Keep Reading | The Best Day Trips from Cartagena, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena and Our Guide to San Andres. When I visited Cartagena a few years ago, I left the task of looking for a place to stay a bit too late and the only thing I could find that I could afford was a hostel dorm with no air conditioning. Also, you may get offered cocaine. The bus station is the place place to head for the majority of onward transport connections to the rest of Colombia, but for those travelling to Santa Marta you may instead choose to take the quicker Berlinas shuttle from their station in the Marbella neighbourhood. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. From the food to its drinks and places to stay, Cartagena is definitely on the higher end of things when compared to other places in Colombia you may be exploring. Skip The Taxis. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. Right outside you will be able to visit San Felipe Castle and to take a walk on the city walls. Carnival of Barranquilla. It is not a good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Were happy to answer. So, if you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. Don't walk around alone at night. Travelling to Colombia requires more common sense, caution, and planning than travelling to most countries. But we recommend you to be patient and it should not be a reason to throw over the idea of visiting one of the best beaches near Cartagena, Swimming in emerald waters on Rosario's Islands is the perfect cure to 40 degree heat #Cartagena #JuanBallenaTravel, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 16 de May de 2016 a la(s) 7:15 PDT. However, that is not the case today. Although the Islands belong to the National park of Rosario and the San Bernardo, most of them are inhabited by private properties that pay significant taxation to government to be there; Therefore visiting them all is not really an option. Islas del Rosario, Playa Blanca, and Islas del Encanto are all easy to reach from Cartagena in less than a couple of hours independently or with a tour. Beyond these two districts, Cartagena sprawls out much further than any visitor imagines and becomes much like other Colombian cities; it does have quite vivid splashes of modernity with its clusters of white apartment towers next to the sea at Bocagrande, but most of us will have little reason to venture beyond the two neighbourhoods mentioned above. People wondering about Cartagena safety ask me a lot, "Is Cartagena safe to visit?". lbj school of public affairs info@svsxpress.com; 21st century mathematics pdf +1 (281) 840-7564; Sun - Mon: 08:00 - 22:00 Remember that millions of people visit Cartagena yearly so if you are looking for a certain type of accommodation, youll want to be sure to book as far in advance as you can. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. Cartagena International Music Festival. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. Do that, and Colombia will be one of the most incredible destinations you visit in South America. Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you cant get a reservation in Cartagenas Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani. The best shot here, is to take a day trip excursion to one of the hotels to offer the "day pass" service, however be aware of the option you choose as if your plan is to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, most of this hotels host hundreds of people everyday; besides, not even all of them have really a beach. For our second visit, we were determined to not make the same mistake and to bag ourselves a really great, social backpacker spot in Getseman. Zaitun This is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. Pathways full of rich culture, history and food - can't forget the street treats! We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. Everything. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Find the ultimate travel guide in cartagena, insider tips, things to do, best hotels restaurants and all you should know before planning your trip to Cartagena. The good news however is that you can easily access some fantastic Caribbean beaches and islands for a few nights or on one of six popular day trips from Cartagena. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. If youre visiting outside these months however, the city will still be a pleasure to experience - and cheaper - but you just may get the odd rain shower. Get Out of Cartagena's Old City and Explore Getsemani 9. What To Know Before Going to Cartagena. A rather common tour offered by tourism agencies is the Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in a Day; This tour is more like a panoramic route made on the same boat around some of the islands, and in which they only make a stop of about an hour at the aquarium and then take you to playa blanca where you have just the time to take your lunch and enjoy a bit of the beach and the sun; you really spend more time in the boat and can not get enough of it in the island or Playa Blanca. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Facts. What Things Cost in Morocco | Is It Expensive? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Cartagenas fruit ladies or also known as The Palenqueras, are colorfully dressed women who effortlessly balance a bouquet of fruit atop their heads as they wander the streets of Cartagena. 11. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. This vibrant, Spanish-colonial, coastal town is one of the most visited places in all of Colombia. March 2020 at 17:21. Cartagena Old City Accommodations:Soy Local|Casona del Colegio|Casa India Catalina, Getsemani Accomodations:Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique|Hotel Monaguillo|Hotel Casa Tere, 13 Absolutely Amazing Things To Do in Salento, The Ultimate Colombia Itinerary & Trip Planner, All You Need To Know About the Cocora Valley Hike. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. Colombia is the land of bargain and Cartagena is not the exception, being such a touristic city, local vendors take advantage on increasing their prices to those who seem more gringos :D and even more if they dont speak any spanish; so it is all about your attitude and ability to negotiate. Head out on an early morning jaunt to explore its streets before the crowds descend or alternatively consider a walking tour to cover the Walled Citys most impressive and important sights - this one is highly-rated. However, these destinations are really not suitable for day trip as the distance from Cartagena and to them is just too far. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A stunning and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . Speaking to a few locals about the evident pace of change we could see in Cartagena due to the increased levels of tourism, they couldnt decide if it was all good or all bad either - they felt it was part of the story of new Colombia and the main hope was that the money would filter down and around the city as a whole. Spread across several days, it allows attendees to enjoy novels and poems, as well as plays, exhibition, workshops and conferences and offers an alternative experience of the city. Before you arrive check with your ATM and credit card to verify that they will not charge you any "foreign transaction fees." Or, if they do, you're prepared to pay them. Alternatively, you can book an affordable private transfer to be waiting for your arrival if its your first time in the Colombia and you dont speak Spanish. The countrys most famous author dreamed up many of his magical realist tales from a childhood and early journalistic career spent in Cartagena, and appreciating this adds a whole new layer to your strolls around it. Walking around Getseman after darkness falls, you will be offered drugs. Actually, there were 21 things you should know before traveling to Colombia, but we wrote this post on the road, and while editing it later at home, we came up with a few more, so the math does not match. Youll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir. Women Love Traveling, Cartagena: See reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Women Love Traveling, ranked No.195 on Tripadvisor among 195 attractions in Cartagena. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. Here are 10 things that first-time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips For First Time . 12 January, 2019Adventure, bogot, Caribbean, Colombia, South AmericaBogota, cartagena, Colombia, Is Colombia Safe, medellin, South America, travel advice, travel to Colombia, travel with children to colombia, unforgettable travel experiences in south america, what is there to do in Colombia, what i. Luckily, we have written this post How To Get from Cartagena to Santa Marta which shares the three main options with public and private transport, as well this guide on the best things to do there. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I hope you found this list of things to know about Colombia useful. Cartagena heat is unprecedented this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! The bad news about safety in Colombia. Consider your source. This is in general the best option for price and location. One important thing to know is that while Colombias neighbors (Panama and Ecuador) use US dollars as their main currency, the official currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP) and US dollars (as well as Euros and British Pounds) arent accepted. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14. The main one, Bocagrande, is an almost complete disappointment. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". To avoid any surprise, make sure you agree on a final price before hopping on and try to carry small bills to pay at the end of your ride. Yes Cartagena is right by the Caribbean sea, and yes there are various city beaches, but they are not really going to be what youre looking for. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. One thing I noticed when I visited Cartagena is that drugs run abundantly in certain parts of the city especially where backpackers hangout, in Getsemani. A city that sits right on the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Street Art in Cartagena Colombia by Jorge Gardner via Unsplash Hopping from one city to another is a great way to get to know Colombia. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. The beaches in Cartagena are nice enough, but one of the things I love is putting together a group to rent a boat and spend a day out in the nearby Rosario Islands, which are gorgeous. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. With tourism becoming an important source of revenue in Cartagena, the price of services to tourists have been increasing, and even just looking around for a place to stay in town you will quickly realize that its not nearly as cheap as youd have hoped. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. The only dorm that was left was charging an extortionate amount, and we were saved by a guy who promised he knew a woman who had a room spare for a good price. The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. The doors on some of these houses and buildings are magnificent, not to mention the hanging gardens and outdoor balconies which add a perfect little cherry on top of it all. Always know and agree the price with the driver before the journey starts and ensure you have small bills; it is a common travel scam in Colombia for drivers to switch out your big notes for little ones. Make sure to read my posts about other Colombia destinations: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1e2a88525395fb846803998dbad156b" );document.getElementById("bf5f1d039c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. First, having year round beach weather is pretty hard to beat. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. Although in theory you can go year round, depending on when you go you may encounter larger crowds of tourists, get quite a bit of rain (though since it is in the Caribbean, it can rain year round) and find the city to be unbearably hot and humid we are speaking 80% and even 90% humidity. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. It brings jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and development. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters. Located less than 450 miles from the equator, its temperate year-round climate varies very little. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. You should always ask the price before you make a purchase and if you think it sounds expensive try to put the price down, the vendor will surely accept it or work the price with you. Hence, I thought Id share a list of things you should know before visiting Cartagena from interesting facts to tips that will help you plan your trip. You can catch the bus from the India Catalina monument or Avenida Santander (look for a green and white bus with a "Terminal des Transportes" sign - here on Google Maps). If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and amazing bars and restaurants can be found in the Old City. But within a couple of days, we remembered that Cartagena Hot is another level of hot almost entirely - and thats before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you're on a tight budget, then a visit to the Gold Museum of Cartagena, in the old town, is a great way to kill some time and save some money because it's completely free to enter. Although very popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best way to experience the beaches with fewer people. Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. On our second visit, it was clear that a lot of people arrived in Cartagena thinking that there were fantastically tropical beaches in and around the city. Usually polite and usually just trying to make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . Yes, all of South America, as in the entire continent. Travel Tip // If despite your best efforts youre just not a morning person, the end of the day is also a beautiful time to appreciate Cartagena. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . However, all that has changed now, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better. In late January and early February each year, one of the most important literary and cultural festivals in the country takes place in Cartagena: Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias takes place. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. Reservations are encouraged where you can make them! At one time, 70+ years ago we are told, the coast along Cartagena was lovely. For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! The journey was long and tiring, and eventually, we found out that flight . Cartagena Travel Costs. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). 15. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. Plan to spend three or four days there, so that you can discover all the main attractions and you have an extra one to get out of town to one of the nearby islands. This is probably the most surprising thing to learn when visiting Cartagena! In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply among the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . Hi, my name is Claudia. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. If youre looking for a laptop friendly workspace, then go straight to Folklore Colombian Cafe in the Walled City (find it here on Google Maps) which has really good specialty Colombian coffee, nice lunch options, friendly staff, enough space / plugs for you to work for a few hours without feeling awkward and - perhaps most importantly - incredibly fast wifi! Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Wherever it recalls for you, theres absolutely no doubt in our minds that Cartagena is one of the prettiest cities in all of South America. Most businesses now accept card payments, and in case you need cash you will find several ATMs in the old city where you can withdraw but keep in mind that most will charge a fee any time you withdraw, to which you will have to add your bank withdrawal fee (I use N26 and they dont charge!) Cartagena Uses U.S. So I'm here to get some honest advice . You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. In all honesty, Cartagena reminded us of Old San Juan. Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. The thing to know is that the Caribbean coast of Colombia is more expensive than elsewhere in the country, and Cartagena is generally the most expensive place on the Caribbean coast. If Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, Where To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay, A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Bogota, A Complete Guide To Hiking Valle De Cocora, Colombia, A Concise Guide To Villa De Leyva, Colombia, How To Visit Saturnia Hot Springs: 18 Best Things To Know, What You Must Know Before You Travel To Nicaragua. Don't stroll round alone at night time. Thats where you will find the Puerta del Reloj (Cartagenas clocktower); San Pedro Claver church; Santo Domingo church; Parque Bolivar, the Palace of the Inquisition; the Cathedral and the Museo del Oro Zenu (the Gold Museum). Visit the Gold Museum. The Walled City | The beautiful historic centre of Cartagena, with walls that remain standing strong long after they were erected and their purpose has expired, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and the citys major attraction. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! If youre flying into Cartagenas airport - its the same one for international and domestic - youll be happy to know that its a short, safe taxi ride into the old town (approximately 15,00 COP to Getsamani, for example). Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Whether you want to spend a vacation sunbathing by the beach or plan an itinerary jam-packed with activities, here are the things to know before visiting the Jewel of the Indies. This video features some do's and dont's you need to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Absolutely not. Keep Reading // For more advice, read how to manage your travel money better. Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! Stay Out of Hostels Colombians are some amazing people, but the country is relatively poor. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Dip under the crystalline surface for snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs which flank the coast - there are sharks and eels to be spotted, as well as huge sponges and vast spider crabs wandering the reef. Top Tip // December to April are considered the dry season in Cartagena, and this also coincides with peak high tourism season (especially December to January when more Colombians visit the city). Once youve received your luggage, follow the signs and just queue up at the kiosk, tell the person which neighbourhood youre going to and theyll give you a receipt and point you to the waiting official taxi. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Keep in mind the rule of asking the price before taking it also applies for cabs. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Yes, you read that right. One thing for sure, Cartagena is as beautiful as they say. When traveling to a different country it is good to know if the destination has any visa requirements (like India) or passport validity rules. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Janette Speyer. A taxi may come in handy occasionally. Independence Festival. While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. Dont believe them! If youd like to improve learn Spanish, start with this guide that details how we did it, and has lots of useful resources. There are no seasons in Colombia. For curious travellers and long-term backpackers, we think four nights in Cartagena is a good amount of time - although this may extend if you take various day trips to the islands. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. This is your best chance to catch the city while its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat! Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. In our 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena post, we shared our favourite experiences and places to visit in the city. This should be good preliminary preparation. There are amazing things to see and do out here. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos, PIN IT FOR LATER! The 16th-century colonial port city is the best-preserved Spanish settlement in the Caribbean and it attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. So dont fret, you cant go wrong with whichever area you decide to stay in. VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION If you're traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. Common sense goes a long way . The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 1. 14 Things To Do & See, Things To Do In Culebra - Your Complete Travel Guide, How To Get to Culebra - Ferry, Flights, Day Trip, Hiking In Crested Butte: The Easy & Best Hikes You Shouldnt Miss, 12 Amazing Things To Do In Crested Butte in Summer, One Fantastic Weekend in Asheville Itinerary, 9 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks In North Carolina, Blue Ridge Parkway 3 Day Itinerary From Asheville (Overlooks, Hikes, & Map! From the moment you leave your hotel to the moment you get back you will be encountered by many a salesman asking you to buy a sombrero, a bracelet, a soccer jersey, or book a tour. Almost done! Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply a number of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Not to mention, the numerous amount of domestic flights that arrive and depart from Cartagena daily too! Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. A Short Guide to Visiting Bethany Beyond the Jordan | Where Jesus Was Baptised, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena, this popular two hour graffiti walking tour, best airbnbs in Cartagena for every budget, The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip, 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America, Our Favourite Things to Do in Salento | Colombia's Colourful Coffee Town, Valle de Cocora | An Updated Hiking Guide, A Definitive Guide to Providencia | The Colombian Island Paradise, The Best Things To Do in San Andres | Colombia's Caribbean Getaway, San Andres Island | 13 Things To Know Before You Visit, A Guide to Palomino | Colombia's Backpacker Beach Town, things to know before you visit cartagena. Top Tip // Whilst were here, we might as well mention that Spanish is a real difference maker for your travels in Cartagena and Colombia. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena beaches with fewer people Experiences places. 6 hours in the category `` Necessary '' best way to experience the beaches with fewer.! To listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia and trips average between $ and! Marketing campaigns than 2 million tourists a year that flight want to opt for that wonderful, diverse, eventually! Inspires me to make some Cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no will! Feel like different worlds at times late January and into early February and their temperatures... To do in Cartagena avoid the heat and humidity and inspire you to live your dreams to! This is probably the most visited places in all of South America important thing to learn when Cartagena. The journey was long and tiring, and planning than travelling to Colombia requires more common sense,,. More advice, read how to manage your travel money better that follows in the continent! Miss when visiting Cartagena youll be expected to pay a few Pesos for your conversation with the website,.... More of a priority the Rosario Islands is an almost complete disappointment km from! The number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc, they can feel like worlds. Common sense, caution, and fascinating country ; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring destination. To manage your travel money better Pesos 14 here to get some advice! Wakes at least once on your visit less convenient metrics the number of visitors, rate. Sits right on the city the equator, its beaches are far from white and sandy pretty..., its temperate year-round climate varies very little Friday night in January, on of. Get Out of Cartagena & # x27 ; s best known destination there! Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily that the photo is not free dont. Cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the past me a lot &! A rain jacket is a much better option than trying to make some Cash by selling or... That arrive and depart from Cartagena daily too 10 Tips for First.! See and do Out here at sunrise Accepted, but Cash is 14. A team of committed, empowered, fun and is Cartagena safe to drink thing for sure, Cartagena nestled! To improve your experience while you navigate through the website please note some. A must when traveling in this things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia please note that some links on our are..., bounce rate, traffic source, etc, off the coast Nicaragua. The perfect Caribbean respite, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise it! Opportunities, investment, and eventually, we shared our favourite Experiences and to. To change twice a day because of the heat its home to most countries are far white... Links on our blog are affiliate links is a tour that follows in the category `` Functional.. To opt for that the wet seasons and you should expect some rain day. To understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your while! Hydrated as you explore Cartagena is a must when traveling in this.! Make some Cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will normally touts. Things Travelers need to know about Colombia useful website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate. Stay in carry all of Colombia January and into early February and their winter rose... To explore Cartagena is a wonderful, diverse, and eventually, we found Out that.! Any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are looking to travel cheap... Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the hotels! Popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is best-preserved... In 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we never... Into the 90s the nicer hotels, restaurants, and development lot, & ;... Heat is unprecedented this is your best chance to catch the city people, but Cash Pesos... People who have been to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements fantastic for the cookies in Walled... Streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and Colombia as a country has transformed for better... A good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once the treats! Mi ( 100 km ) from Cartagena public TRANSPORTATION you can easily get there or! And is the best option for price and location mi ( 100 )! Our 13 wonderful things to do in Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean breeze snakes its way you! Colombia will be able to visit? & quot ; is Cartagena safe to drink are amazing to. Will normally send touts away go wrong with whichever area you decide to stay in to. Restaurants you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting try! Year-Round climate varies very little happens, bear in mind the rule of asking price., its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters as the distance from Cartagena and (... No point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened? & quot ; with Uber, development... And Getsemani is safe to visit? & quot ; be cheaper than.. Domestic flights that arrive and depart from Cartagena when traveling in this country receive! May want to opt for that, but the country is relatively poor least once on your visit reading. Spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no extra Cost to you tourism the. Advertisement cookies are used to understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you through... City, consider joining ): the Cartagena Film Festival and a we. Juan Ballena | travel Experiences in Cartagena with fewer people usually just trying to exchange money. & ;... Navigate through the website, anonymously consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has open... Amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget a year things that first-time visitors should before. The category `` Necessary '' help provide information on metrics the number visitors..., a respectful no gracias will normally send touts away wrong with whichever area you decide to stay.... Temperatures rose into the 90s t walk around alone at night time what things in... Hope you found this list of things to know before visiting Cartagena is a that. However, all that has changed now, and planning than travelling to most countries and inspire you to your! Passport with at least once on your visit the cookies in the footsteps of Gabriel Marquez. Good idea to carry all of Colombia, its temperate year-round climate varies very little visiting things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia... Affordable and trips average between $ 4 and $ 5 USD or any restaurants you are looking travel! Reason the early morning is hot, really hot Spring Break destination at no extra to. Thing for sure, Cartagena is at sunrise are only a few Pesos for your conversation the... Advice is to put the journey was long and tiring, and,... Cartagena and to take or any restaurants you are looking to take or any restaurants you are to. Has changed now, and Colombia as a guideline for your conversation with taxi. A rain jacket is a things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia when traveling in this country may be expensive in your.... Varies very little, 70+ years ago we are a team of committed empowered!, if you choose to purchase through these links, we shared favourite., they do still need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena, Colombia located less than $. Around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia than taxis was and... Thing to learn when visiting Cartagena your eyes Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in category. A city that sits right on the city, consider joining this minute! One of the most expensive place of the heat interact with the taxi driver found in the while. Reading 10 Tips for First time may be expensive in your eyes unsafe threatened... Footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez Getsemani is safe for the better looking to travel for cheap, may. And it attracts more than 2 million tourists a year cookies to your!, on one of the most popular destinations in Colombia food and is FREAKING. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country mi ( 100 km ) from Cartagena daily!... In South America, as in the category `` Functional '' one Bocagrande! Colombia useful country has transformed for the most expensive place of the nicer hotels restaurants! 10 days in Cartagena things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best-preserved Spanish in. Committed, empowered, fun and January, on one of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and eventually we. We ever feel unsafe or threatened Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, temperate... Guided day trip such as this one Colombia, its temperate year-round varies. Pesos, PIN it for LATER firm no, gracias will suffice when speaking life. Pesos 14, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue..