Founded in 1533 as a center of the Spanish empire, Cartagena developed into a sea of colors and a UNESCO World Heritage site within the colonial walled city. City tours–by car, foot, or even horse-drawn cart–take visitors through the cobbled streets and to the famous San Felipe fortress. Focused tours shine light on the multi-cultural worlds of local gastronomy or music, or the life of locally born author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Nearby La Popa hill offers views of the old city, the harbor, and the 17th-century Santa Cruz monastery. Taking a cooking class or visiting a gold museum reveals the city's heritage, a mix of African, European colonizer, and Native American. At night, the streets of the hot and humid city fill with markets, traditional dances, and revelers spilling out of bustling nightclubs. For those who want to escape, a short boat tour brings travelers to Barú and Playa Blanca, where the white beaches and crystalline water are pure Caribbean paradise. A little further and travelers reach the Rosario Islands, a national park featuring one of the most important coral reefs in the country. To the northwest of Cartagena, the renowned El Totumo mud volcano allows locals and travelers to enjoy therapeutic massages and the natural healing properties of mud baths.
There’s no escaping the heat in Cartagena, but a winter visit reduces the chance of rain. Though crowds are guaranteed, December through February is an ideal time for hitting the beach, and winter also coincides with Hay Festival and Storyland. If you can stand the rain, an off-season visit from August through November promises fewer crowds and lower prices.
Cartagena is best known for the colorful colonial architecture of its UNESCO-listed Old Town—top sights include San Felipe de Barajas Castle and Bolivar Square—and its proximity to Rosario Islands and Totumo Mud Volcano. It also boasts vibrant culture and cuisine that combines the best of Latin America and the Caribbean.
...MoreTo fully explore Cartagena’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and venture to the neighboring Caribbean islands, you need a minimum of three to five days. As well as exploring the Walled City, spend a day at the Totumo Mud Volcano and another on the idyllic shores of Playa Blanca and Isla Baru.
...MoreThings to do inside the UNESCO-listed Walled City of Cartagena include admiring the colonial architecture of Las Bovedas, and visiting San Felipe de Barajas Castle and Bolivar Square. Day trips head to Playa Blanca and Baru Island, the African town of San Basilio de Palenque and Totumo Mud Volcano.
...MoreWith one day in Cartagena, you can fully explore the UNESCO-listed Walled City. Admire the bright buildings and bougainvillea-covered balconies of Old Town and Las Bovedas; delve into the colonial history of San Felipe de Barajas Castle and the 17th-century Convento de la Popa; and sample coffee and Caribbean-style street food.
...MoreYes and no. During the day, Cartagena is a safe and welcoming place to explore—exercise the usual caution when it comes to valuables, and your chance of encountering petty crime will be low. After dark, the city can be riskier, so avoid walking alone in dimly-lit areas at night.
...MoreYes. Cartagena should be on your Colombia itinerary. The jewel in the crown of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, the city offers a vibrant mix of colonial architecture and a brightly colored, UNESCO-listed Old Town, plus easy access to natural delights such as Playa Blanca, Isla Baru, Totumo Mud Volcano, and Rosario Archipelago.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 22 |
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Number of Tours | 747 |
Number of Reviews | 12,376 |
Currency | COP |
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