You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. If youre in Colombia for two weeks or less, then you can cut that down to three nights. The Rosario Islands is an archipelago located off the Caribbean coast, about 62 mi (100 km) from Cartagena. 14. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos, PIN IT FOR LATER! Oh, and don't forget to carry your camera ;). The doors on some of these houses and buildings are magnificent, not to mention the hanging gardens and outdoor balconies which add a perfect little cherry on top of it all. 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. Most hotels do have WiFi for guests and you can buy a cheap local SIM card to use data or even hotspot yourself. Don't walk around alone at night. If you are looking to get some beach time in, we highly recommend skipping the beaches in Cartagena and heading to the neighboring islands of Isla Bar or Islas del Rosario. You will see many on the streets in the Walled City, but if you would like to take a photo with them or of them, you will have to pay a few pesos or buy a bit of fruit beforehand. For more day trips from Cartagena, read this post. . Bocagrande beach in Cartagena is popular with kitesurfers. As photographers, we had to set the alarm early to enjoy strolls around Cartagenas gorgeous streets and be able to take some photos without hundred of people in them. This is one of the many things to appreciate about Colombians. This is your best chance to catch the city while its still empty not to mention, to avoid the heat! Its historic, colorful, and charming, which will leave that memory card of yours full. 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. 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. Cartagena is beautiful. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are several good ones you can consider, such as this one. We are a team of committed, empowered, fun and . Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. We repeat - you have to go via the city of Santa Marta! Bocagrande and El Laguito: These are the modern touristic areas of Cartagena; both neighborhoods offer well established hotel chains as Hilton, Dann and Holiday Inn, as well as apartment rentals -which is often the first option for Colombian tourists when traveling with family or a group of friends. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! However, they do still need to complete Migracion Colombia's Check-Mig immigration . Getsemani is also famous for its street art and slightly alternative vibe - to discover more about both, join this popular two hour graffiti walking tour. Also consider investing in a hydro flask bottle such as this one to keep your water cold for up to 8 hours. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. The area is gorgeous and is one of Colombia's natural national parks. However, we know that slow travel isnt always going to be possible for everyone, and most people certainly wont return to the same long-haul city twice. If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Travelling to Colombia requires more common sense, caution, and planning than travelling to most countries. Lets get to it! Facts. 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. Having said that, there is a fairly good and cheap public transportation system which includes the Transmilenio Bus for which you will need a Transcaribe Card which you can get at one of the many stations and works on a top up basis; and the buseta, smaller, older, more colorful and significantly less comfortable buses. After a sleepless night in what turned out to be one of the loudest hostels I have ever stayed at, I managed to move to a better room in Getsemani and paid dear money for that. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. With the city being so crowded and so hot (more about that in a bit), having a good room where you can rest is essential for a good trip. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We spent almost 10 days in Cartagena and at no point did we ever feel unsafe or threatened. 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. Other good options if you fancy a change or Folklore Cafe is busy include: Cafe del Mural - find it here. And we promise, if you think something is too far and opt to get a taxi or Uber, itll take you longer to get to vs if you just walked. The most crowded beaches in Cartagena are Bocagrande and Laguito, thats why you will see lots of vendors harassing you. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. Not sure where to start looking? The traffic in Cartagena can be crazy. However, it can also push locals out of certain neighbourhoods, hollow out a place, and change its character; this of course removes much of what made a place special to travellers in the first place. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. El Laguito is only a bit better. The bad news about safety in Colombia. When we needed to work in Cartagena, this is where we went. The boat ride from Cartagena takes about 45 minutes. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, Where To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay, A Complete Guide To Where To Stay In Bogota, A Complete Guide To Hiking Valle De Cocora, Colombia, A Concise Guide To Villa De Leyva, Colombia, How To Visit Saturnia Hot Springs: 18 Best Things To Know, What You Must Know Before You Travel To Nicaragua. Colombia in 2021 was an amazing experience for us and a place we will never forget. Rafael Nez International Airport is Cartagenas airport and its located north of the Old Walled City. Gold artifacts in the gold museum of Cartagena. Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. Fruit Lady Photos Are Not Free 8. Oh, and definitely make a pitstop at La Palettera to get an ice-cold popsicle. Whenever this happens, bear in mind that you only need to listen to people who have been to Cartagena Colombia. Your post inspires me to make it more of a priority! So, it shouldnt be a surprise no to learn that the streets of the old Cartagena do become incredibly busy and incredibly crowded. Cartagena Old City Accommodations:Soy Local|Casona del Colegio|Casa India Catalina, Getsemani Accomodations:Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique|Hotel Monaguillo|Hotel Casa Tere, 13 Absolutely Amazing Things To Do in Salento, The Ultimate Colombia Itinerary & Trip Planner, All You Need To Know About the Cocora Valley Hike. 3. This will definitely discourage you from traveling to Colombia solo. Taxi Rates in Cartagena ( valid through December 2016), There is also UBER, InDriver and Esay Taxi apps available in Cartagena, Un vdeo publicado por Uber (@uber) el 2 de Feb de 2016 a la(s) 11:41 PST. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . Finally, some suggest that it is possible to visit Tayrona National Park and / or Santa Marta on day trips from Cartagena. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Cartagena Travel Costs. 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. The thing to know is that the Caribbean coast of Colombia is more expensive than elsewhere in the country, and Cartagena is generally the most expensive place on the Caribbean coast. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. BY BOAT There is no regular ferry service between Panama and Cartagena, but you can count on a number of sailing boats that connect the city to Panama via the San Blas islands. You must know that Taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeter, they have specific zone rates, unfortunately most of the times taxi drivers dont follow these rates and charge according to their convenience or passengers foreign face and their ability to communicate, so every time you take a cab first negotiate price before getting on. 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. ATM's are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. 6. Outlets 13. Cartagena was by far the most expensive place of the areas we visited in Colombia. Travel Guide Cartagena, Colombia: 10 Things Travelers Need to Know Before Visiting. However, that is not the case today. Here are some things to remember, particularly if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time: Do not drink the tap water; do not leave your luggage unattended in tourist areas, and do not flash your valuables while walking the streets. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. 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. Don't stroll round alone at night time. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. The same goes for any tours you are looking to take or any restaurants you are wanting to try. But expensive is relative to you as a person. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. Dont despair! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Travelling between the two will cost around 25,000 COP in a taxi, or 2,700 COP with the local bus. Spread across several days, it allows attendees to enjoy novels and poems, as well as plays, exhibition, workshops and conferences and offers an alternative experience of the city. Slow travel is a big part of our travel philosophy, and we try to spend a little bit longer in places so that we can go deeper, feel a little more connected to it, and also not have to rush around. This area of Colombia is green and lush which means rain. Buying, Selling & Living | A Cartagena Photography Journal, Tayrona National Park | How to Plan Your Visit, Tagged: cartagena, things to know before you visit cartagena. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Most businesses now accept card payments, and in case you need cash you will find several ATMs in the old city where you can withdraw but keep in mind that most will charge a fee any time you withdraw, to which you will have to add your bank withdrawal fee (I use N26 and they dont charge!) When visiting Cartagena, petty theft like pickpocketing is among the most common. Wake Up Early & Explore The Old Walled City of Cartagena Cartagena's Centro (old city) is a party town, no doubt. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. Water in Cartagena is safe to drink, which will come as a massive relief as this way you wont have to worry about brushing your teeth with it, or eating a salad that has been washed in it. When traveling, anytime you do an activity with animals, you really want to be sure the animals welfare is coming first, not tourist fun. Cartagena is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the entire country. Keep Reading // 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America. The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can now wander the cobblestone streets of Cartagena with Culture Trip on our expertly curated eight-day tour of the Colombian Caribbean coast . On our second visit, it was clear that a lot of people arrived in Cartagena thinking that there were fantastically tropical beaches in and around the city. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Though his books arent the easiest to read (I admit to putting down the book a few times before finally managing to finish it), a tour of Garcia Marquez Cartagena is a must! Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! Especially if you plan to fly. Cartagenas Old City (Centro) is where tourists flock to stay, and for good reason. Visiting Cartagena on your Colombia itinerary? Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia - Travel Tips & Local Customs. One great place to sample them is small, adorable La Palettera, home of popsicles. Actually, there were 21 things you should know before traveling to Colombia, but we wrote this post on the road, and while editing it later at home, we came up with a few more, so the math does not match. I was excited to go to Colombia. Its home to most of the nicer hotels, restaurants, and bars and is the natural epicentre for most tourism in the city. But you will be surprised to know that most clothing and imported items (especially wine!) 0 advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce to society 0 salernitana game result 0. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". From the food to its drinks and places to stay, Cartagena is definitely on the higher end of things when compared to other places in Colombia you may be exploring. 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 number of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast . Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. Whilst Colombia has nowhere near the tourism levels of Bolivia or Peru, there has been a well-defined gringo trail for years. 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. Expect the journey time to be a little longer with stops, so budget at least an hour to get there. 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. Keep in mind the rule of asking the price before taking it also applies for cabs. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. It does not store any personal data. It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. If you would like to visit Cartagena, but have no time for planning or would rather leave this job to the experts, you should consider joining a guided tour of Colombia. We also have Punta Arena, a closer and nicer beach on Tierra Bomba Island just 7 min away. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. But again if you don't know the city we recommend passing the bus to avoid shady parts of the city; Things to know before you go. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. This video features some do's and dont's you need to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia.
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