Cartagena, Colombia and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil are two popular South American travel destinations that offer culture, beach, and nightlife. While the may have a lot in common, they are also starkly different in other ways. Use this comparison to determine which is the right city for your next South American vacation:
Left: Rio De Janeiro / Right: Cartagena
| Cartagena | Rio De Janeiro | |
| Beach Beauty | Eh. Mainland beaches have dark water, rocky sand, and more vendors than vacationers. | Beach is synonymous for life. Every corner of beach offers a different stunning vista, color of water, and vibe. We recommend Copacabana beach during the day and Arpoador to watch the sunset. |
| Architecture | Spanish colonial. That means dramatic doorways, bright colors, and cobblestone streets. It is truly marvelous. | One big mish mosh of super-modern, colonial Portuguese, cheap construction, and colorful favellas on the hillside. |
| Human Beauty | If short men and very huge asses are your thing, then this is your dreamland. | Men: Gorgeous. Tiny shorts.
Women: Gorgeous. Thongs. |
| Foodie Culture | From internationally acclaimed restaurants to street stands, this city has it all when it comes to food. We recommend La Cevicheria and street empanadas. | Steak and seafood- can’t go wrong but we were not blown away. |
| Museums | The Botero museum was highly entertaining. | Museum of Tomorrow– it’s everything you hope tomorrow will bring. |
| Transportation | Cabs. Easy. | Cabs. Easy. Or Bike, skate, run- all the locals are doing it. |
| Street Shadiness | Despite the heavy presence of armed guards, the shadiness level remains high. Don’t walk alone at night. Ever. | Surprisingly low. Don’t be a fool and leave your belongings unattended and you should be fine. |
| Vector-borne Diseases | Malaria. | Zica. |
| Vender Aggressiveness | You can run but you can’t hide. | Mild |
| Accommodation Luxury Levels | Variable. We recommend a luxurious AirBnb or the Sofitel Santa Clara. | Variable. The Belmond CopacabanaPalace was our favorite in terms of classic luxury. |
| National Drink | Aguardient. It comes from the latin phrase hot water or fire water. It burns. | Caipirinha- heaven in a glass. You will need at least 5 per hour. |
| Nightlife/Dance life | Salsa, reggaeton, prostitutes, and pushers. | Samba, salsa, and pop music.
|
| Travel Annoyances | Your suitcase will inevitably be checked upon return. | It is practically impossible to get a Visa! Plan way ahead and be prepared to wait in a DMV-like setting and shell out $165.00. |
By Nicole Dashman
Associate Travel and Style Editor, YGenMag.com
