Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. For more information,see this link for visa requirements to enter Colombia. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Additionally, from Cartagena airport, you can take a flight for just over an hour to the dreamy Colombian island of San Andres - which is located slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean and actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. Its dirty picture trash and cigarette butts and the last thing youll want to do is putting your feet in the sand; crowded; and there are so many vendors that instead of relaxing in the sun, youll spend your time thanking them and saying you really dont want to buy ceviche, or drugs, or whatever. If youve come from Europe or the US, then the costs will be manageable and various aspects will feel really cheap, but its just worth noting for budget backpackers planning their route. 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. Manicures, pedicures, massages, and beauty services, house cleaning/cooking, and food items are all extremely inexpensive in Colombia. Finally, some suggest that it is possible to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena. 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. 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. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. To get started with Gabo, read 100 Years of Solitude. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. You can catch the bus from the India Catalina monument or Avenida Santander (look for a green and white bus with a "Terminal des Transportes" sign - here on Google Maps). Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). With tourism becoming an important source of revenue in Cartagena, the price of services to tourists have been increasing, and even just looking around for a place to stay in town you will quickly realize that its not nearly as cheap as youd have hoped. Top Tip // Unsurprisingly given the large number of of tourists now visiting the city, there are a lot of street vendors in Cartagena and on its beaches. If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. When traveling to a different country it is good to know if the destination has any visa requirements (like India) or passport validity rules. You can get a SIM card at one of the kiosks at the airport or in town. . Always keep your eyes open and your valuables safe, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming a target. 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. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. 3. You do not need to rent a car or even book a cab to get anywhere within Cartagenas Old City or to get to Getsemani for that matter. Taxi Rates in Cartagena ( valid through December 2016), There is also UBER, InDriver and Esay Taxi apps available in Cartagena, Un vdeo publicado por Uber (@uber) el 2 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 11:41 PST. Don't go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets. Held 22 -27 March 2023, find further details here. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. are actually quite expensive. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. 14. 2. Should you go? The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink 12. The bus station is the place place to head for the majority of onward transport connections to the rest of Colombia, but for those travelling to Santa Marta you may instead choose to take the quicker Berlinas shuttle from their station in the Marbella neighbourhood. Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia - Travel Tips & Local Customs. However, as tourism to the city skyrocketed, the unofficial demarcation between the two neighbourhoods has blurred and we were surprised at how many new hotels and businesses (and further redevelopment) had set up in Getseman. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! Easily one of the prettiest cities in South America, it is the kind of place where you will be glad to spend your time roaming around without looking for anything in particular, but just to uncover its prettiest corners you will have an abundance of those. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. However, that is not the case today. What Things Cost in Morocco | Is It Expensive? Dont despair! Across 15 days spent in Cartagena over the last few years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern. For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! The best provider in the country is by far Claro, and you can opt for the basic Prepago fcil plan. 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. Just make sure to double check how much you are meant to pay before hopping on. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia Keep Reading // For more advice, read how to manage your travel money better. 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. 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. As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. The Old City of Cartagena (Centro) is small, so its streets are inevitably crowded with tourists and locals. 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. 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. This is your best chance to catch the city while its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat! We repeat - you have to go via the city of Santa Marta! Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Lets go exploring! Walking around Getseman after darkness falls, you will be offered drugs. Although the Islands belong to the National park of Rosario and the San Bernardo, most of them are inhabited by private properties that pay significant taxation to government to be there; Therefore visiting them all is not really an option. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know before traveling to Cartagena. The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink, 13. If you're on a tight budget, then a visit to the Gold Museum of Cartagena, in the old town, is a great way to kill some time and save some money because it's completely free to enter. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. After 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. If you are unsure if you have the right outlet adapter, you can check out this adapter pack for your trip to Colombia and future travels. One great place to sample them is small, adorable La Palettera, home of popsicles. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 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. Shop; Pruducts. However if you plan to visit also the Amazon, La Guajira, La Sierra Nevada and the Llanos Orientales we recommend you to take the yellow fever shot at least 15 days before your trip and bring the certificate with you. You can book your private transfer here. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A taxi may come in handy occasionally. 16. However, if you are coming from the States or Europe, Cartagena may be right in line or even cheaper than what you were anticipating. A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. Walk. 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 . Absolutely not. Here are some things to remember, particularly if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time: Do not drink the tap water; do not leave your luggage unattended in tourist areas, and do not flash your valuables while walking the streets. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Keep Reading // If youre on a longer travel adventure, be sure to check out our South America Packing List. Dont believe them! I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! Cartagenas bus terminal is however a 45-minute ride from the old town, here on Google Maps. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. Everything is walkable! springfield business journal book of lists. With narrow, cobbled alleys, breezy squares, colorful buildings and fruit carts, souvenir stands and lots and lots of street life, your photographers eyes will be popping out when visiting Cartagena! Best Things to Do in Cartagena #1 Old City Walls #2 San Felipe de Barajas Castle #3 Plaza Santo Domingo See Full Ranking List Protect Your Trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel. r/travel 8 hr. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. Have no worries because there is no tourist visa required for US citizens traveling to Cartagena under 90 days. Respect it. Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. A mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. Yes Cartagena is right by the Caribbean sea, and yes there are various city beaches, but they are not really going to be what youre looking for. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Readers who have recently visited have let us know that although slow to begin with, the city is in a process of recovery, with visitor numbers improving rapidly (although they still remain relatively low as compared with early 2020). In our 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena post, we shared our favourite experiences and places to visit in the city. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. 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. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. Hostel prices - Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. 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. Don't walk around alone at night. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Lets get to it! Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. Now I'm scared. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. The good news about safety in Colombia. Cartagena International Music Festival. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. We ended up spending far too long (at least three hours) going through all the options online to find a fairly priced double room in a hostel with a kitchen that wasnt crap. April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. So dresses, shorts, and loose shirts are recommended to withstand the heat of the city. That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. Keep Reading // 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. Posted by Riemann_9471. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Outlets 13. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! Regardless of what there is to do in Cartagena, understanding a few tips for visiting Cartagena ahead of your arrival will definitely come in handy. Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! A rather common tour offered by tourism agencies is the Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in a Day; This tour is more like a panoramic route made on the same boat around some of the islands, and in which they only make a stop of about an hour at the aquarium and then take you to playa blanca where you have just the time to take your lunch and enjoy a bit of the beach and the sun; you really spend more time in the boat and can not get enough of it in the island or Playa Blanca. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. 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. Carnival of Barranquilla. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. Cartagena is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the entire country. However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. In late January and early February each year, one of the most important literary and cultural festivals in the country takes place in Cartagena: Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias takes place. Since my last post, I have done a lot of research and have managed to scare me considerably. They will encourage you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group. The good news is that it is really close to the city, and you can easily get there by taxi (they have fixed prices based on where you are going), colectivo (shared shuttle) or private transfer. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. However, we know that many travellers can be a little paranoid about drinking tap water anywhere or dont want a short holiday to be ruined by getting the shits or tummy upsets. It does not store any personal data. It's a very pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round. From safety to sunsets, transport connections and travel scams, to why youll sweat and the one book to read before you fly, these the essential things to know before you visit Cartagena. 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. Whether you want to spend a vacation sunbathing by the beach or plan an itinerary jam-packed with activities, here are the things to know before visiting the Jewel of the Indies. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. - From Airport to Bocagrande, Laguito and Castillogrande: 18.000 COP (US$6 approx), - From Airport to Historic downtown 10.000 COP (US$4 approx), - From Historic downtown to Bocagrande or Laguito: 7.000 (US$3 approx). Find out more here. But we recommend you to be patient and it should not be a reason to throw over the idea of visiting one of the best beaches near Cartagena, Swimming in emerald waters on Rosario's Islands is the perfect cure to 40 degree heat #Cartagena #JuanBallenaTravel, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 16 de May de 2016 a la(s) 7:15 PDT. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. You will have the place to yourself which is perfect for any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas Old City. Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. The other part of town you should not miss is Getsemani, once riddled by petty crime, drug dealing and prostitution, then a backpacker hub and now one of the most up and coming areas of Cartagena, with lots of interesting street art, gorgeous narrow alleys and beautiful squares. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Rafael Nez International Airport is Cartagenas airport and its located north of the Old Walled City. 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. Cartagena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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). Well, you wouldnt be the first! You will also have to stretch your budget to get a room with air conditioning so that you can rest decently at night. Colombia is also home to a wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the country. The best taxi app in Colombia is EasyTaxi, so use that instead of Uber. Street Art in Cartagena Colombia by Jorge Gardner via Unsplash Hopping from one city to another is a great way to get to know Colombia. THIS IS SO KEY! El Laguito is only a bit better. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. 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. Pin this travel guide & save it for later. Obviously, there will be quite a few travel styles and travel budgets spread across those diverse groups, but Cartagena is slowly evolving to try and cater to them all. First, having year round beach weather is pretty hard to beat. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Your best option to get from the bus station to the historic center is a taxi again, prices are fixed. 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 . Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. If Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. So sleep easy knowing you can brush your teeth, have ice in your cocktails, and drink the water without encountering tummy troubles. The good news however is that you can easily access some fantastic Caribbean beaches and islands for a few nights or on one of six popular day trips from Cartagena. Yes, you read that right. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Obviously not held in Cartagena, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when its on. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Exploring Colombia: A Guide for US Citizens. Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. Cartagenas fruit ladies or also known as The Palenqueras, are colorfully dressed women who effortlessly balance a bouquet of fruit atop their heads as they wander the streets of Cartagena. Usually polite and usually just trying to make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking. Travel Tip // If despite your best efforts youre just not a morning person, the end of the day is also a beautiful time to appreciate Cartagena. It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. Once you land, rest assured that Cartagenas Old City is only a short taxi or Uber ride away (15 minutes or so). Colombia holds one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. If you are looking for fine, white sand and clear turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling, you can still find some just a bit out of the city. And, inform them that you will be traveling to Colombia, so they don't put a security hold on your card. 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. The most crowded beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande and Laguito, thats why you will see lots of vendors harassing you. While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters. The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la(s) 9:38 PDT. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. 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 foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 7 de May de 2016 a la(s) 1:10 PDT, Older Post We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Add to this that Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, and you get the idea: dont expect to have the city to yourself, or you will be truly disappointed. Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. Dance on! in arranging the best experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia. Boy were they right! Beyond these two districts, Cartagena sprawls out much further than any visitor imagines and becomes much like other Colombian cities; it does have quite vivid splashes of modernity with its clusters of white apartment towers next to the sea at Bocagrande, but most of us will have little reason to venture beyond the two neighbourhoods mentioned above. When we needed to work in Cartagena, this is where we went. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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.
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