Cartagena, Colombia
Photo: Sgonzalezb · CC BY-SA 3.0
Travel guide for Cartagena, Colombia — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Cartagena is a stop in Colombia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Walled Old City (Ciudad Amurallada), Getsmani street art neighbourhood, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–100 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal
Weather
From highland cool to tropical warmth
Walled Old City (Ciudad Amurallada)
Getsmani street art neighbourhood
Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Plaza Santo Domingo
Rosario Islands day trip
Convento de la Popa
Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj)
Caribbean sunset on the walls
Walled Old City (Ciudad Amurallada)
Getsmani street art neighbourhood
Plaza Santo Domingo
Caribbean sunset on the walls
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Prefer a full 12-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Cartagena itinerary guide.
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–100
per person / day
Luxury
USD 115–190+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Cartagena, Colombia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Typical mid-range for Cartagena
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Cartagena mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–100 · luxury 115–190+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Photos: Sgonzalezb, Martin St-Amant (S23678), Miguel Ángel Barrera, Norma Gòmez — via Wikimedia Commons
Top picks in Cartagena include Walled Old City (Ciudad Amurallada), Getsmani street art neighbourhood, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Plaza Santo Domingo. See the full list and itinerary on this Cartagena travel guide.
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal.
Plan at least 3 days in Cartagena for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Stay near the centre of Cartagena for easy access to attractions, or near the airport if you have a short layover.
On the ground in Cartagena (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–100, and luxury about 115–190+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Cartagena, Colombia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
