What is the price range for Cartagena Hotels?
There is a wide variety of prices in Cartagena, with hotels available from just $60 a night, rising to around $400. The average price for a room is $110 per night.
What happens if the hotel cannot accommodate my group size?
Online booking doesn’t always allow easy ways to reserve accommodation for larger groups. We can help with that, using local knowledge and contacts to get you the best deal and ensure your group stays together.
What cruise ships regularly stop in Cartagena?
Cartagena is a popular destination for cruises, with Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean, and Variety Cruises all providing regular visits.
Do I need a passport for Colombia?
Yes, you need a passport to get into Columbia. There are other restrictions to entry too, you can only bring a maximum of $10,000, or equivalent in another currency, into the country. Any amount more must be declared.
There is a limit of $1500 value for items brought into the country, and heritage items from other countries, such as cultural, historic, art or organic goods, must be reported to customs for assessment.
Do I need a visa for Colombia?
If you are visiting purely for a vacation, or attending an event such as a wedding, you probably do not need a visa to enter Columbia. However, visitors of some nationalities will need to obtain a visa, and those working will too, for instance if you bring a wedding photographer with you, they may need a work visa to be able to photograph the wedding.
You can check on the official site.
By far the largest group to visit Columbia every year is US Nationals, accounting for close to a quarter of all visitors, and they can do so without a visa providing they are not working. Venezuelans at 13.5% are the next most common. Ecuadorians, Spanish and Mexicans make up the rest of the top 5 most common tourists visiting the country.
If you are planning on working while here, as a wedding photographer for instance, then you will need a visa. For those just traveling to work on the wedding, this would require a Type V Visa, which allows you to enter Colombia and work, but does not grant permanent rights to stay. You can travel to Colombia for temporary work visits as long as the visa is valid, usually 6 months, so it is possible to do more than one Colombian wedding ona single visa if the timing is right.You can apply for a Visa at your nearest Colombian consulate.
List some of the top countries that visit Colombia and what the visa allows for them.
Do I need to change my US Dollars into Colombian Pesos?
Yes, however there are many places in Cartagena where you can do this quickly and easily. While most of the larger stores and hotels support card payments, many smaller stores may require Colombian Pesos to make purchases.
While there are many options for converting currency, not all are created equal. The most cost effective ways are not always the obvious. There are banks who can convert currency for you, and of course you can withdraw local currency from ATMs.
We recommend Scotiabank Colpatria. They have a limit of 900,000 COP per withdrawal, but you are allowed 3 withdrawals per day, so you can withdraw 2,700,000 COP if needed. They are not the most common bank, but you can Google their locations to find the nearest one.
Pro tip: Always remember on any ATM you use, that there will be a screen to accept or decline their conversion rate. Always decline, as they add a 3-15% commission. Always Decline the ATM’s conversion rate, and allow your bank to do the conversion rate. You’ll be charged much less in fees.
If you can’t get to an ATM, there are other options. Rappi is an app that lets you get money delivered to your accommodation. Premium membership costs $5 a month, but you can use a credit or debit card to withdraw cash. Try once for yourself on your card before you understand any fees of course. They will deliver up to 400,000 COP per delivery, and you can order multiple deliveries.
What Side of the Road do they drive on in Columbia?
In Columbia, people drive on the right side of the road.
What time Zone is Cartagena in?
Cartagena uses Columbia Time (COT), which is UCT -5 hours.
How old is Cartagena?
Although there were earlier settlements in the area, the city and port as we know it today was founded on June 1st, 1533.
What is the population of Cartagena?
Cartagena is one of the biggest ports in Columbia, with a population of 914,000 people.
Are there any local dishes I should try?
Any visit to Cartagena is incomplete without trying some of the local delicacies.
- Mojarra – The most popular fish dish on the coast of Colombia. Pan fried, it is a flavorful fish, usually served with rice and salad.
- Pan de Bono Bread – Not just a favorite in Cartagena but across the country, it is a savory bread and you will find it in bakeries across the city. Perfect with your morning coffee, it is made from Yucca Flour and cheese, it is a delicious and filling way to start the day.
- Tres Leches Cake – A wonderfully rich cake that is made using three types of milk for a very creamy texture. You will find it in most bakeries in the city, and on the dessert menu at many restaurants.
- Coffee – Colombia is one of the biggest exporters of coffee in the world, and as a major port, much of it passes through Cartagena. Local coffee houses seem to get their pick of the best of that coffee supply, it’s well worth trying some just to experience it first hand
I am in Cartagena for just 1 day, what are some things I can do?
Cartagena has enough to keep you occupied for weeks, so it is a challenge to narrow it all down for a day, but to enjoy the full experience of Cartagena, try this:
- Visit the old fortress, Castillo San Felipe – If you want to get a sense of the history of the area, then this is a fantastic choice. It has a video explanation of the history of the fort, and you can look out over the city itself, old and new, to see just how it has changed and grown over time.
- Spend time on the beach in Laguito – If you want a taste of the Caribbean life, then visit the beach at Laguito. It’s worth traveling a little further to get here, it is much less crowded than those closer to the city center, and a place you really can relax and enjoy.
- Take a tour around the walled city – Whether you choose to buy a map and walk around yourself or follow a guided tour, enjoy the churches, squares and theaters of this, the oldest part of Cartagena.
- Grab some traditional food – There are endless choices for eating in Cartagena, try some of the fabulous local cuisines, seafood is a specialty, and finish your day watching the sun go down over the ocean.
Where are the best areas to stay in Cartagena?
Cartagena is a wonderful city, but you will find different areas offer very different experiences. While the walled center of the city has the history that makes this area so special, and offers the picturesque backdrop to any visit, the south of the city is more modern, and the north has diverse communities and unique culture.
Bocagrande & Laguito is to the south, with beaches and modern amenities that make it a great place to stay. This area also has superb restaurants and some of the best hotels in the area.
Centro is the center, within the old walled city. Here the historic buildings and events, wonderful outdoor culture in a number of squares that give you a taste of life in the city. Here you will find traditional restaurants and hotels located in historic buildings. Stay here to immerse yourself in the rich history of the port and its surroundings.
San Diego sits just outside the walled city itself to the north. Home to the colleges and a big part of student life, it is a unique area that offers something different.
La Boquilla is the northernmost district, with miles of clean sandy beaches, and a mix of modern skyscrapers and luxury housing alongside more traditional housing, smaller more traditional hotels and some great, affordable restaurants and more.
What is the typical taxi cost to get around in Cartagena?
The bright yellow taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, they are licensed and safe/ Don’t be tempted to take any other color taxi, they may not be what they seem, and don’t forget a licensed taxi will also display the “servicio publico” sign they are legally required to show.
Taxis don’t have meters, so always ask the price before you start any journey. Luckily, prices are mandated by the city, although taxi drivers have a reputation for overcharging, even with the locals, with a minimum fare of 7,000 pesos, and an extra 500 pesos surcharge after 9pm until 5am.
Charges depend on the journey of course, with journeys around the center costing anywhere up to 12,000 pesos, and longer journeys to areas such as Zona Norte costing around 20,000 pesos. For airport travel, you shouldn’t pay more than 20,000 pesos to reach any of the main areas in Cartagena.
Can I scuba dive in Cartagena and where is the best place to go?
You can snorkel along most of the coast around Cartagena, although as a popular destination, you will find that there are a lot of people in many areas. The best snorkeling in the area is found at Rosario Islands, a series of around 30 coral islands and islets in protected waters.
There ais a huge variety of sea life here, and due to its protected nature, is a fantastic experience. There are regular organized trips to the islands, and that is the best way to experience this wonderful snorkeling destination.
What taxi/Uber type apps are used in Cartagena?
Uber was banned in Colombia until a court case in late 2020, and is now operational in Cartagena, and represents a safe way to get around the city without having to worry about being overcharged, as the taxis are famous for doing.
There is one other option, and that is InDriver, you can learn more about it here. If you plan on using either of these, sign up before you travel so that you have everything in place, the less you need to do on the go the easier it makes traveling.
Where should I go to party in Cartagena?
Cartagena has a vibrant nightlife and makes for a great party destination, as you might expect from the most popular place to visit. But as with anything else, having the great party experience means finding the right place, so here are the very best venues to enjoy a great night in Cartagena.
- Café del Mar – The most popular bar in the city sitting right at the top of the old city wall.
- Mister Babilla – The best nightclub in Cartagena. It’s busy, it has great music and a huge dance floor.
- Donde Fidel – Loud salsa music, great atmosphere and a staple of Cartagena nightlife.
- Leon de Baviera – If you want something different, this is a German bar, in the middle of Cartagena!
- Café Havana – Even Hilary Clinton has graced the dancefloor of this amazing salsa club.
Where are the best areas to stay in Cartagena?
Cartagena is a wonderful city, but you will find different areas offer very different experiences. While the walled center of the city has the history that makes this area so special, and offers the picturesque backdrop to any visit, the south of the city is more modern, and the north has diverse communities and unique culture.
What are the Covid rules for traveling to Colombia?
All travelers aged 18 or over visiting Colombia, whether by air, road or sea, must show proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 upon arrival in the country. For those that do not have full vaccination, a negative PCR result taken within the previous 72 hours before traveling, or a negative antigen test result within 48 hours of traveling, will also be accepted.
Is a Yellow Fever vaccine required for travel to Colombia? If so, which countries?
Required if arriving from Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda and ≥1 year of age and for travelers who have transited >12 hours in an airport located in any of these same countries. However, there are some areas within Colombia, mostly national parks and rural areas, where it is recommended you get the vaccine no matter the country you are traveling from, with the full list available here. For visitors to Cartagena, the area you may have looked at visiting that recommends having the vaccine is Tayrona National Park.