Ultimate Guide to Cartagena, Colombia
COLOMBIA - KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
LANGUAGE: Spanish
CURRENCY: Colombian Peso
ELECTRICAL PLUGS: Type A & B (If you’re from the USA, this is the same type of plug we use.)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Check your government websites for entry requirements specific to your country.
SAFETY: Contrary to popular belief (as well as a lot of govt. websites’ beliefs), Colombia is very safe. Just like anywhere else, including in the United States, you should be a vigilant and smart traveler. Watch your belongings, don’t go to certain areas without a local or guide, be confident, and be aware of your surroundings. There are parts of Colombia that are still high in crime, such as Cali, Colombia. However, with the end of Escobar and with the rise and importance of tourism, many of the larger and more popular cities are very safe.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Colombia is close to the equator. Therefore, it is a great place to visit year-round. However the peak season, with the driest and warmest weather, are December-March. Be sure to check the weather trends for the specific area of Colombia that you are visiting because there are many regions with varying weather trends. We went in early September. The humidity in Cartagena is very high. The air was THICK and, at times, too much to handle. Be sure to stay hydrated and dress appropriately.
HOW TO GET THERE
To get to Cartagena, you will fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). From there, you can take a car to your hotel, Airbnb, or whatever accommodation you have booked. Ask your host or hotel if they can set up a driver for you. This is the easiest and safest route.
NOTE: Uber is technically illegal in Colombia. This is because the government cannot regulate it. If you take an Uber, often times the license plate will be X’d out.
WHERE TO STAY
Area
Walled/Old City - Here you will find many great hotel and Airbnb options. It is pretty convenient to stay within the Walled City because most of the best restaurants, sights, etc. are close. You’ll be able to walk to most things easily.
Getsemani - We stayed in Getsemani at an Airbnb. Honestly, the walk to the Old City wasn’t bad at all. It took us about 10 minutes to walk over there and get to any restaurant we had made reservations at.
Here’s the link to our Airbnb: Beautiful Townhouse in Historic Center, Getsemaní
Bocagrande - This part of Cartagena gives very much Dubai vibes. This stretch of Cartagena is filled with high-rises and beachside hotels. You can find well-known hotels here as well as inexpensive Airbnb’s with great views. The downside to staying here is that you may need to catch a cab to visit the Walled City. For me, I prefer having the walking capability.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Getting around in Cartagena is really easy - you just walk. If you want to go to the main areas anyway. The best way to get around is really just to walk and use Google Maps. We stayed in Getsemani, and it was about a 7-10 minute (max 15) walk to everywhere in the Walled City.
However, if you’re staying in the neighborhood of Bocagrande - you may want to take a taxi to get to the Walled City or Getsemani. You could walk from Bocagrande, but it would take double or triple the time depending on how far down the strip you are staying.
ITINERARY: WHAT TO DO & SEE
There are so many things to do and to see in Medellín. How much time do you need there? I would say 4 days is perfect for your first time. We were there for only two full days, but we got to see and do a lot. So, if your time in Medellín is short, that’s okay. You can still see and do a lot in a short amount of time.
FREE WALKING TOUR - This free walking tour is a great introduction to Cartagena. It is free, but you’ll definitely want to tip your guide. The tour is about two hours, and it a great way to fit a little bit of culture and history into your trip. This tour will also take you along part of the top of the wall where you can see the cannons and a view of Bocagrande.
WALK THE STREETS OF GETSEMANI - Don’t miss the beautiful streets of Getsemani. There is beautiful artwork at every turn. You will find a lot of Afro-Colombian murals and paintings as well. I would’ve loved to bring some home.
BEACH DAY ON AN ISLAND - Any Cartagena guide will tell you that you have to visit one of the Rosario Islands. Some of the reviews that I read advised against the full-day island hopping tours as you don’t get much actual beach time. However, hindsight, I wish we would’ve done that. We did a day beach tour with a hotel on Isla Grande, and it wasn’t all that. I think I would have preferred a full-day island hopping and snorkeling excursion. I was having trouble finding a tour with great enough reviews for me to want to book, but this one was the best one I came across.
VISIT SOME OF THE TOP SIGHTS
Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa
Palace of the Inquisition Cartagena Historical Museum (Museo Histórico De Cartagena Casa de la Inquisición)
EXPEREIENCE THE PLAZAS AT NIGHT
Plaza de San Pedro Clavar
Plaza de la Trinidad
PINK SEA AND MUD VOLCANO - You could also do a day tour to the Pink Sea and/or Mud Volcano. We passed on these as we were limited on time in Cartagena, but if you have more time and want to venture out a bit more, these are two great excursions to consider.
WATCH THE SUNSET FROM THE TOP OF THE WALL - You could get drinks and watch the sunset at one of the popular restaurants with a view (see below). You could also take a sunset cruise. I looked into the cruise, but the timing didn’t work out.
NOTE: Throughout the Old City you will be approached over and over by people trying to sell you things, trying to put on a show for you, offer you a photo opportunity, etc. If you don’t want to engage, I suggest just simply ignoring them or politely saying “No, thank you” once and continue walking. This is how these people make their money often times, so sometimes they just keep asking. Not always and not all people trying to make money there are like this, but it is something to note and to be aware of because you will see it.
NOTE: You will see “working girls” in the square. They aren’t pushy or anything like that, and they are typically the ones being approached. Nothing to be alarmed by, just something to note.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
There are a lot of restaurants to choose from in Cartagena as its a hot destination.
A couple of things to note when searching for restaurants to go to in Colombia:
The prices aren’t as bad as the reviews say. We thought we were going to spend most of our money at the nicer restaurants while in Colombia. Seeing all of the dollar signs and reading reviews, we were prepared. However, our final bills really surprised us.
If it’s a popular restaurant - make a reservation. Some reservations require a credit card to reserve a table, but most don’t.
Ask about the dress code. Not all restaurants and bars have dress codes, but many do. One of the bars we went to, we got turned away because my boyfriend had distressed jeans on. Luckily we were just around the block from our hotel. He changed, we went back, all was good.
Here are just a few of the places that we either went to or that we wanted to go to, but didn’t have the time.
Many of these restaurants serve food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I categorized them based on what meal I would go there for.
BREAKFAST:
Crepes & Waffles - This is a chain restaurant in Colombia, but I thought the food was decent. The views and vibe were nice which was a plus.
Pascal - We loved Pascal. The food was amazing, and the service was cool too. This is a smaller spot just on the outside of Getsemani. We ate here on our last day in Cartagena, but we would’ve gone multiple times had we known we would like it so much.
Café Lunático - A great breakfast option, but you could also eat here for lunch or dinner.
LUNCH & DINNER:
La Cevicheria - Made famous by Anthony Bourdain - this is a famous spot for ceviche. I have heard of people getting sick here though which is why we chose not to go. Not to say we would’ve gotten sick, but we didn’t want to risk it with such a short stay.
Carmen - One of the most popular restaurants in Cartagena. Also one of the fanciest. Honestly, the service wasn’t that great. The food was also just okay. The live music was nice as well as the ambiance. However, there are only a few tables that give a sightline to the musical act. I recommend it, however, I wouldn’t make it a finale night spot.
Alma - Alma was amazing. There was a dress code when we went. If you plan to go, confirm with them their updated dress code. The service was just right, the food was wonderful, and the vibe was cozy. If I went back, this would be my go-to restaurant for a nice dinner.
El Mirador Gastro Bar - Right above the main square, with a view of the clocktower, sits El Mirador. I’ve heard this place has a great brunch also, but we chose to go for dinner. We reserved a spot on the rooftop for sunset. We got lucky and got to experience it on a night where there was a Colombian soccer game on. The energy was high! The food was also some of the best we had in Colombia. Highly recommend!
DRINKS:
Café del Mar - All of the blog posts and guides I read about watching the sunset in Cartagena talked about Café Del Mar. You can get drinks and watch the sunset here, but we chose not to go based on reviews about so-so food and service.
Movich Hotel - Another great option to watch the sunset the Rooftop Bar at Hotel Movich.
El Baron - Situated in Plaza de San Pedro Claver, this is a great place to grab drinks before dinner. The plaza is lively, and the drinks at El Baron help set the mood for a great evening.
Final Thoughts
Cartagena is Colombia’s Miami. It is a great place to go for sun, fun, art, and good food. If I ever go back, I’ll probably try to squeeze some more food, sight-seeing, and beach time in. The art is out of this world stunning. The Afro-Colombian culture was so cool to see.
I hope that you found this guide helpful in planning your own trip to Cartagena. Please drop any questions you may have below.
Love,
Ellie
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