Cartagena is the most beautiful city in Colombia and the one most likely to disappoint, for the same reason: everyone goes, and it knows it.
The short verdict#
| You want | Worth it? |
|---|---|
| Colonial streets, balconies, sunsets on the walls | Yes, the best in South America |
| Two or three days inside a Colombia trip | Yes |
| A beach holiday | Only with the islands; the city beaches are not it |
| A cheap stop | No, Colombia's most expensive city |
| A week on its own | No, unless you add the coast |
What makes it worth it#
The walled city: the balconies, the plazas, the Calle de las Damas at seven in the morning, the walls at sunset with the sea beyond. Getsemaní, the barrio outside the walls where the city actually lives at night, the Plaza de la Trinidad full of people and music. The Castillo San Felipe at opening. The food, from ceviche carts to the best restaurants in the country (where locals eat). The Rosario Islands and Barú, turquoise and an hour away (day trips). The Fiestas de Independencia in November (the festivities). Things to do in Cartagena has the list.
The honest downsides#
Heat. Over 30°C every day of the year, humid, and the walled city has little shade. The day is early morning and after five. The hustle. Hat sellers, rappers, massage ladies, boat touts: constant, not dangerous, tiring by day two. The beaches. Bocagrande is an ordinary city beach; the postcard ones need a boat. The price. Hotels inside the walls and in Getsemaní cost more than anywhere in Colombia, and so do the boats and the restaurants (Cartagena on a budget for the way around it). Rain: September and October are wet and the streets flood for an hour (in September, in October).
How long#
Two days for the city, three with the islands: Cartagena in 3 days, 5 days if you add Barú and a slow day. Where to stay: the walled city to be in the postcard, Getsemaní to be in the city.
When#
December to April, dry and breezy, with January the windiest and busiest (in January, in February). July and August are hot with short showers and quieter (in August). Cartagena vs Medellín and vs Santa Marta if you are choosing.
Safety#
Fine in the walled city, Getsemaní and Bocagrande with city rules; the risks are overcharging and drink spiking, not violence. Is Cartagena safe?
With a costeño#
Honestly, Roavi has almost no Local Friends in Cartagena yet. The Community board is where to post your dates, find other travellers in town the same week and get a plan checked by Colombians who know the coast; posts are what bring the first Cartagena locals in. The Cartagena travel forum, how to meet locals in Cartagena.
Along the coast: is Santa Marta worth visiting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cartagena worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days: the walled city, Getsemaní, the walls at sunset and a day on the islands. It is the most beautiful city in Colombia and the hottest, most touristy and most expensive one, so plan a short, well-timed stay rather than a week.What are the downsides of Cartagena?
Heat and humidity all year, constant selling on the street in the walled city, city beaches that disappoint, boat trips that are overpriced if you do not shop around, and Colombia's highest hotel and restaurant prices. Is Cartagena safe covers the real risks, which are hustle and overcharging more than crime.Are the beaches in Cartagena good?
The city ones, Bocagrande and Marbella, are not. The good beaches are the Rosario Islands, Barú and Playa Blanca, a boat or a drive away. Day trips from Cartagena has the honest comparison.How many days in Cartagena?
Two for the walled city and Getsemaní, three with an island day. A fourth only if you add Barú or Santa Marta and Tayrona.