Colombie — La Boquilla (Cartagena)

This is a very forgiving learning spot. A wide beach to lay out your lines, shallow water where you keep your footing far from shore, a side-onshore trade that always brings you back to the sand: everything lines up for coached beginners. Stronger riders aren't bored either — there's open space outside, chop and little waves to bump and jump on. The one subtlety is the rhythm of the day: it starts light in late morning then builds to 20-25 knots by sunset, so match your kite size to the hour you ride.

The season runs December to April, with January, February and March the core: 18 to 21 windy days a month, a steady northeast trade of 15 to 25 knots. From September to November the wind almost vanishes (barely one rideable day a week), so don't come for it then. Over the day, the wind picks up around 11am, still light, then builds steadily and is at its best through the mid-to-late afternoon. The tidal range is negligible in the Caribbean: you don't worry about tide here.

La Boquilla is a fifteen-minute taxi from Cartagena's historical centre, just north of the city along the seafront. The village keeps its fishing-town face: sandy lanes, seafood spots right on the water, simple lodging. The beach is huge and public, so setting up is easy; there's no dedicated parking, you pull up near the schools or the beachfront hotels. Rafael Núñez airport is barely ten minutes away.

The choice is plentiful and well rated. En Colombia Kitesurf is a full watersports school (kite, windsurf, SUP, surf). Nativo Kite School lends its name to the local forecast station, a sign of an established base. Pure Kitesurf, Nomad Kitesurf Colombia and Caribe Kitesurf round out the picture, all highly rated. Private lessons run around 35 to 60 USD an hour — Cartagena is one of Colombia's pricier destinations, but the coaching matches it.