Visiting Cartagena | Colombia's colourful Caribbean city

Founded in the 16th century, Cartagena boasts a deep and rich history that has perfectly blended with the modern world.

The cobblestone streets transport you back in time, whilst the vibrantly painted colonial buildings add a more modern twist to the city. Look across the bay and you’ll be reminded of Miami by the ever-growing skyscrapers and the golden-sand city beach.

No matter what street you walk down within the city walls, it’s guaranteed to be picturesque and likely flourishing with flowers. It’s no wonder Cartagena has become an Instagram hotspot!

If you're visiting Cartagena soon, you've come to the right place. After reading this guide, you'll know which areas to stay in, where to find the best restaurants and how to get around this captivating city in Colombia.

Also, check out our list of the best activities in Cartagena!

Is Cartagena worth visiting?

Cartagena is a heaven for foodies. After admiring the street art in the Getsemani neighbourhood, there are plenty of spots to satisfy your hunger. The fresh seafood and fusion restaurants are delicious and unforgettable.

The excitement isn’t restricted to just Cartagena. The city is a great jumping-off point to the paradise islands in the Caribbean sea, such as Isla Grande.

Looking for a great holiday destination, a place to rest from your travels or simply somewhere to enjoy amazing food? You should visit Cartagena.

How long should you spend in Cartagena?

How long you should stay in Cartagena is completely dependent on why you’re visiting Colombia.

If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing holiday by the beach, then you could spend your whole holiday here.

For those travelling around Colombia, three days is a nice amount of time. Cartagena is a great place to rejuvenate, enjoy the sunshine and eat great food.

Is Cartagena safe?

Like any big city, Cartagena has some places that you might want to avoid. Missing these out from your itinerary isn’t going to be a big loss.

These spots tend to be towards the outskirts of the city. The city centre, where most tourists visit, is mostly safe. Here, you’ll see plenty of police officers on the street, making sure that everything is fine.

Pickpocketing, bag and phone snatching, and mugging do happen in Cartagena, but there are things that you can do to reduce the chances of this happening:

• Don't flash your valuables about. Keep them out of sight so you won’t be targeted.
• Keep your phone away from the road so that someone can’t drive by and snatch it from your hands.
• Check with your accommodation if the area you’re staying in is safe to wander around after dark. When in doubt, don’t walk around late at night.

Where to stay in Cartagena

Cartagena is a tourist hotspot, which means that you have a huge choice of amazing accommodation.

Most of the city’s action is centred within its city walls, so you’re probably going to want to stay here, or in one of the nearby neighbourhoods.

To help you pick the best place to stay, here are our top 3 areas to stay in Cartagena:

Location #1: Inside the city walls — the best place to stay in Cartagena

Best for: almost everything. Inside Cartagena’s city walls is one of the best places to stay.

Who is it for: those looking for one of the safest areas to stay in Cartagena. Or if you’d like to say that you’ve stayed the night inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don’t miss: the colourful streets, vibrant energy and delicious restaurants. This is where you’ll find most of the popular bars.

Biggest downside: this is one of the safest areas in Cartagena but you should still be aware of your belongings and not walk down empty streets alone.

Accommodation in Centro

You can find some of the best accommodation within the city walls. It’s one of the top places to be, so it makes sense that this is where you’ll find great hotels, Airbnbs and even hostels.

Private rooms here start at around $26 per night.

If you want the best location in the city, San Lazaro Art Hotel actually looks out onto the San Felipe Castle.

Location #2: Getsemani — a more youthful and creative side of Cartagena

Best for: a youthful hipster vibe. As the years go by, Getsemani is becoming ever more popular as people look for creative and alternative places to stay. But it still feels less touristy than inside the city walls.

Who is it for: Getsemani is a popular spot amongst backpackers and young couples due to its nightlife, but it’s really somewhere for everyone.

Don’t miss: impressive and colourful street art. Make sure to grab a coffee in one of the quirky cafes.

Biggest downside: you’re outside the city walls, so you’ll have to walk to reach the most popular restaurants and bars in Cartagena.

Accommodation in Getsemani

Staying outside of the city walls means that you can often score better deals when it comes to accommodation. You’re also not far from the centre, so you’re not really missing out.

Private rooms in Getsemani start at around $20 per night.

Our two top recommendations in Getsemani are Hotel Santa Cecilia and Posada La Fe. Both are budget-friendly whilst offering a splash of luxury.

Location #3: Bocagrande — ideal for families and beach-lovers

Best for: relaxing on the beach, listening to the sound of waves and luxury resorts.

Who is it for: beach-lovers and families. If you’re looking to spend a few days in a resort, chilling on the beach, then Bocagrande is perfect. You’ll only be a few steps from the golden sand. Plus, it’s not a long walk to reach the city walls.

Don’t miss: peeking into the gated communities. This is where some of Colombia’s richest live. There are also lots of fancy malls.

Biggest downside: you miss out on the vibrant energy that buzzes around inside the city walls. This is where you live and breathe Cartagena’s culture.

Accommodation in Bocagrande

If you’re after an all-inclusive resort or hotel then you should look at Bocagrande.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, though. You can find nice hotel rooms starting at around $30 per night.

Best restaurants in Cartagena

Cartagena is a food lover's heaven. It’s a popular tourist destination, so plenty of restaurants have flooded the city to satisfy everyone’s desires.

And they definitely do! Whatever type of cuisine you’re feeling, Cartagena will have it. It boasts spectacular fusion restaurants, Italian and Asian restaurants, coffee shops and street food.

A lot of the restaurants do tend to be on the pricier side, but often the quality of the food justifies the price.

Here are our 3 favourite places to eat in Cartagena:

Mistura Cartagena — top-quality food that won’t disappoint

Mistura Cartagena is a Peruvian fusion restaurant and sushi bar offering an unforgettable experience. The interior of the restaurant is vibrant and welcoming, whilst the staff make you feel like nothing is too much to ask.

The food boasts brilliant blends of flavour, all of which is beautifully presented. You’ll not want the meal to end. It’s on the pricier side, but you do receive spectacular quality and incredible food.

Epoca Espresso Bar — delicious coffee and tasty food

Epoca Espresso bar is the perfect place for breakfast or lunch. You can pop in to enjoy one of their perfectly roasted and high-quality coffees. Or fill your stomach with some mouth-watering food.

Looking for breakfast or brunch? Pick from dishes such as acai bowls, avocado on toast and shakshuka. For lunch, we recommend trying the devil chicken bowl. The choice is yours, there’s plenty to pick from on their extensive menu.

The best arepa spot in Cartagena (or Colombia?)

There isn’t a name for this spot,  it’s simply a cart selling some of the best arepas that you will try in Colombia. You can find it outside of the Townhouse Boutique Hotel. It’s pretty hard to miss as there’s always a queue of people wanting to get a taste.

We don’t know what they do to make them so good, but for only 6,000 COP ($2), you’ll want more than one. They have a choice of both meat and vegetarian arepas that are so fresh and delicious. A must try in Cartagena!

How to get around Cartagena

Cartagena is a pretty big city, but you’re probably going to be staying in or around the city walls. This is where most of the attractions and things to do are anyway.

This means that getting from place to place in Cartagena shouldn’t take too long.

Here are the main ways of exploring Cartagena:

By foot

If you ask us, Cartagena is best discovered by foot. City walls, Getsemani and other nearby neighbourhoods are all within walking distance of each other.

So although it’s likely to be pretty hot in Cartagena, your own two feet are the best way to explore the city.

Plus, some of the streets within the city walls are pedestrianised, so you have no choice but to walk.

By taxi

If the heat is too much, you have luggage or just don’t fancy walking, then you’ll never struggle to find a taxi.

The little yellow cars are everywhere, making them super easy to flag down on the street. Make sure to haggle on the price every time, though. Cartagena is a tourist destination where taxi drivers like to charge ‘tourist prices’!

The base fee starts at 7,000 COP ($2) and journeys between the neighbourhoods shouldn’t cost more than 15,000 COP ($4).

Using Uber in Cartagena

Uber often offers cheaper rates than taxis and can be more convenient.

The only problem is that Uber is actually illegal in Colombia. This doesn’t stop them from operating, though. To keep up appearances, you might have to sit in the front seat, and may not be able to get in the Uber right outside the airport or bus terminal.

How to get to Cartagena

Leaving from	Duration	Prices from		See details
Bogota	2-22 hours	from 100,000 COP ($27)		Bogota to Cartagena
Cartagena Airport	15-20 minutes	from 2,500 COP ($0.68)		Cartagena Airport to Cartagena
Medellin	1-13 hours	from 87,000 COP ($23)		Medellin to Cartagena
Palomino	5.5-7 hours	from 50,000 COP ($14)		Palomino to Cartagena
Santa Marta	4-5.5 hours	from 40,000 COP ($11) + transfer costs		Santa Marta to Cartagena

In summary

Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, you're almost ready for your adventure in Cartagena. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of things to do in Cartagena. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you're all set to make lasting memories in Cartagena.