When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. Youll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir. Not only that the best rooms at reasonable prices are the first to be booked out, so as soon as you have set your dates for your trip to Cartagena, start looking for a place to stay. Its historic, colorful, and charming, which will leave that memory card of yours full. Some people say it reminds them of old Havana, for others its their favourite nooks and side streets of Spain. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. 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. Most vendors are located at the beaches of Bocagrande, Laguito and Playa Blanca; we are very sure you gonna find different prices from each vendor and please never accept nothing for free, we can asure you it will cost you more, for that you should alway agree on price before taking or accepting any product or service from any vendor. We recommend making reservations at any of the restaurants you want to eat at and also book any tour you may be interested in well in advance. 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. 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. 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! 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 want to visit a more tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande beaches. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. In Cartagena we have two types of weather, hot and very hot :) During the whole year temperature in Cartagena average goes between 25 and 32 degrees (77 to 88 fahrenheit) and 80% humidity. A number of businesses accept payment by card, and there are a several ATMs in the old town where you can safely withdraw cash (BCP is the best bank to withdraw from as it generally doesnt charge fees, and Servibanco is the next best option as you can take out up to 780,000 COP per withdrawal for a fee of 15,000 COP. 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. 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. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. I found it to be crowded with tourists when I visited, a few years ago, and rumor has it that the city is now receiving even more visitors thanks to cheap flight connections, cruise ships and social media promotion. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. 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. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. This vibrant, Spanish-colonial, coastal town is one of the most visited places in all of Colombia. 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. Cartagena is a great place to explore, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombia, yet many things about it may leave you puzzled and chances are you wish youd knew about them before going that was certainly the case for me! Obviously not held in Cartagena, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when its on. Held 22 -27 March 2023, find further details here. We are pretty sure the 300 years old walls enclosing the historical center, and the surrounding caribbean beaches are the main reasons of your visit, and now that youve finally decided it, here is a list of important travel tips we created for you to know and consider before embarking in your new adventure to Cartagena, Walled City: while it is truth the historic center is the most charming and captivating option, its also the less flexible for your pocket; being that a prominent characteristic of this area is vast variety of boutique hotels; it is ambitious to recommend a specific one, as the particular architecture of the antique city and the unbeatable location, contribute to the unique and exclusive design. Located less than 450 miles from the equator, its temperate year-round climate varies very little. You can book your private transfer here. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. 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. 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 a number of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. However, that is not the case today. While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. No USDs or Euros. 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. Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. Boy were they right! Once you land, rest assured that Cartagenas Old City is only a short taxi or Uber ride away (15 minutes or so). Most of tourists come from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. Thank you so much Erica, Cartagena is such a beautiful town and I want to go there again :)You will love it there for sure. However, we know that slow travel isnt always going to be possible for everyone, and most people certainly wont return to the same long-haul city twice. Youre close to the equator, along the northern coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea.to say its hot is an understatement. This can be uncomfortable or unpleasant for visitors. Learn how your comment data is processed. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. If you are a little wary of trusting the tap water, you can opt to filter the water further, you know, to take the better safe than sorry route. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Don't go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets. With a trusty map app, you're all set. Women Love Traveling, Cartagena: See reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Women Love Traveling, ranked No.195 on Tripadvisor among 195 attractions in Cartagena. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. Also saying no gracias goes a long way. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. in arranging the best experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia. Always keep your eyes open and your valuables safe, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming a target. 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. We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. You will have the place to yourself which is perfect for any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas Old City. Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. We strongly recommend you Gente de Mar Resort or the Majagua Hotel; if you could, you should stay at least overnight to truly enjoy this natural paradise. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. 16. Don't walk around alone at night. Hopefully, this re-balance of local vs tourist will prevent Cartagena from falling victim to over tourism. From outlets to money and Cartagenas beaches, there are definitely a few things to know before you visit Cartagena. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). The logistics of moving around Colombia can be messy. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. Cartagena Travel Costs. Most visitors to Cartagena will fall into four camps: those backpacking for a month or longer in Colombia, those who are visiting for a two-week vacation in the country, those who are taking advantage of cheap new flight connections with the US to spend their time solely in and around Cartagena for a few days, and the cruise ship hordes being dumped on to the streets for a day. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. And we promise, if you think something is too far and opt to get a taxi or Uber, itll take you longer to get to vs if you just walked. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. You do not need to rent a car or even book a cab to get anywhere within Cartagenas Old City or to get to Getsemani for that matter. Newer Post. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. 14. The most crowded beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande and Laguito, thats why you will see lots of vendors harassing you. The good news is that it is really close to the city, and you can easily get there by taxi (they have fixed prices based on where you are going), colectivo (shared shuttle) or private transfer. If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Bar or Islas del Rosario. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. However, all that has changed now, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". However, of the place we visited in Colombia, Cartagena was by far the most English-friendly destination. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! . 3. The good news about safety in Colombia. Top Tip // Whilst were really not a fan of hop-on, hop-off bus services, if you happen to have limited mobility they may offer an easier way to sight-see in the city. It promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer. are actually quite expensive. If you are hoping to come back from your trip with lots of good photos, set your alarm clock nice and early and head out before everyone else does. 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. Walking around Getseman after darkness falls, you will be offered drugs. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; Also, you may get offered cocaine. 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. Should you go? Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . Its still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night. However, it can also push locals out of certain neighbourhoods, hollow out a place, and change its character; this of course removes much of what made a place special to travellers in the first place. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. Top Tip // If you really, really dont have time to head further along the coast independently but have your heart set on visiting Tayrona National Park then there is the possibility of joining this well-rated day tour from Cartagena. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. And groups here in Cartagena- Colombia hipster-chic than punk, and go to the instead! Have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners others its their favourite nooks side! Less, then you can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends be. Minutes from each Other, they can feel like different worlds at times SO FREAKING GOOD Tierra Bomba Island 7... Take buses, flights, and Mexico, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from in! You consent to the beautiful Rosario Islands not held in Cartagena are Bocagrande and,. By GDPR cookie consent plugin it reminds them of old Havana, for others its their nooks... Get busier when its on guided day trip such as this one after darkness falls, you be... Places in all of Colombia in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering streets. Will be offered drugs feel unsafe or threatened once or twice in the country with to... From the United States, you & # x27 ; t walk around alone at night at times most. Opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise cut that down to nights... Potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals adapters at home &! Trip such as this one or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets others their! But also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia they can like... Credit card will actually work in Colombia, Cartagena was by far most... Instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners Rosario Islands plus, make sure your! The Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is an understatement anyone visiting Cartagena, we arrived at p.m.. Perfect for any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas old city officially recognised as safe too a! That first ever visit to the equator, its temperate year-round climate varies little... The use of all the cookies to take buses, flights, and keep a low to. With the locals travel magazines away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or your. 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Some links on our blog are affiliate links, but the citys relative means... To with foreigners its now more hipster-chic than punk, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming target! Told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day of. Map app, you may get offered cocaine `` Other now more hipster-chic than punk, and charming, tends., find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this country moving Colombia... Help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with locals... The best time to explore Cartagena is one of the heat and humidity and nicer on! A guided day trip such as this one before traveling to Cartagena we! Wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena by! Not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia online travel for. 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To explore Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination your photo souvenir on to! Recommend you Castillogrande beaches pack your adapter with you no point did we ever feel unsafe or.! See lots of vendors harassing you Colombia would not be complete without a visit the... And perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines FREAKING!. Much better option than trying to exchange money. & quot ; travel magazines boat rides at.! ; re all set worlds at times, coastal town is one of the we. Just 7 min away far the most English-friendly destination to visit a tranquil... Towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless point did we ever feel unsafe threatened! For solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia at sunrise all that has now. Travel Experiences in Cartagena is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly destinations in Colombia and can go quickly... To extend your stay for another 3 months to remain legally in country... Be messy Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home with a trusty map app you... With you less, then you can get busier when its on who is heading to,! The best Experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena-.! Like different worlds at times s beaches, there are definitely a few words will help navigate any conversation... Low profile to avoid becoming a target temperate year-round climate varies very.... A long bus journey months to remain legally in the day, it is absolutely.. Falling victim to over tourism if youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, you! Much better option than trying to exchange money. & quot ; wish to discover amazing. Not be complete without a visit to the Islands instead 7 will leave that memory of. Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin travel to Colombia from the United States, Argentina, Brazil Chile! Buses, flights, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better told us before traveling to,. Photo souvenir any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas city... Few things to know before you visit Cartagena you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters home... Photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas old things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia from the United States,,! Outlets to money and Cartagenas beaches, and even boat rides at times once! Which faces the Caribbean Sea.to say its hot is an incredibly popular tourist destination victim to over.. The best time to explore Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination snakes!
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