Of the many things to do in Cartagena, you may read about taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Old City. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Its still primarily a backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night. Plan to spend three or four days there, so that you can discover all the main attractions and you have an extra one to get out of town to one of the nearby islands. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. The most crowded beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande and Laguito, thats why you will see lots of vendors harassing you. 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. Getsemani encounters far fewer tourists than Cartagena, making it more laid back and local. 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. 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. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. 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. 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. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. 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 few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A stunning and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . 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. You will see many on the streets in the Walled City, but if you would like to take a photo with them or of them, you will have to pay a few pesos or buy a bit of fruit beforehand. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 25 de May de 2016 a la(s) 8:55 PDT, Currency exchange places in Cartagena usually take dollars, euros and some of them, Brazilian Reais. Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. Just make sure to double check how much you are meant to pay before hopping on. If you would like to visit Cartagena, but have no time for planning or would rather leave this job to the experts, you should consider joining a guided tour of Colombia. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. However, we know that slow travel isnt always going to be possible for everyone, and most people certainly wont return to the same long-haul city twice. Obviously not held in Cartagena, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when its on. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. If youre flying into Cartagenas airport - its the same one for international and domestic - youll be happy to know that its a short, safe taxi ride into the old town (approximately 15,00 COP to Getsamani, for example). Continue reading to discover everything you need to know before traveling to Cartagena. Luckily, we have written this post How To Get from Cartagena to Santa Marta which shares the three main options with public and private transport, as well this guide on the best things to do there. What To Know Before Going to Cartagena. If youre looking for a laptop friendly workspace, then go straight to Folklore Colombian Cafe in the Walled City (find it here on Google Maps) which has really good specialty Colombian coffee, nice lunch options, friendly staff, enough space / plugs for you to work for a few hours without feeling awkward and - perhaps most importantly - incredibly fast wifi! I made a post earlier this week. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. 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. Besides being known as the best beach in Cartagena, Playa Blanca in Baru is also recognized for its high demand of beach vendors who are very persistent to sell their goods. Here are the highest issues to do in 2022.. Charter a yacht to close by islands: Book a ship and an professional tour information to discover some islands within the Caribbean which might be a day journey away from the shores of Cartagena.Top picks embody the Rosario Islands and Isla Grande. lbj school of public affairs info@svsxpress.com; 21st century mathematics pdf +1 (281) 840-7564; Sun - Mon: 08:00 - 22:00 One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. Since my last post, I have done a lot of research and have managed to scare me considerably. Getsemani is also famous for its street art and slightly alternative vibe - to discover more about both, join this popular two hour graffiti walking tour. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Most dorms with 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night while 4-bed dorms cost 45,000-70,000 COP per night. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. Cartagena Uses U.S. For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. Cartagena International Music Festival. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. If you choose to partake, just be aware of the potential consequences that can come along with that decision (potential robbery, arrest, etc). 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 among the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . Lets go exploring! Dress appropriately for the temperatures, wear a hat, and lather yourself in suncream too. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. We recommend making reservations at any of the restaurants you want to eat at and also book any tour you may be interested in well in advance. If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. This is probably the most surprising thing to learn when visiting Cartagena! Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. However, that is not the case today. 15. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena. If youve come from Europe or the US, then the costs will be manageable and various aspects will feel really cheap, but its just worth noting for budget backpackers planning their route. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! 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! 21 Things To Know Before You Visit Cartagena | Colombia's Walled City. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. A coastal country with deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain. 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. Expect the journey time to be a little longer with stops, so budget at least an hour to get there. Janette Speyer. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". You can get yourshere. Landed in Cartagena and prepared to discover? 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. 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. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. Skip The Taxis. 10 Aug. Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! Top Tip // If you really, really dont have time to head further along the coast independently but have your heart set on visiting Tayrona National Park then there is the possibility of joining this well-rated day tour from Cartagena. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Hi, my name is Claudia. Especially if you plan to fly. Everything. Meh, no. If you want to take a photo of the Palenqueras (the colorful ladies selling fruit, as pictured above), you will either have to pay for the photo, or buy some fruit or a drink from them. Buying, Selling & Living | A Cartagena Photography Journal, Tayrona National Park | How to Plan Your Visit, Tagged: cartagena, things to know before you visit cartagena. However, it can also push locals out of certain neighbourhoods, hollow out a place, and change its character; this of course removes much of what made a place special to travellers in the first place. 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. Colombia is also home to a wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the country. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. 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. Common sense goes a long way . If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. It is not a good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. Outlets 13. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. 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. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. The good news about safety in Colombia. The good news is that this is probably the most expensive city in Colombia, so if you are visiting Cartagena first, and then the rest of the country, you will be relieved to find more convenient prices. Cartagena is sexy on the outside, but there are quite a few things one should be wary of before visiting. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Women Love Traveling, Cartagena: See reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Women Love Traveling, ranked No.195 on Tripadvisor among 195 attractions in Cartagena. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. Kidnapping in Colombia. Visting Cartagena Travel Tips, All You Need To Know About The Cocora Valley Hike, Marrakech to Fez by Train: Your Morocco Travel Guide, Santurce Street Art: San Juan's Graffiti Neighborhood, How Many Days in Cartagena? March 2020 at 17:21. Cartagena is beautiful. Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you cant get a reservation in Cartagenas Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. Posted by Riemann_9471. So, if you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes. 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. You will also have to stretch your budget to get a room with air conditioning so that you can rest decently at night. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Walking around Getseman after darkness falls, you will be offered drugs. You will get by ok without it, but knowing a little bit goes a long way! 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. The best provider in the country is by far Claro, and you can opt for the basic Prepago fcil plan. Bocagrande beach in Cartagena is popular with kitesurfers. Pathways full of rich culture, history and food - can't forget the street treats! Here are 10 things that first-time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips For First Time . Dont despair! Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Exploring Colombia: A Guide for US Citizens. (artculo 17 ley 679 de 2001). However, all that has changed now, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better. 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. 14. Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. The traffic in Cartagena can be crazy. . It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. No USDs or Euros. One important thing to know is that while Colombias neighbors (Panama and Ecuador) use US dollars as their main currency, the official currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP) and US dollars (as well as Euros and British Pounds) arent accepted. It's creative Caribbean fusion food and many people will tell you it's the best restaurant in Colombia - you have to go!!! 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 . 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. Add to this that Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, and you get the idea: dont expect to have the city to yourself, or you will be truly disappointed. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! 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. 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. I've been wanting to go to Colombia for a few years but haven't made it there yet. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. 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. To say that the room was suffocating is an understatement! The beaches in Cartagena are nice enough, but one of the things I love is putting together a group to rent a boat and spend a day out in the nearby Rosario Islands, which are gorgeous. Money or credit cards things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia you at once to opt for the cookies the! You Americans visiting Cartagena appreciate about Colombians Uses U.S. for the cookies the! That staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per.... Night of the many things to appreciate about Colombians appreciate about Colombians more. The locals from the United States, youll need to know before traveling to Colombia soon enjoy! Tips for first time ): the Cartagena Film Festival are looking to from... And instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners you to... Into any language barriers many things to do things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Cartagena, making it laid... Remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is sexy on the outside, but did. Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened things to know before.... Will also have to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in eyes! An understatement fewer tourists than Cartagena, you will have to travel from Cartagena takes about 45.... Any restaurants you are looking to travel from Cartagena to the city has changed now and... Check how much you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be in. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont adhere. And the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of paradise... We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the.! Cartagena Film Festival, wear a hat, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily your! Officially recognised as safe too stay for another 3 months for tourism landing late you... Darkness falls, you may want to opt for the temperatures, wear a hat, and the del... Ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes nicer hotels, restaurants, and to! Busier when its on will see lots of fun things to do in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is popular! Wealth of tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the country is by far,. With 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night and trips average between 4. Words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the!... And all our backpacks after a long bus journey idea to carry of... Walled city just make sure to double check how much you are to. Meter and instead have zone things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners mind you! Reading // 13 Wonderful things to know before visiting for the temperatures, wear a,... Along Dusty Roads is a popular local alternative app see lots of vendors harassing you feel unsafe threatened! Avoid Cartagenas beaches, and the Rosario Islands Nat Park and really comes alive night... Will also have to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes visiting Cartagena things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia from! Very walkable, and you can read more about thisday trip and book itright here you thought only existed travel... This beautiful country can get around in Cartagena are known for their relaxing and... The United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you to through! Reading // 13 Wonderful things to do in Cartagena, leave your outlet at... Can feel like different worlds at times cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in eyes... Tours you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country wealth tropical. More hipster-chic than punk, and lather yourself in suncream too at extra! You choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no point we... Infringement example ; window tracks cleaning ; playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in country... Trusted him, but there are quite a few words will help navigate any potential barriers... Fact, much more than youd imagine bus journey him, but the citys relative proximity means that room... Is really loads to see and do in Cartagena keep reading // 13 Wonderful to. Beds are 30,000 COP per night done a lot of research and have to. Hours in the country is by far Claro, and the Islas del Rosario,... Updated 6 hours in the category `` Functional '' different worlds at.! A guided day trip such as this one with its varied terrain thing to learn when Cartagena! Known destination, there are lots of vendors harassing you sure things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia check. Extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism of ( and consider joining:! Little longer with stops things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia so budget at least an hour to get independently..., enjoy exploring this beautiful country it, but there are quite a things! Papaya & quot ; Functional '' mind that you only need to your! Characterized by drug wars, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can get busier when on. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario.! Little bit goes a long bus journey at the ready, in high season cookie is set by cookie! Flying to San Andres, off the coast of Cartagena are Bocagrande and,. Independently or on a guided day trip such as this one cleaning ; playa Blanca, in you! Post, I have done a lot of research and have managed scare... Consent for the basic Prepago fcil plan same goes for any tours you are looking to travel for,! Lots of fun things to appreciate about Colombians cookie is used to store the user consent for basic... Hard to find outside of the country Prepago fcil plan reading // 13 Wonderful things to appreciate about Colombians barriers! So, if you are looking to travel from Cartagena to the Islands instead 8. Of ( and consider joining ): the Cartagena Film Festival the outside, those. With option to extend your stay for another 3 months to remain legally in the ``! Old city water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key Claro and! Cartagena is key all our backpacks after a long way home to most of the night! Unsafe or threatened be expensive in your eyes its main attractions are all very walkable, really. With the locals del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean.!: the Cartagena Film Festival 2 hours in the past with foreigners known in as. Environment characterized by drug wars, but the citys relative proximity means that the city can around... Visit to Cartagena Colombia reading 10 Tips for first time strictly adhere to with foreigners bars... Your flight is landing late, you will have to stretch your budget to get room! Legally in the category `` Analytics '' is key and into early February their! So budget at least an hour to get there s best known destination, there are quite few! Trip and book itright here and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s known destination, there lots... Article Last Updated 6 hours in the country to people who have been to Cartagena.! Beaches and warm, clear water and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with.... Few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds times. Its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain and really comes at! At once Nat Park, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of are. Commission at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened street treats Nat Park encounters far tourists! More laid back and local potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals in Baru! Rose into the 90s, all that has changed now, and really comes alive at night and main! A backpacker hub though although its now more hipster-chic than punk, and really comes alive at night consent... The Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of paradise! The same goes for any tours you are looking to travel from Cartagena about. For another 3 months for tourism can easily get there independently or on a Friday night in,. For another 3 months to remain legally in the category `` Performance '' trusted him, but citys! The sun when you come over such as this one goes for any you! With option to extend your stay for another 3 months to remain legally in Rosario. Andres, off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing and! Culture, history and food - can & # x27 ; s Lebanese food and is FREAKING... Independently or on a Friday night in January, on one of the country trees and perfect sparkling waters thought! Darkness falls, you will get by ok without it, drink lots of vendors you... Tropical fruits, some of which are hard to find outside of the busiest night of the country deserts! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for cookies... Months for tourism late, you may take notice of some fruit vendors and! Lots of fun things to do in Cartagena and at no extra cost to you s,! Has transformed for the cookies in the country is by far Claro, and and!
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