Colombia

To the north of the country lies the Caribbean sea, and it is this region that MSC Cruises travels to, as our cruise liners call at the lively and historic resort town of Cartagena.

Although Colombia has experienced a turbulent past, the political stability of the last decade has led to more peaceful times. The official language of the country is Spanish, and the currency is the Peso. Colombia’s climate is diverse but most of the country is tropical, due to its location close to the Equator.

Our vacation destination of Cartagena enjoys a balmy year-round climate, perfect for sightseeing! Indeed, there are many attractions to see as the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, due to the city’s renowned fortified walls, which date back to the 1700’s.

Colombia’s rich diversity and colonial heritage is also expressed in Cartagena, such as the city’s graceful architecture and the important National Park (Parque Nacional Tayrona), indicative of Colombia’s rich biodiversity.

Once you have finished strolling the walled streets and picturesque courtyards of Cartagena and taken advantage of our many day trip excursion packages, finish your day away from the cruise ship shopping for typical Colombian souvenirs; Colombian coffee makes a great gift, as do woven ‘ruanas’ or coloured ponchos and handcrafted leather bags.