Cartagena

Café del Mar's open-air terrace, set right on top of the city's old ramparts, is one of Cartagena's prime locations for evening drinks. Unobstructed views of the water make for an excellent spectacle of nature at sundown, when the sun slowly disappears into the horizon to the sounds of live music. The cafe serves a wide variety of drinks (including cocktails), and a great selection of Colombian specialities with an emphasis on seafood.

Although salsa isn't nearly as much part of the everyday in Cartagena as it is in, say, Cali, there are still a few great spots to head to if mastering the iconic Latin American dance is in your plans. Apart from Cafe Havana mentioned in this guide, Donde Fidel and Quiebra Canto are two spots that come recommended. Our top pick for newbies is Crazy Salsa: this bar not only knows how to throw a great party complete with live music, but also offers a range of salsa classes that can be attended, covering levels from beginner to advanced.

Alquímico is a hip bar with a rooftop terrace. Since the bar has been featured on the list of 100 best cocktails in the world, its popularity has skyrocketed. There is a line out the door beginning around 9 pm on any night of the week, so get there early if you want a smooth entry. Guests are invited to explore all three floors of the venue. Each level has its own menu of inventive cocktails, sandwiches, seafood and meat plates. It is basically bar hopping without ever stepping outside!

Although this won't exactly be everyone's idea of a good time, younger and solo travellers looking to explore local nightlife and make new acquaintances while in Cartagena might enjoy an organised tour on board a vibrantly coloured Chiva Party Bus. While specifics will vary by tour operator, most include an open bar, a selection of Colombian snacks (typically arepas, bunuelos, and empanadas), as well as live music and dance shows directly on board. Buses may stop at local attractions en route to the final drop-off point, which is commonly a popular nightclub where the party continues.

El Barón offers plenty of outdoor seating, but you'll be drawn inside the bar — the decor is too nice to want to stay outdoors. This craft cocktail bar has many options, try the mezcal-based cocktail. Try a Puro — rum cocktail with caramelised onion and tobacco leaf. For something fresh, order a gin basil smash.

A buzzing Getsemani nightlife hotspot, Demente continues to be ever-popular with both locals and visitors. With a convivial outdoor terrace in a busy little town square and scrumptious tapas-style dishes, Demente is an easy pick for a night out in Cratagena.

"World famous Cafe Havana" — reads the signboard, a message recycled all throughout the establishment. Even the coasters sport it. What brought such publicity to an originally one-of-many Cartagena bars is a memorable visit from none other than Hilary Clinton, the then-U.S. Secretary of State, who can be seen hitting the dance floor with a bottle of Aguila in photographs still plastered all over the web; all this while attending a political summit in Cartagena where US' isolationist policy towards Cuba was one of the primary talking points. The bar is worth a stop up regardless of the celebrity patron: it's a jovial affair with mojitos, live music, and dancing (if you can squeeze yourself onto the dance floor, that is). Abiertos de miércoles a domingos de 8:30 pm a 4:00 am (Domingos a las 7:00 pm) situados en Cartagena, Getsemani en la calle de la media luna. Te esperamos!