Cartagena Caribbean
5
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Five days across Cartagena and the Colombian Caribbean coast gives you the full extraordinary breadth of Colombia's finest coastal destination, from two full days exploring the extraordinary UNESCO walled city and its Caribbean hinterland to the coral reef islands, the colonial hill town of Mompox on the Magdalena River, the extraordinary mud volcano, and the finest beach stretches on the coast north of the city. This extended route covers Cartagena and the Caribbean coast completely. The walled city and Getsemani neighbourhood, Castillo San Felipe, the Rosario Islands coral reef, Playa Blanca and Isla Baru, the extraordinary Mompox UNESCO colonial town, El Totumo volcano, and the finest costeño cuisine from fresh ceviche to arroz con coco and bandeja costeña.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season for clearest skies
Getting There
Fly into Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG)
Getting Around
Walking in Cartagena, boat for islands, car hire for Mompox
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat coastal city with some river travel
DAY 1
CARTAGENA WALLED CITY
MORNING
CIUDAD AMURALLADA AND CASTILLO SAN FELIPE
Begin in the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage walled city, exploring the coloured colonial mansions, bougainvillea-draped balconies and baroque churches of the Ciudad Amurallada at their finest in the morning cool. The Plaza de Bolivar, the Cathedral and the extraordinary Portal de los Dulces are the essential starting points. Then Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the most extraordinary Spanish fortress in the Americas, with its remarkable tunnel network and panoramic view over the Caribbean bay. Entry approx 25,000 COP. 20 min walk
MIDDAY
GETSEMANI NEIGHBOURHOOD
The extraordinary Getsemani neighbourhood outside the walled city, Cartagena's most authentic and vibrant district, where extraordinary street art murals cover entire building facades, local families gather around the remarkable La Trinidad plaza, and the finest local food stalls and neighbourhood cafes sit alongside a remarkable renaissance of small boutique hotels and restaurants. The finest neighbourhood in Cartagena for authentic costeño culture. 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
CITY WALLS AT SUNSET AND CONVENTO DE LA POPA
Walk the extraordinary city walls at sunset from the Baluarte de Santo Domingo to Cafe del Mar for the finest Caribbean sunset in Colombia. Earlier in the afternoon, the extraordinary Convento de la Popa on the highest hill above the city gives the finest panoramic view of the bay, walled city and Caribbean. Entry approx 12,000 COP. Best visited before the heat of midday. The whitewashed church gleams above the city.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Club de Pesca on the Manga island just across the bridge from Getsemani, a 1930s yacht club turned extraordinary seafood restaurant built on wooden piers over the bay, is the finest hidden restaurant in Cartagena and beloved by locals. The extraordinary view back across the bay to the city walls while eating the freshest fish in Cartagena is remarkable.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Abadia Cafe, Walled City Extraordinary fresh Colombian fruit, arepas and tinto coffee in a colonial courtyard. | Lunch: La Cevicheria, Cartagena The finest seafood restaurant in Cartagena. Extraordinary Caribbean ceviche and patacon with hogao. | Dinner: Carmen, Walled City Outstanding contemporary Colombian cuisine in a colonial mansion. Extraordinary Caribbean seafood menu.
DAY 2
ROSARIO ISLANDS
MORNING
ISLAS DEL ROSARIO CORAL REEF SNORKEL
The extraordinary Rosario Islands national park 35km offshore, an archipelago of 27 coral islands in a protected Caribbean marine reserve where the reef snorkelling is the finest accessible from Cartagena. The boat journey across the extraordinary Caribbean is remarkable. The coral formations, extraordinary reef fish, sea turtles and the remarkable clarity of the water make the Rosario Islands the finest day trip on the Colombian coast. Entry fee approx 18,000 COP. 30 min boat
MIDDAY
PLAYA BLANCA, ISLA BARU
The finest beach accessible from Cartagena, an extraordinary sweep of white sand with turquoise Caribbean water on the Isla Baru peninsula. Arrive before 11am for the extraordinary uncrowded morning stretch before the day-trip boats arrive. Local vendors sell extraordinary fresh ceviche, cold coconut water and fried fish directly on the beach. The extraordinary combination of white sand, clear Caribbean and palm trees is the finest beach setting on the Colombian coast. 1 hour boat
AFTERNOON
RETURN AND WALLED CITY SUNSET
Return to Cartagena in the late afternoon for a final extraordinary sunset walk on the city walls, with the Caribbean glowing orange beyond the colonial roofscape. The extraordinary evening atmosphere in the walled city, with street musicians, food carts and the remarkable play of lantern light on the colonial stonework, is the finest Caribbean city evening in South America.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary bioluminescence visible in the calm lagoons of the Rosario Islands on moonless nights is one of the finest natural light phenomena on the Colombian coast. Kayak through the extraordinary glowing water after dark with a guide from any Rosario Islands eco-lodge. The single-night stay on Isla Mucura at the far end of the archipelago is the finest overnight on the Colombian Caribbean.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early breakfast before the 8am boat departure from Muelle Turistico. | Lunch: Beach ceviche, Playa Blanca Extraordinary fresh ceviche and patacon served by local vendors directly on the beach. | Dinner: El Boliche Cebicheria Outstanding rooftop ceviche and cocktails with extraordinary walled city views at sunset.
DAY 3
MOMPOX
MORNING
JOURNEY TO MOMPOX ON THE MAGDALENA RIVER
The extraordinary journey from Cartagena to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Mompox on the Magdalena River, the most important town in Colombian colonial history. The journey by car and river ferry crosses the extraordinary flooded Momposina Depression, a vast wetland of rivers, lakes and marshes where the great Magdalena spreads into dozens of channels. The extraordinary landscape of egrets, caimans and river traffic is unlike anything on the Caribbean coast. 30 min walk
MIDDAY
MOMPOX COLONIAL TOWN AND SANTA BARBARA CHURCH
The most extraordinary colonial town in Colombia, a UNESCO-listed riverside city where nothing has changed since Gabriel Garcia Marquez set his novels here and described it as the finest town in the country. The extraordinary riverfront malacon, the remarkable Santa Barbara church with its extraordinary octagonal bell tower, and the extraordinary goldsmithing workshops producing the finest filigree jewellery in Colombia are all extraordinary. Free to explore. 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MOMPOX CEMETERIES AND RIVERSIDE EVENING
The extraordinary Mompox cemetery, the most remarkable in Colombia, with extraordinary whitewashed above-ground tombs decorated with extraordinary painted portraits and the finest wrought-iron grave ornaments in the country. The extraordinary Magdalena riverfront at dusk, watching the river boats and piraguas navigate the extraordinary channel as the sun sets over the Momposina wetland, is the finest evening scene in the Colombian interior.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mompox filigree gold jewellery workshops on the colonial main street are the finest in Colombia, producing extraordinary handmade pieces using techniques unchanged since the 16th century when Mompox goldsmiths supplied the entire Spanish colonial empire. Buy direct from the workshop for extraordinary prices far below what the same pieces cost in Cartagena or Bogota.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before departure Light breakfast in Cartagena before the 5-hour journey to Mompox. | Lunch: Comedor on the Mompox malacon Extraordinary arroz de lisa river fish with costeño cheese and fresh coconut lemonade on the riverfront. | Dinner: Hotel Doña Manuela restaurant Outstanding Mompox colonial cuisine. Extraordinary mote de queso and slow-cooked river catfish.
DAY 4
EL TOTUMO AND COAST
MORNING
RETURN FROM MOMPOX
The extraordinary return journey from Mompox to Cartagena across the Momposina wetland and river ferry, arriving back on the Caribbean coast by midday. The extraordinary morning light over the flooded plains on the return journey is different from the afternoon light of the outward trip. Stop at the remarkable Magangue river port for breakfast and to watch the extraordinary river traffic on the Magdalena. 45 min taxi east
MIDDAY
VOLCAN DEL TOTUMO MUD BATH
The most extraordinary natural attraction near Cartagena, a 15-metre conical mud volcano rising from the coastal plain 50km east of the city whose crater is filled with extraordinary warm mineral-rich mud. Lower yourself into the dense mud for the remarkable floating sensation as local masseurs knead the mud into your muscles. The extraordinary rinse-off in the adjacent lagoon is cold and bracing. Entry approx 15,000 COP. Bring a change of clothes. 30 min taxi
AFTERNOON
MANZANILLO DEL MAR BEACH
The extraordinary Manzanillo del Mar fishing village 25km north of Cartagena, largely unknown to international tourists, with an extraordinary arc of palm-shaded Caribbean beach where local families serve the finest fresh fried snapper and patacon on the coast. The extraordinary turquoise water here is calmer and cleaner than the beaches nearer the city. Walk north along the extraordinary beach to find the finest empty stretch.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Laguna del Totumo adjacent to the mud volcano is a natural saltwater lagoon used for rinsing off after the mud bath, but also remarkable in itself for the extraordinary birdlife visible from the lagoon shore, including remarkable roseate spoonbills, herons and the extraordinary frigate birds that drift above the coastal wetlands between the lagoon and the Caribbean.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast at Magangue river stop Fresh tropical juice and arepas de choclo at a riverside stall on the Magdalena during the return journey. | Lunch: El Muelle del Sabor, Manzanillo Extraordinary fresh fried snapper, patacon and coconut rice at a simple beachside family restaurant. | Dinner: La Mulata, Walled City Outstanding traditional costeño restaurant. Extraordinary arroz con coco and Caribbean bandeja.
DAY 5
CARTAGENA FAREWELL
MORNING
PALACIO DE LA INQUISICION AND MUSEO DEL ORO ZENU
The extraordinary Palacio de la Inquisicion on the Plaza de Bolivar, where the Spanish Inquisition tried heretics from 1610 to 1821, preserving extraordinary instruments of torture and remarkable records of the colonial justice system in a beautiful colonial mansion. Then the Museo del Oro Zenu with its extraordinary collection of pre-Columbian Zenu goldwork, including remarkable filigree pieces that inspired the Mompox goldsmithing tradition. Entry approx 10,000 COP each. 15 min walk
MIDDAY
MERCADO DE BAZURTO AND LOCAL LIFE
The extraordinary Bazurto market, Cartagena's vast working local market on the edge of the city, an extraordinary labyrinth of stalls selling every product of the Colombian Caribbean coast: live crabs and lobsters, extraordinary tropical fruits, costeño cheese, fresh herbs and the finest variety of Colombian street food in the city. Visit with a local guide for safety and context. Free to enter. The extraordinary authenticity of Bazurto is the finest contrast to the tourist walled city. 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
FINAL CITY WALLS SUNSET AND DEPARTURE
A final walk along the extraordinary city walls of Cartagena, the finest urban promenade in the Caribbean, as the sun drops towards the horizon over the sea. The extraordinary Café del Mar on the Baluarte de Santo Domingo for a final drink overlooking the Caribbean is the finest farewell to Cartagena. The extraordinary silhouette of the walled city against the orange Caribbean sky is the finest last image of Colombia's greatest colonial treasure.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Las B n vedas, the 23 vaulted chambers built into the base of the city walls in 1798 as ammunition stores and later used as prison cells, now house the finest artisan craft market in Cartagena. The extraordinary barrel-vaulted chambers with their thick colonial stone walls are the finest setting for souvenir shopping in Colombia. The extraordinary emerald jewellery workshops here are the best in the city.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Streetfood, Getsemani Extraordinary arepas and fresh juice from a street cart in the Getsemani morning market. | Lunch: Bazurto market stall Extraordinary fresh ceviche and patacon at the finest local market stall in Cartagena. Under 10,000 COP. | Dinner: Alma, Hotel Casa San Agustin Outstanding fine dining in the finest hotel in Cartagena. Extraordinary modern Colombian Caribbean menu.
Where To Stay
Walled City, Nights 1 to 3 Casa San Agustin or Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa. Approx 150 to 400 USD per night. Mompox, Night 4 Hotel Doña Manuela or Casa Amarilla. Colonial river town guesthouses. Approx 50 to 120 USD. Budget Option El Viajero Hostel or Mamallena Cartagena. Getsemani location. Approx 15 to 50 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Walk the city walls at sunset from the Baluarte de Santo Domingo. The Caribbean view is extraordinary.
2. Mompox is extraordinary but requires planning. Book car and guesthouse before leaving Cartagena.
3. Getsemani is safe during the day and early evening. Exercise normal caution after midnight.
4. Book Rosario Islands boat trips from Muelle Turistico the day before. Depart before 9am.
5. El Totumo mud volcano rinse-off lake is cold and supervised. Bring a change of clothes.
6. Use InDriver app for all taxi journeys in Cartagena. Always safer than flagging street taxis.
Total Budget
45 to 530 USD/day