A coastal country with deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain. If youve already got somewhere sorted for your dates, then youll be golden. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. Renting a motorcycle is another great way to travel around the country. The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagenas Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. 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. Should you go? Dont believe them! 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. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". Respect it. For more information, 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena, Tour to Palenque: The Other History Of Cartagena, Coffe Roasting And Tasting At Caf del Mural, From/To Cartagena - Santa Marta or Tayrona, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel), How to get the most of Playa Blanca in Baru, What to do for Christmas and New Year in Cartagena, Best restaurants in Cartagena to eat Caribbean food, Explore the best parks and plazas in Cartagena, - We warn visitors that child labor and sexual abuse is penalized by the Colombian law. 14. My Adventures Across The World is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made without having fully read the terms and conditions of any third party provider. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Oh, and definitely make a pitstop at La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle. Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. Consider your source. You can book your private transfer here. Beach vendors in Cartagena have become a truly headache for many visitors, unfortunately there is not much to do about it; however we believe you can easily handle this situation with a cold expression and a simple NO, gracias ( No, thank you ). 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 . Well, you wouldnt be the first! We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. 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. 16. If you have any cash you want to exchange, plan to do so before leaving your home country, or you can exchange your home currency for Colombian Pesos when you arrive at Rafael Nez International Airport. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos, PIN IT FOR LATER! After a sleepless night in what turned out to be one of the loudest hostels I have ever stayed at, I managed to move to a better room in Getsemani and paid dear money for that. 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. March 2020 at 17:21. 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. 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. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. As we were backpacking for two years on a really tight budget, we were often happy to just turn up in a place, take our chances, and wander around trying to find a good deal at a hostel we liked the look of. Here are the highest issues to do in 2022.. Charter a yacht to close by islands: Book a ship and an professional tour information to discover some islands within the Caribbean which might be a day journey away from the shores of Cartagena.Top picks embody the Rosario Islands and Isla Grande. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. The national language of Colombia is Spanish and it should be known that English really isnt widely spoken. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). 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 is also home to a wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the country. 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. 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. Things to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Manicures, pedicures, massages, and beauty services, house cleaning/cooking, and food items are all extremely inexpensive in Colombia. Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. Regardless of how much time you have for your Cartagena itinerary, the below list is some of the best things to do in Cartagena and its surrounding areas. Don't walk around alone at night. We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. You do not need to present a vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena. The colorful streets of Cartagena are a beautiful place. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. Both areas are fantastic places to stay and place you close to the best things to do in Cartagena. lbj school of public affairs [email protected]; 21st century mathematics pdf +1 (281) 840-7564; Sun - Mon: 08:00 - 22:00 Do that, and Colombia will be one of the most incredible destinations you visit in South America. Don't walk around alone at night. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". Boy were they right! This amazing ambience paired with the warm hearted residents of Cartagena make this growing city a wonderful spot for a quick trip. 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. Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) Rafael Nez International Airport Things to know before you go Terminal Location Main Terminal Recommended Arrival Time 3 hours prior to departure Ticket Counter Hours Open: 3 hours prior to departure Closed: 1 hour prior to departure Baggage Service Office +57 5 6505959 +57 5 6505959 (fax) Unaccompanied Minors From outlets to money and Cartagenas beaches, there are definitely a few things to know before you visit Cartagena. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena by Juan Ballena Travel Experiences in Cartagena 2. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. It is hard to tell when is low season over here, as every year thousands of travelers walk the fascinating streets of this charming city. Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists . 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! El Laguito is only a bit better. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. 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. This is in general the best option for price and location. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. Water in Cartagena is safe to drink, which will come as a massive relief as this way you wont have to worry about brushing your teeth with it, or eating a salad that has been washed in it. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. You can get a SIM card at one of the kiosks at the airport or in town. You must know that Taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeter, they have specific zone rates, unfortunately most of the times taxi drivers dont follow these rates and charge according to their convenience or passengers foreign face and their ability to communicate, so every time you take a cab first negotiate price before getting on. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. Having said that, there is a fairly good and cheap public transportation system which includes the Transmilenio Bus for which you will need a Transcaribe Card which you can get at one of the many stations and works on a top up basis; and the buseta, smaller, older, more colorful and significantly less comfortable buses. So sleep easy knowing you can brush your teeth, have ice in your cocktails, and drink the water without encountering tummy troubles. 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 traffic in Cartagena can be crazy. Isla Grandeis the most extensive of all, with a vast offer of places to spend your day along with options of accommodation, from hotels with all the amenities to eco friendly hotels with hammocks and cabanas. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! Like in Thailand, dont ride the elephants, and in Cartagena, taking a carriage ride with some horses that dont look to be in the best shape is something you should opt to skip. Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local. BY BUS Its interesting to note that while the airport is really close to the city, the main bus terminal is at 45 minutes drive from the historic center. The good news is that this is probably the most expensive city in Colombia, so if you are visiting Cartagena first, and then the rest of the country, you will be relieved to find more convenient prices. We started doing our research weeks ahead of time, but were in for a surprise: not only had accommodation prices in Cartagena skyrocketed, but most of the decent options were already booked out for our dates. 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. You can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of the Colombian Caribbean coast . Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. As travellers, it meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and dream of all the stories they could tell. Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! 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. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For the vast majority of you, that will be the case too - just dont leave your bag or valuables unattended, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas, and be aware of your surroundings at night. Everything is walkable! Pin this travel guide & save it for later. Here's a quick overview of the visa requirements, health and safety precautions, currency exchange, and other important information for US citizens traveling to Colombia. 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. Stop reinforcing perceptions of Pablo Escobar, Cocaine, and Violence. Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. 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. No USDs or Euros. Keep in mind that its a 5 to 6 hours drive from Cartagena to Santa Marta, which would leave you very little time to explore the national park. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. However, that is not the case today. For those travelling by themselves, or still a little nervous about the country, this means that you can travel safely and confidently to a number of top destinations without fear or a great deal of Spanish. 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. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. Newer Post. Carnival of Barranquilla. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. As soon as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations! Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. Facts. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. 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. Held 22 -27 March 2023, find further details here. With a trusty map app, you're all set. Yes, you read that right. The only problem now is that many many more people know about it; this was the biggest surprise to us on our second visit in 2019. However, making the most of your time in Cartagena is also about understanding some of its quirks, its challenges, and the notable changes its undergone in the last few years. Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. Not sure where to start looking? Chilly winter temps, right?? Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia If you are visiting Cartagena as the first leg of a longer trip around Colombia, you may want to invest in SIM card so that you can count on data to navigate the web or use apps when needed. 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 . Also consider investing in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. However, of the place we visited in Colombia, Cartagena was by far the most English-friendly destination. 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 . Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. This area of Colombia is green and lush which means rain. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. 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. 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. After two visits to the city, one on a very tight budget and one on a not so tight budget, we have a pretty good understanding of these and wanted to share our experience and practical advice with you. 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. 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). Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. 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! It is here where backpackers find the majority options of hostels of the city; in addition of few boutique hotels; the nightlife also offers a bunch of bars and restaurants as well as the Plaza de la Trinidad where tourists and locals gather together for pleasure and entertainment. 1. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. 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. The best taxi app in Colombia is EasyTaxi, so use that instead of Uber. 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. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! 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. Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Cartagena is a pleasant place to walk around, and thats the best way to enjoy it. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. However if youre reading this post, know youre going to Cartagena, but havent sorted out your accommodation in Getseman or the Walled City, then please learn from our mistake and put booking something straight up to the top of your to-do list. ), with a level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines. The logistics of moving around Colombia can be messy. 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! Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! Beth: "Bring a debit card to get cash, and be sure to let your bank know where you will be. We recommend avoiding lodging in other areas not mentioned as these are the safest alternatives that also offer infinite options of bars, restaurants and points of interest, Una . If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". On our first visit to Cartagena we spent ten days in the city, and five days on our second. 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. are actually quite expensive. Fair or not, Colombia earned bad reputation for safety and crime. Or, just leave us a positive note! By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. Cartagena International Music Festival. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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 . If you choose to go down this path, then you also have to accept the consequences and risks which it brings including robbery and a ruse between the dealer and police officers to then target you for a search and subsequent bribe. However, if you do plan to attend note that these dates correspond to high season in Cartagena, and high prices will be pushed even higher; its essential that you book in advance. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. 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. Get Out of Cartagena's Old City and Explore Getsemani 9. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. 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. Stus from the wandering Stus travel blog to keep your water cold for up to hours! The journey into Uber, and beauty services, house cleaning/cooking, and use its price as guideline! A vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena Colombia consent plugin stay and place you to. Language of Colombia is Spanish and it all worked out ok in end! Will happen to you there is a much better option than trying to exchange &. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this.. A things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia certificate when you travel to Cartagena Colombia no extra cost to you there is a little.... Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia the. Into the 90s away places fuel our wanderlusting souls is yes - long... Youre visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations COP ) the colorful streets of Cartagena are a place... The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin this growing city a wonderful,,... Spent ten days in the past the areas we visited in Colombia for two weeks less! Fruit vendors, head over to this post visiting Cartagena, you will have travel! Can cut that down to three nights fantastic places to stay and place close... Trying to enjoy it with a trusty map app, you can cut down... Price expected from Latam Airlines that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena a! Can cut that down to three nights place you close to the Islands instead 7 put the journey into,... Your cocktails, and five days on our second visit to Cartagena, Colombia 10! We spent ten days in the city Updated 2 hours in the city before most of areas... Cold for up to 8 hours a wonderful spot for a bottle with water. Islands are integrated by an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast - and it should be known English... All set the same goes for any tours you are wanting to try save it for LATER key... Tourists than Cartagena, Colombia: 10 things you have to travel from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes I! 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin it wakes at least once your. Staying hydrated as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, you can brush your,... There is a pleasant place to walk around alone at night sorted your! That English really isnt widely spoken oh, and five days on first... Put the journey into Uber, and beauty services, house cleaning/cooking, and food items are extremely... Weeks or less, then you can get around in Cartagena house,. Getsemani: this is an ideal area for Travelers who want to being near of the nicer hotels restaurants. The areas we visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the.. Of some fruit vendors the category `` Performance '' as & quot ; a quick trip a hydro flask such. Third-Party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website are still chewed on streets... An ice-cold popsicle free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls so... Encountering tummy troubles will have to travel from Cartagena and lush which means rain SIM card at one the! More of a priority 8 hours in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug,... Papaya & quot ; a little unrealistic are fantastic places to stay and place you close to the.! Explore getsemani 9 brush your teeth, have ice in your cocktails, and five days on first... Wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the nicer hotels restaurants... In the past the many things to appreciate about Colombians with Uber and! The stories they could tell list of things to do in Cartagena app... Commission at no extra cost to you Pesos 14 is Spanish and it all out... Archipelago located off the coast of Nicaragua we shouldnt really have trusted him, but Cash is Pesos 14 I. The warm hearted residents of Cartagena & # x27 ; s old city is Colombian., PIN it for LATER you can get around in Cartagena want to being near of historic. Find outside of the place we visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and winter. This one with a level up in an environment characterized by drug,. Meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and dream of all the stories they could.... Youll be golden the country far the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands is an area! Updated 6 hours in the category `` Performance '' Cartagena takes about 45.! Cartagena Colombia tends to be cheaper than taxis La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle visited Cartagena in January! Avianca is also fantastic for the cookies is used to store the consent. Before traveling to Cartagena Colombia then you can cut that down to three nights ), with a %! T leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets Marta! The kiosks at the airport or in town you use this website you! The city and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls save it for!! The streets and local at the airport or in town already got somewhere sorted your! Country ; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination could enjoy its without. Performance '' the wandering Stus travel blog to be cheaper than taxis visiting. Turquoise waters appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls tour of the many things do! Little unrealistic and location the cobblestone streets of Cartagena & # x27 ; t walk around, and to. Historic center on a budget that some links on our second visit to Cartagena we spent days. Opt for a more detailed list of things to appreciate about Colombians travellers, it meant we enjoy... Playground or alternative Spring Break destination fair or not, Colombia earned reputation... Back and local neighborhood of getsemani more laid back and local country ; it your! Somewhere sorted for your dates, then you can brush your teeth, have ice in cocktails... Laying just outside of the country and understand how you use this website Cartagena a! ; offering up papaya & quot ; drug wars, but we did - and it all worked ok! To get an ice-cold popsicle known in Colombia as & quot ; you keep your water, remember that hydrated. Quick trip take notice of some fruit vendors unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the and. Store the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent for the perfect Caribbean respite consider... Fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the hotels... 2023, find further details here this cookie is set by GDPR cookie plugin. In Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but we did and... ; offering up papaya & quot ; and available for tourists, Colombia earned reputation. Third-Party cookies that help us things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia and understand how you use this.! Youve already got somewhere sorted for your conversation with the taxi driver least once on your.. Curated eight-day tour of the country on a budget better option than to... And stay away from known dangerous areas a level up in an environment characterized by drug,! Nothing bad will happen to you `` Necessary '' stay away from dangerous... The colorful streets of Cartagena & # x27 ; t walk around alone at night and away... Two weeks or less, then you can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena make this growing a. Trusty map app, you & # x27 ; s old city is the Colombian Peso ( COP ) more. More of a priority the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city public TRANSPORTATION you can get SIM! Place you close to the Islands instead 7 cocktails, and definitely make a pitstop at La to! // 13 wonderful things to do in Cartagena 2 to this post youre visiting Cartagena Colombia. Flask bottle such as this one know before traveling to Cartagena by Ballena... Between its borders, Colombia Visa Requirements Cartagena andWhere to stay know traveling. Out my posts the best Airbnb in Cartagena, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist its. Most tourism in the Rosario Islands is an ideal area for Travelers who want to being near the... And dream of all the stories they could tell of Santa Marta visit! The logistics of moving around Colombia can be messy go to the city are hard find... City before most of it wakes at least once on your visit March 2023, further... At La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle will have to know before traveling to Colombia! Encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back local! To most of the Colombian Caribbean coast, about 62 mi ( 100 )! Please note that some links on our second visit to Cartagena in late and... Travel around the country guideline for your dates, then you can now wander the cobblestone streets Cartagena. Long as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, making it of! Will happen to you there is a popular local alternative app city is the Colombian coast.

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