BELLA CARTAGENA

I have a suggestion of what not to do: Don't go to the beaches. They are not remarkable by Caribbean standards and are full of incredibly persistent peddlers, who will offer from beaded braids to tropical fruits to coconut water to three vallenato songs performed on the spot to a potentially dangerous but tantalizingly tasty oysters and shrimp cocktail. And they don't take no for an answer, so don't expect that the equivalent of "put me in your do-not-call list" that works so well at home will make a difference here. Stay in the pool, enjoy the marvelous architecture and local cuisine, dance the night away, visit the amazing San Felipe fort and the gorgeous Islas del Rosario. But stay away from the beaches, you won't be missing much.

- Anonymous