What are the best things to do in Cartagena de Indias? What are the must-see places in Cartagena? Find out all our tips for visiting Cartagena, Colombia’s most visited city, and discovering its preserved historic colonial center, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Cartagena is clearly a must-see on any trip to Colombia!
Despite the massive tourist influx, the impression of being inside a colonial Disneyland and the ever-increasing number of street vendors, Cartagena remains one ofthe most beautiful cities in Latin America.
And if you’re willing to overlook the excesses mentioned above, every hour of the day will be enchanting, and the side trip will allow you to discover another side of Cartagena , the one where you get off the tourist itineraries and meet the locals.
Dare to take a detour!
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Disclaimer: we apologize in advance for any grammatical or syntactic errors, as our native language is not English (we're a Colombian-French couple), so we hope you'll forgive us and still enjoy the information we share with you! Please note that all the information on our blog is based on our own experience, and is checked and updated regularly.
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City tour of Cartagena in english
The best things to do in Cartagena
If you’re wondering what to do in Cartagena de Indias, these guided tours in english are for you!
A guided tour of Cartagena in english lets you discover the city through the eyes of a local. You’ll leave with lots of good addresses and tips for the days ahead.
The guided tours offered by our local service provider are an opportunity to discover Cartagena off the beaten track. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, we’ll take you to places you’d never go on your own. It’s a chance to visit Cartagena in a different, responsible way!
Cartagena guided tours in english
- Cartagena’s historic center
- The popular Bazurto market
Guided tours in english around Cartagena
- The village of San Basilio de Palenque
- La Boquilla, its mangroves and culture
Responsible tourism
By booking a tour with our partner, not only are you visiting Cartagena in english in an unusual way, but you’re also helping to develop a different kind of tourism in Cartagena, and helping to finance great initiatives.
Best local agency
City Tours in english
Cartagena’s historic center
The best things to do in Cartagena
If there’s one thing you can do over and over again when visiting Cartagena de Indias, it’s to take your best shoes and stroll through the narrow streets of the historic center, a World Heritage Site.
The interior of Cartagena’swalls is built like a large village, with its various squares where, in earlier times, it would have been nice to sit back and sip a coffee or fresh fruit juice. Today, most of the squares in Cartagena’s historic center are devoted to welcoming tourists.
Still, you can’t help but admire its sublime colorful houses, superb flower-filled balconies and exceptionally well-preserved colonial architecture!
The squares of Cartagena de Indias
The best places to see in Cartagena
Santo Domingo plaza
The plaza de Santo Domingo is one of the city’s most famous squares. It is home to Cartagena’s oldest church, whose convent can be visited. The church’s white and ochre interior comes to life when bathed in light. The square is home to Fernando Botero’s famous sculpture, the “Gorda Gertrudis”, whose legend has it that either touching her buttocks brings good luck, touching her breasts ensures a long love life for the couple, or promises that one day you’ll come back to visit Cartagena..
Plaza Bolivar
Formerly the Plaza de la Inquisition, where the Catholic Church carried out executions and autodafés, it was renamed in the late 19th century in honor of Simon Bolivar. Many of the city’s most important monuments can be found here. In the evening, dancers from Mapalé, a traditional Afrodescendant dance, come to perform – a must-see!
On the plaza Bolivar, we recommend a visit to the Zenu Gold Museum, a small museum housed in a sublime colonial house that stands out for its collection of handicrafts and gold objects from the pre-Hispanic Zenú indigenous culture.
- Address: Carrera 4a. #33-26
- Opening hours: 9am – 5pm / Sun 10am – 2pm
- Admission: free
San Pedro Claver Plaza
The San Pedro Claver plaza is home to a series of fun, contemporary sculptures by artist Edgardo Carmona. We love these sculptures, which depict traditional trades and scenes of life in the Colombian Caribbean.
Another less amusing statue is that of the priest San Pedro Claver talking to a slave. This statue represents the role played by this priest in freeing African slaves.
The church’s museum is open to visitors and boasts Cartagena’s most important collection of religious art, including unique African and Afro-Caribbean works.
- Address: Carrera 4 # 30-01
- Opening hours : 10am – 4pm / closed on Sun
- Admission: $22.000 COP
Getsemani
The best places to visit in Cartagena
Good to know
Be careful in Parque Centenario.
A few steps from the Clock Tower, just before entering Getsemani, is the famous Parque Centenario. Some time ago, you could see curious animals roaming free there, rescued from animal trafficking (sloths, white-tufted marmosets, etc.), but that’s no longer the case today.
So don’t be fooled by the touts who still try to show you animals that aren’t there (except for a few iguanas). In the evening, after dark, it’s better to avoid crossing the park.
Plaza de la Santisima Trinidad
Formerly known as the Plaza de la Libertad (Liberty Square) in honor of the inhabitants of the Getsemani neighborhood who launched the “grito de Independencia” in 1811. In other words, it was from this neighborhood that the movements that would lead to the independence of what was then New Granada began. And that’s just the beginning..
Today, it’s one of Getsemani’s liveliest squares, where young people gather in the evenings to drink beers bought from street vendors and enjoy artistic performances.
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Bazurto market
The best things to do in Cartagena
If you want to see the other side of Cartagena, then start by visiting the Bazurto market. Far from the traditional tourist circuits of a visit to Cartagena, the Bazurto market is located outside the highly symbolic “city walls” reserved for tourists and wealthy landowners.
We were lucky enough to take a guided tour of the Bazurto market in english with our local partner in Cartagena. We really recommend that you visit the Bazurto market to see another side of the city, but we really recommend that you be accompanied by a local guide.
Favorite things to do
Visit Bazurto with a local guide
Castillo San Felipe
The best places to see in Cartagena
The Castillo de San Felipe is one of Cartagena’s landmarks. Together with the old city walls, it represents the largest fortification ever built in the Americas, making it a must-see on any visit to Cartagena.
The Castillo de San Felipe can be visited as a labyrinth of corridors and walkways, underground galleries and drawbridges, secret passageways and evacuation tunnels. Its location on a hill overlooking the city offers a splendid view of the sea and Cartagena’s various districts.
From one missed appointment to another, we still don’t know all its secrets, but the Castillo de San Felipe is clearly worth a visit. Audioguides in english are available to tell the story of its construction, and thus the history of Cartagena de Indias.
The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is located on Avenida Antonio Arévalo, in the Pie del Cerro area. The easiest way to get there is on foot from Torre del Reloj, which takes 15 minutes.
- Carrera 17
- Admission: $33.000 COP
- Opening hours: 7am to 6pm
Cartagena Cathedral
The best things to do in Cartagena
Santa Catalina Cathedral is without doubt Cartagena’s most emblematic monument. Magnificent with its colorful dome, it can be seen from different angles depending on the street from which it is viewed.
So you take photos of it from every angle, you come to the door to discover it upside down, you look for the perspective that will highlight it, from the front, from the side, from the back, you look for its best profile, from the walls its dome calls attention..
The interior of the cathedral is quite simple, but elegant with its white colonnades and wooden ceiling. When we passed through, there was a wedding going on, with a group of traditional musicians waiting for the bride and groom as they left mass.
Torre del Reloj
The best places to see in Cartagena
The Torre del Reloj is one of the symbols of Cartagena, making it one of the city’s most photographed monuments. Historically, it was the only possible entrance to the city walls.
Inside the walls, the Torre del Reloj (clock tower) overlooks the Plaza de los Coches, formerly the Plaza de los esclavos, where the cruel slave market took place. Cartagena was considered the largest slave port on the South American continent.
Today, you’ll find horse-drawn carriages offering the typical romantic ride after dark, and the Portal de los dulces, literally the candy portal, a series of arcades where you’ll find all kinds of traditional candy vendors
By nightfall, the area has a reputation for being a hotbed of trouble, with drug dealers and prostitutes, obviously fueled by thrill-seeking tourists.
TREAT YOURSELF TO OUR “CARTHAGENA” POSTER
Thinking about the atmosphere in Cartagena inspired us to create one of our illustrated posters of Colombia, which you can find on our shop! La Bici” is our interpretation of the unique atmosphere of the Caribbean region between Cartagena and Mompox, its colors and its colonial past.
Cartagena’s Teatro Heredia
The best things to do in Cartagena
There are little pleasures that can’t be explained, little things that stay with us after a trip, things that may be insignificant for some, but that will stay with us for others… they won’t necessarily be the most anticipated things, not necessarily the most Instagrammable places, not necessarily the most famous places… but they will keep a strong taste in the mouth that will linger for a long time.
We only passed by the Teatro Heredia Adolfo Mejia, and it surprised us with its beauty, pastel colors and old-fashioned lettering. Built in 1911 to commemorate Cartagena’s independence, it’s considered one of Colombia’s finest theaters, and when you’re lucky enough to visit it, you’ll discover a splendid Italian-style theater with sublime interior decoration, lace-sculpted balconies and marble staircases..
Visits are possible during the week, but perhaps the best way to make the most of it is to reserve a seat for the concerts that take place there, such as the famous Cartagena Classical Music Festival in December.
- Visits from Monday to Friday
- Opening hours: 9am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 5pm
- Admission: $11.000 COP
- Subject to closure if events are held there.
Sunset from the fortifications
The best things to do in Cartagena
Cartagena is clearly the most expensive city in Colombia for tourists, both for accommodation prices and for restaurants.
And there are plenty of opportunities to give in to temptation and treat yourself.
There was a time when tourists would splurge just to enjoy a small pleasure by climbing onto the ramparts to admire the sunset at Café del Mar.
But those days are over!
The owners of Café del Mar, who year after year had privatized what was public property (the ramparts), were evicted to make way for the “Baluarte de la gente”!
The difference?
Today, access is free for everyone to go see the sunset, and the bar has become a social project: it’s students from the Cartagena Workshop School who serve the public and can practice their jobs as cooks and waiters (with a decent salary), and the profits are invested in protecting the ramparts of Cartagena.
The place is now more than ever a must-see, and having a drink while enjoying the sunset in Cartagena is a true classic.
Now, you can admire the sunset colors from the best viewpoint on the ramparts without emptying your wallet because of the overpriced drinks that used to be served at Café del Mar.
And when the sky lights up at sunset, when Cartagena’s rooftops glow and the buildings of Bocagrande turn on their lights, the atmosphere is spectacular and the moment is really worth it.
Rent a boat in Cartagena
The best things to do in Cartagena
Many of you ask us for advice on visiting the islands of the Rosaire archipelago, and we understand. It’s a bit (a lot) of a fair for organized tours, as everyone suggests, there’s a bit of everything, some pretty good and some very bad, with all the risks of going through informal agencies… In short, it’s a mess!
So why not simply hire a boat with a skipper and enjoy the paradise islands on your own?
Frankly, in our opinion, this is the best option currently available for enjoying the islands of Cartagena. It’s certainly not the cheapest option, but it’s the assurance of a great and successful experience.
We’ve told you time and time again, organized tours are tourist factories that won’t let you really enjoy the islands. Here, the service is top-notch, the skipper takes you where you want to go, and above all knows the most beautiful islands and corners far from the huge groups of tourists.
There are many options to choose from, from small boats for couples to large luxury yachts for large groups, as well as beautiful sailing boats.
Las Bovedas de Santa Clara
The best things to do in Cartagena
In Cartagena, everything has an “old life”. Las Bovedas de Santa Clara are former ammunition warehouses and prison cells, and are now a series of small stores selling handicrafts, antiques and typical local objects. It’s a great place to visit for the atmosphere it exudes.
Normally, the quality is there and you can make a lot of finds, even if the prices are a little high. It’s only when you leave the historic center that you’re likely to find better prices. In particular, we were told about stores located around the NAO shopping center in Bocagrande.
- Address: Plaza de Las Bóvedas
- Opening hours: 7am – 8pm
Cerro de la Popa
The best places to visit in Cartagena
Located 10 minutes from the historic center, Cerro de la Popa is the city’s highest hill. It offers a spectacular, almost 360° view of the city of Cartagena. From up there, you can see the Caribbean Sea, Isla de Tierrabomba, the city wall and center, La Boquilla, Bocagrande and the entire north of the city.
It is said that the hill was a place of worship and ceremony for the indigenous peoples, which is why the Spanish colonists and Augustinian priests built a church there to eradicate their pagan customs. The convent, built in the 17th century, boasts what is said to be one of the most beautiful cloisters in the whole of Colombia.
That said, don’t expect anything too grandiose either – the visit is short and the Cerro de la Popa is worth the detour above all to enjoy the most beautiful view of Cartagena.
- Opening hours: 8am – 5pm / Sat & Sun 8am – 5:30pm
- Admission : $14.000 COP
For security reason we recommend that you take a cab to the summit and ask it to wait for you while you visit and enjoy the view. Negotiate before you go up – average price $60.000 – $80.000 COP
Cartagena’s beaches
The best things to do in Cartagena
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When it comes to Cartagena and its beaches, there’s a lot of confusion. And it’s true that there’s a big difference between the beaches in the city center and those on the offshore islands.
Cartagena’s beaches
From the center of Cartagena, it’s only a few minutes by bus to the city’s various beaches.
Bocagrande & Castillogrande
With its Miami vibe, street vendors and aggressive masseuses, Bocagrande has a lot going for it 😉 That said, if you want a typically Colombian atmosphere, this is the place to be! But don’t expect a beach paradise, no.
La Boquilla
A dark sandy beach in a working-class neighborhood. Again, this isn’t a picture-postcard beach, but the atmosphere is much quieter than on the Bocagrande side, and you can enjoy the same sun and Caribbean sea as anywhere else!
Tierra bomba
Tierra bomba may not be Cartagena’s most famous island, but it’ s the closest to the city center and a very interesting option for those looking for an alternative to Cartagena’s beaches and, why not, to the very touristy Playa Blanca.
Baru and Las Islas del Rosario
As we mentioned in our post on beaches to swim at in Cartagena, the Islas del Rosario archipelago is the stuff of dreams… we’re talking white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters embroidered with palm trees, and many of you want to discover this little paradise.
But it’s important to have some information before you go, or you may be in for a few disappointments… For example, we don’t recommend day tours!
You should know that the most beautiful beaches of Baru and Islas del Rosario are on private islands that can only be reached by private excursion or by hiring a boat.
The best advice we can give you to really enjoy the Islas del Rosario archipelago, and even Isla Baru, is to book local accommodation and spend at least one night there.
Playa blanca, Baru
Playa Blanca on Isla Baru is THE most famous beach in Cartagena and, in our opinion, THE beach to avoid! Embroiled in a frenzied race for mass tourism, Playa Blanca has become a living hell.
Contact a local guide
Enjoy Cartagena with a profesional guide
Where to stay in Cartagena
, Cartagena, Islas del Rosario
Hostal
Media Luna Hostel
A hostal recommended by our readers on the Baru peninsula in the Rosario archipelago. Far from Playa Blanca, you’ll find the peace and quiet of a small private beach and pretty bungalows!
Cartagena, Islas del Rosario
Hotel
Isla Bela
An eco-friendly hotel on Isla Marina in the archipelago of the Rosaire islands. The price is commensurate with the services and the setting! Treat yourself.
Cartagena, Islas del Rosario
Hostal
Secreto Hostel
A charming hostal located on Isla Grande, offering double rooms and dormitory beds in a green setting with access to a small beach. Highly recommended by our friends in Cartagena!
Bocagrande, Cartagena
Hotel
Morro City hotels
The Bocagrande hotel par excellence, on the front line of the seafront, with its rooftop swimming pool and sea view, a must at sunset… to indulge yourself! 2-night booking required.
Bocagrande, Cartagena
Hotel
Oz Hotel
A beautiful second-line hotel in Bocagrande offering all the expected services and modern decor. Good value for money in Bocagrande.
Bocagrande, Cartagena
Appartement
Apartment Mar infinitum
Apartments in a huge building overlooking the sea in true Bocagrande style!
Cartagena, Historic center
Hostal
El Barrio Hostel
A well-located, clean and welcoming hostal. A hostal yes, but without dormitories, a somewhat hybrid concept offering only private rooms with either a double bed, a single bed or two bunk beds.
Bruselas, Cartagena
Hostal
Hotel La terraza de Estella
A large house in the Bruselas district with a roof terrace offering an unusual view of Cartagena. It’s a great deal for those looking for cheap accommodation! The Bruselas neighborhood is safe and 20 minutes by bus from Cartagena’s historic center.
Cartagena, Historic center
Hotel
Hotel Alfiz
For those who want to pamper themselves and love beautiful hotels. This upscale hotel was recommended to us by a couple of friends who tested and approved it! Rooftop with jacuzzi and patio with swimming pool…
Cartagena, Historic center
Hostal
Maloka Hostel
A hotel / hostal that offers really great facilities and one of the best value for money in Cartagena’s historic center. The small roof terrace can make all the difference in the evening!
