One of Colombia’s most famous tourist destinations is the historic city of Cartagena! if you are looking for things to do in Cartagena, Colombia you have come to the right place!
In this guide, we will cover everything from the best beaches, restaurants, historic sites, and more. While in Cartagena we tried to do a little bit of everything in order to get a well-rounded picture. If you love colorful historic architecture and warm beaches then Cartagena could be for you! As always, if you feel like I forgot something or have a suggestion of your own, make sure to let me know. Now grab your sunscreen and let’s head to Cartagena!
accommodation
Let’s start with a place to stay for the night. Cartagena has a lot of options in the realm of accommodation and all in different price ranges. You can find everything here from the bougiest spa and hotels like the Casa San Agustin which can run for over $1,500 located in the heart of the historic district. Or if you are more like me and I would wager to say most people, that price tag is not gonna cut it. Lucky for us Cartagena has a lot of other options too.
Hotels – There are many hotels to pick from here. The price range is roughly between $40USD – $80USD if you are a little outside of the main areas. For a hotel in a safe area and relatively close to the historic district (where you’ll most likely spend the majority of your time) you can expect to pay closer to $100USD – $150USD a night.
Air BnB – Air BnB here is a bit on the pricey side unless you are traveling with friends then this might be your best option. If you hit it right there are a limited number of listings for around $60USD – $70USD a night but more commonly you will find a place to yourself for around $110USD – $130 a night.
Hostels – If you are trying to see the city and want to stay somewhere on a budget hostels are the way to go. This is the route we ended up going and I couldn’t have been happier about it! We stayed at Casa Zahri Boutique, We loved this place so much that we ended up canceling our other booking and staying here the whole time. We paid about $11USD a night with free breakfast included!
If Hostels are something you want to check out or are already your preferred method of traveling (like me), consider booking through my link at no extra cost to you! I will earn a small commission which helps me in my work and my website. Thank you!
Transportation
Taxis, boats, and buses are all common ways to travel about in Cartagena, Colombia. If you pick your location wisely when it comes to accommodation, you will find the city very walkable. While we stayed at Casa Zahri Boutique we pretty much walked everywhere. It was only a 5-minute walk to the center of the historic district where most of the main activities are. This saved us so much money!
Taxis – Taxis are everywhere and very cheap, If you are trying to get back to your lodging at night then I would definitely recommend a taxi over walking. We also had Cabify downloaded on our phone for when we did need a taxi. It is Colombia’s version of Uber and I would have it ready on your phone especially if you are traveling alone. This also helped us get a good idea of what fair prices were for when we had to hail a taxi. If this is your first time in Colombia check out 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia for more basic info and helpful tips!
Buses – If you want something even cheaper or are traveling a further distance, Cartagena also offers buses. You will have to purchase a bus card at the windows in the bus station for about 0.86USD and a one-way ticket is about 0.49USD. While this option is super cheap it comes at the cost of your time. You will have to wait for the bus and navigate the proper stops. If you are just in the city for a short while walking or taxis will most likely serve you just fine.
Restaurants
Totally transparency, when I first arrived in Colombia I had no idea what the local food was. Thankfully we wasted no time in finding and trying all the food we could get our hands on! Here are some favorites and some of the best places to eat!
Cafe De Mar – This place was recommended to us by the lovely folks who ran the hostel we stayed at. The restaurant is located right over the water and is the perfect place to watch the sunset! They are a bit on the pricier side but that’s to be expected with the views that come with dinner. We ended up just eating dessert here for about $7USD but it was absolutely perfect and the best tres leches cake we’ve ever eaten!
Shaved Ice – I know this seems basic but hear me out. Cartagena is hot, and I mean HOT. While walking around exploring you will want something refreshing to cool you off. For about 0.86USD you can get the best shaved ice of your life! They have vendors throughout the historic district but especially right by the front gate. Make sure to get the sweet condensed milk for the best flavors!
Colombitalia Arepas – You can’t go to Cartagena without eating arepas! If you are going to try anything on this list, let it be the arepas! You can get them in many places but the best we found was a little spot called Colombitalia Arepas. We ate here for under $3USD! Not only is the food AMAZING but the street itself is covered in Colombian flags and bright umbrellas creating a fun atmosphere!
Vive – Right down the road from the arepas stand you will find a little restaurant named Vive. This is the best bang for your buck! We got a HUGE lunch for about $4USD. If you want a local experience this place is for you. This place was recommended to us by our Colombian friend as his favorite lunch spot and it quickly became ours too!
activities
If beaches, dancing, and history are your jam you’ll love Cartagena, Colombia! Sitting right on the Caribbean Sea it’s not surprising that there is so much to do here involving the water. On top of that because of the location of Cartagena, the history of the oldest fortress dates back to the 1500s! Of course, if you are into a more modern scene there is plenty of places to dance and spend your time in the downtown area. A couple of my favorite things we did and that I would recommend…
Island Hoping – This is one of the top things to do in Cartagena! There are many ways to go about this but here is my favorite and one of the cheapest. This catamaran tour is only about $65USD. They will take you to two different islands, and provide lunch/drinks. They also give you snorkeling supplies. I will say we didn’t see much snorkeling but that could’ve been the day we went and it was still really fun!
Fort San Fernando – If you want the boat experience for almost nothing this tour is for you! For $16USD you get to take a speed boat out to Fort San Fernando, get a tour of the fort, then a private beachfront hut to spend the afternoon in. Lunch is included but drinks are not. However, at $16 this deal is impossible to beat!
Walking Tour – If you are new to the city I would highly suggest this free tour! It is a good way to get a quick rundown of the city, the do’s and don’ts, plus all the recommendations. It isn’t very long so you’re not committing the afternoon away, plus it ends right in the heart of the historical center so you will be right where the action is.
These are only a couple ideas of things to do in Cartagena, Colombia! There are so many dance classes, art classes, and sights to see. If you want a list of things to check out read 10 activities to do in Cartagena!
Budget
So bottom line how much should you have saved to travel around Cartagena, Colombia? Well, that all depends on your traveling style.
Budget – If you are trying to see the city without breaking the bank you could get by with about $30-$35USD a day. That would include all your food, transportation, accommodation, and utilizing the free activities. This would be a real bare-bones trip, staying in hostels, eating street food, and using the public beaches.
Comfort – If you wanted a more comfy trip with a private place to stay you are looking at around $120-$150USD a day. That would be a hotel or Airbnb, doing the tours/island hopping, and taking taxis instead of walking. This would also give you a budget of $25/day for food/drinks.
Lux – If you are a high-end traveler Cartagena is your playground. You can drop loads of money here with accommodation getting into the $1,4000/night range. Lux boat tours going for $300-$600USD, and all the fancy restaurants to drop $200-$400 at. There are many options here for living that lux life.
wrapping up
There we have it! Your guide on things to do in Cartagena, Colombia!
Hopefully, with this guide, you will be able to have a good idea on how to start planning your Cartagena trip. This beautiful city is definitely worth visiting even if you only have a couple of days. The weather is warm, the colors are vibrant, and the people are incredibly friendly! Make sure to pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and sandals while preparing to have the best time! As always if you have any suggestions about Cartagena or any other travel destinations let me know!
Until Next Time, Olivia Grace:)
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