Cartagena is Colombia’s most touristic city, and one of the must-see destinations on a classic Colombian travel itinerary! It’s considered one of the architectural gems of all Latin America. But while many of you will want to visit the historic center, there’s plenty more to discover in Cartagena de indias!
On this page, you’ll find all the practical information you need to organize your visit to Cartagena in Colombia: things to do, places not to miss, how to get there, how to get around and where to stay!
Contents
Cartagena General information
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
- Foundation: June 1, 1533
- Region : Caribbean
- Department: Bolívar
- Population: approx. 900.000
- Climate: Tropical semi-arid
- Average minimum temperature: 24°C
- Average maximum temperature: 32°C
- Dry season: December to April
- Rainy season: May to November (peaks between September and November)
Best things to do in Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
With its multicolored walls, wooden balconies and exuberant bougainvillea, its splendid varnished wooden doors, its beautiful locksmithing, its fine details, its village squares, its horse-drawn carriages and its palenqueras, the historic center of Cartagena is a picture-book city, a Caribbean romance in tropical heat.
From the early morning light to the sweltering afternoon heat, from the golden glow of sunset to the midnight illuminations, the heart of Cartagena has many faces.
The first is that of a very , very touristy city, where the feeling can quickly become negative, compared to other, much quieter places in Colombia. The other side of Cartagena is revealed to those who make the effort to discover it, by getting off the tourist trail and talking to the locals, the vendors and the cabs. Our random wanderings sometimes led us into alleys where the feeling of being alone in the world surprised us!
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Best places to visit in Cartagena de indias
- Castillo San Felipe
- Santa Catalina Cathedral
- Adolfo Mejia Theatre
- Cerro de la Popa
- Getsemani
- The beaches
- Street art in Getsemani
- Bazurto market
Recommended local agency
The best tours to understand the REAL Cartagena
Best things to do around Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
The region around Cartagena offers some great getaways to discover the culture of this part of Colombia, mainly between the departments of Bolivar and Sucre.
- Mompox
- Barranquilla and its carnival
- Palenque de San Basilio
- The Montes de Maria around San Jacinto
- The islands of Rosario and San Bernardo
- The Galerazamba salt flats
- Rincon del mar and the beaches of the department of Sucre
All our posts about Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
Where to stay in Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
When it comes to accommodation in Cartagena, there are plenty of options, each with its own ambience, so you may find something to suit everyone. Here are the areas where we recommend you stay in Cartagena:
- The walled city
This is the historic center inside the city walls, and Cartagena’s most touristy area, where you’ll find everything from hotels to restaurants and bars. It’s obviously one of the most beautiful parts of the city, but also the most expensive. - Bocagrande
Bocagrande is a safe neighborhood located close to Cartagena’s historic center. The perfect opportunity to combine beach and sightseeing!
- Getsemani
Located just outside the city walls, close to the center, Gestemani is the street art district, with restaurants, bars and a younger, cooler atmosphere. For us, it’s one of the best options. It’s undoubtedly the backpackers’ favorite district. - La Boquilla
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, a more popular atmosphere and a longer, quieter beach than elsewhere, La Boquilla is the place for you.
Best hotels and hostels in Cartagena: our recommendations
Here’s a selection of places to stay in Cartagena, hotels and hostels we’ve tested or recommended by our friends and readers, and which have very good recommendations on the web.
, 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!
How to get to Cartagena de indias
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
As Colombia’s most popular tourist destination, Cartagena is also one of the best served cities. You can get there by bus and plane, or by car if you’ve chosen to rent a car in Colombia.
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Getting to Cartagena by bus
Cartagena bus terminal
- Website: terminaldecartagena.com
- Address: Carretera de la Cordialidad – Diagonal 57 # 24-236
- Phone: 57 (5) 663 0317
Cab to/from the Bus Terminal
- The Bus Terminal is about 45 minutes by cab from downtown Cartagena.
- Fare: approx. $27.000 COP
Bus to/from the Bus Terminal
- The Bus Terminal is about 45 minutes by bus from downtown Cartagena.
- Fare: approx. $2.500 COP
Getting to Cartagena by plane
Cartagena Airport (CTG)
- Website: aeropuertocartagena.com.co
- Address: Crespo Calle 70
- Tel: 57 5 693 1351
Cab to/from airport
- The airport is about 15 minutes by cab from downtown Cartagena
- Fare: approximately $12.000 COP
Bus to/from airport
- The airport is about a 40-minute bus ride from downtown Cartagena
- Fare: about $2.000 COP
Getting around Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
There are 4 main areas in Cartagena:
- The historic center and Getsemani
- The modern zone (Bocagrande, Laguito and Castillogrande)
- The northern zone (airport)
- Manga (port area).
It’s easy to get around these areas on foot , and to get from one area to another we recommend youuse cabs (yellow cars). You can also rent bicycles. Finally, the network of buses and busetas allows you to reach all the most remote areas, even as far as the Baru peninsula.
Cab
Cabs are one of the most popular means of getting around Cartagena. Official cabs are yellow and bear a plate with a number and the inscription “servicio publico”. Cab fares in Cartagena are regulated (all official fares)
Bus
A bus system to try to organize mobility in the city began to be set up in 2016 in Cartagena. The system is called Transcaribe and consists of buses with reserved lanes (like Bogotá’s Transmilenio) and side buses connecting with the main routes. In addition, the small traditional busetas run along the streets and can be picked up anywhere with a wave of the hand.
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Uber
Uber works in Cartagena as elsewhere in Colombia. To take advantage of it, you’ll need to download the application onto your smartphone and enter your payment details. Once your account has been activated, everything is automatic – you pay nothing directly to the driver.
Rent a car
Renting a car to discover the area around Cartagena des Indes can be a pretty good idea. Although the secondary roads are not necessarily in good condition, there are hardly any mountains in the region, so driving is quite pleasant.
Some examples of distances to places to visit around Cartagena:
- Palenque de San Basilio: 50 km and approx. 1h30 travel time
- San Jacinto: 100 km, approx. 2h drive
- Rincon del mar: 130 km and approx. 2h45 travel time
- Galerazamba: 70 km and approx. 1h30 travel time
- Lorica: 200 km and approx. 4h travel time
- To Mompox: 280 km and approx. 5h15 travel time
- To Barranquilla: 130 km and approx. 2h30 travel time
Best tips
Rent a car in Colombia
To rent a car, we advise you to use the Rental Cars comparator, which gives you a complete overview of the different rental companies in Colombia.
Best restaurants in Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
Cartagena offers a wide range of gastronomic options to suit all budgets and tastes, from local to international cuisine.
Restaurants in the historic center
You’ll find plenty of gastronomic options in the city’s historic center, although prices are likely to be more expensive than elsewhere. Especially if you decide to head to one of the beautiful squares for a nice little dinner. Bear in mind that Cartagena is a very expensive city compared with the rest of the country. In this area, we recommend :
- Totopo
- La mulata
Montmartre
Restaurants in Getsemani
This neighborhood is full of cool, hip and popular places, in short, there’s something for everyone. We recommend :
- Café stepping stone
- Café lunatico
- La casa de socorro
- Calle tripita y media
- Calle larga street
Restaurants in Bocagrande
- El Kiosko del bony
Safety in Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
Cartagena is a safe city for tourists, but the instructions are the same as for the rest of the country. We have written a post on the subject of safety in Colombia, which we invite you to read.
General advice
- Take only the money you need for the day with you
- Keep your valuables and papers in your hotel safe if possible, otherwise put them in different places in your bags.
- Avoid showing off your wealth when traveling.
- At night, order a cab by phone (ask at the hotel or restaurant) or via a mobile app (Cabify or Uber).
- If you’re going to the beach, always check your belongings and don ‘t leave them unattended.
Beware of beach scams
For some people foreign tourists = money, and they try to take advantage of this by overcharging for certain services. Here are some tips to avoid this:
- Always ask for prices before buying or ordering anything, to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Say no firmly when you don’t want a service (beach massages, for example)
- Range of “normal” prices in Cartagena:
Rental of a single tent with 2 chairs on the beach: $20.000 COP
1 mojito or other cocktail: $20.000 COP
Fruit juice: $5.000 COP
Bottled water: $3.000 COP
Beer: $5.000 COP - For your own safety, make sure yourtour operator is an official one, by checking whether he or she has a registration number (RNT), and beware of low prices. Informal providers offer no guarantees.
Festivals and events in Cartagena
Cartagena de indias Travel Guide
January – International Classical Music Festival
Classical music invades the city for 2 weeks, with a host of concerts taking place in the city’s squares and landmarks. International and Colombian musicians thrill audiences with a European and Latin American take on classical music.
- When: In January. Next edition from January 4 to 13, 2019
- More info: cartagenamusicfestival.com
March – International Film Festival
One of the city’s most important events. It brings together filmmakers, actors, musicians and cinephiles from all over the world. The festival focuses on Latin American cinema and national productions.
- When: End of February, beginning of March. Next edition: March 6 to 11, 2019
- Further information: ficcifestival.com
August – Bandas Festival
This event brings together the region’s leading traditional music groups to pay tribute to the great composers of Colombian music. Entertainment and concerts all weekend long.
- When: First weekend in August.
November – Independence Day
Every year in November, Colombia celebrates its independence with music, folklore and colorful parades. The festivities are accompanied by the election of Miss Colombia, which must be fun to watch to understand a little more about the country’s fascination with beauty contests. (They’re everywhere, in every region, and for just about anything!)
- When: Every year, during the week of November 11, which is the day Cartagena commemorates its independence