cars parked in front of green and white concrete building during daytime

Cartagena

Cartagena is a colonial port on Colombia's Caribbean coast, known for its walled old town, flower-draped balconies and beaches close to the city.

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Cartagena is a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast and the capital of Bolívar Department. Pedro de Heredia founded it on 1 June 1533, on the site of an indigenous Calamarí village. The walled Old City has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, and sixteen of the twenty fortresses built into those walls are still standing. Colonial houses have balconies hung with tropical flowers, and the plazas have shaded cafés. Pirates attacked the city many times, and Francis Drake burned houses and the cathedral in 1586.

The city is hot all year, averaging 27.8 °C, though sea breezes make it more pleasant. The sun is strong, so pack sun protection. The cooking mixes Spanish, Middle Eastern, African and Indigenous traditions, and palenqueras, women in traditional dress, sell fruit around the city. Give the old town and Getsemaní two or three days, then add a beach or an island trip. Boutique hotels cluster inside the walls, and larger beachfront hotels are in Bocagrande.

Cartagena in five

Walk the old town early or lateMidday heat is intense most of the year. Walk the walls and plazas in the morning and after sunset, and rest at midday.
Book island boats from the official pierBoats to the Rosario Islands and Barú leave from the main tourist pier, where a port fee is charged. Agree on what is included before you pay.
Visit San Felipe castle in the morningThe fortress is a short ride from the old town and has little shade. Go at opening with water.
Expect sellers in the plazasStreet sellers are persistent in the old town and on the beaches. A firm no thanks usually works; agree prices before any service.
Watch for flooded streets in the wettest monthsHeavy storms in October and November can flood parts of the old town and Getsemaní for hours. Check the forecast, carry a dry bag for your phone and keep slack in the day.

Things to do in Cartagena

See all attractions in Cartagena

Sight · CartagenaOLD TOWN 2 luxury five bedroomConfirm breakfast timing and arrangements with the property before you rely on an early meal.

Sight · CartagenaPrimax THE WALLS

Museum · CartagenaMuseo Naval del CaribeAllow about an hour for a quick visit, or longer if you want to read the displays and study the maps.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CartagenaPut the places you like in Cartagena on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Cartagena (CTG), about 10–15 min to the old town
Getting there: Flights from Bogotá, Medellín, Panama and the US
Getting around: Walk the old town; taxis and ride apps elsewhere
Best base: The walled city or Getsemaní
Time needed: 3–4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, breezy
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, breezy
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry
AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Dry, hot
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rains start
JuneRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Showers
JulyRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Short dry spell
AugustRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low26°Humid
SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rain
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wettest
NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Rain, storms
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Cartagena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cartagena

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Cartagena

03:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today29°25°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue29°24°80%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
Wed29°25°91%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 91%.
Thu29°25°82%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
Fri28°24°80%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
Sat29°24°65%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
Sun31°25°60%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 60%.

Updated 12:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP

Amount

Converted to

COP · Colombian Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Cartagena

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarBarranquilla's CarnivalBarranquilla, a day trip

Day trips by train

Rosario IslandsAbout 1 hour by boatClear water and beaches in a national park.
Totumo mud volcanoAbout 1 hour by roadA small volcano to bathe in.
Tayrona National ParkAbout 4–5 hours by roadBetter as a trip from Santa Marta.Read the guide

Before you go to Cartagena

Stays in GetsemaníWalkable, cheaper than the old townCheck availability

Rosario Islands boat tripsCheck the pier and what is includedCompare tours

eSIM for Colombia's coastMaps for old-town lanes and taxisRead the guide

Insurance for island daysBoat trips, theft and storm delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Cartagena, checked

Check Colombia's current entry rules on Migración Colombia (migracioncolombia.gov.co) before you fly, as visa and entry requirements depend on your passport.Source
Taxis inside the city perimeter have no fare meters, so agree on the price before you get in.
Sun is strong all year. Use sun protection to avoid burns.
For police, ambulance or fire, dial 123, the national emergency number in Colombia.

Plan around Cartagena

All of Colombia

Regions, flights, entry rules and money

Read the guide Tayrona National Park

Beaches and jungle on the coast road east

Read the guide Medellín

A one-hour flight to the Andes valley

Read the guide San Blas Islands

Sailing trips run to Panama's island chain

Read the guide Money basics

Cash, cards and ATMs for a coastal trip

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for boat days and heat

Read the guide

Cartagena FAQ

How many days do I need in Cartagena?

Three to four days: two for the old town, Getsemaní and the castle, and one or two for the islands.

Where should I stay in Cartagena?

The walled city for sights on foot, Getsemaní for better value and nightlife. Bocagrande suits beach-focused family trips.

When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

December to April, the dry season with sea breezes. Mid-December to early January is busiest and priciest.

Is Cartagena safe?

The old town and Getsemaní are busy and generally fine with normal care. Watch your phone on the walls and in crowded plazas, use licensed taxis or ride apps at night, and avoid poorly lit streets. Check your government's advice before you go.

Can you sail from Cartagena to Panama?

Yes. Sailing trips run to the San Blas Islands, usually over several days, and no regular ferry covers the route. Compare operators, ask about safety equipment and check that your passport and onward ticket are in order before you book.