Cartagena

Walled city of Caribbean color

Cartagena stands out as a vibrant coastal city in Colombia where colonial history meets lively modern culture. Its historic center features colorful buildings and cobblestone streets lined with cafes, shops and museums. The old town’s stone walls once protected against pirates, now forming a scenic backdrop along the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can explore forts, enjoy fresh seafood at local markets or relax on nearby beaches. Cultural festivals showcase music and dance traditions that have developed over centuries of diverse influences.

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City in Colombia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.0

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, upscale restaurants, and tourist services, but less so in markets or with street vendors. Basic Spanish is helpful, though you’ll usually find someone who can assist.

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Last update: 23 Oct 2026

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Cartagena Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Outstanding for colonial streets and Caribbean culture. Walk colorful old town walls, enjoy lively plazas, relax on nearby beaches and taste local seafood.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Architecture

Historic sites

Romantic

Sea

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 6

Travel Beginners

Colombia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Colombian Peso (COP) £1 ≈ COP 4,204.52
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not obligatory, but a tip of 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis generally do not expect a tip, but rounding up the fare is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not allowed in some areas, especially in cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues like bars or restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Independence Day (20 July)	National holiday celebrating Colombia's independence with parades and festivities
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 123
Taxi apps:	Uber, Cabify
Other:	Colombia is known for its coffee, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, including the Andes mountains and Caribbean beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Cartagena, Colombia

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Jan

🌬️

Feb

🌬️

Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - Aug.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season May to November, heaviest September to November, with street flooding in the old town

Christmas to New Year and Easter week: prices peak, book weeks ahead

Boat trips to the Rosario Islands are best December to April, when seas are calmest

Don't miss

🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
⛴️ Take a boat trip to the Rosario Islands
🌮 Enjoy street food tours for authentic Colombian flavors
🌅 Watch sunset from Cafe del Mar on the city walls

You've been here?

Why travel to Cartagena?

Wandering Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town feels like stepping into a living museum – massive stone ramparts, ornate churches and flower-draped balconies at every turn. Beyond the history, you’ll find lively plazas, world-class seafood and a nightlife that spills out onto the streets. The nearby beaches and Rosario Islands offer a tropical escape just a boat ride away. Just be prepared for heat and humidity year-round and expect crowds around the main sights. Petty crime and persistent street vendors can be a hassle, so keep your wits about you and enjoy the city’s energy and warmth.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Iglesia de Santo Domingo
2 Museo del Oro Zenú
3 Plaza de La Trinidad

🎡Places for activities

1 Museo Naval del Caribe
2 Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
3 Cafe del mar
4 Plaza de La Trinidad
5 Palacio de la Inquisión
6 Avenida de la Serrezuela
7 Muelle de Los Pegasos
8 Baluarte de Santo Domingo

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Playa Blanca
2 Bocagrande
3 Isla El Mirador
4 Manzanillo del Mar
5 Laguna de San Lázaro
6 Rosario islands
7 El Totumo

🛍️Shopping

1 Centro Comercial La Serrezuela
2 Centro Comercial Plaza Bocagrande
3 Portal de los Dulces

🎈Events

Cartagena International Film Festival
Hay Festival Cartagena
Independence Day Carnival (November)
Fiestas de la Virgen de la Candelaria
Barranquilla Carnival (nearby)
Christmas and New Year’s festivities
Holy Week processions
National Beauty Pageant
Festival del Dulce
Jazz Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Plan for heat and humidity; hydrate and pace walks.
Stay in the Walled City or Getsemaní; walkable sights, better atmosphere, easier taxis at night.
For Rosario Islands day trips, choose reputable operators and confirm departure pier, return time, inclusions.
Go to the city walls near sunset; cooler air, golden light and breezier viewpoints.

How to travel to Cartagena

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is just a short taxi ride from the city center and has direct flights from major Colombian and international cities. Long-distance buses connect Cartagena with other destinations along Colombia’s Caribbean coast and beyond. Cruise ships also dock near the old city.

Access summary

From Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG): Taxi or shuttle to Old Town, about 15–25 minutes.
From Bogotá: Frequent direct flights to Cartagena, flight time roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Medellín: Direct flights around 1–1.25 hours; overnight buses 12–14 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Cartagena

Cartagena has everything from luxury colonial hotels and boutique guesthouses in the Old Town to beachfront resorts and budget hostels in Getsemaní. Book ahead in high season. For a quieter stay, look for hotels in San Diego or just outside the walls.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Caribe Cartagena

8.8

Las Americas Torre Del Mar

8.9

Hotel Almirante Cartagena

7.9

Hotel Capilla del Mar

8.8

Hotel Las Islas

9.1

Hotel Casa Lola Deluxe Gallery

9.1

Osh Hotel Cartagena

9.6

Hotel Casa San Agustin

9.8

Hostal Casa Torres Cartagena Centro Histórico - Adults Only

8.6

Vista Mare Beach House

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Cartagena

The Old Town and Getsemaní are best explored on foot – distances are short and the streets are full of life. Taxis are plentiful and affordable for longer trips or heading to the beaches, but always agree on the fare before getting in. Buses and mototaxis connect the city with outlying neighborhoods and beaches, though they can be crowded and less comfortable for tourists.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-52 %

Daily expenses in Cartagena are around 52% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+24 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to COP) is 24% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£44	£85	£201
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£45	£90
🍝 Food per day	£18	£35	£88
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6
☕ Cappuccino	£1.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£18
🤧 Cold medication	£2.50
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Cartagena is one of Colombia’s safer cities, but petty crime like pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas. Stay alert, avoid isolated streets at night and be cautious with street vendors.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good in Cartagena, with modern clinics and pharmacies in tourist areas. Tap water is not recommended for drinking — stick to bottled water. Protect yourself from sun and mosquitoes.

Accessibility

The Old Town’s cobblestones and narrow streets can be challenging for those with limited mobility. Many hotels and attractions have steps, but some are accessible. Taxis can help bridge longer distances.

Tap water

Tap water is not considered safe to drink for visitors. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Always stay hydrated, especially in the heat.