3 Days in Cartagena — 3-Day Guide

Cartagena in 3 days: the UNESCO walled city (11km of walls, 1586–1796, the most perfectly preserved Spanish colonial fortification in the Americas — the city that shipped the gold and silver of the Andes to Spain), Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (the most impressive colonial fortress in South America: the underground tunnel system, the 360° Caribbean view), the Islas del Rosario (the most important coral reef archipelago in the Colombian Caribbean), Getsemaní (the most vibrant neighbourhood in Cartagena: the street art, the cumbia, the champeta), San Basilio de Palenque (UNESCO Intangible Heritage: the first free African town in the Americas, the Palenquero Creole language), and the sunset on the walls with the best Colombian Caribbean ceviche.

Also explore Cartagena for:

📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Ciudad Amurallada walk (free), Castillo San Felipe (the most impressive colonial fortress in the Americas), Getsemaní neighbourhood & city walls sunset with Colombian Caribbean dinner

Islas del Rosario boat trip (coral reef archipelago), Bocagrande Caribbean beach (palenqueras in traditional dress) & Getsemaní cumbia nightlife

San Basilio de Palenque (UNESCO: the first free African town in the Americas, Palenquero Creole language), Convento de la Popa viewpoint, Museo del Oro Zenú & farewell Caribbean pargo rojo dinner

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

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📍 Inside the walled city — the most atmospheric 5-star hotel in Cartagena, in a restored 17th-century colonial mansion facing the Plaza de Santa Teresa

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa (the most atmospheric 5-star hotel in Cartagena — in a restored 17th-century colonial mansion inside the walled city, facing the Plaza de Santa Teresa): the 84 rooms and suites (the most spacious rooms in any colonial Cartagena hotel, with the most elaborately restored original colonial features: the carved wooden ceilings, the stone archways and the hand-painted tile floors), the rooftop pool (the most spectacular rooftop pool view in the walled city: the 360° panorama of the colonial rooftops, the sea and the Castillo San Felipe), and the most important restaurant in the walled city.

From €250/night

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Language	Spanish (Castilian — the official language of Colombia). The "costeño" dialect (the Caribbean coast Spanish of the Colombian coast — the most melodic and the most rapidly spoken variety of Colombian Spanish: the "costeño" accent is characterised by the most extreme elision of consonants (especially the "s" in final positions — the most common phonological feature of Caribbean Spanish) and the most musical intonation pattern of any Colombian regional dialect). Palenquero (the Creole language of San Basilio de Palenque — spoken by the approximately 3,000 residents of the Palenque community: the most linguistically unique language in Colombia). English: widely spoken in the tourist areas of the walled city and in the major hotels.
Currency	Colombian Peso (COP). ATMs throughout Cartagena. Cards accepted at most hotels and restaurants in the walled city; cash preferred in Getsemaní and the local markets. USD accepted at major tourist businesses. Approximate exchange rate: 1 USD = approximately COP 4,000 (2024). A meal at a mid-range Old City restaurant: COP $40,000–70,000 (USD $10–18). A costeño beer (Águila or Club Colombia): COP $5,000–8,000. A boat to the Rosario Islands: COP $80,000–120,000 return.
Transport	Walking (the walled city is entirely walkable in 30–45 minutes — the most compact historic district in South America). Tuk-tuk (the "coco taxi" — the mototaxi three-wheeler: the most important and the most affordable local transport in Cartagena: COP $5,000–10,000 per trip within the walled city and Getsemaní). Taxi (the most practical for longer distances: the airport (5km from the walled city: COP $15,000–25,000), Bocagrande (COP $8,000–12,000) and San Basilio de Palenque (COP $80,000–120,000 return)). Always negotiate the price before getting in — no meters. Boat (the most important transport for the Rosario Islands: from the Muelle de los Pegasos in the Old City).
Best time	December–April: the dry season (the most pleasant weather in Cartagena: 25–32°C, the most reliable sunshine and the calmest Caribbean seas for the Rosario Islands boat trip). May–November: the rainy season (afternoon rains, higher humidity but the most lush vegetation and the lowest hotel prices). The Hay Festival Cartagena (January): the most important literary festival in Latin America (the Colombian edition of the Hay Festival — the same festival as the Hay-on-Wye in Wales). The November 11 Independence Festival: the most important local celebration (the anniversary of Cartagena's declaration of independence from Spain in 1811).
Getting in	Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) — 3km from the walled city (the most conveniently located airport of any South American heritage city: the 10-minute taxi to the Old City (COP $15,000–25,000) or the bus to the city center). Direct international flights from: Bogotá (45 min — the most frequent connection: multiple daily flights with Avianca, Latam and Copa), Panama City (1 hour, Copa), Miami (3 hours, American Airlines), New York (4.5 hours, American Airlines), and Madrid (10 hours, Iberia). From Bogotá by bus: 20 hours (the most scenic overland route but the least practical for most visitors).
Tipping	Tipping in Cartagena: the 10% "propina" (service charge) is commonly added to restaurant bills in the walled city (the most widespread restaurant tipping practice in Colombia). If the propina is not included: 10% is the most appropriate tip. At the Muelle de los Pegasos boat trips: COP $5,000–10,000 for the boat crew. For guided tours of the Palenque community: COP $20,000–30,000 per person. At the palenquera fruit sellers: the price is fixed, no tip expected. In taxis: rounding up is appreciated but not obligatory.
Budget tips	Cartagena is expensive by Colombian standards (the most touristified Colombian city) but affordable by European or North American standards. The free attractions: the walled city walk (the most important free experience in South America), the Getsemaní neighbourhood street art, the city walls sunset walk, the convento de la Popa (COP $10,000 — the most affordable viewpoint entry in Cartagena) and the beach at Bocagrande. The most affordable meal: the "corrientazo" (the daily set lunch: soup + main + juice + dessert for COP $10,000–15,000 in a Getsemaní local restaurant — the most affordable complete meal in Cartagena). The Rosario Islands boat trip (the most important paid experience): book directly at the dock rather than through a hotel (the most common tourist overcharge in Cartagena).