Are you considering planning a trip to Cartagena, Colombia? This guide is tailored to provide you with top-notch information, ensuring that your visit to this city is highly fulfilling.
Cartagena is a beautiful Colombian city located in the northwestern part of South America. It is known for its rich history, charming islands, lively culture, and impressive architecture. The city offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences that make it a compelling destination for travelers.
Travel to Cartagena can be done by air, land, or sea.
By air, you can book a flight to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena, with direct flights available from major international airports like Miami, New York and Madrid. If direct flights are not available, connecting flights through cities like Panama City, Bogotá, or Medellín offer more flexibility.
By land, you can travel to Cartagena by bus or car from major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla. If it’s a long drive, purchasing plane tickets in advance may help to save money and time.
By sea, consider taking a cruise ship that includes Cartagena as a port of call, allowing you to explore the city during your trip.
Cartagena, Colombia has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round ranging from 76 to 87 or more, degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 31 or more, degrees Celsius). The city experiences a wet season from May to November, characterized by regular showers and occasional thunderstorms. Despite the rain, the wet season offers a quieter and more affordable time to visit. However, some visitors may prefer the lower temperatures and less crowded attractions during the low season. The dry season, from December to April, boasts clear blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and is an ideal time to enjoy the beach and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Hot and humid climate necessitates staying hydrated and wearing light, breathable clothing for comfort.
The local airport in Cartagena has an authorized cab service. When leaving the pier, approach the window, choose your destination, and ask for the fare.
It is possible to walk around the old city on foot. If it is necessary to go to adjoining neighborhoods or to more distant areas, the hotels generally have cabs that you can trust. Uber is good to use, and recommended private transportation is also suggested. Street cabs do not have a fixed rate for tourists, so it is best to check before using them. The bus system is complicated to use if you are not a local.
Local currency is the Colombian peso. Exchange rate for travelers going to Cartagena, Colombia is approximately $1.00 USD to $3.800 Colombian Pesos (COP). The exchange rate fluctuates often.
Colombian bills come in denominations of $1.000, $2.000, $5.000, $10.000, $20.000, $50.000, and $100.000 Pesos.
Colombian coins are available in denominations of $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1,000 Pesos.
Exchange currency at official exchange offices. Avoid exchanging money on the street or with unauthorized vendors. Official exchange offices give you less than official rate for cash. Airport exchanging gives you the less, so exchange a few there and exchange the rest later.
Always carry some cash with you, as not all places accept credit cards. ATMs are widely available in Cartagena, but be cautious of ATM skimming scams.
Bargain when shopping at local stores/shops. It is common practice in Colombia to negotiate prices. Not always possible.
Always check for extra fees or additional charges.
Don’t buy at the first place you find, sometimes it is cheaper not so far away.
Tipping is customary in Colombia for tour guides, drivers, hotels personnel or someone else if you really liked their services.
Restaurants include a tip on the bill (10%), possible to reject if you didn’t like the service.
Cartagena is considered the safest location in Colombia for visitors, especially in tourist-centric areas like the Walled City and its surroundings. However, there are potential risks in venturing into poorer neighborhoods due to high levels of criminal activity outside the tourist areas. The local administration is actively working to maintain safety in tourist areas through continuous patrols and a strong police presence. It’s important to maintain basic security measures, such as avoiding showing large sums of money in public and displaying expensive jewelry, as in any destination.
• Sometimes robberies occur in the early morning hours and the victims are generally people walking alone and drunk with cell phones in sight.
• it’s best to avoid contacting strangers for dating through dating apps.
• It’s not necessary to carry all the cash, passport, or all the cards when going out to the street. It is advisable to leave them in a safe place at the place of stay.
• Buying a SIM card is a great idea to stay connected. It is possible to pay for 30-day packages that include data, minutes, text messages, and sometimes unlimited access to WhatsApp and Facebook.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Cartagena, as well as in large and medium-sized cities in Colombia.
• As a tropical port and a popular tourist destination, the flu is a common occurrence in Cartagena. Frequent handwashing is a good hygienic practice.
• It’s impolite to slam car doors (Uber, cars, and cabs).
• Choose reputable tour operators to avoid overpriced or underwhelming experiences.
• Avoid giving money to children on the streets because, often, the kids are being exploited by an adult—not necessarily their parent—who keeps the money, and they don’t go to school as they should.
• In Cartagena and across Colombia, you’ll find power outlets similar to those in the United States. If you’re traveling from Europe, remember to bring a converter with you to ensure your devices function properly.
• Cartagena, Colombia zip code: 130001
• Cartagena, Colombia time zone: UTC -5. Colombia Time (COT).
We hope this guide may be useful if you come to Cartagena, an amazing city full of warm and friendly people.
