Cartagena Travelers Recommend

With a Caribbean climate and beautiful colonial architecture, Cartagena attracts travelers seeking sun, sand, and history. With 72 hours, you can explore Unesco World Heritage sites, visit vibrant markets, and venture to nearby islands for some stellar snorkeling. Here are a few ways to spend 3 days in Cartagena.

Day 1: Walled City Walks and Nightlife

Explore the centuries of Cartagena’s history with an introductory city tour. Take a ride on the hop-on, hop-off bus, and stop at attractions like San Felipe de Barajas Castle. Opt for a guided walking tour of the old walled city, and learn about the city architecture and culture while visiting top landmarks, including San Pedro Claver Church, Plaza de Bolivar, and Torre del Reloj. Then head to the mountaintop La Popa Monastery and enjoy a new perspective of the city.

Complete the day with an introduction to local nightlife: Climb aboard a chiva —a colorful bus typical of rural Colombia—for a cruise through the city with live music. Nightlife tours often include admission to a local nightclub.

Day 2: Cook, Bike, or Skydive

Get to know Cartagena’s local culture with a cooking class that includes a market tour. You’ll join a local guide for a wander through the bustling Bazurto Market and pick up local ingredients for a cooking workshop before heading into the kitchen to learn the secrets behind traditional Colombian dishes. After the lesson, enjoy a feast of dishes you’ve prepared yourself. Alternatively if you’re looking for thrills, book a tandem skydive to see the coastline from above.

In the afternoon, sign up for an art-focused tour. A guided stroll through the Getsemani neighborhood includes visits to galleries showcasing local work and contemporary artists’ studios. Or, for a little exercise, follow a guide on a bike tour of the city.

Day 3: Escape to the Islands

On your third day, head out on a day trip and explore the pristine islands off of Cartagena’s coast: Travel by speedboat to the Rosario Islands, and spend a day sunbathing and swimming. Visit Playa Blanca, relax and enjoy a hearty lunch, and then kick back in hammocks for a peaceful afternoon. If you’re looking for a more active trip, opt for a trip that also includes snorkeling and scuba diving among coral reefs. For a more private adventure, you can even book a full-day boat rental (boat captain included) and set your own itinerary for the day.

For an on-shore option, book an excursion to the Totumo mud volcano and enjoy a restorative soak in the mud baths known for their healing properties. Then in the evening, head back to the city, and dance the night away with a tour of the city’s salsa clubs.

The coastal city of Cartagena charms with its walled city, colonial buildings, and vibrant markets. Spend one day in the city and you can visit historic monasteries, learn to cook Colombian food, and go for a sunset cruise on the bay. Here are our top picks for 24 hours in Cartagena. 

Morning: Get Your Bearings

Start your day with an introduction to Cartagena by touring the walled city on foot or via hop-on hop-off bus. See several landmarks including the Rafael Núñez house and Castillo San Felipe during the journey. Tours by minivan and private air-conditioned vehicles cover ground quickly and include stops at attractions such as the Cartagena Naval Museum, a historic monastery, and the Cathedral of Saint Peter Claver (Catedral de San Pedro Claver). 

Afternoon: Market Visits and Two-Wheeled Tours

Get a taste for local flavors with a market tour and cooking class. Begin the experience with a stop at the Bazurto Market to pick up fresh ingredients, then travel to a family home to learn how to make traditional Colombian dishes. Alternatively, take a guided cycling or Segway tour. Maximize time in Cartagena with these quick forms of transportation and follow your local guide to see churches, monuments, and parks, learning about the city’s heritage and culture along the way. 

Night: Boat Cruises and Carriage Rides

See Cartagena from a new perspective on a sunset boat tour. Raise a glass during your coastal cruise through Cartagena Bay, and watch the colors of the sunset over the city. Several boat-tour options are available, including cruises with open bars and harbor cruises with a multicourse dinner and wine. Back on dry land, explore the city streets after dark with a horse-and-carriage ride. Roll through the narrow lanes of the walled city, past Unesco-listed landmarks. Some horse-and-carriage tours also include dinner at a traditional Colombian restaurant. 

The colorful city of Cartagena is known for its rich history and scenic coastal location. With 48 hours in this Colombian city, you can see its highlights and still have time to learn to cook traditional food, explore the local art scene, and take a sunset cruise. Here are a few ways to spend two days in Cartagena.

Day 1: City Heritage and a Harbor Cruise

**Morning:**Get your bearings in Cartagena with an introductory tour. Choose a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus to see landmarks such as Castillo San Felipe or a Segway tour that moves quickly between attractions. History-themed walking tours with a local guide are also available.

**Afternoon:**Connect with local culture during a tour with an emerald-jewelry-making class or a market tour and cooking class. Before you get in the kitchen to learn to make traditional Colombian dishes, visit the Bazurto Market to source fresh ingredients. 

**Night:**See the city of Cartagena from the water with an evening harbor cruise that includes a multicourse dinner and wine. To experience Cartagena’s atmosphere after dark, wrap up your first day in the city with a nightlife tour that includes transportation, drinks, and access to a nightclub. 

Day 2: Boat Rentals and Carriage Rides

**Morning:**Discover Cartagena on two wheels with a guided bike tour, covering ground quickly to see parks, landmarks, and monuments. Alternatively, travelers interested in Cartagena’s art scene may want to join a tour in the Getsemani Quarter focused on contemporary art, including visits to artists’ studios and galleries. 

**Afternoon:**Cool off during the warmest part of the day with a private boat rental. Let the captain do the steering while you admire views of the coast and stop to swim and snorkel. As sunset approaches, another fun water activity is a stand-up-paddleboarding excursion with an LED-lit board. The glow illuminates the water for 5 feet beneath the board. 

**Night:**Discover the streets of Cartagena at night with a horse-and-carriage ride, passing popular landmarks including the Cathedral of Saint Peter Claver (Catedral de San Pedro Claver) during the journey. Some night rides also feature a multicourse dinner at a traditional Colombian restaurant. 

Set on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Cartagena is recognized by UNESCO for its colonial walled city, military forts, and ornate churches. From San Pedro Claver church to the Torre del Reloj city gate, here are the colonial sites you can’t miss.   What to See

• Castillo de San Felipe: This mountaintop fort was built in the 17th century.
• La Popa Monastery: Located at the top of Mount Popa, this monastery was founded by Augustinian monks in 1607.
• Torre del Reloj: This clock tower is the original entrance to the fortified city of Cartagena.
• Plaza de la Aduana: The Old Town is home to this large square where the former Royal Customs House is now the City Hall.
• San Pedro Claver church: This church was built in the early 17th century along with its monastery.
• Cathedral of Cartagena: Construction began on this cathedral in 1577 and continued for more than 80 years.

  How to Visit

• Climb aboard the hop-on hop-off bus for quick access to 10 stops across the city.
• Book a historical walking tour within the colonial walled city to learn about the influence of the Spanish.
• Set out on an architecture-focused tour for an in-depth look at the architectural style of Cartagena.
• Cover ground quickly with a bike tour.
• Explore at your own pace with an informative audio guide.

From its colorful architecture to its flavorful cuisine, Cartagena is full of vibrancy. The cuisine of this historic Colombian city draws on its coastal location, and menus are full of fresh seafood. Here are a few foods and activities that hungry visitors won’t want to miss.

Must-Try Dishes

Cartagena is known for its fresh food, from tropical fruits and juices to seafood. Sample street food such as arepa de huevo, cornmeal patties stuffed with egg; or dine on classic ceviche, fresh raw seafood with citrus and a touch of heat. Keep cool with frozen treats called paletas, popsicles made with fresh fruit and cream, milk, or water, or sip fresh fruit juices such as watermelon juice (jugo de sandia) and coconut limeade (limonada de coco).

Must-Do Experiences

• Discover Cartagena on foot with a street-food-focused tour led by a local guide.
• Explore fresh local produce at the Bazurto Market with a guided tour.
• Climb aboard a boat for a scenic cruise to the Rosario Islands. Complete the experience with a lunch feast of fried whole red snapper and coconut rice.
• Taste the best ceviche in the city with a tour focused on this popular seafood dish. Learn about how it’s made and visit restaurants where ceviche is the specialty.