Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias is Colombia’s most beautiful colonial city and, in my view, it deserves 3 or 4 full days: two for the old town and Getsemaní, one for the sea at the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca, and half a day for Castillo de San Felipe and La Popa. It’s hot all year, prices are the highest in the country and there are a few tourist traps. In this guide I’ll show you how to plan your visit and enjoy the city without overspending.

How many days do you need in Cartagena?

I’d suggest 3 days if you want to see the city and take one trip to the sea, 4 if you also want time to relax or to add San Basilio de Palenque. With only two days you’ll see the centre but miss the islands. More than five days only makes sense if you spend a few nights on an island or in Barú.

This is how I’d plan three days:

1. Day 1 – The walled city. Early morning at the Clock Tower, Plaza Santo Domingo, the cathedral and the San Diego district; a cool lunchtime break in the Zenú Gold Museum (free); sunset on the walls near the Baluarte de Santo Domingo.
2. Day 2 – The sea. A trip to the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca, leaving around 8 am from Muelle de la Bodeguita and returning in the afternoon. In the evening, dinner and music in Getsemaní.
3. Day 3 – Fort and views. Castillo de San Felipe at opening time (7 am), then La Popa hill by taxi. The afternoon is free for museums, shopping at Las Bóvedas or a walk among Getsemaní’s murals.

For the full route, place by place with opening hours and prices, see our guide to the best things to do in Cartagena de Indias.

How to get to Cartagena

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is about 3 km from the walled city. There are direct flights from Bogotá (about 1h30) and Medellín (about 1h15), plus international routes to Panama, the United States and a few European cities.

From the airport by taxi. Head to the official taxi rank: taxis in Cartagena have no meters and airport fares follow a zone table set by the city. With the official fares you’ll pay about 20,000 pesos to Getsemaní and the old town and about 34,000 pesos to Bocagrande, with a small surcharge at night and on public holidays. Always confirm the price before getting in and pay in cash with small notes.

By bus. Direct buses and minivans arrive from Santa Marta (4-5 hours) and Barranquilla (about 2 hours). Cartagena’s bus terminal is far from the centre: take a taxi from there, or choose a minivan that drops you at your hotel.

Getting around the city

The old town and Getsemaní are easy to explore on foot: it’s about a 10-minute walk from the Clock Tower to Plaza de la Trinidad. For everything else:

• Taxis: handy for Bocagrande, the Castillo and La Popa. There are no meters, so agree the fare before you set off.
• Transcaribe: the bus rapid transit system costs 3,900 pesos per ride and you can now pay with a contactless Visa card. Useful between Bocagrande, the centre and other districts, less so if you stay in the old town.
• Boats: boats to the islands leave from Muelle de la Bodeguita, next to the Clock Tower.

For apps, buses and domestic flights across Colombia, see our guide to getting around Colombia.

Where to stay in Cartagena: the best areas

Area	Best for	Typical price per night
Walled city (Centro, San Diego)	first-timers, couples, walking everywhere	boutique hotels 400,000-800,000 pesos
Getsemaní	lower budgets and nightlife	hostel beds 40,000-80,000 pesos, private rooms from about 150,000 pesos
Bocagrande	beachfront hotels with a pool	large hotels, prices vary a lot

My advice is to stay in Getsemaní or San Diego: they’re a short walk from everything and lively in the evening, but cheaper and quieter than the busiest part of the old town. Bocagrande has the beach on your doorstep, but the sea isn’t great and you’ll need a taxi to reach the centre. In peak season (mid-December to mid-January, Easter week, June-July) prices can rise by 30-60%: book early.

Beach trips: the Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca

Cartagena’s city beaches aren’t much to write home about: for the real Caribbean you need to get out of town.

• Rosario Islands: an archipelago of small islands with clear water, 45-55 minutes away by speedboat. Day trips leave Muelle de la Bodeguita between 7:30 and 8:30 am and cost from about 120,000 pesos (basic tour with Barú) to 300,000 pesos and more (fast boat, more stops, beach clubs). At the pier you also pay a port tax of 26,000-31,500 pesos depending on the source, often in cash: ask whether it’s included.
• Playa Blanca (Barú): white sand and turquoise water, but very crowded and full of vendors. Go on a bus tour for about 80,000-120,000 pesos including lunch, or do it yourself with the bus to Pasacaballos and a moto-taxi.

If you only have one beach day, I think a Rosario Islands tour with a well-reviewed operator, perhaps with a quick stop at Playa Blanca, beats spending the whole day at Playa Blanca.

How much does Cartagena cost?

Item	Typical price
Taxi airport → Getsemaní/old town	about 20,000 pesos
Transcaribe ride	3,900 pesos
Castillo de San Felipe (foreign visitors)	38,000 pesos
Zenú Gold Museum	free
Rosario Islands day trip	120,000-300,000 pesos + port tax
Hostel bed in Getsemaní	40,000-80,000 pesos
Boutique hotel in the walled city	400,000-800,000 pesos
Main course in a tourist restaurant	40,000-80,000 pesos
Street ceviche	from about 15,000 pesos

Cartagena is Colombia’s most expensive city. To save money, eat in the small restaurants of Getsemaní and at corrientazos (set lunch menus) away from the most touristy streets, and make fewer, larger cash withdrawals: our guide to money in Colombia explains how.

When to go to Cartagena

The best time is December to April, the driest and breeziest season. It’s hot all year, with highs of 31-32 °C (88-90 °F) and high humidity; the wettest months are October and November, with heavy but short downpours, almost always in the afternoon. Outside peak season you’ll find lower prices and fewer crowds, and rain rarely ruins a day. To compare other regions, read when to visit Colombia.

Mistakes to avoid and common scams

• Getting into a taxi without agreeing the fare. With no meter, the price is settled first. At the airport, use the official rank.
• Buying your island trip from the first tout on the walls. They promise rock-bottom deals that end up costing more once taxes, lunch and entry fees are added. Book with an operator with verified reviews and ask in writing what’s included.
• The beach “gifts”. On Playa Blanca and the islands someone may offer you a “taste” of oysters, a massage or braids: you’ll be asked to pay at the end. If you’re not interested, a firm “no, gracias” is enough.
• Photographing the palenqueras without tipping. The fruit sellers in colourful dresses are happy to pose, but they expect a few thousand pesos.
• Sightseeing at midday. Between 12 and 3 pm the heat is intense: save those hours for lunch, a museum or the pool.
• Going out without cash. Taxis, kiosks, boats and port taxes are almost always paid in cash.

Safety tips

The old town, San Diego and Getsemaní are full of visitors and police until late. The usual Colombian rules still apply: don’t walk around with your phone in your hand, take a taxi at night if you need to leave the busy areas, firmly turn down anyone offering drugs or “company”, and only use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres. You’ll find all the advice in our guide to safety in Colombia.

Where to go after Cartagena

Many travellers continue along the Caribbean coast to Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park, 4-5 hours away by road. If you’re short on time, you can fly to Santa Marta and leave from there.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Cartagena?

Three days is the minimum to see the old town, Getsemaní and Castillo de San Felipe and take a trip to the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca. With four days you can do it at a relaxed pace and add La Popa or San Basilio de Palenque.

How much is a taxi from Cartagena airport to the old town?

With the official zone fares, about 20,000 pesos to Getsemaní and the old town and about 34,000 pesos to Bocagrande, with a small surcharge at night and on holidays. Taxis have no meters: confirm the price before getting in.

What is the best area to stay in Cartagena?

Getsemaní and San Diego: they’re a few minutes’ walk from everything, lively in the evening and cheaper than the busiest part of the old town. Bocagrande only makes sense if you want a beachfront hotel with a pool.

How much does a Rosario Islands day trip cost?

From about 120,000 to over 300,000 pesos per person depending on the boat and stops, plus the port tax (26,000-31,500 pesos), which is often paid separately in cash.

When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

December to April, the driest season. It’s hot all year (31-32 °C / 88-90 °F); October and November are the wettest months, while mid-December to mid-January is the most expensive period.