Colombia

Colombia is a vibrant South American nation with a rich indigenous and Spanish colonial heritage that has transformed into one of the continent's top cultural and ecotourism destinations.

Language: Spanish

Currency: Colombia Pesos

Pros

• UNESCO sites

• Vibrant Culture and Nightlight

• Easy access to Islands, beaches, and beach clubs

• Walkable central historic district

Cons

• Persistent street sellers and hawkers

• Intense heat and humidity

• Heavy tourist congestion, traffic noise, and loud party buses

• Scams and Petty theft

• Uber is widely recommended and recommended over street taxis
• When traveling from airport tot he city, Uber is the safest and easiest option.

• Neighborhoods to Explore
  • Getsemani  - 
    • The famous umbrella street in Cartagena is Callejón Angosto (also known as Calle de las Sombrillas), located in the artsy and vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood. [1, 2, 3] 
    • Vibrant street Art
    • Plaza de La Trinidad
    • Nightlife
    • Street Food
  • Walled City (Centro Historico) - 15 minute walk from Getsemani
    • UNESCO World Heritage site featuring colorful colonial buildings, historic squares, and major landmarks like the San Pedro Claver Church. 
      • • walkable, safe, touristy area
        • Fine Dining
        • Luxury Boutique hotels
        • shopping, exploring, walking around, taking photos, nightlight, food/resturants, architecture
        • Can take an Electric Carriage ride through the area (Horse carriage rides $80/pp have since been banned since December 29, 2025)
        • Bolivar Park - dancers in the park, especially in the evening
        • Walk the Fourt wall at Sunset and see the sun setting over the ocean
    • Eating near Centro Histórico de Cartagena 
      • Casa Pura Restaurant and Rooftop - sunset views , live DJs, and a menu featuring Caribbean, seafood, and international fusion tapas 
    • Central Plaza
      • dinner + shops
      • rooftop dinner
      • Morena Restaurant?
  • Take a Day Trip to Palenque Archeological Zone
    • Palanque Town Tour - excursion
    • UNESCO World Heritage Maya ruins featuring the Palace, Temple of Inscriptions, and a rare four-story astronomical tower. 
    • This is the first free African tonwn in the Americas - where culture, music, and ancestral pride continue

• Local Food and Drinks to Try
  • Coconut Lemonade
  • Pollo Rumbero
  • Cocadas - sweet treat made with coconuts - pack of 10 for 10,000 COP ($3 USD)

• Restaurants to Try
  • Restaurante CANDÉ Cocina 100% Cartagenera -  live dancing, authentic menu - restaurantecande.com  
  • Niku Cartagena- ASIAN (Japanese-Peruvian) fusion menu   - live music 
  • Casa Pura Restaurant and Rooftop - sunset views , live DJs, and a menu featuring Caribbean, seafood, and international fusion tapas - in centro historico
  • Alyzia Rooftop and Dining at the Movich Hotel - beautiful 360 degree panoramic rooftop views of the city. 
  • Cafes
    • Nia bakery and cocktails- bakery, cafe
    • Epoca Cafe
    • Cafe Stepping Stones
    • Le Brioche for Breakfast - bistro moderna
    • Just B Wellness Cafe - cute vibe - dessert and coffee

• Best Views
  • Movich hotel - rooftop
  • Cafe Del Mar - permanently closed since 2025

• Photo Ops
  • Cartagena sign
    • You can find the Cartagena Sign (known locally as Letras de Cartagena) along Avenida Santander in the Marbella neighborhood, right on the beach about halfway between the historic walled city and the airport
  • Palenque Vive in Cartagena is the world's largest 3D-printed sculpture of a palenquera, standing over 8 meters (26 feet) tall in the historic center. Parque de la Marina (Parking lot area), in front of Muelle de la Bodeguita and the Naval Museum, Centro Histórico, Cartagena, Colombia. - $4 tickets

• Things To Do
  • Take a picture with the colorful women, palanqueras - Tip around $2
  • Walk streets and see art work and colorful umbrellas in Getsemani
  • Salsa Dancing Class
  • Cooking Class
    • Option: Lunatico cooking studio
  • Watch local dancers in front of the Clock tour

• Bars, Night Clubs, Lounges
  • Mirador Gastro Bar - rooftop
  • Cafe Havana - salsa dancing night club
  • Terraza Bar 360 - drinks at night on rooftop with DJ - temporarily closed as of 2026
• Islands

  • Islands to explore (Isla Baru, Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands, and Tierra Bomba) - Explore differences between islands here: https://www.tomplanmytrip.com/best-colombian-islands/ 

  • Isla Baru - the most famous Cartagena Island - part of Rosario Archipelago

  • Isla Cholon - the party Island

  • Island Grande - part of Rosario Archipelago

    • biioluminescent plankton after sunset

    • mangrove tour

    • Beach Clubs:

      • Bora Bora Cartagena

  • Tierra Bomba Island 

    • Party at Blue Apple Beach

    • Mountain Biking

    • Horseback Riding

• Beach Clubs
  • There are tours that you can book that will take you to multiple islands and beach clubs.
  • Island Hop the Rosario Islands - Islas del Rosario  - There are about 30 islands, but here are the main ones to explore.
    • • Island Grande
        • • Bora Bora Beach Club
          • Paue Beach Lounge 
          • Pao Pao Beach Club
  • Isla Baru 
    • • Playa Blanca Beach - on Isla Baru
  • Isla de Tierra Bomba
    • • Makani Beach Club
      • Club Kabanna Luxury Beach Club
      • Blue Apple Beach

• Tik Tok Recs
  • Talaso Tours
    • Mapaches + Isla Baru + Snorkel - ~$50
      • Feed raccoons

• Sofitel - Baru Cartagena
  • • Bahia restaurant - at the resort
• Casa Lola Deluxe Gallery 
• 4 Star hotels
  • Intercontinental Cartagena de Indias by IHG
  • Hotel NH Cartagena Urban Royal - $170 a night

  • Hotel Boutique Bovedas de Santa Clara by Accor - $300 a night

• 5 Start Hotels

  • • Hotel Movich Cartagena De Indias - $400+ a night - beautiful rooftop views, located in the historic walled city, just steps from Plaza Simon Bolivar and the Clock Tower

    • Sofitel Legend Santa Clara - located in the historic walled city; short walk to major landmarks, Built in 1621 as the Convento de Santa Clara for the Poor Calres nuns. Later become a charity hospital, a prison, and a medical school. Features the Sofitel Spa - $ a n500-$900+ight

    • Sofitel Baru Cartagena

    • Four Season Hotel and Residences Cartagena - $800 a night

    • Casa San Agustin - $400 - $500 a night

    • Bastion Luxury Hotel - $200 - $300 a night

    • Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand - $200 a night

  • All Inclusive Hotel

    • Dreams Karibana Cartagena Beach & Golf Resort - All Inclusive option - $300 a night - 35 minute drive from main tourist city center (Getsemani and the Old City/Walled City)

Top 10 Things to do in Cartagena, Colombia

EXCURSIONS

Cartagena, Colombia - Itinerary

Day 1 - Explore Getsamni and the Walled City

• Walled City - Centro Historica - The Old City

  • • Pass through the Clock Tower

    • Lively historic plazas

      • • Plaza de Boliva

        • Plaza Santo Domingo (famous Botero sculpture)

        • Plaza de San Pedro Calver

    • Las Bovedas - shopping, crafts, souvenirs - inside these historic vaulted dungeons

    • Electric Carriage Tour

    • Castillo de San Felipe - a 500 year old castle/fortress that you can explore. Built by the Spanish in 1536 - entrance fee is 25,000 COP or $5 USD

    • Eat at The Hotel Movich Cartagena De Indias rooftop which features Alyzia Rooftop & Dining and has 360-degree panormaic views

• Getsamni

  • • Photo op with La Palenquera 3D Palenque Vive

    • Photo op of the street with colorful umbrellas: Callejon Angosta aka Calle de los Sombrillas

    • Photo ops with colorful ladies walking 

    • Street art (over 20 murals)

  • Night - Getsemani is the party area, so it's a great place to be at night

    • Getsemani area

      • Plaza de La Trinidad - street artists/dancers/performers, local vendors, street foods, drinks, fire dances, bars, restaurants

      • Havana Restaurante Cartegena - for live music and salsa dancing - 2 minute walk from Plaza de La Trinidad

Day 2 - Boat + Island + Beach Club hopping day. Islands to explore (Isla Baru, Isla Grande in the Rosario Islands, and Tierra Bomba) - Explore differences between islands here: https://www.tomplanmytrip.com/best-colombian-islands/ 

• Link to Book Party Boat to 5 stops including 3 islands (Isla Baru, Isla Rosario, and Isla Grande) - Around $70 per person

Day 3 - Explore the National Park of Palenque UNESCO Heritage site (Zona Arqueologica Palenque)

Day 4 - Totumo Mud Volcano aka  Volcan de Lodo El Totumo - therapeutic mineral-infused mud at top of mountain - Tour Link $60 - $80 pp

Budget 

The average daily budget for visiting Cartagena, Colombia ranges from $30 to $70 USD for backpackers, $90 to $180 USD for mid-range travelers, and $300 to $500+ USD for luxury travelers.