Cartagena is a city of colonial charm, Caribbean colours, and fortified history – a filmmaker's dream on Colombia's coast. But filming here comes with challenges: intense heat, humidity, and crowds at the most famous locations. We sat down with Isabella Romero, a Cartagena‑based videographer who has shot travel content and documentaries across the city, to get the real story on filming in this Caribbean gem. From the colourful streets of the Walled City at golden hour to the panoramic views from Castillo San Felipe at sunrise, Isabella shares her favourite locations, the gear that survives the heat and humidity, and the permits you need to know about.
🎯 What You'll Learn in This Interview
- Best cinematic spots: Walled City, Castillo San Felipe, Getsemaní, and the beaches.
- Gear for heat & humidity: Why Isabella favours weather‑sealed bodies, lens wipes, and a good rain cover.
- Permits & etiquette: Where you can film freely and where you need a permit (fortress interior).
- Golden hour in the Caribbean: Her go‑to settings for that warm, tropical light.
- Editing style: How she grades her footage to bring out Cartagena's vibrant colours.
🏛️ Isabella's Top Filming Locations
- Walled City – at golden hour: The historic centre is a maze of colourful colonial buildings. Golden hour (just before sunset) is the best time – the warm light brings out the vibrant colours. A fast prime lens (35mm or 50mm) is perfect for street scenes.
- Castillo San Felipe – at sunrise: The fortress offers panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean. 6 AM is the best time – the soft morning light and the lack of crowds make for stunning shots. A wide‑angle lens (16–35mm) captures the full scale.
- Getsemaní – street art: The trendy neighbourhood is covered in colourful murals. Early morning (8 AM) is best to avoid the crowds. A telephoto lens (70–200mm) lets you isolate details in the murals.
📸 The Kit She Actually Uses
- Primary camera: Sony ZV‑E10 II – lightweight and weather‑sealed for the humidity.
- Go‑to lens: Sony 24‑70mm f/2.8 G Master – versatile for both wide and detail shots.
- Second lens: Sony 85mm f/1.8 – for portraits and isolating details.
- Rain cover & lens wipes: Essential for the tropical humidity.
⚡ Quick Cartagena Filming Tips
- Protect from humidity: Store gear with silica gel packs to prevent fungus.
- Beat the heat: Shoot early morning and late afternoon – avoid midday when the light is harsh.
- Use a polarizing filter to cut through the Caribbean glare.
- Shoot in flat profile to get the most dynamic range for grading.
- Ask permission – always ask before filming people, especially in residential areas.
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All recommendations are based on real‑world testing.