14 IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS BEFORE VISITING CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

Cartagena, Colombia is the most visited city by tourists in the South American country. And it’s easy to see why. From the vibrant atmosphere of the walled city to the islands, beaches, and deliciously fresh seafood, Cartagena is an incredible cultural experience.

To truly appreciate Cartagena for what it is, there are a few important things to know about the city and the country of Colombia.

Any Cartagena travel guide will tell you just how lovely the streets are inside the walled city of Cartagena, Colombia.

We had many questions about Cartagena before we went and have gotten many more from others since our trip. So, we decided to write a Cartagena travel guide in hopes of answering all of those questions you may have when planning your trip.

We cover all the best things to do in Cartagena, Colombia HERE, so be sure to read that, as well for some ideas of cool places to visit. This article is primarily to provide logistical information about Cartagena gathered from our firsthand experience, so you’ll be prepared when you visit.

Without further ado, here are a few Cartagena, Colombia travel tips and things to know about Cartagena before you visit.

About Cartagena, Colombia

The sign that welcomes you to Cartagena.

Cartagena, Colombia is located on the Caribbean coast of South America. The country borders Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador and Peru.

The port city was founded in the 16th century and still maintains portions of its original defensive wall.

Formally known as Cartagena de Indias, the city has a population of more than 900,000 residents, making it the fifth largest city in the country. However, there is no doubt Cartagena, which is known for its flower-draped balconies and colorful colonial architecture, is the tourism capital of Colombia.

The original walled city and Cartagena’s defensive fort are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, significant for the culture and history that is preserved there. 

History of Colombia

The Colombian flag waves proudly above the former defensive fort in Cartagena.

Perceptions of the city of Cartagena, and the country of Colombia for that matter, have been somewhat tainted by a sketchy past. For decades, Colombia was known as the home of drug lords and guerrilla warfare.

As recently as 2023 even, the Colombian rebel group known as the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) was still operating as an armed militia in parts of Colombia. But a lot has changed and continues to change, even in a short time.

Although there are still rebel groups in Colombia and the country is far from perfect, for the most part the FARC has voluntarily disarmed and is now transitioning and reforming itself into legitimate political reformists.

Although there are still parts of the country where drug trafficking and guerilla crimes occur, Cartagena is generally not one of them.

Cartagena travel guide: Answers to all your questions about Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is known for its colorful streets.

As a destination on the rise and one with such a blemished past, understandably people often have a lot of questions about traveling to Colombia.

This Cartagena travel guide aims to answer all of the top questions people have about the city and shine light on a few other things to know about visiting Cartagena.

I always recommend researching any country or city before you visit. You’ll find there are a lot of interesting things about Colombia other than its infamous drug ties.

Is Cartagena, Colombia safe?

Cartagena is not only a safe place to visit, but also a beautiful one!

Safety in Cartagena, Colombia is probably the one thing many people still question the most. As mentioned, in the 1980s and 1990s the country had a bad reputation for being a violent, murderous, drug-ridden place that tourists wouldn’t dare venture without fear of kidnapping or worse.

The deep-seeded criminal past that has given the country a bad rap will take years – even decades – to overcome. Many people still worry about safety in Colombia. But the city of Cartagena is generally safe for tourists now.

Besides a few aggressive vendors trying to scam you, and occasional petty offenses like pickpocketing, crime in Cartagena isn’t all that bad. It definitely isn’t the violent place many people still believe it to be.

Regardless, travel insurance from a reputable company like Hey Mondo is always a good idea to protect you in the event of theft, illness, or cancellations. 

What is with all the freaking vendors?!

Walking by street vendors selling souvenirs in Cartagena can be overwhelming because you will constantly be stopped and pressured to purchase something.

It isn’t necessarily criminals you have to worry about but extremely pushy vendors you should look out for in Cartagena.

In every tourist city, you will find street vendors trying to make a buck. I’ve come to expect it when traveling, and it usually does not bother me. But in Cartagena, it kind of did.

You will be constantly hounded by vendors. You will be approached and hassled time and time again by people on the street trying to sell everything from bracelets to tours and excursions.

After saying “No, gracias” about 4,000,000 times in one day it became extremely annoying. The vendors almost ruin the experience of this beautiful city.

Be firm with them. Say no without even smiling. Tell them “No tengo efectivo” which means “I do not have cash” and they will leave you alone. But if you do want to shop and buy something from the street vendors, be sure to negotiate. The initial price isn’t the final price.

Can you drink the water in Cartagena?

Cooling off after a morning of sightseeing.

Tap water in Cartagena, Colombia is considered safe to drink. But like the water in most of Central and South America, I still don’t recommend drinking it. We brushed our teeth with the tap water, and consumed drinks that had ice made from tap water and did not have any issues.

However, when we drank water to stay hydrated, we stuck to bottled water only, which is inexpensive and easily accessible everywhere in the city.

Most people from developed countries have sensitive stomachs. Variations in water treatment can easily cause stomach problems that will ruin a trip. I, for one, get tummy issues very easily when we travel (Apologies for the TMI). But if you have a strong stomach and rarely get sick, you will probably be fine drinking the tap water in Cartagena, Colombia.

What’s the weather like in Cartagena, Colombia? When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

Our daughter eating ice cream in the streets of Cartagena to stay cool.

Cartagena has a tropical climate, and it is ridiculously hot and humid year-round. It was so hot that we would change clothes every afternoon and put on dry clothes because our morning clothes were drenched in sweat.

You will find yourself guzzling water religiously just to replace the bodily fluids you will inevitably sweat out while sightseeing. Although I warn against drinking the tap water in Cartagena, I strongly recommend drinking a lot of bottled water.

You will want – and need – to drink A LOT of water while you are there just to stay hydrated. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a protective hat are also valuable items to bring with you to Cartagena.

December through April is known as the dry season and is typically considered the best time of year to visit Cartagena, Colombia. The rainy season in Cartagena falls between May and September.

However, don’t write off the rainy season. You might experience pop up showers in the afternoon, which might actually cool things off a bit, but typically it does not rain all day every day during the rainy season.

Which beach should you visit in the Rosario Islands?

Walking along Playa Blanca, the most popular beach near Cartagena.

A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. 

Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. Although it is accessible by land, many visitors to Cartagena get to Playa Blanca by boat as part of a paid day trip tour.

Before you book your excursion or consider the one-hour car ride to the beach, read our review of Playa Blanca. It might make you consider a different beach instead.

If you have visited any of the incredible islands in the Caribbean like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or Sint Maarten with their pristine beaches, turquoise water, and limited crowds, you will be seriously disappointed in Playa Blanca.

It is extremely crowded, a bit dirty, and overrun with pushy vendors. We still had a good time splashing in the ocean, but I was disappointed with the beach overall.

If you do want to visit Playa Blanca, you can easily take an Uber there. Our Uber driver returned for us at an agreed upon time, and we paid him cash for the return visit. Our phones did not have service at Playa Blanca and the area is somewhat remote, so make sure you work out a deal with your driver to arrange a ride back.

Otherwise, you are better off booking a tour to visit multiple stops in the Rosario Islands. We’ve linked to some of the most highly recommended tours that have great reviews. 

Are credit cards widely accepted in Cartagena, Colombia?

While many establishments accept credit cards, small businesses and street vendors typically do not.

Many places accept credit cards in Cartagena, but often with a minimum purchase required. Small purchases like a bottle of water or ice cream will require cash.

There are stand-alone ATMs around the city, as well as in grocery stores and outside of banks, which makes it easy to take out cash when needed.

When we travel, we tend to make a withdrawal from an ATM instead of using the money exchange at the airport. Our bank typically gives us a better exchange rate and our transaction fees are minimal. Make sure you check with your bank before any international trip to find out what your foreign transaction fees are. 

Additionally, we warn against using any on-street money exchange vendors, as they will offer a great rate, but will often try to shortchange you.

Can you use Uber in Cartagena, Colombia?

Yellow cabs and Uber are both options in Cartagena.

Uber is my go-to form of transportation when we travel in the United States. And luckily, the popular ride service is available in roughly 80 countries worldwide, including Colombia.

Requesting a ride (and paying for it) through my phone is much easier than taking out money from an ATM and hailing a taxicab. Although there is no shortage of taxis in the town of Cartagena, you can also use Uber in Colombia if you have Wi-Fi or an international data plan.

Uber in Cartagena is both safe and easy and is a great way to get around if you don’t want to rent a car. Additionally, you can always book an airport transfer to and from your hotel if you prefer a professional service.

Is staying in the walled city worth the extra money?

Staying in the walled city puts you in the heart of Cartagena’s beauty but will cost you more than staying in other areas.

The short answer: yes!

When determining where to stay in Cartagena, you’ll find three primary areas that are popular among tourists – the walled city, Bocagrande, or Getsemani. Staying in Old Town Cartagena is an unforgettable experience.

The Old Town area is known for its colorful buildings, flower-draped balconies, and enchanting atmosphere. It will enhance your visit tenfold if you stay in a boutique hotel, called a casa, inside the walled city of Cartagena. 

There are other areas of Cartagena in which to stay, like Getsemani and Bocagrande, but the atmosphere in Old Town Cartagena truly can’t be matched by the other areas of the city.

Plus, many of the awesome things to do in Cartagena are within walking distance if you stay in one of the hotels in the Old City.

Dinner time is when?!

Eating a late dinner at Cafe del Mar in Cartagena, Colombia.

Traveling with kids, we are used to eating early. In fact, we are used to doing everything early. Our daughter is an early riser, which means we have breakfast around 7am. Naturally, we are all hungry again around 11am and ready for dinner by 6pm.

When we travel, we try to maintain a consistent schedule whenever possible. This is particularly helpful in the early years, as it helps with baby and toddler jet lag and helps kids sleep better during the trip.

But in Cartagena, sticking to an early routine was a bit difficult because everything seems to happen later. Many restaurants don’t even open for lunch until 1pm. And if you eat dinner early like we do, chances are you will be the only people in the restaurant.

Many people don’t eat dinner until around 9pm in Cartagena.

And at night, after the sunsets and temperatures drop, the city truly comes alive. You’ll find live music in the plazas until midnight, and families out enjoying themselves late into the night even with young children in tow.

What is the food like in Cartagena?

Ceviche, a popular dish in Cartagena, Colombia.

No Cartagena travel guide would be complete without discussing the wonderful food in Cartagena.

For picky eaters, you can find just about any type of food in Cartagena, Colombia. From pizza to seafood or hamburgers, Cartagena’s foodie scene has plenty of variety.

If you want to experience the local flavor of Cartagena, there are a few dishes that you absolutely must try.

Ceviche, which is typically fresh raw seafood marinated in citrus juice, is very popular in Cartagena and very yummy!

Arepas, one of the best foods to try in Cartagena.

Another popular Colombian food to eat in Cartagena is arepas, which is a corn cake filled with either meat, beans, eggs, or cheese. You can buy arepas from street food vendors or in restaurants in Cartagena.

Of course, you can’t visit Colombia without trying coffee, one of the country’s biggest exports. 

You’ll also want to sample some of the wonderful tropical fruits that you can purchase in either a grocery store or from one of the women in traditional Colombian dresses who carry baskets of fruit on their heads.

These women dressed in traditional Colombian dresses will pose for photos for tips or sell you fruit from their baskets.

Do you need to know Spanish to visit Cartagena, Colombia?

Spanish is the official language in Colombia. It’s a great language to learn for travel, as it is the official language in more than 20 countries including Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, and of course Colombia.

Because Cartagena is a tourist city, you can get by speaking English, but you will definitely notice a language barrier. Learning some key phrases in Spanish is helpful when traveling to Cartagena. 

What is the currency in Cartagena, Colombia?

Colombia uses the Colombian peso.

Identified as COP, you’ll want to check an online currency converter before your trip to find the current exchange rate, because the rate always changes.

Chances are at some point during your trip you will need to withdraw money from an ATM, and you will need to know how many Colombian Pesos to take out.   

Is Cartagena expensive to visit?

The hostel across the street from our boutique Casa where we stayed.

Cartagena is generally considered an inexpensive international destination. Although one of the more expensive places to visit in Colombia, the city is reasonably priced compared to US, Canadian, or western European standards.

If you are trying to visit Cartagena on a tight budget, look for hotels or hostels in the Getsemani area, rather than staying in the Old Town area. Although, we stayed in the Old City, and there was a hostel right across the street from our boutique casa.

Do you need a travel guide in Cartagena or a guided tour?

We walked around Cartagena on our own, exploring the area, and taking pictures of the beautiful streets.

You can travel to Cartagena without a guide and be perfectly safe and have a great time. Although a guided walking tour through the walled city or a street art tour in Getsemani might enhance the experience, you do not need to book a guide to go with you everywhere you go. 

One of the best things to do in Cartagena is to simply wander through the picturesque streets.

The city is so colorful and beautiful that it is a great place to let yourself get lost. Better than a Cartagena travel guide, hire a local photographer for a professional photo shoot to cherish your memories in Cartagena forever!

2025-03-12T18:52:23Z