However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. The most crowded beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande and Laguito, thats why you will see lots of vendors harassing you. Find out more here. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. With the city being so crowded and so hot (more about that in a bit), having a good room where you can rest is essential for a good trip. (artculo 17 ley 679 de 2001). Meh, no. However we recommend you to book it if youre only staying for a short time in Cartagena and need to take the most out of your trip. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Well, you wouldnt be the first! There are so many positive aspects to Colombia. Remember that millions of people visit Cartagena yearly so if you are looking for a certain type of accommodation, youll want to be sure to book as far in advance as you can. Pin this travel guide & save it for later. VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION If you're traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . Civil unrest in Colombia. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Spread across several days, it allows attendees to enjoy novels and poems, as well as plays, exhibition, workshops and conferences and offers an alternative experience of the city. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour. Its still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists . The Life Straw will help purify your water further if you are wanting to give tap water a try and avoid single-use plastic water bottles. Respect it. Most businesses now accept card payments, and in case you need cash you will find several ATMs in the old city where you can withdraw but keep in mind that most will charge a fee any time you withdraw, to which you will have to add your bank withdrawal fee (I use N26 and they dont charge!) Cartagenas Old City (Centro) is where tourists flock to stay, and for good reason. Although in theory you can go year round, depending on when you go you may encounter larger crowds of tourists, get quite a bit of rain (though since it is in the Caribbean, it can rain year round) and find the city to be unbearably hot and humid we are speaking 80% and even 90% humidity. The logistics of moving around Colombia can be messy. To avoid any surprise, make sure you agree on a final price before hopping on and try to carry small bills to pay at the end of your ride. Here are 10 things that first-time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips For First Time . Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. If you want to take a photo of the Palenqueras (the colorful ladies selling fruit, as pictured above), you will either have to pay for the photo, or buy some fruit or a drink from them. By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. It does not store any personal data. And we promise, if you think something is too far and opt to get a taxi or Uber, itll take you longer to get to vs if you just walked. - 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). There are amazing things to see and do out here. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". 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. Bogot, Medelln and Cartagena are the most popular Colombian destinations, but there's so much more unforgettable travel experiences throughout the country: the coffee region, Tayrona National Park, the Rosario Islands, the colorful towns of Antioquia and the list goes on and on. For those travelling by themselves, or still a little nervous about the country, this means that you can travel safely and confidently to a number of top destinations without fear or a great deal of Spanish. Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! Landed in Cartagena and prepared to discover? Oh, and definitely make a pitstop at La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. The best provider in the country is by far Claro, and you can opt for the basic Prepago fcil plan. Slow travel is a big part of our travel philosophy, and we try to spend a little bit longer in places so that we can go deeper, feel a little more connected to it, and also not have to rush around. Keep Reading // 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America. Many people, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is not safe. 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. 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 few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Bar or Islas del Rosario. 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. Whether you are visiting Colombia for a short trip or a few months, you need to know about Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. 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. The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink 12. 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 . You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. But again if you don't know the city we recommend passing the bus to avoid shady parts of the city; Things to know before you go. Lets get to it! The only problem now is that many many more people know about it; this was the biggest surprise to us on our second visit in 2019. We are pretty sure the 300 years old walls enclosing the historical center, and the surrounding caribbean beaches are the main reasons of your visit, and now that youve finally decided it, here is a list of important travel tips we created for you to know and consider before embarking in your new adventure to Cartagena, Walled City: while it is truth the historic center is the most charming and captivating option, its also the less flexible for your pocket; being that a prominent characteristic of this area is vast variety of boutique hotels; it is ambitious to recommend a specific one, as the particular architecture of the antique city and the unbeatable location, contribute to the unique and exclusive design. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. It promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer. Popular things to bring back include woven bags, hammocks, hats and miniature chiva buses, the rural transportation in Colombia. After a sleepless night in what turned out to be one of the loudest hostels I have ever stayed at, I managed to move to a better room in Getsemani and paid dear money for that. Renting a motorcycle is another great way to travel around the country. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. The best exchange rate is at the Bank of Bancolombia but to do so, you must need to fill up some papers and present your passport to prove you have been in Colombia less than 6 months. You will have the place to yourself which is perfect for any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas Old City. Make sure to read my posts about other Colombia destinations: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1e2a88525395fb846803998dbad156b" );document.getElementById("bf5f1d039c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. Direct flights to Cartagena. Keep Reading | The Best Day Trips from Cartagena, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena and Our Guide to San Andres. Dance on! Yes, all of South America, as in the entire continent. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. A Short Guide to Visiting Bethany Beyond the Jordan | Where Jesus Was Baptised, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena, this popular two hour graffiti walking tour, best airbnbs in Cartagena for every budget, The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip, 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America, Our Favourite Things to Do in Salento | Colombia's Colourful Coffee Town, Valle de Cocora | An Updated Hiking Guide, A Definitive Guide to Providencia | The Colombian Island Paradise, The Best Things To Do in San Andres | Colombia's Caribbean Getaway, San Andres Island | 13 Things To Know Before You Visit, A Guide to Palomino | Colombia's Backpacker Beach Town, things to know before you visit cartagena. Obviously not held in Cartagena, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when its on. You can get yourshere. Learn more about me here, My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. Absolutely not. To get started with Gabo, read 100 Years of Solitude. (Be aware that this coffee shop only opens at 3pm). Don't stroll round alone at night time. The national language of Colombia is Spanish and it should be known that English really isnt widely spoken. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. For curious travellers and long-term backpackers, we think four nights in Cartagena is a good amount of time - although this may extend if you take various day trips to the islands. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). 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. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. 3. Independence Festival. Boy were they right! 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. We used this app big time during our travel throughout Colombia! Carnival of Barranquilla. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. Walk. We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. . Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. | Claudia Tavani P. Iva 03780660928. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Fair or not, Colombia earned bad reputation for safety and crime. There are no seasons in Colombia. Should you go? BY BUS Its interesting to note that while the airport is really close to the city, the main bus terminal is at 45 minutes drive from the historic center. 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. March 2020 at 17:21. For more day trips from Cartagena, read this post. BY PLANE The airport in Cartagena is called Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) and serves both domestic and international flights. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. 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. View and download my media kithere (updated July 2019). Bocagrande and El Laguito: These are the modern touristic areas of Cartagena; both neighborhoods offer well established hotel chains as Hilton, Dann and Holiday Inn, as well as apartment rentals -which is often the first option for Colombian tourists when traveling with family or a group of friends. Cartagena is a safe enough city, but remember that where there are large tourist crowds there will be touts, scams and pickpockets. Use a money belt to keep your valuables safe. I hope you found this list of things to know about Colombia useful. Cartagena is the city with most touristic traffic -both local and outlanders in Colombia. You can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of the Colombian Caribbean coast . I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Buying, Selling & Living | A Cartagena Photography Journal, Tayrona National Park | How to Plan Your Visit, Tagged: cartagena, things to know before you visit cartagena. Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. 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. 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. Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. When we needed to work in Cartagena, this is where we went. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. 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). A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. 0 advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce to society 0 salernitana game result 0. Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Home to beautiful street murals, umbrella-covered streets, and Salsa bars, Getsemani is a perfect break from what can be the chaos of Cartagena. Fruit Lady Photos Are Not Free 8. Cartagena is a great place to explore, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombia, yet many things about it may leave you puzzled and chances are you wish youd knew about them before going that was certainly the case for me! 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). However, that is not the case today. Held 22 -27 March 2023, find further details here. Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you cant get a reservation in Cartagenas Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. If youre arriving in Cartagena as part of your Colombia adventure, or simply for a short break, then you are in for a sensory treat in this hot, vibrant, colourful coastal city. Read Next // The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. 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 . Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. 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. 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. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. Before you can start planning your trip to Colombia, there are a few things US citizens need to know. Mall Plaza El Castilloe - find it here. Most places that will be of interest are concentrated in the Walled City. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. 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. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Especially if you plan to fly. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". The Old City of Cartagena (Centro) is small, so its streets are inevitably crowded with tourists and locals. Reservations are encouraged where you can make them! At one time, 70+ years ago we are told, the coast along Cartagena was lovely. It does, like anywhere, have its issues. It was so hot that heat exhaustion hit me and I cut my time in the city short and move south. People wondering about Cartagena safety ask me a lot, "Is Cartagena safe to visit?". 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. This area of Colombia is green and lush which means rain. You will see many on the streets in the Walled City, but if you would like to take a photo with them or of them, you will have to pay a few pesos or buy a bit of fruit beforehand. I was excited to go to Colombia. Were happy to answer. For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! 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. Now I'm scared. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. If thats you, then we strongly recommend investing in a travel filter water bottle which will purify water from any source and greatly reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use on your travels. All Department . 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. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. r/travel 8 hr. The countrys most famous author dreamed up many of his magical realist tales from a childhood and early journalistic career spent in Cartagena, and appreciating this adds a whole new layer to your strolls around it. 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. 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). It is not a good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once. Cartagena International Music Festival. A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. Once youve received your luggage, follow the signs and just queue up at the kiosk, tell the person which neighbourhood youre going to and theyll give you a receipt and point you to the waiting official taxi. Alternative options are Laguito and Castillogrande, but they still aint great. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Do that, and Colombia will be one of the most incredible destinations you visit in South America. I visited in February and it was way hotter than I had expected though a nice breeze would blow in the late afternoon every day, giving everyone a break from the heat. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! Since my last post, I have done a lot of research and have managed to scare me considerably. Things to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. We repeat - you have to go via the city of Santa Marta! Newer Post. 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. 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. It's a very pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Getsemani is also famous for its street art and slightly alternative vibe - to discover more about both, join this popular two hour graffiti walking tour. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. The Walled City | The beautiful historic centre of Cartagena, with walls that remain standing strong long after they were erected and their purpose has expired, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and the citys major attraction. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena.