Food, Shopping · Cartagena

Portal de los Dulces

It's the arcade on the Plaza de los Coches, next to the Torre del Reloj, where traditional Cartagena sweets are sold in glass jars. You pass it on your way into the old town.

Hours: The stalls open from morning until night; there are no official hours.
Price: Single sweets between COP 1,000 and 2,000 and boxes from about COP 10,000, according to undated guides (checked 2026-10-12).
Price level: $$$$$
Duration: 0 to 2 hours
Address: Plaza de los Coches, across from the Torre del Reloj, Centro histórico, Cartagena

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Under the arches of the Plaza de los Coches, right after you come in through the Torre del Reloj, there's a row of stalls with jars of homemade sweets. The vendors say the trade started there in 1921 and has been passed down from mothers to daughters.

There are cocadas (coconut sweets) made with white coconut, with panela (raw cane sugar) and with guava, alegrías made of millet and coconut, caballitos de papaya (candied papaya), tamarind candy and milk fudge (panelitas). They let you taste before you buy.

Guides mention single sweets at COP 1,000 to 2,000 and assorted boxes at COP 10,000 to 20,000, though they're undated. Ask the price before they pack it up.

What to see

The jars of sweets under the arches.
The Torre del Reloj right in front.
The Plaza de los Coches at night, with the arches lit up.

Getting there

On foot: as you come in through the Torre del Reloj, the arches are on your left on the Plaza de los Coches.
Taxi to the Torre del Reloj.

Tips

Bring small bills; they don't always have change.
Ask the price per piece before they put the box together.
Coconut sweets only last a few days without a fridge; if they're gifts, buy them at the end of your trip.