Welcome to Cartagena de Indias, a city that enchants with its breathtaking beauty, rich history and vibrant culture. Located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena is a true gem that captivates every visitor. In this blog article, you will learn all about the city’s highlights, helpful tips and recommendations. Immerse yourself and be enchanted by the beauty of this city!
Highlights in Cartagena
Due to its colonial history, Cartagena has many historical sights to offer and a great old town that is worth seeing. Here are the most important highlights:
The Centro Historico — the old town
The old town of Cartagena is a real gem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colorful colonial houses, narrow streets, balconies adorned with flowers, picturesque squares and the historic buildings enchanted me from the very first moment. The fortress, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, which once protected the city from pirate attacks, and the impressive Catedral de Santa Catalina are also worth a visit. The best thing to do is to drift through the alleyways without a plan, watch the street vendors and simply let yourself be carried away by the great vibe of the city.
If you want to find out more about the history of the city, you should take a free walking tour* should not be missed. I did this at the beginning of my stay in Cartagena and was absolutely thrilled. It not only gives you a first overview of the city, but also an insight into the local conditions and learns a lot about the city’s eventful history.
The hip Getsemaní district
Getsemaní is the upcoming and hip district of Cartagena and a place full of life and culture. The district is characterized by colourful street art, hip cafés and trendy bars and restaurants. The district really comes to life in the evening. Arepas are sold on the streets, music is played, cocktails are served and the small streets are full of locals and tourists. The Plaza de la Trinidad, in particular, is a popular meeting place for locals and travelers.
Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad
Plaza Trinidad is another charming square in Getsemaní and a center of social life. Here you can mingle with the locals, listen to street performers and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Sit down in one of the cafés or restaurants around the square and watch the hustle and bustle. This lively place is the perfect place to experience the Caribbean vibe.
Parque Del Centenario
The Parque del Centenario is a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in a green oasis. This beautiful park offers relaxation and tranquillity. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the sloths that live in the park. From a park bench, you can watch the colorful hustle and bustle of the locals, unwind and recharge your batteries.
Sunset on the city wall
You can watch the sunset in Cartagena from the city wall and the location is popular with locals and tourists alike. There is a bar on the city wall, or you can simply bring your own drink and find a free spot.
Excursions around Cartagena
- Islas del Rosario: Just a short boat ride from Cartagena are the Islas del Rosario, a group of idyllic islands in the clear Caribbean Sea. Enjoy a day on the white sandy beach, snorkel in the colorful coral reefs or explore the breathtaking underwater world on a dive. These islands are a paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
- Totumo Volcano: Venture inside the Totumo Volcano, a unique natural formation filled with warm mud. Here you have the opportunity to bathe in the mineral-rich mud, which is said to have healing properties for your skin. Immerse yourself and enjoy this unique spa experience while feeling weightless in the mud.
- La Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City): If you’re looking for an adventurous trekking experience, then the Ciudad Perdida is an absolute highlight. This ancient ruined city, which is older than Machu Picchu, is hidden in the heart of the Colombian jungle. Climb steep paths, cross rivers and experience the fascinating culture of the indigenous Tayrona people. It’s a challenge, but the breathtaking views and historical heritage make it more than worthwhile.
- Playa Blanca : Just a short boat ride from Cartagena, you will find the enchanting Playa Blanca beach on the Baru peninsula. The fine white sandy beach and turquoise waters are the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. Rent a hammock, try some fresh fish or go swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters.
The best restaurants & cafés in Cartagena
There is a huge selection of culinary delights in Cartagena. In addition to countless restaurants and cafés, a lot of street food such as arepas, empanadas or meat skewers straight from the grill are sold on the streets in the evening. Here is a brief overview:
Streetfood
In the evening, many streets and alleyways are closed and plastic chairs are put out and street food is sold. Be sure to try the arepas or meat skewers on offer here. If you’re craving something sweet, head to the Plaza de las Coches in the old town. Here, rows and rows of local sweets are sold on the street.
Beiyu Café
If you’re looking for a hip breakfast restaurant, Beiyu Café in the Getsemani district is the place to go. Especially if you like breakfast bowls.
Restaurante Coroncoro
Also in the Getsemaní district is the Coroncoro restaurant, which is known for its excellent Colombian cuisine. Locals and tourists alike mingle here to enjoy the authentic food. The dishes are rich and flavorful, from traditional seafood dishes to delicious meat dishes.
Gran Inca Cartagena
The Gran Inka Cartagena is a charming restaurant in the old town. With a combination of Peruvian and international cuisine, the restaurant offers a wide selection of different dishes that are not only attractively served but also delicious.
Accommodation in Cartagena
There are countless accommodation options in Cartagena, from cheap backpacker hostels to large luxury hotel chains. The city therefore offers something for every budget and every requirement. If you are only in Cartagena for a few days and want to take in and see as much of the old town as possible, I recommend booking accommodation in the old town or in the hip Getsemani.
Santuario Getsemaní Hostel
The Santuario Getsemaní Hostel is located, as the name suggests, in the Getsemaní district. The hostel offers a wide variety of dorms for men, women or mixed. The beds are all “capsule” style, so there is plenty of privacy thanks to the curtains. The hostel also has a great inner courtyard for relaxing, having a drink or working.
Book your accommodation here: Santuario Getsemani Hostel*
Casa Ebano 967
The accommodation is also located in the Getsemaní district and offers reasonably priced double and single rooms. Once you leave the hotel, you are right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the alleyways, with countless restaurants and cafés. The highlight of the accommodation is certainly the small but lovely rooftop pool, which is a wonderful place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing.
Book your accommodation here: Casa Ebano 967*
Further accommodation
Nothing there, not available or too expensive? Then simply look directly for suitable accommodation on Providencia at booking.com*.
Getting around in Cartagena
Arrival by plane
The easiest and most comfortable way to travel to Cartagena is by plane. There are direct flights to Cartagena from Europe, for example from Amsterdam or Madrid.
Within Colombia, Cartagena can be reached from almost any airport, for example with Avianca or LATAM. The prices for domestic flights are very reasonable and are usually between €40 and €80. It is also a quick and comfortable alternative to the buses in the country.
Arrival by bus
The bus network in Colombia is very well developed and Cartagena can also be reached by bus from many other cities. There are even bus connections from more distant cities such as Medellín.
For shorter distances, there are shuttle buses between the cities, for example between Cartagena and Santa Marta or Baranquilla. The buses run several times a day. I took Berlina’s bus to Santa Marta.
Get around in Cartagena
Cartagena airport is about 20 minutes outside the city, so it makes sense to take a cab into the city. In fact, it is also a much better option than Uber. At the airport, you can ask for the price of the cab from a machine, print it out and then take the next cab, which guarantees you a guaranteed price.
The price for an Uber at the airport was significantly higher and the Uber driver would probably not have driven directly to the arrivals area of the airport.
In the city itself, however, Uber is a good alternative for getting to the bus terminal, for example.
Costs of Traveling in Cartagena
Prices in Cartagena are somewhat higher than in many other Colombian cities, especially in the old town and the directly adjacent tourist districts. All in all, however, in my opinion they are around the Colombian average.
- Hostel: 20 € / night
- Cocktail: 4 €
- Streetfood: 3–5 €/ person
- Hotel: 40 — 60 €/ day
- Cab ride: approx. 3€
Best time to visit Cartagena
Cartagena is a year-round destination and temperatures are relatively high throughout the year, ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit Cartagena is from December to April. However, I would not recommend visiting in the first few weeks of the year after New Year, as most Colombians are on vacation during this period and the city and beaches are very crowded and prices are higher than usual.
In principle, Cartagena can also be visited during the rest of the year without any problems, but you should expect a few showers.
My conclusion about Cartagena:
I really, really liked Cartagena. The old town has an incredible amount of charm, is clearly laid out, so you can easily explore everything on foot and the location right by the sea makes the city a wonderful destination. In the evening, the streets are buzzing with life and you can immerse yourself in the city’s culture and mingle with the locals.
