Cartagena, Colombia is all of the things I love in a destination: a place that offers good food with equally good vibes, has historic and picturesque architecture, makes walking as the primary means of transportation totally normal, and feels the sun shining more days than not. I also love an opportunity to practice speaking Spanish, and there is no shortage of that in Cartagena. In fact, this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. The people make this place! They are as vibrant as the city itself and are incredibly kind. I was so grateful to have the opportunity to speak Spanish with many of them. If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t worry, just keep scrolling – there is so much more to this gem of a city that you can learn about in this Cartagena travel guide!
In this travel guide, I will share my tips on where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in this colorful coastal city. ¡Vámonos (Spanish for “let’s go!”)!
BONUS: Don’t miss my guide to the best photo spots in Cartagena HERE!
Tip: Cartagena is pronounced like this: kar-tuh-HEH-nuh.
Table of Contents
STAY
Regarding the neighborhoods, I definitely recommend that you stay in the Walled City or Getsemaní during your trip. This is where the colorful buildings and historic plazas are located, as well as many of the top restaurants – you will inevitably end up in this area! The accommodation options in these neighborhoods are primarily boutique hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs. Alternatively, the neighborhood of Bocagrande is a bit like Miami Beach with modern high-rise hotels along the shoreline. The benefit of this neighborhood is really the hotel selection rather than location. Depending on the length of your trip, you could spend a few nights in the Walled City (or Getsemaní) and a few nights in Bocagrande to experience both areas. Nonetheless, these neighborhoods are very safe, but, as always, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings late at night.
SANTA CATALINA HOTEL
The Santa Catalina Hotel is in the Walled City on a charming street (see Calle del Candilejo in this guide) near Torre del Reloj. I’m not sure what I loved the most – the rooftop pool with a view, the quintessential balcony in the room, or the included daily breakfast at the on-site restaurant, Gran Inka. The location was perfectly central, and the staff was so welcoming. Because there are not a lot of reviews about this hotel online, I was not sure what to expect, but I can confidently say that the Santa Catalina Hotel should be on your radar when selecting a hotel in Cartagena!
Book HERE!
HYATT REGENCY CARTAGENA
The Hyatt Regency Cartagena is in Bocagrande. As Hyatt Globalists, we were upgraded to an immaculate suite with views of the Caribbean and had access to a members-only lounge with daily breakfast and happy hour. The most memorable part of this hotel had to be the sunset watched from the rooftop pool – breathtaking! Staying at the Hyatt Regency was luxurious and provided a perfect place to relax after several long days of exploring the Walled City by foot. It was super easy to find a taxi at the hotel entrance, so we were able to return to the Walled City for dinners seamlessly.
Book HERE!
MORE OPTIONS
I traveled with my mom and sister-in-law so it was a little tricky to find a hotel room that comfortably accommodated three people. The Walled City’s charming boutique hotels tend to be on the smaller side. If you are a group of two, then you may be interested in some of these hotels that I saved during my research:
Movich Hotel, Hotel San Agustín, Casa La Factoria, Casa Claver, Hotel Capellán, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Anandá Hotel, Amarla Boutique Hotel
EAT AND DRINK
COFFEE
Colombia is famous for growing some of the best coffee beans in the world due to its perfect climate, so drink up!
Ábaco Libros y Café
Época Espresso Bar & Coffee Roasters
Érase Un Café
Café San Alberto
Café La Manchuria
Tip: Order anything iced and it will probably come in a wine glass AND help you cool off from the heat.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Cartagena has several award-winning and critically acclaimed restaurants and bars to add to your itinerary. Not only is the food (especially the seafood) delicious, but the vibes at every spot are a combination of classy and cool! Sharing my favorites below + a few that are still on my list for next time.
Carmen | If you can only pick one restaurant to visit in Cartagena, this is the one! Trust me.
Buena Vida Marisquería | This is a multi-level restaurant with a rooftop bar and upbeat vibe. Order a mojito and one of their Caribbean seafood bowls.
Maria Bonita Taqueria | A solid spot for casual tacos in a colorful garden in Getsemaní. I have not stopped dreaming about the limonada de coco that I ordered here.
Demente | Another casual spot in Getsemaní with a backyard, tapas, pizza, and cocktails. There is something for everyone here.
El Barón | This is an amazing pre-dinner cocktails and people watching spot in San Pedro Claver Plaza.
Alquímico | A multi-level bar that is considered one of the top 50 bars in the world! You must go!
La Mulata | We came here on a mission to get another limonada de coco, but I need to come back for a super authentic Colombian meal.
Quero Arepa | This place has a variety of made-to-order arepas, including many vegetarian options.
Next time: La Cevichería, Alma, Celele, La Vitrola, Caffé Lunático, Candé
Tip for vegetarians: My mom, who I was traveling with, is a vegetarian, so I was very mindful of picking restaurants that had options for her – most places had at least one dish! She ate a lot of lentils and rice. If you like mushrooms, then there are more options.
STREET FOOD
The street food in the Walled City and Getsemaní is so good and fresh! The options range from fried savory foods like arepas, patacones, and empanadas to fresh ceviche, fruits, and juices. My personal favorite, coco frio, is a freshly cracked open coconut filled with refreshing coconut water.
SEE AND DO
EXPLORE THE STREETS
The vibrant colors and decorations throughout the Walled City and Getsemaní are iconic to Cartagena. Equally, if not more, iconic to Cartagena are Las Palenqueras – the women dressed in colorful dresses and carrying fruit baskets. You can find them around the Walled City and can take a photo with them, but don’t forget to tip!
Read my guide to the best photo spots in Cartagena HERE!
WATCH THE SUNSET
Watching the sunset over the Caribbean Sea and historic cathedrals is a must! The daytime views are also stunning if you can stand the heat or hop in a pool.
Café del Mar
Movich Hotel
Terraza Municipal
Hyatt Regency
TAKE A WALKING TOUR
A walking tour is a great way to hear about the history, architecture, and traditions from a local point-of-view. Sign up for one at the beginning of your trip, so that you can appreciate your surroundings even more for the remainder of your stay. I highly recommend THIS ONE, which is actually free, but don’t forget to tip!
SHOP LOCAL
Look for handmade items like hats, purses, and mochila bags. Bring home some of the local coffee beans and sweets like cocada – a coveted coconut treat. For a luxurious purchase, treat yourself to an emerald – Colombia is the world’s top supplier of this precious gem!
St. Dom (luxury fashion)
Casa Chiqui (decor + accessories)
La Serrezuela (mall in an old bullring)
Las Bóvedas (traditional souvenirs)
Caribe Jewelry (emeralds)
Torre del Reloj (inside – best hats!)
Portal de los Dulces (sweets)
Tip: Colombian Pesos are the local currency. “Mil” means “thousand” NOT “million” and the conversion rate is more or less $1 USD = $4000 COP.
EXPLORE GETSEMANÍ
Getsemaní is a lively place both day and night. Go during the day to adore the decorative streets and mural walls, then stop by Parque Centenario to find the three sloths that live there – so cute! Then return to Getsemaní at night for dancing and entertainment in Plaza Trinidad.
TAKE A BEACH DAY TRIP
If you want to see gorgeous blue waters and white sand, you will want to take a day trip to one of the nearby islands. The most popular ones are the Rosario Islands, Isla Barú, and Tierra Bomba.
I did a TON of research on which beach day trip to book, and THIS ONE is by far the most highly reviewed.
We had originally planned to do this one, but there was rain in the forecast, so we played it safe with a day trip to a beach club at Isla Barú instead. While Isla Barú is gorgeous, the crowds and vendors at Playa Blanca are a bit of a turn-off. I would not necessarily recommend what we did, but it was still amazing to swim in the Caribbean, drink piña coladas, and get a tan.
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Cartagena has a tropical climate which means that it is hot and humid most of the year. December to April are the least humid, though, so I recommend that time frame. I traveled there in March and experienced sunshine every day even though the forecast showed rain.
GETTING AROUND
To/From CTG Airport: From the airport, there is a fixed rate ticket machine inside the arrivals terminal to set up a taxi ride. To the airport, you can simply find any available taxi on the street. The drive between the airport and the Walled City will take about 15 minutes and cost approximately $15,000 COP ($4 USD).
Tip: Download Google Maps and save map pins before you leave. Save an offline map in the app – inclusive of the Walled City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, the airport, and the Rosario Islands. This makes it so much easier to navigate without needing wifi.
PACKING
I recommend packing enough separate outfits for day and night considering the hot and humid weather. Wear light and comfortable clothing during the day and feel free to dress up a little for the evening. I mostly packed dresses and wore them with sneakers or sandals. Don’t forget sunscreen, a swimsuit, and your passport!
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
LANGUAGE
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the locals speak Spanish. You do not need to speak Spanish, but it does help a lot. Not everyone that you encounter will be able to speak English – be patient. I always encourage people to attempt to learn a few key words, though!
| English | Spanish |
| Hello | Hola |
| Good morning/day | Buenos días |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| I’m good! | Estoy bien |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas inglés? |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You’re welcome | De nada |
| Bye | Adios |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
COVID-19
With the spread of COVID-19, all travelers should prioritize their health and safety. Rules and restrictions are constantly changing, so stay updated HERE for related rules and restrictions in Colombia.
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