As travellers, it meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and dream of all the stories they could tell. Shop; Pruducts. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! The 16th-century colonial port city is the best-preserved Spanish settlement in the Caribbean and it attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! In Cartagena we have two types of weather, hot and very hot :) During the whole year temperature in Cartagena average goes between 25 and 32 degrees (77 to 88 fahrenheit) and 80% humidity. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Keep in mind the rule of asking the price before taking it also applies for cabs. We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. In fact, it is probably the most expensive. Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at restaurants all around Cartagena, but if you want to pay in cash, Colombian Pesos is the only form of currency accepted. With a trusty map app, you're all set. 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. 14. One great place to sample them is small, adorable La Palettera, home of popsicles. Taxis in the city dont work on a meter system, but rely on set of zone rates so in theory you should know how much you will be charged before getting on. Although in theory you can go year round, depending on when you go you may encounter larger crowds of tourists, get quite a bit of rain (though since it is in the Caribbean, it can rain year round) and find the city to be unbearably hot and humid we are speaking 80% and even 90% humidity. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is one of the MOST popular destinations in Colombia. If you choose to partake, just be aware of the potential consequences that can come along with that decision (potential robbery, arrest, etc). However if youre reading this post, know youre going to Cartagena, but havent sorted out your accommodation in Getseman or the Walled City, then please learn from our mistake and put booking something straight up to the top of your to-do list. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. For more day trips from Cartagena, read this post. This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". 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. Right outside you will be able to visit San Felipe Castle and to take a walk on the city walls. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. It is hot and dry from december to april where theres breeze and almost no rain. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Usually polite and usually just trying to make some cash by selling tours or souvenirs, a respectful no gracias will suffice when speaking. 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. ). Hi, my name is Claudia. Don't stroll round alone at night time. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. As our bellies can attest to, the tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink, safe to brush your teeth with, safe to wash fruit and veg with, and safe to have ice in your cocktail. But expensive is relative to you as a person. Dress appropriately for the temperatures, wear a hat, and lather yourself in suncream too. It promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer. There are amazing things to see and do out here. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . 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 . My answer is an emphatic yes, Cartagena is very safe to visit. 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. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. 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. Or, just leave us a positive note! Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. Carnival of Barranquilla. 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. Book Ahead, This Place is Busy 10. Finally, some suggest that it is possible to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos 14. Beth: "Bring a debit card to get cash, and be sure to let your bank know where you will be. You can get yourshere. Travelling between the two will cost around 25,000 COP in a taxi, or 2,700 COP with the local bus. And if you are traveling to Colombia soon, enjoy exploring this beautiful country! The main one, Bocagrande, is an almost complete disappointment. 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. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). However, making the most of your time in Cartagena is also about understanding some of its quirks, its challenges, and the notable changes its undergone in the last few years. Playa Blanca on Island Baru is the most popular beach in the Rosario Islands. 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. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. When we needed to work in Cartagena, this is where we went. The coffee region is chalk full of amazingly friendly people and beautiful mountain landscapes. Common sense goes a long way . 2. I made a post earlier this week. Read Next // The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip. It does not store any personal data. A coastal country with deserts and mountains between its borders, Colombia draws the adventurous tourist with its varied terrain. It brings jobs, economic opportunities, investment, and development. Mall Plaza El Castilloe - find it here. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena by Juan Ballena Travel Experiences in Cartagena 2. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Cartagena is a city with too much humidity. The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. 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. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. A rather common tour offered by tourism agencies is the Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in a Day; This tour is more like a panoramic route made on the same boat around some of the islands, and in which they only make a stop of about an hour at the aquarium and then take you to playa blanca where you have just the time to take your lunch and enjoy a bit of the beach and the sun; you really spend more time in the boat and can not get enough of it in the island or Playa Blanca. The countrys most famous author dreamed up many of his magical realist tales from a childhood and early journalistic career spent in Cartagena, and appreciating this adds a whole new layer to your strolls around it. 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. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. 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. You should always ask the price before you make a purchase and if you think it sounds expensive try to put the price down, the vendor will surely accept it or work the price with you. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. Learn more about me here, My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. So I'm here to get some honest advice . 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. 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 . Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. 9. 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. . lbj school of public affairs info@svsxpress.com; 21st century mathematics pdf +1 (281) 840-7564; Sun - Mon: 08:00 - 22:00 In Colombia, this is known as "offering up a papaya." Do not walk around alone at night. Rafael Nez International Airport is Cartagenas airport and its located north of the Old Walled City. Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. In the height of the cartel days in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cartagena was actually a very unsafe place to visit. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. To say that the room was suffocating is an understatement! Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. 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. Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. 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 . Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead, the city itself is the attraction. 16. 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. Also saying no gracias goes a long way. 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. Papaya & quot ; alternative Spring Break destination backpacks after a long bus journey characterized drug! 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