Planning a trip to Cartagena de Indias can seem like an exciting task full of possibilities. This Caribbean city, known for its colonial charm, pristine beaches and rich history, offers a unique experience for travellers looking to explore its cobbled streets and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture. However, from choosing the right dates for your visit to selecting the perfect accommodation and deciding which places to visit, there can be plenty of questions along the way.
That’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way. We will offer you valuable advice on the best time to travel to Cartagena, highlighting the months of December to April, during the dry season, as the optimal time to enjoy the sunny weather and outdoor activities. We will also guide you in finding accommodation to suit your needs and budget, from luxurious boutique hotels in the old town to cosy hostels in the heart of the city. With our help, planning a trip to Cartagena de Indias will be an exciting and hassle-free experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of this Caribbean gem.
1. Have the necessary documentation to travel to Cartagena at hand
One of the first steps when planning a trip to Cartagena is to know what documents you need to access Colombia so you can prepare them in advance. The first thing you should know is that it is not necessary to have a visa if you are going to be a tourist for less than 90 days. What is necessary is to have a valid passport for at least six months after your arrival in the country. You will also be asked for your return tickets on arrival, as well as the Check Mig form. This is an online document that collects information about your health and recent movements before you enter the country. This form must be completed before your trip and presented to the immigration authorities upon arrival in Colombia.
Other travel recommendations are to carry copies of your passport and other important documents such as reservations and boarding passes, and to take out travel insurance, as detailed below.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Cartagena
One of the most important steps in planning a trip, whether to Cartagena de Indias or any other destination, is to choose the date of your trip. For this reason, we explain below the best time to travel to Cartagena so that you can enjoy your trip. Cartagena, with its tropical climate, has warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, making it ideal for those seeking sun and beach in any season.
However, the best time to travel to Cartagena is during the months of December to April, which coincides with the dry season. During these months, the city experiences less rainfall and sunny days, providing ideal conditions for enjoying the beaches, exploring the Walled City and participating in outdoor activities. January also sees the Hay Festival, a prestigious literary event that attracts writers and readers from all over the world. If you prefer to avoid the tourist crowds, the months of May to November are also a good option, although this is the rainy season and humidity can be higher.
3. Compare and find accommodation with Passporter
In Cartagena de Indias, accommodation options range from luxury boutique hotels to cosy hostels and tourist flats. Boutique hotels located in the old town offer luxury accommodation with prices that can exceed 200 euros per night, while hostels and guesthouses offer more economical options with rates ranging from 20 to 50 euros per night, ideal for budget travellers. In addition, there are a variety of mid-range hotels and tourist flats with prices ranging from 70 to 150 euros per night. In short, Cartagena offers a wide range of accommodation to suit the needs and preferences of every visitor, guaranteeing a stay to suit your preferences.
4. How to get to and around Cartagena?
To get to Cartagena de Indias, you can fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), which is served by a number of national and international airlines. Airlines operating out of this airport include Avianca, LATAM Airlines, Copa Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue, offering flights from major cities in North America, Latin America and Europe. If you are travelling from other cities in Colombia, you can also reach Cartagena by land using bus services that connect the city to different destinations within the country, such as Expreso Brasilia and Copetran.
Once in Cartagena, getting around the city is easy with a variety of transport options. You can use the local buses and the Transcaribe system, the public bus service that connects different parts of the city. On the other hand, a good recommendation is to walk around the tourist areas, such as the Walled City and Getsemaní, to fully enjoy their historical and cultural charm.
5. What places to see in Cartagena?
Cartagena de Indias is a vibrant and historic city whose charm lies in the perfect combination of colonial architecture, beautiful beaches and rich culture. When planning a trip to Cartagena, there are several must-see places that you can discover through the Passporter app’s itineraries.
The Walled City is the historic heart of Cartagena, with cobbled streets, colourful colonial houses and charming squares. The Clock Tower, which marks the entrance to the Walled City, is an iconic landmark. The Bóvedas, originally used as warehouses and prisons, now house handicraft and souvenir shops. The Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias, with its impressive façade, is another architectural landmark.
The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, an impressive fortress, offers panoramic views of the city and is a testament to Spanish military engineering. The Barrio de Getsemaní is known for its vibrant nightlife, street art and bohemian atmosphere. Plaza de la Aduana, the city’s largest square, and Plaza de los Coches, surrounded by colonial balconies and carriages, are perfect for enjoying the local atmosphere and historic architecture.
6. Find the best restaurants with Passporter
The gastronomy in Cartagena de Indias is a delight for the senses, offering a mix of Caribbean and Colombian flavours. In its restaurants, you can try typical dishes such as rice with coconut, posta cartagenera, and arepas de huevo. Fresh seafood and fish also feature in many local recipes, such as ceviche and mote de queso. In addition, African and Spanish influences are reflected in the stews and fried foods served in the city’s colourful plazas and elegant restaurants. By the way, you can expect to spend between 30 and 70 euros in the high-end restaurants, between 10 and 30 in the mid-range and between 3 and 10 euros at street stalls. Some of the restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine are:
- Sambal Bistro Caribeño: A fantastic signature restaurant where you can sample traditional Colombian dishes with a modern twist and a fusion of other cultures. You will enjoy its dishes of great flavour, colour and different textures.
- Mar de las Antillas: A restaurant where you will fall in love with its delicious and fresh seafood and fish, as well as its varied and rich cocktails. Its cosy atmosphere and striking décor will captivate you.
- Amacagua Lounge & Grill: Much more than a restaurant. Amacagua is a modern and elegant terrace with a swimming pool, where you can not only enjoy grilled meats, but also relax with the best views of Cartagena.
7. Is Cartagena safe for tourists?
Cartagena de Indias is generally safe for tourists, especially in tourist areas such as the Historic Centre, Bocagrande and Getsemaní. However, as in any destination, it is important to take basic precautions: avoid poorly lit or empty areas at night, do not show valuables in public, and be aware of your belongings in crowded places. In addition, it is advisable to follow the advice of local guides to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Overall, with common sense and caution, you should be able to enjoy your trip to Cartagena safely and without problems.
8. Take out travel insurance: cover yourself against unforeseen events
If you’re planning a trip to Cartagena, you’re probably considering travel insurance, and in our opinion it’s a good idea for a number of reasons. First, it will provide you with medical cover in case of illness or injury during your stay, ensuring that you get the care you need without worrying about medical expenses. In addition, travel insurance can include coverage for flight cancellations, lost luggage and other unforeseen events that may arise during your trip. It also provides assistance in emergency situations, such as repatriation in the event of a serious medical emergency. In short, having the backing of insurance will ensure that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest without worry.
Before taking out insurance, it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions, making sure you understand all the clauses. Comparing different options will allow you to choose the insurance that best suits your needs and planned activities during your trip.
9. How to plan a trip with friends to Cartagena?
Travelling with friends is one of the best experiences in the world, especially to a destination like Colombia and its amazing cities like Medellin, Cartagena, Bogota… but planning a trip with many people can be a complicated process. Agreeing, keeping the whole group informed, establishing a budget that fits all participants… sometimes it can be more difficult than we expected.
With the Passporter App, organising this type of trip is easier as you can plan your travel itinerary from start to finish taking into account everyone’s opinion. Add your friends, get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and create the route together. After the trip you can share your experience through the photos you take during the adventure. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for travelling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.
10. How to plan a travel itinerary to Cartagena?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
- Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips on how to plan your trip to Cartagena de Indias.
- Enjoy your trip to Cartagena!
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
11. Frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Cartagena
The climate of Cartagena de Indias is tropical, warm and humid, with temperatures ranging between 24°C and 32°C throughout the year. The city has two main seasons: a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. The high humidity is constant, contributing to a year-round feeling of warmth.
The best time to travel to Cartagena de Indias is during the dry season, from December to April, when the weather is sunnier and there is less rainfall, which is ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.
The most convenient way to get to Cartagena de Indias is to fly into Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG), which is served by direct flights from a number of international airlines including Avianca, LATAM, Copa Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue. If you’re travelling from Europe or Asia, you’ll probably need to make a stopover in cities such as Bogotá, Miami or Panama City. From North America, there are direct flights from cities such as Miami or New York, while from Latin America, there are direct connections from cities such as Lima and Panama City.
If you want to enjoy the colonial architecture and the best monuments of Cartagena de Indias, you can get around on foot. For visits further away from the centre, you can also rely on public transport and taxis.
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