Cartagena Caribbean
3
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Three days in Cartagena and the Colombian Caribbean Coast takes you through one of the finest colonial cities in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage walled city of extraordinary coloured colonial mansions, bougainvillea-draped balconies and 16th-century Spanish fortifications rising directly from the Caribbean Sea, in a setting of extraordinary tropical beauty. This focused route covers the essential Cartagena and Caribbean coast experience. The extraordinary walled city and its Getsemani neighbourhood, the San Felipe fortress above the bay, the extraordinary Rosario Islands coral reefs by boat, the finest costeño cuisine in Colombia, and the extraordinary mud volcano of El Totumo rising from the coastal plain 30km east of the city.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season with clear Caribbean skies
Getting There
Fly into Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG)
Getting Around
Walking in the walled city, taxis and tuk-tuks for further trips
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat walled city with some heat and humidity
DAY 1
CARTAGENA WALLED CITY
MORNING
CIUDAD AMURALLADA, THE FINEST COLONIAL WALLED CITY IN THE AMERICAS
The extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage walled city of Cartagena de Indias, a labyrinth of coloured colonial mansions draped in bougainvillea, shaded plazas with carved stone fountains, extraordinary baroque churches and the finest collection of Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas. The Plaza de Bolivar, the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandria and the extraordinary Portal de los Dulces sweet market are the finest starting points. Entry to the city is free. 15 min walk
MIDDAY
CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DE BARAJAS
The most extraordinary Spanish fortification in the Americas, a vast hexagonal hilltop fortress completed in 1657 that commanded the entire bay of Cartagena and was never taken by force. The extraordinary network of tunnels beneath the fortress, designed to carry sound and allow communication between defenders, is remarkable. The view over the city, the Caribbean and the Bocagrande peninsula from the ramparts is the finest in Cartagena. Entry approx 25,000 COP. 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
GETSEMANI NEIGHBOURHOOD AND SUNSET ON THE CITY WALLS
The extraordinary Getsemani neighbourhood outside the walled city, Cartagena's most authentic and vibrant district, a grid of extraordinary colonial streets covered in remarkable street art murals, with the finest local food stalls, small cafes and the extraordinary La Trinidad plaza where locals gather every evening. Then walk the extraordinary city walls at sunset for the finest view over the Caribbean.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cafe del Mar on top of the city walls at the Baluarte de Santo Domingo is the finest place in Cartagena to watch the sun drop into the Caribbean Sea, with the extraordinary colonial roofscape of the walled city below and the Caribbean stretching to the horizon. Arrive before 6pm to secure a table. The caipirinha here at sunset is the finest drink in Colombia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Abadia Cafe, Walled City Outstanding breakfast in a colonial courtyard. Fresh Colombian fruit, arepas and extraordinary tinto coffee. | Lunch: La Cevicheria, Cartagena The finest seafood restaurant in Cartagena. Extraordinary fresh Caribbean ceviche and patacon with hogao. | Dinner: El Boliche Cebicheria Outstanding rooftop ceviche and cocktails with extraordinary walled city views. Finest sunset dinner spot.
DAY 2
ROSARIO ISLANDS
MORNING
ISLAS DEL ROSARIO BOAT TRIP AND CORAL REEF SNORKELLING
The extraordinary Rosario Islands national park 35km off the Cartagena coast, an archipelago of 27 extraordinary coral islands in a Caribbean marine reserve where the reef snorkelling is the finest accessible from Cartagena. The boat journey itself across the extraordinary Caribbean is remarkable. The main island of Isla Grande has an extraordinary coral atoll framing the bay. Snorkel equipment included in most boat packages. Entry fee to national park approx 18,000 COP. 1 hour boat
MIDDAY
PLAYA BLANCA, ISLA BARU
The finest beach accessible from Cartagena, a long sweep of extraordinary white sand with turquoise Caribbean water on the Isla Baru peninsula. The clear water, palm trees and the extraordinary contrast with the industrial mainland behind make Playa Blanca one of the finest Caribbean beach experiences in Colombia. Arrive before 11am to find the finest uncrowded stretch. Local vendors sell extraordinary fresh ceviche directly on the beach. 1 hour boat
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO CARTAGENA AND EVENING WANDER
Return to Cartagena in the late afternoon and explore the extraordinary walled city by evening light, when the heat subsides and the colonial streets come alive with music, street food and the extraordinary atmosphere of a Caribbean city at dusk. The streets of San Diego barrio with their extraordinary flower-draped balconies lit by lanterns in the evening are among the finest urban streetscapes in South America.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Isla Mucura in the Rosario archipelago, 3 hours by boat from Cartagena, is the finest and most remote island in the national park, with extraordinary reef snorkelling and a remarkable eco-lodge. Almost no day-trippers reach it. The extraordinary bioluminescence visible in the Rosario lagoons on moonless nights is unlike anything on the Colombian coast.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early breakfast before the 8am boat departure from Muelle Turistico. | Lunch: Beach ceviche at Playa Blanca Extraordinary fresh fish ceviche and cold beer served directly on the beach by local vendors. | Dinner: Carmen, Walled City Outstanding contemporary Colombian cuisine in a colonial mansion. Extraordinary Caribbean seafood menu.
DAY 3
EL TOTUMO AND COAST
MORNING
VOLCAN DEL TOTUMO, THE EXTRAORDINARY MUD VOLCANO
The most extraordinary natural attraction near Cartagena, a 15-metre conical mud volcano rising improbably from the Caribbean coastal plain 50km east of the city, whose crater is filled with extraordinary warm volcanic mud with remarkable therapeutic mineral properties. Climb the steep wooden steps to the rim and lower yourself into the extraordinary dense mud, which holds you semi-buoyant in a remarkable floating sensation. Entry approx 15,000 COP. Guides help you manoeuvre in the crater. 1 hour taxi
MIDDAY
MANZANILLO DEL MAR BEACH
The extraordinary Manzanillo del Mar beach village 25km north of Cartagena, a simple Caribbean fishing community with an extraordinary arc of palm-shaded beach where local families set up food stalls serving the finest fresh fried fish and patacon with garlic on the entire coast. The beach is largely unknown to international tourists and entirely free. The extraordinary turquoise Caribbean water here is calmer and cleaner than the beaches closer to the city. 45 min taxi
AFTERNOON
CARTAGENA FINAL AFTERNOON AND DEPARTURE
A final afternoon in the extraordinary walled city, visiting the remarkable Palacio de la Inquisicion on the Plaza de Bolivar where the Spanish Inquisition tried heretics, and the extraordinary Gold Museum with its remarkable collection of pre-Columbian Zenu goldwork. The Plaza de los Coches at dusk with its extraordinary Portal de los Dulces sweet market is the finest last experience in Cartagena before departure.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Convento de la Popa on the highest hill above Cartagena, a 17th-century Augustinian monastery whose extraordinary whitewashed church gleams above the city, gives the finest panoramic view of the entire bay, the walled city, the Rosario Islands in the distance and the Caribbean beyond. Entry approx 12,000 COP. Best visited in the early morning before the heat builds. Almost no tourists at dawn.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Streetfood in Getsemani Extraordinary arepas de choclo and fresh tropical juice from a street cart in the Getsemani morning market. | Lunch: El Muelle del Sabor, Manzanillo Extraordinary fresh fried snapper with patacon and coconut rice at a simple beachside family restaurant. | Dinner: La Mulata, Walled City The finest traditional costeño restaurant in Cartagena. Extraordinary arroz con coco and Caribbean seafood.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Walled City, All Nights Casa San Agustin or Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa. Colonial courtyards. Approx 150 to 400 USD per night. Getsemani Option El Viajero Hostel or Casa Lola. Finest neighbourhood for atmosphere. Approx 30 to 100 USD per night. Bocagrande Option Hotel Estelar Cartagena de Indias. Beach access. Approx 80 to 200 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Walk the city walls at sunset. The view over the Caribbean from the Baluarte del Reducto is extraordinary.
2. The walled city is best explored on foot before 9am and after 5pm. The midday heat is intense.
3. Getsemani is Cartagena's finest neighbourhood for street art, local food and authentic atmosphere.
4. Book Rosario Islands boat trips from the Muelle Turistico the day before. Depart before 9am.
5. El Totumo mud volcano is best visited early morning before tour groups arrive. Takes 30 minutes.
6. Use InDriver app for taxis in Cartagena. Safer and more reliable than street taxis.
Total Budget
65 to 520 USD/day