To all our sports enthusiasts (and to those who think padel is just tennis with walls), this one’s for you!
In honor of our founder Marco winning his latest padel tournament, we decided to pull back the curtain and give you a peek into what it’s like to be a sponsor at an event like this in Cartagena. Spoiler alert: it involves more sweat, sunshine, and celebration than you’d expect.
It’s not your usual sponsorship story. But then again, nothing about Marco or Cartagena is ever very usual.
I’m Tatiana, reporting live (and slightly sunburnt) from the Del Mar Tournament, proudly sponsored by Sanfelino Concierge. Let’s find out how it all went down, what padel fever looks like in the Caribbean, and why a post-match beer might just be the secret to happiness. 🍺
Play Like A Local In Cartagena
🎾 About the Event and Cartagena’s Padel Fever
🎤 Tatiana: First things first, how are you feeling? How has the tournament been?
💬 Marco: Feeling great, honestly. Excited to be here. The tournament’s been a huge success with over 260 doubles teams competing. That’s a record for any Del Mar Tournament so far.
🎤 Tatiana: What makes this tournament stand out compared to others?
💬 Marco: Two things. First, Cartagena. Everyone wants to be here. It’s the vibe, the Caribbean energy, the lifestyle. You can’t make it up. Second, the organization and the sponsors. Everyone involved is passionate, and you can really see the impact of that passion on and off the court.
🎤 Tatiana: Padel’s suddenly everywhere here. How did that happen?
💬 Marco: It’s crazy! Just two years ago, Bocagrande Padel Club opened with two courts and basically put padel on the map. Now we’ve got Mucho Padel with six courts, plus Match Padel, Padel Mania, and Blue Padel. They’re even forming an official regional league. It’s like the city collectively decided tennis needed more walls.
🎤 Tatiana: So padel’s officially part of Cartagena’s lifestyle now?
💬 Marco: 100%. It’s more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle. You’ve got design brands sponsoring players, social clubs popping up everywhere… it’s the new golf. Just louder, hotter, and without the five-hour commitment or questionable fashion choices.
Join the Game — Discover Our Tennis & Padel Experiences
🌴 Tourism, Culture and Local Impact
🎤 Tatiana: How do tournaments like this influence Cartagena’s image abroad?
💬 Marco: They’re putting the city on the international padel map. People following the sport can now say, “Cartagena? Of course, you can play there. Amazing courts, great players.” Once a sport reaches a critical mass of fans, it becomes a real event that attracts visitors, and that’s great news for the local economy. This benefits hotels, restaurants, taxis, and the local economy..
🎤 Tatiana: What kind of visitors come for these events?
💬 Marco: Most people come from the Atlantic coast. Cities such as Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Sincelejo, Montería, Valledupar. Some even come from Medellín and Bogotá. It’s a great way to meet people from all over Colombia. But we’re ready to take it global. Next stop: world domination (or at least a friendly international open).
🎤 Tatiana: For visitors coming to Cartagena for the first time, what would you recommend beyond the courts?
💬 Marco: Cartagena truly has it all: gastronomy, music, mixology, art, history, beaches, and Caribbean islands. Of course, there’s nothing better than sailing through the Caribbean with your favourite playlist, a cocktail, and coconut water. 🥥 Restaurants like Carmen, Salón Tropical, Mar de las Antillas, and La Cocina de Pepina are absolutely fantastic. For foodies, don’t miss Carmen, Salón Tropical, Mar de las Antillas, or La Cocina de Pepina. And yes, do the city tour. It’s “touristy,” but that’s the point – you are a tourist! Embrace it.
🎤 Tatiana: What’s one thing players underestimate about playing here?
💬 Marco: The heat and the humidity. Even though the courts are covered, it builds up fast. Stay hydrated 💧 and if you’re coming from higher altitude, get in a practice session first. The ball feels slower here. Most importantly, never underestimate how good a cold beer feels after a match.
🎤 Tatiana: Which local dish would you recommend after a match, and which one’s best avoided before a game?
💬 Marco: Avoid heavy dishes like bandeja paisa, mote de queso, or cazuela de mariscos before playing. You should go for grilled octopus, fried fish, a nice ceviche or a nice pork chop with rice and avocado salad. My favorite is not local to Cartagena but hits home for me, pasta.
Plan Your Tennis Retreat With Sanfelino
✨ Sanfelino and the Sports Lifestyle
🎤 Tatiana: How does Sanfelino connect luxury travel with events like this?
💬 Marco: Sports and luxury have always gone together. Events like this open the door to exclusive experiences; VIP access, private dinners, or like this time, a catamaran trip through the bay for sponsors, shareholders, and top players. ⛵ Who says hard work can’t end with champagne?
🎤 Tatiana: And how does Sanfelino bridge the worlds of sport and travel?
💬 Marco: We’ve all seen the wellness trend, but what does wellness really mean? For some, it’s slow travel. For others, it’s picking up a new skill. In a world where there’s never enough time to chase every passion, giving yourself the luxury to do so on vacation is a gift in itself. That’s the idea behind our retreats: a chance to disconnect from routine and reconnect with what you love. Whether it’s Tennis, Padel, Yoga & Meditation, Golf, or Sailing. A perfect opportunity to sharpen your game and immerse yourself in a new culture through its gastronomy, history, and people.
Find Out More About Our Sports Escapes
🏓 Marco’s Personal Side
🎤 Tatiana: When did padel become part of your life?
💬 Marco: I first played in 2003, during a summer vacation in Barcelona. My cousins played, and I thought it was great fun, but tennis was my main focus. Fast forward 22 years, the first court opened here, and I got back into it. Being a skilled club-level player, Padel comes quite naturally to me, except for getting used to those glass walls, haha. I love playing with friends; it’s super social and really levels the playing field. You don’t need years of practice to jump into a match and enjoy some great rallies. It’s just good fun.
🎤 Tatiana: What’s your pre-match ritual?
💬 Marco: Quick warm-up, some stretching, a few pushups 💪. Coffee (only in the morning though). I’m hyper enough as it is!
🎤 Tatiana: What advice do you have for players coming to Cartagena?
💬 Marco: Bring a towel, you’ll thank me later. 🧺 Plan to enjoy the city around your matches. You’re in a UNESCO World Heritage site, so take the time to explore. If you need ideas, just call us – Sanfelino will take care of you. ✨
☀️ Beyond the Court
🎤 Tatiana: How do you recover after a match?
💬 Marco: Coconut water, always. 🥥 Then stretch. Everyone knows they should, but most don’t. You’ll regret skipping it the next day.
🎤 Tatiana: What do you love most about hosting guests in Cartagena?
💬 Marco: I’m a people person, so I truly enjoy hosting and getting to know our guests while sharing a bit of our culture. What I love most is watching them fall in love with the city in their own unique way. For some, it’s the colors; for others, the architecture, the music, the food, the fruits, the coffee, the culture, but above all, it’s always the people. What I really enjoy is discovering what it is that makes each guest fall in love with Cartagena.
🎤 Tatiana: And if you could design your dream padel court here?
💬 Marco: That´s a tricky question because I’m a firm believer that everything is better on the sea. I’d build it in Parque Centenario, surrounded by trees and sloths, right in the center of the city. It would be amazing. 🌳🦥
🎤 Tatiana: How do you celebrate a win?
💬 Marco: I’m classic. “¡Vamos!” and “¡Dale!” with a tight fist, all the way through. ✊🔥 Maybe followed by a cold beer… or two.
Turn Your Match Into A Vacation
So, what have we learned? Padel is booming, Marco’s still undefeated, and sloths might be the next line judges if his dream court ever comes true. 🦥 Whether you’re here to play, watch, or simply sip something cold in the Caribbean sun, remember: in Cartagena, even losing a match feels like winning at life.
