Colombia
Cartagena
Caribbean port with a walled colonial center and island beaches offshore. Stay 3 to 4 days. This guide pulls together 4 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Dec – Mar
- Warmest month
- April
- Coolest month
- October
- Wettest month
- October
4 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink · 1 Shop
Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean
from our route notes
30°C / 86°F avg high
29°C / 84°F avg high
about 242 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Cartagena
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Cartagena across Centro Histórico, Pie de la Popa and Getsemaní. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Blanca Urunaga · GoogleSeeWalled City of Cartagena
UNESCO-listed old town of plazas, flower-draped balconies and 11 km of stone ramparts.
Tip Walk the walls at sunset when the heat breaks.
Photo: Martin St-Amant (S23678) · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeCastillo San Felipe de Barajas
Massive Spanish fortress with tunnels, built on San Lázaro hill to guard the city.
Tip Go at opening; there is little shade.
Photo: Marco Antonio González Restrepo · GoogleSeeGetsemaní
Former working-class barrio of murals and street life around Plaza de la Trinidad.
Tip Plaza de la Trinidad fills with street food and music after dark.
Photo: Omar F V · GoogleSeePalacio de la Inquisición
Colonial palace on Plaza de Bolívar now a history museum covering the Inquisition and the city.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Cartagena.
Photo: Paty Uribe · GoogleOutdoorsIslas del Rosario
Coral archipelago in a national park about an hour by boat, with clear water for snorkeling.
Tip Choose a reputable operator; cheap tours are crowded and rushed.
Eat
2 places to eat across San Diego and Getsemaní, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Paola Frieri-Luxury solutions · GoogleEatLa Cevichería
Small spot near the walls famous for Caribbean ceviches and seafood rice.
Tip No reservations; arrive at opening.
Photo: Ricardo Cocoma · GoogleEatCelele
Getsemaní restaurant built on research into Colombian Caribbean ingredients and traditions.
Tip Book well ahead for the tasting menu.
Drink
2 bars & cafés in Centro Histórico for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: ALQUÍMICO · Google
Photo: Baluarte Santo Domingo-Escuela Taller · GoogleDrinkCafé del Mar
Open-air bar on the old city walls at Baluarte Santo Domingo, facing the sunset.
Tip Arrive before sunset to get a seat.
Shop
1 shop in San Diego for browsing and souvenirs.
Photo: Mauricio Arango · Google
How to fit Cartagena into a trip
Cartagena is stop 4 of 4 on our Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route. Follow it as-is or lift Cartagena into your own plan.
Stop 4 of 4
Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean
Bogotá, Salento, Medellín and Cartagena
- Trip length
- 12 days
- Best season
- Dec – Mar
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Medellín
Getting here and onward
- Medellín to CartagenaMedellín is about 461 km / 287 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Cartagena month by month
Average daily highs run from 29°C / 84°F in October to 30°C / 86°F in April. October is the wettest month, with about 242 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan29° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Feb30° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar30° / 86°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr30° / 86°F average high
- May30° / 85°F average high
- Jun30° / 86°F average high
- Jul30° / 86°F average high
- Aug30° / 85°F average high
- Sep29° / 85°F average high
- Oct29° / 84°F average high
- Nov29° / 84°F average high
- Dec29° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Cartagena weather and the best time to visit →
Cartagena questions, answered
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
Our route notes suggest 3–4 days in Cartagena. On our Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route it is stop 4 of 4 in a 12-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 24 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Cartagena best known for?
Caribbean port with a walled colonial center and island beaches offshore. Stay 3 to 4 days. Standouts on our list: Walled City of Cartagena (UNESCO-listed old town of plazas, flower-draped balconies and 11 km of stone ramparts); Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (Massive Spanish fortress with tunnels, built on San Lázaro hill to guard the city); Getsemaní (Former working-class barrio of murals and street life around Plaza de la Trinidad).
When is the best time to visit Cartagena?
Our Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route is best Dec – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in April (30°C / 86°F), the coolest in October (29°C / 84°F) and the most rain in October (about 242 mm).
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
Start with Walled City of Cartagena, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Getsemaní, Palacio de la Inquisición and Islas del Rosario. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Cartagena?
Our picks: La Cevichería (San Diego); Celele (Getsemaní). No reservations; arrive at opening (La Cevichería).
Plan Cartagena with your crew
Open the Colombia: Coffee to Caribbean route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.