The 15 Best Things To Do In Cartagena (With Travel Tips)

South America with some Caribbean aptitude is exactly what awaits you within the lovely coastal metropolis of Cartagena, Colombia.

Having visited the town twice, I think about it one of many highlights of Colombia, particularly when it’s mixed with among the nice seashores and islands close by. Here’s all the pieces you might want to know to have the very best expertise in Cartagena!

Must-know for Cartagena

Cartagena was established by Spanish settlers in 1533 and later turned a middle of the slave commerce in the course of the seventeenth century. This is why the town has a powerful Afro-Caribbean affect, giving it a singular attraction. Its heart has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to count on

How to explain Cartagena? Well, it is sort of a juicy peach of a journey vacation spot. Utterly tourist-friendly, it’s extremely Instagrammable whereas retaining a simple attraction. The streets are flooded with colourful colonial buildings, eye-catching avenue artwork, and folks having fun with the colourful nightlife, and sunny days are spent at one of many metropolis’s great seashores.

If you’re a traveler searching for distant adventures or obscure hidden gems, then chances are you’ll discover Cartagena is a bit sugary on your tastes. However, most vacationers think about Cartagena as one of many important stops in Colombia.

Best actions

Cartagena doesn’t have fairly as many museums or cultural sights as Medellin or Bogota. It’s finest loved for its enjoyable nightlife (which partly takes place on the streets), the great close by tropical islands, and the attractive previous metropolis the place you possibly can spend a whole lot of your time ingesting, consuming, and wandering round.

The seashores closest to Cartagena should not that incredible. For a lot higher seashores, think about a visit to Playa Blanca or to the Rosario Islands.

How lengthy to remain

If you’re in pure sightseeing mode, you possibly can cowl Cartagena in 2 days. However, it may be price staying longer to benefit from the environment and to take journeys out to the seashores and islands. For some inspiration, try our one-week in Colombia itinerary which begins in Cartagena.

Where to remain

Cartagena is the best place in Colombia to search out nice boutique motels — typically in splendidly restored colonial buildings. Check out the finest boutique motels for those who’re searching for upscale choices. If you’re a price range traveler, think about these prime hostels in Cartagena.

Safety

The touristy areas of the Old City, Getsemani, and Boca Grande are comparatively very protected Apart from taking the standard precautions, you will be pretty relaxed right here. Other areas of Cartagena will be much less protected.

• Take a taxi if visiting the La Popa convent exterior the middle.
• If visiting the chaotic market of Bazurto, which can be far exterior the middle, you may need to take action with a neighborhood information.

The vacationer areas are separated from the remainder of the town by a canal, so it’s unlikely you’ll simply wander away right into a questionable space. All issues thought of, Cartagena is certainly one of Colombia’s most tourist-friendly cities.

Annoyances

Although I’ve not skilled it myself, many vacationers report getting hassled within the previous city by pushy sellers. Simply ignore them for those who’re not enthusiastic about shopping for any fruit or trinkets.

Climate

It can get quite sizzling and sweaty in Cartagena. The excessive temperatures hover round 31°C or 88°F year-round, with a mean humidity of 90%. You might want to keep away from the mid-day warmth and schedule most of your actions for the morning or night.

You would possibly find yourself with a number of sweaty selfies!

Best Things to Do in Cartagena

1. Explore the colonial streets of Old Town

Having traveled throughout Latin America, I can genuinely say that Cartagena is among the prettiest cities within the Americas.

It’s completely full to the brim with beautiful colonial structure. With colourful balconies, winding streets, and buzzing plazas, you’ll wish to take your time wandering across the previous city of Cartagena.

The Old Town incorporates some beautiful historic sights that shouldn’t be missed. You can snag photographs of the enduring Clock Tower, Las Bovedas, San Pedro Claver Church, and San Felipe Castle.

One of the very best methods to find the Old Town is by taking a strolling tour, which gives you perception you’ll in any other case fully miss.

Along with the unbelievable structure is the buzzing power of the locals and avenue distributors. Music is enjoying on each avenue nook, and the colours of the various fruits and spices bought within the markets add to the colourful environment.

Make certain to snag a photograph with the Colombian ladies who put on conventional clothes and carry fruit on their heads!

And maintain an eye fixed out for little monkeys in Centenario Park, simply exterior the Old Town’s partitions.

2. Enjoy the Caribbean seashores

You can’t go to Cartagena and never benefit from the Caribbean waters!

However, keep away from Playa Marbella and different seashores north of city as they’re not very fairly. There are a lot better decisions out there, relying on what you’re searching for.

For a day of enjoyable within the solar, the simply accessible seashores round Bocagrande (map location) could also be completely positive. They have heat Caribbean water, and distributors always move by promoting scrumptious meals, chilly drinks, and souvenirs. It’s additionally the closest one to the town so it’s simple to take pleasure in a morning exploring Old Town and a day on the seashore. Backed with high-rise flats, Bocagrande might remind you faintly of Miami.

That stated, Bocagrande could be very a lot a metropolis seashore and it will possibly get hectic. It’s normally stuffed with locals, loud music, and distributors, so for those who’re searching for a quieter seashore, I like to recommend Playa Blanca.

Playa Blanca is about an hour from city (see map location), however it’s so price it when you see the crystal-clear water and white sand. The quickest option to get there may be by speedboat from the port, or you possibly can take a shuttle van. This weblog has the small print.

An even higher choice for seashores is to go to the Rosario Islands, which I’ll talk about additional beneath.

3. Explore the artsy space of Getsemani

As good because the historic previous city is, I a lot want the extra down-to-earth environment of Getsemani. This is the up-and-coming neighborhood of Cartagena, stuffed with artwork galleries, cafes, bars, and eating places.

The artwork scene in Getsemani goes loopy with some unbelievable avenue artwork and graffiti overlaying seemingly each wall. You might spend hours wandering round, admiring the items of labor created by native artists.

Not to say, Getsemani is the place you’ll discover a few of Cartagena’s finest eating places and bars. Eating and ingesting right here can be less expensive, so it can save you your pesos for extra exploring.

The power in Getsemani is infectious, and I assure you gained’t be capable to go away with out exploring each nook of this colourful neighborhood.

4. Appreciate Cartagena’s historical past on the metropolis partitions

Cartagena was an essential port throughout colonial occasions as a consequence of its strategic location on the Caribbean Sea. The metropolis was closely fortified with a wall that ran alongside the coast, which remains to be up and a very cool factor to see in Cartagena.

Visiting the historic wall affords a chance to study Cartagena’s previous whereas having fun with some lovely Caribbean Sea views. Because the port was so vital to the Spanish Empire, they wanted to guard their items from pirates, and the wall was the one approach to do this. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It’s freed from cost and open all day, on daily basis.

5. Visit San Felipe fortress for wonderful views

• Opening Hours 7:00 AM — 6:00 PM
• Admission Price: 25,000 COP
• Location: Google Maps

Continuing to discover the fortifications, the Castillo de San Felipe is a formidable fortress from the sixteenth Century that’s positioned on the town’s highest hill. It was constructed as a defensive fort by Spanish navy engineers and withstood numerous assaults over the centuries.

The views from this fortress allow you to see throughout Cartagena and out to sea. The entrance charge is fairly low-cost, and you’ll simply spend an hour or so exploring this huge construction.

One factor to notice is that there aren’t too many data plaques across the fortress, so for those who’re intrigued by the historical past, chances are you’ll wish to rent a tour information to provide the full rundown of its position in Cartagena’s historical past.

6. Marvel on the artifacts on the Zenú Gold Museum

• Opening Hours: 9 AM — 5PM (closed on Mondays)
• Admission Price: Free to enter
• Location: Google Maps

If you’re going to Bogota in your Colombia journey, you possibly can skip this and go to the capital’s expansive and beautiful gold museum as a substitute. But for those who’re solely hitting up the north of Colombia, then it’s price visiting the smaller Museo del Oro Zenú in Cartagena.

It focuses on pre-Columbian relics, notably the tradition and folks of Zenu, with 600+ gold, silver & ceramic items on show.

This museum is to not be confused with an earlier small exhibit that was hosted contained in the nationwide financial institution, talked about by older journey guides. The Zenú Gold Museum was fully renovated and reopened in 2023 with a bigger assortment.

7. Indulge in Colombian delicacies on a meals tour

Colombian meals is probably not internationally famend, however your opinion might change after taking a meals tour in Cartagena. The conventional elements and flavors of Colombian delicacies actually shine via when ready with the appropriate arms.

An effective way to expertise among the finest dishes is by taking a meals tour that may cease at among the finest native eating places, markets, and avenue distributors. I like to recommend this Cartagena meals tour on GetYourInformation — it’s just like a tour I did a number of years in the past and has a 4.5/5 score.

Alternatively, I like to recommend heading out on a meals tour with Duran Duran. They wrap up their meals tour with a cooking class the place you study to make some well-known Carribean dishes. You’ll get to follow your Spanish and eat with a bunch household.

If you’re pondering of sampling some avenue meals by yourself, I extremely suggest the arepas con queso; these tacky fried pancakes are completely addictive. Don’t overlook to strive the ceviche, a dish historically made with recent seafood and citrus. La Cevecheria is among the most important locations to seize some.

Last however not least, arroz con coco is a must-try; it’s a coconut rice dessert that you simply’ll discover throughout city. Sometimes they promote it out of the again of their automobile trunks, however don’t be scared to provide it a strive!

8. Experience Cartagena’s buzzing nightlife

I don’t know if it’s the recent salsa music blasting from all instructions or the irresistible mojitos that appear to be all over the place, however one factor’s for certain, there’s one thing actually enjoyable about Cartagena’s nightlife.

You can discover all kinds of bars and golf equipment all through the town, every with its personal distinctive environment. And whereas a lot of the nation is blasting Bad Bunny—and rightfully so. Cartagena brings out all the African and Latin influences in its music, jamming out to Afro Beats and Salsa, so put together your self for a full-on dance celebration.

Cafe Havana is among the most important golf equipment to finish the night time out. It’s a basic Latin dance membership with loads of mojitos and beers. You would possibly wanna have a chill seashore day after an evening out at Cafe Havana—only a warning! Ha!

For these searching for one thing a bit extra laid again, there are additionally a handful of bars all through the previous city that supply scrumptious cocktails accompanied by reside music. El Patio in Getsemani has a relaxed vibe with nice drinks and reside music.

Trinidad Square in Getsemani is all the time a enjoyable spot to take a look at, particularly on the weekends, as avenue performers and avenue meals sellers create a really enjoyable and spontaneous environment, loved by each locals and vacationers.

9. Take a ship to the Rosario Islands

If you like a picture-perfect seashore day, you’ll wish to cease on the Rosario Islands. This island chain is positioned simply off the coast of Cartagena and will be simply reached by boat instantly from Cartagana’s previous city in beneath an hour.

The Rosario Islands are residence to a few of Colombia’s nicest seashores, the place you possibly can take pleasure in its clear, blue waters, smooth white sand, and plenty of fish swimming round you. Rent a snorkel and discover the underwater world, take a stroll on the seashore, or simply calm down in one of many many hammocks scattered round.

It’s a well-liked day journey, however staying in a single day on the islands can provide a extra relaxed expertise, as you possibly can watch the sundown in peace after the day-trippers have left. With ceviche for dinner and the sound of the waves crashing towards the shores, you actually can’t beat that! See our 1 week Colombia itinerary for some concepts on the place to remain on the Rosario Islands.

To get to the islands, you possibly can both e book your boat via a tourism company which would come with a tour across the island, or you are able to do what I normally do and purchase a ticket on one of many public boats. Simply head to La Muelle la Bogegita dock in Cartagena. They go away at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. every morning and go away the islands at 2:30 p.m. It prices 40,000 Colombian pesos every approach.

10. Take a dive into the mud volcano

This is probably not fairly the very best factor to do in Cartagena in an goal sense, however it may be nice enjoyable in case you have a while to spare and gained’t thoughts doing one thing a bit foolish!

About an hour’s drive exterior of Cartagena is a so-called mud volcano, which is absolutely only a cone-shaped mound with a thick cement-grey mud slurry inside. Floating inside this pure bathtub is an odd and intriguing sensation, because the mud’s viscosity is simply in order that it retains you suspended in place.

You can get in all the best way from the neck down, or you possibly can determine to drift on prime of the floor such as you’re within the Dead Sea. Sometimes you keel over and need to paddle like a canine to search out your centre of gravity once more.

It’s a considerably cheesy vacationer exercise and it’s not a cultural revelation, however it’s a reasonably hilarious half-day tour. It’s price it particularly for those who’re with a gaggle and don’t thoughts some unpretentious enjoyable.

11. Head again into historical past on the Naval Museum

• Opening hours: 9:00 AM — 2:00 PM Tues – Sat
• Admission charge: Free
• Location: Google Maps

Of course, with Cartagena enjoying such an essential half in Colombia’s historical past, historical past buffs will love visiting the Naval Museum.

This museum is a good way to study Cartagena’s wealthy maritime historical past; it shows a formidable assortment of ship replicas, weapons, and artifacts that date again to the fifteenth century.

The museum paperwork greater than 300 years of naval conflicts that started with pirate raids within the 1600s. And showcases quite a few intriguing displays. One of my favourite displays is the Spanish galleon San Jose, which went down whereas carrying greater than 200 tons of gold.

The assortment of antiquated maps, ship fashions, cannons and weapons, and historic information all weave a charming story. It’s a good way to get to know the town and its previous!

12. Drink cocktails at a world-class bar

It’s not too typically that we now have the prospect to take pleasure in one thing that has made a world prime 10 record with out spending a small fortune, however fortunate for us, we will do exactly that!

Alquimico is among the finest bars in all of Cartagena and was acknowledged by The World’s 50 Best Bars because the tenth finest bar on the earth in 2022. If you like a great cocktail and an excellent higher night time out, then put this in your Cartagena bucket record.

The environment of the three story excessive bar is wonderful, and also you’ll end up in a vigorous crowd of locals and vacationers, having fun with some scrumptious drinks and maybe dancing till the early morning hours.

Be certain to strive the Petronio, a lemony tequila drink that may actually get your dance strikes going.

13. Sample the famed Colombian espresso

Colombia is after all well-known for its high-quality Arabica espresso. It was once the case that just about all of it was exported whereas Colombians would solely drink cheaper espresso from elsewhere, however these days yow will discover loads of positive native roasters.

They know simply learn how to get essentially the most taste and aroma from their homegrown beans and provide the right instruction to Colombian craft espresso.

My favourite place to go for an ideal batch brew or V60 is the comfortable Café La Manchuria positioned in the midst of the previous city, which additionally sells its personal beans and different artisanal native merchandise.

14. Visit the Convento de la Popa

• Opening Hours: 8.30 AM – 5.30 PM (on daily basis)
• Admission Price: 11,000 COP
• Location: Google Maps

Perched on prime of the 150-meter hill often called Mt. Popa, this convent will be simply seen from the Getsemani district, particularly when it’s lit up at night time.

It was constructed within the 1600s as a convent but in addition served as military barracks through the years, however immediately it’s a non secular museum that’s price visiting for its displays, however extra so for its views of Cartagena and the great patio crammed with flowers and vegetation.

Important Tip: It’s not really helpful to go to the convent on foot, as this implies having to move via a small neighborhood on the foot of the hill that’s recognized to have issues of safety. Take a taxi to Convento de la Popa after which discover the convent grounds with peace of thoughts.

15. See the actual Cartagena at Mercado de Bazurto

As lovely and colourful as central Cartagena is, the remainder of the town has a way more sprawling, chaotic, and even gritty character.

Knowing that what vacationers expertise in Cartagena could be very a lot inside a synthetic bubble, chances are you’ll want to see what the town is like in the best way that the majority locals will expertise it daily.

The big indoor Mercado de Bazurto is the place locals go to buy their items and cooking elements and it’s a riot of colour, exercise, and smells each nice and unsightly. Exploring it’s a real expertise that gives you actual perception into the native tradition. I like this weblog’s report, which known as it their Anthony Bourdain expertise (I felt the identical!).

That stated, it’s not a typical ‘tourist’ place and is probably not for everybody. It’s smelly, noisy, and is understood for pickpockets — however it’s additionally the actual Cartagena. It will be tough to know learn how to navigate this chaotic place, so it’s really helpful to go to it with a neighborhood information who can present you round, name your consideration to among the uncommon items bought, and introduce you to among the pleasant distributors.