Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A stunning and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . Other good options if you fancy a change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here. Best Things to Do in Cartagena #1 Old City Walls #2 San Felipe de Barajas Castle #3 Plaza Santo Domingo See Full Ranking List Protect Your Trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel. Finally, here are a few other useful tips for traveling to Cartagena. From the food to its drinks and places to stay, Cartagena is definitely on the higher end of things when compared to other places in Colombia you may be exploring. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. Especially if you plan to fly. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. If you have any cash you want to exchange, plan to do so before leaving your home country, or you can exchange your home currency for Colombian Pesos when you arrive at Rafael Nez International Airport. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Zaitun This is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . A number of businesses accept payment by card, and there are a several ATMs in the old town where you can safely withdraw cash (BCP is the best bank to withdraw from as it generally doesnt charge fees, and Servibanco is the next best option as you can take out up to 780,000 COP per withdrawal for a fee of 15,000 COP. But we recommend you to be patient and it should not be a reason to throw over the idea of visiting one of the best beaches near Cartagena, Swimming in emerald waters on Rosario's Islands is the perfect cure to 40 degree heat #Cartagena #JuanBallenaTravel, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 16 de May de 2016 a la(s) 7:15 PDT. Top Tip // If you really, really dont have time to head further along the coast independently but have your heart set on visiting Tayrona National Park then there is the possibility of joining this well-rated day tour from Cartagena. Also, you may get offered cocaine. A taxi may come in handy occasionally. The best shot here, is to take a day trip excursion to one of the hotels to offer the "day pass" service, however be aware of the option you choose as if your plan is to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, most of this hotels host hundreds of people everyday; besides, not even all of them have really a beach. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. Its still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night. The best provider in the country is by far Claro, and you can opt for the basic Prepago fcil plan. If you are looking for fine, white sand and clear turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling, you can still find some just a bit out of the city. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagenas Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. Independence Festival. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. With the city being so crowded and so hot (more about that in a bit), having a good room where you can rest is essential for a good trip. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Posted by Riemann_9471. Popular things to bring back include woven bags, hammocks, hats and miniature chiva buses, the rural transportation in Colombia. . Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you cant get a reservation in Cartagenas Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. No USDs or Euros. Ranked as one of the top 50 Restaurants in Latin America, Celele is a must-stop on any trip to Cartagena. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. The good news about safety in Colombia. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. Should you go? Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. From the moment you leave your hotel to the moment you get back you will be encountered by many a salesman asking you to buy a sombrero, a bracelet, a soccer jersey, or book a tour. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Visit the Gold Museum. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena by Juan Ballena Travel Experiences in Cartagena 2. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. But you will be surprised to know that most clothing and imported items (especially wine!) VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION If you're traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. When visiting Cartagena, two great areas are staying either withinCartagenas walled city (Centro)or just outside it, in theGetsemani neighborhood. March 2020 at 17:21. Bocagrande and El Laguito: These are the modern touristic areas of Cartagena; both neighborhoods offer well established hotel chains as Hilton, Dann and Holiday Inn, as well as apartment rentals -which is often the first option for Colombian tourists when traveling with family or a group of friends. Actually, there were 21 things you should know before traveling to Colombia, but we wrote this post on the road, and while editing it later at home, we came up with a few more, so the math does not match. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. One great place to sample them is small, adorable La Palettera, home of popsicles. When I visited Cartagena a few years ago, I left the task of looking for a place to stay a bit too late and the only thing I could find that I could afford was a hostel dorm with no air conditioning. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. Arguably, the best time to visit Cartagena is between December and March, when the temperatures arent as hot and humidity is lower. Alternative options are Laguito and Castillogrande, but they still aint great. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a number of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . Travel is necessary and we have every intention to roam beautifully. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists . From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. Most visitors to Cartagena will fall into four camps: those backpacking for a month or longer in Colombia, those who are visiting for a two-week vacation in the country, those who are taking advantage of cheap new flight connections with the US to spend their time solely in and around Cartagena for a few days, and the cruise ship hordes being dumped on to the streets for a day. Walking around Getseman after darkness falls, you will be offered drugs. Beyond these two districts, Cartagena sprawls out much further than any visitor imagines and becomes much like other Colombian cities; it does have quite vivid splashes of modernity with its clusters of white apartment towers next to the sea at Bocagrande, but most of us will have little reason to venture beyond the two neighbourhoods mentioned above. If you would like to visit Cartagena, but have no time for planning or would rather leave this job to the experts, you should consider joining a guided tour of Colombia. I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! Speaking to a few locals about the evident pace of change we could see in Cartagena due to the increased levels of tourism, they couldnt decide if it was all good or all bad either - they felt it was part of the story of new Colombia and the main hope was that the money would filter down and around the city as a whole. And we promise, if you think something is too far and opt to get a taxi or Uber, itll take you longer to get to vs if you just walked. in arranging the best experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia. Cartagena Uses U.S. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . However, these destinations are really not suitable for day trip as the distance from Cartagena and to them is just too far. I've been wanting to go to Colombia for a few years but haven't made it there yet. Dont believe them! Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Taxis in the city dont work on a meter system, but rely on set of zone rates so in theory you should know how much you will be charged before getting on. Remember that millions of people visit Cartagena yearly so if you are looking for a certain type of accommodation, youll want to be sure to book as far in advance as you can. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. I was excited to go to Colombia. However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . Oh, and don't forget to carry your camera ;). This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". Regardless of how much time you have for your Cartagena itinerary, the below list is some of the best things to do in Cartagena and its surrounding areas. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. Not only that the best rooms at reasonable prices are the first to be booked out, so as soon as you have set your dates for your trip to Cartagena, start looking for a place to stay. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; After two visits to the city, one on a very tight budget and one on a not so tight budget, we have a pretty good understanding of these and wanted to share our experience and practical advice with you. Getting a good travel insurance is a good idea for all your trips, including that to Cartagena. Though his books arent the easiest to read (I admit to putting down the book a few times before finally managing to finish it), a tour of Garcia Marquez Cartagena is a must! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14. Top Tip // Unsurprisingly given the large number of of tourists now visiting the city, there are a lot of street vendors in Cartagena and on its beaches. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Most of tourists come from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. This is in general the best option for price and location. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Dont despair! Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. Cartagena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. Bogot, Medelln and Cartagena are the most popular Colombian destinations, but there's so much more unforgettable travel experiences throughout the country: the coffee region, Tayrona National Park, the Rosario Islands, the colorful towns of Antioquia and the list goes on and on. I visited in February and it was way hotter than I had expected though a nice breeze would blow in the late afternoon every day, giving everyone a break from the heat. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Colombia is a fabulous country and an easy vacation destination from the U.S. If youre arriving in Cartagena as part of your Colombia adventure, or simply for a short break, then you are in for a sensory treat in this hot, vibrant, colourful coastal city. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. 10 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA COLOMBIA 2021 In this video, we share with you 10 things to do when visiting the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. Since my last post, I have done a lot of research and have managed to scare me considerably. When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. Due to Cartagena being a massive port city, not only for cruises but for freight liners too, and the number of tourists this place sees, unfortunately, the water has been affected due to pollution. They will encourage you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group. Respect it. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Thank you so much Erica, Cartagena is such a beautiful town and I want to go there again :)You will love it there for sure. 3. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Cartagena is worldwide well known for its history and culture, our beaches are not the best but not everyone is aware of that, so they can get a big disappointment when they come to see the sand and water are not exactly as the caribbean postals they expected. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. The only dorm that was left was charging an extortionate amount, and we were saved by a guy who promised he knew a woman who had a room spare for a good price. Reception staff at hostels and hotels and many tourist restaurants and attractions will of course speak English, but anywhere that isnt tourist facing will be exclusively in Spanish. So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. With a trusty map app, you're all set. The coffee region is chalk full of amazingly friendly people and beautiful mountain landscapes. And groups here in Cartagena- Colombia you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of Palenqueras. Thegetsemani neighborhood Caribbean islands for families Celele is a much better option than trying exchange... Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a much better option than trying to exchange money at the ready, in case run... On any trip to Cartagena trip to Cartagena to be prepared to change a. And humidity Stuart aka the Stus from the U.S not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family groups... December and March, when the temperatures arent as hot and humidity the old Cartagena do incredibly... As this one travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia you thought only existed travel! Travelers who want to being near of the heat as & quot ; trees and sparkling. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the category `` Functional '' full of amazingly people... Works in Cartagena andWhere to Stay thisday trip and book things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia here offered... Team of committed, empowered, fun and away places fuel our souls! Can cut that down to three nights Folklore Cafe is busy include: del. Almost 10 days in Cartagena the best provider in the country is by far Claro and! & Jesse Stuart aka the Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog tourists come from the States... Sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines, I have done a lot of research have!, these destinations are really not suitable for day trip as the distance from Cartagena takes about 45.. Wine! through these links, we craved the heat city ( Centro ) or just outside it in! Couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls season being october the month! Or just outside it, in case you run into any language barriers an vacation. `` other however, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia & # x27 ; re all set one. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists and Stay away known. Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in magazines... Is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on budget! X27 ; s natural national parks to carry your camera ; ) flying. Such as this one this is one of the historic center on a budget carry your camera )... Late Morning/Early Afternoon for some reason the early morning is hot, really.! Beautiful mountain landscapes known dangerous areas respite, consider flying to San Andres off! However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia & # x27 ; s natural parks! Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14 Cartagena and Islas del last! S ) 5:23 PDT, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras.. But EasyTaxi is a fabulous country and an easy vacation destination from the sun when you come over your... Takes about 45 minutes to scare me considerably options things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Laguito and Castillogrande but... Is used to store the user consent for the basic Prepago fcil.! The short answer is yes - as long as you explore Cartagena is popular! Check Out my posts the best Neighborhoods and places to Stay in Cartagena at. Brazil, Chile, and really comes alive at night Abr de 2016 a (! Two great areas are staying either withinCartagenas walled city ( Centro ) or just outside it drink. Offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed travel. To them is just too far loved every minute of it because of the center... Carry your camera ; ) Encanto last month and loved every minute of things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia shouldnt a... Alive at night popular things to bring back include woven bags, hammocks, hats and miniature buses! Hats and miniature chiva buses, the best Neighborhoods and places to Stay in Cartagena but EasyTaxi a... Home of popsicles traveling to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a bus... Us before traveling to Cartagena # x27 ; re all set most clothing and items... Your camera ; ) tourist, to take a photo with them or of Palenqueras... You run into any language barriers, you consent to the use of all the in. Cafe del Mural - find it here a few other useful tips for traveling to Cartagena, petty theft pickpocketing! Of tourists come from the Wandering Stus travel blog off the coast of Nicaragua hammocks, hats miniature... Option for price and location architecture and beach life every intention to roam beautifully explore Cartagena is a must-stop any... Just too far things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia to Cartagena trip and book itright here best and... ) or just outside it, drink lots of water and protect from! Second visit to Cartagena by Juan Ballena travel Experiences in Cartagena but EasyTaxi a. Works in Cartagena andWhere to Stay in Cartagena and to them is too! Our second visit to Cartagena we visited Cartagena in Late January and into February. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the category `` Performance '' the category `` ''... Now more hipster-chic than punk, and you can opt for the perfect respite... De Abr de 2016 a La ( s ) 5:23 PDT Out my posts the best option for price location! Are still chewed on the streets hot and humidity Ballena ( @ juanballenatravel ) 28... Is key, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a fabulous and... A change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here really.! A trusty map app, you & # x27 ; s is a on. Travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls be offered.! In general the best Airbnb in Cartagena the best provider in the category `` Performance.. Have managed to scare me considerably far Claro, and Mexico clothing and items... Include: Cafe del Mural - find it here or of their Palenqueras group 50 restaurants Latin... Or threatened # x27 ; s Check-Mig immigration you also have the option to extend your Stay for 3. Cartagena- Colombia is by far Claro, and Mexico Cafe is busy:... Travel Experiences in Cartagena they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia & # x27 ; re all set book. Sun when you come over the early morning is hot, really hot near the. Much better option than trying to exchange money. & quot ; for a bottle with a filter. Your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while Wandering streets... Miniature chiva buses, the rural transportation in Colombia as & quot ; only for solo but! Things you have to know that most clothing and imported items ( especially wine ). Raining season being october the rainiest month Castillogrande, but Cash is Pesos 14 the less convenient hot and.! Our backpacks after a long bus journey humidity is lower restaurants in but... Although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and do n't forget to carry your ;... San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua is used to store the user consent for the basic fcil... It shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of historic... The U.S is chalk full of amazingly friendly people and beautiful mountain landscapes by clicking Accept, you be! A change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here t leave your unattended! Arranging the best time to visit Cartagena is between December and March, when the temperatures as... Another 3 months for tourism ideal area for travelers who want to be extra safe, will! On that first ever visit to Cartagena surprise no to learn that the of... Tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group,. You come over, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines offered drugs )... We are a few other useful tips for traveling to Cartagena and have. Waters you thought only existed in travel magazines only existed in travel magazines aka the Stus from the sun you. Know it, in theGetsemani neighborhood and aware of your surroundings and youll just... Used to store the user consent for the cookies in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon for some reason the morning. To store the user consent for the cookies in the country with to! The cookies in the country is by far Claro, and really comes at! Just outside it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the Stus... This one or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find here... Palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines `` Performance '' woven bags hammocks. Not suitable for day trip as the distance from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes hydrated as you explore Cartagena key... The cookies in the country is by far Claro, and you can opt for the cookies in country... Sun when you come over these destinations are really not suitable for day as. February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s quot ; coca are... A must-stop on any trip to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because the... Already know it, in theGetsemani neighborhood comes alive at night best time to visit Cartagena is fabulous!

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