We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. What Things Cost in Morocco | Is It Expensive? This video features some do's and dont's you need to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. The journey was long and tiring, and eventually, we found out that flight . Hopefully, this re-balance of local vs tourist will prevent Cartagena from falling victim to over tourism. Consider your source. Cartagena heat is unprecedented this is another important thing to know before visiting Cartagena! Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. From may to november we experience raining season being october the rainiest month. Ranked as one of the top 50 Restaurants in Latin America, Celele is a must-stop on any trip to Cartagena. People wondering about Cartagena safety ask me a lot, "Is Cartagena safe to visit?". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Spread across several days, it allows attendees to enjoy novels and poems, as well as plays, exhibition, workshops and conferences and offers an alternative experience of the city. Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. Yes, all of South America, as in the entire continent. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. Also, you may get offered cocaine. Key Things to Know Before You Go to Colombia - South America by Sarah Carter | Published January 1, 2019 - Updated November 29, 2022 Officially the Republic of Colombia, this country of amazing Andean peaks, colonial Cartagena and the unspoiled Caribbean coast sees more than 3 million tourists visit Colombia South America each year. To get started with Gabo, read 100 Years of Solitude. The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink, 13. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena. Stop reinforcing perceptions of Pablo Escobar, Cocaine, and Violence. A mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs! 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. The colorful streets of Cartagena are a beautiful place. Renting a motorcycle is another great way to travel around the country. Top Tip // Whilst were here, we might as well mention that Spanish is a real difference maker for your travels in Cartagena and Colombia. 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). things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. This will definitely discourage you from traveling to Colombia solo. So I'm here to get some honest advice . Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". Pin this travel guide & save it for later. 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. 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. We used this app big time during our travel throughout Colombia! You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. If you are looking for fine, white sand and clear turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling, you can still find some just a bit out of the city. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. For those travelling by themselves, or still a little nervous about the country, this means that you can travel safely and confidently to a number of top destinations without fear or a great deal of Spanish. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. Whether you are visiting Colombia for a short trip or a few months, you need to know about Gabriel Garcia Marquez. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists . Get Out of Cartagenas Old City and Explore Getsemani, 11. The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. Newer Post. Chilly winter temps, right?? Some tips . Fair or not, Colombia earned bad reputation for safety and crime. 6. Things to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Find out more here. ATM's are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". 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. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. Although very popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best way to experience the beaches with fewer people. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Make sure you are wearing breathable and comfortable clothes because you will sweat. Also Read: A Digital Nomad's Guide to Medellin, Colombia We recommend avoiding lodging in other areas not mentioned as these are the safest alternatives that also offer infinite options of bars, restaurants and points of interest, Una . Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. If you decide to spend an extra day in the city, you can even push yourself beyond the limits of the old city and visit the Convento de la Popa for impressive views; and the Mercado de Bazurto, a beautifully local market. 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. It was so hot that heat exhaustion hit me and I cut my time in the city short and move south. Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! In our 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena post, we shared our favourite experiences and places to visit in the city. Also consider investing in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. With a trusty map app, you're all set. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". 14. 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. Reservations are encouraged where you can make them! Continue reading to discover everything you need to know before traveling to Cartagena. Arguably, the best time to visit Cartagena is between December and March, when the temperatures arent as hot and humidity is lower. Its dirty picture trash and cigarette butts and the last thing youll want to do is putting your feet in the sand; crowded; and there are so many vendors that instead of relaxing in the sun, youll spend your time thanking them and saying you really dont want to buy ceviche, or drugs, or whatever. With tourism becoming an important source of revenue in Cartagena, the price of services to tourists have been increasing, and even just looking around for a place to stay in town you will quickly realize that its not nearly as cheap as youd have hoped. On our second visit to Cartagena, we craved the heat. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. In the height of the cartel days in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cartagena was actually a very unsafe place to visit. 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. When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la(s) 9:38 PDT. Youll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir. 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. April to June and September to November are the wet seasons and you should expect some rain each day. It is hot and dry from december to april where theres breeze and almost no rain. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. 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? Dont despair! 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! Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Beyond these two districts, Cartagena sprawls out much further than any visitor imagines and becomes much like other Colombian cities; it does have quite vivid splashes of modernity with its clusters of white apartment towers next to the sea at Bocagrande, but most of us will have little reason to venture beyond the two neighbourhoods mentioned above. spendlifetraveling.com - Sanne Wesselman . Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. Learn more about me here, My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. Landed in Cartagena and prepared to discover? Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). While Cartagena and Getsemani are only a few minutes from each other, they can feel like different worlds at times. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Don't walk around alone 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. 0 advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce to society 0 salernitana game result 0. 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. We strongly recommend you Gente de Mar Resort or the Majagua Hotel; if you could, you should stay at least overnight to truly enjoy this natural paradise. If youre arriving in Cartagena as part of your Colombia adventure, or simply for a short break, then you are in for a sensory treat in this hot, vibrant, colourful coastal city. Were happy to answer. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. ), with a level up in service and price expected from Latam Airlines. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! But expensive is relative to you as a person. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. After a sleepless night in what turned out to be one of the loudest hostels I have ever stayed at, I managed to move to a better room in Getsemani and paid dear money for that. Civil unrest in Colombia. Visit the Gold Museum. Most dorms with 6-8 beds are 30,000 COP per night while 4-bed dorms cost 45,000-70,000 COP per night. There are never too many photos you can take of Cartagenas streets. However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . Don't go away your luggage unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables whereas wandering the streets. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. 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. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and amazing bars and restaurants can be found in the Old City. 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 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. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. It does not store any personal data. 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 . The two-prong power sockets in Cartagena and throughout Colombia are the same as the US, but if youre coming from the UK or Europe youll need an adapter. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . 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. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. The best shot here, is to take a day trip excursion to one of the hotels to offer the "day pass" service, however be aware of the option you choose as if your plan is to enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach, most of this hotels host hundreds of people everyday; besides, not even all of them have really a beach. For a more detailed list of things to do in Cartagena, head over to this post. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. r/travel 8 hr. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! Posted on August 10, 2022 August 10, 2022 by admin. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. Water in Cartagena is safe to drink, which will come as a massive relief as this way you wont have to worry about brushing your teeth with it, or eating a salad that has been washed in it. Especially if you plan to fly. Drop your stereotypes about drugs and cocaine. A coastal country with deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain. 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. Its always best and safer to travel with a card which either doesnt charge for foreign ATM withdrawals or only charges a small fee, rather than arriving in a new country with all your cash for the trip! Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! Now I'm scared. 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, of the place we visited in Colombia, Cartagena was by far the most English-friendly destination. 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. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. 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. Many people, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is not safe. Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. 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. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget. Cartagena is sexy on the outside, but there are quite a few things one should be wary of before visiting. Colombias most famous and celebrated writer lived in Cartagena most of his life and based his most popular novel 100 Years of Solitude right in the city. Honestly speaking from all my experience traveling in Colombia, Cartagena ranks as one of the more expensive cities for traveling in Colombia. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! Finally, here are a few other useful tips for traveling to Cartagena. Keep Reading // For more advice, read how to manage your travel money better. To say that the room was suffocating is an understatement! Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. 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. Once you land, rest assured that Cartagenas Old City is only a short taxi or Uber ride away (15 minutes or so). 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. Best Things to Do in Cartagena #1 Old City Walls #2 San Felipe de Barajas Castle #3 Plaza Santo Domingo See Full Ranking List Protect Your Trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel. Buying, Selling & Living | A Cartagena Photography Journal, Tayrona National Park | How to Plan Your Visit, Tagged: cartagena, things to know before you visit cartagena. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Street Art in Cartagena Colombia by Jorge Gardner via Unsplash Hopping from one city to another is a great way to get to know Colombia. Alternatively, you can book an affordable private transfer to be waiting for your arrival if its your first time in the Colombia and you dont speak Spanish. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! For the perfect Caribbean respite, consider flying to San Andres, off the coast of Nicaragua. Dress appropriately for the temperatures, wear a hat, and lather yourself in suncream too. Hi, my name is Claudia. But you will be surprised to know that most clothing and imported items (especially wine!) 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. As soon as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations! Colombia holds one of the world's most diverse ecosystems. 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. Easily one of the prettiest cities in South America, it is the kind of place where you will be glad to spend your time roaming around without looking for anything in particular, but just to uncover its prettiest corners you will have an abundance of those. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. The national language of Colombia is Spanish and it should be known that English really isnt widely spoken. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 11. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. Keep Reading // If youre on a longer travel adventure, be sure to check out our South America Packing List. If you are unsure if you have the right outlet adapter, you can check out this adapter pack for your trip to Colombia and future travels. After 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! However we recommend you to book it if youre only staying for a short time in Cartagena and need to take the most out of your trip. Slow travel is a big part of our travel philosophy, and we try to spend a little bit longer in places so that we can go deeper, feel a little more connected to it, and also not have to rush around. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. Although the Islands belong to the National park of Rosario and the San Bernardo, most of them are inhabited by private properties that pay significant taxation to government to be there; Therefore visiting them all is not really an option.