Café
Café San Alberto
The Plaza Santo Domingo outpost of Café San Alberto, the multi-award-winning coffee estate from Buenavista in Quindío, serving its coffee and running tasting experiences.
Ábaco Libros y Café
A bookshop and café on a corner of a colonial house in the walled city, combining Colombian and Latin American literature with coffee, music and drinks.
At a glance
- Type
- Bookshop café
- Area
- Ciudad Amurallada, Cartagena, Colombia
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- abacolibros.com
Good to know
- Bookshop
- English-language books
- Coffee and drinks
- Open daily
Why we recommend it
Ábaco Libros y Café is a bookshop and café that describes itself in three words: music, books and good coffee. It occupies the corner of a colonial house in the walled city, at the junction of Calle de la Iglesia and Calle de la Mantilla, and it has been a meeting place for readers for many years; visitor messages on its website go back to 2003. For a literary city like Cartagena, closely linked to Gabriel García Márquez and host of the Hay Festival each January, it is a natural stop for anyone interested in Colombian writing.
The shelves cover 14 categories, from Latin American, Colombian and world literature to philosophy, poetry, essays, history and politics, as well as personal growth, young adult fiction, comics and children's books. There is a section of English-language titles, which is handy for travellers who want something to read on the beach or a novel by a Colombian author in translation. New releases and bestsellers are highlighted, including international titles launched simultaneously in many countries.
The café side has its own menu, listed on the website, and kimkim has described signature drinks made with beans from the Hacienda Samaria and cocktails prepared by a barista-mixologist. It is a relaxed place to sit with a coffee and browse, and the shop is especially lively during the Hay Festival.
Ábaco suits solo travellers, readers and anyone looking for a quiet hour out of the heat between sights. It is also a good place to pick up a gift for someone at home: a Colombian novel, a book about Cartagena or a children's title in Spanish.
The shop is open from 08:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 09:00 to 21:00 on Sundays and public holidays. It is at Calle 36 #3-86, a short walk from the cathedral, the Plaza de Bolívar and the Plaza de Santo Domingo. For enquiries, including whether a particular title is in stock, the shop publishes the mobile number +57 316 744 5517 and the email [email protected]. Allow half an hour to an hour, depending on how long you browse.
Ábaco Libros y Café FAQs
What is Ábaco?
A bookshop and café in the walled city, describing itself as music, books and good coffee.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 21:00, and Sundays and public holidays 09:00 to 21:00.
Does it sell books in English?
Yes, there is a section of English-language titles.
What kinds of books are sold?
Latin American, Colombian and world literature, plus philosophy, poetry, history, politics, comics and children's books.
Can I just have a coffee?
Yes, the café has its own menu of drinks.
Where is it?
At Calle 36 #3-86, on the corner of Calle de la Iglesia and Calle de la Mantilla.
How do I contact the shop?
By phone on +57 316 744 5517 or by email at [email protected].