Located close to the mainland, the Marietas Islands are definitely worth a visit if you like scuba diving. You can go here by boat to explore the wonderful reefs and exotic fish, turtles and dolphins. During winter months, you can even see humpback whales in the bay.

Enclosed within a protective wall reaching up to 20 metres in width, the Ciudad Amurallada (or Walled City) is Cartagena's old beating heart. Packed with well-preserved colonial buildings, it's a pleasure to stroll through; its streets of colourful low-rise merchant homes marked by iconic balconies are now mostly walked by either tourists or students who attend classes at the University of Cartagena during the day and linger for meals and nightlife after school is out. Cafes in Plaza Aduana and Plaza Santo Domingo teem with patrons, forging an incredibly jovial atmosphere; the districts of San Diego and El Centro are two not to be missed. There is plenty of food and shopping to be had, with a mixed bag of world-class restaurants and street food hawkers and the incredibly photogenic palenqueras — women dressed in vibrantly coloured clothing selling fruit in the streets — images of whom have become emblematic of Colombia as a travel destination.

Plaza Principal, also called El Jardin Principal, is the main square of Puerto Vallarta. This place is a wonderful oasis in the center of the city and often hosts events and concerts. Also, a great place where you can just sit down and watch people strolling by.