visits Cartagena you have to make sure to visit the old town. This is an absolute must see! It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site because of the its educational value and beauty. In 1553 Pedro de Heredia established this city and named it after his hometown in Spain: Cartagena. It would soon become one of the wealthiest cities on the Caribbean Sea. It developed itself into the greatest Spanish gold and slave trade centre of the new world. This gruesome industry brought in so much wealth and gold that Cartagena would become the next target of many ambitious pirates. Therefore in the early 17th century the city walls were created to defend it from an attack. Many of the these walls still stand today. Protecting its historical buildings and heritge. This is what makes Cartagena a wonderful cruise destination! The city is best to explore by foot, on your own or with a guide. Find out your options on how to visit Cartagena old town from the Cartagena cruise port guide underneath.