The mangrove tunnels of nearby La Boquilla are an easy day trip from Cartagena. Guided tours will often combine a visit to the beach (one of the Playas De La Boquilla) with a boat or canoe tour of the mangroves, passing through Cienaga de Juan Polo and the Cienaga de la Virgen lagoons. Some tours will also include a closer encounter with local fishermen and offer insight into their craft. La Boquilla is an area of contrasts: the district of upscale hotels — Morros — borders on humble neighbourhoods populated by workers. When sitting down to tuck into no-frills seafood dishes served up by local eateries, make sure you're clear about the price of each item ordered from the get-go, as there have been reports of "surprise" bills amounting to several hundred US dollars.

The guided tour offers a first introduction to Het Noordbrabants Museum and Design Museum Den Bosch. It is a tour through time, space and architecture which highlights extraordinary objects from the collections of both museums.

This is the first thematic aquarium in South America, where visitors have the chance to see and learn about over 300 species of animals at once. It's not just marine creatures that live here, but some land animals as well. Special emphasis is put on the ethical treatment of animals. They also have a restaurant, cinema, and occasional mermaid dives.

Learn everything about the history and significance of the Highland Bagpipe, the quintessential Scottish musical instrument, and possibly get a chance to have a go at playing a tune yourself on one of the guided tours offered at the National Piping Center.