Cartagena, Colombia

Guide de destination

Cartagena

Colombia · South America

Voir tous les hôtels à Cartagena 2026-11-04 → 2026-11-07 · 2 · 1

About Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is Colombia's Caribbean jewel — a UNESCO-listed walled colonial city (Ciudad Amurallada) of ochre facades, bougainvillea balconies, cobbled plazas (Santo Domingo, San Pedro Claver, Trinidad) and 11 km of 16th-century Spanish fortifications culminating in Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. Getsemaní adds street-art bohemia + salsa bars; Bocagrande brings modern beachfront; and the Rosario Islands + Barú offer white-sand + turquoise day trips. Deep Afro-Caribbean palenque + culinary heritage (ceviche, arepa de huevo, cazuela de mariscos).

En bref

  • Colombia's Caribbean UNESCO walled city — colonial fortifications + Rosario Islands + Getsemaní street art.
  • Walled City + Getsemaní walkable; Uber + InDriver cheap for Bocagrande + Manga.
  • Book Rosario Islands boat 1 day ahead in high season; overnight Barú for calmer sunset.
  • Base in Walled City (atmospheric) or Getsemaní (bohemian, cheaper) — avoid Bocagrande for character.
  • Currency COP (Colombian peso); Type A/B 110V plugs; drink bottled water.

Séjours en vedette à Cartagena — tarifs en direct

Prix en direct via notre partenaire agréé, susceptibles de changer.

Voir tous les hôtels à Cartagena
Hotel Avadia Del Mar
Hotel Avadia Del Mar

Hotel Avadia Del Mar

Cartagena, CO

7.015 avis

44 $US

par nuit

Ayenda 1801 El Oceano
Ayenda 1801 El Oceano

Ayenda 1801 El Oceano

Cartagena, CO

6.418 avis

47 $US

par nuit

Zalmedina Hotel
Zalmedina Hotel

Zalmedina Hotel

Cartagena, CO

7.476 avis

68 $US

par nuit

Hotel Cabrero Mar
Hotel Cabrero Mar

Hotel Cabrero Mar

Cartagena, CO

8.276 avis

69 $US

par nuit

Soy Local Insignia
Soy Local Insignia

Soy Local Insignia

Cartagena, CO

8.6120 avis

70 $US

par nuit

Quand y aller

December–April dry season (28–32°C, low humidity, near-zero rain) — peak. Late-January Hay Festival draws literary + celebrity crowds. May–November green season with short afternoon showers (still swimmable). September–October is quietest + cheapest. Avoid Semana Santa (Easter week) unless you want processions + full hotels. Rosario Islands best November–May.

Se déplacer

Walled City + Getsemaní are walkable + best explored on foot; carriage rides (US$15–25) at night are touristy but atmospheric. Taxis flag-down COP 8,000–20,000 in centre (agree fare — no meters); Uber + InDriver + DiDi all work. TransCaribe BRT to Bocagrande + Manga COP 3,000. Boats to Rosario Islands + Barú from Muelle de la Bodeguita COP 60,000–120,000 return (30–60 min). Rafael Núñez airport (CTG) 5 km — 15 min taxi COP 15,000–25,000.

Où loger

  • Centro Histórico (Walled City)

    UNESCO walled city — plazas, colonial mansions, boutique hotels — Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, Casa San Agustín, Bastión Luxury, Charleston Santa Teresa.

  • San Diego

    Quieter walled-city sub-neighbourhood, artisan quarter — Casa Pestagua, Ananda Boutique, Casa del Coliseo.

  • Getsemaní

    Bohemian ex-working-class quarter — street art, salsa bars (Café Havana), Plaza Trinidad — Ananda, Life is Good, Casa Lola.

  • Bocagrande + Castillogrande

    Modern high-rise beachfront peninsula — Hilton, InterContinental, Estelar; convenient but less atmospheric.

  • Manga

    Residential island 5 min from Walled City — Republican-era mansions + boutique apart-hotels.

  • Rosario Islands + Barú (day trip / overnight)

    Coral archipelago 45 min by boat — Sofitel Barú Calablanca, Blue Apple Beach House, Isla del Sol.

Your Marhaba Trip Plan

Cartagena at a glance

Recommended trip
4–5 days
Best time to visit
December–April dry season (28–32°C, low humidity, near-zero rain) — peak.
Getting around
Walled City + Getsemaní are walkable + best explored on foot; carriage rides (US$15–25) at night are touristy but atmospheric.
Recommended areas
Centro Histórico (Walled City) · San Diego · Getsemaní

Top experiences

  • Ciudad Amurallada (Walled City) walls at sunset — Free — walk the 11 km of 16th–18th century Spanish fortifications; best light 5–6:30pm from Baluarte de Santo Domingo.
  • Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — COP 30,000 (US$8) — colonial fortress + tunnel network above the city, allow 2h; go early morning or late afternoon (heat).
  • Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) day trip — Public boat COP 60,000–90,000 return + park fee COP 21,000; private catamarans COP 200,000–500,000 with lunch + snorkel; Blue Apple Beach House day pass US$60.
  • Getsemaní street art + Plaza Trinidad evenings — Free walking tours 10am + 4pm from Plaza Trinidad; Café Havana Thurs–Sun for salsa dancing; La Serrezuela mall + rooftops.

Ai-je besoin d'un visa pour Cartagena ?

Politique
Selon la nationalité
Séjour habituel
90 jours

Visa-free 90 days for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/most Latin America (extendable to 180). Check-Mig pre-registration required online.

Source officielle

Comment se rendre à Cartagena ?

Aéroports

  • CTG · Rafael Núñez · 5 km

    15 min taxi COP 15,000–25,000 (US$4–6); Uber + InDriver COP 12,000–18,000; complimentary hotel pickup common.

En train

No passenger rail in Colombia — all intercity travel by air or bus.

Comment se déplacer à Cartagena ?

  • Walking — Walled City + Getsemaní walkable + best explored on foot; carriage rides evenings US$15–25.
  • Taxi / Uber / InDriver — COP 8,000–20,000 in centre — agree fare in advance (no meters) or use apps.
  • TransCaribe BRT — Bus rapid transit to Bocagrande + Manga + Villa Estrella — COP 3,000.
  • Boat — Rosario Islands + Barú from Muelle de la Bodeguita COP 60,000–120,000 return.

Titres de transport

No integrated transit pass — pay individual TransCaribe rides or use Uber.

Heat + humidity intense — walk sights before 10am + after 4pm; drink water constantly.

Que manger et savoir sur la culture culinaire à Cartagena ?

Plats emblématiques

  • Cazuela de mariscos — Coconut-milk seafood stew — Cartagena's Caribbean signature.
  • Arepa de huevo — Fried cornmeal disc with egg inside — street food classic COP 3,000.
  • Ceviche cartagenero — Shrimp + coconut milk + tomato + cilantro — try at La Cevichería or El Boliche.

Étiquette

  • Tip 10% at sit-down (rarely included — check bill for 'servicio incluido').
  • Beach vendors are persistent — firm 'no gracias' works; never accept 'free' bracelets, cocktails or massages.

Bottled water only. Aguardiente is the national spirit; Club Colombia + Águila the local beers.

Cartagena est-elle sûre pour les voyageurs ?

Niveau de risque: ModéréUrgences: 123
  • Walled City + Bocagrande safe day + night — heavy tourist-police presence.
  • Getsemaní safe until 2am on lit streets; avoid dark alleys solo.
  • Avoid Bazurto market + peripheral barrios without a local guide.
  • Scopolamine drink-spiking risk in nightclubs — never leave drinks unattended.
  • Emergency 123.
Conseils officiels

Questions fréquentes

Do I need a visa for Colombia?

No visa for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ/Japan/Korea/UAE/most Latin America up to 90 days on arrival (extendable to 180). Passport must be valid 6+ months. Some nationalities need Check-Mig pre-registration online (free, 72h before travel).

How do I combine Cartagena with Morocco?

Cartagena ↔ Madrid direct 9h Iberia + Air Europa + Avianca → Madrid ↔ Marrakech / Casablanca 3h — total 13–15h same-alliance connection. Marhaba's Atlantic culture arc: 4 nights Cartagena + Rosario Islands → Madrid 2 nights → Marrakech + Sahara 5 nights. Culturally paired — both walled cities with layered Spanish + local heritage on Atlantic trade routes.

How do I visit the Rosario Islands?

45 km southwest — 45–60 min speedboat. Public boats from Muelle de la Bodeguita COP 60,000–90,000 return (leave 8am, return 3pm). Private tours COP 150,000–300,000 with lunch + snorkelling. Overnight at Blue Apple Beach House, Sofitel Barú Calablanca, or Isla del Sol for calmer sunset + sunrise island. Playa Blanca on Barú (accessible by car via ferry) is beautiful but very touristy midday.

Is Cartagena good for families?

Yes — Castillo San Felipe (kids love the tunnels), Volcán del Totumo mud volcano (60 km — bathe in warm mud), Aviario Nacional (Barú — 190 species), Rosario Islands snorkelling, horse carriage rides evenings, gelato on Plaza San Diego. Family suites at Sofitel Santa Clara, Charleston Santa Teresa, Bastión. Heat + humidity intense — pool access essential.

What's the best luxury stay in Cartagena?

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (17th-c convent — Cartagena's flagship), Casa San Agustín (18th-c mansion boutique — arguably the best), Charleston Santa Teresa (16th-c convent), Bastión Luxury Hotel (Walled City), Movich Cartagena de Indias, Ananda Boutique (Getsemaní), Casa Pestagua Relais & Châteaux. Barú: Sofitel Barú Calablanca, Blue Apple Beach House.

Can I visit Cartagena on a budget?

Getsemaní hostels COP 40,000–80,000 (US$10–20), Walled City mid COP 300,000–600,000 (US$75–150), street food arepa de huevo COP 3,000 (US$0.75), cazuela de mariscos COP 35,000, local beer COP 5,000. Free: walking the walls at sunset, Plaza Santo Domingo, Getsemaní street art, San Pedro Claver church exterior. Free walking tours daily from Plaza Santa Teresa.

How do I get from CTG airport to my hotel?

Rafael Núñez (CTG) 5 km northeast of Walled City. Official yellow taxis COP 15,000–25,000 (agree fare — 15 min). Uber + InDriver COP 12,000–18,000. Bus BRT COP 3,000 (40 min). Most boutiques offer complimentary pickup.

Is Cartagena safe for tourists?

Walled City + Bocagrande very safe day + night — heavy tourist-police presence. Getsemaní safe until 2am on lit streets; avoid dark alleys solo. Avoid Bazurto market + peripheral barrios (San Francisco, Nelson Mandela) without a local guide. Scopolamine drink-spiking risk in nightclubs — never leave drinks unattended. Beach vendors aggressive but not dangerous. Emergency 123.

More ways to extend or combine your Cartagena trip.

Colombia flagship pair — Cartagena ↔ Bogotá

Avianca + LATAM 1h20 direct — Caribbean colonial + Andean capital classic 7-night trip.

Caribbean colonial trio — Cartagena + Havana

Havana 3h via Panama — Spanish-Caribbean walled-city + music-culture pair.

Miami ↔ Cartagena Caribbean gateway

Avianca + American 3h30 direct — US-Caribbean-Latin America gateway combination.

Cartagena ↔ Morocco Atlantic culture arc

Via Madrid 13–15h — Atlantic-trade walled-city twins + Spanish heritage bridge.

Voir tous les hôtels à Cartagena

Voir tous les hôtels à Cartagena