20 brilliantly colourful pictures of Colombia

written by Matt Garceau

updated 4.11.2019

Professional photographer Matt Garceau shares his experience of photographing Cartagena, Colombia.

"The nearly 500-year-old walled city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, comprises a compact series of neighbourhoods that are surrounded by enormous Spanish walls and fortresses. Pressed right up to the Caribbean sea, the melange of aged buildings inside are painted brilliant colours of blue, yellow, orange, and green. Amidst an enticing labyrinth of architectural attractions, vibrant pink bougainvillea spills over the cracked and peeling paint in the tropical savanna climate."

"Within this setting, the artefacts, history, and people can make for a photographic tableau. Colourful ladies with bowls of fruit on their heads bob pass teenage boys selling cigarettes and sweets. Neighbours leaning out of their open windows to chat with passers by. People dance in the streets and stray cats mingle amongst the street food vendors. The scents of the streets are intoxicating and very intriguing to explore."

Planning your dream trip to Colombia? Don't miss our guide to the best things to do in Colombia.

A woman sells fruit on the streets

Senora de Palenque.  Cartagena, Colombia

A man pushes a cart through the Gethesmane neighbourhood

Man pushing cart through Gethesmane neighborhood.  Cartagena, Colombia

The Centro Historico

Public clock and wall surrounding the Centro Historico.  Cartagena, Colombia

Early Morning in the Centro Historico

Early Morning in the Centro Historico.  Cartagena, Colombia

The Los Pegasos Statue

Statue in Cartagena, Colombia

A wall decorated with Colombian colours

Wall decorated with Colombian colors. Cartagena, Colombia

One of the many colourful doorways in the city

Vibrant colors on a building in the Centro Historico.

Cartagena looking miniature from above

Cartagena miniature

The Caribbean Sea on the coast of Cartagena

Beach near Cartagena, Colombia

A local man with a pigeon

Man with pigeon on head, Cartagena, Colombia

The waters of Cartagena

Waters of Cartagena, Colombia

Pigeons fly through a residential neighbourhood

Pigeons fly Cartagena, Colombia

A baseball game on the street in Gethsemane

Baseball game on the street in Gethsemane neighborhood.  Cartagena, Colombia

A bride and carriage in the Centro Historico

Bride and carriage in the Centro Historico.  Cartagena, Colombia

Market stalls selling souvenirs

Market stalls in Cartagena, Colombia

Yellow buildings bright against the blue sky

Yellow house in Cartagena, Colombia

Private home with bougainvillea in the Centro Historico

Private home with bougainvillea in the Centro Historico.  Cartagena, Colombia

An historic church in the city centre

Historic church in the Centro Historico.  Cartagena, Colombia

Lookout along the sea front wall

Lookout along the sea front wall.  Cartagena, Colombia

India Catalina statue

You can see more of Matt's photography here. Explore more of Colombia with the Rough Guide to South America on a Budget. Compare flights, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.

Matt Garceau

written by Matt Garceau

updated 4.11.2019

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