Bazurto Market Cartagena Colombia

Bazurto Market Cartagena

It was a hot, sticky day in Cartagena, Colombia, when I first laid eyes on the Bazurto Market. The air was thick with the scent of spices and fish, and the chaotic energy of the place was palpable.

Our local guide, Elvis, motioned for us to follow him as he continued deeper into the maze of people, products, and produce.

I had heard stories of this market and rumors of the wild and untamed nature of the area. And as I wandered through the Bazurto Market, I knew those stories were true.

The Bazurto Market is a place where you can find anything and everything. The

Bazurto Market is Crazy

market is a haven for foodies and adventurers, from fresh fish straight off the boats to exotic fruits and vegetables. It’s a place where the sights, sounds, and smells assault your senses and where the rules of the outside world don’t seem to apply.

Anthony Bourdain Bazurto Market

The legendary chef and adventurer Anthony Bourdain once visited the Bazurto Market. He called it “the beating heart of Cartagena,” and I couldn’t agree more. The city’s pulse is felt most strongly in a market, where the people come to trade, eat, and socialize.

As I walked through the Bazurto market, I couldn’t help but be struck by the energy and chaos of the place. The vendors shouted and haggled, trying to entice customers with their wares. The colors were vibrant and intense, and the smells were overwhelming. It was a feast for the senses, and I felt like I was in the middle of a living, breathing organism.

Exotic Food Tasting in Bazurto Market

Deep in the market, dozens of restaurants were cooking massive quantities of food. We even stumble across Cecilia’s place, where Anthony Bourdain filmed most of the episode.

We sample freshwater turtles, sharks, ponche, deep-fried fish, and numerous other dishes. The food area was quickly the highlight of our adventure.

The Dangerous Side of Bazurto Market

But there was also a darker side to the Bazurto Market. It’s a place where poverty and crime are rampant, where the lines between the legal and the illegal blur. Bourdain noted the dangers of the market but acknowledged its undeniable allure.

We attempt to enter the most notorious area of the market. The place where drugs and prostitution are rampant. We barely step into the section, and immediately we’re given a stern warning about bringing a camera into that area.

There is a section where exotic animals are sold and traded. Our guide explained that even he would not be permitted in the area. You have to be local, but you must also show that you have cash and intend to spend it.

And yet, despite the dangers and the chaos, the Bazurto Market continues to thrive. It’s a place where the people of Cartagena connect with each other and their city’s history and culture. It’s a place where the past and the present collide, where tradition and innovation coexist.

As I left the Bazurto Market, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. I had witnessed something extraordinary, something that few outsiders ever get to experience. And I knew that, just like Bourdain before me, I had been changed by my visit to this remarkable place.

Be sure to checkout the video Bazurto Market is Cartagena’s Craziest Adventure