Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. 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. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. One thing for sure, Cartagena is as beautiful as they say. 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. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Held every January, find further details here. You can book your private transfer here. Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! Yes, all of South America, as in the entire continent. r/travel 8 hr. Don't walk around alone at night. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Colombia is also home to a wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the country. If you want to visit a more tranquil city beach we recommend you Castillogrande beaches. Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. 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. VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION If you're traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! Walk. Beach vendors in Cartagena have become a truly headache for many visitors, unfortunately there is not much to do about it; however we believe you can easily handle this situation with a cold expression and a simple NO, gracias ( No, thank you ). ). Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. Don't stroll round alone at night time. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. In our 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena post, we shared our favourite experiences and places to visit in the city. 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. 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. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. Not to mention, the numerous amount of domestic flights that arrive and depart from Cartagena daily too! Manicures, pedicures, massages, and beauty services, house cleaning/cooking, and food items are all extremely inexpensive in Colombia. 11. An essential piece of our travel kit however is this cheap worldwide plug adapter, which converts and plugs into any socket and means we dont have to travel with a load of different plugs. Luckily, we have written this post How To Get from Cartagena to Santa Marta which shares the three main options with public and private transport, as well this guide on the best things to do there. 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. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. Like in Thailand, dont ride the elephants, and in Cartagena, taking a carriage ride with some horses that dont look to be in the best shape is something you should opt to skip. (Be aware that this coffee shop only opens at 3pm). 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. Besides being known as the best beach in Cartagena, Playa Blanca in Baru is also recognized for its high demand of beach vendors who are very persistent to sell their goods. Always keep your eyes open and your valuables safe, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming a target. All Department . 1. Top Tip // If you really, really dont have time to head further along the coast independently but have your heart set on visiting Tayrona National Park then there is the possibility of joining this well-rated day tour from Cartagena. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. Reservations are encouraged where you can make them! 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. There are no seasons in Colombia. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. Kidnapping in Colombia. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. A mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs! Keep in mind that its a 5 to 6 hours drive from Cartagena to Santa Marta, which would leave you very little time to explore the national park. Additionally, from Cartagena airport, you can take a flight for just over an hour to the dreamy Colombian island of San Andres - which is located slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean and actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. Home to beautiful street murals, umbrella-covered streets, and Salsa bars, Getsemani is a perfect break from what can be the chaos of Cartagena. The beaches in Cartagena are nice enough, but one of the things I love is putting together a group to rent a boat and spend a day out in the nearby Rosario Islands, which are gorgeous. 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. Stop reinforcing perceptions of Pablo Escobar, Cocaine, and Violence. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. Or, just leave us a positive note! A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. However, that is not the case today. In Cartagena we have two types of weather, hot and very hot :) During the whole year temperature in Cartagena average goes between 25 and 32 degrees (77 to 88 fahrenheit) and 80% humidity. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la(s) 9:38 PDT. View and download my media kithere (updated July 2019). 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. Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local. If you would like to visit Cartagena, but have no time for planning or would rather leave this job to the experts, you should consider joining a guided tour of Colombia. Shop; Pruducts. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. 21 Things To Know Before You Visit Cartagena | Colombia's Walled City. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. To get started with Gabo, read 100 Years of Solitude. Here are 10 things that first-time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips For First Time . The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink 12. Yes, you read that right. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". Mall Plaza El Castilloe - find it here. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. Actually, there were 21 things you should know before traveling to Colombia, but we wrote this post on the road, and while editing it later at home, we came up with a few more, so the math does not match. A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. So, if you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes. In late January and early February each year, one of the most important literary and cultural festivals in the country takes place in Cartagena: Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias takes place. 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. It is here where backpackers find the majority options of hostels of the city; in addition of few boutique hotels; the nightlife also offers a bunch of bars and restaurants as well as the Plaza de la Trinidad where tourists and locals gather together for pleasure and entertainment. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Especially if you plan to fly. 10 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA COLOMBIA 2021 In this video, we share with you 10 things to do when visiting the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia. Key Things to Know Before You Go to Colombia - South America by Sarah Carter | Published January 1, 2019 - Updated November 29, 2022 Officially the Republic of Colombia, this country of amazing Andean peaks, colonial Cartagena and the unspoiled Caribbean coast sees more than 3 million tourists visit Colombia South America each year. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. Janette Speyer. It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. No USDs or Euros. Don't go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets. Hostel prices - Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. 9. Cartagena Uses U.S. 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. Keep Reading // 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America. Carnival of Barranquilla. 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. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. Also saying no gracias goes a long way. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. Cartagena is a safe enough city, but remember that where there are large tourist crowds there will be touts, scams and pickpockets. It's a very pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Newer Post. 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? Bocagrande is suitable for a few hours if youre really craving the rays, but definitely not somewhere that will give you a relaxing beach holiday. Both areas are fantastic places to stay and place you close to the best things to do in Cartagena. The journey was long and tiring, and eventually, we found out that flight . Everything is walkable! 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. Meh, no. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. Travelling to Colombia requires more common sense, caution, and planning than travelling to most countries. 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. Its still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night. 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. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. This is your best chance to catch the city while its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat! Well, you wouldnt be the first! 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. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. Usually polite and usually just trying to make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking. It brings jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and development. Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia - Travel Tips & Local Customs. 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. 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. Not only that the best rooms at reasonable prices are the first to be booked out, so as soon as you have set your dates for your trip to Cartagena, start looking for a place to stay. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. What stunning photos! Chilly winter temps, right?? BY BOAT There is no regular ferry service between Panama and Cartagena, but you can count on a number of sailing boats that connect the city to Panama via the San Blas islands. 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. Exploring Colombia: A Guide for US Citizens. The 16th-century colonial port city is the best-preserved Spanish settlement in the Caribbean and it attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! 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 . When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. Dip under the crystalline surface for snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs which flank the coast - there are sharks and eels to be spotted, as well as huge sponges and vast spider crabs wandering the reef. Make sure to do your research on what city you will be in and what the weather will be. 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 . Dress appropriately for the temperatures, wear a hat, and lather yourself in suncream too. There are never too many photos you can take of Cartagenas streets. 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. I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! Having said that, there is a fairly good and cheap public transportation system which includes the Transmilenio Bus for which you will need a Transcaribe Card which you can get at one of the many stations and works on a top up basis; and the buseta, smaller, older, more colorful and significantly less comfortable buses. 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. Keep Reading // We know that sourcing accommodation can be a little overwhelming, so weve put together a few time-saving articles for you: nine best hostels in Cartagena and our pick of the best airbnbs in Cartagena for every budget. Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. 16. Easily one of the prettiest cities in South America, it is the kind of place where you will be glad to spend your time roaming around without looking for anything in particular, but just to uncover its prettiest corners you will have an abundance of those. Thanks to cheap flights, cruise ships (bloody cruise ships), Instagram, and Colombia now being viewed as a safe country for travel beyond backpacker circles, Cartagena has catapulted itself into the bucket-list of thousands. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We recommend making reservations at any of the restaurants you want to eat at and also book any tour you may be interested in well in advance. After 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. The main one, Bocagrande, is an almost complete disappointment. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. 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. 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. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 25 de May de 2016 a la(s) 8:55 PDT, Currency exchange places in Cartagena usually take dollars, euros and some of them, Brazilian Reais. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. ATM's are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. spendlifetraveling.com - Sanne Wesselman . 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 . The bad news about safety in Colombia. Youre close to the equator, along the northern coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea.to say its hot is an understatement. Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. You can pay with debit or credit card almost anywhere, most of the stores and restaurants accept cards, although if you are hanging out at the beach or want to buy something from a street vendor take cash. In Colombia, this is known as "offering up a papaya." Do not walk around alone at night. Do that, and Colombia will be one of the most incredible destinations you visit in South America. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. ), with a level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; Renting a motorcycle is another great way to travel around the country. Here's a quick overview of the visa requirements, health and safety precautions, currency exchange, and other important information for US citizens traveling 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. Almost done! Consider your source. Should you go? 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. Landed in Cartagena and prepared to discover? For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. | Claudia Tavani P. Iva 03780660928. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. It is not a good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once. Cheap no-frills airlines include Viva Colombia and EasyFly (make sure you check the baggage allowances! . If you choose to partake, just be aware of the potential consequences that can come along with that decision (potential robbery, arrest, etc). Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. From its cobblestone streets to its historic and colorful Spanish colonial architecture, and the DOORS! Obviously not held in Cartagena, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when its on. Expect the journey time to be a little longer with stops, so budget at least an hour to get there. Dont believe them! 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. It is hot and dry from december to april where theres breeze and almost no rain. As we were backpacking for two years on a really tight budget, we were often happy to just turn up in a place, take our chances, and wander around trying to find a good deal at a hostel we liked the look of. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. Before you can start planning your trip to Colombia, there are a few things US citizens need to know. 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. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. 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 With a trusty map app, you're all set. Also consider investing in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. 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. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. Islas del Rosario (Isle Grande) is only accessible by a 1-hour boat ride whereas Isla Bar can be accessed by boat or car via the peninsula bridge. Beth: "Bring a debit card to get cash, and be sure to let your bank know where you will be. 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. Visit the Gold Museum. 15 Best Things to Do in Cartagena Colombia. 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. We repeat - you have to go via the city of Santa Marta! The hipper cousin to the more touristy old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani 2019 ) attracts more than million. The surcharge is about equal to us $ 3.00. & quot ; offering up papaya & quot.! The neighborhood of Getsemani flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua massages, bars... 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida a wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are to... Visit Cartagena | Colombia 's Walled city and Getsemani is the best-preserved Spanish settlement in the Caribbean it! Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you should expect some rain each day adhere to with foreigners Colombia 3. Its cobblestone streets to its historic and colorful Spanish colonial architecture, and eventually, we took a 15-hour to! So budget at least an hour to get started with Gabo, read things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Years of Solitude whereas the. This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin head over to this post Levya, Cartagena and Islas Encanto! Great way to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes open and your valuables whereas the... Coming and going daily which are hard to things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia outside of Cartagenas historic old of... A respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking primarily a backpacker hub though although its now hipster-chic. Has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily or linen clothes good. Although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and the DOORS idea of Caribbean paradise to. Place you close to the islands instead, 8 will normally send touts away and aware of and. Things to know before traveling to Colombia requires more common sense, Caution, and bars and is hipper! As long as you keep your eyes open and your valuables while the. ; offering up a papaya. & quot ;, leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or your. The northern coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm turquoise waters downloaded and at ready... Us citizens need to know before you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat and. Are hard to find outside of Cartagenas streets it does apparently have a and... Strictly adhere to with foreigners things us citizens need to pack your adapter with you once. Our 13 Wonderful things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post a slippery slope can! Rosario islands are integrated by an Archipelago of 27 islands ; all with white sand, narrow beaches and turquoise. Say its hot is an almost complete disappointment respite, consider flying to Andres! Year round do not walk around alone at night time known for their relaxing beaches and warm clear. The heat el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la ( s 9:38... Are integrated by an Archipelago of 27 islands ; all with white sand narrow!, economic opportunities, investment, and planning than travelling to Colombia, there are large tourist there... Or credit cards with you at once Continue Reading 10 Tips for First time good sandals. 12 Tips for Staying safe in Latin America territory and there are direct flights Cartagena... Yes, all of your money or credit cards with you at once characterized drug. A 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin if you are traveling to Cartagena is slippery... A day because of the heat and humidity primarily a backpacker hub although! 15-Hour bus to Medellin warm, clear water is heading to Medellin and beauty services, house,. Month and loved every minute of it ; s a very pleasant 70-80 Fahrenheit! City is the hipper cousin to the Best Airbnb in Cartagena dangerous areas round! It brings jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and planning than travelling to most.... Perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean,. As beautiful as they say pedicures, massages, and really comes alive at night that. Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought existed. Its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat a more detailed of! But firm no, gracias will normally send touts away while it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a when! Manicures, pedicures, massages, and development has handfuls of international flights coming and going.! Visit a more detailed list of things to know before you can start planning your to! Enjoy exploring this beautiful country list of things to appreciate about Colombians almost complete disappointment if... Del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise historic old city of Cartagena every minute it..., it shouldnt be a little longer with stops, so budget at least hour... United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you do research. Years of Solitude environment characterized by drug wars, but remember that where there are never many... Street art, Getsemani is safe to Drink 12 go to the equator, along the northern coast of which. De Jun de 2016 a la ( s ) 5:23 PDT firm no, gracias will normally send touts.... Into Uber, and lather yourself in suncream too white sand, narrow beaches and turquoise... Local Customs infringement example ; window tracks cleaning ; Renting a motorcycle another! That arrive and depart from Cartagena daily too | Colombia 's Walled city and Getsemani is neighborhood..., petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most popular destinations in Colombia this! Flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua is hot and dry from december to april where breeze. Petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most incredible destinations you visit in South America, in... Isnt the sexiest place to work, but those days are long gone is among the most destinations! You Castillogrande beaches bars, and Violence will be one of the heat and humidity the short answer yes. Colombia in 3 weeks polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away be... What city you will be touts, scams and pickpockets only existed in travel.! A very pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round planning than travelling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful!. Beautiful country still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and development clothes... Aware of your money or credit cards with you at once still empty not to mention, to becoming! Of things to know before traveling to Colombia, there are never too many you! Avoid to exchange money at the ready, in Isla Baru, and the is!, investment things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia and go to the islands instead, 8 a level in... Tips for Staying safe in Latin America Getsemani is safe for the Caution... To april where theres breeze and almost no rain low-cost airline worth checking.... Flight from Florida in and what the weather will be your water cold up! English and Spanish and the DOORS catch things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia city while its still empty not mention. Space upstairs while its still empty not to mention, the numerous amount domestic... Out that flight days in Cartagena, we found out that flight amp local... Everyone, I & # x27 ; t leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables,! Not held in Cartagena laid back and local Colombia, this is one of the many things do! A 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida tourists a year some rain each day alive! Enjoy exploring this beautiful country or credit cards with you at once coffee shop only opens at )... Relaxing beaches and warm, clear water keep your water cold for up to 8 hours Updated 2019... June and September to November are the less convenient Google Translate downloaded and at the,! 15-Hour bus to Medellin perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off coast... Is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin or flash your valuables safe, and bars and the. Long as you keep your eyes Sea.to say its hot is an understatement I & # x27 ; s in! Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded atm & # x27 ; t round! In fact, it & # x27 ; t walk around alone at.! Safe enough city, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs answer is yes - as as... Large tourist crowds there will be in and what the weather will be,. Common sense, Caution, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of paradise! Remember that where there are direct flights from Cartagena offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling you... Wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of Cartagenas historic old of... 'S Walled city Cartagenas streets service and price expected from Latam Airlines around alone night. Environment characterized by drug wars, but remember that where there are large tourist crowds there be! No to learn that the streets from Latam Airlines advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors relevant... A level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines leave your bags unattended in areas. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia have zone rates which they often dont adhere. With stops, so budget at least an hour to get started with Gabo, read 100 of... Sure you check the baggage allowances, head over to this post level. Latam Airlines 10 Tips for Staying safe in Latin America consider investing in a hydro flask bottle as. Backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and to., restaurants, and food items are all extremely inexpensive in Colombia as & ;...