Practical Guide to the Cartagena Airport: Rafael Nuñez International Airport in Cartagena, Colombia

Planning a trip to Cartagena, Colombia?

I lived in Cartagena for over a decade, and I have flown in and out of the Cartagena airport, named Rafael Nuñez International Airport many times, on international and domestic flights.

Here, I’ll be sharing all that experience with you so you can know what to expect when flying into and/or departing the Cartagena, Colombia airport yourself.

So read on to learn everything you need to know about the Rafael Nuñez Airport, including what to expect when arriving and departing, how to get to and from the Cartagena airport, how early you should be there, and what food and amenities are available at the airport in Cartagena, Colombia.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn from purchases made after clicking those links. Disclosure Policy.

Cartagena, Colombia Airport Guide – Contents

• Tips for Booking Flights to Cartagena
• General Introduction to the Cartagena, Colombia Airport
• Practical Tips on Arriving to Rafael Nuñez International Airport
• Practical Tips on Departing Rafael Nuñez Airport
• Other Information and FAQs About Cartagena’s International Airport

Need transportation to or from the Cartagena airport?

Click here to book a private transfer with our travel agency partners and use the code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount on it plus any of their day tours!

Tips for Booking Flights to the CTG Airport

If you need to book your flight to Cartagena’s airport, I’d encourage taking your time to compare offers on different airlines’ websites.

In my experience, I often found the airlines Avianca and LATAM running flash sales at good prices, especially for domestic flights in Colombia and some international flights. I was also a big fan of taking the JFK to Cartagena direct flight on JetBlue, probably my favorite airline overall, and I’ve done that flight at least half a dozen times.

You can also compare prices on aggregate websites like CheapoAir and Expedia where you can see prices of different airlines. It’s important to keep in mind many have made their base fares noninclusive of assigned seats and checked bags in recent years, so read the fine print!

CTG Airport: Be Sure to Check for the Cartagena Airport Code

When searching, keep in mind there is a Cartagena, Spain, after which Cartagena, Colombia is named. Technically, Cartagena, Colombia is known as Cartagena de Indias, so it’s worth knowing the airport code for Cartagena, Colombia is CTG.

A good way to make 100% sure you’re booking to the right place is to double check the Cartagena airport code appears.

You can also search quicker by just entering the CTG airport code rather than trying to type out Cartagena. Just be sure to enter the Cartagena, Colombia airport code CTG.

Consider Planning Your Trip with My Travel Agency Partners

Also, if you are still in the planning stages of your trip, I’d like to give a quick plug to BnB Colombia Tours, who I’ve partnered with to provide custom, tailor made itineraries to Cartagena and everywhere else in Colombia.

If you’re interested in planning with a travel agent who is an actual expert on Colombia, you can find out more and see what they have to offer when you fill out the form on this page. By contacting them via that form, you’ll get access to a special, exclusive discount!

Cartagena Airport Overview

Ok, now let’s get into this guide to the CTG airport in Cartagena, Colombia’s premier destination.

I’m going to first go over some basic, general information on the airport in this section. Then, I’ll give some helpful tips and more details on what to keep in mind when arriving, then cover what to keep in mind when departing the airport in Cartagena, and conclude with some FAQs.

Rafael Nuñez International Airport

The name of Cartagena’s airport is the Rafael Nuñez International Airport, or Aereopuerto Internacional Rafael Nuñez in Spanish.

It is named after, you guessed it, Rafael Nuñez, the only president of Colombia born in Cartagena.

Fun fact: before he was president, Rafael Nuñez wrote a poem in honor of Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence that was later adopted as Colombia’s national anthem. During his presidency, he oversaw the creation of a new constitution that was in place for over 100 years.

His house is a museum today, one of a handful of interesting museums in Cartagena, and one of the lesser known things to do in Cartagena.

Where is the Cartagena, Colombia Airport?

The Rafael Nuñez Airport in Cartagena is located on the northern edge of the city, in the neighborhood of Crespo, only about 10-15 minutes away from the main tourist areas of Cartagena, a nice change from so many airports that require long trips outside the city.

I always appreciated how easy it was to access the Cartagena airport, and we could even walk there from one of the apartments where we lived.

Practical Tips When Arriving to Rafael Nuñez International Airport

Ok, let’s talk about some tips to keep in mind if you are arriving to the Cartagena airport. I’ll go over more info on departing below.

Things to Keep in Mind When Arriving to the CTG Airport from Abroad

The following sections discuss requirements and what to expect when arriving to the airport in Cartagena as your port of entry into Colombia.

If you’ve already entered Colombia and are taking a domestic flight, you can scroll down to the section on transportation to and from the Cartagena airport.

Travel Requirements and Documents to Have Handy

Colombia requires everyone arriving from abroad via air to fill out the Check Mig digital immigration and customs form. This form has a bit of reputation for being finicky, so if it gives you trouble, read my step by step guide to the Check Mig form.

You will also, of course, need your passport. You should also know the address of where you’ll be staying.

By the way, if you are unsure which area is best for your stay in Cartagena, be sure to read out my guide to the best areas to stay. Or, you could also check out my picks for the best boutique hotels, the best beachfront hotels, the best luxury hotels, and the best hostels.

Unless you’re a resident of Colombia, you also are required to show you have an exit ticket out of the country.

If you’d like some flexibility, keep in mind there is a 24-hour cancellation rule (you can find the about half way down this page) that applies to all airlines that operate in the United States. You can also search on a site like Expedia and filter for fares that are refundable or that don’t charge change fees so you can show evidence you have a flight out of the country but maintain some flexibility.

Keep in mind that tourists can be in Colombia for 90 days, with the ability to apply for an extension up to 180 days each calendar year.

How Long Does Immigration Take at the Airport in Cartagena, Colombia?

Everyone’s favorite, the immigration line…..

Not!

The truth is as much as I’d like to tell you how long to expect passing through immigration at the Cartagena airport will take, it can be a total crap shoot and varies widely depending on how many people are arriving around the same time and how many immigration agents are working.

I’ve gotten through the line in less than 15 minutes, and I’ve had to wait in line over an hour. I’ve even heard stories of people waiting over 2 hours!

The truth is, it depends on how many people and flights are also arriving to the Cartagena airport around the same time and how many immigration agents are working.

During peak travel seasons, like around Christmas, New Years, Easter, and June-July, it will almost assuredly take longer.

By the way, if you’re looking for my advice on when to visit to beat the crowds, check out my post on the best times to visit Cartagena.

I guess the only practical, actionable advice I can give here would be to prepare for the worst and plan for it to take over an hour, or over 2 hours during peak seassons, and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t.

I would definitely advise against planning anything that is a can’t miss or that can’t be canceled and refunded or changed until at least 4 hours after your planned arrival time just to be on the safe side.

Transportation from the Airport to Cartagena

Since Rafael Nuñez Airport is so close to the main tourist areas of Cartagena, it’s easy to get from the airport to the city.

The easiest way to get from Cartagena airport into town is to take a taxi. Taxis line up just outside the exits from both the domestic and international arrival sections.

However, Cartagena’s taxi drivers have a bit of a reputation for overcharging, both foreign tourist and even locals.

If you’d like to avoid the hassle of wondering if you’re paying the correct price and have nicer, more comfortable transportation that will be waiting for you upon arrival, you can book a private transfer with our partner travel agency.

While it costs a bit more than a taxi, it’s also more convenient.

Click here to book and use the code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount (you can also use that discount for any of their tours in Cartagena!).

You can also book private transfers from the airport via GetYourGuide and Viator.

If you’d feel more comfortable using a ride share app, I’d recommend InDriver, which is very common in Cartagena and lets you set your own price. You can also use Uber in Cartagena.

How Much is a Taxi from Cartagena Airport to the City?

Taxi prices vary depending the are of the city to which you are going, so it depends on where you’ll be staying.

However, as I mentioned above, many taxis will try to tack on a few thousand pesos to the officially established prices.

But, you’re in luck!

That’s because I’m going to let you in on a little secret that not everyone knows about.

How to Make Sure You Get the Correct Taxi Price from the Cartagena Airport

There are kiosks that will give you a ticket with the official fare to give the taxi driver and make sure you are not overpaying for your taxi from the Cartagena airport to the city.

If you are arriving on an international flight, after you pass through immigration, you’ll exit into a large room with tall windows overlooking the street and some benches.

Just to the right of the exit there is a yellow, digital kiosk.

Enter the street address or the name of the neighborhood where you’re going and it will print out a little receipt with the correct fare. Give this to your taxi driver.

If you’re arriving on a domestic flight, after exiting baggage claim and walking outside, you can find a similar kiosk tucked away in the opposite corner from where you exit. There used to be a window where you got the ticket, but as of our last visit in the summer of 2024, it is no longer there.

Be aware that there will be drivers standing around outside both exits that offer you taxis. While these are for the most part safe, they often are parked around the corner a block or two away and rarely charge less.

My advice is to just get the ticket from the kiosk and head to the first taxi in line.

You can see the officially established taxi prices in Cartagena here. Do keep in mind, the fares from the airport are more expensive than around town since the taxis wait in line and I believe pay some kind of surcharge to do pickups there.

Oh, and also be aware that there are often guys out here who pick up your bags to put in the taxi and want a tip.

These guys sometimes just kind of like pushily start doing it for you without really asking if you want the the help. I know it’s happened to me at least once where I assumed it was the taxi driver loading our bags, but it turned out it was another guy standing there who wanted a tip after.

There are also guys at baggage claim who offer to load and push your luggage on carts, some of which sometimes also operate in a similar let me load your bags before you realize what’s going on kind of way.

So, just be aware and don’t feel bad about turning them down, but also do tip them if you accept their services.

Can You Take a Bus from the Airport to Cartagena?

Sort of.

There is a bus system known as Transcaribe (a metrobus system) that runs close to the airport.

However, you need a card to pay the fare, which can only be bought at larger stations or certain stores.

So, I don’t recommend taking a bus from the airport to Cartagena unless you already have a card from a previous trip. Plus, the buses are often crowded, so it’s really not worth it unless you’ve packed very light either.

If you do want to take the bus and have a card, you can catch it by exiting and going one block over to the road that runs parallel to the airport.

Unless you’re going to the north of the city, you’ll want to cross the street and look for a bus stop that has with a big rectangle in the street that says SITM (sistema integrado de transporte masivo) on it.

Collective Taxis from the Airport to Cartagena

Another cheaper form of transportation is a collective taxi, or colectivo. You can get colectivos that go to the Walled City on the road a block over that runs parallel to the airport.

Look for taxis that beep their horns in quick succession and hold up a finger as they go by (you can also hold up one finger). These shared taxis pack 4 passengers in, so you really only want to use them if you have a bag that fits comfortably on your lap.

If you just have a larger backpack, duffle, or something that’s easy to carry or roll, you could also just walk out to this street and get a regular taxi to save a few thousand pesos on the airport surcharge as well.

Where Can I Exchange Money at the Cartagena Airport?

There is a money exchange in the little international arrival waiting area just outside the exit from immigration and international baggage claim, next to the taxi kiosk.

There is also one just to the right when exiting the domestic arrival baggage claim area.

To be honest though, I usually recommend just using ATMs as they give a better rate even if you do have to pay some fees. That way you avoid the hassle of carrying large amounts of cash.

You can find ATMs, by going into the main departure section of the airport and look for a large room in a corner to the left just before the entrance to security for domestic departure on the right side of the airport when facing the airline check in desks.

Practical Tips on Departures from Rafael Nuñez Airport

Ok, now that we’ve covered what to expect when arriving to the Rafael Nuñez Airport in Cartagena, let’s talk about what to expect when departing.

How to Get to the Cartagena Airport

Much like transportation from the airport, to get to the airport in Cartagena, you have several options.

Again, the most convenient way for how to get to the Cartagena airport is with a private transfer. They will pick you up from your hotel at your chosen time and make sure you get there quick, easy, and in comfort.

Private transfers also offer more space than the tiny taxis common in Cartagena. This could be an especially good option if you have a very early morning or late night flight or are traveling in a group.

Click here to book a private transfer with our partners (use the code ExploreColombia20 for a 20% discount).

Getting a taxi to the Cartagena airport is also very easy.

Taxis are generally plentiful and easy to flag down at most hours if you’re staying in the main areas of Cartagena. Keep in mind that the official fare to the airport is more expensive than fares around town. You can see Cartagena taxi prices here.

Now, if you have packed relatively light, you could also save a few pesos by getting dropped off a block away (ask to get left at the Kokoriko in Crespo). If you have anything more than a light carryon, I’d probably just pay the few thousand pesos difference though.

You can also use a ride sharing app like InDriver.

Taking a Collective Taxi to the Airport in Cartagena

If you’ve packed very light and have plenty of time, you could also take a taxi colectivo. You can get these near the Exitó San Diego.

Be sure to confirm it’s going to Crespo (the colectivos that go to Bocagrande park nearby). It will go when its full (4 passengers). Just tell the driver you’re going to the airport, and he’ll leave you on the road that runs parallel to the airport a block over.

Can You Take Bus to the Cartagena Airport?

Finally, you can also take the Transcaribe bus. I would only advise doing this if you have used the bus during your stay, since you need a card.

If you do already have the card and have money left on it, it’s a cheap option if you aren’t in a hurry and don’t have a lot of luggage.

To take Transcaribe, you’ll want to take Route T102 Portal-Crespo, which only stops at the Centro Station across from Centro Uno and Exito Matuna.

If you’re coming from Bocagrande, you can take the T103 Bocagrande-Portal to the Muelle del Bodeguita station, then you can take the T101-Centro-Portal or T100E Centro-Portal to the Centro Station. All the X routes also stop at both the Bodeguita and Centro stations.

As you ride, once you go past the big curve where there is a small Exito, press one of the red buttons to ask for the next stop. If you pass by the Kokoriko on the right, you’ve gone too far, so be sure to press the button and get the next stop that is just past the airport.

How Early Should You Get to Airport in Cartagena?

Like the section above on how long immigration and customs takes at the Rafael Nuñez Airport, this can be a bit tricky.

The general universal guideline is 3 hours for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights, and to be on the safe side if you’re asking my official advice, I’d say stick to those guidelines.

However, if you’re asking me about my experience and promise not to blame me for missing your flight, I’ll say the airport in Cartagena is often pretty quick though.

I can’t think of a time it’s taken me longer than 15 minutes to get through security for domestic flights.

Oh by they way, if you are flying domestically, you generally don’t have to take off your shoes and can generally take food and drinks through, but they will take lighters from you.

The lines to check your bags is usually what takes some time, and it usually takes longer the closer you arrive to your flight time, so it’s a bit of a double edged sword.

So, I would say stick to 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights if you’re checking a bag or need to get your boarding pass. If you aren’t checking a bag and have your boarding pass, you can likely arrive around an hour before your departure time.

For international, I would say give yourself at least 2.5 hours.

Better to be safe and be bored at the airport than sorry and miss your flight. I have also heard of them giving you a hard time if you arrive less than 3 hours before an international flight.

Passing through security usually takes longer since you have to pass through immigration first (and yes, you are meant to fill out the Check Mig Form upon departure too).

Maybe, if you’re not checking a bag and already have your boarding pass, you could arrive closer to 2 hours and mostly likely be fine.

Keep in mind they have started making you take off your shoes and they are much stricter about liquids on international flights, following the 3.4 oz or 100 ml rules.

I’ve also had them open up and search my carryons whenever I’ve carried bags of coffee and books on several occasions. So, if you’re carrying anything at all that might look like a bag or block of something on the x-ray, don’t cut the time too close.

I’ve also had my checked bag searched (they will call you in the waiting room for this) a few times. I’m pretty sure that might have been because of coffee too.

Return of the IVA Sales Tax

You can get what you paid for sales tax returned on some goods, such as clothing, when departing the airport.

You’ll need to save your receipts and either go to the kiosks or the DIAN window near the international departure security checkpoint.

You should give yourself a bit of extra time to do this and do it before you check your bags since they can ask to see the merchandise. You also have to make sure you get a special receipt known as the factura electronica that includes your name and passport number from the stores where you shop.

Foreign residents of Colombia and Colombian citizens, whether they reside full time in Colombia or not, are not eligible for the return of sales tax.

Cartagena Airport Food

There are really only handful of options for Cartagena airport food.

If you can, I’d suggest trying to eat before heading to the Rafael Nuñez International Airport (see my suggestions for restaurants in Cartagena), since the options aren’t that great. Not to mention, like airports pretty much everywhere, prices are inflated.

However, sometimes based on your flight times, there just isn’t much choice but to eat some food at the Cartagena airport

Luckily, there are some Cartagena airport restaurants. There are much better Cartagena airport food options in the domestic departures section than the international departure sections though.

Please keep in mind that the places listed below are based on what I saw on our most recent visit in July 2024, and what’s listed on the airport’s website in August 2024, so may be subject to change. See this page on their website to confirm.

Cartagena Airport Restaurants Before Security

Outside the airport, you’ll find a Subway, it’s located to the right of the domestic arrivals exit.

Inside the main building, the departures section, you’ll find a Juan Valdez coffee shop which has snacks and pastries in addition to coffee and other drinks.

There are also some souvenir shops that sell things like candy, packaged snacks, and drinks in this main area.

In the international arrivals waiting area, you can find a Mr. Bono bakery that sells breads, pastries, and drinks.

There are some more options for food at the Cartagena airport past the security checks in the international and domestic departure section past security at the Cartagena airport as well.

Food at the Cartagena Airport Past Security in International Departures

Honestly, if you can eat before coming to the Cartagena airport for an international flight, I strongly, strongly, recommend you do it.

No, seriously, eat before you come.

Because the options for airport food in Cartagena’s international departure terminal are awful.

There is a place that used to be called Bukash and had empanadas, arepas, hot dogs, sandwiches and other snacks like that. They were extremely overpriced, pretty meh, and there was always, always, a super long line.

I noticed it had rebranded during our last flight in July 2024. According to the airport’s website, it’s called Chantilly K’fe & Bakery. I didn’t even bother to check it out, especially since I saw there was a long line.

There is also a little grab and go sandwich place hidden in a corner that is also overpriced and pretty meh called Gokela too.

In a pinch though, it is what it is.

Cartagena Airport Shops in the International Departures Section

There is a small “duty free” shop just past security. It’s the only Cartagena airport shop on this side of the airport.

If you want to grab a bottle of aguardiente or something to take home, you can do it but it’s not any cheaper than in town. In fact, it’s probably more expensive. They do sell headphones here too if you need a pair.

There is also a small shop called El Market if you need a last minute gift or souvenir.

Food at Cartagena Airport in the Domestic Departure Terminal

There are a lot more options for food in the domestic departures section of the Cartagena airport!

You’ll find the following restaurants in Cartagena’s airport on the domestic side:

• Subway
• Black Coffee
• Presto (burgers and chicken)
• Dogger (hot dogs)
• Kokoriko (chicken)
• Bukash (empanadas and other small snacks with a few Arabic plates; they also serve liquor here)
• Cupertino (a little bar, not sure if they have food)

Shops in the Cartagena Airport Domestic Departure Section

There are also handful of shops in the domestic departures section of the airport in Cartagena.

These include El Market, good for souvenirs gifts, a Velez, which sells leather shoes, bags, and luggage, and, and Inkanta, which sells fancy travel bags, bottles, and other things of that nature.

There is also a little shop that sells drinks, magazines, and snacks like chips and candy bars. There are a few other stores as well that sell jewelry, purses, and hats as well.

Finally, there is also a “duty free” store where you can buy liquor bottles on this side too.

FAQs About the Cartagena International Airport

Here is a bit more information on the Rafael Nuñez International airport in Cartagena, including some common FAQs.

What airlines fly to the airport in Cartagena, Colombia?

As of the most recent update to this guide in August 2024, the following 16 airlines fly to Cartagena, Colombia either internationally, domestically, or both:

• Air Century
• Air Transat
• American Airlines
• AraJet
• Avianca
• Clic
• Copa Airlines
• Delta
• Edelweisss
• JetBlue
• JetSmart
• KLM
• LATAM (formerly LAN)
• Plus Ultra
• Satena
• Spirit
• Wingo

Only Avianca, LATAM, and JetBlue have customer service offices at the airport in Cartagena.

Also, keep in mind, this list is always subject to change. You can confirm it by checking this page on the airport’s website.

From what cities can you fly from and to Cartagena?

According to the airport’s website, there are 8 other cities in Colombia with flights to and from Cartagena.

They are: Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Montería, Mompox, and San Andrés island.

Miami, Fort Lauderdale Orlando,, New York City, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal, Lima, Panama City, Amsterdam, Zurich, Madrid, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and San Jose in Costa Rica, are the international cities that have flights to Cartagena listed on the airport’s website.

Note that this page suggests the flights to Toronto, Montreal, and Zurich are seasonal and may not operate year round. This list is of course always in flux, and since I first published this article several more cities have flights to Cartagena. So, you can take a look at that link to see if any more have been added.

Is the Cartagena airport big?

No, in fact, it’s quite small despite it being one of the top destinations in Colombia. Cartagena’s airport only has one runway, and there are only a small handful of gates at the Cartagena airport.

There is only one waiting area each for domestic and international arrivals at the Cartagena international airport, so no worries about being at the wrong gate or hoofing it from one side of the Cartagena airport to the other or anything like that!

In fact, you can walk from one side of the airport to the other in 8 minutes or less!

How many terminals are there at the Cartagena Airport?

There is only one terminal at the Rafael Nuñez Airport, although it is separated into an international side and a domestic side.

The international side, or “terminal” if you will, is located on the left hand side of the Cartagena airport. The domestic side is on the right side of the CTG airpot.

In the middle section of the airport, you’ll find the check-in desks, baggage drop, and offices for the airlines.

It’s a 5-10 minute walk from one side of the airport to the other, so no need to worry about getting lost or not making your flight if you happen to get dropped off at the wrong “terminal” at the airport in Cartagena.

There are only a handful of small gates on both sides of the Cartagena airport and none have connecting bridges to the flights. Instead it’s just a short walk to or from staircases for boarding and disembarking the planes.

Occasionally, such as was the case on our last flight departing Cartagena, you have to walk a bit further, so if you need assistance to walk longer distances, be sure to ask for it.

How to Access Cartagena Airport WiFi?

There is free wifi available in the Cartagena Airport.

You should be able to find it under the name SACSA Aereopuerto Rafeal Nuñez or something along those lines. You should be able to connect to it pretty easily in both the international and domestic departures section.

On our last trip in July 2024, they had implemented a policy of only 30 minutes free access and you had to pay for more time.

It can be a bit hit or miss in my experience when in the immigration line, and frankly isn’t super fast anywhere. I wouldn’t plan an important zoom call or something while waiting for my flight at the airport in Cartagena.

Are there ATMS at the Cartagena airport?

Yes, there are a handful of ATMs from different Colombian banks at the Cartagena airport.

You can find ATMs in a little nook just to the left if facing the security checkpoint to enter the domestic departures section.

You can also find a couple ATMs on the far side of the sidewalk outside of the airport. They are to the right hand side facing the airport, or to the left when exiting.

Can you exchange money at the Cartagena airport?

Yes.

As mentioned above in the international arrivals section, there is a money exchange immediately to the right as you exit the international arrival section.

There is another money exchange immediately to the left after you exit the domestic arrivals baggage claim as well.

Can you do a Covid test at the Cartagena airport?

Yes, there is a Covid testing location at the Cartagena airport.

It is located at the far left hand side if facing the airport from the street, past the international arrival section. It’s named Health Cars and it does take walkups. Susana and I have done several tests here and found them to be pretty good and generally quick if you still need one for travel on to your next destination or home country.

Results of antigen tests are ready in 15-20 minutes, but if there is a long line, wait times to take the test itself can be long. PCR tests I believe take at least overnight, but I haven’t had a PCR done there.

I’d recommend giving yourself an extra hour or coming the day before to be on the safe side if you still need a Covid test to travel to your home country or next destination.

How do you get the sales tax returned on goods purchased in Colombia at the Cartagena airport?

You can get the sales tax known as IVA returned on some goods purchased in Cartagena. This does not apply to food, tours, hotels, or other goods or services used in the country but does apply to things like clothing and souvenirs.

When shopping in Cartagena, you’ll need to ask for the “factura electronica” sales receipt and give the store your name and passport number.

Some stores are affiliated with a company called Global Blue, and you can get the sales tax returned from those places at the kiosks located just by the entrance marked “international departures,” on the left side of the main section when facing the airport, not far from the line for security for international departures.

For things purchased at stores not affiliated with Global Blue, you have to go to the DIAN tax authority window beside the entrance to security. They check the receipts and your passport and can issue you a return of the tax.

As I learned the hard way, they can deny the return of the tax if you don’t show them the merchandise. I’ve heard anecdotally that they don’t always asks to see the merchandise, but in my case, the lady did not return anything to me since I couldn’t show it to her.

So, don’t check your bags before coming here like we did and try to have anything easy to take out and show if you want to make sure you get the money back.

Also, keep in mind the return of the sales tax only applies for foreigners who are not residents of Colombia and residents or Colombia citizens, even if they reside elsewhere, are not eligible.

Cartagena, Colombia Airport Guide Conclusion

Now you know everything you need to know about the airport in Cartagena. Keep in mind you can book private transfers via our partners BnB Colombia Tours and get a discount with the code ExploreColombia20. You can also see all their day tours here and get a discount on any and all of them with that code.

If you’d rather not pay the premium for private transfers, a taxi is the best choice for nearly everyone else.

Keep in mind you’ll want to get to the airport 2-3 hours early for international flights and 1-2 for domestic flights.

There are ATMs and Wifi at the airport, and while there are decent food options in the domestic departures waiting area, there are not good options in the international.

I hope you found this guide useful for planning your flights into or out of Cartagena. Please do check out all the other content on the site to help you plan your trip.

Here’s hoping for a safe, hassle free, no delays flight!

Cheers and Happy Exploring!