cartagena travel tips

The Unknown Enthusiast

25 Cartagena Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

In this post, I’m sharing some top Cartagena travel tips – read on for details !

Cartagena is in so many ways a Caribbean paradise. The lovely old town combined with the sea views and proximity to beautiful beaches made Cartagena one of my favorite places we visited during our two weeks in Colombia.

Of course, whenever you’re visiting a new city or new country, there are lots of little things to know or be aware of, and Cartagena is no different.

In this article, we’re sharing all of our tips for visiting Cartagena to help you be prepared for your visit. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

25 Cartagena Travel Tips – Things to Know Before You Go

1. cartagena truly is absolutely stunning.

The beauty of Cartagena is 100% real – it’s definitely one of those places where it’s hard to believe it’s real life. The buildings are painted in vibrant, colorful hues of red, blue, pink, and tan. Vines, bushes, flowers, and bougainvillea weave their way up and around the buildings.

The architecture from colonial times means that you’ll stumble upon massive, ornate churches, unique door knockers, rooftop terraces, lovely balconies, and doors all over the city. It’s absolutely enchanting.

Suffice it to say, there are plenty of great photo spots around Cartagena .

2 . . .. But There Are a Lot of Crowds

Thanks to its charm and beauty, Cartagena has grown in popularity immensely over the past 5 years. Today, the city can get BUSY. Don’t expect to be admiring Cartagena’s charming streets alone.

3 . … Unless You Wake Up Early

In fact, I 100% would recommend waking up early one morning of your trip to enjoy the streets empty and quiet. Not only will you avoid crowds, you’ll also be up before all the street vendors are out.

The sun rises around 6 a.m. year round and the city doesn’t really come to life before 8:30 or 9 a.m. Those hours in-between are magical.

4. Where to Stay in Cartagena

The Walled City is the most historic and central part of Cartagena, and where most of the attractions are located. The neighborhood of Getsmani is just outside the Walled City, and has an artsy, Bohemian vibe.

The vast majority of visitors stay in these two locations, I would highly recommend you do too. It’s a gorgeous area, and it’s also within walking distance of practically everything you would want to see and do.

When booking accommodations in Cartagena, double-check that your hotel has good AC – you’re definitely going to want it!

Here are a few of my top recommended places to stay:

✔️ Maloka Boutique Hostel (Budget): Despite the use of “hostel” in the name, this location offers a variety many private rooms, which are clean and have a trendy yet classic feel. A 24-hour reception, English-speaking staff, strong wifi, and complimentary breakfast are some other perks of this high-value hotel.

✔️ La Passion by Masaya (Mid-Range): This boutique hotel combines old-style architecture and furniture with modern amenities. The main areas are absolutely lovely, with marble floors, grand stone stairways, tall ceilings, and a rooftop pool.

✔️ Casa Del Arzobispado Boutique Hotel (Luxury): This hotel is a luxurious colonial-era hotel with marble floors, cast-iron decor, and attention to detail. The courtyard pool is a little slice of paradise, with a tiled pool area, greenery, columns, and lights, and the hotel offers a lot of extra amenities and comforts.

5. How Many Days Do You Need?

I’d recommend 1-2 days in Cartagena itself, and then another 1-2 days to spend on the Rosario Islands (and surrounding beach areas). We spent 3 days in Cartagena and it was the perfect amount of time.

6. Electricity

Colombia uses 110 voltage and type A or B plugs. This is the same voltage and plugs as the USA, so if you are coming from the States, you won’t need any type of travel adaptor.

If you’re coming from the UK or Europe, or anywhere that uses type C plugs, you will need an adaptor ( like this one) to plug in your devices.

The currency is the Colombian peso, which uses the sign “$” and is abbreviated as COP. At the time of writing, about 4200 pesos equal 1 USD.

Cash is king in Colombia – while occasionally you will find a restaurant or hotel that takes credit card, the vast, vast majority of the time we had to pay in cash. ATMs are plentiful around the city.

Whenever I’m visiting a new country, I always just pull cash out at an ATM at the airport when I arrive. I have found this is the simplest and cheapest way to get local currency. Definitely don’t stop at the currency exchange counters – those places are a rip-off!

8. Language

Spanish is the main language in Colombia, and most people in the country do not speak English. Do not plan on speaking to locals in English in Colombia. We do not speak Spanish at all (just a few words) and we got along okay by relying heavily on Google Translate.

I would highly recommend downloading the Google Translate app; with a downloaded language, you can translate even without good data. There are also options like talk-to-text translation as well as a camera translation feature.

The camera translation is a nifty little feature. In the app, point the camera at a paragraph of text and the translation will appear over the words on the screen. This feature is very helpful for reading restaurant menus and placards in museums.

9. Plumbing

Do not flush your toilet paper in Colombia – the plumbing pipes are old and not set up to handle the TP in the system. Just toss your toilet paper in the bin next to the toilet.

10. Arriving in Cartagena

Most people arrive in Cartagena via the international airport – Cartagena de Indias Airport (CTG). This airport is only about 15 minutes from the walled city and is very easy to get to.

11. Street Vendors

Cartagena’s streets are filled with vendors selling trinkets, food, and services. Be prepared to be approached very frequently throughout the day by people (mostly men), who will either approach to sell things they are carrying, or will call out to you from their stands.

Cartagena relies heavily on tourism as part of the economy, so remember that everyone is just trying to make money for their families. The people of Colombia are very nice, though, and they will generally move along without further pushing if you just shake your head, or say “no gracias.”

If you do want to buy something from a vendor, definitely consider haggling the price. Generally, the price quoted to you will be exorbitantly inflated – try to get it down to about 50% of their initial quote.

12. Notes on Taking Taxis

Taxis in Cartagena do not have meters, so definitely remember to agree on the price before getting in the car. Taxis will usually try to overcharge you for a ride, so I’d recommend haggling on the price before getting in the car.

Unless you speak Spanish very well, I would recommend using the calculator on your phone to write out the price, so you both are on the same page for what you are agreeing to.

For reference, a cab ride to/from the airport and the walled city will run between 15-20,000 pesos (4-5 USD)

13. Is Cartagena Expensive?

Cartagena is definitely more expensive than the rest of Colombia, and we noticed higher prices on taxis, hotels, and food in our Colombia travel budget here.

I would say that entrance fees are similar to other places in Colombia, such as Bogota , Medellin , or Salento , with a range of prices for different attractions.

14. How to Interact with the Palenqueras Fruit Ladies

All over Old Town, you will see women in bright-colored dresses, balancing bowls of fruit on their heads and smiling for a photo-op.

 If you want a picture, you will need to tip the Palenqueras ladies for the photos. Make sure you settle on a price per person before taking any pictures (and if they offer to bring someone else in while you’re taking pictures, be prepared to pay double).

If they say they just take tips, 20,000 pesos is a good place to start.

15. The Islands Are SO Much Better Than the Beaches in Cartagena

The beaches in Cartagena are… not that nice. For a true tropical beach experience, you’ll want to head out to Isla Baru or the Rosario Islands.

The beach of Playa Blanca on Isla Baru is one of the most easily accessible beaches in the area, with soft sand and glittering turquoise water. However, it does also have a LOT of vendors trying to sell you food and trinkets.

I would actually recommend going on a boat tour of the Rosario Islands. This tour leaves from just outside the Walled City, and you will zip around to 5 different islands on a sports boat, having time to relax on beaches and snorkel in the blue Caribbean waters.

👉 Check availability for this Boat Tour to Rosario Islands here

16. Water is Safe to Drink

Tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. We used the tap water without a problem in Cartagena.

17. Getting Around Cartagena

Cartagena is an extremely walkable city! Almost every single attraction is within walking distance and the old town is set up for pedestrians – we really liked this about Cartagena.

The only places not in easy walking distance are the Convent, the airport, and the beaches. Here, you’ll need to take a taxi or arrange other transport.

18. Consider a Photoshoot

Have you ever considered doing a vacation photoshoot? This is one of our favorite things to do when Matthew and I travel together, and we’ve now done 6 photoshoots on 4 different continents. Cartagena not only has Instagrammable places but it is also an incredible location for a romantic photo session.

We did a shoot with  July and Gilbert  and they were the nicest, sweetest, photographer couple. We found them on Instagram, but you can also easily search for photographers on websites like Flytographer .

19. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance !

Securing some travel insurance is an important part of prepping for any international trip – you never know when something might happen, and your regular insurance generally won’t cover you overseas. Costs for a medical emergency on vacation can add up extremely fast, so it’s just better to be safe than sorry.  I like booking insurance at  Insure My Trip , as they offer a variety of plans with different coverages to choose from, so you can find the right option for you. Plus, they have great customer support if you need help before, during, or after your trip.

👉 Check rates at Insure My Trip here! 👈

20. E-Sim for Data

I always get an e-sim card when I visit a new country. This gives me fast data while I’m there, which is important to me. I love e-sim cards because they are super easy to use and install (you literally just scan a QR code when you land, follow a few prompts, and away you go), and they are very inexpensive.

I’ve used several e-sim companies, but my favorite is SimOptions.com – Check prices here!

21. Eating in Cartagena

While you can find a lot of traditional Colombian food in Cartagena, you will also see a heavy emphasis on dishes like coconut rice, fresh fish, and ceviche.

There are also plenty of restaurants that have a more international flavor. This variety creates a really delicious culinary scene in the city. Check out my guide to where to eat in Cartagena for more information.

22. Tipping

A 10% gratuity is often automatically added to your bill at restaurants. If it’s not, leaving an approximate 10% tip on your own is considered polite.

23. Weather in Cartagena

The weather in Cartagena is HOT, EXTREMELY HOT. It’s actually the most uncomfortable place I’ve visited, weather-wise. This is because while on paper the temperatures in Cartagena don’t seem that bad (average highs year-round are approximately 87 F/30 C), the relative humidity stays right around 80%. The air is practically dripping.

December to April is the dry season, and you can expect sunny days and low rain. Fall is the rainy season, so if you travel then, expect more precipitation, although usually not all-day downpours.

We visited in July, and had rain several of the days we were there, but it only rained for about an hour each day.

If you travel during the rainy season in the fall, you’ll see lower prices and fewer tourists.

24. What to Wear in Cartagena

Because of the heat and humidity in Cartagena, you’ll want to wear light, loose, breathable outfits with fabrics like linen or cotton. I’d recommend planning to wear your hair up and/or bringing a hat.

25. Is Cartagena Safe to Travel ?

While you may encounter petty theft in Cartagena, the tourist areas of Cartena (The Walled City, Getsmani, Playa Blanca, etc) are generally very safe. The city is alive day and night, often late into the night, with people out and about on the streets.

Of course, I still would exercise walking alone late at night, and keep a close eye on your belongings to prevent pickpocketing, but in general, Cartagena is a very safe place to visit.

You can check any current travel advisories for Colombia here (though it is currently considered a safe place to visit!

Tips for Traveling to Cartagena – The Wrap Up

Cartagena is an absolutely delightful city to visit, and knowing some of these tips before you take off will help your trip immensely.

Stephanie is the author of The Unknown Enthusiast. She's visited 21 countries and 37 of the 50 US states (but her first love will always be France). When she's not traveling, she enjoys reading, taking naps, playing games, eating popcorn, and spending time with her husband (Matthew) and 4 daughters. Stephanie lives in Alabama, USA.

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Cartagena Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Cartagena is a perfectly preserved colonial town on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. During the narco heydays, Cartagena was considered the only “safe” spot in Colombia for tourists. It was where foreigners vacationed, cruise ships docked, and wealthy Colombians built their vacation homes.

Today, this colorful colonial city remains one of the most popular destinations for tourists and Colombians alike. Rich Colombians — and now foreigners — still build vacation homes here, cruise ships still dock, and the influx of tourists has grown with an increasing number of direct flights from North America and Europe.

In the midst of all the touts and tourists, Colombia is an architecturally beautiful and vibrant city. It’s brimming with lovely little cafés, cutting-edge restaurants, lively music, town squares full of life, funky bars, and more.

Cartagena is not about seeing the sights. After a couple of museums, a walking tour, and a visit to a beach or two, you’ve pretty much seen the city. It’s about the vibe and ambiance.

Which you’ll need to experience for yourself.

This travel guide to Cartagena will give you everything you need to know to see the local side of the city, find hidden beaches, eat the best food in Colombia, and make the most of your trip!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Cartagena

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Cartagena

1. Walk the Old Walled City

Cartagena has become such a popular tourist destination thanks to the colorful colonial architecture of its Old Walled City. It’s one of the best-preserved) examples of colonial architecture in the whole of Latin America. Be sure to wander around and take it in for yourself.

2. See Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Climb to the top of San Felipe Castle to admire the view over Cartagena. This fortress was built by the Spanish in the 1600s and its main highlight is the complex system of tunnels running underneath it. Admission is 25,000 COP.

3. Visit Playa Blanca

The pristine sandy beach and turquoise waters of Playa Blanca make it one of the most scenic beaches in Colombia. Located one hour from the city, it gets very busy during the day, so if you spend the night you’ll have the beach to yourself once the day-trippers leave. A tour costs around 60,000 COP.

4. Explore Getsemani

The Getsemani area was once a no-go zone but, in recent years, the area has transformed into a cultural melting pot full of street art, artisan shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s now a great neighborhood to wander around for food, drinks, colorful buildings, and friendly locals.

5. Visit Plaza de Trinidad

Plaza de Trinidad is a small square just a 10-minute walk outside of the old town where you can hang out with backpackers and locals alike, normally while enjoying lots of live music. There are always street food carts and vendors selling cold beers. It’s an awesome place to relax and people-watch!

Other Things to See and Do in Cartagena

1. go island hopping.

Cartagena doesn’t have a lot of nice beaches, which is why island-hopping around the Islas del Rosario is so popular. The Islas del Rosario are a collection of 27 islands just off the coast. If you want to visit the larger Islands, you can either go by road (there’s a bridge) or on a public boat. If you want to snorkel the reefs and see some of the smaller islands, you need to take a private boat. You can book tours online, or if you can get a small group together, it’s worth walking down to the port early and negotiating a private tour with a local. Expect to pay from 300,000 COP and up for the boat trip.

2. Watch the sunset from the wall

As the sun starts to go down you will see a constant stream of people heading towards the wall next to the seafront to secure their spot. Most people take a few beers and enjoy sundown with friends. The most popular bar in town around this time is Cafe del Mar, famed for its perfect sunset views and live DJ sets. Arrive early as it gets super busy.

3. Visit La Boquilla

La Boquilla is a small fishing village just outside Cartagena that’s best known for its busy beachfront. While the town lacks the polished finish of Cartagena, it more than makes up for it in cheap eats and cold beer best enjoyed on the beach. You can also hop on a mangroves boat tour to see the area’s natural mangrove tunnels, including the scenic “Tunnel of Love” (a natural tunnel made by the mangroves). Day tours start from 150,000 COP.

4. Do a free walking tour

Free Tour Cartagena organizes a free walking tour that covers all the main highlights in the city, including the Clock Tower, Inquisition Palace, Aduana Square, and Heredia Theater. They’ll also take you through neighborhoods like Getsemani, and they offer a free food tour (though you’ll pay for the food) too. Remember to tip your guide at the end!

5. Visit the Palacio de la Inquisición

The Palace of Inquisition, housed in a Baroque-style building with wooden balconies covered in bright flowers, is home to a museum displaying the instruments of torture used by the Spanish to stamp out heresy amongst the native Colombians during the Spanish Inquisition. The main source of torture was known as the strappado . This is when the victim was suspended in the air with their hands tied behind their back and weights were added to a rope to pull them down, dislocating their shoulders in the process. There’s also the rack, where victims were painfully stretched until they confessed. It’s 22,000 COP to visit.

6. Mix with locals at Mercado de Bazurto

If you want to taste a different side of Cartagena, get away from the old city and take a trip to Mercado de Bazurto. It’s easy to get disoriented here as the market is a virtual labyrinth. It’s dirty, loud, and fascinating. The market itself sells an incredible variety of freshly made food at rock bottom prices, so be sure to go with an empty stomach.

7. Take a street food tour

Colombia’s Caribbean coast is one of the best places in the country for foodies. Even the arepa con queso is a game-changer compared to the dry, tasteless arepa that you might find elsewhere. It can be tricky to find the best street food places, however, so a street food tour is the best way to go about finding the best eats. Duran Duran Tours offers a great tour through open-air markets where you’ll sample some local delicacies before finishing up with a cooking class and meal at a local family’s home. Cartagena Connections and Free Tour Cartagena also offer in-depth street food tours.

8. Visit the Museum of Modern Art

Located inside the converted part of a former 17th-century Royal Customs House, the Museum of Modern Art is small and its collection includes artwork from mostly local and national artists. Alejandro Obregón, one of Cartagena’s most famous painters, has several pieces here. There’s a cool photography exhibition detailing the city’s transformation throughout history too. Overall, you don’t need more than 45 minutes here but it’s worth a quick visit to admire the collection. Admission is 10,000 COP.

9. Go to Tierra Bomba Island

Tierra Bomba Island is just a 15-minute boat trip from Cartagena. There are four small towns here, each with different beaches. Punta Arena is the best town to get dropped off at, as some of the island’s cleanest, most pristine beaches are around here. Relax, book a cabana on the sand, and enjoy a seafood lunch. To get there, take a small boat from the pier next to the Castillogrande. A round-trip ticket is 15,000-20,000 COP.

10. Take a mud bath in a volcano

A popular but cheesy day trip is to the 15-meter (49-foot) high Totumo Mud Volcano (also known as the “Volcano of Youth”) where you can climb down into a pit and soak up the minerals from the naturally heated volcanic mud. Only 10-15 people can fit inside at a time. According to local legend, the volcano used to be full of lava but was turned into a mud volcano by a local priest when he sprinkled holy water into it. A round-trip tour starts at 110,000 COP. You can pay extra for a massage while you soak in the mud as well.

11. Visit the San Felipe de Barajas Castle

This castle was built and rebuilt between the mid-15th century and mid-17th century. It has been used to defend Cartagena against everything from pirate attacks to European invasions. It is in excellent condition so it’s easy to see where the vantage points for artillery were and to explore the underground galleries, gunpowder warehouses, and tunnels. This incredible example of Spanish military engineering is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission is 25,000 COP.

12. Go to the Pink Sea

Known locally as El Salar de Galerazamba and Salinas de Galerazamba, these salt flats are an hour north of Cartagena. It is thought that the pink comes from the only microbes that can survive in such high salinity conditions. Add enough light and heat and they produce carotenoids which turn these algae pink. Many tours to Totumo Mud Volcano combine a stop here or you can take the bus from Cartagena which costs around 25,000 COP.

  For more information on other cities in Colombia, check out these guides:

• Bogotá Travel Guide
• Cali Travel Guide
• Medellín Travel Guide
• Santa Marta Travel Guide

Cartagena Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. Most dorms with 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night while 4-bed dorms cost 45,000-70,000 COP per night. A private room will cost about 130,000 COP per night, and that’s about as low as it gets. Expect free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities. Free breakfast is sometimes included as well.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels are plentiful in Cartagena and often cheaper than private hostel rooms. A room in a two-star hotel can cost as little as 60,000 COP, but expect to pay closer to 100,000 COP per night.

Airbnb is also available in the city. The average price for a private room is 140,000 COP per night while an entire home/apartment starts from 350,000 COP per night.

Food – Colombian food is a blend of indigenous, Caribbean, and European traditions. While ingredients and popular dishes vary by region, common staples include maize, potato, cassava, rice, and all kinds of tropical fruit (dragon fruit, papaya, guava, passionfruit). Fried plantains, chicken soup, tamales, empanadas, meat pies, and roasted piglet are just some of the delicious popular dishes you’ll encounter.

If you’re on a budget, you can eat for under 50,000 COP a day. Whether it’s an arepa (a maize dough bun filled with meat or cheese) for around 4,000 COP, an empanada for 2,000 COP, or fish with beans and rice for lunch for as little as 11,000 COP, there are plenty of cheap options for eating out if you look for them.

Cartagena is known for its food and you can find some world-class fish, pizza, high-end Colombian food, and gastronomic food here. Mains cost about 30,000-50,000 COP, while starters are about 20,000-30,000 COP. For a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant with table service, expect to pay around 42,000 COP.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 15,000 COP. A beer at a bar costs about 10,000 while buying it at a store is half that price. A latte or cappuccino costs around 5,000 COP.

Some of my favorite places to eat in Cartagena include Demente, Caffé Lunático, La Mulata, Carmen, and La Cervichería.

OXXO stores are a great place to stock up on snacks and alcohol — and most are open 24 hours. For a week’s worth of groceries, expect to pay around 100,000 COP for basic staples like rice, eggs, meat, and some fruits and vegetables.

Backpacking Cartagena Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Cartagena, my suggested budget is 125,000 COP per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, eating street food and cooking some meals, limiting your drinking, using local transportation or walking everywhere, and sticking to mostly free or cheap activities like walking tours and the beach.

A mid-range budget of about 275,000 COP per day covers staying in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eating out for all your meals, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities like cooking classes and museum visits.

On a “luxury budget of about 600,000 COP per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, take more taxis or rent a car to get around and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in COP.

Cartagena Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Cartagena is one of the more expensive cities in Colombia. It’s popular with the cruise ship crowd, older Americans, and couples so prices are a little higher. Here are some ways to cut your costs while you’re here:

• Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a great overview of Cartagena, take a free walking tour. It covers all the highlights and is a great intro to the city. Just don’t forget to tip your guide!
• Eat like a local – It’s easy to eat on a budget here if you stick to local Colombian food. Avoid Western food and fancy restaurants if you want to save money.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation isn’t cheap here, but staying with a local will make it free! Not only will you save some money, but you’ll get firsthand knowledge from a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Cook your own meals – While eating out isn’t too expensive here, if you’re on a budget it will be cheaper if you cook your own meals. It’s not glamorous, but it’s affordable!
• Walk everywhere – If you don’t mind walking, this is the easiest and cheapest way to explore the city. Most of the main sights are well within walking distance.
• Pack a water bottle – The tap water here is safe so bring a water bottle with you to avoid buying single-use plastic. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw , which has built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Cartagena

Accommodations in Cartagena are a lot more expensive compared to other places in Colombia, especially in the Old Town. Your best area for budget accommodation is outside the old city. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Cartagena:

• Quintas by Maos
• Republica Hostel Cartagena
• Selina Cartagena

How to Get Around Cartagena

Public transportation – The main method of public transportation in Cartagena is the Metrocar bus. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. However, most everything you’ll want to see and do in Cartagena is within walking distance. Many locals will tell you to avoid the bus altogether as it passes through some shady parts of town.

Taxis – Taxis in Cartagena the best way to get around if you want flexibility. Ask your accommodation for approximate prices so you don’t get ripped off. The city has set rates but taxis don’t use meters and usually won’t show you the rates. Know what to expect in advance so you don’t get ripped off.

Bike rental – Bikes can be rented for around 6,000 COP per hour, while guided bike tours cost around 100,000 COP for a two-hour tour. Electric motorcycles cost around 30,000 COP per hour for a rental.

When to Go to Cartagena

Cartagena is hot all year round, with temperatures usually in the high 20s°C (mid-80s °F). The busiest time of year is from December to April (the dry season) when temperatures are the most pleasant and there’s very little rainfall. This period is also when the city receives the most tourists, however, so you can expect inflated prices and big crowds.

June to August usually bring lots of rain and overwhelming humidity, so you might want to brave the crowds and visit during the peak season instead of visiting during this time. Expect daily highs around 32°C (90°F).

The cheapest time to visit is August-November, as this is when the city is the least busy. It will be rainy, but there is still a lot to do and prices for accommodation will be lower.

How to Stay Safe in Cartagena

Safety is often one of the biggest concerns for people when planning a trip to Cartagena, as Colombia used to be one of the most dangerous places in the world. They have a common saying in Colombia: “No dar papaya,” which translates to “don’t give papaya.” What it really means is though don’t give anyone the chance to steal your stuff — because someone probably will.

That means no walking around with your phone out, never keeping anything in your pockets (especially when on public transport), and always keeping hold of your bag.

If you are eating out, keep your backpack on your lap or place your foot or a chair leg through your strap. It is very common for someone to do a bag swap (meaning they swap their empty bag for yours) while you’re busy eating so always stay vigilant.

Avoid ATMs on the street whenever possible and go into the bank to use the ATM there instead. That way you can put your money away discreetly without being watched.

There aren’t many street scams in Cartagena; it’s mostly opportunistic petty theft. But if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

Look for hotels or hostels with 24-hour security. You always want someone around in case you need assistance. If you don’t feel safe somewhere, don’t hesitate to move on.

Also, avoid drug tourism. The drugs cartels have crippled this country so it’s really disrespectful to support the drug industry here. Doing drugs here is also illegal and you don’t want to end up in a Colombian prison!

If you experience an emergency and need assistance, dial 123.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Colombia, check out this post we wrote that answers some frequently asked questions and concerns.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Cartagena Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Cartagena Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Colombia and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Bogotá

Where to Stay in Bogotá: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Medellín: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Is Colombia Safe to Visit?

How Much Does it Cost to Travel Colombia?

14 Things to Do in Medellín (and the ONE thing NOT to do!)

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Visiting Cartagena: 18 Things To Know Before You Go

Visiting Cartagena on your Colombia itinerary ? Well, you wouldn’t be the first! This vibrant, Spanish-colonial, coastal town is one of the most visited places in all of Colombia. Regardless of what there is to do in Cartagena , understanding a few tips for visiting Cartagena ahead of your arrival will definitely come in handy.

From outlets to money and Cartagena’s beaches, there are definitely a few things to know before you visit Cartagena. Let’s get to it!

Tips For Visiting Cartagena

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1. Cartagena Is Hot. Very, Very Hot

You’re close to the equator, along the northern coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea….to say it’s hot is an understatement. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their “winter temperatures” rose into the 90s. Chilly winter temps, right??

Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. If the temperatures get too much, try booking accommodation with a pool , head to a few museums, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in an air-conditioned eatery or coffee shop.

Oh, and definitely make a pitstop at La Palettería to get an ice-cold popsicle.

2. It’s Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is

Facts. Cartagena is beautiful. From its cobblestone streets to its historic and colorful Spanish colonial architecture, and the DOORS! The doors on some of these houses and buildings are magnificent, not to mention the hanging gardens and outdoor balconies which add a perfect little cherry on top of it all.

In all honesty, Cartagena reminded us of Old San Juan . It’s historic, colorful, and charming, which will leave that memory card of yours full. There are never too many photos you can take of Cartagena’s streets.

3. …but Cartagena Is Crowded

Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! Absolutely not. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. Yes, all of South America, as in the entire continent.

Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. The Old City of Cartagena (Centro) is small, so its streets are inevitably crowded with tourists and locals. We recommend making reservations at any of the restaurants you want to eat at and also book any tour you may be interested in well in advance.

4. Get Up Early

Not only to beat the heat but the crowds too. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. You will have the place to yourself which is perfect for any photographers wanting to get “people-free” photos of Cartagena’s Old City.

5. It’s Easy To Get To

Especially if you plan to fly. Cartagena’s airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. Not to mention, the numerous amount of domestic flights that arrive and depart from Cartagena daily too!

Rafael Núñez International Airport is Cartagena’s airport and it’s located north of the Old Walled City. Once you land, rest assured that Cartagena’s Old City is only a short taxi or Uber ride away (15 minutes or so).

6. Avoid Cartagena’s Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead

Yes, Cartagena has beaches. Should you go? Meh, no. While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters.

Due to Cartagena being a massive port city, not only for cruises but for freight liners too, and the number of tourists this place sees, unfortunately, the water has been affected due to pollution. At one time, 70+ years ago we are told, the coast along Cartagena was lovely. However, that is not the case today.

If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Barú or Islas del Rosario . Islas del Rosario ( Isle Grande ) is only accessible by a 1-hour boat ride whereas Isla Barú can be accessed by boat or car via the peninsula bridge.

7. Fruit Lady Photos Are Not Free

When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. Cartagena’s fruit ladies or also known as The Palenqueras, are colorfully dressed women who effortlessly balance a bouquet of fruit atop their heads as they wander the streets of Cartagena. They will encourage you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. You’ll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir.

8. Get Out of Cartagena’s Old City and Explore Getsemani

Laying just outside of Cartagena’s historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local.

Home to beautiful street murals, umbrella-covered streets, and Salsa bars, Getsemani is a perfect break from what can be the chaos of Cartagena. Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you can’t get a reservation in Cartagena’s Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani.

9. Book Ahead, This Place is Busy

As soon as you know the dates as to when you’re visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations ! Remember that millions of people visit Cartagena yearly so if you are looking for a certain type of accommodation, you’ll want to be sure to book as far in advance as you can.

The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. Reservations are encouraged where you can make them!

10. Skip The Taxis. Walk .

You do not need to rent a car or even book a cab to get anywhere within Cartagena’s Old City or to get to Getsemani for that matter. Everything is walkable! Everything. And we promise, if you think something is too far and opt to get a taxi or Uber, it’ll take you longer to get to vs if you just walked. The traffic in Cartagena can be crazy.

11. The Water in Cartagena IS Safe to Drink

Yes, you read that right. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. So sleep easy knowing you can brush your teeth, have ice in your cocktails, and drink the water without encountering tummy troubles.

If you are a little wary of trusting the tap water, you can opt to filter the water further, you know, to take the better safe than sorry route. The Life Straw will help purify your water further if you are wanting to give tap water a try and avoid single-use plastic water bottles.

12. Cartagena Uses U.S. Outlets

All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, you’ll need to pack your adapter with you. If you are unsure if you have the right outlet adapter, you can check out this adapter pack for your trip to Colombia and future travels.

13. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at restaurants all around Cartagena, but if you want to pay in cash, Colombian Pesos is the only form of currency accepted. No USD or Euros. If you have any cash you want to exchange, plan to do so before leaving your home country, or you can exchange your home currency for Colombian Pesos when you arrive at Rafael Núñez International Airport.

14. Skip The Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Of the many things to do in Cartagena, you may read about taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Old City. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animal’s welfare is coming first, not tourist fun.

Like in Thailand, don’t ride the elephants , and in Cartagena, taking a carriage ride with some horses that don’t look to be in the best shape is something you should opt to skip.

15. Brace Yourself for The Salesman

From the moment you leave your hotel to the moment you get back, you will be encountered by many a salesman asking you to buy a sombrero, a bracelet, a soccer jersey, or book a tour. Be kind, but assertive if you have no interest to purchase anything, and just keep walking. Also saying “no gracias” goes a long way.

16. Cartagena is Expensive

Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. From the food to its drinks and places to stay, Cartagena is definitely on the higher end of things when compared to other places in Colombia you may be exploring.

But expensive is relative to you as a person. So, if you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes. However, if you are coming from the States or Europe, Cartagena may be right in line or even cheaper than what you were anticipating.

17. Brush Up on Your Spanish

The national language of Colombia is Spanish and it should be known that English really isn’t widely spoken. However, of the place we visited in Colombia, Cartagena was by far the most English-friendly destination.

Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. We used this app big time during our travel throughout Colombia!

18. Is Cartagena Safe?

In the height of the cartel days in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cartagena was actually a very unsafe place to visit. However, all that has changed now, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better.

However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. Also, you may get offered cocaine. If you choose to partake, just be aware of the potential consequences that can come along with that decision (potential robbery, arrest, etc).

Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and you’ll be just fine. We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. Common sense goes a long way 🙂

Best Place To Stay in Cartagena

When visiting Cartagena, two great areas are staying either within  Cartagena’s walled city (Centro)  or just outside it, in the  Getsemani neighborhood .

Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Cartagena’s Old City (Centro) is where tourists flock to stay, and for good reason. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and amazing bars and restaurants can be found in the Old City.

Both areas are fantastic places to stay and both are close to the best things to do in Cartagena . The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagena’s Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. So don’t fret, you can’t go wrong with whichever area you decide to stay in.

Cartagena Old City Accommodations:   Soy Local  |  Casona del Colegio  |  Casa India Catalina

Getsemani Accomodations:   Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique  |  Hotel Monaguillo  |  Hotel Casa Tere

Want More Information On Colombia?!

13 Absolutely Amazing Things To Do in Salento

14 Things Not To Miss in Cartagena

The Ultimate Colombia Itinerary & Trip Planner

All You Need To Know About the Cocora Valley Hike

PIN IT FOR LATER! Visting Cartagena Travel Tips

For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram  @wanderingstus ,  Pinterest , and  Facebook . Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, just leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

We're Lauren & Jesse, the creators behind Wandering Stus! We've been traveling for decades, exploring and experiencing the very best this world has to offer. Whether we're roadtripping the U.S. in our camper, hiking through National Parks, or jet-setting to different countries around the globe, we write detailed travel guides to help you plan one amazing (and unforgettable) adventure!

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cartagena, Colombia

Headed to Cartagena and wondering what you can’t miss? Here is my go-to Jetset travel guide to a perfect vacation full of dancing, drinking, and eating your way through this coastal Colombian gem.

You’ll come to Cartagena for its tropical Caribbean vibes, but you’ll be blown away by the historic stone-walled old city, the colorful colonial architecture and the uniquely Colombian culture. Whether your idea of a vacation is sipping the world’s best coffee on a bougainvillea-laced balcony, heading to a lush tropical island just minutes off of the city, or salsa-dancing until 6am in one of Cartagena’s famous nightclubs (My favorites are La Movida, Alquimico, La Jugada, or Cafe Havana), Cartagena, Colombia has a ton to offer everyone.

Table of Contents

Where to stay in Cartagena

On the rooftop of Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa

There are two main areas to choose to stay in in Cartagena – the old city or the “new city”- the Miami-beach-like Bocagrande (which you can see is the area with the skyscrapers below) . They each have their pros and cons. From Bocagrande, you can step out of your hotel or Airbnb directly onto the beach, which is pretty ideal. But, that being said, the city beaches are nothing  compared to the beaches outside of the city (like Baru or Rosario), so I don’t think this is a strong enough pro to stay here over Old Town.

The gorgeous stone-walled Old City is Cartagena’s principal attraction – and  is where the best restaurants and cafes, and all the nightlife is, so if that’s where you’re going to be spending all of your time, it may not make sense to stay elsewhere.  Old town is packed with colonial architecture, beautiful churches and plazas, delicious restaurants, and Cartagena’s famous colorful mansions with their overhanging balconies… It’s definitely where you want to be.

Hotel Casa San Agustin

Honestly it doesn’t get any better than this hotel if you’re looking for where to stay for luxury in Cartagena . This boutique luxury hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World (which in my experience are ALWAYS amazing). Hotel Casa San Agustin is stunning in every sense of the word. It’s composed of three beautiful white houses, connected with bright clay rooftops, and a gorgeous view of the clocktower.

Hotel Casa San Agustin has only 20 rooms and 10 beautifully-decorated suites in traditional Colombian style and sprawling balconies for sipping your Colombian coffee in the morning. The hotel incorporates modern amenities while maintaining pristine colonial architecture and a beautifully authentic vibe of Cartagena’s rich history. It is absolutely one of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed in in the WORLD, and a must if you’re willing to splurge on your vacation in Cartagena.

Standard rooms are beautiful, but the premium rooms with private plunge pools or jacuzzis are definitely worth the splurge. Rates from $400-$500 per night. Hotel Casa San Agustin .

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa

I LOVED this hotel. The location is awesome – right at the entrance to the old city and right by the boat docks (making it easy to get out to the Rosario Islands for a day trip!). The service was impeccable, and I loved the rooftop and the dreamy courtyard. Can’t beat this spot for a go-to Cartagena hotel. 

My fiance Kenny (wearing his brand Kenny Flowers ) living his best life at Hotel Charleston

Tcherassi Hotel & Spa

This boutique hotel from acclaimed Colombian fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi is set in a 250-year-old restored colonial mansion with original stone-walled rooms and private balconies. There are only 7 rooms, but 4 pools, creating an intimate atmosphere like none other in the city. Rates from $200-$300 per night. Look at how beautiful this hotel is –  Tcherassi Hotel & Spa .

Shop my Colombia dress here

The best places to stay in Cartagena with a group –

The Best AirBnBs and VRBO’s in Cartagena for Groups

Luxury 4 bedroom villa in cartagena´s walled city with pool and rooftop jacuzzi.

Located next to plaza Fernandez Madrid and across from Santo Toribio church. It combines modern finishes with colonial Colombian architecture creating an unforgettable property. It has a large private pool as well as a modern rooftop jacuzzi. All of the well appointed large bedrooms have spacious en suite bathrooms. 

Check rates here

Old Town Group Villa

La Casa Que Besa El Mar is located in the old city of Cartagena de Indias. It sits unobstructed, with views of the historic Spanish Colonial wall set just in front of the ever expansive ocean. Facing west, the sunset is visible each and every day, with optimal viewing from La Casa’s spectacular mirador (roof terrace).

Other hotels I like:

Townhouse boutique hotel & rooftop.

This charming and tropical boutique hotel is the perfect choice for young 20-somethings traveling to Cartagena and hoping to be in the heart of the action. It’s decorated head-to-toe by young Colombian artists (the pictures don’t do it justice but CHECK OUT THIS PLACE !!!), so cool. Each room has vibrant and fun paintings of flamingoes, toucans, or other tropical touches. Each of the hotel’s eight bedrooms and 3 suites are individually styled, and their rooftop, open the public from 8am-1am, offers panoramic views of the walled city, two plunge pools, and a lot of icy cocktails. Their slogan “fancy doesn’t have to be boring” says it all – Townhouse is millennial luxury at its finest. 

Rates are around $175/night for a standard double room. Book here.

Blue Apple Beach House

If you’re looking for a beach retreat right outside of the city, Blue Apple Beach House is your spot. This chill beach club slash hotel is owned by the same people as Townhouse in downtown, and is a super-cute, relaxed, very Colombian beach getaway. 

Intercontinental Cartagena

If the Miami-like bocagrande is more your style, the Intercontinental offers 360 degree ocean views and a swoon-worthy ocean-facing infinity pool and a bar filled with delicious fruity cocktails that will have you wondering if you should ever leave your hotel.

Sophia Hotel Cartagena

This modern elegant hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s Plaza de Aduana offers fashionable rooms, a modern aesthetic and a pretty unbeatable rooftop.  It’s a little oasis in the heart of the city. Rates from $200-$300 per night. Book at  Sophia Hotel Cartagena

What to do in Cartagena

Explore Old Town Cartagena

You can’t leave Cartagena without exploring the beautiful stone-walled Old City.

Strategically located on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena was historically one of Colonial Spain’s most important ports. Stone fortresses and gigantic walls up to 30 meters thick and 11KM long line the city, which was so well protected after many pirates (most notably Sir Francis Drake) in the 16th Century attempted (and often succeeded) in sieges of the wealthy port city’s riches.  Strolling the historic Old City is like stepping back in time and losing yourself in the romantic historic plazas and vibrant, colorful cobblestone streets.

One of my favorite streets (and most colorful) is right where the restaurant Carmen is. Just type in Carmen to your google maps to get there!

Go emerald shopping!

Did you know that Colombia produces the highest quality emeralds in the world? If you, like me, love your jewelry, do not leave Colombia without emerald shopping! My favorite spot in Cartagena is Lucy Jewelry – let them know I sent you and maybe they’ll give you their best price 🙂 

photo from Equities.com

SEE MORE: Where to Find The Best Instagram Spots in Cartagena

What islands are the best to visit around cartagena.

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Take a day trip to Islas Rosario

There are so many breathtakingly beautiful islands accessible by boat from Cartagena, and a beach day to the islands is a popular day trip for locals and tourists alike! The most popular islands to visit are the Islas De Rosario, a beautiful group of 28 islands about an hour off the coast of Cartagena.

The easiest way to book a boat is to go through your hotel (who can recommend you to one of the many best island resorts). My favorite spot in Islas Rosario I’ve been to so far has been Gente Del Mar island (pictured here)! It was so gorgeous, and the food and drinks were amazing! 

Eteka Beach Club

If you’re looking for Tulum-meets-Bali vibes in Colombia, the super-instagrammable Eteka Beach Club is a great spot super close to Cartagena. Loved this place!!

We were super impressed by the food here, too!

Take a day trip to Isla Barú

Baru is another great island option from Cartagena (in fact, if you have enough days you should definitely do both Baru and the Rosario Islands!!!). It’s way more casual, and divey, than the Rosario islands, but the colorful beach shacks and pina colada stands with the beautiful turquoise water make it an amazing day trip.

And I’ll let you in on a little secret that most people don’t realize —  Isla Barú, is even accessible by an easy 40-minute cab ride over a bridge! Making it super easy to get to verus the islands only accessible by boat, since, sometimes, when you don’t want to worry about boat schedules! So an easy (and cheap!) cab ride out to the island is just what you want. Negotiate a rate with the cab driver ahead of time, and tell him you’d like him to wait there at Playa Blanca until you are all ready to go home (it should be around $50 for the entire day – which divided if you’re going with friends is not bad at all!) 

Then, once you’re dropped at Playa Blanca, hop on a motorbike to take you to the end of the road where the beach is. There will be lots of locals offering to take you down to the end- it’s definitely worth the $1 ride versus a long walk! When you get to Playa blanca, get onto the beach and turn right and keep walking. My favorite place to post for the day is this beautiful colorful beach bar called The Wizard. If you’re early enough, you and your friends can reserve one of their hammock beach lounge areas, or just a few chairs where you can order frozen beach drinks and yummy bites all day long.

Isla Baru is anything but fancy… It’s less of a luxury island and more of a local, divey beach day getaway, but the water is gooorgeous, the beach bars are colorful and fun, and the vibe is bustling. It’s an awesome spot to explore for the day and get some sun.

Bike around town

Many of the resorts I recommend in this post (such as Charleston Santa Teresa and Casa San Agustin ) offer complimentary bikes to get around town! It’s my favorite thing to do in the mornings in Cartagena, before the crowds. 

Watch the sunset at Cafe del Mar

If your hotel doesn’t get a good sunset view, this touristy-but-great outdoor lounge and bar is perched up on Cartagena’s stone walls and offers a casual bar with an unbeatable sunset view. 

Where to drink & dance in Cartagena

this is my all-time favorite bar in Cartagena! 4 stories, a gorgeous rooftop, and way too many insta-worthy corners. We had so much fun here! HIGHLY recoommend.

There’s no better spot for dancing the night away in the hippest little spot in the historic district, La Movida is easily the best night club in Cartagena. 

Mirador rooftop 

this bustling rooftop is the place to be after the sun goes down. With a DJ spinning every night, great happy hour specials, and the colors of the city shining right behind the DJ booth, this is a great spot to kick off your night out in Cartagena. 

Where to eat in Cartagena

I hope yall like seafood, because Cartagena is seafood & ceviche central – and it is all SO good.

Carmen Cartagena

My favorite fine dining meal in Cartagena is easily Carmen. It has the most gorgeous tropical patio and the food is always extraordinary. Dine on dishes like octopus with chili pepper and tucupi tiger milk, or yucca croquettes with a liquid foie gras and black truffle center, or poached prawns with black bisque and creamy cilantro rice and crab cakes with plantain and wasabi mayo.

They have a restaurant in Medellin as well and it’s also unreal. The food at Carmen is so innovative, fresh, and AMAZING here, and the cocktails are even better. 

Ranked as one of the top 50 Restaurants in Latin America, Celele is a must-stop on any trip to Cartagena. It’s creative Caribbean fusion food and many people will tell you it’s the best restaurant in Colombia – you have to go!!!

Alma Restaurant

If you’re looking for a romantic meal in Cartagena, this is your spot. Located inside the dreamy Casa San Agustin hotel, Alma is delicious, and the atmosphere is absolutely perfect, complete with live music playing the courtyard.

La Cevicheria

This is the one place you’ll see on every single travel guide to Cartagena. This always-busy seafood haven is located on an adorable cobblestone street and rose to fame thanks to Anthony Bourdain. Everyone will tell you to go there but what they won’t tell you is there’s a just-as-good-if-not-better cevicheria down the block called El Boliche also. Head to either one and all your Caribbean ceviche dreams will come true.

Pizza en el Parque

if a casual pizza overlooking one of Cartagena’s parks is what you’re feeling, Pizza en el Parque serves up some delicious pies on a gorgeous balcony. It’s cute, casual, and delicious.

Juan Del Mar

This spacious restaurant & bar in the heart of old town is like a rite of Cartagena passage. The menu is full of Colombian delicassies, as well as some international and Italian favorites. Book a table on the upper terrace if you want to soak up the best view of the square (this is where Colombia’s president eats when he’s in town!) The restaurant is busy year round and features a live band 7 nights a week.

For good Italian food in a casual atmosphere in Cartagena, head straight to Diva Pizza. I almost always crave Italian no matter where I am in the world, so headed to this place when I read the incredible reviews. It was casual, but the food is anything but. I was SO impressed by their food (especially the lasagna, oh my goodness!!!)

For delicious tapas, yummy cocktails and a great ambiance, Pata Negra is your spot. Go with a group and order just about anything on the menu – they’re shared plates and you can’t go wrong – it’s all so, so good.

RPG Pizzeria Boutique

This adorable local pizzeria was my favorite meal in Cartagena! The location is right off of a main square, allowing for a quiet tucked away dinner. The menu features to-die-for thin crust pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more. Ask them if you can sit outside and they’ll set you up with an awesome people-watching spot on the cutest cobblestone street.

Know before you go

Is it safe to travel to Colombia?

Is it safe to travel to Cartagena? Is Cartagena safe? Is Colombia safe?

Yes, yes, and yes! Please don’t let fear of Colombia’s rocky past stop you from exploring this WONDERFUL country! Yes, Colombia was entrenched in a civil war up until the 1980’s, and I know that this is a main concern for many people who are wondering just how safe the country is today. But I want to say that I didn’t feel unsafe for a second in Cartagena. Of course, like anywhere, it’s important to stay aware and be smart about your surroundings, but I think that if you do so, you won’t feel unsafe, even if you’re traveling by yourself.

There is still a US government issued warning against travel to Colombia, which reads: 

Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Colombia each year for tourism, business, university studies, and volunteer work. Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Medellin, and Cali.

However , violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural and urban areas. Despite significant decreases in overall crime in Colombia, continued vigilance is warranted due to an increase in recent months of violent crime.

My travel philosophy has always been that dangerous crimes can happen anywhere. They happen every day in my home city of San Francisco , and crimes are commonplace in many of my favorite travel destinations, and many places at home. It’s not uncommon to hear news stories or read travel cautionary tales and feel extremely nervous about traveling to a certain place, but I am a big believer in not letting that fear of danger get in the way of seeing the world. While everyone’s travel experiences are different (and one negative experience or secondhand negative experience can forever skew your feelings toward a certain place), I think it is vitally important to see the world with an open mind, while staying optimistically cautious and aware, of course.

What do I need to be on the look out safety-wise in Colombia?

This all being said, a lot of people ask safety-related questions like, “should I wear my jewelry in Cartagena?” and to that I say it’s best to leave your expensive jewels at home, and be as bare as possible so as to not attract attention to yourself as a potential target to criminals. I would not wear fancy jewelry in Colombia, or bring name brand luggage (such as Louis Vuitton), etc. They call it ‘don’t dar papaya’ which translates to don’t give papaya, meaning don’t give yourself up as a flashy easy target for criminals. 

If you’re a guy traveling by yourself or with a group, please also be aware that there is a crime happening often in Colombia of Colombian women drugging foreign men to rob them at night. (crazy, I know! but please watch out!)

You also might see many signs in Colombia saying “SAY NO TO THE SEX TOURIST”, many establishments have these signs up and will flat out deny service to sex tourists, which is great. Sex tourism is unfortunately a trend in certain cities in Colombia, but there is a lot of active action happening against it making it a less than ideal place for these people to travel to, thank goodness. I only mention it so that you aren’t put off if you see one of these signs at a restaurant or hotel, this is a good thing!

Can I drink the tap water in Cartagena?

On the coast of Colombia, it’s recommended to buy bottled water (it’s very cheap!) as opposed to drink from the tap. But, theoretically, the tap water is supposed to be fine, that’s just the tip I’ve heard from other travelers.  You don’t have to worry about ice or vegetables or anything like that. In  Medellin , on the other hand, which is inland and a big city, it’s perfectly okay to drink their (very good!) tap water, and I drink it every day when I’m there!

Do I need to know Spanish to travel in Colombia?

I’m not going to lie, it helps a TON to know at least a little Spanish when you’re traveling around Colombia. The thing is, tourism is relatively new to this country, so it’s not like everyone is used to all of the tourism and English speakers. But isn’t that what’s so cool about a Colombian vacation?! Cartagena, of all the destinations in Colombia, is by far the most developed for tourism and much easier to get around as a gringo (even if you don’t speak Spanish) than other destinations in the country. But it would definitely help to brush up some on your Spanish before your trip (I’m a big fan of using Rosetta Stone for this!)

And, don’t worry, by the time you leave Colombia all of your high school Spanish will be flowing out of you like loco. Olé!

Will I need a power converter for traveling to Colombia?

If you’re traveling from the US, nope! Cartagena and all of Colombia uses the same power outlets as the USA. If you’re coming from Europe, however, you’ll want to bring a converter ( like this one ) with you.

What season is best to travel to Cartagena?

Cartagena is wonderfully hot year-round. With May being the warmest month (average temperature around 85 °F) , and January being the “coolest” (averages around  80 °F ). The dryest months are December through April and t he highest rainfall occurs in October.  The high season for tourists is during Christmas and New Years (note that prices for accommodation and just about everything hikes about 3x around this time and it can be very difficult to find vacancies in hotels- after all, the whole country wants to flee to the beautiful coast for their vacation!).

Will I need a visa to travel to Colombia?

Nope! A Colombia tourist visa is not required for citizens of United States of America for a stay up to 90 days.

What should I pack for a trip to Cartagena, Colombia?

It is HOT in Cartagena. And when I say hot, I mean HOT. Like, 90 degrees plus humidity hot. And it’s year round. It’s dryest December-March, but you’ll still be sweating every time you walk outside (which I love…. especially when you’re escaping the cold winter up north!)

You’ll definitely want to pack some sunscreen ( here are my favorite sunscreen picks ) and a hat to protect yourself from the Caribbean sun!

Here are some of my favorite picks for Cartagena outfits:

What to pack for him for Cartagena:

This classy Cartagena-inspired button down shirt

PS – Join the JETSETTERS secret facebook group to get & give travel recs to our Jetset Christina community and connect with other jetsetters!

Follow @JetsetChristina on Pinterest!

Enjoy your trip! It’s one of my very favorite cities.

PS – Follow @JetsetChristina on instagram to keep up with all of my travels!

& don’t forget to like jetset christina on facebook .

Check out my post on 10 Things You Can’t Miss When Traveling to Colombia

*Please note that this post contains affiliate links to some hotels! If you choose to book one of the hotels I recommended, I would so appreciate you using these links to do so! An affiliate link basically just means that at no cost to you at all, I get a small kickback from the booking site for bringing them your business! I never recommend any hotels that I don’t 100% LOVE & think you will, too! If you have any questions at all, please see my advertiser & affiliate policy page here .

Check out these other Colombia posts:

The best places to visit in Colombia

Medellin Colombia Travel Guide

Reasons why Colombian coffee is the best in the world

Where to stay with a group in Cartagena

Is the Maldives Baby Friendly? Here's Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to the Maldives with Kids or a Baby

The Perfect White Dresses & Outfits Every Bride-to-Be Needs for Every Event Leading Up to the Wedding

WRITTEN BY: Christina

Christina is a leading luxury lifestyle and travel blogger with over 2 million readers. Follow her on instagram @jetsetchristina.

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Tanja Valentic

Christina, Your pictures are beautiful and your trip sounds amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this post. I am planning a trip to Cartagena in March and I was wondering if it is safe to bring a nice camera (DSLR camera) or do you recommend bringing a small camera ? This is kind of a dumb question but what did you do with your stuff to keep it safe while you were at Isla baru? Sorry for all the questions!

Christina Vidal

Hi Tanja! Thanks so much for reaching out! It is definitely safe to bring a nice camera. I didn’t feel unsafe at all and I had my camera with me in Baru! If you’re by yourself, you can ask a trustworthy bartender or tourist to watch your stuff while you go in the water, or just take turns going in the water if you’re with someone else! Have such a great trip to Cartagena! xx

Christina your description of Cartagena is perfect – the colors and architecture are very appealing –

Thomas Espeute

Hey Christina!

Your pictures are gorgeous, and your dress is matching perfectly with the colorful walls ;). Cartagena is lovely and perfect for a Jetset Trip!

The old city center is really safe, and there are so many options to sleep, eat and drink! Also, there are other beaches than Isla Baru 🙂 – You can travel to Cholon island or sleep one or two nights on Isla Grande. You should try to get there. I’m sure you will love it!!!

And I love the Getsemani district where there are the street arts. And the vibe on Trinidad square at night is awesome! And then you go out at Bazurto social Club (great live music) or Mr. Babiila (crazy bar)

Oh yes!! thank you so much for all the tips! Going to get to Getsemani, Isla Grande and Cholon next time I head to Cartagena, for sure!!

Patricia Davies

[* Shield plugin marked this comment as “0”. Reason: Human SPAM filter found “oy” in “comment_content” *] I loved Cartagena de Indias! I stayed at the Intercontinental Cartagena and I am planning to go back. Really enjoyed your post and your pictures!

Thank you so much!

Donna M Brown

Thanks Christina for sharing great stuff on Cartagena. I am also a travel blogger and share a list of Things to do in Cartagena Tour. Thanks again Christina for this wonderful write up!

Shawndra Warren

Super helpful, I am heading to Bogota and Cartagena in two weeks. I am going with a friend and my husband is super nervous this post set him at ease and gave me some great tips for my upcoming adventure. Those colorful buildings are calling my name!

Sandra McCoy

Awesome read. I am heading out to Colombia in June for the birthday so super excited. The hotels you recommended are they in the old town area?

Most of the ones here are! I definitely recommend staying in the Old Town area!! Everything is walkable and the views are unbelievable 🙂

Hi Christina! I am going for a bachelorette and your info is so so useful, I love it all!!! The hotels you mentioned, do you know if they let you go and use the pool/bars or amenities or eat at their restaurants if you are not a guest ? they all look so beautiful?

Hi Sara! So fun. I don’t know for every one, but usually they’re okay with it! I’d just shoot a quick email to the hotel and find out!

Adam McConnaughhay

Hey, this is a great travel guide for Cartagena. And your pictures are terrific, they capture the colors of Cartagena perfectly.

Amazing! Did you take out cash before you arrived or did you use the ATMs there/use your card at restaurants/shops? What would you recommend? Thanks!

Great question! I like to have some cash on hand before I arrive (especially for taxis, etc) and there are definitely plenty of places that don’t take card in Colombia. But, the more upscale bars and restaurants will take card.

Hey Christina was born in Colombia, am adopted y have foster parents that live in Colombia as well have one of my foster sisters that live there as well with her family. Haven’t been back over there since coming 2 America at the age of 2, definitely want 2 go back y see where my life started have just so much desire 2 visit y know there are lots of changes but am just so interested 2 go back home since have a family there. When is the best time 2 go y bout how long is the flight? Look forward staying in touch y getting some gr8 pointers from u, t2u soon Christina – Danny

Hi Danny! That’s so great to hear that you want to go back. It is a beautiful country!!! I think any time of year is great in Colombia. The highest season is winter in the states – so november-january. It’s beautiful weather down there then!! The flight isn’t too bad! Actually only 2.5 hours from Miami. So depends where you are coming from in the states.

Hi Christina I have all your post and I really like. I am exciting because of my travel to Cartagena and I want to make a little question to you. When you talk about take a cab ride, you pay 50 (you are talking about dollars right?) and is it sure to take a taxi for a long way in colombia?. PD: Thank you for your post It’s very helpful for us.

Hi Pamela! Yes I paid $50 USD to get from central Cartagena to Baru island. It was about 45 minutes to an hour away! & thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad it’s helpful!

If someone was going to stay in isla baru what area of the beach would you suggest? Thanks!

I’ve never stayed on Isla Baru but I’ve heard this hotel is amazing – https://www.booking.com/hotel/co/las-islas.en.html?aid=1590369&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 They probably have the best most tucked away area of beach!

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Hi!! I love your post, I will soon visit Cartagena, please a question… Where exactly is the purple house of your photo? I love your pic..

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Hi Christina! I love this blog post, it’s very helpful as I plan a mini-moon for this June. I’m curious about your dinning recommendations and if you recommend making reservations ahead of time, or if most of the places you listed are okay for walk-ins? Thank you!!

Hi Ana! Thank you! Most should be fine to walk in (or have your hotel book you a reservation week of) – if you’re going to Carmen I would make a reservation at Carmen ahead of time!

I have been reading your blogs and googling Cartegena all day at work! Can you give us an insider scoop of how much things are in Colombia… average for a cocktail / beer / soda / pizza / steak dinner? I think you mentioned this once in your stories but I don’t remember! I’ll have to go through your Insta stories when I get home! Thank you! I am dying to book a trip!!

Hi! Of course! Everything in Colombia is definitely a more affordable price point than in the US! A dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant in Colombia usually ends up around $100, including drinks but obviously can be more if you get a nicer bottle of wine, etc. Dinner at a more casual restaurant can be super affordable. Cocktails out will cost $8-10 at a good spot. Beer is like $3-5.

hello Christina, I love yout your travel guide. I have questions about when you visit Isla rosario. is the Gente Del Mar is beach club or is hotel ? do you prefer to do day pass or go by yourself with guide of the hotel. I will like to visit exactly that point where you were more I need more details please thank you. I see that you travel a lot. I love your pictures.

Hi! We went for the day, but I believe you can stay overnight there too. I prefer to stay in old town Cartagena and go for the day! We went via a boat that we rented for the day.

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The Ultimate Cartagena Travel Guide

When it comes to vacationing in Colombia, there are endless things to do in Cartagena. You’ll see in this Cartagena travel guide just why this bustling city is the darling of South America’s coastline.

After spending five days in the walled city, it was easy to fall in love. The culture is vibrant — music is playing everywhere. Brightly painted walls, bougainvillea pouring out over balconies, and plenty of drinks to stay refreshed paints a picture perfect postcard. Cartagena has turned into a traveler’s hotspot and for good reason. The city is walkable, beautiful beaches are nearby, and a whole culinary world waits to be discovered. Pair this with the locals’ friendly welcome, there has never been a better time to visit Cartagena.

What to Know Before Traveling to Colombia

Safety. Of course this is a topic I cannot avoid so I will address it according to my time in Cartagena only (Medellín will be addressed in that guide). I felt safe the entire time there — it’s a widely visited place, with many tourists. Yes you need to be careful as always when traveling internationally. Safety precautions like not going out solo at night and not showing off valuables is still encouraged. With all of this in mind, we went out at night, danced, and enjoyed the liveliness of Cartagena. I always encourage to check local news before arrival and during trips as well as any US announced travel precautions.

Money . You will need cash on hand for some of the restaurants. Credit cards are accepted at most places as well. I would pull out cash at a trusted bank’s ATM and not exchange at the airport.

Transportation . It’s important to book transport you can trust. I recommend having your hotel call a taxi and using the taxi line at the airport. Uber also works here and is great for getting around locally. Getting between major cities in Colombia itself, flying is the best option. I flew from Medellín for around $60 USD one way on Avianca. Cartagena also has an international airport with direct flights to major cities in the US in Florida, New York, and more.

Travel Insurance . I recommend having it for all international travel. My preferred insurance is World Nomads. 

Amount of Time Needed . It completely depends on what you plan to do in the Old City and nearby day trips. Three nights in the Old City was nice with one night out on an island. You could easily spend a week here if you plan to visit more nearby.

Packing . I did the trip in a carry-on — here’s a look at what I packed for Colombia.

Cartagena Weather

When it comes to weather in Colombia, Cartagena, the temperature is average year round. You’re not going to get snow in Cartagena for instance, but you may get wind and precipitation during certain months. With sunny and cloudy days, you tend to have  humidity all year round.

The hottest months of the year are June-September where severe heat is at its highest. The forecast rarely varies and it feels pretty hot out.  The coolest months are January – March, but it is also the time of year that can be most crowded.

I went in February and found the temperature to be just right, especially coming from the United States where it was freezing. I checked the forecast before arrival and though it predicted storms, when I arrived it was clear skies. Be sure to take a look at the weather networks before travel.

Where to Stay in Cartagena

• Casa Pombo : No doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in Cartagena, Casa Pombo is an oasis tucked behind grand doors. Staying here for two nights was the highlight of the time — the design is stunning. Booking a three bedroom apartment, I loved the airy space. Spending most afternoons at the rooftop pool, it was the perfect place to escape the heat of the day.

• Hotel Las Islas Barú : For one night, we took a boat out to this luxury eco-hotel. Near the Rosario Islands, it has a great location for time on a small, private beach. The rooms are well appointed and the high price point is worth it for the seclusion. I only wish we would have stayed a few more nights.

• Casa San Agustin : My second choice hotel in the Old Town that I would have booked would be Casa San Agustin. The design-forward hotel is in a central location, making for a great base for discovering Cartagena.

Best Restaurants in Cartagena

What took me most by surprise in Cartagena was how international the cuisine was. Yes you can find great local food here, but there is a ton of restaurants that specialize in other food. For the top places, you will want to reserve in advance.

• El Kilo: Arguably this was our favorite meal. Their ceviche is incredible (try the El Kilo) and they had wonderful cocktails. This was one of those gems that we stumbled upon and would take this over some of the other popular ceviche spots.
• El Barón: We originally came here for cocktails (amazing!) and they also have good food as well for a quick bite.
• Zaitún Cartagena: Another one of those meals that took us by surprise was Zaitún. Firstly the cocktails are incredible and then they had Lebanese food which blew my mind. I would definitely eat here if you’re looking for something different . 
• Coffee at Epoca Espresso Bar (their breakfast is also delicious).
• Demente: One dinner here was great for lighter bites that were Spanish tapas style.
• Restaurant Palenqueras Getsemani: This space was really fun and good, classic dishes like whole fish and plantains. It gets really lively at night as well with their second floor and patio.
• Alma: This is an awesome venue for upscale Colombian food. *Reserve in advance.
• Restaurante Bar La Vitrola : If you’re craving Italian food, come here.

Things to Do in Cartagena

Days in Cartagena are rather relaxed. It gets pretty hot so most of the time you’ll want to spend time near the water. I would highly recommend having a hotel with a pool at the very least. Here’s a few things to do in Cartagena:

• Explore the Walled City: This is the highlight — exploring the endless streets and discovering gems.
• Shop local designers : There are some incredible design shops here so much so I wish I had brought a bigger suitcase. Favorite shops included Mercedes Salazar, Silvia Tcherassi, Loto del Sur (candles), Chiqui House Boutique (local designers), St. Dom, and Colombia Artesenal.
• Visit Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas : Head here early to beat the crowds and visit this enormous castle from 1639.
• Walk through Mercado de Bazurto : For an opportunity to get a look at local life, the market is one to walk through.
• Discover Getsemani : One of the other neighborhoods to explore is just outside of the walled city. The neighborhood is filled with incredible street art, great bars, and good local eats.
• Take a free walking tour with Free Tour Cartagena.
• More things to do in Cartagena in this post .

Possible Day Trips from Cartagena

Though I stuck to staying in the Old Town and the overnight to Barú, I wanted to provide some other day trips available. Researching a few of these before hand, they all looked wonderful for a day out of the city.

• Take a boat ride to the Rosario Islands. (most Tourism Agencies can arrange a boat tour or ask your hotel)
• Spend a day at Playa Blanca. (taxi or Uber here)
• Tayrona National Park

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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Cartagena de Indias is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a historic city of superbly preserved beauty lying within 13km of centuries-old stone walls.

Best Things to Do

Attractions, must-see attractions.

Cartagena's old city is its principal attraction, particularly the inner walled town, consisting of the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego…

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

The greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas still dominates an entire section of…

Palacio de la Inquisición

The Palace of the Inquisition may today be one of the finest buildings in the city, but in the past it housed the notoriously grisly Inquisition, whose…

Convento & Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Founded by Jesuits in the first half of the 17th century as Convento San Ignacio de Loyola, this convent later changed its name to honor Spanish-born monk…

Convento de la Popa

On a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena, stands this convent. The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city. The convent's…

Work on Cartagena’s cathedral began in 1575, but in 1586, while still under construction, it was partly destroyed by the cannons of Francis Drake. The…

Plaza de los Coches

Previously known as Plaza de la Yerba, the triangular plaza just behind Puerta del Reloj was once used as a market for enslaved people. It is lined with…

Puerta del Reloj

Originally called the Boca del Puente, this was the main gateway to the inner walled town and was linked to Getsemaní by a drawbridge over the moat. The…

Top picks from our travel experts

The 12 best things to do in cartagena.

Mercado Bazurto

For adventurous souls only, Cartagena's labyrinthine central market, 4km outside the old city walls, is both dirty and enthralling – an all-out assault on…

Café Havana

Havana has it all: live salsa from horn-blowing Cubans, strong drinks, a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bar surrounded by brilliant eccentrics, wood-paneled…

Museo del Oro Zenú

This museum is like a miniature version of Bogotá's world-class gold museum, the Museo del Oro. Though small, it offers a fascinating collection of the…

Getsemaní, the outer walled town, is less obviously impressive than Cartagena's old city but has some charming parts and is well worth exploring. In…

Café del Mar

Ocean breezes swoop in off the coast and bring a relaxing freshness to this touristy outdoor lounge perching on the western ramparts of the Old Town…

Plaza de Bolívar

Formerly the Plaza de Inquisición, this leafy and shaded plaza is surrounded by some of the city's most elegant balconied colonial buildings. It's one of…

11 free and cheap things to do in Cartagena

Iglesia de Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo

Erected between 1666 and 1732, this gorgeous church received a full renovation in 2015. Its ceiling is covered with Mudejar paneling, while its pink-and…

Las Murallas

The Old Town is surrounded by Las Murallas, the thick walls built to protect it. Construction was begun toward the end of the 16th century after the…

Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad

This church dates from 1600 and definitely looks like it, with peeling painted walls and a rather gloriously ramshackle air. While the church itself is…

Iglesia de Santo Domingo

Reputedly the oldest church in the city, Santo Domingo was built in 1539 in Plaza de los Coches, but the original building succumbed to fire and the…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Transportation

Explore Cartagena effortlessly and safely with this guide to buses, taxis and Uber.

Free Things to Do

These free and inexpensive things to do in Cartagena, Colombia, will unlock the culture and history of this touristy city without breaking the bank.

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The Ultimate Cartagena Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for a Cartagena travel guide that covers everything you need to know about this amazing city? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll show you why Cartagena is one of the best destinations in Colombia and the Caribbean, and how you can make the most of your trip.

Cartagena is a beautiful and historic city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It has a rich and diverse culture that blends Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. It also has stunning beaches, natural wonders, and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re interested in history, art, food, or adventure, Cartagena has something for everyone.

In this guide, I’ll share with you some of the best things to do in Cartagena, when to visit, how to get there, what to do, where to stay, and what to eat. By the end of this travel guide, you’ll be ready to plan your ultimate Cartagena trip.

Are you ready to discover the magic of Cartagena? Let’s get started!

Cartagena Best Time to Visit

One of the first things you need to consider when planning your Cartagena trip is when to visit. Cartagena is a tropical city that enjoys warm weather all year round. However, there are some variations in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine hours that can affect your travel experience.

Cartagena Weather

Cartagena has two main seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season runs from December to April, and the rainy season runs from May to November. Specifically:

– The average temperature in Cartagena is around 28°C (82°F), but it can vary from 24°C (75°F) in January to 31°C (88°F) in June.

– Rainfall in Cartagena is around 1,000 mm (39 inches) on average per year. However, it can vary from 10 mm (0.4 inches) in February to 200 mm (7.9 inches) in October.

– The average humidity in Cartagena is around 80%, but it can vary from 75% in March to 85% in September.

– Sunshine hours in Cartagena are around 6 hours per day on average. Yet, they can vary from 5 hours in October to 8 hours in January.

Here is a table that shows the average temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine hours for each month in Cartagena:

As you can see, there is no bad time to visit Cartagena. The weather is always warm and sunny. However, depending on your preferences and goals, some months may be better than others. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each season:

The dry season is the most popular and expensive time to visit Cartagena, as the weather is ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities. The city is also full of life and color, as there are many festivals and events that take place during this time, such as the Carnival of Cartagena in February, the International Film Festival in March, and Holy Week in April. However, the downside of the dry season is that it can get very crowded and hot, especially in January and February, when the temperatures can reach up to 31°C (88°F). You may also have to deal with higher prices and limited availability for accommodation and flights.

Rainy Season

The rainy season is the least popular and cheapest time to visit Cartagena, as the weather can be unpredictable and wet. The city is also less busy and more relaxed, as there are fewer tourists and events. However, the upside of the rainy season is that you can enjoy lower prices and more availability for accommodation and flights. You can also experience a different side of Cartagena, as the rain brings out the lush greenery and freshness of the city. The rain also doesn’t last all day, so you can still enjoy some sunny spells and explore the attractions and features of Cartagena.

Based on this Cartagena travel guide information, my personal recommendation on when to visit the city is between March and May or between September and November. These are the shoulder seasons when the weather is still pleasant and dry, but not too hot or crowded. Additionally, you can find some good deals and discounts for accommodation and flights during these months. Plus, you can still enjoy some of the events and festivals that take place in Cartagena. For example, the International Music Festival in March, Independence Day in November, or the Jazz Festival in September.

Of course, this is just my opinion, and you may have different preferences and goals for your trip. Ultimately, you should choose the best time to visit Cartagena based on your own criteria and expectations.

How to Get to Cartagena?

One of the questions you may have when planning your Cartagena trip is how to get there. Cartagena is a major city and a popular tourist destination, so it has good connections with other cities in Colombia and abroad. You have three main options to get to Cartagena: by air, by bus, or by boat. In this section, I’ll compare these options and give you some details on each one, such as cost, duration, frequency, availability, etc. I’ll also provide you with some links or resources where you can find more information or book your tickets.

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Cartagena is by air. Cartagena has an international airport called Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), which is located about 5 km (3 miles) from the city center. The airport receives flights from many cities in Colombia, such as Bogota, Medellin, Cali, San Andres, etc. It also receives flights from some international destinations, such as Panama City, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Lima, etc.

You can check the flight schedules and prices on websites like WayAway . For example, a flight from Bogota to Cartagena takes about an hour and costs around $50-$100 USD one way. A flight from Miami to Cartagena takes about 2.5 hours and costs around $200-$300 USD one way.

Then, you can take a taxi or a bus from the airport to the city center. A taxi costs around $10-$15 USD and takes about 15 minutes. A bus costs around $1 USD and takes about 30 minutes.

The cheapest and most eco-friendly way to get to Cartagena is by bus. Cartagena has a main bus terminal called Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (TTC), which is located about 11 km (7 miles) from the city center. The bus terminal receives buses from many cities in Colombia, such as Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, etc. Indeed, the bus is the main transportation that can be your companion in any Colombia itinerary.

You can check the bus schedules and prices on websites like 12Go . For example, a bus from Bogota to Cartagena takes about 20 hours and costs around $30-$40 USD one way. A bus from Medellin to Cartagena takes about 13 hours and costs around $20-$30 USD one way.

You can take a taxi or a bus from the bus terminal to the city center. A taxi costs around $10-$15 USD and takes about 20 minutes. A bus costs around $1 USD and takes about 40 minutes.

The most adventurous and scenic way to get to Cartagena is by boat. Cartagena is a port city and a gateway to the Caribbean Sea. It has several harbors and marinas where you can find boats that go to and from other destinations in the Caribbean, such as Panama, San Blas Islands, Rosario Islands, etc.

It’s a little more complicated when going to Cartagena by boat. You have to look for a ship operator in your nearest boat and then deal with the trip. Usually, a boat from Panama City to Cartagena takes about 5 days and costs around $750 USD one way. On the other hand, a boat from Rosario Islands to Cartagena takes about an hour and costs around $20-$30 USD one way.

These are the main options for getting to Cartagena by air, bus, or boat. Depending on your budget, time, and preferences, you can choose the one that suits you best. No matter how you get there, you’ll be amazed by the beauty and charm of this Caribbean city.

Things to Do in Cartagena Colombia

Cartagena is a city that offers a lot of attractions and activities for travelers of all interests and tastes. You can enjoy the history, culture, nature, and nightlife of this captivating city. In this travel guide, here are some of the best things to do in Cartagena :

Cartagena Attractions

One of the main attractions of Cartagena is its Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site that preserves the colonial architecture and charm of the city. You can explore the Old City Walls, the Plaza Santo Domingo, the Museo del Oro Zenú, and other monuments and museums in the area.

Another attraction in Cartagena is the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a massive fortress that was built by the Spaniards in the 17th century. You can climb to the top of the castle and enjoy panoramic views of the city and the sea. You can also explore the complex system of tunnels that run through the base of the castle.

If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Cartagena, you can visit some of its museums and churches. Some of the most popular ones are the Palace of the Inquisition, the Naval Museum, the San Pedro Claver Church and Museum, and the Cathedral of Cartagena.

Cartagena Beaches

Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, which means it has some beautiful beaches to enjoy. You can find beaches within the city or outside it, depending on your preference.

• Some of the beaches within the city are Bocagrande Beach, La Boquilla Beach, and Marbella Beach. They are convenient and accessible, but also crowded and commercialized.
• Some of the beaches outside the city are Playa Blanca, Isla Grande, Tierra Bomba, and Rosario Islands. They are more secluded and natural but also require a boat ride or a car ride to get there.

Cartagena Activities

Cartagena has a lot of activities to offer for travelers who want to have some fun and adventure. You can try some water sports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, jet skiing, or sailing. In addition, you can go hiking, biking, horseback riding, or zip-lining in the nearby natural parks and reserves.

If you want to experience some local culture and traditions, you can join some tours or workshops that will teach you about Cartagena’s history, cuisine, music, dance, art, or crafts. You can also visit some nearby villages or communities that have a unique heritage and lifestyle.

Cartagena Nightlife

The city has a lively and diverse nightlife scene that will suit any mood or taste. You can find bars, clubs, lounges, and pubs in different areas of the city, such as the Old City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, or Manga. Besides that, you can enjoy a variety of music genres, from salsa and cumbia to reggaeton and electronic. You can also find some live music venues, karaoke bars, or comedy clubs for some entertainment.

If you want to have a more romantic or relaxing night, you can opt for some rooftop bars or terraces that offer stunning views of the city and the sea. Moreover, you can take a night tour or a carriage ride around the Old City and admire its illuminated beauty. You can also watch a sunset or a moonrise from the Old City Walls or the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.

If you want to have a more cultural or festive night, you can check out some of the events and festivals that take place in Cartagena throughout the year. You can join the celebrations of the Hay Festival, the Barranquilla Carnival, the International Film Festival of Cartagena de Indias, or the Cartagena Independence Day. You can also watch some performances of theater, dance, music, or art in some of the city’s venues or plazas.

Cartagena Boat Tours

Cartagena has a lot of boat tours to offer for travelers who want to explore the surrounding waters and islands. You can choose from different types of boats, such as yachts, catamarans, speedboats, sailboats, or kayaks. Furthermore, you can choose from different durations and destinations, such as half-day or full-day tours, or tours to Playa Blanca, Isla Grande, Tierra Bomba, or Rosario Islands.

Some of the benefits of taking a boat tour in Cartagena are:

• Enjoy the scenic views of the city and the coast from a different perspective.
• Escape the crowds and the heat of the city and relax on a boat with a fresh breeze and cold drinks.
• Discover some hidden gems and secluded spots that are only accessible by boat.
• Snorkel or swim in some of the best coral reefs and marine reserves in Colombia.
• Have some fun and adventure with some water sports or activities that are included in some boat tours.

Cartagena Food

Cartagena is a city that has a lot of food to offer. It has a rich and diverse cuisine that reflects its history and culture. It also has a variety of restaurants and street food stalls that cater to all kinds of palates and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a traditional dish, a fusion dish, or a vegetarian dish, you’ll find something that satisfies your taste and hunger in this city.

Traditional Dish

A traditional dish that you must try in Cartagena is the bandeja paisa. This is a hearty and filling dish that consists of rice, beans, plantains, avocado, arepa, egg, sausage, pork belly, and steak. It’s a typical dish from the Antioquia region of Colombia, but it’s also popular in Cartagena. You can find this dish at many restaurants and street food stalls in Cartagena.

Costs : around $10-$15 USD per person and serves one or two people.

Fusion Dish

A fusion dish that you must try in Cartagena is the ceviche. This is a fresh and tangy dish that consists of raw fish or seafood marinated in lime juice, onion, cilantro, and chili. It’s a typical dish from the coastal regions of Latin America, but it’s also influenced by Asian cuisine. You can find this dish at many restaurants and street food stalls in Cartagena.

Costs : around $5-$10 USD per person and serves one or two people.

Vegetarian Dish

A vegetarian dish that you must try in Cartagena is the arepa de huevo. This is a crispy and fluffy dish that consists of a corn cake stuffed with egg and cheese. It’s a typical dish from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, but it’s also enjoyed by vegetarians and vegans. You can find this dish at many street food stalls in Cartagena.

Costs : around $1-$2 USD per person and serves one or two people.

These are some of the main food that you can try in Cartagena and how they can make your trip more delicious and enjoyable. You can try one or more depending on your mood and preference. You can also find more food online or at one of the many kiosks near the port. Let’s take a food tour and see what dishes are there waiting for you in Cartagena.

Cartagena Food Tour

If you’re a food lover, you’ll love Cartagena. Indeed, the city is a food lover’s paradise that has a rich and diverse cuisine that reflects its history and culture. Cartagena’s cuisine is influenced by the Caribbean, African, and indigenous flavors and ingredients that create a unique and delicious blend of dishes. Some of the best food and restaurants in Cartagena are seafood, arepas, sancocho, coconut rice, and more.

Cartagena Seafood

Cartagena is a coastal city that has a lot of seafood to offer. Thus, seafood is one of the main ingredients of Cartagena’s cuisine and it’s prepared in different ways and styles. You can find seafood dishes such as ceviche, fried fish, seafood rice, seafood soup, seafood stew, and more. You can also find seafood restaurants that serve fresh and local fish and shellfish that you can choose from a display or a menu.

Cartagena Best Restaurants for Seafood

One of the best places to try seafood in Cartagena is La Cevicheria. This is a small and cozy restaurant that specializes in ceviche, which is a dish made with raw fish or seafood marinated in lime juice, onion, cilantro, and chili. You can choose from different types of ceviche, such as shrimp, octopus, tuna, salmon, lobster, etc. You can also choose from different sauces, such as coconut milk, passion fruit, mango, etc. The ceviche is served with plantain chips or popcorn and it’s fresh and tangy.

Another great place to try seafood in Cartagena is El Boliche Cebicheria. This is a modern and elegant restaurant that also specializes in ceviche, but with a fusion twist. You can find ceviche dishes that combine Peruvian and Japanese flavors and techniques. For example, tiradito (thinly sliced fish with sauce), nikkei (fish with soy sauce and sesame oil), or leche de tigre (fish with lime juice and spices). Moreover, you can find other seafood dishes such as grilled octopus, tuna tartare, or scallop carpaccio.

Cartagena Arepas

Cartagena is a city that has a lot of arepas to offer. Arepas are one of the most typical and popular dishes of Cartagena’s cuisine and they’re prepared in different ways and styles. Arepas are corn cakes that are grilled or fried and stuffed or topped with different fillings or toppings. You can find arepas such as cheese arepas (with cheese inside), egg arepas (with an egg inside), meat arepas (with meat on top), etc. You can also find arepa restaurants or street stalls that serve hot and crispy arepas that you can customize with your favorite fillings or toppings.

Cartagena Best Restaurants for Arepas

One of the best places to try arepas in Cartagena is La Esquina del Pandebono. This is a small and simple restaurant that serves delicious cheese arepas that are made with corn flour and cheese. The cheese arepas are grilled until golden and melted and they’re served with butter or sour cream. The cheese arepas are soft and cheesy and they’re perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Another great place to try arepas in Cartagena is Arepas Pues. This is a street stall that serves amazing egg arepas that are made with corn flour and egg. The egg arepas are fried until crispy and fluffy and they’re served with different sauces, such as garlic, cheese, or spicy. The egg arepas are crunchy and savory and they’re perfect for lunch or dinner.

Cartagena Sancocho

Cartagena is a city that has a lot of sancochos to offer. Sancocho is one of the most traditional and hearty dishes of Cartagena’s cuisine and it’s prepared in different ways and styles. Sancocho is a soup or stew that is made with meat, vegetables, tubers, herbs, and broth. You can find sancocho dishes such as chicken sancocho, beef sancocho, fish sancocho, etc. You can also find sancocho restaurants or street stalls that serve hot and filling sancocho that you can enjoy with rice, avocado, or bread.

Cartagena Best Restaurants for Sancocho

One of the best places to try sancocho in Cartagena is La Cocina de Pepina. This is a cozy and colorful restaurant that serves authentic and homemade sancocho that is made with fresh and local ingredients. You can choose from different types of sancocho, such as pork sancocho, goat sancocho, or seafood sancocho. The sancocho is served in a clay pot and it’s rich and flavorful.

Another great place to try sancocho in Cartagena is La Mulata. This is a modern and trendy restaurant that serves fusion and creative sancocho that is made with exotic and gourmet ingredients. You can find sancocho dishes such as coconut sancocho, curry sancocho, or mango sancocho. The sancocho is served in a bowl and it’s light and refreshing.

Cartagena Coconut Rice

Cartagena is a city that has a lot of coconut rice to offer. Coconut rice is one of the most common and delicious dishes of Cartagena’s cuisine and it’s prepared in different ways and styles. Coconut rice is a dish that is made with rice, coconut milk, water, salt, and sugar. You can find coconut rice dishes such as plain coconut rice, mixed coconut rice, or sweet coconut rice. You can also find coconut rice restaurants or street stalls that serve fluffy and aromatic coconut rice that you can pair with different dishes or eat by itself.

Cartagena Best Restaurants for Coconut Rice

One of the best places to try coconut rice in Cartagena is La Casa de Socorro. This is a traditional and family-owned restaurant that serves classic and tasty coconut rice that is made with fresh and natural ingredients. You can order plain coconut rice or mixed coconut rice that comes with raisins, carrots, peas, and corn. Coconut rice is served with different dishes, such as fried fish, chicken stew, or meatballs.

Another great place to try coconut rice in Cartagena is La Paletteria. This is a cute and colorful ice cream shop that serves sweet and creamy coconut rice that is made with condensed milk and cinnamon. You can order sweet coconut rice or sweet coconut rice with cheese. The sweet coconut rice is served in a cup or a cone and it’s a perfect dessert or snack.

Where to Stay in Cartagena?

Choosing the right accommodation can make a big difference in your trip to Cartagena. You want to find a place that suits your budget, style, and location preferences. There are many factors to consider when booking a hotel or resort in Cartagena, such as:

• The proximity to the attractions and activities you want to do
• The amenities and services offered by the hotel or resort
• The reviews and ratings from previous guests
• The safety and security of the area
• The availability and cost of transportation

To help you narrow down your options, we have selected some of the best hotels and resorts in Cartagena that you can consider for your stay. These are:

• Casa India Catalina – A budget-friendly and comfortable hotel located in the Old City, with simple and colorful decor. It offers a pool, a terrace, and a breakfast area.
• Casa Movida Hostel – A fun and social hostel located in Getsemaní, with a graffiti art theme and a rooftop bar. It offers dorms and private rooms, a kitchen, a lounge, and a terrace.
• Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní – A charming and romantic hotel located in Getsemaní, with a colonial style and a tropical garden. It offers a pool, a terrace, a bar, and a restaurant. Airport shuttle included too.
• Casa Claver Loft Boutique Hotel – An apartment-style hotel located in the Old City, with spacious and modern lofts that have kitchens and living rooms. It offers two pools, a terrace, and a breakfast service.
• Hotel Casona del Colegio – A luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of the Old City, with a rooftop pool, spa, restaurant, and art gallery.
• Movich Hotels Cartagena de Indias – A modern hotel with a colonial charm, featuring a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city and the sea, a spa, a gym, and a restaurant.
• Casa Lola Luxury Collection – A chic and eclectic hotel located in Getsemaní, with a mix of colonial and contemporary decor. It offers two pools, a spa, a bar, and a restaurant.
• Hotel Casa San Agustin – A historic hotel that blends contemporary design with original features, such as frescoes and wooden beams. It offers a pool, a library, a bar, and a restaurant.
• Hotel Boutique Casa del Coliseo – A cozy and elegant hotel located in a colonial house near the Coliseo Theater. It offers a pool, a terrace, a bar, and a restaurant.
• Hyatt Regency Cartagena – A luxurious and modern hotel located in Bocagrande, with direct access to the beach. It offers a spa, a gym, three pools, a bar, and a restaurant.

Have a Great Trip To Cartagena!

Cartagena is a captivating city that offers a rich and diverse travel experience. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or nightlife, you will find something to suit your taste in Cartagena.

You can also take advantage of the many events and festivals that take place in Cartagena throughout the year and immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions.

We hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to Cartagena and given you some useful tips and recommendations. Cartagena is a city that will surprise you and enchant you with its beauty and charm. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this amazing destination and create unforgettable memories.

Are you ready to book your trip to Cartagena?

Note: This post contains affiliate links from which I can earn commissions if you use services or buy products from the blog’s partners. If you love the blog, please use the services or buy the products. In that way, you give me support for the blog’s maintenance and development. I appreciate it a lot and thank you for that!

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Khoi Nguyen

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

28 Comments

The Old City and the beaches in Cartagena described in this article have piqued my interest! Thanks for offering some budget lodging options for those of us who like to travel without breaking the bank.

I hope this article helps you to well plan your trip to Cartagena.

I am planning A trip to colombia this year and i love the RECOMMENDATIONS in this post. I am still in between cartagena or medellin. Thanks fir sharing these great tips. Cant wait to visit.

Enjoy your trip! Don’t forget to come back and share with us your experience.

Alita pacio

Wow, I will visit cartagena soon and everything I wanted to know is here. What a detailed and helpful guide.

Thanks a lot for your comment! I hope you will like your trip to Cartagena.

Rose Ann Sales

I really love to go and vi this wo and awe place! Ever that I need to know is ALREADY here!

OMG the colour of that sea! Spectacular. lovely photos and great info, thank you

Thanks for your comment!

I enjoyed reading your Cartagena travel guide! The details about the city’s history and culture were fascinating, and your tips for food and activities were spot-on. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for your comment! I hope the detail brings enough info for travelers to well-plan their trips.

WE considered visiting Columbia about 20 years ago, but there was too much political unrest. Cartagena looks like a great place to explore!

Colombia in general and Cartagena in particular are now good destinations to travel to.

Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place

Wow, what a comprehensive guide on Cartagena. All the photos are lovely, and your guide is super helpful. Thank you for sharing!

I hope this guide inspires you to doing a trip to Cartagena.

Eileen M Loya

This is a really great travel guide. everytime we plan to travel somewhere, our first research on the place is about the weather and the best time to visit. Thanks for including that information in your travel guide.

I’m glad that the info included in the article helps you to plan your trip carefully. Enjoy your journey!

Ntensibe Edgar

Aaaahhhhh…so, this is the cartagena I am always hearing about? i am definitely keeping this blog on bookmark for reference when i visit there, for my first time. thanks for sharing about it.

I’m glad that the info in this blog is useful for you. Enjoy your trip to Cartagena! And don’t forget to come back and share with us your experience.

Kristy Bullard

I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND ALL DAY AT A BEACH IN CARTAGENA! tHAT WATER IS UNBELIEVABLY GORGEOUS! I GUESS I WOULD DEFINITELY NEED TO VISIT IN THE DRY SEASON! AND THE FOOD – I WANT TO EAT IT ALL!

Enjoy your trip!

Oh wow, it sounds like a lovely place to visit. I would head over in June as that’s just the right temperature for me. Hope it decides not to rain lol. Sign me up for a break holiday as I am overdue one!!!

Sounds like you are very excited to visit Cartagena. Enjoy your trip!

I have never been to Cartagena. Your post is an informative and engaging read for anyone planning a trip to Cartagena. The beautiful photographs included in the article also capture the city’s vibrant colors and unique charm

Thanks a lot for your comment! I hope the post inspires you to visit Cartagena.

Jennifer Prince

i was just in cartegena and loved it! the food was amazing, and i loved all of the colors. so lovely!

Wow, sounds like you had a great trip!

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Cartagena Travel Guide: Best Things to See and Do

Written by Becca

Updated on June 20th, 2024

An epic destination for a Colombia trip, here are our essential Cartagena travel tips for safety, solo travelers, the best times to visit, what to do and what to avoid.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Posted in Colombia

Table of contents

• Should Cartagena be on my Colombia itinerary?
• Does Cartagena make a good entry point into Colombia?
• When are the best and worst times to visit Cartagena?
• Is it expensive to travel in Cartagena?
• Is Cartagena generally safe?
• Is Cartagena a safe trip for women?
• What are the top things to see in Cartagena?
• The top things to avoid in Cartagena
• Where to stay in Cartagena: ideas at every budget
• Where to eat and dine in Cartagena
• Where to drink and hit the bars and nightlife in Cartagena
• Day trips from Cartagena
• Where to go next, from Cartagena

Cartagena: a traveler’s dream, right on the tropical north coast of Colombia. Many call it the gem of the Caribbean, and it certainly gets the most attention from travelers.

What’s the big deal about Cartagena? Is it beautiful? Is it safe? Should you go there alone, or as a solo female traveler? Is it romantic for couples? Is it cheap for backpackers? Is it safe?

What should you know before traveling to Cartagena, what are the best things to see, and what should you avoid? Here’s everything you need to know about travel in Cartagena, before you go.

Should Cartagena be on my Colombia itinerary?

Yes, Cartagena is a great destination to add to a Colombia trip itinerary.

If I may be completely honest, a trip to Cartagena is worthy of five to ten days, to see the whole Caribbean North Coast region (Cartagena - Santa Marta - Minca - Tayrona National Park).

If you are intent on seeing several regions of the country of Colombia (which is huge, by the way), you can add Cartagena as your first or last stop.

Cartagena makes a logical start or end destination after also visiting the Bogota , the Medellin region , the Colombian Coffee region and Salento and then, a place like Guatape .

Does Cartagena make a good entry point into Colombia?

Cartagena is an ideal destination for entering Colombia internationally, especially if you are flying from the US, or Canada. The Cartagena airport is ready to welcome international travelers, and typically, no tourist visa is required in advance.

A big draw for travelers from North America is that Cartagena is one of the easiest destinations for traveling into South America, given that it’s only five hours nonstop from NYC, and only three hours from Miami. A trip to Cartagena is closer for many people in the US than a trip to Los Angeles or San Francisco!

When are the best and worst times to visit Cartagena?

I’ve been to Cartagena in January-February, and also in November. I find that late fall into much of winter is the perfect time to visit Cartagena and the surrounding regions. I’m also biased, because, living in NYC, this is why Cartagena and neighboring Santa Marta are on our list of warm places that are best for escaping the cold of winter .

Best time to visit Cartagena

Most people will say the best time to visit Cartagena is from December to April. This is because these months are slightly cooler than the Colombian summer, which runs from May to September. These months, despite it being hot (by most people’s standards) during the tropical Caribbean coast winter, are even hotter .

Worst time to visit Cartagena

If you live in the US, you may be familiar with what we refer to as Hurricane Season, which we all know is from June to October or so. Noticeably, Cartagena gets the most rain during this warm time of year, so to enjoy the dryer weather, travel to Cartagena when I’ve gone there: between November and March.

When are the days longest in Cartagena?

As photographers, we put a lot of emphasis on the length of a day and the amount of daylight a place receives when we make travel plans. Given that Cartagena and most of Colombia lie close to the Equator (see: location near Ecuador), the length of a day in Cartagena is generally similar all year round.

If you visit one of our favorite websites, Timeanddate.com , you can see a visual of the sunrise and sunset times in the Cartagena region. The latest sunset will be in mid-June at 6:22pm, and the earliest will be in late December at the winter solstice, so it’s around 5:43pm.

Is it expensive to travel in Cartagena?

Honestly speaking from all my experience traveling in Colombia, Cartagena ranks as one of the more expensive cities for traveling in Colombia. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget.

Nevertheless, if you are coming from a country like the US, Canada or anywhere in Western Europe or East Asia/Australia/New Zealand, Colombia will definitely feel like a cheap place to travel on a budget in 2024 and beyond.

Is Cartagena generally safe?

During my trips to Cartagena, I luckily have never experienced any petty crime! I’m also a pretty safe traveler: I watch my bag, I don’t keep valuables in my pockets, I don’t wear flashy jewelry, I don’t walk around alone in the dead of night and I don’t carry around too much cash.

Cartagena, especially its “Old City” and historic center (where you’ll find mostly tourists and backpackers), is very welcoming to visitors. What you do have to watch out for is the city of Cartagena proper, which is a rather big Latin American city with its share of the risks/dangers that are typical for cities of its size in South America.

If you stick to the touristic areas, you’ll be charmed by historic architecture, excellent shopping, lovely bars and restaurants, a great sunset on the city walls and probably a great guest house, hotel or Airbnb for accommodation. I wrote a Medellin safety guide that can help with a lot of general expectations for Colombia travel.

Are there scams in Cartagena?

Yes, there are scams in Cartagena and I want you to know that I was the victim of one. I was even quoted in this article by the Professional Hobo about popular travel scams in regard to my experience being scammed in Cartagena.

In short, if you follow the general rules of travel, you will be completely fine . Given my experience of getting scammed at the locals-only beach La Boquilla, I’d recommend sticking to the beaten path in a place like Cartagena. I got scammed because a friend and I decided to do our own thing and take the path less traveled, deciding to take a taxi to a beach outside the city known for being much less touristy and sure enough, we were the only foreigners there.

We sat down in our own private beach tent, and were treated to drinks and food from a man who refused to show us a menu (big red flag). We were “treated” at the end to a bill of $100 USD, which, for what we got, was a grossly inflated bill that he knew we’d pay because there was no one around to help us — no police, no one to take our side, no one who had seen what had happened.

In very stressed-out Spanish, I negotiated our way out of there with enough cash in hand to be able to take a taxi back to town, but they had taken most of the money we had arrived with.

I promise you that if you stick to the recommended areas, use TripAdvisor reviews and popular travel blogs to recommend your day trips and places to eat, you will experience no harm whatsoever. It’s only if you stray outside the comfort zone that you could get into situations where no one is around to defend you if you’re being bullied by a scammer.

If you want to learn the local language of your travel destination before you go, try our tips for learning languages for travel .

Is Cartagena a safe trip for women?

Cartagena is absolutely a safe destination for women! I say this because I have traveled solo to Cartagena from Santa Marta by bus and spent time there on my own, and I have also been on a ladies’ trip with a gal pal of mine!

In the Cartagena walled city and historic center, there are so many women travelers from around the world, and there is very little targeting of anyone for just being female.

I would feel confident and quite safe if I went back to Cartagena as a woman traveling alone. I’d be ready to party and explore! If you’d like to see some inspiration for solo travel safety ideas, head to my list of products to pack for solo female travelers .

Is Cartagena a good destination for solo travel?

I’ll say yes to this one too: Cartagena is a great destination for solo travel! In fact, having been a solo traveler there myself, I can attest to some very social hostels, many excursions to take in groups as ways of meeting other backpackers and general confidence in safety.

We even named Cartagena as one of the best cities for solo travel this year .

Dare I say that Cartagena actually would make one of the best destinations for solo travel in Colombia, up there with Medellin . You can read more about Cartagena for solo travel in our list of the best destinations for traveling alone .

What are the top things to see in Cartagena?

Having now been to Cartagena with a guy friend, with a girl friend, with myself as a solo woman and also with my husband, I have a lot of favorite places in Cartagena to recommend! You can put the following places on your list of places to see in Cartagena.

Additionally, Cartagena has plenty of photo spots for anyone who wants to take a great Instagram (or TikTok). Find these spots in your map and make sure to go during golden hour for great lighting.

Plaza de Santo Domingo

This is a wonderful bustling square with sculptures, live music, outdoor dining and more.

Monumento Torre del Reloj

One of the most popular spots for taking photos in Cartagena, this is a big historic yellow clocktower with a big public square.

Muralla de Cartagena

Don’t forget about the city walls of Cartagena that line the Caribbean Sea! This is the best place to watch the sunset.

Baluarte de Santiago

This is a specific place on the city walls overlooking the water that makes great sunset photos, too.

Plaza de la Aduana

This is a colonial square with statues, colorful buildings and great lighting for taking photos to remember your trip.

Plaza de la Trinidad

This plaza in Getsemani has local life and street vendors, and it’s also where the street art tour commences.

Aviario Nacional de Colombia

A special place to go, especially with kids or anyone into wildlife, is the Aviario Nacional de Colombia , Colombia’s National Aviary. This place to see natural birdlife in a natural setting is highly-rated and is a worthwhile stop.

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

If you’re up for the very heated walk from downtown or if you can take a taxi, visiting this castle can be pretty special.

Calle Angosto (Umbrella Street)

For an Instagram moment or photo op, check out the Umbrella Street on Calle Angosto in Getsemani! See more about it at My City Paper .

See sloths at Parque Centenario

Believe it or not, there are a few sloths that call this park home. There are also a few Tamarin monkeys, red squirrels and iguanas. If you can’t spot the wildlife, ask the ice cream vendor! See a bit more here at TripAdvisor .

The top things to avoid in Cartagena

From experience, here are the places I would completely avoid during a trip to Cartagena:

La Boquilla

I love my Lonely Planet books , but I have the Colombia guidebook to blame for the idea of ‘getting off the beaten path’ and going for a day trip to La Boquilla fishing beach. This is where I got scammed with my friend Kevin, and I would not recommend that anyone go here because it was neither safe nor pretty.

El Totumo Mud Volcano

I was both recommended to take a day trip to El Totumo, and I was equally advised against it. I caved (pun?) and went with my friend Sam to El Totumo on an excursion day trip from our hostel. It was completely not worth it, and it was weird.

We waited on a line to swim in the mud in the center of this “mud volcano,” kind of got bathed by some women giving mud massages, and then Sam lost his GoPro and we have zero photos to remember this bizarre and pretty rip-off experience.

The excursion ended with an overpriced lunch for tourists at a place on the beach that served average seafood dishes. Please skip this Cartagena day trip, as it is overrated.

Playa Blanca

If I could, I would probably save my friend Danielle and myself the pain of going to Playa Blanca for a night. Don’t get me wrong: this is a beautiful white sand and blue water beach about an hour outside Cartagena, and the bummer is that it looks much closer on a map.

After an expensive $75 (USD!) Uber ride, we stayed in one of the grossest beach guesthouses in a room made of wood with basic beds and a bathroom for everyone that had no soap, and this was the place with the best ratings online! We were baffled.

We sweated our faces off and were bummed by the complete lack of things to do after the sunset besides drink “happy hour” on the beach and wake up early just to escape our stuffy wooden bungalow room. We couldn’t wait to leave.

If you must go to Playa Blanca, avoid staying the night so that you can get back to town and do something worthwhile with your precious vacation nights like visit all the excellent bars that Cartagena offers in its historic walled city for travelers.

Where to stay in Cartagena: ideas at every budget

As mentioned, I’ve had quite a few experiences in Cartagena, hence this well-rounded guide! I’ve stayed in a hostel dorm with a friend, a hostel dorm by myself, a hostel private with a friend, a hostel private with Dan, an Airbnb with my friend Danielle, and … I think that’s it. I’ve seen a good share of accommodations in Cartagena. Here are some recommendations!

An Airbnb in Getsemani

My friend Danielle and I stayed at an Airbnb in Getsemani as a splurge. On the outside, it was an old historic house with a colonial facade, and on the inside, it was modern with sleek cement finishes, a lofted bed area, a renovated bathroom and a full kitchen. Luxury!

If you choose to Airbnb in Cartagena, make sure that you are selecting an Airbnb either in the historic walled city or in Getsemani, as staying in Cartagena downtown proper will require a taxi ride every time you want to come to the walled city to see the sights and experience the destination.

How do we book our accommodation? We run through some facts and figures, and then we debate the differences of Airbnb vs Booking.com vs Hostelworld every time we make a booking.

Hostel Life is Good

I never actually stayed at Hostel Life is Good , but now I remember that I showed up there to meet a friend, used the WiFi, and put this hostel in my list of places to star in my maps. Now that I’m checking it out on Hostelworld.com, I’m seeing that it has incredible ratings, a glorious rooftop and mid-range prices for immaculate rooms.

El Viajero Hostel Colombia

This awesome backpacker hostel has a perfect location, helpful staff, a cool courtyard and a super social atmosphere. Prices are super affordable, especially for dorms, so you’ll pay a typical expected price for a backpacker in Latin America. Breakfast is included!

Selina Cartagena

Dan and I stayed at Selina Cartagena when it had just opened, and the perks are a coworking space, rooftop, a pool, bar and location in Getsemani. Prices are on the “higher end” of budget stays and you’ll probably stay here for the CoWork.

Where to eat and dine in Cartagena

Cartagena has a plethora of fine dining, budget eats, street vendors and snacks to choose from. One of my personal favorites are the vendors with the coconut candy that is absolutely to die for!

While in Cartagena, if you are a foodie, you’ll want to try Caribbean Colombian-style seafood, including local types of fish, ceviche, “mariscos” (seafood) and arepas .

Are you a gluten-free traveler? Good news: Colombia is one of the best travel destinations for gluten-free food .

La Cocina de Pepina

This special Colombian restaurant is hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cartagena. You’ll find it in Getsemani.

La Vieja Guardia

This spot recommended by a friend is for “fish and beer,” or rather, seafood and good drinks. It’s frequented by Colombian travelers, so you know it’s good! Check it out here.

Restaurant Carmen Cartagena

This contemporary Colombian restaurant is truly excellent, and reservations are required. Carmen Cartagena should be a star on your map if you’re into fine dining and having food memories during your travels. Just look at the menu !

Restaurant Candé

For an upscale dining experience in Cartagena, try Restaurant Candé, known for “Cartagena’s finest local cuisine” in a chic atmosphere. The service is great, there’s entertainment, and you’ll find some options for special diets. Read more in the reviews .

Restaurante Pavia

Restaurante Pavia is a spot for budget eats and Italian food in Getsemani where you can grab some pizza and eat outside.

Where to drink and hit the bars and nightlife in Cartagena

Cartagena in the walled city area is super fun for travelers as you bar hop, try cocktail spots, enjoy rooftop lounges and hotel bars, too. There is no shortage of fun spots for nightlife in Cartagena and you may be surprised at the fun that can be had.

Cafe del Mar

This is the best spot to watch the sunset on the city walls! It is a total scene at happy hour. They have this website with cool drone shots .

El Balcon Eat Drink Love

My friend and I found this little balcony bar off a small public square in the Cartagena Old Town and wound down and people-watched from above. Recommended!

This adorable old-school espresso bar is a lovely spot to get caffeinated near the city walls.

I’m pretty sure this rum bar was voted the best bar in Cartagena, and I had a pretty fun night here. If you like rum cocktails, you’ll be in for a treat at El Arsenal .

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this excellent cocktail bar was memorable. Definitely go with a group (or with a date) for lovely drinks, fun ambiance, a very cool secluded rooftop that makes you feel like you really went on vacation and much more.

Day trips from Cartagena

Cartagena is a good place to spend a week because you can use it as a “jumping-off” point for many day trips or side trips, as I have done in all my trips to the Colombian north coast. Definitely assess how much time you have and decide how much time you want to spend in transit, because distances will take longer than they appear. This is due to bus schedules, traffic, slow roads, or buses that make a lot of stops.

I found Playa Blanca to be underwhelming, but this was because it didn’t have a ton of things to do and didn’t have the infrastructure of many beach towns in Latin America. In fact, it’s not really a beach town; it’s a beach, with a string of basic accommodations and rustic restaurants. I did not love Playa Blanca, and I’d say if you want a real Colombian beach vacation to actually book a trip to a real Colombian beach like Palomino.

Casa en el Agua

Casa en el Agua is the party hostel on an island of its own in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of Cartagena. To get there, you take a boat, and then you spend a day, probably sleeping in a hammock using a beer to shield your face from the sun, in a little slice of paradise (with no AC). Bookings for Casa en el Agua get absolutely crazy very far in advance, so if you plan to go with a group, book as early as you can.

Islas Rosario

These islands off the coast of Cartagena have private resorts and hotels. Note though, that getting to them does require time, and if you’d like to go for a day trip, you must do so through a tour agency that will hire a boat for you to do water activities. I recommend checking out the Get Your Guide Islas Rosario tours on the website.

We had friends stay in a bougie resort on one of these islands, and dare I say that our friends were not immune to Cartagena’s famous power outages even by paying top dollar. Beware of blackouts.

Barranquilla

Many people might say, why do you want to go to Barranquilla if it’s not Carnival? The answer is that there is (as it’s said) not much reason to visit Barranquilla (Shakira’s hometown) if it’s not near-time for the parties to start for these Mardi Gras-like festivals that shake up the city every year.

If you go at any other time, Barranquilla is the major city in the region that has a few historic things to see, and not much more.

Where to go next, from Cartagena

There are a lot of places to go next from Cartagena in your Colombia itinerary. How about a few of these ideas?

Santa Marta

Santa Marta is the next big city eastward from Barranquilla, after Cartagena. A square half-mile of a downtown will give you some delights of a colorful colonial Caribbean charm, like a cool cafe or two, some trendy restaurants, some shopping and some street markets. The beach is underwhelming, as it is not sunbathing-friendly and is not very well kept.

Use Santa Marta as your base to visit either Taganga or PNN Tayrona.

Taganga was once a backpacker-friendy beach town, but it has slumped in recent years and is now a bit polluted, and not overwhelmingly welcoming. There is a beach, but I would suggest wearing shoes, as there is a lot of trash, pollutants, broken tiles and shards of glass. There are a few beach bars at which you can sip a mojito while watching the sunset, which I’d call Taganga’s major attraction.

Minca is a mountain town in the Sierra Nevada and it gets off the beaten path a bit because far fewer travelers get there in comparison to the towns along the coast. In Minca, stay at any of these high-rated hostels with mountain views and outdoor activities for adventurers.

Tayrona National Park (camping)

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona National Natural Park) is the natural gem of the Caribbean North Coast of Colombia. For those who like bouldering, hiking, camping and sweating, Tayrona is nothing short of adventure in the region.

There are two routes to hike, with one being easy and one being harder (we did the harder one…) and there’s wildlife, protected beaches, lots of views, big rocks and even some indigenous natives roaming around.

Medellín & Antioquia

To get to Medellin, one of our favorite places in Colombia, you’ll probably have to take a flight, unless you want to spend a lot of time in a bus or car rental. Medellin is a big city with an incredible recent history that has shaped the destination it is today.

Big backpacker areas are El Poblado and Laureles, and the Poblado neighborhood has a slew of bars, hostels, restaurants, coffee shops and markets. See more in our Medellin travel guide .

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Cartagena travel guide: what to know, things to do, & more .

• March 2, 2024
• By Christina Jane

Cartagena is a city that has been high on my list for the last two years, and I finally got to make my way to its colorful beauty.

Located along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena contains a world of history and culture. 

With its cobblestone streets, pastel-hued colonial buildings, and bustling plazas, this city attracts travelers worldwide to explore its rich heritage.

From the fortresses that once guarded its shores to the rhythmic beats of salsa music flowing through its lively streets, Cartagena captivates visitors with its captivating blend of historic charm and modern energy. 

In this Cartagena travel guide, I will tell you what you should know about visiting Cartagena and what I experienced to help you plan your trip. 

Table of Contents

Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links which means that if you book one of these activities using my link (which I know you will because you loved how helpful this blog post is *wink*I am going to receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting BCJ! 

Other Blog Posts On Cartagena:

• Using Uber in Cartagena: 6 Things to Know
• A Day Spent in San Basilio de Palenque: The First Free African Town in the Americas

Getting to Cartagena from Washington D.C.: Flight Details

I move around a lot, so where I fly out for my trips constantly varies depending on where I am. 

For my trip to Cartagena, I was based in the D.C. area and flew from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to the Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). 

As a Floridian, getting to places like Colombia and other countries in the region is usually a breeze. From D.C., it posed a bit of a challenge with multiple flights needed to reach Cartagena:

• Washington D.C. to Miami: 2 hours and 30 minutes 
• Layover in Miami: 2 hours and 37 minutes 
• Miami to Cartagena : 3 hours 

I started my journey at 2 am to prepare for a 5 am flight and arrived in Cartagena at 1:17 pm.

My flight cost $553.70 with American Airlines, which was decent for the route and where I was flying from. 

American Airlines is not my favorite, but it did get me to Cartagena, so a win is a win. 

With the basic economy ticket, there are many restrictions, including being unable to choose your seat, landing me a beautiful five hours squished between strangers in the middle seat. 

This was so uncomfortable that I ended up paying $10 to select a seat coming back from Cartagena, so their business model is working. 

Entry Requirements 

Entering Colombia as a United States citizen was extremely easy, as no visa is required when traveling there for less than 90 days. 

There is an online immigration form that must be filled out up to 72 hours before you depart for Colombia, but it takes less than 5 minutes to complete and asks for basic information regarding your purpose for traveling to the country. 

Otherwise, you should be good to go if you don’t plan on traveling to the country with more than $10,000. 

Of course, entry requirements to Colombia can vary depending on your nationality, so I recommend researching the requirements based on your specific circumstances to get the most up-to-date information. 

Currency Used in Colombia 

The currency used in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). 

1 Colombian Peso is equivalent to USD 0.00025 at the time I am writing this blog post. This exchange rate means the U.S. dollar goes further here in Colombia. 

I found that things were either a few dollars less than they would ideally be in the States or significantly less costly, like Uber rides, which I’ll cover later in this post!

Upon arrival at the Cartagena airport, there are booths where you can exchange money. I brought a $100 bill and exchanged $50 at the airport. You will need money (unless you’re willing to pay in dollars) to get a taxi to your accommodation. 

Exchange rates are known to be more favorable outside of the airport, so I only exchanged some of the bills I brought with me. 

Getting money in Cartagena is relatively easy in places like The Walled City, where banks with ATMs inside are available for use. 

Language Spoken in Cartagena Colombia

Spanish is the official language spoken in Cartagena, Colombia. 

While English may be spoken in a few tourist areas, attractions, and accommodation facilities, it’s important to know that you must navigate that language barrier if you are a non-Spanish speaker. 

If you’ve taken Spanish language lessons in the past, Cartagena is a great place to flex your language muscles and practice what you know!

Thankfully, I was not traveling solo on this trip, and I had a travel partner who spoke Spanish (unbeknownst to me until she did on our trip!). 

If this is not the case for you, definitely download Spanish on Google Translate so you can use it even when you don’t have data, and be prepared with key phrases that relate to how much things cost, directions, basic introductions, etc., that can make navigating Cartagena easier! 

Time Zone 

Colombia’s time zone is Colombia Standard Time, which is GMT -5. Colombia’s time zone corresponds to CST during DST and EST for the rest of the time.

Coming from areas in the U.S. that follow EST, there was no time difference, which always makes traveling smoother. 

Cartagena has a tropical climate that gives consistent warmth and sunshine throughout the year when it’s not raining. 

Average temperatures usually range from the mid-70s to the low-90s Fahrenheit, so you can expect to be basking in the sun during your visit. 

I traveled to Cartagena during the winter season in the United States, and I greatly appreciated it. I soaked up all of the sunlight I could.

I did not find the heat overbearing unless I was directly in the heat for extended periods.

With this being said, I would pack heat-friendly clothing: flowy skirts, dresses, shorts, airy shirts, etc. 

Safety 

Safety is a topic that comes up often when discussing travel to Colombia in general due to crime reports. 

Over the last few years, Cartagena has risen as a popular tourist destination, making it one of the safest places to visit in the country.

Thankfully, I did not have any issues, but I did observe a lot of drunk people wandering the streets alone (both foreigners and locals), which leads me to share this advice:

At nighttime, I would be cautious about walking in certain alleyways, as the lights are dim, and the chance of running into drunk individuals is high.

However, even at night, there always seemed to be a lot of people around, so I recommend staying with the crowd and around people at all times as opposed to wandering on your own. 

I did not experience any sketchy incidents in Cartagena, but I can see how they happen at night. 

Getting A SIM Card 

Upon researching how to get a SIM card in Colombia, it became obvious that either I would have to go out of my way to get one or purchase an e-SIM card before arriving that would cost a bit more compared to the prices in-country.

However, time was more valuable on this trip, so I got an e-SIM card from Holafly . 

I purchased the 5-day unlimited data plan. 

While I could have gotten a better deal waiting to purchase a physical SIM in Colombia, getting an e-SIM card was priceless and helped me save more time overall. 

Do you need a SIM card in Cartagena? 

I highly recommend having a SIM card when traveling in Cartagena. This is mainly because you will need data and service to order Uber and even research directions and places to visit while you’re out and about. 

My Experience Using An E-SIM for the First Time 

Installing my e-SIM card was a matter of following a few (literally maybe 3) steps provided by the company.

What I liked about using Holafly for the first time was that when I purchased the SIM card, I had to activate it and use it immediately. 

I installed the card while waiting to board my flight to Colombia. I did experience issues with the card working right away when I landed, but this was quickly fixed after an hour or so. 

I contacted the Holafly team, and I’m unsure what they did or if they did anything, but as soon as I told them the issue, my SIM began to work!

My card did not come with a phone number or the ability to make phone calls, but I never needed to make calls during my trip. 

Any calls I had to make could be made through WhatsApp or the “Free Call” feature within the Uber app, and all data is accessible. 

Overall, I highly recommend using Holafly for an e-SIM and look forward to using the brand again on my future trips. 

Getting Around

There are several ways to get around Cartagena that are all fairly easy to use and navigate, especially if it is your first time visiting the city. Cartagena is, so far, the city where I have had the easiest time getting transportation to and from places without any headaches.

Taxi is the primary form of transportation in Cartagena and is the easiest to use. The cabs in the city are easily identifiable, being a bright yellow with their registration numbers plastered on the side of the vehicle. 

Taxis are everywhere in Cartagena. Always waiting for their next passenger, hailing a taxi cab is simple and easy. You can wave or raise your hand to indicate that you need a ride, and a cab will come. 

The only catch is that you must speak Spanish or know enough words to communicate where you want to go. The taxi driver will name a price, and if it’s fair to you, you’ll hop in, and you’re on your way to your destination! 

Uber is available in Cartagena and is another option that is seamless to use. Once you input the details of where you want to go, you’ll get a list of ride types to get to your destination. 

In Cartagena, there is an option for a motorcycle, which I love and was always less expensive than ordering a car! I didn’t get to try it out, but I would love to on my next visit to Cartagena. 

Using Uber in Cartagena was extremely impressive and efficient for me, as drivers typically arrived within 1-2 minutes, no matter where I was ordering from. If only this were the case in every city! 

There’s also no option for cash with Uber in Cartagena, so the money is deducted from the card you have on file, adding a layer of convenience that keeps more of the local currency in your pockets. 

Public Bus 

There is a public bus transportation system in Cartagena that I saw driving around often. It’s called Transcaribe and, according to locals, is pretty efficient. It can get extremely packed inside, but it seems reliable. 

However, you have to have a card to ride the bus, and I was also limited in time, so I have to add it to my list of things to do in Cartagena on my next trip there! 

Walking  

Walking can also be a great form of transportation, depending on where you are staying in Cartagena. I found some areas to be walkable while others were not, so it ultimately depends on where you find yourself. However, if you can walk, it’s free!

Where I Stayed: Airbnb in La Boquilla 

From what I’ve seen, many people usually stay in an Airbnb or a hotel when traveling to Cartagena. 

With Cartagena having a great selection of stunning, intimate boutique hotels, I originally planned to lodge at one of them. Still, they were pricey and out of my budget, so I turned to Airbnb. 

After searching for days, I wanted to give up, but I finally came across an option that caught my attention and is where I ended up staying during my time that I’m excited to include in this Cartagena travel guide.

We stayed at the Dominique in the Cielo Mar neighborhood of Cartagena. Only 10 minutes away from the airport, its building structure mimics an upscale apartment but is more of an aparthotel style, as it is known for hosting guests through Airbnb.

Amenities 

Rooftop pool and lounge .

Dominique has a GORGEOUS rooftop pool with jacuzzis, an infinity pool, and several places to lounge. The atmosphere and vibe were perfect for relaxation or a good time, with music and laughter filling the air, adding a beautiful touch to the property. 

Parking Space 

I didn’t rent a car, but if you happen to be traveling around Cartagena with a vehicle, you’ll be able to park it at the facility without any issues or having to worry about outsiders having access to the vehicle since the space is somewhat inside of the property. 

Private Jacuzzi (Room Specific)

Inside the Airbnb, one of the rooms has a door to the balcony that leads to a built-in private jacuzzi with stunning views of other luxury-style apartment buildings. 

The private jacuzzi adds for a spicy night if you’re traveling with your partner or just an intimate activity that calls for bonding with a friend. 

I actually completely missed that there was a gym here, which tells you how much I was trying to work out while on my trip, lol, but it is listed as an amenity.

Wi-Fi (Room Specific)

Wi-Fi was included in our stay, which was helpful, especially for my travel buddy, who did not have phone service during her time in Colombia. This allowed her to stay online and in touch with her loved ones while we traveled.

Convenience Store

The Airbnb has a convenience store just to the right of the building. This was very convenient for when we needed toiletries, snacks, water, and other small items during our trip.

Washer and Dryer (Room Specific)

While I didn’t need to do any laundry, I appreciated the fact that if I needed to, the relevant utilities were made accessible to me. 

Inside of the Airbnb

Our apartment on the 7th floor contained two bedrooms and two bathrooms. During my stay, the Airbnb was listed for $143/night. We stayed four nights and checked out on the 5th day for $498.82. 

As a boho-chic decor lover, I immediately fell in love with the setup of Airbnb and how it was designed. 

Bedroom One’s Features

The features of the bedroom I stayed in were:

• Queen-sized bed 
• Air conditioning 
• Huge mounted flat screen TV
• Walkway with several cabinets, drawers, and shelves for storage
• En-suite bathroom

Bedroom Two 

The features of the other room are:

• Two single beds 
• Door leading to the balcony 
• Direct access to the jacuzzi on the balcony 
• Closet-like area with shelves and cabinets 

Bathroom Two 

• Located right next to Bedroom Two 
• Shower 
• Toilet 
• Full wide-sized mirror 

Kitchen 

The kitchen was extremely well stocked with everything and more that we needed during our stay. 

• Three seated chairs at the kitchen island 
• Refrigerator 
• Microwave 
• Pots and pans 
• Dishes and silverware 
• Stove and Oven 
• Coffee Maker
• Wine glasses
• Blender 

Living Room

• Sofa bed 
• Plants 

Balcony 

• Jacuzzi 
• Outdoor Seated Furniture 

Laundry Room/Closet 

• Washer and Dryer 

My Review of the Airbnb 

I really loved my stay at Dominique while in Cartagena. The apartment building alone is absolutely gorgeous. 

As for the apartment unit I stayed in, I would live there myself if I was given the opportunity. I am a picky person when it comes to my living arrangements, so that is saying a lot! 

The Airbnb is located about 15-20 minutes from the city center, which worried me a bit at first because I’ve never been to Cartagena and did not know how this would play out or if it would be an issue. Thankfully, it was very easy to get in and out, and the location actually ended up being a great escape from the mild crowds in places like Getsemani.

The decor was soothing and calming for me, and again, as a boho lover, I can tell that the hosts really worked to ensure that guests had absolutely everything they needed while staying. 

The only issue I experienced was cold water running in the showers and the jacuzzi, so we couldn’t get in when we planned to. I’ve taken colder showers, but it was a bit annoying, especially when having to shower early in the morning. 

Other than that, I had a fabulous stay. I would book this Airbnb again and highly recommend it. 

Insider Tip: There is a walkable taqueria spot just down the street called “ Taqueria Mexico Puerto Vallarta” that you can check out if you get hungry during your stay!

Where to Eat 

I did not get to check out the food scene in Cartagena as much as I would have liked to due to many of my tours, including food, and the way my schedule panned out. However, here are a few places I did visit:

Erase Un Café 

As a self-proclaimed cafe babe, I live for a beautiful chic cafe, so when I learned about Erase Un Café , I knew that I would be having breakfast there. 

Nestled within the vibrant streets of the historic walled city, this café offers a charming European-style ambiance with a Colombian flair. Known for its Colombian coffee flavors and specialty desserts, Erase Un Café offers an aesthetically pleasing dining experience. 

I had breakfast here one morning and ordered a French-style breakfast with passionfruit juice, which was delicious. For 53,000 COP ($13.55), it included:

• Croissant or waffles, accompanied by egg omelet, ham, bacon, pesto sauce. (I opted for no meat)
• Cold drink (natural juices or lemonade) or Hot (cappuccino, Americano, mocha or espresso)
• Mix of seasonal fruits

Getsemani for Street Food 

I went on a hunt for street food in Cartagena and, shockingly, had a hard time. I found all of the lemonade and fruit stands in the world, but trying to get actual food was a challenge. However, many Colombians have told me that Getsemani is the best place to obtain street food in the city. 

As you step into this historic neighborhood, you have a better chance of running into street vendors and food carts lining the cobblestone streets. 

From arepas to crispy empanadas, visiting Getsemaní for street food is a culinary experience that captures the essence of Colombia’s vibrant food scene.

Pizzeria Aquanile 

After partying on a Chiva bus, we randomly came across Pizzeria Aquanile , this salsa-themed Italian spot in Bocagrande, for a late-night bite. 

Serving burgers, seafood, pasta, and more, the menu goes beyond traditional pizzas. I ordered a classic cheese pizza, my favorite, and it was delicious. 

My favorite part of eating here is the live entertainment. The restaurant has live entertainment daily during its high season, adding an interactive element to the dining experience. The pizzeria usually has salsa music, but we also got a hint of jazz with the live saxophone player! 

Alma Restaurant and Bar 

Located inside Casa San Agustin , one of Cartagena’s most popular and stunning hotels, Alma is also high on the list of must-eat restaurants for many. 

This upscale establishment has an elegant ambiance with a touch of tropical flair. The restaurant’s name, “Alma,” means “soul” in Spanish.

The restaurant’s stylish décor, chic furnishings, and soft lighting set the stage for yet another intimate dining experience.

We did not have reservations when we visited (which I highly recommend), so we were seated at the bar, which is still a luxurious experience. 

I ordered the Creamy Mushroom Rice with Oxtail. This meal is described as “Slow braised oxtail served with creamy mushroom rice and Cherry tomato confit.” for 92,000 COP = $23.44. 

I couldn’t finish my meal, but it was good and well-portioned for the price. I would love to return to Alma, have a full dining experience, and try another meal on my next trip to Cartagena. 

Things to Do in Cartagena  

Cartagena is filled with entertainment and engaging activities to do that this Cartagena travel guide would be incomplete without including. While I can’t fit them all here, in this section, I’ll list some things to do in Cartagena and recap what my experience was like participating in some of the activities.

Have A Night Out on A Chiva Party Bus 

Lining the streets of Cartagena at night, you can’t miss the colorful, long buses with flashy lights blasting Latin music with a load of passengers dancing and celebrating life onboard. 

A literal vibrant fiesta on wheels, boarding a chiva bus was a great introduction to Cartagena’s nightlife. 

These party buses typically provide passengers with rum and great vibes while driving through the streets of Cartagena. On these buses, your only job is to party and create memories with other passengers for hours. 

We did this bus on our first night, and it did not disappoint! With little communication leading up to the night we were supposed to board, we got a text earlier in the day to meet the bus at a certain location in Bocagrande, then got a phone call once the bus arrived and hopped onboard.

On our way to sit down, we were handed coke and a bottle of rum, and the rest was history! We danced with the other people on board, “competed” with people on other Chiva buses to see which bus was better (partied harder), and even stopped at a plaza for pictures and vendors at some point. 10/10 experience and highly recommend it. 

More Chiva Party Bus Experiences in Cartagena:

• Cartagena: Funnytour at Chiva Party Bus Tour at Night!
• Chiva Rumbera: The party on wheels you should experience

Enjoy Live Entertainment During Dinner 

I quickly noticed that live entertainment while dining at nighttime is a staple for many establishments in Cartagena, lucky for visitors! 

Having dinner with live entertainment in Cartagena is more than just a meal – it’s an immersive cultural experience that adds an extra layer of excitement and vibrancy to your meal. 

This is an opportunity to see Cartagena’s rich cultural heritage come to life through its music, dance, and theatrical performances, giving you a memorable night out.

A few places I know that offer live entertainment are Member’s Only , Candé , and Carmen . 

Dance and Take Pictures with Palenqueras 

If you travel to Cartagena and don’t dance with palenqueras, did you even visit!? All jokes aside, the rich history of the Palenqueras is worth reading up on before your visit. 

These Black women, who can be found in various alleyways and meeting squares, embody the vibrant culture of Colombia’s Afro-Colombian community. 

Originating from the town of San Basilio de Palenque , the first free African settlement in the Americas, Palenqueras are known for their colorful dresses. 

These women carry baskets of tropical fruits on their heads as they navigate the bustling streets of Cartagena, offering a slice of local life and adding a touch of charm to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. 

Today, many make a living by taking pictures with tourists, which includes dancing with them as they sing to you. 

Stroll the Streets in Getsemani 

Getsemaní is the area of Cartagena that I can guarantee will make your heart melt in the city. There’s so much to take in and admire, which is why a simple walk around the neighborhood is warranted to appreciate its beauty fully. 

Its colorful walls and doors, lively plazas, and eclectic street art are just a few things you can expect to experience as you wander through the streets of Getsemaní. 

Traditional music, flashy cafes, vibrant street vendors, and bohemian boutiques are also aspects of Getsemani that add to its charm. 

Learn How to Fuse Colombian Flavors in A Cooking Class 

Taking a cooking class in Cartagena is an immersive way to explore Colombian cuisine’s flavors and culinary traditions. The local food in Cartagena was always cooked using fresh ingredients and spices. 

Participating in a cooking class is a chance to learn directly from local chefs who share their expertise and passion for traditional dishes such as arepas. 

I booked a cooking class , and I was able to learn how to make shrimp fried rice while having some hands-on time in the kitchen during my class. It was a great experience, as the chef’s passion for cooking shined through. 

More Cooking Class Experiences in Cartagena:

• Cartagena: Gourmet Cooking Class with a View
• Cooking Class In A Real Restaurant At Old City
• Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor

Enjoy Views of Beaches from an ATV 

Riding an ATV along the picturesque beaches of Cartagena is an exhilarating and priceless experience. While ATV riding is a common vacation activity where you go, ATV riding is equally important, and Cartagena has the views!

I rode an ATV with Cartagena ATV Tours for almost 3 hours, and it didn’t disappoint. We were taken to three different beaches and stopped for 15-20 minutes at each to take in the views and snap pictures.

 At one point, we stopped for drinks and were given complimentary plantains. The tour ended with included arepas as well, which was my first time having one. 

More ATV Riding Experiences in Cartagena:

• Cartagena: ATV Half-Day Tour
• Cartagena ATV Tour
• ATV Half-Day Tour in Cartagena

Take A Mud Bath Inside of A Volcano

One of the most popular activities, just outside of Cartagena, is taking a mud bath inside the Totumo Volcano. 

Located about 45 minutes outside the city, near the town of Totumo, the “volcano” is filled with thick mud that is believed to have therapeutic properties for the skin.

Visitors to the mud volcano can climb up the stairs built around its sides and descend into the crater to experience the unique sensation of floating effortlessly in the dense mud that makes it impossible to sink. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jeffery Smith Jr. (@jefro5)

After the mud bath, visitors can rinse off in a nearby lagoon or use buckets of water provided by locals. 

I was interested in visiting the mud volcano, but I opted out of it for time purposes due to its messy nature. However, I will definitely do it in the future to say I did it!

Mud Bath Experiences in Cartagena:

• Cartagena: 4 Hour Private Tour to Totumo Mud Volcano
• Cartagena: Mud Volcano Tour with Lunch, Pool, and Beach
• Mud Volcano and Pink Sea with Lunch Included

Dive into Cartagena’s Background at the Museum of History 

It is not commonly spoken about when researching things to do in Cartagena, but you may be surprised to hear that a Museum of History exists in the historic district. 

Filled with various exhibits, each depicting knowledge of the journey to Cartagena’s existence, a visit to the museum is a great way to brush up on the city’s history. 

From the pre-Columbian era to the present day, the museum comprehensively explores Cartagena’s cultural heritage, political struggles, and societal transformations.

Take a Day Trip to Palenque 

One of the highlights of my trip, a visit to Palenque , the first free African town in the Americas, is an absolute must. 

Founded in the 16th century by Africans who fled slavery, Palenque became a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the oppressive conditions of slavery. The town developed its distinct culture, blending African traditions with indigenous and European influences.

Today, you can tour the town and experience its music, dance, and traditional practices, such as drumming and storytelling, which have been passed down through generations.

It remains a symbol of resistance, resilience, and cultural pride, serving as a living testament to the enduring legacy of African heritage in the Americas.

More Palenque Tours in Cartagena:

• San Basilio de Palenque Day Tour
• Cartagena: Palenque Tour of Freedom
• Palenque, a piece of Africa in Colombia

Private Chef 

This was my birthday trip, so I wanted to bring my new year of age with a twist on dinner. Instead of going out to eat, I decided to book a private chef experience in our Airbnb. 

Booked through Airbnb experiences, a chef came to our place and prepared a 4-course dinner right in our kitchen in front of us. 

It was so special, and I highly recommend doing this activity to add a unique touch to your itinerary and Cartagena experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cartagena cash-dominant or can i use my card to pay for most things.

Cartagena is not cash-dominant, in my opinion. I recommend always having cash on you. However, I was pleasantly surprised that card payment was accepted at most establishments I visited. 

This makes it easier to plan and manage the cash that you have on you. It also eliminates the need to visit the ATM frequently. 

The most I needed cash for were for street vendors, so I would make sure to have cash for that purpose. Other than that, I used my card to pay for most purchases.

Is Cartagena safe for tourists?

Cartagena is generally considered safe for tourists, especially in the tourist areas within the historic walled city and Bocagrande. 

However, like any city, it’s essential to remain vigilant and take precautions to ensure personal safety, such as avoiding isolated areas at night and keeping an eye on belongings in crowded places.

What should I pack for a trip to Cartagena?

Here is a quick packing list of what I recommend packing when visiting Cartagena:

• Lightweight and breathable clothing suitable for warm and humid weather
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Insect repellent
• A large hat for sun protection

Is Cartagena worth visiting?

Absolutely! Cartagena is a touristy destination that has been on my list for years, and it did not disappoint. 

I didn’t find it to be overhyped or overrated at all, but that is because I usually travel without much expectation based on what I may have seen online. 

Cartagena has a great restaurant scene, plenty of activities to do if you’re visiting as a tourist, and an extremely chill place that isn’t overcrowded with tourists (when I visited in late February). I will definitely be back! 

What is Cartagena known for?

Cartagena, Colombia, is known for its rich history, stunning colonial architecture, vibrant culture, and beautiful Caribbean beaches. 

The city’s historic center, surrounded by 13 kilometers of well-preserved colonial walls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a treasure trove of cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and charming plazas. 

Cartagena is also renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, lively music, dance, and festivals celebrating the city’s Afro-Caribbean roots. 

Cartagena’s culinary scene is diverse and flavorful, offering a fusion of Colombian, Caribbean, and international cuisines. Beyond its cultural and culinary offerings, Cartagena boasts beautiful beaches and nearby islands, making it a popular destination.

Final Thoughts on Cartagena  

Cartagena was a beautiful destination for me. Only a three-hour flight from Florida, it’s also a quick getaway from the States, which makes it even much more worth the journey.

I’m happy that I finally got the opportunity to visit and check the city off my list, although there’s still so much I have to see and do on the future trips I will take back to Cartagena.

The city has a very chill nature to its atmosphere that drew me in. It is a touristy destination, but I found that I was not overwhelmed at all and didn’t feel like there were many people there, although the streets were always filled. 

With Medellín and Bogota also on my Columbia list, I think Cartagena was a beautiful introduction to what Columbia has to offer.

I hope this Cartagena travel guide was helpful for you as you plan your trip to Cartagena!

Please feel free to comment any questions you may have below! I’d be more than happy to help anyway that I can 🙂

11 responses.

Ooh this was very insightful! Your pictures are stunning!

Thank you so much Trevy!

Chiva rides are so fun! I have done them in Ecuador but didn’t realize they were popular in Colombia, too! Great tips for a fun city.

It was too much fun lol! I cant wait to do it again!

Wow wow wow! What a thorough and detailed post about Cartagena. I was supposed to go last year, but the trip fell through. When I end up going, I’m going to have to reference this post. I also recently used Holafly for my first eSIM experience and overall, it was a great service. I had some issues installing, but their customer service was super helpful and patient! I’ll definitely use them again. Thanks for sharing about your trip. I’m excited to use this blog to help me plan my own 🙂

Hi Larissa,

Omg! Interesting to hear that you also had issues installing the eSIM, as I was taken aback by that but would use them again! Love that the guide was helpful for you!

This trip looks like it was soo much fun. Looks like you did a lot in those 5 days. I need breaks in between. I don’t know how you it.

This looks incredible! Colombia is so high up on my list!

You’ll love it! Can’t wait to visit more cities ☺️

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive guide to this wonderful city. I’m currently planning a trip there for me and 9 of my friends and this was soo helpful, especially with the links you included. This just made me even more excited to get there already lol.

Hi Tiffany,

Love that you found it helpful and can’t wait to see how your trip turns out!

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Travel Worth Telling

Colombia · May 29, 2022

The Complete Cartagena Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do

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Cartagena, Colombia has become a top tourist destination in South America, and with good reason. The vibrant coastal city is warm year-round and attracts visitors with its tropical vibes and rich culture. After spending a few days in Cartagena’s historic walled city, it’s easy to see why people love it. The Spanish-colonial architecture, the cobblestone streets, and the brightly colored walls draped in bougainvillea make it picture-perfect.

The city has something for everyone, whether you want to relax on the beach or take in the sights. The area is walkable and its beaches are easily accessible. You can eat your way through the city, dance the night away, or sip on the world’s best coffee. Find out everything you need to know about visiting Cartagena in this complete Cartagena travel guide.

Cartegena Travel Guide:

Best time to visit cartagena.

Cartagena, Colombia has a tropical climate with two seasons: the wet and the dry season. It can be a year-round destination but the best months to visit are generally January through March . These months are considered the dry season. During this time, the weather is warm but not overly humid and nights can be breezy. This is a popular time to visit, so expect crowds and more costly accommodation. December and April can be great as well but may see a little rain.

The off-season is the period from August to November. These months are the least popular because of the large amounts of rain. However, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker unless you are primarily going for the beach. These months can be perfect for the budget traveler since great hotel deals can be found.

The temperature in Cartagena doesn’t vary greatly from month to month but the amount of humidity can make it feel much hotter than it is. I visited at the beginning of May. The weather was hot and humid with a couple of brief morning rainstorms. Traveling to Cartagena during the most humid months is doable if you plan your day well. I suggest starting early at 7 am with activities, taking a midday break indoors, and then going back out in the evening.

How Much Time in Cartagena

Three days in Cartagena is perfect. It’s enough time to explore the walled city, see most of the major sights, and spend a day at the beach. If you wish to do a day trip from the city, you may want to add an additional day.

The walled city is easy to explore on foot and a lot can be seen in a single day. The hip and nearby neighborhood of Getsemani can be covered in a day as well. Three days is enough time to enjoy the city at a reasonable pace and have time for some shopping and great food.

How to Get Around Cartagena

The walled city is extremely walkable . I recommend staying within the walls and exploring its sights on foot. Taxis are readily available, but the streets are so congested that walking is often faster.

If traveling outside the walled city or going long distances, I suggest Uber . Uber is technically illegal in Colombia but as of May 2022, it is still available. Don’t be alarmed if the driver asks you to sit in the front. This is so it appears you are a known passenger. The wait for an Uber may be longer than that of a taxi but if you don’t speak Spanish, it will be the easier option. The driver will have the location of your destination whereas, I found taxi drivers rarely had a phone and relied on me to direct them.

If you are in a rush, there are always plenty of taxis and your hotel will be able to arrange one for you. A taxi is also best for travel to/ from the airport. Always agree on a price with your driver in advance.

Safety in Cartagena

Colombia was once deserving of its bad reputation but today many of Colombia’s large cities are generally safe, with Cartagena being one of the safest. Within the walled city, you’ll find a strong police presence. However, they aren’t present because it’s a dangerous place, they are there because it’s a large tourist attraction and they want to keep it safe. Violent crime against tourists is very rare.

Like any city, you will want to take general precautions. You’ll want to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Streets can be crowded, especially on the weekend and pickpocketing does happen. Keep your valuables secure and don’t carry more money than you need. Don’t wear anything overly flashy.

Avoid walking alone after dark. Walking to/ from dinner within the walled city is generally ok. There are usually people out, just make sure to stick to busy streets. Be aware of scams and avoid rougher neighborhoods that are further from the walled city.

Things to Do in Cartagena:

1. walk around the walled city.

Construction of Cartagena’s walled city began in 1586 and was designed to protect the city from pirate attacks. The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Today, you’ll find well-preserved colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets within its walls. You can explore the walled city on your own or go on a free walking tour.

Free walking tours are offered twice a day, Monday through Saturday, and last about 2 hours. This is a great way to see all the major sights and learn about the city’s history. If you choose to explore independently, it’s easy to get around on foot. Make sure to stop at the Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria and take a midday break in the shade-covered Plaza Bolivar.

2. Take Photos with the Palenqueras

The Palenqueras are fruit sellers originating from Palenque de San Basilio, a town just south of Cartagena. For years, the women in colorful dresses have walked to Cartagena’s old town, balancing large bowls of fruit on their heads. However, today they sell less fruit and primarily make money to support their communities by posing for photos. You should agree on a price before taking any photos.

3. See the Street Art in Getsemani

A visit to Getsemani is a must-do in this Cartagena travel guide. Getsemani is a hip neighborhood located just 10 minutes from the walled city. It’s a popular area with backpackers but is less touristic than the walled city and has a more authentic vibe. Not long ago, Getsamnai was a dangerous area but has since transformed and is now known for its street art. Many of the murals tell a story of Getsemani’s history and represent issues the barrio currently faces, such as gentrification and tourism. Book a graffiti walking tour here .

Plaza de la Trinidad is a lively square in Getsemani where people come for street food, inexpensive drinks, and socializing. Make sure to try the empanadas. There are also some great rooftops and bars scattered throughout the area. Cafe Havana is very popular in the evenings.

4. Have a Rooftop Drink

Take a break from the afternoon heat and relax on one of Cartagena’s rooftops with a drink. Cartagena has a handful of great rooftops. Some of the most popular within the walled city are Townhouse Boutique Hotel and Sophia Hotel.

Dona Lola in Getsemani is also a great option. It’s a great escape from the busy street below and even has a small pool for a quick cool down.

5. Dine on Fresh Seafood

Cartagena has a great food scene and is known for its abundance of fresh seafood. However, there are a lot of so-so places mixed in with the great ones. I suggest sticking to places that are well-reviewed or visiting my selections in this Cartagena travel guide.

A must try is La Cevicheria . It exploded in popularity after being featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. It’s delicious and absolutely lives up to the hype. It does get very busy so I recommend going for an early lunch to avoid a long wait.

6. Day Trip to Rosario Islands

The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia’s natural national parks. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour . This one visits several islands and allows for time to snorkel and relax on the beach.

7. Go Shopping for Souvenirs

Spend an afternoon shopping in the walled city. There are many clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and a handful of places with artisan crafts. Shop the boutiques for cute colorful swimwear and flowy beach dresses for women or breezy linen shirts for men. Find high-quality crafts and home goods at El Centro Artesano and Aja Company . Abaco Libros y Café is a bookstore and cafe that has great Cartagena coffee table books to bring home.

Plaza de Las Bovedas is a series of small spaces that once housed prisoners. The spaces now contain tiny shops packed with souvenirs. Portal de los Dulces is a candy market. The block has vendors selling all sorts of candies and traditional desserts.

Where to Eat in Cartagena

Cartagena has a great food scene, but I wouldn’t recommend just walking into any restaurant. I left disappointed after trying a couple of random places so for the remainder of my stay, I tried to stick to well-reviewed establishments. However, many of the recommendations I found online were out of date. Covid apparently hit Cartagena pretty hard and many businesses closed. The following are some of the best restaurants in Cartagena and all are open as of May 2022:

Crepes & Waffles: Crepes & Waffles is a Colombian chain but it’s actually pretty tasty. They open late morning and it’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch. The location within the walled city has an upstairs dining area with outdoor tables overlooking the streets below.

Epoca Espresso Bar: Epoca Espresso Bar has some of the best coffee in Cartagena. The cafe is open most of the day and serves both breakfast and lunch items. They do get very busy so I suggest going early. I recommend the egg benedict. The cafe also has non-dairy milk options.

Alquimico: Alquimico is a great spot for a drink in the evening. The large open space is beautiful and has 3 levels, including a rooftop terrace. The bar serves refreshing craft cocktails made of quality ingredients.

La Taperia: La Taperia is located just outside the walled city. The small but cozy restaurant serves paella and Spanish-style tapas. The restaurant only has a handful of tables so a reservation is strongly recommended.

Carmen: Carmen is one of Cartagena’s most popular restaurants. The restaurant offers a contemporary menu with Colombian flavors. Admittedly, I wasn’t able to eat here. Not because I didn’t want to but because I couldn’t get a reservation. You’ll want to make a dinner reservation about 2 weeks in advance. They do offer a waitlist, but I was told the list rarely opens up.

La Cevicheria: As mentioned above, La Cevicheria is a must in this Cartagena travel guide. It became very popular after appearing in Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. It gets extremely busy so I suggest going for an early lunch. Everything I ordered here was amazing.

Restaurante Alma: Restaurante Alma is a beautiful restaurant located in Hotel Casa Sana Agustin. The restaurant is open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I suggest going for lunch. The restaurant is somewhat on the pricier side and the lunch menu is more affordable. Reservations are suggested for dinner.

The menu does change, but I recommend lobster empanadas, coconut ceviche, tuna tartare, and the Snooky de Coco for dessert. This was one of my favorite meals.

Where to Stay in Cartagena

There are three main areas where tourists usually stay in Cartagena: Centro (walled or old city), Getsemani, and Bocagrande. I suggest staying in Centro or the walled city. You’ll be able to walk to great restaurants, shops, and many attractions.

Getsemani can also be a great choice. Getsemani caters to backpackers and has a great selection of hostels and budget accommodations. Bocagrande can be a good option if you want somewhere quieter and are interested in spending most of your time at the beach. Bocagrande has high rises and big-name hotels offering ocean views.

Sophia Hotel The Sophia is a beautiful boutique hotel featuring a rooftop pool and deck. It offers a massage service and an onsite vinoteca. The Sophia is conveniently located in the walled city.

Casa India Catalina Casa India Catalina is a traditionally decorated hotel and is reasonably priced. It’s located within the walled city and close to major attractions. The hotel has a pool, hammocks, and a restaurant on site.

Hyatt Regency Cartagena If you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, Bocagrande may be for you. The Hyatt Regency Cartagena is a luxurious hotel located just a few steps from Bocagrande Beach. The hotel has a pool, bar, and restaurant on-site as well as incredible views.

Hotel Casa Lola Hotel Casa Lola is an incredible hotel located in Getsemani. The hotel is made up of 2 historic buildings attached to one another. The hotel is beautifully decorated and all the plants give it wonderful jungle vibes. It also houses Dona Lola, which I’ve mentioned above.

Airbnb Airbnb is a great option for finding affordable accommodation within the walled city. Follow the link to the studio apartment that I stayed in. The location and our host were both terrific.

Know Before You Go

• Power Adaptors/ Converters: Colombia sockets use plugs A and B and have a voltage of 110v. Neither an adaptor nor a converter is needed if you are traveling from the United States.
• Currency: The Colombian peso is the country’s currency. Credit cards are taken in most restaurants but you will need cash for many things. Make sure to bring enough money with you and don’t rely on ATMs. There is no ATM on the arrival side at the airport and the ATMs around town are often out of cash or allow you to withdraw very little.
• Visas: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist or business stay of 90 days or less or for cumulative stays of 180 days or less per calendar year.
• SIM Cards: I usually buy a SIM card at the airport when I arrive. SIM cards are not available in arrivals at the Cartagena airport. There are a couple of markets in the walled city that sell Claro! and Tigo cards.
• Language: Spanish. Some Colombians, especially the younger generation, speak English. However, I would learn a few basic phrases before your trip. I would also download an offline translator just in case you find yourself without phone service.
• Other Things to Bring: Cartagena is close to the equator and the sun can be harsh. Make sure to bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen.

Have you been to Cartagena? Is there something I missed in this Cartagena travel guide? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Want to explore other South American destinations? Continue to my post, “ The Ultimate Galapagos Land-Based Itinerary “.

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Reader Interactions

June 18, 2022 at 3:21 pm

When I was travelling in South America Colombia was too dangerous to visit but I’d love to visit Cartagena! The colour, culture and history are fascinating! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

June 18, 2022 at 4:11 pm

While everything looks worth my time here, I will have to say the food might have my attention the most! I would totally be down for some crepes in the morning and then seafood at night for dinner.

June 18, 2022 at 9:00 pm

The food was amazingggg.

June 18, 2022 at 7:20 pm

It looks like such a gorgeous area to take photos – interesting that the ladies who used to sell fruit now sell photos!! I mean, it is smart of them, but I always fancy fruit! :D The food you had looks incredible too!

June 18, 2022 at 8:32 pm

I had a taxi-guided tour in Cartagena and it took me to so many places. I loved the historic sites outside of the old walled city as well as the bird sanctuary by the cruise port. Definitely a city I want to spend more time in.

June 18, 2022 at 10:13 pm

Definitely on my list for next time in South America. Great info here thanks.

June 19, 2022 at 12:45 am

omg, that food looks so good! I love how colorful it is and your photos are very beautiful 😍 I see you have included a lot of useful information – well done!!

June 20, 2022 at 6:43 am

I’ve heard so much about Cartagena! And I think your post was the push I needed to actually start planning a trip – thanks for sharing!

June 20, 2022 at 2:25 pm

It was a great trip and really affordable. Def recommend :)

June 22, 2022 at 9:35 am

This place looks beautiful as it is but your photos make them so much more picturesque! The food looks so good – and I’d give anything to stroll those pretty streets! 😍

June 25, 2022 at 10:51 pm

Thank you! It’s a gorgeous little town.

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Cartagena   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Enzo Figueres | Getty Images

Why Go To Cartagena

During the Spanish colonial period, Cartagena functioned as a key foothold for the Spanish empire in Colombia and South America. The coastal city's colonial walls (which began construction in 1586) defended against pirates, who were drawn by Cartagena's status as an economic hub. These walls were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, and they are now one of Cartagena's most well-known attractions, drawing history enthusiasts from around the world.  

The city boasts an astounding number of historical attractions in addition to its famous walls. Travelers can wander the streets taking in the architecture, or opt to spend an air-conditioned day in one of the many museums populating Cartagena. Plus, with the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Cartagena Bay to the south, this South American city provides a number of playas for even the most selective sun-seekers.

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• # 7 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America in 2023
• # 18 in Best Places to Visit in Winter
• # 26 in Best Cities in the World to Visit

Best of Cartagena

Best hotels in cartagena.

• in Casa Pestagua Hotel Boutique Spa
• in Hotel Las Americas Torre del Mar
• in Hilton Cartagena

Best Things to Do in Cartagena

• # 1 in Old City Walls
• # 2 in San Felipe de Barajas Castle
• # 3 in Plaza Santo Domingo

Popular Tours

Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Cholon and Playa Blanca

(1490 reviews)

from $ 95.00

Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Full Day Experience

(428 reviews)

from $ 108.11

Cartagena ATV Tour

(738 reviews)

from $ 135.00

Cartagena Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Cartagena is December to April. The city's tropical climate means that, although temperatures tend to stay around the mid-80s year-round, the amount of precipitation each season varies wildly. The dry season, December to April, coincides with Cartagena's summer and is also when the city welcomes the most visitors. Fighting the throngs of tourists turns out to be worthwhile though, as the winter seasons brings near-constant precipitation, accompanied by overbearing humidity, which makes it difficult to take advantage of the outdoors.

Weather in Cartagena

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

• Be wary of street vendors Aggressive street vendors swarm many of the popular attractions . If you're not interested in their services, clearly say no to avoid awkward confrontations.
• Keep cool Average temperatures in Cartagena typically stay between 75 and 89 degrees year-round. Travelers should be prepared to invest in sunscreen and sunglasses before their trip.
• Learn Spanish phrases Although Cartagena caters to tourists, most of its English speakers are concentrated in the most heavily-trafficked areas (such as the walled city). If you plan to venture outside of the tourist areas, plan to learn a few key Spanish phrases. It makes you a better tourist and (hopefully) helps you avoid scams.

How to Save Money in Cartagena

• Try some street food With food stands perched on every corner, travelers can experience a smorgasbord of culinary options without ever setting foot in a restaurant. What's more, street food is generally cheaper than a traditional sit-down eatery.
• Avoid public transit The Cartagena bus system is inconvenient and hard to navigate. What's more, many of the areas are walkable with some rudimentary planning, while hailing a taxi only costs a small premium.
• Budget for small purchases While lodging, flights and excursions are best budgeted out in advance, set aside a small pool of pesos for small purchases from street vendors and the like.

Culture & Customs

Cartagena features a diverse culture, though visitors will primarily notice the Spanish colonial vibes that permeate the city. Consequently, Spanish is the dominant language of Cartagena; though, as a tourist city, most establishments can recognize the relevant English phrases. That said, travelers are more likely to avoid overpaying for services if they know a few simple Spanish words such as hola (“hello”), por favor (“please”), gracias (“thank you”), cuánto cuesta (“how much is it”) and dónde (“where”).

Visitors to Cartagena ought to recognize the roles that different meals traditionally play in Colombian culture. Breakfast and dinner are auxiliary meals, with small dishes accompanied by coffee or water. Meanwhile, the majority of a Colombian's calories are typically consumed around lunchtime. While the role of each meal is more of a guideline, travelers have no reason not to subscribe to the country's dietary habit during their visits.  

After dinner, music-lovers should plan to spend at least one night out dancing to the sounds of the city. Music plays a particularly significant role in Colombian culture, with an eclectic variety of genres like champeta, cumbia and salsa echoing from the city's bars and clubs.

What to Eat

Cartagena's street food provides a cost-effective and delicious option for full meals or snacks. Travelers can purchase an assortment of tropical fruit from las palenqueras , or local women selling fruit from the carefully balanced bowls on the tops of their heads. You'll be able to easily spot them thanks to their colorful dresses. Alternatively, Colombians and tourists alike enjoy feasting every morning on arepa de huevo , a deep-fried breakfast dish that consists of cornmeal dough and eggs.

The city's coastal perch means that fresh seafood is also abundant. Ceviche, a hodge-podge of fresh seafood and vegetables, delights travelers from around the world. La Cevicheria is the most well-known ceviche eatery, in no small part because Anthony Bourdain once visited and praised the restaurant. Other traveler favorites include La Pescaderia Ceviches y Piqueo, Mangata and Porton de San Sebastian.

A culinary trip to Colombia isn't complete without sancocho , a soup that combines local ingredients like seafood, plantains, yucca, corn and cilantro. Soup isn't the only liquid worth trying though, and a variety of bars, like El Arsenal: The Rum Box and Sinko Bar , wowed recent patrons with their expansive menus of custom cocktails.

Following the Colombian government's 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, violent crime in Cartagena has drastically declined. That said, Cartagena is still plagued by many of the same petty crime that you'll find in other major metropolitan areas. Because street crime is the most common threat to tourists, visitors should take common sense precautions: travel with friends, be aware of your valuables at all times, and stay alert for pickpockets and other scams.

Getting Around Cartagena

The best way to get around Cartagena is by taxi. Taxis make it easy to get between distinct points in the city, including Cartagena's Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), while short jaunts ought to be made on foot. According to area hotels, taxi rides from the airport to the central tourist areas cost about $10. Rental cars are available in Cartagena (an international driving permit is required), but the U.S. State Department advises against driving in Colombia due to lax traffic laws and poor infrastructure.

For the same reasons, travelers should avoid taking the busses from nearby cities into Cartagena. Instead, visitors should opt to arrive by air, which is the most common means of arrival in the city. Local buses are also available at the airport and stops throughout Cartagena, but public transit can be challenging to navigate and is not recommended for tourists.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A valid passport is required for entry into Colombia, and tourists from the United States can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. A yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers entering Colombia from Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website .

The Public Clock Tower is a major attraction in the Old City Walls .

Explore More of Cartagena

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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18 Best Things to Do in Cartagena You Can’t Miss

Out of all of the amazing Colombian cities we visited, Cartagena was the one that really stole my heart. Having spent just a few days there, I can totally understand why this spot is the most visited part of the country.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t set aside a few days in Medellin or Bogota , which you absolutely should, but you simply can’t skip Cartagena!

There are dozens of exciting attractions in Cartagena, and it felt like the perfect blend of history and culture, along with a touch of luxury. 

Although the city is known for its well-preserved defensive walls and hip neighborhoods, that’s just a taste of what this tourist hub offers. Some of the other top things to do in Cartagena include trips to nearby islands, excursions to mud-filled volcanos, and countless coffee shop visits.

If all this information is sending you into a frenzy, fear not, as I’ve put together this complete list of what to do in Cartagena to help you pick and choose activities to add to your must-see list.

For a little more detail, check out my 3-day itinerary and my guide to the best places to stay.  

With this in mind, let’s dive into the best things to do in Cartagena.

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

Table of Contents

Are you planning a last-minute trip to Cartagena?

If your trip is coming up soon and you still haven’t booked anything, we have you covered! Below you can find our top picks when it comes to hotels, tours, getting around, and more.

Best Tours and Experiences in Cartagena

• Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel (the best day trip from Cartagena)
• Totumo Mud Volcano Experience (the coolest experience ever)
• Historic Center and Getsemani Shared Walking Tour (top-rated walking tour, perfect for first-timers)
• Playa Blanca Full-Day Trip (the most beautiful beach in Cartagena)

Best Places to Stay in Cartagena

• Movich Hotel Cartagena (amazing luxury hotel in Centro with an epic rooftop pool and bar)
• Hyatt Regency Cartagena (best luxury hotel on the beach)
• GHL Hotel Armeria Real (great mid-range option with rooftop pool and bar)
• Hotel Blue Concept (budget-friendly hotel with a great restaurant in Bocagrande)

Can’t speak Spanish very well?  As people in Cartagena (and in Colombia in general) don’t really speak English, our best tip is to download Spanish on Google Translate so you can use it offline! Trust us, you’re going to need it.

Best Things to Do in Cartagena

1. explore the historic walled city and getsemani on a walking tour.

If you know me, then you’ll know I’m a sucker for a walking tour whenever I land in a new city.

What I love about this one is that it doesn’t just stick to one area, as it covers both the historic center, where you’ll find the iconic Spanish-era city walls, as well as the beautiful and colorful Getsemani district.

Both areas are full of gorgeous colonial buildings and are oozing with history and culture. Your guide will give you all you need to know about the Spanish and Caribbean influences on this north-coast city and how the indigenous Colombian people lived.

Street art, centuries-old churches, and lively walkways are just a taste of what you can look forward to as part of this walking tour, which runs for just under 3 hours.

2. Visit Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

I can’t talk about the best-loved attractions in Cartagena without mentioning the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas .

This almost 500-year-old fortress is an emblem of Cartagena and was used by Spanish forces to protect the city from potential attacks. The tunnels that wind through the castle are super cool, too, and they are a welcome relief from the heat if you’re visiting during midday.

As the area around the castle has limited shade, aside from the tunnels, your best bet is to arrive here as early as possible. From 7 am onwards, the fortress is open, and tickets are available at the entrance for 30,000 COP ($7.5 US).

If you’re keen to get a bit more background on the castle, I highly recommend hiring a guide when you arrive, as there’s little information on display here.

3. Go street art hunting in Getsemani

The Getsemani district is possibly the most photogenic place in all of Cartagena, and that’s largely due to the incredible street art that has brought the whole area to life.

Getsemani is bursting with color from the adorable colonial buildings and famous hanging umbrellas, but it’s the graffiti and street art that give it its hipster edge.

This is a neighborhood that helped to kickstart the movement that aimed to abolish slavery in Cartagena, so much of the artwork represents people’s yearning for freedom and change. 

In addition to this, Getsamani also had a reputation as an unsafe and crime-riddled part of town, and expression through art has played a major role in redeveloping the area.

Plaza de la Trinidad is a great place to start, as many of the streets branching off from here are filled with striking and inspirational works of art. My favorite streets are Calle de la Lomba and Calle de Las Sombrillas so definitely don’t miss these!

4. Join a tour to Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is one of the best places to go in Cartagena to soak up some sun and experience a little slice of island life.

This dreamy white sand beach is situated around a 90-minute drive from Cartagena on the island of Baru. Historically, Baru was a peninsula, but it was cut off from the mainland when the Canal del Dique was formed.

Unfortunately there’s no public transport or shuttle services to Playa Blanca, so the easiest way to get there is by joining a tour .

You can also get there by yourself by taking a taxi but I would honestly not recommend doing this. We made the mistake of wanting to go by ourselves and we ended up having a really sketchy journey and quite a stressful day.

We were constantly being followed by “vendors” selling us things, constantly saying no to them and they were not taking no for an answer. Even after paying for a sunbed in a fenced-off area they were still coming up to us and trying to sell us things.

But the worst part was definitely the journey. On the way to Playa Blanca, our taxi was stopped by a group of men trying to block the road and starting to hit the car and demand for us to pay.

And when we wanted to go back to Cartagena, we realized that there were no taxis or Ubers in the area so we had to arrange transport with our broken Spanish and had to get into a car with two complete strangers which was quite stressful. Luckily, we made it back safely but it wasn’t a pleasant experience overall.

So please learn from our mistake and visit Playa Blanca on a tour as it’s much safer and more convenient that way.

Unlike most day-long excursions, this tour gives you lots of free time to chill out on the beach, so you can swim and sunbathe as you please for most of the morning. Each trip is inclusive of a local lunch, and there are usually plenty of vendors around if you’re looking for a drink or snack.

5. Take a boat trip to the Rosario Islands

Another fabulous (and I personally think a much better) way to spend a day in Cartagena is to set sail on a luxurious catamaran around the Rosario Islands .

This archipelago of tiny islands looks like it came from the front of a postcard. The untouched beaches and rustic vibe make these islands feel like they’re totally isolated despite being just an hour away from the city. For sure, these islands are some of the best places to see in Cartagena.

As you cruise around these idyllic islands, you’ll have opportunities to hit the water to snorkel with tropical fish and swim past colorful coral reefs. If you’d prefer, you can always lounge on the catamaran and take in the views for the day.

The tour includes lunch and light snacks, as well as an open bar with beer, wine, and rum cocktails. It was honestly one of the best days we had in Cartagena, and I would highly recommend it.

6. Head out on a sunset cruise

If you don’t have time in your itinerary for a day-long boat trip, a sunset cruise is a brilliant alternative. It’s also one of the most romantic things to do in Cartagena if you’re on the hunt for a date night idea.

Cartagena is blessed with some wonderful sunsets, and this cruise gives you uninterrupted views of both the shimmering sea and the city skyline.

These tours usually only run for around two hours and include a beer or wine to sip as the sun goes down, making them the perfect way to wind down after a busy day of sightseeing.

7. Enjoy the sunset at Café del Mar

No Colombia itinerary is ever complete without watching the sunset at Café del Mar at least once!

Strategically perched upon the city walls overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Café del Mar is regarded by many as one of the best places to go in Cartagena to catch the sunset.

All of the tables are outside, so there’s not a bad seat in the house. In saying that, this restaurant gets busy quickly around dusk, so I definitely suggest getting here early or making a reservation.

We stopped by for a drink and the cocktails were amazing and the view was just incredible. In saying that, I’d been eager to sample some of their seafood if we made it back here, as everything we saw looked absolutely delicious.

8. Discover the history of Cartagena at the Museum of Cartagena de Indias

No matter where you find yourself traveling, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local history, and the Museum of Cartagena de Indias is just the place to do it here.

Set in a stunning building in the heart of the Walled City, this museum gives a pretty good overview of the hardships that Cartagena has been through over the centuries. From the struggle of slaves to the Spanish Inquisition, you’ll find artifacts from all the key moments in Colombian history here.

One downside to this exhibit is that not all of the displays are translated into English, so you’ll likely feel a little lost unless you come equipped with a translator app on your phone.

Your tickets can be purchased on arrival, and they go for 24,000 COP ($6 US) each.

9. Spend the day on Playa del Bocagrande

As heavenly as both Playa Blanca and the Rosario Islands are, sometimes something a little closer by is just what you’re looking for.

Bocagrande is Cartagena’s most upscale neighborhood and is all about beaches, high-end hotels, and premium restaurants.

Playa del Bocagrande is the main beach here and is only around a 15-minute drive from the Walled City. Many of you might find yourself staying in this neighborhood for your trip, meaning the beach will likely be within walking distance from your hotel.

The beach itself is great, but there are a ton of vendors here offering snacks, drinks, and massages, which can become a little overwhelming at times.

10. Get muddy on the Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

One of the most peculiar but unmissable activities in Cartagena is to make the half-day trip to El Totumo , a tiny mud volcano.

El Totumo is among the world’s smallest volcanoes, and it produces thick, mineral-rich mud rather than lava!

Making the hour-long drive out to El Totumo is a quintessential Cartagena experience and typically involves making a quick climb to the top of the volcano, where you’ll then immerse yourself in warm mud amongst your fellow travelers.

While you’re busy rejuvenating your skin, you’ll likely be offered a massage for a small extra fee, although it’s pretty packed in there, so it may not be the most comfortable encounter!

When you’ve had your fill of bathing, simply walk down the steps and into the lake to wash off the mud before you start the journey back to the city with your group.

11. Have a cocktail at the rooftop bar of Movich Hotel

Another place to rest up during golden hour is the rooftop at the Movich Hotel .

This lodging is tucked away in the center of the Walled City and is home to an elegant rooftop with sweeping views of the old and new Cartagena. Best of all, you don’t have to be a resident here to enjoy dinner or drinks on the rooftop.

The menu has plenty of classic and signature cocktails available, and my lychee martini went down a treat!

Bookings aren’t required here, but it’s always best to call in advance and make a reservation to be safe.

12. Join a street food tour

Eat like the locals do and tuck into some traditional Colombian dishes as part of a street food tour .

As is the case in most countries, the best way to experience authentic and tasty food is to leave it in the hands of a local guide.

In addition to giving you the lowdown on the must-try local eats, your guide will know exactly where to go to find the absolute best version of every dish, so it’s a win-win.

This particular tour takes you on a culinary adventure through 9 different tastings of various Colombian foods and drinks, from fresh juices to savory snacks.

13. Cafe hop in the Walled City

While the Walled City is, of course, especially famous for its captivating history, I also loved it for its fantastic cafe scene.

We stopped by so many gorgeous cafes while we were there, and I had a tough time narrowing it down, but I have a few top picks that I’m confident you’ll love.

Época Café Bar was our go-to spot for brunch (huevos divorciados was a personal favorite), while Ábaco Libros y Café had such a great setting. Hidden in an old-school bookstore, this is such a relaxed little haunt with the most delectable coffee.

Café La Manchuria was another cafe that we kept going back to, and it’s perfect for when you fancy a quick pitstop for coffee and a pastry.

14. Visit the Museo Naval del Caribe

If you’re looking for things to do in Cartagena with kids, the Museo Naval del Caribe is an excellent option, but it’s just as interesting for the grown-ups, too.

The museum is home to a collection of scale models, artifacts, and navy equipment, which come together to recount the history of Cartagena and its status as a maritime city.

I think the little ones will have a blast exploring the likes of the submarine simulator experience and the life-sized replicas of helicopters and coastguard boats, and there are also plenty of interactive exhibits.

Unfortunately, not all of the display boards are in English, so it can be hard to get a clear understanding if you don’t have a guide or translation app.

15. Take a walk in Centenario Park

When you want to slow the pace down a little, go for a wander around Centenario Park and spend a few hours taking shelter from the sun and spotting wildlife.

Centenario Park is not just your average green space; it has quite a unique bunch of residents, including sloths, monkeys, and iguanas. Considering that this park is relatively small, it’s astounding to think that it’s home to such a variety of animals.

It’s also a superb place for anyone interested in bird-watching, as parrots and parakeets are known to make an appearance from time to time.

The park was built as a symbol of Colombia’s independence, though the wildlife often tends to overshadow the historical significance!

16. Explore the Museo del Oro Zenú

A free, small, but informative museum, the Museo del Oro Zenú focuses on Cartagena’s pre-Columbian era and is packed with ancient relics from the Zenú people, an indigenous community from northern Colombia.

Goldsmithing, ceramics, and pottery were the traditional crafts of the Zenú community, and a wealth of examples of each make up most of the museum’s exhibits.

Also on display inside are a number of short films that give a bit more detail on the way the Zenú people lived and how they developed the skills to craft such ornate pieces.

17. Walk along the city walls

Café del Mar isn’t the only place along the city walls that are open to the public. In fact, most of the walls are perfectly walkable and offer some of the most breathtaking views over Cartagena.

As you can probably imagine, there aren’t exactly a great deal of shaded patches along the walls, so the late afternoon or early evening is most definitely the best time to amble your way around the area and admire the vistas.

You’ll likely notice that some parts of the walls are in much better condition than others. There are plenty of steps along the way connecting the walls to the main streets below, should you stumble upon some inaccessible areas.

18. Take in the views from Convento de la Popa

When talking about the best viewpoints in Cartagena, you can’t go without mentioning Convento de la Popa , which might just have the best views of them all.

Convento de la Popa is an enchanting convent positioned at the top of Cartagena’s highest hill, meaning some of the most staggering views in the city can be seen from the terrace.

Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the beautifully kept cloister and small chapel before going to the observation area, as I felt these both made the convent grounds even more impressive.

The entrance fee is 11,000 COP ($2.8 US) and you also have the option to hire a guide which would make the experience much more worthwhile and put everything on the grounds into context.

Planning a trip to Colombia?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Colombia. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

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Welcome to Cartagena Explorer:

Travel guide to cartagena, colombia.

Are you planning a trip to Cartagena?

Then, you’ve come to the right place! I lived in Cartagena for over a decade.

In that time, I fell in love with the city and got to explore all over Colombia.

I created this site to share that love and I’m confident it will help you explore Cartagena and Colombia for yourself!

About Me and this Site

My name is Adam McConnaughhay, and that’s me with my beautiful wife Susana with our favorite view of Cartagena behind us in the photo above. I lived in Cartagena from 2011 to 2022 and started this website in 2018 as a way to share my love for Cartagena and Colombia. You can learn more about me here .

I write everything on this site based on our experiences and honest advice. Well, Susana does help me translate some to Spanish and definitely does a much better job posing for photos. I don’t use AI, and I try to always go beyond repeating the same advice every other travel blogger who spent a week in Colombia shares.

Most importantly, I try to give the advice I would like to read myself.

So, I hope this site will be helpful to you in planning your own trip!

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Cheers and Happy Exploring!

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Cartagena Travel Guide | 14 Important Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Post author By Melissa
• Post date April 11, 2024
• 1 Comment on Cartagena Travel Guide | 14 Important Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Cartagena, Colombia is the most visited city by tourists in the South American country. And it’s easy to see why. From the vibrant atmosphere of the walled city to the islands, beaches, and deliciously fresh seafood, Cartagena is an incredible cultural experience.

To truly appreciate Cartagena for what it is, there are a few important things to know about the city and the country of Colombia.

We had many questions about Cartagena before we went and have gotten many more from others since our trip. So, we decided to write a Cartagena travel guide in hopes of answering all of those questions you may have when planning your trip.

We cover all the best things to do in Cartagena, Colombia HERE , so be sure to read that, as well for some ideas of cool places to visit. This article is primarily to provide logistical information about Cartagena gathered from our firsthand experience, so you’ll be prepared when you visit.

Without further ado, here are a few Cartagena, Colombia travel tips and things to know about Cartagena before you visit.

About Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia is located on the Caribbean coast of South America. The country borders Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador and Peru.

The port city was founded in the 16th century and still maintains portions of its original defensive wall.

Formally known as Cartagena de Indias, the city has a population of more than 900,000 residents, making it the fifth largest city in the country. However, there is no doubt Cartagena, which is known for its flower-draped balconies and colorful colonial architecture, is the tourism capital of Colombia.

The original walled city and Cartagena’s defensive fort are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, significant for the culture and history that is preserved there. 

History of Colombia

Perceptions of the city of Cartagena, and the country of Colombia for that matter, have been somewhat tainted by a sketchy past. For decades, Colombia was known as the home of drug lords and guerrilla warfare.

As recently as 2023 even, the Colombian rebel group known as the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was still operating as an armed militia in parts of Colombia. But a lot has changed and continues to change, even in a short time.

Although there are still rebel groups in Colombia and the country is far from perfect, for the most part the FARC has voluntarily disarmed and is now transitioning and reforming itself into legitimate political reformists.

Although there are still parts of the country where drug trafficking and guerilla crimes occur, Cartagena is generally not one of them.

Cartagena travel guide: Answers to all your questions about Cartagena, Colombia

As a destination on the rise and one with such a blemished past, understandably people often have a lot of questions about traveling to Colombia.

This Cartagena travel guide aims to answer all of the top questions people have about the city and shine light on a few other things to know about visiting Cartagena.

I always recommend researching any country or city before you visit. You’ll find there are a lot of interesting facts about Colombia other than its infamous drug ties.

Is Cartagena, Colombia safe?

Safety in Cartagena, Colombia is probably the one thing many people still question the most. As mentioned, in the 1980s and 1990s the country had a bad reputation for being a violent, murderous, drug-ridden place that tourists wouldn’t dare venture without fear of kidnapping or worse.

The deep-seeded criminal past that has given the country a bad rap will take years – even decades – to overcome. Many people still worry about safety in Colombia . But the city of Cartagena is generally safe for tourists now.

Besides a few aggressive vendors trying to scam you, and occasional petty offenses like pickpocketing, crime in Cartagena isn’t all that bad. It definitely isn’t the violent place many people still believe it to be.

Regardless, travel insurance from a reputable company like Hey Mondo is always a good idea to protect you in the event of theft, illness, or cancellations. 

What is with all the freaking vendors?!

It isn’t necessarily criminals you have to worry about but extremely pushy vendors you should look out for in Cartagena.

In every tourist city, you will find street vendors trying to make a buck. I’ve come to expect it when traveling, and it usually does not bother me. But in Cartagena, it kind of did.

You will be constantly hounded by vendors. You will be approached and hassled time and time again by people on the street trying to sell everything from bracelets to tours and excursions.

After saying “No, gracias” about 4,000,000 times in one day it became extremely annoying. The vendors almost ruin the experience of this beautiful city.

Be firm with them. Say no without even smiling. Tell them “No tengo efectivo” which means “I do not have cash” and they will leave you alone. But if you do want to shop and buy something from the street vendors, be sure to negotiate. The initial price isn’t the final price.

Can you drink the water in Cartagena?

Tap water in Cartagena, Colombia is considered safe to drink. But like the water in most of Central and South America, I still don’t recommend drinking it. We brushed our teeth with the tap water, and consumed drinks that had ice made from tap water and did not have any issues.

However, when we drank water to stay hydrated, we stuck to bottled water only, which is inexpensive and easily accessible everywhere in the city.

Most people from developed countries have sensitive stomachs. Variations in water treatment can easily cause stomach problems that will ruin a trip. I, for one, get tummy issues very easily when we travel (Apologies for the TMI). But if you have a strong stomach and rarely get sick, you will probably be fine drinking the tap water in Cartagena, Colombia.

What’s the weather like in Cartagena, Colombia? When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

Cartagena has a tropical climate, and it is ridiculously hot and humid year-round. It was so hot that we would change clothes every afternoon and put on dry clothes because our morning clothes were drenched in sweat.

You will find yourself guzzling water religiously just to replace the bodily fluids you will inevitably sweat out while sightseeing. Although I warn against drinking the tap water in Cartagena, I strongly recommend drinking a lot of bottled water.

You will want – and need – to drink A LOT of water while you are there just to stay hydrated. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a protective hat are also valuable items to bring with you to Cartagena.

December through April is known as the dry season and is typically considered the best time of year to visit Cartagena, Colombia. The rainy season in Cartagena falls between May and September.

However, don’t write off the rainy season. You might experience pop up showers in the afternoon, which might actually cool things off a bit, but typically it does not rain all day every day during the rainy season.

Which beach should you visit in the Rosario Islands?

A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands . They are among the best Caribbean islands for families . The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. 

Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. Although it is accessible by land, many visitors to Cartagena get to Playa Blanca by boat as part of a paid day trip tour.

Before you book your excursion or consider the one-hour car ride to the beach, read our review of Playa Blanca . It might make you consider a different beach instead.

If you have visited any of the incredible islands in the Caribbean like Puerto Rico , the Virgin Islands, or Sint Maarten with their pristine beaches, turquoise water, and limited crowds, you will be seriously disappointed in Playa Blanca.

It is extremely crowded, a bit dirty, and overrun with pushy vendors. We still had a good time splashing in the ocean, but I was disappointed with the beach overall.

If you do want to visit Playa Blanca, you can easily take an Uber there. Our Uber driver returned for us at an agreed upon time, and we paid him cash for the return visit. Our phones did not have service at Playa Blanca and the area is somewhat remote, so make sure you work out a deal with your driver to arrange a ride back.

Otherwise, you are better off booking a tour to visit multiple stops in the Rosario Islands. We’ve linked to some of the most highly recommended tours that have great reviews. 

Are credit cards widely accepted in Cartagena, Colombia?

Many places accept credit cards in Cartagena, but often with a minimum purchase required. Small purchases like a bottle of water or ice cream will require cash.

There are stand-alone ATMs around the city, as well as in grocery stores and outside of banks, which makes it easy to take out cash when needed.

When we travel, we tend to make a withdrawal from an ATM instead of using the money exchange at the airport. Our bank typically gives us a better exchange rate and our transaction fees are minimal. Make sure you check with your bank before any international trip to find out what your foreign transaction fees are. 

Additionally, we warn against using any on-street money exchange vendors, as they will offer a great rate, but will often try to shortchange you.

Can you use Uber in Cartagena, Colombia?

Uber is my go-to form of transportation when we travel in the United States. And luckily, the popular ride service is available in roughly 80 countries worldwide, including Colombia.

Requesting a ride (and paying for it) through my phone is much easier than taking out money from an ATM and hailing a taxicab. Although there is no shortage of taxis in the town of Cartagena, you can also use Uber in Colombia if you have Wi-Fi or an international data plan.

Uber in Cartagena is both safe and easy and is a great way to get around if you don’t want to rent a car. Additionally, you can always book an airport transfer to and from your hotel if you prefer a professional service.

Is staying in the walled city worth the extra money?

The short answer: yes!

When determining where to stay in Cartagena , you’ll find three primary areas that are popular among tourists – the walled city, Bocagrande, or Getsemani. Staying in Old Town Cartagena is an unforgettable experience.

The Old Town area is known for its colorful buildings, flower-draped balconies, and enchanting atmosphere. It will enhance your visit tenfold if you stay in a boutique hotel, called a casa, inside the walled city of Cartagena. 

There are other areas of Cartagena in which to stay, like Getsemani and Bocagrande, but the atmosphere in Old Town Cartagena truly can’t be matched by the other areas of the city.

Plus, many of the awesome things to do in Cartagena are within walking distance if you stay in one of the hotels in the Old City.

Dinner time is when?!

Traveling with kids, we are used to eating early. In fact, we are used to doing everything early. Our daughter is an early riser, which means we have breakfast around 7am. Naturally, we are all hungry again around 11am and ready for dinner by 6pm.

When we travel, we try to maintain a consistent schedule whenever possible. This is particularly helpful in the early years, as it helps with baby and toddler jet lag and helps kids sleep better during the trip .

But in Cartagena, sticking to an early routine was a bit difficult because everything seems to happen later. Many restaurants don’t even open for lunch until 1pm. And if you eat dinner early like we do, chances are you will be the only people in the restaurant.

Many people don’t eat dinner until around 9pm in Cartagena.

And at night, after the sunsets and temperatures drop, the city truly comes alive. You’ll find live music in the plazas until midnight, and families out enjoying themselves late into the night even with young children in tow.

What is the food like in Cartagena?

No Cartagena travel guide would be complete without discussing the wonderful food in Cartagena.

For picky eaters, you can find just about any type of food in Cartagena, Colombia. From pizza to seafood or hamburgers, Cartagena’s foodie scene has plenty of variety.

If you want to experience the local flavor of Cartagena, there are a few dishes that you absolutely must try.

Ceviche, which is typically fresh raw seafood marinated in citrus juice, is very popular in Cartagena and very yummy!

Another popular Colombian food to eat in Cartagena is arepas, which is a corn cake filled with either meat, beans, eggs, or cheese. You can buy arepas from street food vendors or in restaurants in Cartagena.

Of course, you can’t visit Colombia without trying coffee, one of the country’s biggest exports. 

You’ll also want to sample some of the wonderful tropical fruits that you can purchase in either a grocery store or from one of the women in traditional Colombian dresses who carry baskets of fruit on their heads.

Do you need to know Spanish to visit Cartagena, Colombia?

Spanish is the official language in Colombia. It’s a great language to learn for travel , as it is the official language in more than 20 countries including Spain , Mexico , Costa Rica , and of course Colombia.

Because Cartagena is a tourist city, you can get by speaking English, but you will definitely notice a language barrier. Learning some key phrases in Spanish is helpful when traveling to Cartagena. 

What is the currency in Cartagena, Colombia?

Colombia uses the Colombian peso.

Identified as COP, you’ll want to check an online currency converter before your trip to find the current exchange rate, because the rate always changes.

Chances are at some point during your trip you will need to withdraw money from an ATM, and you will need to know how many Colombian Pesos to take out.   

Is Cartagena expensive to visit?

Cartagena is generally considered an inexpensive destination. Although one of the more expensive places to visit in Colombia, the city is reasonably priced compared to US, Canadian, or western European standards.

If you are trying to visit Cartagena on a tight budget, look for hotels or hostels in the Getsemani area , rather than staying in the Old Town area. Although, we stayed in the Old City, and there was a hostel right across the street from our boutique casa.

Do you need a travel guide in Cartagena or a guided tour?

You can travel to Cartagena without a guide and be perfectly safe and have a great time. Although a guided walking tour through the walled city or a street art tour in Getsemani might enhance the experience, you do not need to book a guide to go with you everywhere you go. 

One of the best things to do in Cartagena is to simply wander through the picturesque streets.

The city is so colorful and beautiful that it is a great place to let yourself get lost. Better than a Cartagena travel guide, hire a local photographer for a professional photo shoot to cherish your memories in Cartagena forever!

Do you have any other questions about the city that our Cartagena travel guide doesn’t cover?  Or if you’ve been to the city of Cartagena, Colombia what Cartagena travel tips for first-time visitors would you offer? We’d love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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1 comment on “Cartagena Travel Guide | 14 Important Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors”

As a father of three children who I have lugged around the world (despite opposition from principals at their schools), I really appreciate your travel information regarding Cartagena/Columbia. (Going there in a couple of months) My experience is also that you are always treated very kindly when you travel with children. Now it has been many years since then and both my children and I are considerably older, but I believe that children still learn so much more than they would have done in the school system. So all credit to you! By the way, if you ever passed this part of our common world, don`t miss the San Blas Islands of Panama. There are some really nice islands if you just want to relax. Lars, Sweden

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The Only Cartagena Travel Guide You Need ( Updated 2024)

When I told people we were going to Colombia, we were met with a lot of blank stares and responses like “Isn’t it super dangerous?” . Before I get into everything, I can tell you that Cartagena is very safe and I never once felt scared there. This Cartagena travel guide will show you why it is so amazing and should be added to your list asap! It is now my favourite place in South American, hands down. I can’t wait to go back to Cartagena and also check out some neighbouring cities like Medellin!

While this was definitely the case years ago, the country has turned over a new leaf and has actually had FAR LESS shootings than the US in the last two years.

We felt super safe the entire time we were there and received such a warm welcome from all of the locals everywhere we went. Of course, it is important to note that we stayed in the main cities of Cartagena and Bogota.

Whether your idea of a vacation is sipping the world’s best coffee on a bougainvillea-laced balcony, heading to a tropical island just minutes off of the city, or salsa-dancing until 6am in one of Cartagena’s famous nightclubs , this place has something for everyone and we were SO happy we went!! colorful The Colonial architecture has been featured in many magazine and the fact that it is a Unesco world heritage site also tell you a lot about it! Just stunning.

GETTING TO CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

There are direct flights from Toronto to Cartagena but they only operate seasonally. I believe they are from December- March. If you do not travel during these times ( we did not), you can either do a stop over in Miami or somewhere along those lines or fly direct to Bogota, Colombia and take a domestic flight to Cartagena. We flew direct to Bogota and spent a night/day there. We felt that one day was all that we needed to see the city of Bogota.

If you are coming from Florida or visit Florida frequently, you should know there are direct flights from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and the flight time is only 2 HOURS!!! We are definitely going to scoot down from Florida for a few days when we are there next.

The Cartagena Airport is small and once you arrive, you are only a 15 minute drive to the Walled City. So great after a long flight!

NEIGHBOURHOOD BREAKDOWN:

Old City: This is the post popular area for tourists to stay in Cartagena. It’s also where most of the main tourist sites area.

Gestemani: Located just outside the walls of the Old City, Getsemani is a laid-back, authentic neighbourhood and is considered “up and coming”. It is definitely more raw than the Old City and has a lot more hostel like sleeping options.

Bocagrande: Boca grande is located southwest of the Old City and is located on the water. It is filled with high rise hotels and condos and is about a 15 minute cab ride from the walled city.

BEST TIME TO VISIT CARTAGENA

It’s always  hot and humid  in Cartagena…like I’m talking DESERT HOT! Throughout the year the average the temperature range is between 77°F and 87°F. That is why you MUST stay at place with both Air Conditioning and a Pool.

The weather is a bit better from January to March, when afternoon sea breezes provide daily relief. This is, however, their peak tourist season when prices are $$$. Rainy season is considered September-November with October being the rainiest month. With that being said you can visit year round if you wanted but I would say shoulder season of April would be best!

With that being said, it is a tropical climate so even when it calls for rain, it will likely only pour for an hour or two and be sunny once again! We went in June which is considered a bit of rainy season and never had rain once!

WHERE TO STAY IN CARTAGENA

WHERE WE STAYED IN CARTAGENA: Hotel Capellan! The location of this hotel was SO perfect. We were smack in the middle of the Walled City and Getsemani. You can see my full review HERE!

WE ALSO STAYED AT: Las Americas Torre. This was about a 15 minute taxi ride from the walled city and was directly on the beach. It is definitely good if you have kids and it was a beautiful hotel. We got to watch sunsets everynight! There isn’t much to do around here though and we found ourselves taking a taxi into the city everynight!

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CARTAGENA HOTELS  | Some spots within the Walled City that I’d recommend looking into are the Casa Factoria Hotel ( new!),   Casa San Augustin (what design dreams are made of and where many Cartagena Travel Guides will tell you to stay),  Ananda Boutique Hotel,  Townhouse Boutique Hotel & Rooftop (amazing rooftop for Sunset as well), and Bastion Luxury Hotel,  These are all inside the walled city. If you’re a budget traveler, Cartagena is FULL of hostels ( most of which are located in the Gestemani district), so you have plenty to research and choose from! There is also some pretty sick Air Bnb’s in Cartagena and if you are going with a large group, I would DEFINITELY recommend it.

NOTES ABOUT ACOMMODATION: If your budget allows, I would recommend staying somewhere with a pool. It is very unlikely you will be strolling around the city all day and with the kind of heat Cartagena has, a pool is so VITAL!

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN CARTAGENA

El Baron – This unsuspecting little place was one of our favs! Not only was it on the perfect corner to people watch, it had insanely well crafted cocktails with delicious tapas to match. Order the perfume drink ( I forget the name but ask the server) and the shrimp bruschetta.

Carmen- When you’re ready to drop some dollars and live like the tourist king (or queen) that you are, you’ve got to stop by  Carmen  for a high-end take on Cartagena’s passion for seafood.

Demente – If you are anything like me and need Pizza once a week, this place is for you! Actually this place needs to be on your list regardless! It is the best restaurant in Gestemani by far and the settting is tres cool! Get a table in the outdoor courtyard in the back! Hot tip: G et the French Onion Pizza. I was on the fence about it because it sounds weird but OMG SO GOOD!

La Cevicheria – Made popular by Anthony Bourdain, this ceviche restaurant shows up on every “Must-Visit” list of restaurants in Cartagena. Some reviews say it’s overpriced and not that great but we LOVED it!! We are glad we went on our last day as we would have definitely went a few times. It opens at 1pm and lines up quite quickly!

Maria Bonita -Another trendy little spot but this time in the Gestemani district! This place is in the main square so you really can’t miss it. Not only were the drinks SO TASTY but the food was also delish. It wasn’t cheap keep in mind but definitely hit all the boxes. They were also super sweet to Chloe and made sure we sat in a place that had direct fans on us

Alquimico – Ok so this isn’t necessarily for eating but more for drinking in style. With 3 floors of fun, we absolutely LOVED the vibe there. There was a DJ spinning on the first floor which was dark and moody and as you went up a level, the vibe got a bit more amped up. The final floor is a rooftop patio with a more relaxed vibe so there is something for everyone!

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS  | Maria’s ( on par with Carmen), Don Juan’s, La Paleteria ( for ice cream and popsciles- SO GOOD!!), La Perla , Townhouse for sunset or post dinner drinks, Movich Hotel for sunset drinks as well, Alma ( inside the Casa Agustin hotel)

THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO THE ROSARIO ISLANDS OR ISLA BARU

While it is easy to get wrapped up in the Walled City, it wouldn’t be a trip to Cartagena without experiencing it’s beautiful Caribbean waters! There are tons of companies that do day trips to the nearby islands which are Isla Baru, Rosario Islands, Playa Grande and there are a bunch more. We hit up Nena Beach Club on Isla Baru!

We got a package that included transportation, a welcome drink and lunch! We choose this one as it did not require a boat to get there which was key with the baby. Apparently the boat rides to and from the island-although much quicker- are SERIOUSLY rocky and some people have felt really unsafe. If you are prone to sea sickness, keep this in mind. The ride to Nena Beach Club via car was about an hour each way.

OTHER BEACH CLUBS: Bora Bora Cartagena and Blue Apple Beach Club

ALSO NOTE : The closest beach is the beach in the Bocagrande area, however, it is a dark sand and dark water style beach. Not pretty. It is great for sunsets but not for relaxing!

DO A RUM TASTING

For rum cocktails to wash it all down, try  El Arsenal: The Rum Box . With a collection of every single rum made in Colombia, and premium knowledge on pairings—particularly chocolate pairings—you’re in for your own drunken history lesson with every visit.

SALSA IT UP : A CARTAGENA TRAVEL GUIDE MUST !

There are a few salsa clubs in town but the best and most legendary one is Club Havana. It is located just outside the walled city in Gestemani and it gets BUSY! Whether you want to just observe or actually groove, its great for either! Every Cartagena travel guide will mention Salsa dancing and for good reason.

DRINK LOTS OF COFFEE – ANOTHER CARTAGENA MUST DO!

There is epic Colombian corner on every corner- even locals sell it out of thermos in the park but the best places we loved where the following:

Epoca Cafe  – This is perfect early in the morning for breakfast as it gets super packed later in the day for brunch. The inside design of the space is also drool worthy so it’s worth coming to for both! Side note: They also have killer mojitos.

Abaco Libros y Cafe   – Abaco is the book and coffee shop of my dreams! Books line the walls, the smell of delicious coffee wafts through the shop. Students from the university nearby can be found here at all hours, but there’s always space at the bar for a quick cortado! Fun Fact : The cover picture of this blog post is taken on the street right outside this cafe at about 7:30 am in the morning!

If we had more time, we would have taken a bigger day trip or quick 1 night trip to Tayrona national park. It is a stunning area about 4 hours from Cartagena and has one of the most stunning beaches in the country, unique view points and just a landscape like no other. Next time!

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT CARTAGENA

-All airports in Colombia are completely baby friendly! You literally get to hop to the front of the line at customs, security and check in.

-Ubers are “illegal” here but are still super easy to get. You just have to not be flashy with them. They are also SUPER cheap…like $4.00 for a 15-20 minute ride

-Certain places only take Cash so make sure to come with Colombian Pesos!

-There are so many amazing souvenirs to grab while you are there from local artisans so make sure to leave some room in your luggage for that

-The language barrier is REAL! I would suggest downloading Google Translator. This was the way we had to ask questions to people a lot of the time. It worked great! What not to do in Cartagena would be to only speak english and act stand off-ish. The people there very much appreciate the effort to speak Spanish

-Tipping is not necessary but appreciated! We always left 10% or so

-Travel shots for Cartagena and Bogota are not necessary. If you are travelling to more remote areas or to Tayrona National Park you would require a Yellow Fever vaccination. The mosquitos, however, were still around and we put on bug spray as we found it a bit annoying. Not sure if it was the time of year we went but I would pack some spray to be safe

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Thank you for all your recommendations! This is extremely helpful. My family and I are looking to visit Cartagena next month and are curious if we would need a car seat for our baby to get around in taxis? I would really appreciate it, thank you!

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Cartagena Travel: Know Before You Go

If you look beyond the scuttlebutt about  Colombia , you’ll discover a South American country brimming with life, music and welcoming locals.

Expect to be be swept up in a world of festivals, color, brightly painted colonial architecture and the most delicious seafood. In particular, Cartagena travel offers something for everyone.

Cartagena de Indias is a northern port city that both tourists and locals rave about, for good reason. Cartagena feels worlds apart from Bogota . Gone are the cold misty mountains that surround the capital and in their place stretch the shimmering Caribbean, framed by brightly painted colonial architecture and a dazzling blue sky.    Surrounded by thick salt-licked walls, originally designed to keep treasure-greedy pirates out, Cartagena’s old city has avoided the developers’ bulldozers. Outside the city walls modern high-rises exist, but inside things feel unchanged: kids dawdle on their way to school, dogs pad slowly down streets, old men play endless games of chess in plazas shaded by perfumed almond trees.   There’s a certain magic that permeates the air here and Cartagena’s history is even more colorful than its architecture.

Top Tips for Cartagena Travel

1. lunch like a local.

Eat lunch alongside the locals in one of the city’s simple restaurants. A  menu del dia  will often include soup, fried chicken or fish, rice, salad and a freshly squeezed juice. Incredibly cheap and very filling, this is the best way to eat in Colombia.

2. Day Trip to Paradise

Cartagena may not have the most beautiful beaches; however, just off shore lie the idyllic Rosario Islands. These coral islands range from tiny islets only large enough to string a hammock, to lush resort-adorned islands.  This trip includes snorkeling through the coral reef around the Rosario Islands .

3. Cocktails With a View

Join the locals at Cafe del Mar on top of the city’s stone wall for unbeatable views and mojitos.

4. Take a Mud Bath

Take a day trip to Lodo el Totumo , a bubbling mud volcano. Jump into this warm, messy mud bath for a therapeutic, and fun, experience.  Book the trip here .

Have you enjoyed exploring Cartagena – any other travel tips you’d add to this list?

I'm sure you've had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You're in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.

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