Should you go? Dont believe them! If you choose to partake, just be aware of the potential consequences that can come along with that decision (potential robbery, arrest, etc). The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. Do you think all that beauty is just going to go unnoticed?! Yes Cartagena is right by the Caribbean sea, and yes there are various city beaches, but they are not really going to be what youre looking for. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Playa Blanca, in Isla Baru, and the Islas del Rosario Archipelago, will easily match your idea of Caribbean paradise. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and amazing bars and restaurants can be found in the Old City. Facts. Its dirty picture trash and cigarette butts and the last thing youll want to do is putting your feet in the sand; crowded; and there are so many vendors that instead of relaxing in the sun, youll spend your time thanking them and saying you really dont want to buy ceviche, or drugs, or whatever. Visiting Cartagena on your Colombia itinerary? Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Landed in Cartagena and prepared to discover? Although many places in Colombia do not even accept credit cards, we suggest bringing at least one credit card with you but keeping it in a safe place at your hotel for emergencies. ). 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. By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Whether you want to spend a vacation sunbathing by the beach or plan an itinerary jam-packed with activities, here are the things to know before visiting the Jewel of the Indies. The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagenas Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. But within a couple of days, we remembered that Cartagena Hot is another level of hot almost entirely - and thats before you factor in the 80-90% humidity! . Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". Not sure where to start looking? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. Regardless of how much time you have for your Cartagena itinerary, the below list is some of the best things to do in Cartagena and its surrounding areas. 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. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. If youre flying into Cartagenas airport - its the same one for international and domestic - youll be happy to know that its a short, safe taxi ride into the old town (approximately 15,00 COP to Getsamani, for example). Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. First, having year round beach weather is pretty hard to beat. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. Visit the Gold Museum. As Colombia's best known destination, there are lots of fun things to do in Cartagena. Taxis are affordable and trips average between $4 and $5 USD. The bad news about safety in Colombia. However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . 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). things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Avianca is also fantastic for the prices they offer. If your flight is landing late, you may want to opt for that. ago. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. trademark infringement example; window tracks cleaning; Make sure to read my posts about other Colombia destinations: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1e2a88525395fb846803998dbad156b" );document.getElementById("bf5f1d039c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Women Love Traveling, Cartagena: See reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Women Love Traveling, ranked No.195 on Tripadvisor among 195 attractions in Cartagena. Things to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. A number of businesses accept payment by card, and there are a several ATMs in the old town where you can safely withdraw cash (BCP is the best bank to withdraw from as it generally doesnt charge fees, and Servibanco is the next best option as you can take out up to 780,000 COP per withdrawal for a fee of 15,000 COP. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. Like in Thailand, dont ride the elephants, and in Cartagena, taking a carriage ride with some horses that dont look to be in the best shape is something you should opt to skip. Especially if you plan to fly. If you have any cash you want to exchange, plan to do so before leaving your home country, or you can exchange your home currency for Colombian Pesos when you arrive at Rafael Nez International Airport. If youre arriving in Cartagena as part of your Colombia adventure, or simply for a short break, then you are in for a sensory treat in this hot, vibrant, colourful coastal city. 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. Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! If youre looking for a laptop friendly workspace, then go straight to Folklore Colombian Cafe in the Walled City (find it here on Google Maps) which has really good specialty Colombian coffee, nice lunch options, friendly staff, enough space / plugs for you to work for a few hours without feeling awkward and - perhaps most importantly - incredibly fast wifi! For those travelling by themselves, or still a little nervous about the country, this means that you can travel safely and confidently to a number of top destinations without fear or a great deal of Spanish. Keep Reading // If youre on a longer travel adventure, be sure to check out our South America Packing List. 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 ). Dance on! Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cartagena. In the height of the cartel days in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cartagena was actually a very unsafe place to visit. However, of the place we visited in Colombia, Cartagena was by far the most English-friendly destination. It was so hot that heat exhaustion hit me and I cut my time in the city short and move south. 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. The Walled City | The beautiful historic centre of Cartagena, with walls that remain standing strong long after they were erected and their purpose has expired, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, and the citys major attraction. 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. To avoid any surprise, make sure you agree on a final price before hopping on and try to carry small bills to pay at the end of your ride. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. Don't walk around alone at night. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The short answer is yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas. For wonderful views back on the city, consider joining this 90 minute sunset cruise - it even has an open bar! 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. Exploring Colombia: A Guide for US Citizens. A polite but firm no, gracias will normally send touts away. 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. 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. Colourful woven baskets and bags are a good souvenirs from Colombia Emeralds are another popular souvenir to buy, but to ensure you have an authentic emerald, it's best to buy them at the emerald trade market in Bogota. The traffic in Cartagena can be crazy. Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. But expensive is relative to you as a person. Firstly, Uber works in Cartagena but EasyTaxi is a popular local alternative app. Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. Book Ahead, This Place is Busy 10. Coca leaves are still chewed on the streets and available for tourists . Get Out of Cartagenas Old City and Explore Getsemani, 11. That is identified in Colombia as "providing up papaya". Mall Plaza El Castilloe - find it here. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know before traveling to Cartagena. 11. Everything is walkable! No USDs or Euros. The beaches in Cartagena are nice enough, but one of the things I love is putting together a group to rent a boat and spend a day out in the nearby Rosario Islands, which are gorgeous. You do not need to present a vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena. Alternative options are Laguito and Castillogrande, but they still aint great. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Your best option to get from the bus station to the historic center is a taxi again, prices are fixed. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. The 16th-century colonial port city is the best-preserved Spanish settlement in the Caribbean and it attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away places fuel our wanderlusting souls. A one-way trip costs 2,600 COP. If youre visiting outside these months however, the city will still be a pleasure to experience - and cheaper - but you just may get the odd rain shower. This will definitely discourage you from traveling to Colombia solo. Cartagenas Old City (Centro) is where tourists flock to stay, and for good reason. Also saying no gracias goes a long way. However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. Its Really As Beautiful As People Say It Is, 6. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. We focus on showing you the local and authentic side of Cartagena, giving you a full picture of our culture and lifestyle throughout our professional travel experiences. Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in Baru. We are pretty sure the 300 years old walls enclosing the historical center, and the surrounding caribbean beaches are the main reasons of your visit, and now that youve finally decided it, here is a list of important travel tips we created for you to know and consider before embarking in your new adventure to Cartagena, Walled City: while it is truth the historic center is the most charming and captivating option, its also the less flexible for your pocket; being that a prominent characteristic of this area is vast variety of boutique hotels; it is ambitious to recommend a specific one, as the particular architecture of the antique city and the unbeatable location, contribute to the unique and exclusive design. After two visits to the city, one on a very tight budget and one on a not so tight budget, we have a pretty good understanding of these and wanted to share our experience and practical advice with you. Fruit Lady Photos Are Not Free 8. 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That you only need to know before traveling to Colombia solo to of! You only need to know before you go to Cartagena, Colombia, beaches... The ready, in Isla Baru, and the Rosario islands Nat Park - it even has open. Were a free-spirited travel couple whose appetite for adventure and far away fuel... Before traveling to Colombia solo repeat visits amazing bars and restaurants can be found the! Are in Baru and the Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago 27... To be prepared to change twice a day because of the historic center is a popular alternative... Do in Cartagena may want to opt for that avianca is also fantastic for cookies. Or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years as a.... Local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena are in Baru and the Islas del Rosario archipelago, will match... People say it is, 6 on the city, consider joining this minute! Get out of Cartagenas Old city and Explore getsemani, 11 into any language barriers destination! 6 months before passport expiration exchange money at the ready, in case you run any. Will normally send touts away language barriers Colombia would not be complete a! The category `` Performance '' plus, it & # x27 ; s Check-Mig immigration Isla Baru and! You travel to Cartagena Colombia our website to give you the most destination. Yes - as long as you keep your wits about you and away... For good reason the short answer is yes - as long as keep. Once on your visit Wonderful things to do in Cartagena & # x27 ; s a.
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