Is There Uber in Cartagena, Colombia?

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If you’re currently planning a trip to Cartagena, Colombia you might be asking yourself, “What’s the best way to get around?”

And, after that, you might ask yourself, “Is there Uber in Cartagena?,” or if you’ve done some reading online, you might be wondering “Is Uber illegal in Colombia and Cartagena?”

The truth is, Uber exists in sort of a legal gray area in Colombia. However, it is readily available in Cartagena and much of the rest of Colombia.

In this post, I’ll go over how Uber Cartagena functions, some practical tips on using Uber in Cartagena, and some alternatives.

So, read on to learn all about Uber’s Cartagena, Colombia availability.

Does Cartagena Have Uber?

Yes.

Cartagena, Colombia has Uber.

It is readily available and among the most popular methods of transportation, especially for foreign tourists.

That’s the short answer.

The long answer is it’s complicated.

Uber has had a bit of a complicated legal history in Colombia and currently operates through a bit of a legal loophole with some terms and conditions that might surprise you.

Next, I’ll dive a bit into that legal history and terms, but if you’re just looking for a quick answer to the question is Uber legal in Colombia and Cartagena, the answer is yes.

So, if you want to use Uber in Cartagena, go for it.

I personally generally stick to taxis, but you do need to know the correct Cartagena taxi prices to avoid being overcharged (more on that below).

When I do want to use a ride share app, I like InDrive better.

You can compare all your transportation options in my how to get around Cartagena guide.

Finally, for the ultimate in safety, comfort, and convenience, arranging private transportation is another great alternative.

You can take 20% off any Cartagena private transportation services offered with our partner travel agency when you use code ExploreColombia20 after you click here to boo private transportation in Cartagena.

Is Uber Illegal in Colombia?

Let’s talk more about Uber’s complicated legal history in Colombia.

If you take a look online, you’ll probably find reports that say Uber is illegal in Colombia with travelers reporting all kinds of tactics, such as sitting in the front seat, pretending you’re the driver’s friend, or getting out a block away from your destination, to avoid police and legal trouble.

That’s because Uber did, in fact, exist sort of a legal gray area outside of normal transportation regulations in Colombia.

It was even outright banned 2019, but it continued to clandestinely operate.

Then it found what amounts to a legal loophole that effectively designated Uber as a technology company that connects customers not to taxi or transportation services but to rental cars.

It just so happens that those rental cars come with a driver.

A 2023 Colombian Supreme Court decision confirmed that was a legal operating status, although it’s worth noting that they determined that by ruling the complaint against Uber for unfair competition was outside the statute of limitations.

You can read an article on the decision in Spanish here or read the full text of the decision here. You can also read more on the legal history in my post on Uber in Colombia.

So, if you’re wondering “Is Uber legal in Colombia?” the answer is a firm yes. While the court decision leaves open the possibility for future legislation that restricts or regulates it, for the time being, Uber is fully legal in Cartagena and the rest of Colombia.

Uber Availability in Cartagena

Uber really didn’t have a huge presence in Cartagena before all the legal drama in 2019. It was mostly used in Bogotá.

However, in recent years, especially after 2021, it has grown very quickly. Many travelers in my Cartagena Travel Tips Facebook group report using Uber.

So, Uber is readily available in Cartagena, and for many travelers, it’s a good alternative to taxis.

That’s because taxis in Cartagena have a notorious reputation for overcharging. There aren’t taxi meters in Cartagena, but there are legally defined Cartagena taxi prices. Many taxis treat them more as guidelines than rules though.

So, Uber can be handy because you know what you’ll pay upfront and not have to worry about haggling. Seeing driver ratings also provides an extra layer of security and reliability.

If you like Uber, already use it and have it on your phone, and don’t want to deal with negotiating taxi prices, feel free to use it like you normally would.

Alternatives to Uber in Cartagena

There are some alternatives though.

First, it’s worth keeping in mind, Cartagena’s historic districts are quite walkable, and it’s safe to walk around these areas even at night. That’s why I consider them the best areas to stay in Cartagena.

If I’m being completely honest, I use Uber in my native South Carolina when I need a ride, because taxis aren’t really a thing, at least unless you’re willing to wait for an hour for one to show up.

However, I’m not a huge fan of Uber as a company and try to avoid them when I can.

That’s why, issues with overcharging aside, I tended to stick to taxis when I lived in Cartagena.

Taxis are plentiful and easy to flag down.

You don’t have to wait around or worry about having data on your phone, much less fiddling on your phone in public, something I discourage if you read my Cartagena safety tips.

If you do just want to stick with taxis, try to keep some small bills, be sure to consult the legal taxi prices in Cartagena, don’t be afraid to negotiate, and always, always, always, agree to price when getting in.

To be honest, even if you plan to use Uber in Cartagena, I’d suggest taking a look over that link above with the legally defined taxi prices so you have a good idea of what to expect price wise and if Uber really is a cheaper alternative.

If you’d like to try some other ride apps, InDrive is my personal favorite. You get to offer a price and drivers have to accept it. You can increase your offer incrementally if none accept it. It gives you a bit more control than just accepting whatever price options Uber offers you.

Download the InDrive app here.

Easy Taxi, branded as Cabify in the US, is also still fairly common and was actually the first taxi hailing app to make it to Cartagena.

Finally, once again, you can arrange private transportation.

These use nicer, more comfortable, white SUVs. They’ll cost a bit more, but you don’t have to play the roulette of what kind of shape the car that picks you up in Uber is, nor worry about haggling with taxis. And, once again, you don’t have to expose yourself to potential theft by being on your phone in public.

Book private transportation in Cartagena here with our partners and get 20% off with the code ExploreColombia20.

Will you user Uber in Cartagena?

There you have it, a complete guide to using Uber in Cartagena.

My honest opinion is that if you already use Uber frequently and are more comfortable using it rather than having to worry about negotiating taxi prices, go ahead and use it in Cartagena.

I wouldn’t download the app just for your trip though, and you should feel perfectly safe using taxis if you don’t use Uber normally or don’t have access to internet on your phone.

Just make sure you agree to price and have a good idea of what to expect price wise (again you can see the current Cartagena taxi prices here).

Whether you use Uber or not, I hope you found this post helpful, and I hope you’ll check out all the other content on the site to help you plan your trip to Cartagena. Most importantly, I hope you have a wonderful time!

Cheers and Happy Exploring!