Cartagena and the Sea

 As with all Caribbean destinations the sun, sand and sea are important elements in why folks are drawn to Cartegena and the surrounding tropical waters.  Whether you walk the two blocks to the water from your apartment at Casa San Agustín or drive ten minutes north to the many beach clubs that have popped up in the area, the sea is always near.  But if you really want to experience the flavor of what the entire Cartagena package consists of you should hop on a fast boat to Barú or Islas del Rosario and immerse yourself.

Party Party Party

There's a great deal more to Cartagena than the sea, however, and that is having fun and partying.  While any day of the year might host a major event in Cartagena, which in turn could spur a bevy of parties the months of November thru April are chock filled with events that draw revelers from around the world.  The kick off is the Miss Colombia pageant when for 10 days or so 'the girls' are flaunted, paraded and displayed all over town.  Soon after, the city begins preparation for Christmas and New Year's Eve.  The decorations are amazing and the parties too numerous to describe.  The week leading up to Easter, known as Semana Santa sees the city swell with partygoers and the parades are everywhere, one of which passes right in front of Casa San Agustín on the morning of Good Friday.




Between November when Cartagena braces itself for the Miss Colombia pageant through Christmas and New Years and on to Easter it is one big party...

Paris, Rome...Cartagena for Culsine? Says NY TIMES

The concentration of fine dining that can be found in the walled city of Cartagena, all within walking distance of Casa San Agustín caused the New York Times to write about Colombia's gem on the Caribbean becoming a magnet for Foodies.  If you find yourself hungry at 8:30 on a Saturday night and don't have a reservation at La Vitrola...unless you're Uribe, Bill Clinton or Ivanka Trump, forget about enjoying their carpaccio and pie de coco until after 11.  In addition to the great food and Cuban music the scene at La Vitrola is to see and be seen.  Oh La La, the tiny French jewel, just recently moved to Calle de Ayos in the walled city from Getsemani, right next door to El Bistro and La Perla...there's no name on the door yet.  If you want to dine al fresco and enjoy the 'theater in the street' head to Juan del Mar for Italian and thin, thin, pizza, red wine and Juan himself, who is very congenial and sings too!

Dinner Honoring The Artists at Casa San Agustín 5/09

It was not difficult in persuading the best artists in Cartagena to display their paintings at Casa San Agustín...they relished the concept of hanging their art on the historic walls that make up the complex.  Some have set up an entire gallery comprising all rooms in a particular apartment.  So now, in addition to experiencing Casa San Agustín as a true architectural work of art, one can enjoy 'the art within the art' when visiting the project.  This series of photos was taken during a dinner hosted by Casa San Agustín in the dining room of the 'grand house' as a thank you to the artists and to schedule a series of individual artist events throughout the year.  There are two scheduled for June, one on the 15th and a second on the 29th.  Check back for further details

A formal, eight course repast was enjoyed by all the artists displaying their paintings throughout the eleven apartments of the Casa San Agustín project.   The event was held in the dining room of the fantastic, 1045 M2 (11,245 s.f.) grand house: Casa San Agustín.  The artists were asked to select a date for their individual exhibitions during the balance of the year