I’m now two months into my teaching post in Belén de Umbría and it’s been very interesting so far. I work at Colegio Nuestra Señora del Rosario every day except Thursday. It’s got over 800 students in grades 6 through 11. The school is just one block uphill from the plaza in Belén. It’s got an amazing view of the green mountains from the second floor.
Every year for one week, Belén de Umbría celebrates a week of fiestas to commemorate the founding of the town. The fiestas usually take place in November. This year, they were moved a month earlier to October.
Taganga is a small village located just 15 minutes from Santa Marta. As the title suggests, it’s a backpacker’s paradise with lots of hostels and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a far cry from the more upscale beach suburb of El Rodadero to the south. This small village is set dramatically beneath tall green mountains surrounding a small bay.
While on an organized tour to El Totumo Mud Volcano, we stopped for lunch at the small seaside village of Manzanillo del Mar on our way back to Cartagena. As lunch was being prepared, we had some time to swim at the not so nice beach.
El Totumo is a unique mud volcano found halfway between Cartagena and Barranquilla. It’s a popular tourist destination for the healing powers of the mud, which we were told has over 50 minerals. For me, it was fun just to flop around in it. Day trips from Cartagena are very easy to book.
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Cartagena, Colombia. It’s included in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.
La Popa Convent (Convento de la Popa) is a monastery at the highest point in Cartagena.
Taking a chiva tour is a touristy way to get acquainted with some of the highlights of Cartagena. A chiva is a colorful bus that was historically used in more rural parts of Colombia (and sometimes used today). Many cities now use them to give tours or as party buses.
Getsemaní is a historic neighborhood just outside the Old Town of Cartagena. It’s a popular place for tourists to stay and has a few minor attractions. It’s also part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Cartagena.
