Cartagena, Colombia: travel guide
UNESCO-listed Caribbean walled city. Colonial Old Town, San Felipe fortress, Getsemaní street art, gateway to Rosario Islands.
- Country
- Colombia
- Currency
- COP
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
- Nearest airport
- CTG
Top places to visit in Cartagena
Ciudad Amurallada
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 4 h
UNESCO World Heritage Spanish colonial walled city. Cobbled lanes, bougainvillea-draped balconies, Plaza Santo Domingo with the Botero "Gertrudis" sculpture, Plaza de los Coches, and Iglesia San Pedro Claver.
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Fort · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry COP 30,000
17th-century Spanish fortress — the largest in the Americas. Underground tunnels designed for amplifying voices for early warning. Panoramic views over the modern city and Caribbean.
Getsemaní Street Art Walk
Cultural · 4.8 rating · about 3 h
Historically working-class barrio just outside the walls — now Cartagena's hippest district. World-class street art on Calle de la Sierpe and Plaza de la Trinidad, lively street food, and the buzzing nightly square.
Rosario Islands
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 8 h · entry COP 130,000
Coral archipelago 1 hour by speedboat from Cartagena. White-sand beaches, snorkelling, mangrove tours. Day trips run from Muelle La Bodeguita; overnight stays at boutique island hotels available.
Things to do
- Rosario Islands Day Trip + Snorkel Nature · 9 h · from COP 280,000 per person
- Cartagena Walled City Sunset Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from COP 95,000 per person
- Cartagena Salsa & Cumbia Dance Class Activity · 1.5 h · from COP 80,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cartagena Day Trip: Rosario Islands + Snorkel 9 h · from 280,000
- Cartagena Walled City + Sunset Tour 4 h · from 95,000
Where to stay in Cartagena
- Ciudad Amurallada (Centro) about COP 580,000 per night
Inside Cartagena's UNESCO walled city. Boutique hotels in colonial mansions.
- Getsemaní about COP 350,000 per night
Cartagena's hippest, bohemian district just outside the walls. Street art, lively Plaza Trinidad nightly.
- Bocagrande about COP 420,000 per night
Modern beachfront strip — high-rise hotels with sea views.
Hotels
- Hotel Casa San Agustín 5-star · COP 1,200,000 to COP 3,500,000 per night
- Hotel Casa Lola 4-star · COP 420,000 to COP 880,000 per night
- Mamallena Hostel 2-star · COP 50,000 to COP 180,000 per night
Where to eat
- La Cevichería Colombian, Seafood · about COP 95,000 per person
- Crepes & Waffles La Serrezuela Colombian, Casual · about COP 40,000 per person
- La Vitrola Caribbean, Latin, Seafood · about COP 220,000 per person
- Demente Cartagena Colombian, Tapas, Contemporary · about COP 110,000 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Vendor Aggressive Hassling
Walled City, near Las Bóvedas, Plaza Santo Domingo
Street vendors selling hats, jewellery, paintings can be very persistent. Some grab your hand to "give" you a friendship bracelet, then demand 100,000 COP.
How to avoid it: Firm "no, gracias" and keep walking. Don't make eye contact with persistent vendors. Don't let them touch you. Hands in pockets if you must.
Beach Massage Inflation
Bocagrande, La Boquilla beaches
Massage women approach offering low prices like "20,000 COP" then double or triple the price afterward.
How to avoid it: Confirm exact price BEFORE starting. Pay in cash, exact amount. Walk to a chair away from the crowd to negotiate first.
Coconut Vendor Selfie Scam
Plaza San Pedro Claver, Bocagrande beach
Vendors put a hat on you, fruit basket on your shoulder, take photos with their own phone — then demand 100,000+ COP for the "photo experience."
How to avoid it: Don't let vendors put anything on you. If asked for a photo, take your own. Pre-negotiate price ANY service.
Fake Police Bribe Demand
Centro Histórico late evening
Men in police-style uniforms approach tourists claiming "passport check" and find fake "issues" requiring on-the-spot fine.
How to avoid it: Real Cartagena tourism police (white uniforms with English-marked vests) never ask for money. Demand to go to the nearest estación. Refuse to give passport without ID badge inspection.