Activities · Cartagena

Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias

The Julio César Turbay Ayala Convention Center is at Calle 24 #8A-344 in Getsemaní, on the edge of the Bahía de las Ánimas. You can walk from the historic center or take Transcaribe to La Bodeguita station.

Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Address: Calle 24 #8A-344, Getsemaní, Cartagena

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It was built where Getsemaní's public market used to be. President Alfonso López Michelsen laid the first stone in 1978, and Julio César Turbay Ayala opened it in 1982, which is why it carries his name. It was renovated in 2016.

It holds about 6,450 people in total. Its largest spaces are the Explanada de San Francisco, a 4,000 m² open-air esplanade; the Gran Salón Barahona, for 1,508 people theater-style; and the Auditorio Getsemaní, for 1,462. There's also the Claustro de las Ánimas, meeting rooms, terraces and the Marea restaurant.

It has hosted assemblies, government summits and trade fairs. On September 26, 2016, the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC was signed on its plaza.

From the waterfront you see the walled city across the water. The Muelle de los Pegasos pier is next door, and Getsemaní, with its bars and restaurants, starts right behind it.

What to see

The view of the walled city from the center's waterfront, especially at sunset.
The entrance plaza, where the 2016 peace agreement was signed.
The Muelle de los Pegasos next door, with its winged-horse statues.
Getsemaní, the neighborhood behind it, with murals, plazas and bars.

Getting there

On foot: it's about 280 meters in a straight line from the Torre del Reloj toward Getsemaní (OpenStreetMap).
Transcaribe: La Bodeguita station, on Avenida Blas de Lezo, about 220 meters away in a straight line (OpenStreetMap).
Taxi: to Calle 24 in Getsemaní. There's a parking lot next to the center on the same street (OpenStreetMap).

Tips

Cartagena is hot and humid. If your event has outdoor lines, get there early and bring water.
If you're staying in the historic center or Getsemaní, walk: traffic in front of the center slows to a crawl during big events.
Afterwards, Getsemaní's streets start right behind the center, for food or drinks. The salsa bar Quiebracanto is right across the street.
Mood Matuna hotel is 400 meters away in a straight line, in La Matuna; you can walk.