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Starting with dessert may seem counterintuitive, but since temperatures rarely drop below 70 degrees in Cartagena, paletas (popsicles) are a must to keep cool. Local paleterías (popsicle shops) open in the evening hours, serving vibrantly colorful varieties made from native Colombian fruits. Maracuja (passion fruit), guanábana (soursop) and ron con pasas (rum and raisins) are just a few of the flavors to choose from at D’li Paletería in Plaza de la Trinidad.Marianna Jamadi - 2 / 8
Colombian chuzos (kebabs) are a staple in Getsemaní. The wooden skewers hold meat, potatoes, peppers, and onions, but the real secret to their deliciousness is the sauce used to marinate the chuzo. The kebabs are covered in a blend of cumin, cilantro, garlic, onions, salt, pepper, and olive oil before they are placed on the grill, which creates a mouthwatering aroma. The chuzos are often combined with arepas and doused, post-grill, with a medley of lime, mayonnaise, and ketchup. - 3 / 8
Empanadas are fried Latin American pastries, typically filled with savory ingredients like beef, chicken, pork and cheese. In Plaza de la Trinidad, you can find empanadas de pollo y papas, which are filled potatoes and aji, a regional spicy sauce made from the habanero pepper.Marianna Jamadi - 4 / 8
No street food spread is complete without a mouthwatering hamburger, called a hamburguesa in Spanish. Vendors in Plaza de la Trinidad turn out several hamburguesas by the minute, with the most popular order being a hamburguesa con queso y jamon (hamburger with cheese and ham), which includes a greasy mix of beef, melted mozzarella, papitas fritas (shoestring potatoes), ham, onions, lettuce, mushrooms, mayonnaise, and ketchup.Marianna Jamadi - 5 / 8
Perros Calientes (hot dogs) are the most in-demand street snack in the Plaza de la Trinidad. It’s no surprise this stall has the longest line out of any in the square, as every order is customized with a mix of melted cheese, patacones (fried plantains), onions, mayonnaise, and ketchup.Marianna Jamadi - 6 / 8
If you like chorizo, sausage, potatoes, and cheese, then an arepa rellena (stuffed corn cake) may be the street snack for you. The ingredients are piled into a butter-lathered corn cake, then left to melt in an oven attached to the stall. Once sufficiently hot and browned, the arepa rellena is topped with mustard and salsa de ajo.Marianna Jamadi - 7 / 8
Nira’s jugo (juice) stall is a very distinct member of the Plaza de la Trinidad, marked with an iridescent Jesus image that proudly oversees his flock of fruit. Nira is on her 17th year of business, and every day she arrives in Plaza de la Trinidad at 5 p.m. to serve mixtures of local Colombian fruits. You can pick any two varieties and Nira will blend them with your choice of either milk or water—perfect for washing down your arepa rellena.Marianna Jamadi - 8 / 8
>>Next: How to Go Beyond Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean Coast
Photo by Jenny Miller
