Shopping is a delightful experience in Cartagena. There are several premium clothing shops facing Plaza de Santa Teresa. One famous Colombian-born fashion designer, Silvia Tcherassi, even opened a boutique hotel here in a 250 year old mansion. It seems every plaza of Old Town is surrounded with boutique stores plus street vendors selling their crafts. A local specialty is emeralds. Colombia is the world’s largest producer of this beautiful green gemstone.