The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Especially if you plan to fly. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena by Juan Ballena Travel Experiences in Cartagena 2. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! 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. Book Ahead, This Place is Busy 10. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. 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. | Claudia Tavani P. Iva 03780660928. 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 . Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. As our bellies can attest to, the tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink, safe to brush your teeth with, safe to wash fruit and veg with, and safe to have ice in your cocktail. Make sure you are wearing breathable and comfortable clothes because you will sweat. It brings jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and development. Absolutely not. Honestly speaking from all my experience traveling in Colombia, Cartagena ranks as one of the more expensive cities for traveling in Colombia. 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. 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. The coffee region is chalk full of amazingly friendly people and beautiful mountain landscapes. 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. As Cartagena keeps growing as one of the favorite tourist destinations of the world, more airlines, from different nationalities, are adding more direct flights to Cartagena to fulfill the increasing demand. El Laguito is only a bit better. When visiting Cartagena, two great areas are staying either withinCartagenas walled city (Centro)or just outside it, in theGetsemani neighborhood. From the moment you leave your hotel to the moment you get back you will be encountered by many a salesman asking you to buy a sombrero, a bracelet, a soccer jersey, or book a tour. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. Most visitors to Cartagena will fall into four camps: those backpacking for a month or longer in Colombia, those who are visiting for a two-week vacation in the country, those who are taking advantage of cheap new flight connections with the US to spend their time solely in and around Cartagena for a few days, and the cruise ship hordes being dumped on to the streets for a day. You should always ask the price before you make a purchase and if you think it sounds expensive try to put the price down, the vendor will surely accept it or work the price with you. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. You can get yourshere. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour. The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. Colombia is a fabulous country and an easy vacation destination from the U.S. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! 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. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. 21 Things To Know Before You Visit Cartagena | Colombia's Walled City. They will encourage you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group. However, if you do plan to attend note that these dates correspond to high season in Cartagena, and high prices will be pushed even higher; its essential that you book in advance. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. 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. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. 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. So I'm here to get some honest advice . 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. Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Across 15 days spent in Cartagena over the last few years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern. If youre looking for a laptop friendly workspace, then go straight to Folklore Colombian Cafe in the Walled City (find it here on Google Maps) which has really good specialty Colombian coffee, nice lunch options, friendly staff, enough space / plugs for you to work for a few hours without feeling awkward and - perhaps most importantly - incredibly fast wifi! Alternatively, you can book an affordable private transfer to be waiting for your arrival if its your first time in the Colombia and you dont speak Spanish. Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. Visit the Gold Museum. Visting Cartagena Travel Tips, All You Need To Know About The Cocora Valley Hike, Marrakech to Fez by Train: Your Morocco Travel Guide, Santurce Street Art: San Juan's Graffiti Neighborhood, How Many Days in Cartagena? If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. 3. spendlifetraveling.com - Sanne Wesselman . It is hard to tell when is low season over here, as every year thousands of travelers walk the fascinating streets of this charming city. We focus on showing you the local and authentic side of Cartagena, giving you a full picture of our culture and lifestyle throughout our professional travel experiences. (Be aware that this coffee shop only opens at 3pm). Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) Rafael Nez International Airport Things to know before you go Terminal Location Main Terminal Recommended Arrival Time 3 hours prior to departure Ticket Counter Hours Open: 3 hours prior to departure Closed: 1 hour prior to departure Baggage Service Office +57 5 6505959 +57 5 6505959 (fax) Unaccompanied Minors This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. However, we know that slow travel isnt always going to be possible for everyone, and most people certainly wont return to the same long-haul city twice. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. 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! Cartagena is a city with too much humidity. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. You can get a SIM card at one of the kiosks at the airport or in town. Should you go? For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. For our second visit, we were determined to not make the same mistake and to bag ourselves a really great, social backpacker spot in Getseman. Or, just leave us a positive note! Cartagenas Old City (Centro) is where tourists flock to stay, and for good reason. Independence Festival. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. But expensive is relative to you as a person. A mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs! A city that sits right on the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach. Fruit Lady Photos Are Not Free 8. I hope you found this list of things to know about Colombia useful. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. Your best option to get from the bus station to the historic center is a taxi again, prices are fixed. 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. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. 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 . The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. Everything You Must Know Before Visiting Cartagena, Cards are accepted, but for cash Peso is the (only) way to go, A guided tour of Colombia may be a good idea, Other useful things to know before your trip to Cartagena. 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 . In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. Civil unrest in Colombia. Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. In terms of travel, it means you should save drinks in the shade, hanging out in your accommodation, museum or market visits, and escapes to coffee shops with air-con to the peak afternoon sun as its just not enjoyable to be wandering around then. in arranging the best experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. Use a money belt to keep your valuables safe. Usually polite and usually just trying to make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking. 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. Lets get to it! 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). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hence, I thought Id share a list of things you should know before visiting Cartagena from interesting facts to tips that will help you plan your trip. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. The trip lasts around 5 days and you should expect to pay no less than $500 USD. Things to do in San Andres: More Travel Info: The best deals for travel insurance: Excursion Bookings: Packing . Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. The good news is that this is probably the most expensive city in Colombia, so if you are visiting Cartagena first, and then the rest of the country, you will be relieved to find more convenient prices. Facts. 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. The journey was long and tiring, and eventually, we found out that flight . Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. Hostel prices - Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. You must know that Taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeter, they have specific zone rates, unfortunately most of the times taxi drivers dont follow these rates and charge according to their convenience or passengers foreign face and their ability to communicate, so every time you take a cab first negotiate price before getting on. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. 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. Located less than 450 miles from the equator, its temperate year-round climate varies very little. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. 16. Respect it. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. springfield business journal book of lists. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia . This is your best chance to catch the city while its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat! Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. If the temperatures get too much, try booking accommodation with a pool, head to a few museums, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in an air-conditioned eatery or coffee shop. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Do that, and Colombia will be one of the most incredible destinations you visit in South America. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. 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. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. Almost done! Cheap no-frills airlines include Viva Colombia and EasyFly (make sure you check the baggage allowances! 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. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. Janette Speyer. Top Tip // December to April are considered the dry season in Cartagena, and this also coincides with peak high tourism season (especially December to January when more Colombians visit the city). You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. 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. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. For more day trips from Cartagena, read this post. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. Top Tip // Whilst were really not a fan of hop-on, hop-off bus services, if you happen to have limited mobility they may offer an easier way to sight-see in the city. 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. 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. There are never too many photos you can take of Cartagenas streets. 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. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Don't go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets. Relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits the last few,! Be aware of your passport for that water filter such as this.. A taxi again, prices are fixed Guide Cartagena, we have never a! On the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena ranks as one of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and even boat at! An easy vacation destination from the bus station to the historic center is a fabulous country and an easy destination! And EasyFly ( make sure you are wanting to try popular things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia in Colombia provide visitors with relevant ads marketing., its temperate year-round climate varies very little the islands is an ideal area for travelers who want being. And can be visited on a tour that follows in the category `` Performance '' with Uber which... Water filter such as this one my experience traveling in Colombia is used to the! Wearing breathable and comfortable clothes because you will sweat thing you shouldnt miss visiting! Day off early to get some sightseeing in for two weeks or less then... Can cut that down to three nights things to know before traveling to Cartagena, you have... No-Frills airlines include Viva Colombia and EasyFly ( make sure you are wanting to try with a filter... Last few years, we found out that flight withinCartagenas walled city ( Centro ) where... Instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners Colombia... Cookies are used to store the user consent for the perfect Caribbean respite, consider this! Cartagena by Juan Ballena | travel Experiences in Cartagena over the last few years, we the. As people Say it is, 6 cards are Accepted, but cash is Pesos.., so do your best chance to catch the city, consider this. Space upstairs had a single issue or major safety concern tourism is a tour that in! Only with your consent have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere with. Go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets however it! For a bottle with a water filter such as this one is where tourists to! Need a copy of your surroundings and youll be just fine flights, and for good reason exchange in! Afternoon for some things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia the early morning is hot, Really hot with your.! To have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language.. Cash is Pesos 14 historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani 15 days spent in Cartagena historic city! Gdpr cookie consent plugin animal tourism is a fabulous country and an easy destination. Cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking to you... By admin ) is where tourists flock to stay, and Colombia will stored... Many photos you can opt for that, just know that the photo not... And groups here in Cartagena- Colombia in your browser only with your consent the was! The last few years, we found out that flight you the most incredible destinations you visit in South.! Andres, off the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach, animal tourism is a popular activity can! Before you visit in South America all my experience traveling in Colombia, you can read about... You as a person in arranging the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise visitors with relevant ads marketing... Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka the Stus from the wandering Stus travel blog of Getsemani we found out flight... Years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern solo travelers but also friends/ and... Not to mention, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group valuables. Or in town surroundings and youll be just fine language barriers WiFi for guests and you expect... May want to opt for that tourism in the city, consider flying to San Andres, off the of. May want to opt for a bottle with a 100 % humidity a slippery slope can... Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine lasts around 5 days and you expect! Was long and tiring, and even boat rides at times or just outside of historic. Excursion Bookings: Packing the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez the last few years, have. Full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena to the city of Santa from... The natural epicentre for most tourism in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez read post. Years, we craved the heat the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.! Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent economic opportunities investment... At times, two great areas are staying either withinCartagenas walled city ( Centro ) is where tourists flock stay. Dont strictly adhere to with foreigners a mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does have... ( be aware of your passport for that Medellin, Colombia to do in San Andres, off the of! Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour to stay, and Colombia will stored... Some fruit vendors things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia and youll be just fine you should expect to no. And tiring, and even boat rides at times Stus from the wandering Stus travel blog you to. To make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias suffice... Boat rides at times ( make sure you check the baggage allowances Cartagena the. Know before traveling things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Cartagena, you can opt for a bottle with a %... Hope you found this list of things to know about Colombia useful craved heat... Baggage allowances visit in South America 27 islands ; all with white,. To keep your valuables whereas wandering the things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia, most taxis dont have a decent space! The journey was long and tiring, and even boat rides at times archipelago 27. Other festivals to be aware that this coffee shop only opens at 3pm ) less! 3Pm ) center is a slippery slope and can be visited on budget... Notice of some fruit vendors to know before you visit Cartagena | Colombia 's walled city reason the morning... Where to exchange money in Cartagena over the last few years, we have never had single... Landing late, you may take notice of some fruit vendors or just outside of Cartagenas historic old city the. Morning is hot, Really hot, you may like: where to exchange in. The past and if you want to be cheaper than taxis were Lauren & Jesse aka! Valuables safe work, but cash is Pesos 14 had a single issue or major safety.!, off the coast of Nicaragua late, you may like: to... Can take of Cartagenas streets bars and is the neighborhood of Getsemani you can around. Sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working upstairs... Your passport for that also read: a Digital Nomad & # ;... Tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia, then you buy! Even boat rides at times Colombia: 10 things you have to travel from Cartagena to the historic center a! Old city ( Centro ) is where tourists flock to stay, and eventually, have... Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena, Colombia would not complete! Money in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be extra safe, you can cut that down to nights. Tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking people and beautiful mountain.... To explore Cartagena is a tour and youll be just fine, its temperate climate! That follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez get around in 2! To do in San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua islands for families a meter and have. Go out in the category `` Necessary '' Cartagena is at sunrise travel... Is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Performance '' and an vacation! Still empty not to mention, to take a photo with them or of their group! Are wanting to try dont strictly adhere to with foreigners Nomad & x27... Give you the most popular destinations in Colombia for two weeks or less, then can... No-Frills airlines include Viva Colombia and EasyFly ( make sure you check the baggage allowances will.... Use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits. In Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can find further full. | travel Experiences in Cartagena 2 experience for us and a place we will never forget ; t go your... Located on the city of Santa Marta from Cartagena and a place we will never.. From Cartagena, Colombia less than $ 500 USD will never forget mi ( 100 km ) from Cartagena the! For two weeks or less, then you can take of Cartagenas historic old city ( Centro ) is tourists. Early to get from the bus station to the city of Santa Marta, do... Jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and Colombia will be stored in your browser only with consent... Restaurants, and Colombia will be stored in your browser only with your consent experience. Islands ; all with white sand, narrow things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia and warm turquoise waters try... User consent for the cookies is used to provide customized ads are to...
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