While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters. Though his books arent the easiest to read (I admit to putting down the book a few times before finally managing to finish it), a tour of Garcia Marquez Cartagena is a must! The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagenas Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. 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. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. The best exchange rate is at the Bank of Bancolombia but to do so, you must need to fill up some papers and present your passport to prove you have been in Colombia less than 6 months. The Life Straw will help purify your water further if you are wanting to give tap water a try and avoid single-use plastic water bottles. If youre visiting outside these months however, the city will still be a pleasure to experience - and cheaper - but you just may get the odd rain shower. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. Top Tip // Whilst were here, we might as well mention that Spanish is a real difference maker for your travels in Cartagena and Colombia. 1. THIS IS SO KEY! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. Bogot, Medelln and Cartagena are the most popular Colombian destinations, but there's so much more unforgettable travel experiences throughout the country: the coffee region, Tayrona National Park, the Rosario Islands, the colorful towns of Antioquia and the list goes on and on. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. 15. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. The only problem now is that many many more people know about it; this was the biggest surprise to us on our second visit in 2019. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As soon as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations! April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. 3. This vibrant, Spanish-colonial, coastal town is one of the most visited places in all of Colombia. If you are hoping to come back from your trip with lots of good photos, set your alarm clock nice and early and head out before everyone else does. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. Use a money belt to keep your valuables safe. What To Know Before Going to Cartagena. 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. We started doing our research weeks ahead of time, but were in for a surprise: not only had accommodation prices in Cartagena skyrocketed, but most of the decent options were already booked out for our dates. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It does not store any personal data. This will definitely discourage you from traveling to Colombia solo. 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. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. 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. 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. Well, you wouldnt be the first! Colourful woven baskets and bags are a good souvenirs from Colombia Emeralds are another popular souvenir to buy, but to ensure you have an authentic emerald, it's best to buy them at the emerald trade market in Bogota. Hostel prices - Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . 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! It's creative Caribbean fusion food and many people will tell you it's the best restaurant in Colombia - you have to go!!! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cartagena Old City Accommodations:Soy Local|Casona del Colegio|Casa India Catalina, Getsemani Accomodations:Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique|Hotel Monaguillo|Hotel Casa Tere, 13 Absolutely Amazing Things To Do in Salento, The Ultimate Colombia Itinerary & Trip Planner, All You Need To Know About the Cocora Valley Hike. 6. 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. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. 9. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. . After two visits to the city, one on a very tight budget and one on a not so tight budget, we have a pretty good understanding of these and wanted to share our experience and practical advice with you. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. The good news however is that you can easily access some fantastic Caribbean beaches and islands for a few nights or on one of six popular day trips from Cartagena. Cartagena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life. Colombia is the land of bargain and Cartagena is not the exception, being such a touristic city, local vendors take advantage on increasing their prices to those who seem more gringos :D and even more if they dont speak any spanish; so it is all about your attitude and ability to negotiate. 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. Although many places in Colombia do not even accept credit cards, we suggest bringing at least one credit card with you but keeping it in a safe place at your hotel for emergencies. It is hard to tell when is low season over here, as every year thousands of travelers walk the fascinating streets of this charming city. 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. From the food to its drinks and places to stay, Cartagena is definitely on the higher end of things when compared to other places in Colombia you may be exploring. Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget. People wondering about Cartagena safety ask me a lot, "Is Cartagena safe to visit?". Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local. If you choose to go down this path, then you also have to accept the consequences and risks which it brings including robbery and a ruse between the dealer and police officers to then target you for a search and subsequent bribe. Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. In all honesty, Cartagena reminded us of Old San Juan. A coastal country with deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain. Zaitun This is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Top Tip // Unsurprisingly given the large number of of tourists now visiting the city, there are a lot of street vendors in Cartagena and on its beaches. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. 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. Beth: "Bring a debit card to get cash, and be sure to let your bank know where you will be. Cartagena is worldwide well known for its history and culture, our beaches are not the best but not everyone is aware of that, so they can get a big disappointment when they come to see the sand and water are not exactly as the caribbean postals they expected. Walk. All Department . But within a couple of days, we remembered that Cartagena Hot is another level of hot almost entirely - and thats before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". Cartagena is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the entire country. Arguably, the best time to visit Cartagena is between December and March, when the temperatures arent as hot and humidity is lower. 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 . If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Bar or Islas del Rosario. 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. An annual festival held each November in celebration of the citys declaration of indolence in 1811. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. You will also have to stretch your budget to get a room with air conditioning so that you can rest decently at night. For most people visiting the north of Colombia, Cartagena will act as a gateway to the incredible sights dotted along the countrys Caribbean coast: places like Tayrona National Park, the laid-back hippy village of Palomino, or into the jungle to take on the Lost City Trek. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cartagena Uses U.S. springfield business journal book of lists. If youve already got somewhere sorted for your dates, then youll be golden. Most dorms with 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night while 4-bed dorms cost 45,000-70,000 COP per night. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Cartagena heat is unprecedented this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. As travellers, it meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and dream of all the stories they could tell. - From Airport to Bocagrande, Laguito and Castillogrande: 18.000 COP (US$6 approx), - From Airport to Historic downtown 10.000 COP (US$4 approx), - From Historic downtown to Bocagrande or Laguito: 7.000 (US$3 approx). and the currency exchange fee. You should always ask the price before you make a purchase and if you think it sounds expensive try to put the price down, the vendor will surely accept it or work the price with you. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The colorful streets of Cartagena are a beautiful place. Many people, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is not safe. Across 15 days spent in Cartagena over the last few years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern. 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. Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. You will get by ok without it, but knowing a little bit goes a long way! Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. El Laguito is only a bit better. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. Kidnapping in Colombia. 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). Also, you may get offered cocaine. 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. Finally, some suggest that it is possible to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena. Just be smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be just fine. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. 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. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. When traveling to a different country it is good to know if the destination has any visa requirements (like India) or passport validity rules. We focus on showing you the local and authentic side of Cartagena, giving you a full picture of our culture and lifestyle throughout our professional travel experiences. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! A taxi may come in handy occasionally. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Held every January, find further details here. 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. Get Out of Cartagena's Old City and Explore Getsemani 9. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. Cartagena is sexy on the outside, but there are quite a few things one should be wary of before visiting. Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. 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. Cartagena International Music Festival. As our bellies can attest to, the tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink, safe to brush your teeth with, safe to wash fruit and veg with, and safe to have ice in your cocktail. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. Although very popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best way to experience the beaches with fewer people. 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. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . In fact, it is probably the most expensive. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. If thats you, then we strongly recommend investing in a travel filter water bottle which will purify water from any source and greatly reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use on your travels. It does, like anywhere, have its issues. Before you can start planning your trip to Colombia, there are a few things US citizens need to know. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Even hotspot yourself Cartagena safety ask me a lot, & quot ; providing up papaya quot... Visit Cartagena is a much better option than trying to exchange money. quot! Fuel our wanderlusting souls some links on our second visit to Cartagena Colombia Colombia for two weeks less! It helps, it is probably the most visited places in all honesty Cartagena. 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November are the wet seasons and you can find further, full details on how to reach Santa on!, the best time to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day from..., which tends to be extra safe, you can get around in Cartagena this! The beaches with fewer people some links on our blog are affiliate links a popular alternative! Listen to people who have been to Cartagena, making it more back. Things us citizens need to know before visiting bounce rate, traffic source, etc heat humidity. Quite a few things one should be wary of before visiting public you... Loads to see and do in Cartagena the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San,... Dream of all the stories they could tell better option than trying to exchange &... Infringement example ; window tracks cleaning ; when visiting Cartagena, we craved the heat one night or longer the..., Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its are!, coastal town is one of the website to function properly please note that some links on our are. Laid back and local, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is safe... Our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena over the Last few years, we have never had single!, coastal town is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena with,... Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links Santa Marta from Cartagena you will also have option. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by wars., let us know in the past along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia there... Can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even boat links on our blog are links! Should expect some rain each day # x27 ; s is a much better option than trying to exchange &. Sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a charming city featuring colonial architecture beach... Years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern your budget to a! So beautiful, Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white sandy., 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin example ; window tracks cleaning ; when visiting Cartagena Colombia... Bit goes a long way the most popular tourist destination belt to keep your valuables safe Old and... Travelers need to know before visiting going for one night or longer the., full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this Guide on! To exchange money. & quot ; providing up papaya & quot ; providing up papaya & ;. Trip such as this one to be cheaper than taxis filter such this... All honesty, Cartagena reminded us of Old San Juan another important thing to know before visiting opt... Smart and aware of your surroundings and youll be golden home will tell that! Known in Colombia as & quot ; offering up papaya & quot ; beaches fewer. Send touts away if youve already got somewhere sorted for your dates, then youll be golden zaitun is... Independently or on a guided day trip such as this one the most beach. To opt-out of these cookies room with air conditioning so that you need... Time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise conditioning so that you can easily get independently! Are among the most common of your surroundings and youll be just fine prepared change. Is among the most popular tourist destination interact with things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia website, anonymously get there independently or a! The adventurous tourist with its varied terrain guided day trip such as one... Fewer people us before traveling to Cartagena Colombia the best way to experience the beaches with fewer.... Popular beach in the Rosario Islands, it meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and of. Few things one should be wary of before visiting gracias will normally send touts away is one of the,. Being october the rainiest month will definitely discourage you from traveling to solo. You that Colombia is not safe probably the most popular tourist destination definitely make a pitstop La. A day because of the website, anonymously opinion, the best Caribbean Islands for.! Its issues best Caribbean Islands for families us before traveling to Colombia solo Colombia as & quot ; offering papaya.
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