Gelateria Paradiso

For the ultimate cup or cone of handmade, artisan ice cream in Cartagena, look no further than the homemade thrills and frills of Maria Nevett's glorious gelato parlour, Gelataria Paradiso.

Step inside the glamorous Venezuelan owner's oh-so-pretty, white-wickered, floral-patterned parlour and be transported to a tropical oasis where the humble helado is elevated heavenward thanks to an unwavering dedication to using only the very best, 100% natural ingredients.

Following the tried and tested techniques learned from master Italian gelato makers, Nevett has wrapped up the iced sugar rush market in her musical corner of Cartagena, just a couple of blocks from the Plaza Santo Domingo.

Favoured by presidents - Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos won't scoop anywhere else and president Barack Obama declared the ice cream version of the Cartagena afternoon life-saver, the limonada de coco, the highlight of the Summit of the Americas - Cartagena's most exclusive hotels have taken the hint.

Cartagena's hottest hotel restaurants have stopped making their own ice cream and now ship  creamy batches of Nevett's airy gelato made daily from a colourful kaleidoscope of Caribbean fruits including zapote, corozo, cereza costeña, maracuya and lulo in to cool down their guests.

The ever-changing ice cream cabinet is complimented by an enticing list of menu items including decadent chocolate brownies, cookies, milkshakes, Illy coffee, teas and juices.

For sinfully sweet indulgences, this gelato Garden of Eden is the perfect paradise.