For most people visiting the north of Colombia, Cartagena will act as a gateway to the incredible sights dotted along the country's Caribbean coast: places like Tayrona National Park, the laid-back hippy village of Palomino, or into the jungle to take on the Lost City Trek. Regardless of what there is to do in Cartagena, understanding a few tips for visiting Cartagena ahead of your arrival will definitely come in handy. You will have the place to yourself which is perfect for any photographers wanting to get people free photos of Cartagenas Old City. If you are a little wary of trusting the tap water, you can opt to filter the water further, you know, to take the better safe than sorry route. Though his books arent the easiest to read (I admit to putting down the book a few times before finally managing to finish it), a tour of Garcia Marquez Cartagena is a must! I visited in February and it was way hotter than I had expected though a nice breeze would blow in the late afternoon every day, giving everyone a break from the heat. Mall Plaza El Castilloe - find it here. So dont fret, you cant go wrong with whichever area you decide to stay in. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. On that first ever visit to Cartagena, we arrived at 11 p.m. and all our backpacks after a long bus journey. Uber and Cabify are famous options in Colombia. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. This can be uncomfortable or unpleasant for visitors. Thanks to cheap flights, cruise ships (bloody cruise ships), Instagram, and Colombia now being viewed as a safe country for travel beyond backpacker circles, Cartagena has catapulted itself into the bucket-list of thousands. The Water in Cartagena is Safe to Drink 12. No USDs or Euros. For anyone visiting Cartagena, not from the United States, youll need to pack your adapter with you. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at restaurants all around Cartagena, but if you want to pay in cash, Colombian Pesos is the only form of currency accepted. Zaitun This is one of our favorite go-to restaurants in Cartagena. We recommend avoiding lodging in other areas not mentioned as these are the safest alternatives that also offer infinite options of bars, restaurants and points of interest, Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 7 de May de 2016 a la(s) 1:10 PDT, Older Post However, if you are coming from the States or Europe, Cartagena may be right in line or even cheaper than what you were anticipating. If the temperatures get too much, try booking accommodation with a pool, head to a few museums, or grab a coffee and a bite to eat in an air-conditioned eatery or coffee shop. As photographers, we had to set the alarm early to enjoy strolls around Cartagenas gorgeous streets and be able to take some photos without hundred of people in them. Colombia uses the same outlets as we do. This is probably the most surprising thing to learn when visiting Cartagena! Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Being so beautiful, Cartagena is an incredibly popular tourist destination. March 2020 at 17:21. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Shop; Pruducts. 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. ATM's are in English and Spanish and the surcharge is about equal to US$ 3.00.". Here are the highest issues to do in 2022.. Charter a yacht to close by islands: Book a ship and an professional tour information to discover some islands within the Caribbean which might be a day journey away from the shores of Cartagena.Top picks embody the Rosario Islands and Isla Grande. Cards are Accepted, but Cash is Pesos, PIN IT FOR LATER! Always keep your eyes open and your valuables safe, and keep a low profile to avoid becoming a target. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. You will also have to stretch your budget to get a room with air conditioning so that you can rest decently at night. The Rosario islands are integrated by an archipelago of 27 islands; all with white sand, narrow beaches and warm turquoise waters. The best taxi app in Colombia is EasyTaxi, so use that instead of Uber. Additionally, from Cartagena airport, you can take a flight for just over an hour to the dreamy Colombian island of San Andres - which is located slap bang in the middle of the Caribbean and actually closer to Nicaragua than Colombia. 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. Some people say it reminds them of old Havana, for others its their favourite nooks and side streets of Spain. Chilly winter temps, right?? 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. In terms of travel, it means you should save drinks in the shade, hanging out in your accommodation, museum or market visits, and escapes to coffee shops with air-con to the peak afternoon sun as its just not enjoyable to be wandering around then. Also, you may get offered cocaine. 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 Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. Right outside you will be able to visit San Felipe Castle and to take a walk on the city walls. To get started with Gabo, read 100 Years of Solitude. 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. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. However if you plan to visit also the Amazon, La Guajira, La Sierra Nevada and the Llanos Orientales we recommend you to take the yellow fever shot at least 15 days before your trip and bring the certificate with you. Plan to spend three or four days there, so that you can discover all the main attractions and you have an extra one to get out of town to one of the nearby islands. There are several good ones you can consider, such as this one. In the height of the cartel days in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Cartagena was actually a very unsafe place to visit. Cartagenas bus terminal is however a 45-minute ride from the old town, here on Google Maps. (artculo 17 ley 679 de 2001). things to know before traveling to cartagena, colombia. Especially if you plan to fly. Thanks to Cartagena being a cruise port and its rise to fame through social media, Cartagena is one of the most visited places in all of South America. Things to do in San Andres: More Travel Info: The best deals for travel insurance: Excursion Bookings: Packing . THIS IS SO KEY! Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 11 de Jun de 2016 a la(s) 9:38 PDT. 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. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. When visiting Cartagena, you may take notice of some fruit vendors. 6. You do not need to present a vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena. Colombia is a wonderful, diverse, and fascinating country; it isnt your hedonistic playground or alternative Spring Break destination. Cheap no-frills airlines include Viva Colombia and EasyFly (make sure you check the baggage allowances! in arranging the best experiences and tours not only for solo travelers but also friends/ family and groups here in Cartagena- Colombia. Although many places in Colombia do not even accept credit cards, we suggest bringing at least one credit card with you but keeping it in a safe place at your hotel for emergencies. Some tips . Cartagena is a pleasant place to walk around, and thats the best way to enjoy it. Share The Article Last Updated 6 hours in the past. Remember you will need a copy of your passport for that. BY PLANE The airport in Cartagena is called Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG) and serves both domestic and international flights. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. For the vast majority of you, that will be the case too - just dont leave your bag or valuables unattended, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas, and be aware of your surroundings at night. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! Staying in the Walled City and Getsemani is safe for the most part. Another thing you shouldnt miss when visiting Cartagena is a tour that follows in the footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 1. Everything. The colorful streets of Cartagena are a beautiful place. With fantastic restaurants, bars, and street art, Getsemani is the hipper cousin to the more touristy old city of Cartagena. Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. Avoid Cartagenas Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead, 8. As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. Here's a quick overview of the visa requirements, health and safety precautions, currency exchange, and other important information for US citizens traveling to Colombia. This is because Cartagena is a tourism destination, whereas other cities have a wider range of things for foreigners to do on a budget. We visited Cartagena in late January and into early February and their winter temperatures rose into the 90s. Keep Reading // We know that sourcing accommodation can be a little overwhelming, so weve put together a few time-saving articles for you: nine best hostels in Cartagena and our pick of the best airbnbs in Cartagena for every budget. The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Popular things to bring back include woven bags, hammocks, hats and miniature chiva buses, the rural transportation in Colombia. Laying just outside of Cartagenas historic old city is the neighborhood of Getsemani. If you're looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for . The bad news about safety in Colombia. 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. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 28 de Abr de 2016 a la(s) 5:23 PDT. If you're planning on a trip to this South American country, here are 10 essential tips to know: 1. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. Ranked as one of the top 50 Restaurants in Latin America, Celele is a must-stop on any trip to Cartagena. Copyright 2023 Juan Ballena | Travel Experiences in Cartagena. Youre close to the equator, along the northern coast of Colombia which faces the Caribbean Sea.to say its hot is an understatement. If you're on a tight budget, then a visit to the Gold Museum of Cartagena, in the old town, is a great way to kill some time and save some money because it's completely free to enter. However, it can also push locals out of certain neighbourhoods, hollow out a place, and change its character; this of course removes much of what made a place special to travellers in the first place. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION You can get around in Cartagena with Uber, which tends to be cheaper than taxis. As a local once told me, Cartagena is 99% safe, but if you're not careful, that 1% can bite you hard. Its historic, colorful, and charming, which will leave that memory card of yours full. Plus, Getsemani is home to amazing restaurants, so if you cant get a reservation in Cartagenas Old City, definitely plan to eat and drink in Getsemani. We had arrived on a Friday night in January, on one of the busiest night of the year, in high season. Facts. The thing to know is that the Caribbean coast of Colombia is more expensive than elsewhere in the country, and Cartagena is generally the most expensive place on the Caribbean coast. Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. Top Trending Things to Do in Cartagena. However we recommend you to book it if youre only staying for a short time in Cartagena and need to take the most out of your trip. Whether you are visiting Colombia for a short trip or a few months, you need to know about Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
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