Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia is a UNESCO World Heritage city bursting with candy-colored colonial architecture, world-class Caribbean beaches, electric street art, and some of the best food in South America. Here are some of the best things to do in Cartagena Colombia to plan an unforgettable trip.

Imagine wandering through streets lined with brightly colored buildings and beautifully painted murals. The scent of fresh fruit smoothies and ceviche drifting from restaurants you walk by. The sounds of impatient motorbikes, locals excitedly catching up with family and neighbors, and salsa beats pouring out from corner shops.

This is Cartagena, Colombia, and it is more than I ever dreamed it could be.

I love this city. It’s romantic and poetic without trying. It’s vibrant without being exhausting. It’s steeped in history, yet completely alive.

Whether you’re sipping a salty margarita on a rooftop overlooking the old city walls or bouncing across turquoise water toward a private island, Cartagena delivers that rare travel magic: the feeling that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

If you’re like me — a woman who wants more than a beach vacation and craves history, flavor, art, and a little adventure — Cartagena checks every single box. And then some!

Here are some of my personal tips for traveling to this magical Colombian city.

About Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias was founded by the Spanish in 1533 and quickly became one of the most important ports in the Americas.

Gold and silver from the interior of South America flowed through here on its way to Spain — which also made the city a prime target for pirates and rival colonial powers.

To protect their prized port, the Spanish spent centuries constructing an elaborate system of walls, forts, and battlements. The old walled city — Ciudad Amurallada — was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

But Cartagena’s story isn’t just colonial. It was also one of the largest slave trading ports in the Americas, and the legacy of Afro-Colombian culture is woven into everything from the food to the music to the vibrant street life of the Getsemaní neighborhood.

Famed author Gabriel García Márquez grew up nearby and immortalized the city’s dreamy, layered soul in his writing. If you get the chance, read one of his books (perhaps again) before traveling here. It will give you a sense of the many layers this city has to offer.

How to get to Cartagena, Colombia

Getting to and around Cartagena is easier than you might think.

✈️ By Air

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is just 15 minutes from the old city. Direct flights operate from Miami, Bogotá, Medellín, and several other US and Latin American hubs.

From the US, expect flight times of around 3–4 hours from Miami or 5–6 hours from New York.

🚕 From the Airport

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Always agree on a fare before you get in. The ride to the old city typically runs $5–15 USD.

Uber also operates in Cartagena and is a reliable, cashless option many travelers prefer.

🚌 Getting Around Town

The old city is wonderfully walkable. For longer distances, taxis and Uber are cheap and easy.

Tuk-tuks (motorized rickshaws) are a fun and breezy way to zip between neighborhoods. Just be sure to negotiate your fare upfront.

⛵To the Islands

Boats to Barú Island and the Rosario Islands depart from the Muelle de los Pegasos pier regularly. Your hotel can arrange private transfers to the pier. Depending on where you are staying, you can walk or take an Uber or taxi to the pier.

Immerse yourself in architecture, history, and art with a walking tour

Start here. A guided walking tour of the Ciudad Amurallada is the best way to orient yourself and unlock the layers of history that live in these streets.

You’ll wind through the Plaza de Bolívar, past the Palace of the Inquisition, through the charming streets of San Diego, and along the iconic city walls.

Go in the morning when it’s cooler and the light is gorgeous. The pastel walls practically glow, and you’ll appreciate walking without (too much of) a sweat.

Stroll the colorful Getsemani neighborhood

Getsemani is like the soul of Cartagena. This now colorful neighborhood was long considered the “other side” of the old city: working class, gritty, real. Now, it’s one of the most vibrant and creatively alive neighborhoods in all of Colombia.

The streets are covered in extraordinary murals. The energy is electric.

Come in the late afternoon, grab a cold Colombian beer at a corner bar, and let yourself wander. Don’t forget your camera. I took at least 200 photos just wandering around this neighborhood.

Enjoy colorful, provocative street art

If you can’t tell, I LOVE street art. And the street art scene in Getsemaní and beyond is genuinely world-class. I couldn’t stop marveling and taking so many photos of the talent that met my eyes at every turn.

Giant, technically stunning murals cover building facades throughout Cartagena, but especially in Getsemani. They range from political to whimsical to simply sweet. All are beautiful, provocative, and full of so much Colombian pride and joy.

You can grab a street art map from your hotel, or join a dedicated street art tour for more context on the artists and their stories.

Sample Colombian cuisine

Colombian Caribbean cuisine is unlike anything else. It’s really such a rich, diverse palate that I still find fascinating — and delicious.

And Cartagena is an excellent place to dive in. Start with fresh ceviche from a street cart near the clock tower. Seek out a bowl of ajiaco or a plate of arroz con coco. Try patacones (fried plantain) with everything.

Don’t skip the fresh fruit, particularly the local maracuyá (passion fruit) juice. And when the palenqueras come by with their baskets of tropical fruit, buy something. The experience alone is worth it.

Take a cooking class

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to take a cooking class. In Cartagena, you can level up your food experience with a hands-on cooking class at Lunatico, one of the city’s most beloved culinary spaces.

You’ll learn to work with local ingredients, understand the roots of coastal Colombian cuisine, and come away with some tasty and easy recipes you’ll actually use at home.

I took a class with Jasminne as our instructor, and she was amazing! We made ceviche three ways. It’s fun, social, and absolutely delicious. Be sure to book well in advance; these classes fill quickly.

Take a sunset cruise

A sunset cruise around Cartagena Bay is one of the most magical experiences the city offers.

Sail past the city walls, the fortresses, and the bay as the sky turns pink and gold and the city lights begin to flicker on.

Sip a rum cocktail. Watch the colors shift and marvel at the Cartagena skyline at night. It’s a magical experience.

Boat trip to Baru Island

My favorite day in Cartagena was a day trip to Barú Island. We spent the day at Hotel Aura, a stunning boutique property set on one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful strips of white sand, where the water is that impossible shade of turquoise that looks unreal.

This boutique hotel is intimate, effortlessly stylish, and completely surrounded by paradise. It’s truly relaxing and the staff make the experience one to remember.

Here, you can spend the day paddleboarding or kayaking in the sea, lounging under a palm, getting a massage, or soaking in one of the pools.

I also ate some of the best food of my trip here, so don’t miss out on Hotel Aura’s restaurant.

This is Colombia’s Caribbean at its absolute finest — and it’s just an hour from the city by boat.

Where to stay in Cartagena

Cartagena has a wonderful range of accommodation, from boutique colonial gems hidden behind unassuming doors to sleek design hotels with rooftop pools.

★ Top Pick — Old City

OSH Hotel

OSH Hotel is where modern design and sleek lines meets soul in the heart of Cartagena’s old city. Set in a beautifully restored colonial building, this boutique property is a destination in itself.

This is where I stayed during my recent trip to Cartagena. I love how you’re mere steps from some of the city’s best restaurants, most beautiful streets, and the iconic city walls.

Wake up, step outside, and you’re already exactly where you want to be. It’s small, it’s personal, and the pool areas are simply divine.

What to pack for a trip to Cartagena

It’s hot in Cartagena. So think light, breathable, and stylish.

Linen and cotton in light colors will serve you well in the heat.

Comfortable sandals or shoes you don’t mind walking cobblestones in are essential. I’d leave the heels at home.

Pack a light wrap or cardigan for air-conditioned restaurants and light jacket for evening breezes on the water.

Reef-safe sunscreen (required on the islands), a hat, a quality insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle round out the essentials.

Leave the chunky jewelry at home and bring a small crossbody bag for daytime exploring.

FAQs: everything you need to know about traveling to Cartagena