Cartagena

About Cartagena

Get the inside scoop on Cartagena from local experts, travel creators, and tastemakers. Browse genuine trip notes, Cartagena reviews, photos, travel guides, and itineraries from real travelers and plan your trip with confidence.

What people say

Caviar dreams Travel & Things
"The best time to visit Cartagena is from December to April. These months bring sunny, warm weather—perfect for exploring the city and relaxing on the beach. January and February are top picks for cooler temps and vibrant festivities. If you prefer fewer crowds but still want great weather, aim for early December or late April. It's a fantastic time to experience all that Cartagena has to offer!"
Read more in:
"My personal experience: I visited Cartagena in 2022 on a family girls trip. It was a real life Encanto movie. From my airbnb room I could hear the streets filled with performers as they serenaded to tourists. We had an abundance of fresh seafood restaurants to choose from and the city was covered in colors in every corner. Cartagena was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. "
Jeff Honey
"Cartagena is a port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. By the sea is the walled Old Town, founded in the 16th century, with squares, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. With a tropical climate, the city is also a popular beach destination. Reachable by boat are Isla de Barú, with white-sand beaches and palm trees, and the Islas del Rosario, known for their coral reefs."

Mentioned in these guides

This Ultimate Colombia guide is based on 100+ hours of research and three months spent travelling all over the country. We absolutely fell in love with the breathtaking nature, complex history and vibrant people of Colombia and we want you to equip you to do the same! This guide includes an interactive map and details about our favourite towns, restaurants, activities and accommodations. It also includes information we have gleaned from slow travelling the country about tipping culture, holidays, best ATMs, transportation, safety and much more! Unlocking this guide gives you access for life so you will automatically receive any updates when we return to Colombia or hear of additional places to visit in the country. Plus this guide is web- and mobile-friendly so you can save it to reference as you travel through the country! Guide includes: - best time to visit (seasons, holidays, etc. ) - money stuff (currency, ATMS, tipping) - transportation (flying, busing, driving) - where to stay, what to do, where to eat and drink in the following cities: Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca, Bogota, Salento, Jardin, Medellin, Guatape - 15 places that were recommended but we did not visit We hope this guide provides everything you need to know to plan your own trip to Colombia, whether that's for a week or 3 months! Tag us in your planning and travels so we can see your experiences in this amazing country! @EricandSarah_ *Full transparency: this is not an ultra-budget guide. We include a range of free to paid activities in each place, a variety of restaurant options and mid-range priced accommodations (mostly Airbnbs). It's based on our own travel style which we'd consider "medium budget" - we like to save money but are also willing to splurge on certain comforts and activities. We believe there is valuable information for any type of traveller though!
Digital Nomads • Backpackers • Solo Female • Car-free • Couples • Groups • 50+ • Adventure • Architecture • Art • Budget • Foodie • History • Nature • People & Culture • Slow Travel • Photography • Coffee • Beach • Mountain
$29.99
7