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Ready to plan your trip to charming, historic, and sunny Cartagena, Colombia?
I lived there for over a decade, and made this web site to share my love for it with others and help them plan their own Cartagena trips and come explore it for themselves.
In this Cartagena travel guide, I’ve put together all my top Cartagena tips in a step by step guide to planning your own trip, with practical advice on everything from where to stay, to what to do, to getting around.
After reading it, I’m confident you can get the most out of your visit to Cartagena and avoid the most common mistakes and pitfalls I see other travelers make.
I hope you’ll check out all the other more detailed content on the site as well, but I hope this serves as the perfect starting point to plan your trip to Cartagena, Colombia!
A Complete Cartagena, Colombia Travel Guide
I’ll cover just about everything you need to know to plan your own great trip to Cartagena, Colombia Cartagena in a way that is both detailed and accessible here.
This page is written as a starting point though, and I’ll be linking to more detailed guides and blog posts where appropriate throughout this guide.
Please feel free to browse around and search the site too!
If you’d like even more personalized help, consider planning your trip with my partner travel agency. They’ll create an all inclusive, customizable package, tailor made just for you, complete with 24/7 support while in Colombia and local, bilingual guides. Learn more and get a special discount here.
Want Some Help Planning Your Dream Colombia Trip?
Let my partner travel agency help you craft a custom trip package,
tailor made to your interests. Readers get a special discount!
What is Cartagena Known For?
Officially named Cartagena de Indias to differentiate it from its namesake sister city in Spain, Cartagena played a fundamental role in the Spanish empire’s power, trade, and wealth.
It was one of the most important colonial era ports in all of South America and the Caribbean, and it has a fascinating history.
That history is a large reason Cartagena was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The lovely architecture, charming flower covered balconies, and elaborate wooden door knockers that marked the homes of the colonial elite are testaments to that history.
The massive stone walls are further reminders of the city’s role as a lynchpin of Spain’s colonial might. They are also one of the few examples of mostly intact colonial era walls you can see anywhere in the world.
The city also has a vibrant culture, and one that is heavily influenced by Afro-Colombians, a legacy of its status as a major slave port. You’ll find their influence interspersed in the music, dance, and food that sets Cartagena apart from most of the rest Colombia.
Today, the beaches, blessed by year round warm weather, also draw tourists from around the world. The nearby islands offer a perfect escape with the picturesque clear, blue water Caribbean dreams are made of.
As Anthony Bourdain said on a visit to Cartagena, “It’s ludicrous that this place exists and everybody doesn’t want to live here.”
In short, why wouldn’t you want to travel to Cartagena?
Now that you’ve been sufficiently convinced to visit yourself, let’s get into this Cartagena travel guide, starting with the highlights of what to do and see in Cartagena.
What to See and Do in Cartagena
There is more to do than meets the eye in Cartagena, and I’ve got a longer post with tons of things to do in Cartagena, but I’ll cover the main highlights here, roughly in the order I’d prioritize them.
If you’re looking for guided experiences or excursions, you can get a 20% discount on all the premium excursions offered by my partner travel agency with the code ExploreColombia20 if you click here.
You might also want to take a look at my picks for the best tours to do in Cartagena or check out the top rated tours on Get Your Guide and Viator too.
Below, you’ll find tips for exploring Cartagena on your own as well as some specific guided tours and excursions you might want to consider.
Explore the Historic Districts
Be sure to leave some time in your Cartagena travel plans to simply stroll and take in the charm of the historic districts of the Cartagena Walled City and nearly equally hisotirc neighborhing Getsemaní.
You can explore on your own, or you could join a shared walking tour (see my review of that tour here) to learn more about the city and meet other travelers.
Here are some of the highlights and best sites to see in Cartagena’s Walled City, known as El centro histórico in Spanish:
- The Clocktower and Gate
- San Pedro Claver Church
- Plaza Bolívar
- Plaza San Diego
- Plaza Santo Domingo
Those interested in history, should also consider checking out the Museo Naval del Caribe, Cartagena’s best history museum.
The Palacio de la Inquisición, once the house of the Spanish Inquisition in Cartagena, also contains exhibits on the city’s history and the inquisition.
The free to enter Museo del Oro displays some neat examples of pre-colonial gold artifacts made by Colombia’s indigenous peoples.
After exploring the Walled City head outside the gates of the Clocktower across to neighboring Getsemaní.
Home of the colonial era artisan working class, you’ll find more colorful colonial architecture here alongside colorful graffiti, umbrellas, and flags adorning the narrow streets. They make this neighborhoods home to some of Cartagena’s prettiest streets and photo ops.
Remember how you got here, because you’ll want to return here in the evening too.
Visit the Fort
The imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is also well worth the short sojourn outside the old city.
It is the biggest fort built by the Spanish on mainland South America, built atop a strategic hill to safeguard the Walled City.
Today, you can explore its stone battlements, wander through the narrow tunnels connecting sections, and get wonderful views of the city and bay from the top.
The fort is included, along with the nearby La Popa convent and a walking tour of the Walled City in this premium private city tour (use the discount code ExploreColombia20!).
You can also book a small group shared tour like this one, or just take a taxi and explore the fort on your own. It’s best to go early to beat the heat and the crowds.
More adventurous military history buffs might also consider visiting the forts of Bocachica at the entrance to the bay, some of Cartagena’s best hidden gems but a bit harder to reach.
Enjoy Cartagena’s Beaches
No trip to Cartagena is complete without some Caribbean beach time!
However, there’s a catch…
The beaches in town are just ok.
They also get crowded and vendors hawking everything from oysters to bracelets to massages make it tough to relax, especially on the most popular beaches of Bocagrande.
To get the best Cartagena beach experience, you’ll need to escape to the picturesque Rosario Islands, about an hour boat ride away.
A private boat is our favorite way to do the islands. You not only get lots of flexibility, not to mention the ability to bump your own playlist, but it’s also a good value, especially if you’re a group.
Get a quote for a private Cartagena boat rental from our local partner here or see my tips for renting a private boat in Cartagena here.
A catamaran sailing tour or a day pass at IslaBela are good options for relaxed day trips in the islands. Meanwhile a 5 islands tour or day pass at Bora Bora Beach Club offers a more lively and party vibe.
Compare these and more options on my list of the best Rosario Islands day trips.
You can also spend the night in the islands. Just keep in mind, due to the logistics, you probably won’t want to spend a night if you have less than 4 nights total and you shouldn’t plan your first or last night there.
Speaking of how many nights you have, be sure to check out my tips for how long to stay in Cartagena here.
IslaBela is also our favorite spot for an overnight stay (see my review here).
For higher end places with more creature comforts the Sofitel Calablanca the gorgeous Hotel Las Islas, and the Isla del Encanto (review of it here)are great options too.
Finally, for those on a budget, Secreto Hostel offers more affordable accommodations in the islands.
Compare more options at this list of the best Rosario Islands hotels.
The closer island of Tierra Bomba is another option for a better beach experience than in town. We’ve always really enjoyed Palmarito, which offers day trips and overnight stays.
Meanwhile, the beaches of Castillogrande and La Boquilla, around the Hotel Las Americas have relatively fewer crowds and vendors if you’d rather stay on the mainland.
The white sands and clear water of Playa Blanca, once a hidden gem, is another option. You’re likely to see it recommended on many websites and other travel blogs about Cartagena.
The truth is, it’s become a victim of its own success in recent years.
A lack of proper infrastructure, overcrowding, overcharging, and overly pushy vendors are the main reasons why I generally no longer recommend it. If you do go to Playa Blanca, at least make sure you avoid the weekend or holidays.
You can read my guide to Barú Island, where Playa Blanca is located to learn about some less crowded beaches out here.
You can also see my comparative guide to Cartagena’s Islands and my complete guide to Cartagena’s beaches for more info on where to have some fun in the sun.
Sample the Cuisine
One of the best things about a Cartagena vacation, or really a vacation anywhere, is eating to your heart’s content!
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the seafood really shines in Cartagena. Make sure you try some ceviche, a fried fish, and maybe even a cazuela de mariscos seafood stew. Also be sure to sample the sweet and savory coconut rice, a favorite local side dish, too.
Check out my post on traditional dishes to try in Cartagena for more ideas for what to sample during your Cartagena trip.
Some of our favorite restaurants in Cartagena include Buena Vida Marisquería and La Cevichería, both of which have great seafood. Cande also has great food and a neat atmosphere, and Celele serves beautifully presented and unique gourmet dishes with local ingredients.
Meanwhile, La Mulata and El Espiritú Santo serve up tasty traditional fare at more reasonable prices.
To learn more about the cuisine, you could take a cooking class at Lunático, which my mom and I really enjoyed (read about our experience here).
For an even more immersive culinary experience, you might consider touring the hectic Bazurto Market, where you can find tons of fruits, vegetables, and freshly caught seafood. The market should be done with a guide, and you can book a group tour or a private one.
You’ll want to sample street food too!
A street food tour is a good way to try a variety of things and get some bites of history and culture too.
Tour or no tour, be sure to try an Arepa de huevo, a local favorite. It is almost more like an empanada and has a filling of egg and ground beef. They can be found all around town, but our favorites are at Donde Magola, which has a bunch of different variations and fillings.
Don’t sleep on Colombian street hot dogs either, which come smothered in cheese and topped off with crunchy shoe string potatoes.
Sip Some Colombian Coffee
Colombia is of course famous for its coffee.
While the low altitude means there isn’t coffee production around Cartagena, you can still sample brews from around the country at a variety of coffee shops.
On Plaza Santo Domingo, you can enjoy Colombia’s most award winning coffee at the “Coffee Temple” of the Café San Alberto.
For a more unique experience, check out the eclectic Café del Mural in Getsemaní.
Libertario Coffee Roasters, Café Quindió, La Brioche, and the many Juan Valdez coffee shops are other good places to sample Colombian coffee.
Enjoy a Drink and Night Out on the Town
Cartagena has a vibrant nightlife.
Getsemaní and the area around the Plaza de la Trinidad makes a great place to start an evening out on the town.
There’s usually a motley mix of locals, tourists, and street performers mingling and sipping on cheap beers from the corner stores or cocktails from a little stand in the plaza.
There are also numerous street food stalls on the plaza, making this a great place to sample one of those Colombian street hot dogs to start the night, end it, or both. Go for a picada or patacón con todo if you’re really hungry.
You can also head over to the nearby Callejón Ancho and Callejón Angosto for a drink at the tables set up in the street. Sitting under the colorful umbrellas, flags, and lights is a neat atmosphere.
If you want to go out dancing, Bazurto Social Club is a lot of fun.
They play a lot of champeta, a musical style derived from African rhythms that was born in Cartagena’s barrios. Best of all, they do champeta and salsa mini dance lessons and demonstrations throughout the night.
Club Seven 7 Times, La Movida, and La Jugada are the top upscale dance clubs. Meanwhile, Café Havana is one of Cartagena’s longest running joints and great for a night of salsa.
For more relaxed drinks, the outdoor tables by the Clocktower at Donde Fidel are great for people watching and taking in the evening breeze.
Nearby Clock Pub offers Cartagena’s take on an American style bar, and Alquimico serves tasty cocktails and offers a nice mix between bar and club. We also always really enjoyed the rooftop bar at Townhouse.
See my complete guide to the nightlife in Cartagena for more ideas to drink, dance, and be merry during your visit to Cartagena, Colombia.
Catch Some Caribbean Sunsets
Finally, make sure you catch some of Cartagena’s sunsets before the sun sets on your trip!
Hotel Movich’s rooftop bar has an amazing view of the San Pedro Claver Church, bay, and Bocagrande beyond.
The well known Café del Mar, located atop the wall, was recently shut down, but you can still enjoy the direct view of the sunset from the wall where it was located with a new business set up by the city government.
A sunset cruise aboard the catamaran, on the pirate ship, or with an open bar are all also great ways to start an evening and take in the sunset, get a glimpse of the city lit up at night, and enjoy a few drinks.
Consider Some Day Trips Out of Town
In addition to the islands, there are a number of other day trips and excursions you might consider tacking on to your time in Cartagena.
San Basilio de Palenque is a town that was founded by runaway slaves.
It has a fascinating history, and its residents preserved many aspects of West African traditions and culture. Doing a Palenque tour from Cartagena is a neat day trip for those interested in culture, history, and seeing a bit of the other side of rural Colombia. You can book a shared tour or a private one.
The El Totumo Mud Volcano is a unique, attraction, if a bit of an odd one. Some will love it, some will definitely want to pass!
For those looking for nature and hiking without the time to do an overnight trip to the famous Tayrona Park or the mountains of Minca, both located several hours north, the Howling Trail hike offers a chance to see monkeys and hike through a forest (read about my experience on the hike here).
You can see some other suggestions for day trips from Cartagena here.
Where to Stay in Cartagena
I’m going to summarize the best areas to stay with some suggested options for hotels here.
However, I also have a much more detailed guide that goes over the pros and cons of each area with more suggested places to stay.
Click here to read my complete Where to Say in Cartagena guide.
I recommend most travelers stay in the Walled City, which comprises the neighborhoods of Centro (or Centro Históric) and San Diego or adjacent Getsemaní.
These are the charming, historic areas that make Cartagena such a special destination in the first place and where you’ll likely spend much of your time anyways.
Plus, they are very walkable and offer easy access to the vast majority of things to see, restaurants, cafes, and bars.
The Casa San Agustín is Cartagena’s finest hotel. It, along with the Sofitel Santa Clara and the Charleston Santa Teresa, are tough to beat for luxury, although the Four Seasons set to open soon in Getsemaní should give them a run for their money.
Meanwhile, the Casona del Colegio, the Hotel Capellán, and Osh Hotel are other very nice options at more affordable price points.
Finally, the Casa India Catalina, Casa Tere, and Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia are good options for hotels that that will get the best bang for your peso in historic Centro and Getsemaní.
Centro and Getsemaní is where you’ll find almost all of Cartagena’s hostels too.
So, if you’re looking for more budget friendly accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, consider the upscale Casa Movida boutique hostel or the more backpacker friendly Media Luna and El Viajero hostels.
The other most popular area to stay is the modern, beach front district of Bocagrande.
Here you’ll find higher end hotels in modern high rises like the Hyatt Regency, the Hotel Estelar, and the Cartagena Hilton.
There are some good, smaller hotels that offer good values like the Oz Hotel in Bocagrande too.
I recommend sticking to one of those three areas, but if you’re looking for more affordable accommodations in more residential neighborhoods, you might also consider the neighborhoods of El Cabrero, Marbella, and Manga.
Finally, there are some nice beachfront hotels like the Hotel Las Americas and condos around La Boquilla, also called the Zona Norte, but they work best as complement to staying in town due to their distance from the Walled City.
I would not recommend staying in other areas due to distance from the main attractions in the historic center, safety concerns, or both.
How Long To Visit
You should plan to spend a minimum of 4 days, 3 nights in Cartagena.
This gives you at least one full day to explore the city plus a full day to do the islands.
Most travelers will find a sweet spot between 5 and 7 days, which allows you to fully enjoy the city, consider an overnight stay in the islands, and possibly do some day trips to places like San Basilio de Palenque.
Read more about what to take into account when deciding how many days in Cartagena here.
If you have flexibility about when to visit Cartagena, you might want to check out my guide to the the best time to visit Cartagena.
Additional Practicalities for Planning Your Cartagena Trip
These sections will cover some practicalities to consider when doing your Cartagena trip planning as well as go over some things to keep in mind once you are in Cartagena.
Do click the links to the more in depth articles for further details.
Arriving To Cartagena
Cartagena’s Rafael Nuñez International Airport has both domestic and international flights. You can learn what to expect upon arrival in my guide to the Cartagena airpot.
Click here to get 20% off airport pickups with the code ExploreColombia20 or check out this post covering how much a taxi from the Cartagena airport costs.
If traveling around Colombia, you can look at BusBud for a sample of buses offered between cities in Colombia, but keep in mind due to the mountainous geography of Colombia’s interior, flying can often be a lot faster and only marginally more expensive than busing.
Do please take a look at the Other Destinations section too to learn about my tips for other places to visit in Colombia!
Getting Around in Cartagena
Once in Cartagena, the most convenient form of transportation is taxis.
However, the taxi drivers in Cartagena have a reputation for overcharging, so always agree to a price before getting in.
You can see the legally established fares in this guide to taxi prices in Cartagena, but be aware they function more like guidelines in practice.
If you’d rather skip the haggling, InDriver is the most popular ride share app amongst locals and my favorite.
Meanwhile, Uber is legal in Colombia, and Uber in Cartagena has also become more and more common and is a fine option too. If you’ve never used Uber before, you can get half off your first 2 rides using this referral link.
See all your transportation options in my guide to getting around Cartagena.
Should I Be Concerned About Safety?
If you’ve made it this far, it probably means you are intent on visiting Cartagena.
However, if you have a concerned mother, father, aunt, or friend you need to reassure, let’s talk about safety in Cartagena.
There’s no escaping the fact that Colombia has a reputation, to some degree earned, and to some degree exaggerated by stereotypes and negative portrayals in the media.
The country as a whole has made tremendous strides in recent years, and tourism is flourishing even in previous no go zones though.
Thing is, Cartagena was never a no go zone, and it remains arguably the safest place for tourists in the country. If you follow common sense precautions, you are extremely unlikely to have any safety issues in Cartagena.
You will almost assuredly have to deal with some vendors and street hustlers though.
When dealing with vendors, never accept “free” samples and if you want to buy something negotiate and agree on price before hand.
It’s also best practice is to book tours only with reputable companies, especially if they require any kind of deposit or prepayment.
See more safety tips for Cartagena here.
As far as health concerns, tap water in Cartagena is treated and considered safe to drink (which is not the case in all of Colombia, by the way).
I drank it while I lived there, but I have heard of people getting upset stomachs due to different mineral content or treatment methods their system is not accustomed to.
So, I usually recommend sticking to bottled water if you’re just doing a short trip to Cartagena, which is very cheap. You can buy large jugs and even bags of water for the equivalent of a few dollars.
While it’s always worth double checking, there are no major health concerns about viruses such as Zika at this time in Cartagena, nor is Yellow Fever or Malaria a concern except in rural jungle areas of Colombia.
There was a small outbreak of Yellow Fever in part of Colombia far away from Cartagena in 2025, and some countries have instituted vaccine requirements, so you might want to check that out.
Click here to read if you need a Yellow Fever vaccine to travel to Colombia.
Currency in Cartagena
While most restaurants, hotels, and tour operators will take credit card payments, you should keep some Colombian Pesos (abbreviated COP) with you for taxis, souvenirs from street vendors, and smaller restaurants, not to mention that tasty street food.
What to Pack
As mentioned in the When to Visit section, Cartagena is a year round warm weather destination. And by warm, I mean hot, so pack appropriately.
You can see some ideas for good outfits in my packing list for Cartagena.
Definitely be sure to have sunscreen and drink plenty of water!
Electrical outlets in Colombia are 110 volts with type A and B sockets, identical to what is found in the US. If you’re coming from Europe or elsewhere, you might need a travel adapter, and if you’re traveling with expensive electronics a travel surge protector isn’t a horrible idea.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Cartagena?
This practical Cartagena travel guide hopefully covered just about everything you need to know to plan a trip to Cartagena, Colombia.
Again, though there are tons of more detailed articles on the site, so please do take a look around or use the search bar for any other questions you still have.
Do keep in mind the customizable travel packages offered by my partner travel agency, the special 20% discount on all tours listed here with code ExploreColombia20.
You can also check out the top experiences in Cartagena on Get Your Guide and Viator and compare prices for places to stay at Booking.com.
I hope you found this guide useful and that you have a wonderful time in Cartagena!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
Want Some Help Planning Your Dream Colombia Trip?
Let my partner travel agency help you craft a custom trip package,
tailor made to your interests. Readers get a special discount!
Want to connect with me and fellow travelers to Cartagena and Colombia?
Click here to join the Cartagena, Colombia Travel Tips Facebook Group
It’s a great place to ask questions, share tips, and get inspiration!
Planning a trip to Cartagena?
Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!
In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena, my guide to the best areas to stay, my list of over 75 things to do, my picks for the best Cartagena tours, the best day trips from Cartagena, my suggested packing list, my guide to the Rosario Islands, and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena.
