11. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. Held every January, find further details here. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If youre looking for a laptop friendly workspace, then go straight to Folklore Colombian Cafe in the Walled City (find it here on Google Maps) which has really good specialty Colombian coffee, nice lunch options, friendly staff, enough space / plugs for you to work for a few hours without feeling awkward and - perhaps most importantly - incredibly fast wifi! Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. 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. Make sure to read my posts about other Colombia destinations: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1e2a88525395fb846803998dbad156b" );document.getElementById("bf5f1d039c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Particularly in case you're visiting Cartagena for the primary time, right here's some issues to remember: Don't drink the faucet water. Beyond these two districts, Cartagena sprawls out much further than any visitor imagines and becomes much like other Colombian cities; it does have quite vivid splashes of modernity with its clusters of white apartment towers next to the sea at Bocagrande, but most of us will have little reason to venture beyond the two neighbourhoods mentioned above. Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) Rafael Nez International Airport Things to know before you go Terminal Location Main Terminal Recommended Arrival Time 3 hours prior to departure Ticket Counter Hours Open: 3 hours prior to departure Closed: 1 hour prior to departure Baggage Service Office +57 5 6505959 +57 5 6505959 (fax) Unaccompanied Minors If youd like to improve learn Spanish, start with this guide that details how we did it, and has lots of useful resources. 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 want to take a photo of the Palenqueras (the colorful ladies selling fruit, as pictured above), you will either have to pay for the photo, or buy some fruit or a drink from them. Things to Know before Traveling to Cartagena, Colombia Visa Requirements. 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. Arguably, the best time to visit Cartagena is between December and March, when the temperatures arent as hot and humidity is lower. 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 few of the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A stunning and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . 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 . I visited Bogota, Villa de Levya, Cartagena and Islas del Encanto last month and loved every minute of it! If you decide to spend an extra day in the city, you can even push yourself beyond the limits of the old city and visit the Convento de la Popa for impressive views; and the Mercado de Bazurto, a beautifully local market. Not only that the best rooms at reasonable prices are the first to be booked out, so as soon as you have set your dates for your trip to Cartagena, start looking for a place to stay. Cartagenas airport has handfuls of international flights coming and going daily. Although in theory you can go year round, depending on when you go you may encounter larger crowds of tourists, get quite a bit of rain (though since it is in the Caribbean, it can rain year round) and find the city to be unbearably hot and humid we are speaking 80% and even 90% humidity. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 25 de May de 2016 a la(s) 8:55 PDT, Currency exchange places in Cartagena usually take dollars, euros and some of them, Brazilian Reais. Avoid to exchange money at the airport as rates are the less convenient. Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia - Travel Tips & Local Customs. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Regardless of how much time you have for your Cartagena itinerary, the below list is some of the best things to do in Cartagena and its surrounding areas. Getsemani: This is an ideal area for travelers who want to being near of the historic center on a budget. Wherever it recalls for you, theres absolutely no doubt in our minds that Cartagena is one of the prettiest cities in all of South America. Newer Post. Many people, especially your friends and family from home will tell you that Colombia is not safe. Colombias most famous and celebrated writer lived in Cartagena most of his life and based his most popular novel 100 Years of Solitude right in the city. Be kind, but assertive if you have no interest to purchase anything, and just keep walking. All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! I found it to be crowded with tourists when I visited, a few years ago, and rumor has it that the city is now receiving even more visitors thanks to cheap flight connections, cruise ships and social media promotion. Viva Colombia is another low-cost airline worth checking out. Hence, I thought Id share a list of things you should know before visiting Cartagena from interesting facts to tips that will help you plan your trip. Pin this travel guide & save it for later. things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. The bad news about safety in Colombia. Add to this that Colombia has finally managed to get rid of its reputation of being a dangerous country, and you get the idea: dont expect to have the city to yourself, or you will be truly disappointed. Women Love Traveling, Cartagena: See reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Women Love Traveling, ranked No.195 on Tripadvisor among 195 attractions in Cartagena. Top Tip // Whilst were here, we might as well mention that Spanish is a real difference maker for your travels in Cartagena and Colombia. This new found popularity is a double-edged sword. Top Tip // If you really, really dont have time to head further along the coast independently but have your heart set on visiting Tayrona National Park then there is the possibility of joining this well-rated day tour from Cartagena. Hopefully, this re-balance of local vs tourist will prevent Cartagena from falling victim to over tourism. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. 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 few 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. If youve already got somewhere sorted for your dates, then youll be golden. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 9. 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. Its historic, colorful, and charming, which will leave that memory card of yours full. However, as tourism to the city skyrocketed, the unofficial demarcation between the two neighbourhoods has blurred and we were surprised at how many new hotels and businesses (and further redevelopment) had set up in Getseman. For travel to Colombia from the United States, you need a valid passport with at least 6 months before passport expiration. Alternatively, you can book an affordable private transfer to be waiting for your arrival if its your first time in the Colombia and you dont speak Spanish. This means that for any purchase you make through one of my links, I receive a small percentage which however does not affect the final price for the customer. Outlets 13. Or, just leave us a positive note! Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. Stop reinforcing perceptions of Pablo Escobar, Cocaine, and Violence. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. During your research, youll like have seen many photos of beaming black Colombian women dressed in beautifully colourful dresses and carrying a fruit basket upon their heads. Cartagenas fruit ladies or also known as The Palenqueras, are colorfully dressed women who effortlessly balance a bouquet of fruit atop their heads as they wander the streets of Cartagena. Don't walk around alone at night. 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. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Independence Festival. Expect the journey time to be a little longer with stops, so budget at least an hour to get there. One day I noticed it was 97 degrees with a 100% humidity. Cobblestone streets, colonial Spanish architecture, colorful houses, and amazing bars and restaurants can be found in the Old 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. Lets get to it! Dip under the crystalline surface for snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs which flank the coast - there are sharks and eels to be spotted, as well as huge sponges and vast spider crabs wandering the reef. Bus Ticket in Cartagena and TransCaribe ( massive state transportation system ) is 2.000COP each way (less than US$1). As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. You must know that Taxis in Cartagena do not have taximeter, they have specific zone rates, unfortunately most of the times taxi drivers dont follow these rates and charge according to their convenience or passengers foreign face and their ability to communicate, so every time you take a cab first negotiate price before getting on. They are among the best Caribbean islands for families. March 2020 at 17:21. Cartagena is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the entire country. A taxi may come in handy occasionally. Getting to Cartagena is actually incredibly easy and you can travel there by plane, bus or even boat. Everything. Along Dusty Roads is a travel blog by British couple, Andrew & Emily. The good news is that this is probably the most expensive city in Colombia, so if you are visiting Cartagena first, and then the rest of the country, you will be relieved to find more convenient prices. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. By using these, you are directly supporting Along Dusty Roads to remain an independent travel blog, and to create free guides to help you travel more, travel better. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. Update 2023 | As a city that has come to rely heavily upon tourism, Cartagena was particularly badly affected during the pandemic, with many restaurants and accommodations being forced to close permanently. Knowing a few words will help navigate any potential conversation barriers and makes you a favorite with the locals! You do not need to present a vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena. We repeat - you have to go via the city of Santa Marta! ATM's are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". To say that the room was suffocating is an understatement! If thats you, then we strongly recommend investing in a travel filter water bottle which will purify water from any source and greatly reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use on your travels. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. 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