Cartagena

Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias was the primary port for Spain's South American empire and a major hub of the Atlantic slave trade. Its massive fortifications, built over two centuries to repel pirate attacks, are the most extensive in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walled old city's pastel colonial buildings, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and plazas define Caribbean colonial elegance.