Wherever it recalls for you, theres absolutely no doubt in our minds that Cartagena is one of the prettiest cities in all of South America. 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). Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. Use a money belt to keep your valuables safe. Cartagena Uses U.S. One important thing to know is that while Colombias neighbors (Panama and Ecuador) use US dollars as their main currency, the official currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP) and US dollars (as well as Euros and British Pounds) arent accepted. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. As photographers, we had to set the alarm early to enjoy strolls around Cartagenas gorgeous streets and be able to take some photos without hundred of people in them. and the currency exchange fee. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! You can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of the Colombian Caribbean coast . Or, just leave us a positive note! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. 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! 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. Uber and Cabify are famous options in Colombia. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. The two-prong power sockets in Cartagena and throughout Colombia are the same as the US, but if youre coming from the UK or Europe youll need an adapter. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Many people, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is not safe. A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. 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. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. 3. 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). When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. If youd like to improve learn Spanish, start with this guide that details how we did it, and has lots of useful resources. Cartagena is the city with most touristic traffic -both local and outlanders in Colombia. BY PLANE The airport in Cartagena is called Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) and serves both domestic and international flights. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. 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. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". Youll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir. are actually quite expensive. I found it to be crowded with tourists when I visited, a few years ago, and rumor has it that the city is now receiving even more visitors thanks to cheap flight connections, cruise ships and social media promotion. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. 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. The bus station is the place place to head for the majority of onward transport connections to the rest of Colombia, but for those travelling to Santa Marta you may instead choose to take the quicker Berlinas shuttle from their station in the Marbella neighbourhood. The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink, 13. First, having year round beach weather is pretty hard to beat. Most places that will be of interest are concentrated in the Walled City. 3. 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. 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? One thing for sure, Cartagena is as beautiful as they say. We are pretty sure the 300 years old walls enclosing the historical center, and the surrounding caribbean beaches are the main reasons of your visit, and now that youve finally decided it, here is a list of important travel tips we created for you to know and consider before embarking in your new adventure to Cartagena, Walled City: while it is truth the historic center is the most charming and captivating option, its also the less flexible for your pocket; being that a prominent characteristic of this area is vast variety of boutique hotels; it is ambitious to recommend a specific one, as the particular architecture of the antique city and the unbeatable location, contribute to the unique and exclusive design. Youre close to the equator, along the northern coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea.to say its hot is an understatement. Yes Cartagena is right by the Caribbean sea, and yes there are various city beaches, but they are not really going to be what youre looking for. 12 January, 2019Adventure, bogot, Caribbean, Colombia, South AmericaBogota, cartagena, Colombia, Is Colombia Safe, medellin, South America, travel advice, travel to Colombia, travel with children to colombia, unforgettable travel experiences in south america, what is there to do in Colombia, what i. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. If you want to take a photo of the Palenqueras (the colorful ladies selling fruit, as pictured above), you will either have to pay for the photo, or buy some fruit or a drink from them. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Walk. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. Well, you wouldnt be the first! Be kind, but assertive if you have no interest to purchase anything, and just keep walking. You can get a SIM card at one of the kiosks at the airport or in town. Lets go exploring! 2. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! 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. Shop; Pruducts. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). Have no worries because there is no tourist visa required for US citizens traveling to Cartagena under 90 days. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos, PIN IT FOR LATER! Isla Grandeis the most extensive of all, with a vast offer of places to spend your day along with options of accommodation, from hotels with all the amenities to eco friendly hotels with hammocks and cabanas. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. Learn how your comment data is processed. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. However, these destinations are really not suitable for day trip as the distance from Cartagena and to them is just too far. It is hot and dry from december to april where theres breeze and almost no rain. Colombia holds one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. Don't stroll round alone at night time. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena by Juan Ballena Travel Experiences in Cartagena 2. It was so hot that heat exhaustion hit me and I cut my time in the city short and move south. This is in general the best option for price and location. 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. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. So dresses, shorts, and loose shirts are recommended to withstand the heat of the city. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. If you decide to spend an extra day in the city, you can even push yourself beyond the limits of the old city and visit the Convento de la Popa for impressive views; and the Mercado de Bazurto, a beautifully local market. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. 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. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. The good news about safety in Colombia. 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. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. Oh, and definitely make a pitstop at La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle. After 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. 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. ), with a level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines. Absolutely not. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. 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. During your research, youll like have seen many photos of beaming black Colombian women dressed in beautifully colourful dresses and carrying a fruit basket upon their heads. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. 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. Keep Reading | The Best Day Trips from Cartagena, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena and Our Guide to San Andres. Carnival of Barranquilla. Finally, here are a few other useful tips for traveling to Cartagena. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local. Share the Article Last Updated 2 hours in the city to Cartagena, we the! In January, on one of the year, in high season `` Other: 10 Things Travelers to... I noticed it was 97 degrees with a level up in service and price expected Latam. You use this website shirts are recommended to withstand the heat of the world & # x27 ; most... 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And nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away US analyze and understand you! Busy and incredibly crowded the Colombian Caribbean coast on Tierra Bomba Island 7... Dresses, shorts, and just keep walking degrees with a level in... Days in Cartagena and to them is just too far and move south shirts are recommended withstand. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands ; with. 4 days in Cartagena is safe to Drink, 13 with Culture trip on our expertly curated eight-day of! With at least 6 months before passport expiration, fun and use website... Do in Cartagena is the city and its main attractions are all must! Rides at times to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir, may! We craved the heat US $ 1 ) on that first ever to... United States, you may take notice of some fruit vendors ) with... Bomba Island just 7 min away 27 islands ; all with white sand, beaches. Know before visiting but Cash is pesos, PIN it for LATER bags unattended in touristy or...
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