Depends what you’re looking for. Personally, I’d say go to both because you get a different experience in each city.
In Cartagena, you’ll have the complete Old City vibe when you’re in the Walled City and around Cartagena. It has very much an island vibe even though it’s on the coast and the largest black population in Colombia, it may actually surprise you. The city is rich with culture and where you’ll be staying in Getsamani / the Waller City (I wouldn’t recommend the hotels on the shore, too far and away from the action) everything you want is right outside your door step.
Easy to get around with Uber and local Taxis. Museums, a massive colonial castle, walking the whole Wall of the Walled City, tons of rooftop restaurants, bars, nightclubs and I’m surprised I’ve gone this far typing without mention the bytches
just unfair. Absolutely unfair how bad some of those broads were and I was with my girl and even she was like
“the women here are beautiful!” And you know women don’t be admitting that shyt
but 90% of the bad ones are working
if you don’t mind you’re good but it’ll be hard to snag a regular chick if you can’t speak fluent Spanish. The city is rich with culture, it’s easy to get around, very walkable, a nice mall right outside the walled city to explore and maybe scoop some baddies
Highly recommend. One thing to keep in mind though is Cartagena is a tourist trap. Pretty much everywhere in the Walled City and along the shore are filled with tourists. You’ll get hassled and people will try little hustles but nothing intimidating or like you can’t handle. One thing they love to do if you’re a bruh is rap to you, mainly in Spanish
they’re not good and they ask for a trip after. I hooked up two bruhs and that was it for me. Keep little shyt like that in mind
Medellin is completely different. I’ve never been to a city like it… they call it the “bowl” because the city is at the bottom and surrounding it are stunning mountains everywhere you look. At night
the city just lights up because all the surrounding homes, mainly the favela types you see are on the mountains. Truly breathtaking. Now if you in Medellin, it’s not a walkable city and like I said, very mountainous. If you’re
you might wanna catch Ubers but good thing is, they’re extremely cheap. I’d recommend staying in El Ploblado. Tons of Airbnb’s in the area and very beautiful homes, safe with one of the biggest malls you’ll ever see in your life (Santafe Mall) and easy to get to other parts of Medellin without breaking the bank on Uber. Since Medellin is more of a City vibe, there’s just way more to do. There’s tons of natural parks if you want a nature vibe as they also call Medellin the rainforest. Museums, clubs, bars, dope restaurants in surrounding neighborhoods (like Laureles). I went to a few soccer matches for the local clubs and those were so lit
getting drunk and high in the stands with the supporters, never been to any sporting event like it. Downtown Medellin is where it gets a little dicey
wouldn’t recommend going there at night, it’s not like downtown in most NA cities. Highly recommend Parque Arvi. It’s a park at the top of a mountain, right above Medellin with the craziest views of the city and you ride the cable cars all the way up. On the way down from the park, you can stop in some of the local comunas to get something to eat and walk around the neighborhood. You won’t get pressed doing this during the day, everyone’s very nice and friendly. I haven’t been at night so I can’t say
also there’s not a lot of Black people in Medellin. There definitely is but not like you see in Cartagena. Where we stayed in El Plobaldo, I didn’t see ONE black couple our whole trip
only when up in the comunas. Just another thing to keep in mind
If you’re serious about going, hit me on DM. I think if you’re going all the way there, it’s worth it to extend your trip 3-4 days and do both. We flew into Cartagena, stayed for 5 days, flew to Medellin (45 minute / 80 dollar flight) stayed for 4 days and flew back to Cartagena for another 2 days and back home. You don’t feel hassled, it was very easy to do both. Either way you gonna have a ball, it’s one of my favourite places on earth and really a magical city.