Quick Answer
Cartagena is Colombia's Caribbean walled city, with painted colonial buildings, the largest fortifications in South America, and the Rosario Islands a 45-minute boat ride away. The walled Old Town is a UNESCO site. Hotels start from $80/night. December through April is dry season, May through November is the wet season.
Explore Cartagena in Detail
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Top Tours in Cartagena
Cartagena Walled City and San Felipe Castle Tour
Half-day tour covering the historic Old Town's main plazas, the city walls walk, and the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas fortress with a guide.
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Rosario Islands Day Trip with Lunch
Speedboat to the Rosario Islands archipelago for snorkeling, beach time on a private beach, and a seafood lunch. Pickup from your hotel.
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Volcan del Totumo Mud Bath Half-Day
Coach to the Totumo mud volcano, climb the stairs to the top, and bathe in the warm mineral mud with rinse-off at the lagoon below.
Book This Tour →Top Things to Do in Cartagena
The experiences travelers come back to Cartagena for, year after year.
Itineraries for Cartagena
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Cartagena in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Cartagena for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Cartagena with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Cartagena
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Cartagena at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Cartagena
Best months to visit Cartagena: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Cartagena?
Cartagena is the South American walled city that looks like a postcard and lives up to every Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel set there. The walled colonial old town is the obvious draw, but the beaches, the food scene, and the Caribbean rhythm make it a 5-day destination, not a quick stop.
The walled Old Town (Centro Historico, also called Ciudad Amurallada) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with miles of intact 16th-century walls you can walk on top of. Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de los Coches, and Plaza San Pedro Claver anchor the colonial streets, lined with painted buildings, draped bougainvillea, and balconies that look exactly like the photos. The Cathedral of Cartagena, the Palace of the Inquisition (with original torture instruments), and the Convento San Pedro Claver are essential. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas on the hill above the city is the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas, built to defend against pirates. Getsemani, just outside the walls, was the working-class neighborhood and has become the hipper restaurant district with painted alleys and craft cocktail bars. The Boca Grande peninsula is the Miami Beach of Cartagena: high-rise hotels and condos along a less interesting strip of beach. Bocagrande is fine for sunset cocktails but not where you want to stay or eat. The actual beaches are 45 minutes away. The Rosario Islands archipelago has 30 small islands, perfect for day boat trips with snorkeling, hammock lunches, and beach time. Playa Blanca is the most-photographed beach but very crowded. Tierra Bomba island is calmer. Beyond the city, Volcan del Totumo (a mud volcano you bathe in) is 1.5 hours north. Mompox is a colonial ghost town 6 hours inland for hardcore travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cartagena
How much do hotels in Cartagena cost?
Hostels start at $15/night for private rooms. 3-star hotels run $80-$160. 4-star hotels in the Old Town are $160-$320. Luxury 5-star hotels like Casa San Agustin, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, or Casa Pestagua are $400-$1,200/night.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
December through April is dry season with the best weather (sunny, less humid). January and February are peak. May through November is wet season with afternoon showers but cheaper rates. The city is hot and humid year-round (85-95F).
How many days do I need in Cartagena?
Three days for the city: two for the Old Town and Getsemani, one for Rosario Islands. Five days lets you add a mud volcano trip, more beach time, and a slower pace. Pairs well with a Bogota or Medellin extension.
Is Cartagena safe for tourists?
Cartagena's Old Town and Getsemani are generally safe with standard precautions. Petty theft happens around Plaza de los Coches and on the city walls at night. Avoid Bocagrande's beach at night. Don't accept drinks from strangers. Solo female travel is comfortable in the Old Town.
What area should I stay in?
Inside the walled Old Town for first-timers who want the colonial atmosphere (more expensive but worth it). Getsemani for hipper feel and lower prices, just outside the walls. Bocagrande for high-rise beachfront hotels (less character but more pool). Skip hotels in the Manga neighborhood.
How do I get around Cartagena?
Walking covers the Old Town and Getsemani easily. Taxis are cheap (negotiate before getting in, $3-7 for most trips). Uber works but is technically gray-market and drivers may ask you to sit in front. Skip rental cars in town.
What food should I try in Cartagena?
Arepa de huevo (egg-stuffed corn arepa) from any street stall, ceviche at La Cevicheria (made famous by Bourdain), patacones (twice-fried plantains) with everything, sancocho de pescado (fish stew), and refajo (beer-soda cocktail). Try a coffee tasting at Cafe San Alberto.