Cartagena

Travel Guide & Recommendations

Cartagena Cathedral tower

Cartagena de Indias is best enjoyed on foot, among colonial streets and Caribbean heat. Here are the essential tips on transportation, safety, and the best places to stay for your trip to the Colombian Caribbean.

✨ What You Can't Miss

• 🏰Walled City — Stroll through its colorful streets, Plaza de los Coches, and Plaza Santo Domingo, then climb the walls to watch the sunset over the sea.
• ⚔️San Felipe de Barajas Castle — The largest Spanish fortress in the Americas, with underground tunnels and panoramic views over the whole city.
• 🎨Getsemaní — The neighborhood of street art and colorful flags. By day, murals and cafés; by night, Cartagena's best nightlife.
• 🏝️Rosario Islands — An archipelago of turquoise waters less than an hour away by boat, ideal for a day of beach and snorkeling.
• 🌅Sunset on the Walls — Café del Mar and other bars atop the wall offer the city's best viewpoint to watch the sun set over the Caribbean.
• 🍤Colombian Caribbean Cuisine — Ceviches, arepa de huevo, patacones, and fresh fish — coastal Colombian cuisine is as much a highlight as the architecture.

The Walled City next to the Caribbean Sea

🏘️ Where to Stay

• Walled City: Boutique hotels in restored colonial mansions, steps from Plaza de los Coches and the Cathedral. The most iconic option, and also the priciest.
• Getsemaní: Bohemian atmosphere and more affordable prices, with hostels, street art, and the city's best nightlife.
• Bocagrande: The modern beachfront hotel zone, with high-rise towers, resorts, and a calmer feel than the historic center.

🚌 Getting Around

The Walled City and Getsemaní are easy to explore on foot. For Bocagrande or longer trips, use a taxi or apps like InDriver — agree on or confirm the fare before getting in. Boats to the Rosario Islands leave from the tourist pier in the morning.