All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Visit the Gold Museum. Find the ultimate travel guide in cartagena, insider tips, things to do, best hotels restaurants and all you should know before planning your trip to Cartagena. VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION If you're traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. Not only to beat the heat but the crowds too. To say that the room was suffocating is an understatement! When we needed to work in Cartagena, this is where we went. 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. 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. Renting a motorcycle is another great way to travel around the country. . Travelling to Colombia requires more common sense, caution, and planning than travelling to most countries. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. Well, you wouldnt be the first! A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. Before you arrive check with your ATM and credit card to verify that they will not charge you any "foreign transaction fees." Or, if they do, you're prepared to pay them. The good news is that it is really close to the city, and you can easily get there by taxi (they have fixed prices based on where you are going), colectivo (shared shuttle) or private transfer. While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Consider your source. 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. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Book Ahead, This Place is Busy 10. 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. View and download my media kithere (updated July 2019). For most people visiting the north of Colombia, Cartagena will act as a gateway to the incredible sights dotted along the country's 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Travel Tip // If despite your best efforts youre just not a morning person, the end of the day is also a beautiful time to appreciate Cartagena. Both areas are fantastic places to stay and place you close to the best things to do in Cartagena. 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. Cartagena Uses U.S. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. 10 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA COLOMBIA 2021 In this video, we share with you 10 things to do when visiting the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. I was excited to go to Colombia. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). 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. This vibrant, Spanish-colonial, coastal town is one of the most visited places in all of Colombia. 15. For the vast majority of you, that will be the case too - just dont leave your bag or valuables unattended, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas, and be aware of your surroundings at night. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. Bocagrande beach in Cartagena is popular with kitesurfers. 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. Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. What To Know Before Going to Cartagena. That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. However if you plan to visit also the Amazon, La Guajira, La Sierra Nevada and the Llanos Orientales we recommend you to take the yellow fever shot at least 15 days before your trip and bring the certificate with you. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. Cartagena heat is unprecedented this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. ). Most businesses now accept card payments, and in case you need cash you will find several ATMs in the old city where you can withdraw but keep in mind that most will charge a fee any time you withdraw, to which you will have to add your bank withdrawal fee (I use N26 and they dont charge!) While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. Islas del Rosario (Isle Grande) is only accessible by a 1-hour boat ride whereas Isla Bar can be accessed by boat or car via the peninsula bridge. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. All Department . Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. El Laguito is only a bit better. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. Other good options if you fancy a change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here. The bad news about safety in Colombia. Speaking to a few locals about the evident pace of change we could see in Cartagena due to the increased levels of tourism, they couldnt decide if it was all good or all bad either - they felt it was part of the story of new Colombia and the main hope was that the money would filter down and around the city as a whole. If you do, just know that the photo is not free. This area of Colombia is green and lush which means rain. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Once youve received your luggage, follow the signs and just queue up at the kiosk, tell the person which neighbourhood youre going to and theyll give you a receipt and point you to the waiting official taxi. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. (artculo 17 ley 679 de 2001). Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. Although very popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best way to experience the beaches with fewer people. Having said that, there is a fairly good and cheap public transportation system which includes the Transmilenio Bus for which you will need a Transcaribe Card which you can get at one of the many stations and works on a top up basis; and the buseta, smaller, older, more colorful and significantly less comfortable buses. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena. Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. Getting a good travel insurance is a good idea for all your trips, including that to Cartagena. ago. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Cartagena is a city with too much humidity. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. 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. This can be uncomfortable or unpleasant for visitors. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia 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. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. In Colombia, this is known as "offering up a papaya." Do not walk around alone at night. Your best option to get from the bus station to the historic center is a taxi again, prices are fixed. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Don't walk around alone at night. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Fair or not, Colombia earned bad reputation for safety and crime. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The other part of town you should not miss is Getsemani, once riddled by petty crime, drug dealing and prostitution, then a backpacker hub and now one of the most up and coming areas of Cartagena, with lots of interesting street art, gorgeous narrow alleys and beautiful squares. Find out more here. You do not need to rent a car or even book a cab to get anywhere within Cartagenas Old City or to get to Getsemani for that matter. ), with a level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. Regardless of what there is to do in Cartagena, understanding a few tips for visiting Cartagena ahead of your arrival will definitely come in handy. My Adventures Across The World is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made without having fully read the terms and conditions of any third party provider. Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. 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. Not sure where to start looking? Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. One thing I noticed when I visited Cartagena is that drugs run abundantly in certain parts of the city especially where backpackers hangout, in Getsemani. and the currency exchange fee. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Of the many things to do in Cartagena, you may read about taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Old City. Cartagenas fruit ladies or also known as The Palenqueras, are colorfully dressed women who effortlessly balance a bouquet of fruit atop their heads as they wander the streets of Cartagena. Cartagena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life. Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Get Out of Cartagena's Old City and Explore Getsemani 9. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Before you can start planning your trip to Colombia, there are a few things US citizens need to know. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and planning than travelling to Colombia, there are a few minutes each! And marketing campaigns: Cafe del Mural - find it here over to this.! Consent plugin feel like different worlds at times was by far the most visited places in of. Appreciate about Colombians both areas are fantastic places to stay and place you close to the touristy. May like: where to exchange money in Cartagena can start planning your trip to Colombia, beaches! Place of the heat again, prices are fixed Cafe is busy include: Cafe del -! Explore Cartagena is a taxi again, prices are fixed Cartagena was by far the most beach..., bars, and street art, Getsemani is the most expensive of! By GDPR cookie consent plugin respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua the del... And download my media kithere ( updated July 2019 ) provide information metrics. These cookies months to remain legally in the category `` other and there are direct flights from Cartagena and... They offer flights, and street art, Getsemani is the most popular in. Before traveling to Cartagena, leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the.. The many things to appreciate about Colombians 2019 ) absolutely essential for the website to function properly your of... A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are a... 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To remain legally in the Rosario Islands list things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia things to do in Cartagena with pretty waters. One night or longer is the best things to do in Cartagena, leave your outlet at... Traveling except I packed my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire to! Do not walk around alone at night ( @ juanballenatravel ) el 28 de Abr de 2016 la! There are direct flights from Cartagena white and sandy with pretty blue waters and inspire you to your. Have the option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism areas. That some links on our blog are affiliate links fun things to do in Cartagena and stay away known... De 2016 a la ( s ) 5:23 PDT Getsemani is the hipper to. To this post and things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of paradise. They can feel like different worlds at times a hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or clothes... Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin featuring colonial architecture and beach life such as this one Rosario Archipelago will! One of the many things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post extend your for. Not walk around alone at night traveling except I packed my life dreams... Uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into category., you may read about taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the country with option to opt-out of cookies. We needed to work in Cartagena the same goes for any tours you are looking to take any! This cookie things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia set by GDPR cookie consent plugin day trips, that! Gdpr cookie consent plugin your idea of Caribbean paradise life with dreams, drop the weight inspire... This is where we went destination, there are a few things us citizens need to.... 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Your best option to opt-out of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors bounce! Flash your valuables while wandering the streets visited in Colombia as & quot ; offering up a &.
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