Manga: the neighborhood that still breathes family in Cartagena
If you are looking for a place in Cartagena where kids can run without tripping over street vendors every two meters, where the streets have shade from old trees, and where the noise of cars doesn't drown out conversations, Manga is your answer. While Bocagrande fills up with glass towers and the Historic Center gets clogged with tourists pulling rolling suitcases, Manga maintains a calm that seems from another time. Here, local families still bring chairs out to the sidewalk, dogs walk off-leash at certain hours, and the parks are not just decoration: they are the heart of the neighborhood.
In May 2026, Manga remains that corner of Cartagena where children learn to ride bikes on the cobblestone streets and grandparents sit to tell stories under the almond trees. But not all parks are the same. Some have creaky swings, others have synthetic grass that burns at noon, and a few hold secrets that only the neighbors know. Here I will tell you which four parks really work for going with kids, with details that no tourist brochure will give you.
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Why Manga and not another neighborhood?
Manga is not perfect. The potholes in the streets are still a gamble, public transportation sometimes takes a while, and finding parking on weekends can be an odyssey. But it has something that other neighborhoods in Cartagena lost: room to breathe. The sidewalks are wide, the trees are leafy, and the parks are close enough to walk to from any point in the neighborhood. Also, safety is relative. It's not that there are no robberies, but compared to the Center or Getsemaní, here kids can play in the street until dark without your heart racing every time a stranger approaches.
For families coming from outside, Manga offers something the Center doesn't: functional public restrooms (in some parks), air-conditioned cafes just steps away, and a community of neighbors who will greet you even if you are a foreigner. And for locals looking to escape the city noise, these parks are the refuge that remains when traffic and heat press in.
Parque de la Marina: the all-time classic
If there is a park that every Cartagena native from Manga knows, it is Parque de la Marina. It is on Calle Real de Manga, right in front of the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver. It's not the biggest, but it has the most history. Here, neighbors gathered in the 70s to watch soccer games on a Transversal someone brought out to the street. Today, on weekends, families arrive with coolers and blankets to spend the afternoon.
What's there for the kids?
It has a play area with swings, monkey bars, and a metal slide that heats up like an iron in summer. It's not the most modern, but kids love it. The floor is made of recycled rubber, which cushions falls. There are cement benches under the trees, ideal for adults to keep watch while the kids play. The shade is good until 2 pm; after that, the sun filters through the branches and you have to move.
Restrooms and services
The public restrooms are next to the park, in a small building that sometimes opens and sometimes doesn't. If you're lucky, they are clean; if not, you have to walk to the corner cafe. There are no baby changing tables, so if you come with diapers, bring your own surface.
A neighbor's story: Don Rafael, 68 years old
Don Rafael has lived on Calle 19 since he was born. He sits every afternoon on the same bench, the one under the biggest mango tree. "This park was the meeting point for the whole neighborhood. We played soccer here with a rag ball, and when night fell, our moms would call us by shouting from the windows. Now I see my grandchildren playing on the same swings I played on. The only thing that has changed is they put in that rubber floor that hurts less when you fall." Don Rafael remembers that in the 80s, the park had a fountain that no longer works. "They removed it because kids would get in to bathe and neighbors complained. But it was pretty."
Recommended free activities
- Reading stories under the trees: Bring a book and sit on Don Rafael's bench. The kids can listen while watching the pigeons.
- Playing "stop" or "freeze tag": The space is perfect for running games without losing sight of each other.
- Bird watching: The sunsets attract parakeets and hawks. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Where to eat nearby
Half a block away is Panadería Manga, on Calle Real. They sell pandebonos and natural juices from $3,000 COP. If you're looking for something more substantial, Restaurante La Marina (on the same street) offers a lunch special for $15,000 COP: rice, meat, salad, and a soft drink. Open Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm.
Parque de la Plazuela: the digital nomads' secret
This park is the least known of the four. It is hidden between streets 20 and 21, near Colegio La Salle. It has no official name on Google Maps, but neighbors call it "la Plazuela." It is small, with a basketball court that kids use for skating and a play area with two swings and a seesaw. What makes it special is that it has free municipal wifi (slow, but it works) and several concrete tables where digital nomads work while the kids play nearby.
What's there for the kids?
The play equipment is basic, but the basketball court is the real attraction. Kids can rollerblade, ride bikes, or just run safely because it is fenced in. There is a drinking fountain that works most of the time. Shade is scarce: only two large trees cover the tables, but not the play area. Bring an umbrella if you come at noon.
Restrooms and services
There are no public restrooms. The closest option is the cafe El Buen Café, 50 meters away, which has a restroom for customers. If you order a coffee ($2,500 COP), they let you use it without issue.
A neighbor's story: Carolina, 34 years old, mother of two
Carolina has lived in Manga since she moved with her husband 8 years ago. "When I arrived, this park was a hole full of weeds. The neighbors organized to clean it up and ask the Mayor's office to put in playground equipment. At first they didn't pay us any attention, but after a year of letters and signatures, the swings arrived. Now I come here every day with my kids. While they play, I work on my computer sitting at the tables. It's not paradise, but it's ours." Carolina says the best part is that almost no tourists come. "It's a local park. The kids know each other, parents share water, and nobody looks at you weird if you bring a thermos of coffee."
Recommended free activities
- Impromptu skating lessons: Older kids teach the little ones. You just need skates and willingness.
- Mid-afternoon picnic: Bring fruit and cookies, and use the concrete tables as a dining area.
- Family basketball: The court has hoops at different heights. Bring your own ball.
Where to eat nearby
El Buen Café sells empanadas ($1,500 COP each) and mango and passion fruit juices ($3,000 COP). They also have arepas de huevo on weekends. Open 7 am to 7 pm, closed on Sundays.
Parque de la Avenida del Lago: the biggest and greenest
This is the park that appears in Instagram photos when someone wants to show that Manga has green areas. It is on Avenida del Lago, right next to Club de Pesca. It is huge: it has a jogging track, an artificial lake with ducks, a large children's play area, and even a 5-a-side soccer field. On weekends it fills up with families arriving by car from other neighborhoods. It is the busiest, but also the best maintained.
What's there for the kids?
The play area has swings, slides, a suspension bridge, and a tower with rope ladders. The floor is synthetic grass, which heats up less than rubber. There are wooden benches shaded by large trees all day. The lake has ducks that kids can feed (bring stale bread, but don't give them too much, the ducks get fat). There is also a dirt path for walking or biking.
Restrooms and services
There are public restrooms next to the soccer field. They are clean most days, with toilet paper and soap. There is also a baby changing table in the women's restroom. They are open from 6 am to 6 pm. There is 24-hour private security, which provides peace of mind.
A neighbor's story: Doña Matilde, 72 years old, grandmother of 6
Doña Matilde has lived in the building across the street since it was built in 1985. "This park was a dump. No, kidding, it was worse: it was a pasture where people left horses. When they built the lake, we all thought it would be a mosquito breeding ground, but it turned out the ducks ate the larvae. Now my grandchildren come every Saturday. The only bad thing is that on weekends a lot of people from outside come and leave trash. But the security guards keep an eye on it." Doña Matilde remembers that in 2010, a flood washed away part of the park. "The water reached halfway across the field. It took months to fix, but it ended up better than before."
Recommended free activities
- Feeding the ducks: Bring bread or corn. The ducks come right up to the shore.
- Running on the jogging track: 800 meters long, ideal for kids to burn off energy.
- Family soccer match: The 5-a-side field is open to the public, but arrive early because it fills up.
- Bird photography: Besides ducks, there are herons and hawks. Bring a camera.
Where to eat nearby
On the same Avenida del Lago, there are several fast food stalls on weekends: hot dogs ($5,000 COP), hamburgers ($8,000 COP), and shaved ice ($3,000 COP). If you prefer to sit down, Club de Pesca has a restaurant with a lake view, but prices are high (dishes from $30,000 COP). Better option: Heladería Manga, two blocks away, sells cones from $2,000 COP.
Parque de la Calle 25: the smallest, but most loved
This park is a hidden gem. It is on Calle 25, between Carreras 18 and 19, in a quiet residential area. It has no name; neighbors call it "the kids' park" or simply "the park on 25th." It is tiny: barely a block with three swings, a slide, and a bench. But it has something the others don't: a community that cares for it like their own backyard.
What's there for the kids?
The play equipment is old, painted metal, but in good condition. The slide is one of those tube slides that look like tunnels. There is a baby swing with a harness, ideal for children 1 to 3 years old. The shade is total thanks to a giant rubber tree that covers the entire park. The floor is compacted dirt, so if it rains, it turns to mud. Bring wet wipes.
Restrooms and services
There are no restrooms. The solution is to ask at the neighbors' houses. Doña Matilde (yes, the same one from Parque del Lago) lives on the corner and lends her restroom if you ask politely. "I just ask that you don't leave the toilet dirty," she says. There is no drinking fountain, so bring your own bottle.
A neighbor's story: Miguel, 45 years old, father of three
Miguel grew up on this street and now raises his children here. "This park was an empty lot where we played soccer. One day, a neighbor who worked at the Mayor's office got the playground equipment. They put it in in 1998 and haven't changed it since. My kids play on the same swings I played on. The only bad thing is that sometimes teenagers from other neighborhoods come to smoke marijuana, but the neighbors kick them out quickly. Here we all know each other." Miguel says the best thing about the park is that kids can play without parents hovering. "From my house window I can see everything. If my son falls, I can get there in 10 seconds."
Recommended free activities
- Playing hide and seek: The giant tree and surrounding bushes provide good hiding spots.
- Chalk drawing on the ground: The compacted dirt is like a canvas. Bring colored chalk.
- Reading stories aloud: The bench under the tree is the best place for a story before snack time.
Where to eat nearby
Tienda La Esquina, on Calle 25 with Carrera 19, sells sodas ($2,000 COP), potato chips ($1,500 COP), and typical sweets like cocadas ($1,000 COP). Open 8 am to 9 pm every day.
Safety tips for kids in Manga
Manga is safe compared to other areas of Cartagena, but it is not a bubble. Here are practical, non-generic tips:
- Don't leave kids alone in the park, not even for "a second": At Parque de la Avenida del Lago on weekends, there are many people and it's easy to lose sight of a child. An adult should always be watching.
- Watch your belongings: In the busier parks, like Parque de la Marina, cell phone thefts have been reported when parents get distracted. Don't leave your bag on the bench while you play.
- Avoid parks after 8 pm: Although some have security, lighting is poor in all except Parque de la Avenida del Lago. After that time, it's better to be at home.
- Bring insect repellent: Mosquitoes are intense at dusk, especially near the lake. Dengue is no joke.
- Teach kids not to accept food from strangers: It sounds obvious, but in a neighborhood where everyone knows each other, kids sometimes get too trusting.
How to get there and transportation in Manga
Getting to Manga is easy from any point in Cartagena. If you come from the Historic Center, you can walk across Puente Román (15 minutes) or take a bus that says "Manga" or "Bocagrande" and get off on Calle Real. From Bocagrande, buses pass every 10 minutes and the trip costs $2,300 COP (2026). If you come by car, the largest parking lot is on Calle 20 with Carrera 18, rate $3,000 COP per hour. By Uber, the trip from the Center costs about $8,000 COP.
Within Manga, walking is the best option. Distances between parks are short: from Parque de la Marina to Parque de la Plazuela is a 10-minute walk; from Parque de la Plazuela to Parque de la Avenida del Lago, 15 minutes; and from Parque de la Avenida del Lago to Parque de la Calle 25, 20 minutes. If you have small children, a stroller works well on the main streets, but on secondary streets the cobblestones can be uncomfortable.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these parks is best for babies or toddlers (0-3 years)?
Parque de la Calle 25 is the most recommended for babies because it has a swing with a harness, total shade, and little foot traffic. Also, the neighbors are friendly and lend their restroom if needed. Parque de la Avenida del Lago also works, but on weekends there are many people and it can be overwhelming for a baby.
Is there a park in Manga with free wifi to work while the kids play?
Yes, Parque de la Plazuela has free municipal wifi, although the signal is slow and sometimes drops. There are also concrete tables where you can set up your computer. Parque de la Avenida del Lago does not have public wifi, but the mobile data signal is good. Bring a hotspot if you need a stable connection.
Is it safe to go to these parks with kids after 6 pm?
It depends on the park. Parque de la Avenida del Lago has private security and good lighting, so it is safe until 8 pm. Parque de la Marina has some lighting, but after 7 pm it feels more deserted. The parks at la Plazuela and Calle 25 do not have good light, so it is best not to go after sunset. In general, nightlife in Manga is quiet, but you always need to be alert.
Historical or contextual introduction
Cartagena, with its mix of history and modernity, has witnessed significant development in its public spaces. Parks are more than just green areas; they are the heart of the community, where neighbors gather, children play, and stories are shared. Many of these parks have a rich history that reflects the evolution of the city and its people.
Since colonial times, open spaces have served as meeting points, and many of the current parks have been built on land that was once strategic for the city. For example, Parque de la Marina, located near the port, has been a vital meeting place since the 16th century. As Cartagena has grown, these spaces have evolved to meet the needs of its diverse and dynamic population.
The importance of these parks in the daily lives of Cartagena's residents cannot be overstated. They not only offer a respite from the urban bustle but also serve as stages for cultural and recreational events that strengthen the city's social fabric.
When visiting these places, it is essential to understand their context and how they have influenced the lives of their inhabitants. Here are some interesting facts and practical tips to enjoy these spaces to the fullest.
What to do
Parque de la Marina
This park is an excellent option for a family day out. With large green areas and playgrounds, it is a place where children can run freely. Additionally, its proximity to the sea offers a fresh and relaxing atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Visit the park early in the morning or at sunset to avoid the intense daytime heat. Bring a blanket and a picnic; Sundays are usually especially quiet.
Parque del Centenario
A classic in Cartagena, this park is perfect for strolling and enjoying the shade of its centenary trees. Here you can find sculptures and a vibrant cultural atmosphere, ideal for children to explore and learn about the history of the place.
Insider Tip: Don't miss the opportunity to visit the small zoo inside the park, where children can see native Colombian animals.
Parque de los Novios
This park is a popular space among families, with basketball courts and exercise areas. It is an ideal place for children to make new friends while playing outdoors.
Insider Tip: On weekends, there are often organized recreational activities. Check the events calendar to enjoy family workshops and games.
Parque El Cabrero
A lesser-known park, but worth visiting. It has a quiet atmosphere and is surrounded by nature, making it ideal for a relaxing family day. It also has children's play areas and picnic spots.
Insider Tip: Bring a ball or frisbee to enjoy some active time on the grass. The shade of the trees is perfect for a rest after playing.
Where to eat or drink
Restaurante El Boliche
This restaurant offers a variety of typical regional dishes, highlighting fresh fish and seafood. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, ideal for enjoying a good meal after a day at the park. Insider Tip: Don't miss the shrimp ceviche, a specialty that always gets good reviews from locals.
Heladería La Paletería
A perfect place to cool down with delicious artisanal popsicles made from natural fruits. This place is very popular among children, who enjoy choosing from a wide range of flavors. Insider Tip: Ask about seasonal flavors; they often have unique combinations not on the regular menu.