Discovering Cartagena, Colombia: A Travel Guide
Thinking about your next destination? Let’s talk about Cartagena, Colombia’s crown jewel on the Caribbean coast. This vibrant city has something for just about everyone with its colorful streets, colonial architecture, and lively plazas that seem to be full any time of night or day. Cartagena perfectly marries old-world charm with modern flair, offering everything from white sand beaches and buzzing nightlife to world-class dining and rich cultural experiences. As you’ve likely heard, tourism to the city has been booming, and it’s no wonder why—Cartagena’s blend of history, beauty, and adventure makes it an appealing escape for savvy travelers looking for a mix of relaxation and excitement.
Stay in Style: Casa Claver Boutique Hotel
If you’re a first-time visitor to Cartagena I recommend staying in the old city (also referred to as the walled city or historic area), or Getsemani neighborhood.
My husband and I stayed at the Casa Claver Boutique Hotel in the heart of the old city and it truly felt like a home away from home. The location was a perfect base for exploring all that Cartagena has to offer. We especially enjoyed the rooftop pool and views of the city. The only word of caution I would give is that due to the age of the building, pipes are very sensitive and the use of the trash bins (emptied multiple times a day) is encouraged and preferred in the bathrooms. I really wanted to experience this hotel, so that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me – but it should be noted, as it could be for some.
Explore other Cartagena hotel options:
What To Do
We packed a lot into our week-long trip. Here are some of the highlights:
Exploring the Old City
We kicked off our adventure with a guided tour of the walled city courtesy of Beyond Colombia. Beyond Colombia offers FREE group tours with local guides. Private tours are also available upon request. We spent 3 hours wandering through the cobblestone streets, taking in the beautiful murals and architecture. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. The tours are pay-what-you-will, so be sure to tip your guide generously!
Explore other walking tour options here.
We also visited the shopping mall, La Serrezuela, and spent quite a bit of time exploring the adjacent Getsemani neighborhood, which is within walking distance from the walled city.
Day Trip to San Basilio de Palenque
About an hour outside Cartegena is the must-visit village of San Basilio de Palenque – the first free African town in the Americas. This village, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a testament to the resilience and traditions of the Afro-Colombian community. We enjoyed traditional music, dance, and an authentic local meal. We left the village enlightened and inspired.
We also visited:
Cathedral of San Pedro Claver: A beautiful cathedral immortalizing the life of Saint Pedro Claver, one of the first human rights pioneers in the Americas.
Santo Domingo Church: Founded in 1534, it’s the oldest church in Cartagena.
San Felipe de Barajas Castle: One of Cartagena’s architectural icons – a 14th-century fortress that protected the city from English invasion. Don’t skip this!
Convento de la Popa: A beautiful 17th-century convent that sits atop the highest point in Cartagena.
Island Hopping: San Bernardo Islands
If you’ve done a little pre-trip research, you’ll find constant mention of the Rosario Islands – which are absolutely beautiful and wildly popular. We opted to set sail on a private boat tour to the equally stunning (and less crowded) San Bernardo Islands. Sailing the crystal-clear waters, we made stops at Islote de Santa Cruz, Isla Palma, Isla Tintipán and Isla Mucura. We swam with sharks, snorkeled, ate delicious food, and relaxed on some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.
ATV Adventure
For a dose of adrenaline, we booked ATVs with Cartagena ATV Tours. We zoomed around the countryside with our guide, an amazing young man with dreams of visiting the US. We enjoyed great conversation, trading questions and stories about our respective countries, and one of the highlights of the excursion was stopping along the ocean and eating fresh lobster. It was truly one of the best days of our vacation!
Other Activities & Excursions
Where to Eat
I feel like we literally ate our way through Cartagena. There are so many options! Stopping by Cafe del Mar for drinks at sunset or for dinner with live music is a given. Yes, every tourist does it. Yes, you should, too. Here are a few other restaurants we patronized that you may want to add to your itinerary:
Montesacro
Cuisine: International, Meditteranean, Fusion
Meal: Dinner
My husband and I had dinner here on our very first night in Cartagena and we loved the vibe. Very classy and sexy. (Right up my alley. 😉) We enjoyed a mix of Colombian and international cuisine in a romantic, candlelit setting. And the drinks were on point.
Epoca
Cuisine: Coffee, Latin, International
Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at Epoca is a treat you won’t want to miss. I loved the ambiance and the food was savory.
Mirador Gastro Bar
Cuisine: Bar, Caribbean
Meal: Late-night drinks, dinner
For late-night drinks and dinner with a view, Mirador Gastro Bar hits the spot. We enjoyed live music, strong cocktails and panoramic vistas of the city.
Restaurante Espirito Santo
Cuisine: Latin, Caribbean, Seafood
Meal: Lunch
We popped into Espirito Santo for lunch and enjoyed some traditional Colombian dishes. The food was delicious and the service was great.
Buena Vida Marisqueria
Cuisine: Seafood
Meal: Lunch
There are plenty of rooftop experiences to choose from in Cartagena and Buena Vida Marisqueria is a good one if you love fresh seafood dishes.
What to Bring
Cartagena heat is no joke. Be sure to bring extra sun protection along with the usual travel essentials. A few I keep in my travel bag:
Wide Brim UPF 50 Summer Hat
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance SPF 70 Sunscreen
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Portable Charger
Things to Consider
Street Vendors
They are everywhere in Cartagena and some are aggressive. We were accosted frequently during our walks around the city and even followed a few times – but not in a threatening manner. A simple, “no, gracias” will usually suffice. Most of the vendors are genuinely good people who are trying to make a living. Spend a few dollars with them.
Scams & “Gringo Prices”
I felt safe in the walled city – even at night. This is mostly because it is a heavily populated, well-monitored tourist area. I also felt pretty safe at night in Getsemani for the same reasons. However, there is a widely held assumption that foreigners have money to burn so you do need to be aware of scams. Check your restaurant receipts to make sure you’re charged correctly and don’t leave the tip line empty. If you’re buying items off the street, be clear on the price upfront. Also, make sure you set the price on your taxi ride before getting in. Yes, on some of the beaches food and drinks may cost foreigners a little more (the “Gringo” price), but it didn’t bother me. The prices were still a fraction of what I’d pay at home, so if breaks are given to the locals I don’t see the problem. (Though I did see several Americans throw fits over it 😩).
Keep your purse or wallet close and don’t leave anything valuable sitting out on tables. Petty theft is pretty common. Lastly, manage your liquor consumption so that you don’t get so wasted that you don’t know what’s going on around you. All pretty common-sense stuff, but standard response to the question I’m asked often, “Is Cartagena safe?”
Romantic Hookups
Listen. I’m a happily married lady so I may not be the best person to speak on this, but I’ll tell you what I know. Cartagena has a healthy club scene and sex work is legal. While many party without incident, there have been multiple incidents involving robbery and death related to romantic hookups. Exercise caution. Never leave your drink unattended and don’t bring strangers back to your hotel room.
Exchanging Money
We ordered currency at our local bank before our trip, but did utilize BBVA and Bancolombia ATMs in the walled city without incident. Stick with the major bank ATMs in well-lit areas and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
If you frequent my blog, you know how I feel about travel insurance. Visit Squaremouth for the best quote to safeguard your trip!
Summary
I enjoyed our trip to Cartagena and will return as part of a multi-stop trip to other cities in Colombia. I’m a decent Spanish-speaker and think visitors who have some command of the language will find it easier to navigate the city. I visited in July and it was South Hell-level hot. 🫠 Next time I’ll probably go sometime in the Fall for slightly cooler temperatures.
I didn’t consider renting a car, nor would I recommend it. There are plenty of cabs and private drivers that will take you wherever you need to go. I hope Cartagena stays true to itself and doesn’t become Tulum (no shade). I have a sinking feeling it’s highly possible.
In any case, if you’re thinking about visiting Cartagena, do it! Pack your bags and get ready to create unforgettable memories in this enchanting Colombian City. Until next time, keep exploring. 😘
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