There is a lame touristic map of the Old city and Getsemani. The kind of maps you find in your travel guides.
If you cant see it good enough, try downloading it, or as soon as you get here, acquire one in any of the touristic cabins. There is one right next to the clock tower, and another in the San Pedro Claver plaza.

Ábaco Librería café.

I know I said I was focusing on writing about Gethsemane, that it is better, Blah blah blah... My favourite coffee Shop in all Cartagena, of which I was wanting to write so long ago, where lots of writers, actors and illustrated ones join together to depart wise chats and breathe in this knowledge ambiance. But don't worry. You don't have to be a professor to be there. With $3000 COP You'll be able to have a good quality cup of coffee, or with a few thousand more, a glass of wine, in order to sublimate with your co-visitors. If the lady I saw last time still works there, service will be warm and appealing  She is a love. Among many qualities, customer service is a strong point.

This jewel is located two blocks from the Cartagena university, and same distance from Santo Domingo Square. Its walls are covered with books, all of them available and with reasonable prices, and there is a shelf dedicated to those good English readers who accidentally forgot their book at the hostel/hotel/airport/taxi.


They have several mentions On-line, beside their webpage, http://www.abacolibros.com and their own selection of jazz, both on-line and continuously played at the coffee shop. The place is especially crowded for the HAY festival, with special guests, lectures and autograph signing.

Check this out: http://www.elheraldo.co/tendencias/charlie-sheen-de-vacaciones-en-cartagena-47689

First couple of reviews.

Locombia And Carretera 25

In the very corner of Media Luna and San Roque Street, you'll find two fine Coffee bars, with breakfast service, both. We have Locombia, which is a warm and very local ambiance (I love that word... "ambiance")

with lots of colourful portraits, nice staff and good food. It is focused mainly on beverages, but you can ask for  some good sandwiches or pita  Good quality coffee and an amazing breeze. What I like the most about this places is how you pay exactly for what you see, drink or eat. Of course, there are some exceptions  but they aren't at plain sight. Unfortunately  there aren't much places on-line about this Coffee bar, and the only one i found about it (there are probably more, but they happened to be harder to find) is this: http://www.degusta.com.co/restaurante/cartagena/locombia_2398.html

Locombia is focused mainly on breakfasts, and the schedule is quite abbreviated. even thought, if you are staying nearby, could be a good option.

On the other hand, we have this nice place called Carretera 25, right next to the first one. It has a few months old, maybe over a year already, and the last thing i remember, is that the owner, or the manager, is a beautiful lady from Argentina (or Italy... not sure) the place is wide and comfortable, smoothly decorated, and with an A/C area, which is a nice touch in this hot city. Prices are fine, but there was a  "but" with the food. When I went, Coffee was great, but my pancakes where not as great as they seemed. Maybe Im used to more Toppings, additives... Anyway. Great option, too, anyway.

Coffee: 2000
Pancakes: 7000
prices given in COP

Getsemaní

Cartagena, better known for it's walled city, Bocagrande Beach and the surrounding islands, left aside for many years the attractive and warm ambiance of Gethsemane  Only a few years ago, this area woke up to the world. I myself find it fascinating, with its tens of restaurants, hotels, hostels  coffee bars, and anything else you could want.

Actually, I like it so much that in the following entrances of this blog I'll focus on this place. Is located only five minutes walking from the walled city (in a map you can find it right next to it) and is composed of lots of small streets, each one with a particular name. Dont be afraid if you get there right from the airport or the bus station and you still don't have  a place where to spend the night. There are SO MANY options!

If you're lost, ask for the Media Luna street. In it, you'll find most of the commerce, inns and food places. A bit of a tip: Is not dangerous, but neither the safest place on earth. Don't be surprised if you find a few prostitutes, or someone offers you "strong smokes", or "relaxing trips". I just thought you should know. 

And, before i cut this entrance, don't forget, by any chance, to visit the Trinidad Plaza (plaza de la trinidad) in the nigh time. You'll find an interesting and completely different place as what it was in the daytime. Can you see the picture next to this text? Compare it to what you will see at night.