Cartagena Travel Guide

Cartagena de Indias stands out from every other city in Colombia. The walled Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 - is one of the best-preserved colonial city centres in the Americas, with nearly 500 years of Spanish colonial architecture packed into a few walkable square kilometres. Add a Caribbean coastline, offshore coral islands, and a restaurant scene that has caught up with its setting, and Cartagena makes a compelling case for being Colombia’s most complete destination.

It is also one of the most popular. High season sees the Old Town at capacity, prices spike sharply, and the Rosario Islands can feel crowded. Timing your visit thoughtfully makes a substantial difference.

Getting There and Around

Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) sits just 3 kilometres from the Old Town - one of the most convenient airport locations in Colombia.

From the airport: Taxis to the Old Town cost approximately COP 18,000 to 25,000 as of 2026. The ride takes 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic, up to 30 minutes during the afternoon rush. Uber operates in Cartagena and is often slightly cheaper. A Cartagena airport transfer with a pre-booked fixed rate is worth considering if you are arriving late or with heavy luggage. No buses run a useful route from the airport to the tourist centre.

Within the city: Walking covers most of the Old Town and Getsemani comfortably. Taxis for longer trips (to Bocagrande beach or Castillo San Felipe) cost COP 8,000 to 15,000. Small motorcycle taxis (mototaxis) operate in the city but are not recommended for tourists. Electric golf carts run tourist circuits through the Old Town for approximately COP 5,000.

From Bogota, flights take around 1 hour and cost from COP 120,000 with advance booking. Overland buses from Bogota take 20 to 22 hours and cost from COP 80,000.

Where to Stay in Cartagena

Hotel Casa San Agustin (Old Town) - from COP 1,100,000 per night: The most accomplished luxury hotel inside the walls, built around three connected colonial mansions with 31 rooms. The pool, restaurant, and service levels are consistently excellent. Suits honeymoons and special occasions.

Hotel Boutique Casona del Colegio (Old Town) - from COP 480,000 per night: A 17th-century former convent converted into a 10-room boutique hotel. All rooms face an internal courtyard, which keeps noise levels low despite the central location. Breakfast included.

Media Luna Hostel (Getsemani) - from COP 55,000 per bed, private rooms from COP 220,000: The best-known budget option in Cartagena. A colonial building with a rooftop pool, sociable common areas, and consistently good reviews for staff knowledge and cleanliness. Well positioned for exploring both Getsemani and the Old Town on foot.

Movich Cartagena de Indias (Bocagrande) - from COP 310,000 per night: If you prioritise beach access over Old Town walkability, this large hotel on the Bocagrande peninsula has a proper pool and direct beach access. The trade-off is a 20-minute taxi ride from the historic centre.

Things to Do in Cartagena

The Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)

The 11-kilometre wall encircling the Old Town was built over two centuries starting in 1586. Walking the full circuit along the top takes about 2 hours at a relaxed pace. No entry fee. The best section for views runs between the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) and Las Bovedas. Sunset from the walls looking west toward the sea is one of the most photogenic moments in Colombia.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

The largest Spanish fortification in the Americas sits on a hill 1 kilometre east of the Old Town walls. Entry costs approximately COP 55,000 for foreigners as of 2026. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the tunnels and ramparts. The audio guide is worth the additional COP 15,000 - the tunnel system is genuinely complex and the history of the three failed English sieges is well told. Open daily 8am to 5:30pm.

Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario)

The Corales del Rosario National Park, 45 kilometres offshore from Cartagena, contains 27 islands with some of Colombia’s clearest Caribbean water. Day trips are the most common format - boats depart from the Muelle de la Bodeguita between 8am and 9am, returning mid-afternoon. Full day packages from approximately COP 120,000 to 180,000 per person include the boat, park entry, and snorkelling equipment. Isla Grande has a small village and several beachside restaurants. The Oceanario at Isla San Martin de Pajarales charges approximately COP 35,000 for dolphin shows - we recommend skipping this if animal welfare matters to you.

Palacio de la Inquisicion

The Palace of the Inquisition on Plaza de Bolivar is one of the finest examples of colonial Baroque architecture in Colombia and houses exhibits on the Spanish Inquisition’s activities in the region. Entry approximately COP 25,000. Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Getsemani Street Art

The neighbourhood outside the Old Town walls has become Colombia’s most celebrated open-air mural district. A free walking map is available from most hostels, or you can wander the streets around Calle de la Sierpe and Plaza Trinidad independently. The murals address Colombian social history and local identity with genuine artistic ambition.

Playa Blanca (Baru)

The best beach accessible from Cartagena sits on the Baru peninsula, about 30 kilometres south. Boat trips from the city take 1.5 to 2 hours (from COP 80,000 return). The beach is beautiful but crowded with vendors - arriving early (before 10am) gives you calmer conditions. There are several basic beach restaurants for lunch at approximately COP 30,000 to 50,000 per person.

Where to Eat in Cartagena

El Boliche Cebicheria (Old Town) - mains from COP 42,000: The most consistently recommended ceviche in the city. Peruvian-Colombian fusion in a small dining room two blocks from the Torre del Reloj. Expect a wait at peak lunch hours. Portions are generous.

La Vitrola (Old Town) - mains from COP 65,000: The classic old-money Cartagena dining room with live Cuban music most evenings and a long menu of Caribbean seafood and grilled meats. The atmosphere is as much the draw as the food. Reservations recommended for dinner.

Carmen Restaurant (Old Town) - mains from COP 75,000: Chef Rob Pevitts restaurant combines regional Colombian ingredients with technique that would not be out of place in Bogota’s best restaurants. The octopus and the shrimp ceviche are benchmarks. Excellent cocktails.

El Santisimo (Getsemani) - mains from COP 35,000: Reliable and affordable Caribbean cooking in a relaxed outdoor setting. Good corvina, sancocho de pescado, and fresh coconut rice. Popular with both locals and budget-conscious travellers.

Merca Negro (Old Town) - mains from COP 28,000: A market-style lunch spot in the Getsemani border area with rotating daily dishes based on fresh arrivals. The cazuela de mariscos (seafood casserole) and patacon with fish are standouts at prices well below the Old Town average.

Practical Information

Weather: Cartagena has a tropical climate. Daytime temperatures stay around 28 to 32°C year-round. The dry season runs December to April. The wet season (May to November) brings afternoon storms that rarely last more than an hour or two. Humidity is high regardless of season.

Currency: Colombian Peso (COP). ATMs are available throughout the Old Town. Bancolombia and Davivienda have multiple branches inside the walls. Most Old Town restaurants accept cards; street vendors and markets prefer cash.

Sunscreen: Not optional. The equatorial sun at this latitude is powerful. SPF 50 and a hat are standard kit. The Old Town’s narrow streets provide good shade but the Rosario Islands have almost none.

Haggling: Prices at Las Bovedas craft market and the street vendors along the walls are negotiable. Expect to pay roughly 60 to 70% of the opening ask if you push politely. Restaurant prices are fixed.

Cartagena justifies its reputation. The Old Town is genuinely beautiful, and enough of the city beyond the walls rewards exploration to keep you engaged for 3 to 4 days without relying on day trips. The Rosario Islands add a Caribbean dimension that few Colombian cities can match. For a curated selection of tours in Cartagena, GetYourGuide lists verified operators with confirmed departure times and free cancellation.