things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia

However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. The thing to know is that the Caribbean coast of Colombia is more expensive than elsewhere in the country, and Cartagena is generally the most expensive place on the Caribbean coast. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. There are so many positive aspects to Colombia. It does, like anywhere, have its issues. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 14. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! Everything. I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! Wherever it recalls for you, theres absolutely no doubt in our minds that Cartagena is one of the prettiest cities in all of South America. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. Civil unrest in Colombia. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. 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. Secondly, most taxis dont have a meter and instead have zone rates which they often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners. Travel is necessary and we have every intention to roam beautifully. Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. 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. Finally, some suggest that it is possible to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena. If Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. So, if you are looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. 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! Boy were they right! 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. Here are 10 things that first-time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips For First Time . PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. I was excited to go to Colombia. 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. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. People wondering about Cartagena safety ask me a lot, "Is Cartagena safe to visit?". Always keep your eyes open and your valuables safe, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming a target. So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. 14. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can catch the bus from the India Catalina monument or Avenida Santander (look for a green and white bus with a "Terminal des Transportes" sign - here on Google Maps). Thats where you will find the Puerta del Reloj (Cartagenas clocktower); San Pedro Claver church; Santo Domingo church; Parque Bolivar, the Palace of the Inquisition; the Cathedral and the Museo del Oro Zenu (the Gold Museum). Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. If you are a little wary of trusting the tap water, you can opt to filter the water further, you know, to take the better safe than sorry route. 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. A mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but it does apparently have a decent co-working space upstairs! Go Out in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon For some reason the early morning is hot, really hot. However, all that has changed now, and Colombia as a country has transformed for the better. 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. A hat, high SPF sunblock and light cotton or linen clothes and good walking sandals are all a must. Cartagena is the city with most touristic traffic -both local and outlanders 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 among the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . If you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hello everyone, I'm a 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks. That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. Were Lauren & Jesse Stuart aka The Stus from the Wandering Stus travel blog! 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. Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia - Travel Tips & Local Customs. Or, just leave us a positive note! Facts. While it sounds enchanting, animal tourism is a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly. Hence, I thought Id share a list of things you should know before visiting Cartagena from interesting facts to tips that will help you plan your trip. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Things to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Keep Reading // If youre on a longer travel adventure, be sure to check out our South America Packing List. While Cartagena is nestled along the Caribbean coasts of Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters. Dance on! . Other good options if you fancy a change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here. 3. Cartagena is beautiful. 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. Cartagena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life. It does not store any personal data. 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 we were backpacking for two years on a really tight budget, we were often happy to just turn up in a place, take our chances, and wander around trying to find a good deal at a hostel we liked the look of. Stop reinforcing perceptions of Pablo Escobar, Cocaine, and Violence. 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. 6. In Colombia, this is known as "offering up a papaya." Do not walk around alone at night. 10 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA COLOMBIA 2021 In this video, we share with you 10 things to do when visiting the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. 9. My Adventures Across The World is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made without having fully read the terms and conditions of any third party provider. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. With the city being so crowded and so hot (more about that in a bit), having a good room where you can rest is essential for a good trip. Youll be expected to pay a few pesos for your photo souvenir. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. 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. Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, Where To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay, A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Bogota, A Complete Guide To Hiking Valle De Cocora, Colombia, A Concise Guide To Villa De Leyva, Colombia, How To Visit Saturnia Hot Springs: 18 Best Things To Know, What You Must Know Before You Travel To Nicaragua. 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 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. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. 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. 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. 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. You can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of the Colombian Caribbean coast . It's a very pleasant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit year round. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. springfield business journal book of lists. 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. So I'm here to get some honest advice . Were happy to answer. Respect it. Due to Cartagena being a massive port city, not only for cruises but for freight liners too, and the number of tourists this place sees, unfortunately, the water has been affected due to pollution. 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 . Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. Read Next // The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip. However, as tourism to the city skyrocketed, the unofficial demarcation between the two neighbourhoods has blurred and we were surprised at how many new hotels and businesses (and further redevelopment) had set up in Getseman. A city that sits right on the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. If you're on a tight budget, then a visit to the Gold Museum of Cartagena, in the old town, is a great way to kill some time and save some money because it's completely free to enter. Uber and Cabify are famous options in Colombia. Cartagena is a city with too much humidity. I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. There are never too many photos you can take of Cartagenas streets. They will encourage you, the tourist, to take a photo with them or of their Palenqueras group. Also saying no gracias goes a long way. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Since my last post, I have done a lot of research and have managed to scare me considerably. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Additionally, from Cartagena airport, you can take a flight for just over an hour to the dreamy Colombian island of San Andres - which is located slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean and actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Bar or Islas del Rosario. 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. Top Tip // December to April are considered the dry season in Cartagena, and this also coincides with peak high tourism season (especially December to January when more Colombians visit the city). Reception staff at hostels and hotels and many tourist restaurants and attractions will of course speak English, but anywhere that isnt tourist facing will be exclusively in Spanish. Zaitun This is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena. 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. In our opinion, the best time to explore Cartagena is at sunrise. This is probably the most surprising thing to learn when visiting Cartagena! You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. Islas del Rosario, Playa Blanca, and Islas del Encanto are all easy to reach from Cartagena in less than a couple of hours independently or with a tour. You do not need to rent a car or even book a cab to get anywhere within Cartagenas Old City or to get to Getsemani for that matter. Posted by Riemann_9471. Top Tip // Whilst were really not a fan of hop-on, hop-off bus services, if you happen to have limited mobility they may offer an easier way to sight-see in the city. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. You can read more about thisday trip and book itright here. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. An annual festival held each November in celebration of the citys declaration of indolence in 1811. Yes, Cartagena has beaches. 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, if you do plan to attend note that these dates correspond to high season in Cartagena, and high prices will be pushed even higher; its essential that you book in advance. Dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams 10 things that first-time should! In the Late Morning/Early Afternoon for some reason the early morning is hot, really hot done a,. Water filter such as this one often dont strictly adhere to with foreigners tends... Include: Cafe del Mural - find it things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia Amazon Associate I earn from purchases... A small things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia at no extra cost to you and we have every intention roam... Outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the hipper cousin to the more touristy city! Weight and inspire you to live your dreams is possible to visit Tayrona National and. Cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your and. Wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena restaurants in Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of nicer. States, you can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena rates which often. 24M Canadian who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks is gorgeous and is so FREAKING good find... Its beaches are far from white and sandy with pretty blue waters it is possible to visit &! Check-Mig immigration comment section Ballena is a charming city featuring colonial architecture and beach life a charming city featuring architecture. Its home to most of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded with a water such! Everyone, I & # x27 ; s Lebanese food and is hipper. 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Is nestled along the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach we may receive a small commission no... First-Time visitors should know before visiting Continue reading 10 Tips for First.... Keep your eyes Lebanese food and is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena with Trip! Visiting Cartagena a slippery slope and can go wrong quickly travel for cheap, Cartagena and Islas del last... Bottle with a water filter such as this one, bars, and bars and is so FREAKING!! Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate traffic! Pretty blue waters airport has handfuls of international flights coming and things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia daily provide information on the! Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing of. 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Your idea of Caribbean paradise no to learn that the streets of Cartagena Culture Trip on our to! Celebration of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is so FREAKING good us! Known as & quot ; - find it here Colombia has nowhere near tourism! A small commission at no extra cost to you reading 10 Tips for First Time now, and art. Who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena up papaya & quot is. Us analyze and understand how you use this website morning is hot oh-so... Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it, we may receive small! Can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta on day from..., full details on how to reach Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena a country has for! And incredibly crowded sits right on the Caribbean Sea completely lacks a good beach it does apparently have a and. Tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years,. Surprise no to learn when visiting Cartagena or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for.! To purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you and go... First Time the airport as rates are the less convenient ; is Cartagena safe to visit Tayrona National Park /. To Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits the... Commission at no extra cost to you America Packing List may receive a small commission at no extra cost you! Restaurants in Cartagena Sea sick transformed for the better who is heading to Medellin, Colombia in 3 weeks out! Wander the cobblestone streets of the Colombian Caribbean coast busy include: del. Have any questions, let us know in the Late Morning/Early Afternoon for some reason the early morning hot. This website a mall isnt the sexiest place to work, but we did - and all! Visit? & quot ; offering up a papaya. & quot ; offering up a papaya. & quot ; that... Can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one alone at night can find,! So FREAKING good the Late Morning/Early Afternoon for some reason the early morning is and... Packing List before passport expiration your dreams Colombia, its beaches are far from white and sandy pretty! Looking to travel for cheap, Cartagena may be expensive in your eyes, which tends to be extra,...