Complete Cartagena Travel Guide: Walled City, Caribbean Beaches and Colombian Cuisine

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Why Visit Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is Colombia's Caribbean jewel. A UNESCO World Heritage walled city with colonial churches, bougainvillea-draped balconies and cobblestoned plazas, surrounded by turquoise waters and a vibrant Afro-Colombian culture. It is romantic, colourful and bursting with salsa rhythms.

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Best Time to Visit

December–March: Dry season. 28–32°C, sunny skies, light breezes. Peak tourist season with higher prices.
April–May: Shoulder season. Occasional showers, fewer crowds, still warm.
June–November: Wet season. Afternoon thunderstorms (usually brief), but lower prices and thinner crowds. October–November are the wettest months.
Year-round: Cartagena is tropical. Temperatures stay 27–33°C all year. Humidity is consistently high.

Top Attractions

The Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)

City Walls: Walk the 13 km of ramparts built in the 16th–18th centuries to defend against pirate attacks. Free, always open. Best at sunset from Baluarte de Santo Domingo.
Plaza de Santo Domingo: Lively square with outdoor restaurants and Botero's bronze sculpture "La Gorda". Perfect for people-watching.
Palace of the Inquisition: Colonial building housing a museum of the Spanish Inquisition. COP 25,000 (~€5.50). Fascinating and disturbing history.
San Pedro Claver Church & Monastery: Stunning Jesuit church and convent dedicated to the "Slave of the Slaves". COP 18,000 (~€4).

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Castillo San Felipe: The largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas, built in 1536. COP 33,000 for Colombians, COP 50,000 (~€10) for international visitors. Explore underground tunnels. Visit in the morning before the heat peaks. Allow 1.5 hours.

Islands & Beaches

Islas del Rosario: Archipelago 45 km offshore with crystal-clear Caribbean water. Day trip boats depart from Muelle de la Bodeguita. COP 80,000–150,000 (~€18–34) including boat, island entry and lunch. Snorkelling gear rental ~COP 30,000.
Playa Blanca (Isla Barú): White-sand Caribbean beach. COP 60,000–100,000 for a day trip. Busy but beautiful. Can also stay overnight in basic cabañas.

Info

Negotiate boat trip prices before boarding. Group tours are cheapest. Book through your hotel or a reputable agency rather than on the street to avoid overcharging. Bring cash as there are no ATMs on the islands.

Neighbourhoods

Getsemaní: Once a rough neighbourhood, now Cartagena's coolest barrio. Street art (start at Plaza de la Trinidad), hostels, rooftop bars, and Café Havana for live salsa music every night.
San Diego: Quieter section of the walled city. Boutique hotels, art galleries and intimate restaurants. Plaza de San Diego is one of the prettiest squares.
Bocagrande: The modern beach strip with high-rise hotels and chain restaurants. Good for beach access but lacks colonial charm.

Getting Around

Walking: The walled city and Getsemaní are compact and best explored on foot. Everything within the walls is within 20 minutes' walk.
Taxi: Short rides COP 8,000–15,000 (~€2–3.50). Walled city to Bocagrande COP 10,000–15,000. Agree on the fare before getting in; meters are rarely used.
Uber/InDriver: Available and often cheaper than taxis. COP 6,000–12,000 for city trips.

From Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) to walled city (3 km):

Taxi: COP 15,000–20,000 (~€3.50–4.50), 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Fixed fare from the airport taxi stand.
Uber: COP 10,000–15,000.

Colombian Caribbean Food

Ceviche: Fresh fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice with onion, tomato and coriander. COP 25,000–45,000 at restaurants. La Cevichería on Calle Stuart is Cartagena's most famous (expect queues). El Boliche Cebichería is a good alternative.
Arepa de Huevo: Deep-fried corn cake filled with egg. COP 3,000–5,000 from street vendors. A Cartagena breakfast staple.
Cazuela de Mariscos: Creamy coconut seafood stew. COP 35,000–55,000. Try at La Mulata in Getsemaní.
Fresh Fruit: Palenqueras (Afro-Colombian women in traditional dress) sell fresh fruit bowls on the streets. Mango, papaya, maracuyá. COP 5,000–10,000.
Bazurto Market: Cartagena's chaotic, authentic local market. Not touristy. Fresh produce, fried fish, juices. Best visited with a guide. Interno at Bazurto is a chef's kitchen inside the market (tasting menu ~COP 90,000).

Warning

Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Cartagena's tropical heat and humidity are intense, especially midday (11:00–15:00). Carry water, rest during peak heat and explore early morning or late afternoon.

Hotels in Cartagena

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Practical Tips

Visa: UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian citizens can enter Colombia visa-free for up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days).
Currency: Colombian Peso (COP). £1 ≈ COP 5,500. US dollars accepted at some tourist shops at poor rates. ATMs are widely available; withdraw in COP.
Safety: The walled city, Getsemaní and San Diego are generally safe. Avoid walking alone late at night outside the tourist zones. Do not flash expensive jewellery or phones.
Haggling: Expected at markets and with street vendors. Not appropriate at restaurants or established shops.
Water: Drink bottled water. Tap water is not reliably safe in Cartagena.
Street vendors: You will be approached constantly. A polite "no, gracias" is sufficient. Do not feel pressured.

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