Enlarge Photo

Colombia native and Surevolution founder Marcella Echavarria shares her favorite spots in Cartagena.

Favorite hotel(s): Hotel Agua (Calle de Ayos No. 4-29; 57-5-664-9479; www.hotelagua.com.co) is a great boutique hotel in the Old City. Its rooftop pool offers amazing city views. Hotel Santa Theresa (Centro plaza de Santa Teresa; 57-5 664-9494/664-9547; www.hoteles-charleston.com) is a larger, beautifully decorated hotel (also in the Old City), surrounded by wonderful little shops and restaurants.

Favorite restaurant(s): La vitrola (Calle Baloco No. 2-01; 57-5-660-0711) is probably the best restaurant in Cartagena. The food is delicious and there is always a band playing Cuban music. The restaurant is indoors, but nicely decorated in the old Cuban style. It gets a little crowded in the high season, so make reservations ahead of time.

Favorite bar(s)/lounge(s): Café del Mar (Centro Historico, Baluarte Santo Domingo; 57-5-664-6513/664-6515; www.cafedelmarcolombia.com), a lounge on the top of the Old City’s muralla. Great drinks are served, complemented by music and the occasional dancer. It’s spacious so during the high season (December) you can either relax or get in on the party. At the nightclub Quiebracanto (Parque Centenario Altos Edif, La Puerta del Sol; 57-5-664-1372; www.quiebracanto.com) you can dance salsa any night. It has a more local, Latin feel than Café Del Mar, which is more on the international scale.

Favorite sight(s): the Old City

Best beach: Barú

Best spa/spa therapist: the manicurists at Sofitel Santa Clara (Calle Del Torno 39-29, Barrio San Diego; 57-5-650-4700; www.sofitel.com)

Favorite museum(s)/gallery: the old colonial churches

Best shopping neighborhood(s)/street(s): The Old City of Cartagena houses the best artisanal shopping, as well as many independent boutiques. The Las Bovedas area, in particular, has many artisanal shops that offer a wide range of options.

Favorites shop(s): Jalan Dhalan (Centro Calle Santo Domingo No. 35-70; 57-5-664-0915) right off the Plaza Santo Domingo sells antique Indonesian furniture as well as beautiful accessories from India and Indonesia. I stongly recommend you stop by—all the items are really unique. I also like the shop at Hotel Agua

Favorite walk/park/outdoor activity: Making a trip to the Islas del Rosario. I suggest renting a boat with some friends and sailing around these spectacular islands which are surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters. While there, check out the Aquarium and see some local wild-life.

Favorite secret weapon(s): the masseuses they book for you at Hotel Agua; jugos (juices) at Plaza Santo Domingo; the Paella at Paco’s ( also at Plaza Santo Domingo) and the coconut pie from Rosita Benedetti

What I will never forget: the smell of the fisherman at the market

What not to miss: A sunset from the muralla. It is a view you will get nowhere else.

What not to miss on a first visit: agua de coco at the beach and the traditional “palenqueras” (Afro-Colombian women who sell tropical fruits on the streets while singing)

What to do on a fifteenth visit: always fit in a nighttime walk through the Old City

Also read Cartagena advice from Los Angeles-based interior designer Moises Esquenazi and a special Colombia itinerary designed by luxury trip outfitter Cox & King’s.