Issues to Do, See & Eat

There are numerous alternative ways to plan your journey to the Colombian metropolis of Cartagena. It could actually get overwhelming! After spending nearly a complete month within the metropolis, I created this nice Cartagena journey information that will help you profit from your time.

From the most effective issues to do and eating places you’ll be able to’t miss to the place you need to keep, this information will provide help to plan the right itinerary in your journey. And this little style of Colombia would possibly even encourage you to return to the nation to discover much more.

➞ If you’re quick on time, I’ve made the right sooner or later cartagena itinerary for you.

Planning Suggestions for Visiting Cartagena

Finest Time to Go to

The most effective occasions to go to Cartagena is from December to April, when the climate is sunny and dry. I went in February and the climate was fairly heat in the course of the day with highs within the low 90s, although it cooled right down to the 70s at evening, which was excellent. 

How Many Days to Spend in Cartagena

Regardless that I stayed for nearly a month with a purpose to do a number of analysis, a 3-4 day journey is right. This provides you time to discover the outdated city, go to a close-by island and take an area tour or two. 

The place to Keep

I stayed in an Airbnb rental in Bocagrande, a residential neighborhood a couple of 10-15 minute Uber trip from town heart. It was the right spot for an extended keep, providing a extra native really feel whereas nonetheless being shut sufficient to all of the motion.

However, for a shorter keep, I’d suggest these inns within the metropolis partitions (or shut by)::

Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Cartagena

Getting Round

Getting round Cartagena is pretty straightforward, particularly within the Outdated City and Getsemaní, that are finest explored on foot. If you happen to want a trip, taxis are available, however they don’t have meters, so you’ll want to agree on a worth earlier than getting in. 

Personally, I principally used Uber as a result of I completely hate negotiating with taxis. The best place to catch a taxi or an Uber is on the Clock Tower, the primary entrance to the Outdated Metropolis—that is the place most drivers decide up and drop off passengers.

Airport Transportation: I don’t like to fret about navigating transportation once I first arrive at a vacation spot, so as a substitute I prepooked an airport shuttle on Viator for about $25 for the 2 of us. However, you possibly can additionally take a taxi upon arrival if you happen to want. It’s less expensive.

Simply outdoors of each home and worldwide arrivals, you’ll discover a line of yellow taxis able to take you into town. The fare to the Walled Metropolis needs to be round $5, however at all times double-check earlier than hopping in. 

The airport truly has a taxi fare sheet you’ll be able to obtain right here—although honest warning, these won’t be the precise worth they ask from you, so at all times verify the worth with the driving force earlier than getting in.

➞ I’d keep away from any drivers who strategy you the second you step out of the safe space and as a substitute head to the designated taxi lineup for a extra official trip.

Language

Spanish is the official language, and whereas many locals in touristy areas communicate a little bit little bit of English, I discovered that studying a couple of fundamental phrases will go a great distance. However, I at all times additionally suggest downloading a translation app, like Google Translate. 

Foreign money/Credit score Playing cards/Banks

Colombia makes use of the Colombian Peso (COP). ATMs are broadly out there, and change charges are usually higher at official forex change workplaces than on the airport. 

Credit score and debit playing cards are broadly accepted, but it surely’s good to hold some money for smaller retailers, markets, and taxis.

Bancolombia, certainly one of Colombia’s largest banks, provides the most effective change charges in Cartagena, making it excellent for exchanging bigger sums. Simply you’ll want to go early or proper after they reopen at 2 PM to keep away from lengthy traces. You’ll want your passport to change cash.

If you happen to’re within the Walled Metropolis, you’ll discover loads of forex change spots, particularly alongside Carrera 7 close to the Clock Tower. Charges are related in all places, however this space is a well-liked and secure alternative with good police presence.

What Issues Value

• Road meals (arepas, empanadas): $1–$3 USD
• Native meal: $10–$15 USD per individual
• Fancy dinner: $20–$50 USD. Our costliest meal was at Celele, rated certainly one of Latin America’s prime 50 eating places and it value $81.98 for 2 of us (completely value it!). However, many of the different fancy eating places fell within the $50 vary for 2. 
• Taxi trip inside the metropolis: $3–$7 USD
• Bottled Water: $0.40

Security

Cartagena is usually secure, and I felt snug even when touring solo. I adopted customary journey security precautions, like avoiding strolling alone late at evening, and by no means had any points. 

As with every vacation spot, it’s vital to remain conscious—keep away from flashing valuables, regulate your belongings in crowded areas, and be cautious at evening, particularly outdoors vacationer zones. 

For transportation, stick with official taxis or ride-sharing apps like Uber. Additionally, be conscious of well being precautions—faucet water isn’t really useful, so stick with bottled water to keep away from abdomen points, and don’t neglect mosquito repellent, particularly if you happen to may be visiting the Rosario Islands or areas close to the mangroves. For the most recent security updates, verify Journey.state.gov.

Issues to Do in Cartagena

There’s no scarcity of nice issues to do in Cartagena, so that is only a style of my prime picks. If you need the complete record of all my favorites (there’s a number of them), you’ll want to try my for much longer record of the finest issues to do in Cartagena.

Take within the Road Artwork in Barrio Getsemani

Barrio Getsemaní has remodeled into certainly one of Cartagena’s most full of life and creative neighborhoods—and it was certainly one of my favourite spots within the metropolis! We spent hours right here wandering by the colourful colonial streets trying out the highly effective avenue artwork, and soaking within the buzzing vitality. 

Calle de la Sierpe is legendary for murals, however don’t miss Callejón Angosto and Calle de la Magdalena, the place colourful umbrellas create a dreamy cover. That is the place I took dozens of photographs! 

Plaza Trinidad is the neighborhood’s coronary heart the place you’ll be able to seize a drink, chat with locals and, after all, snap a photograph with the long-lasting Las Palenqueras, whose shiny attire and fruit baskets symbolize tradition and resilience.

Get pleasure from Some Salsa Golf equipment – Cafe Havana, Donde Fidel

If you happen to love music (or simply love a superb time), you’ll be able to’t skip Cartagena’s electrical salsa scene! My picks for the highest two to go are Cafe Havana, a legendary hotspot with killer mojitos and stay bands that can have you ever dancing whether or not you deliberate to or not, and Donde Fidel, a extra intimate however equally high-energy spot the place the music spills out into the streets.

Take a Colombian Cooking Class

If you happen to love meals as a lot as I do, then taking a cooking class at Lunatico is a should! I spent a day with Chef Maria and her group, studying how you can make mote de queso, plantanos en tentacion, and the freshest ceviche ever—it was so good! 

The category was tremendous hands-on, and I left not solely stuffed but in addition feeling like I had a little bit piece of Colombian cooking to take house with me. If you wish to attempt making the ceviche your self, you’re in luck—I’ve shared my model of the recipe right here: Sea Bass Ceviche with Banana Emulsion.

If Lunatico is all booked, I like to recommend certainly one of these lessons:

➞ If you happen to like to attempt the normal meals of a rustic, then see my 15 Colombian Meals Dishes to Strive in Cartagena. 

Discover Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

We took a simple 10 minute Uber trip from town heart to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas which is a fortress constructed by the Spanish within the sixteenth century and designed to maintain out pirates and invaders. After all the historical past was fascinating, however what I discovered actually cool was which you could truly wander by its tunnels and climb up the battlements—and we did! However, the most effective half was town views from the highest. It’s value going only for that.

Seize Cocktails & The Sundown at a Rooftop Bar

Rooftop bars in Cartagena are the most effective place to be for an ideal sundown expertise, and I made it my mission to attempt a couple of. My absolute favourite? Alquimico. Their cocktails are next-level—inventive, flavorful, and completely well worth the hype.

However, there are many others to take a look at too! Cafe del Mar sits proper on town partitions with killer ocean views, Movich Resort Rooftop has a shocking cityscape backdrop (plus a pool if you happen to’re staying there), and 51 Sky Bar is the very best rooftop on the town. 

Regardless of which one you select, be certain that to both make reservations or get there nicely earlier than sundown so you may get a chief viewing spot. 

Cease by Museo Naval Del Caribe

If you happen to’re even remotely into historical past (or simply love a superb pirate story), the Museo Naval Del Caribe is value a go to. Tucked contained in the historic Outdated City, this place is full of cool maritime artifacts—suppose mannequin ships, outdated nautical devices, and work that carry Cartagena’s seafaring previous to life. 

You’ll get the lowdown on town’s position throughout Spanish colonial occasions and past. Heads up—many of the indicators are in Spanish, however you’ll be able to seize a tour information to fill within the gaps. 

Take a Road Meals Tour

If you happen to’re a foodie like me, then you definately’ll agree that among the finest methods to style the normal meals of a spot is to eat the road meals. However, I additionally need an evidence of what the heck I’m consuming, so a avenue meals tour is a should. 

I cherished wandering town with an area information, stopping on the busiest stalls to style all the great things—crispy fried plantains, juicy grilled meats, contemporary seafood, and naturally, arepas (as a result of no journey to Colombia is full with out one!). These little pockets of deliciousness are constructed from floor corn dough and filled with all types of tasty fillings. 

➞ If you wish to e book a tour, the one I extremely suggest is that this one: Road Meals Tour in Cartagena

The place You Ought to Eat (Finest Eating places)

Cartagena is a foodie’s dream, and truthfully, one of many primary causes I selected to go to. You actually can’t go unsuitable with the eating places right here, however these three had been my absolute favorites. If you happen to’re on the lookout for much more scrumptious choices, try my record of the highest 10 finest Cartagena eating places.

Celele

Celele is the form of place that can utterly change the way you view Caribbean meals. Chef Jaime Rodríguez spent years touring by Colombia’s coastal communities, unearthing forgotten elements and strategies, and he’s turned them into one unbelievable menu. No surprise it’s ranked among the many World’s Finest Prime 50 Eating places—each dish is a murals! 

I selected Celele for my birthday dinner, and it was completely value it. Whereas it’s on the pricier facet (round $80 for the 2 of us), the expertise is unforgettable. Don’t miss the Caribbean flower salad with pickled cashew fruit, Emperor’s cane flower, and gulupa dressing—it’s as beautiful as it’s scrumptious. And a heads-up: undoubtedly e book your reservations upfront (I grabbed mine two weeks out!).

El Burlador Gastro Pub

The time period “gastrobar” doesn’t fairly seize what El Burlador is all about—it’s a spot that takes its meals and wine record simply as severely. Positioned within the coronary heart of the Walled Metropolis, El Burlador masterfully blends Mediterranean flavors with Cartagena’s freshest elements.

I cherished it a lot that I needed to make it my closing meal within the metropolis on my final evening. What to order? The truffle eggplant chips and beef carpaccio—simply belief me, you received’t remorse it.

Mar y Zielo

Mar y Zielo is a restaurant that superbly blends conventional Colombian recipes with trendy strategies, bridging the previous and current. The kitchen group has traveled throughout Colombia, studying from market distributors and residential cooks, making a menu that’s each deeply genuine and creatively progressive.

What to order? The Titote Mar Y Tierra—a shocking dish with octopus, shrimp, langoustine, and pork stomach in a tamarind sauce. All I can say is “Yum”!

Conventional Issues to Eat in Cartagena

Cartagena’s meals scene is bursting with taste, and these are the must-try conventional dishes you’ll be able to’t go away with out tasting. However if you happen to’re hungry for extra, try my full record of conventional Colombian meals to eat in Cartagena.

Arepas de Huevo

Arepas are Colombia’s reply to the right avenue snack! These crispy, deep-fried corn muffins are filled with an egg, fried as soon as, then cracked open so as to add the egg earlier than going again within the fryer for spherical two. The outcome? A golden, crunchy outdoors with a comfortable, savory heart. You’ll discover them in all places—from market stalls to seaside distributors—and undoubtedly on a avenue meals tour.

Ceviche

Certain, you’ve most likely had ceviche earlier than, however Cartagena does it their approach. Right here, shrimp or fish are marinated in lime juice with onions and spices, typically tossed in a tangy, tomato-based sauce. Not like the citrusy, uncooked Peruvian type, Colombian ceviche has a daring, refreshing twist that’s excellent for the Caribbean warmth.

Sancocho

Sancocho is a hearty Colombian stew full of rooster, beef, or fish, plus plantains, potatoes, yuca, and corn, it’s a heat, flavorful hug in a bowl. Some variations even throw in tomatoes, scallions, and a cob of corn for additional richness. It’s usually served with rice and avocado on the facet—as a result of, after all, extra is extra!

Save this Submit to Pinterest