Currently, the city rates at a 82 while Bogota is at a 46, nearby Barranquilla at 47, and Medellin at 46. Incredibly cheap and very filling, this is the best way to eat in Colombia. Her Foundation Is Coming To A City Near You, 8 World Destinations Outside The US And Europe To Include On Your Bucket List This Fall, Cabin Pressure Causes The Back Of A Woman's Head To "Explode" On Flight. Obviously, there will be quite a few travel styles and travel budgets spread across those diverse groups, but Cartagena is slowly evolving to try and cater to them all. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. 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. ATMs are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". 12. But within a couple of days, we remembered that 'Cartagena Hot' is another level of hot almost entirely - and that's before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! I had 2 uber rides both of them try to cheat one even took off with my bag in her car luckily there was lots of traffic so she couldn't get far and I got my bag back. However, we know that isnt always going to be possible for everyone. 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. Check if y Rincn del Mar is in the Sucre province about 3 hours south of Cartagena. And if youre an LGBTQ+ traveler, youll be happy to know that Colombia recognizes same-sex relationships. Old City Walls. Visited Bogota and Medellin and highly recommend both cities but Medellin is a wonderful city as well.. highly recommend you see it. including submitting an Electronic Health Affidavit to your airline before you fly. Get information on travel, food, beauty, technology, and much more. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. For more information, Tour to Palenque: The Other History Of Cartagena, Coffe Roasting And Tasting At Caf del Mural, Playa Blanca Bar Beach Day - Mambo Beach, From/To Cartagena - Santa Marta or Tayrona, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel), Cartagena Travel Requirements & Updates | COVID-19 Information, What to do for Christmas and New Year in Cartagena, Best restaurants in Cartagena to eat Caribbean food, How to get the most of Playa Blanca in Baru, Explore the best parks and plazas in Cartagena, Rincn del Mar Hidden beach escape not far from Cartagena, - We warn visitors that child labor and sexual abuse is penalized by the Colombian law. Lets go exploring! Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Tip | Whilst were here, we might as well mention that Spanish is a real difference maker for your travels in Cartagena and Colombia. A gorgeous and historic coastal city [] This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". 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. Read Next | The Best Travel Filter Water Bottles For Your Next Trip. Each city in Colombia is unique, so your dos and donts list will be a little different depending on whether youre in Bogota or a Caribbean area like Cartagena. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories. Traveling to Cartagena (full name Cartagena de Indias), Colombia, is not traveling halfway around the world. The stone fortresses and massive walls were built by Spaniards in the early 1500s. It is hard to tell when is low season over here, as every year thousands of travelers walk the fascinating streets of this charming city. Cartagena also gets a 2.5 instead of a 2 because its one of the pricier destinations for travelers in Colombia. 2. International travelers entering Colombia must present a negative PCR test carried out within 96 hours before the . You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. Consider your source. Respect it. There are only 7 rooms, but 4 pools, creating an intimate atmosphere like none other in the city. As with any destination, some knowledge of the culture and language (complete with a big smile) can go a long way. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. Always Carry Hand Sanitizer and Toilet Paper 9. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. As travellers, it meant we could enjoy its beauty without a clawing heat and dream of all the stories they could tell. Here's everything you need to know before stopping by the Heroic City. TheTravel Off Path Community FB grouphas all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&As happening daily! The average speed in Cartagena 5 Mbps. However, we know that many travellers can be a little paranoid about drinking tap water anywhere or dont want a short holiday to be ruined by getting the shits or tummy upsets. However, If youre wanting to access more destinations along Colombias Carribbean coast (like the beaches of Tayrona National Park, the laid-back hippy village of Palomino, or take on the Lost City Trek) then you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. With that said, this lovely neighborhood is one of the most expensive. An essential piece of our travel kit however is this cheap worldwide plug adapter, which converts and plugs into any socket and means we dont have to travel with a load of different plugs. Use the Trash Bin Next to the Toilet for Paper 8. Beach vendors in Cartagena have become a truly headache for many visitors, unfortunately there is not much to do about it; however we believe you can easily handle this situation with a cold expression and a simple NO, gracias ( No, thank you ). Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Choln Island Party. For more information,see this link for visa requirements to enter Colombia. Shop local designers: There are some incredible design shops here so much so I wish I had brought a bigger suitcase. For starters, staying in the middle of the historic Old Town is more expensive than the nearby neighborhood of Getsemani. It is a small town of a few thousand reside Copyright 2022 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Cartagena is a city as rich is history and culture as it is in color and food. 1. Like uncomfortably hot. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Cartagena, Colombia, what a magical place! You'll notice a strong military presence. Be prepared to experience any kind of weather if you plan to travel throughout Colombia. One highlight when visiting is the historic and famed Walled City in Old Cartagena. You can pay with debit or credit card almost anywhere, most of the stores and restaurants accept cards, although if you are hanging out at the beach or want to buy something from a street vendor take cash. The only dorm that was left was charging an extortionate amount, and we were saved by a guy who promised he knew a woman who had a room spare for a good price. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. 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. 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. The Walled City | The historic centre of Cartagena, its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. 10 things you have to know before traveling to Cartagena, - From Airport to Bocagrande, Laguito and Castillogrande: 18.000 COP (US$6 approx), - From Airport to Historic downtown 10.000 COP (US$4 approx), - From Historic downtown to Bocagrande or Laguito: 7.000 (US$3 approx). This will definitely discourage you from traveling to Colombia solo. There are amazing things to see and do out here. You can typically stay for up to 90 days for your first visit. The best day trip from Cartagena is to Palenque de San Basilio, the first freed town in the Americas. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Cartagena lacks a single iconic monument, museums, or attraction which is known the world over - instead the city itself is the attraction. Breakfast in Cartagena can be found for cheaper, and plan to spend less than $4 on a plate of eggs, arepa, and coffee (or chocolate completo, most likely). Plus, make sure that your credit card will actually work in Colombia. Planning Your Colombia Vacation 25 Helpful Colombia Travel Tips 1. If you choose to go down this path, then you also have to accept the consequences and risks which it brings including robbery and a ruse between the dealer and police officers to then target you for a search and subsequent bribe. . So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. Yes, it is important to do a bit of research before embarking on vaca in a new country. Across 15 days spent in Cartagena over the last few years, we have never had a single issue or major safety concern. It is . 11.12.18 Colombia, South America, Travel 9. You already know it, drink lots of water and protect yourself from the sun when you come over! Fruit is probably the most delicious thing you will eat in Colombia. Have no worries because there is no tourist visa required for US citizens traveling to Cartagena under 90 days. Beth: "Bring a debit card to get cash, and be sure to let your bank know where you will be. All rights reserved. Here are some top picks: Travelers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and more can visit Colombia for leisure without applying for a tourist visa beforehand. On the contrary, it is a destination that is relatively close to the United States when direct it is approximately an hour and a half flight approximately from Miami but where you can find the perfect atmosphere and the liveliest people to enjoy a Caribbean paradise and . This basically means: don't give someone the opportunity to take advantage of you. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour. See what all the buzz is about and why Cartagena is an amazing destination in Colombia for your travel radar. Language. Plaza Santo Domingo. When the Caribbean breeze snakes its way towards you once or twice in the day, it is absolutely priceless. before 8 am is the best - so that you can avoid the tour groups that swarm the beach at 9 am. Hostel prices - Cartagena has some great accommodation options, although you will notice a big increase in price in comparison to the rest of Colombia. Rates from $200-$300 per night. With so much beauty to discover, youll be wondering why you didnt plan a visit to Cartagena sooner! There are no vaccinations required, but if you have plans to visit the Amazon, La Guajira, La Sierra Nevada or Llanos Orientales, health officials recommend the yellow fever shot at least two weeks before your trip. Wonderful people , great food , nice street life. 14. I highly recommend traveling to this charming town. The city is also filled with luxury hotels, and prices are currently around 650,000 COP (150 USD) per night. This amazing ambience paired with the warm hearted residents of Cartagena make this growing city a wonderful spot for a quick trip. Those Colombia entry requirements for Covid-19 vaccinations were announced by President Ivan Duque via Twitter on December 6, 2021. 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. 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. Today, the colonial streets are bursting with vibrant colors and charm. Traveling to Cartagena (full name Cartagena de Indias), in Colombia, is not traveling to the other side of the world. But, that being said, its differences also . Thousands of tourists visit the city every year to enjoy the beaches, colonial architecture and take in Cartagena's rich culture and history. Customs recommend at least two free pages. Cartagena Travel Costs. You will find them in the entrance of the malls. The current policy allows for up to 180 days in one calendar year. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. Its culture is very different from the US which is part of what makes it such a unique and desirable travel destination. However, when you arrive or leave or if youre on the wrong side of town after dark, its good to know how taxis operate. What to Know Before Visiting Cartagena. Recent Posts. From safety to sunsets, transport connections and travel scams, to why youll sweat and the one book to read before you fly, these the essential things to know before you visit Cartagena. 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. (artculo 17 ley 679 de 2001). We shouldnt really have trusted him, but we did - and it all worked out ok in the end. From Boca Grande, however, families can board a ten-minute boat ride to Isla Tierra Bomba, a nearby island with amazing beaches. This is understood in Colombia as "offering up papaya". However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. The higher altitude regions have . Colombians are lovely and welcoming, and with some knowledge of Spanish youll probably find yourself chatting away with just about everyone you meet during your 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. Cases increased in just about all of Colombia, first in Medelln and Bogot, and the first week of the new year saw Cartagena follow suit, with double digit cases nearly doubling day after day. Paper bills range from COP$1,000 to COP$100,000, but at the high end, that's only roughly $20USD so don't be surprised to see the large numbers on bills. 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. Make sure to read up on more dos and donts before your trip. Learn Some Basic Spanish 2. If youre traveling to Colombia as a tourist from the United States, you do not need a visa. Though there are so many fun things to do in Cartagena, there are quite a few day trips that are worth doing if you have a couple of extra days. Colombia's climate can be very different wherever you travel. 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. If you're used to spicy foods or foods with lots of seasoning, you may want to bring your own spices or ask for hot sauce. 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 beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast .

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