Best Time to Visit Cartagena

The best time to visit Cartagena is early in the year, between January and March. This period is characterised by favourable weather and doesn't get too humid, which is perfect for both city exploration and nearby island-hopping. Streets begin to feel emptier as vacationer waves of December and early January subside, giving way to more manageable prices and attractions that are no longer swarmed with visitors. Another bonus of traveling during this period is the possibility to hit several important festivals: Cartagena International Music Festival and Hay Festival both take place in January, while Festival del Dulce — a celebration of sweets from all across the Caribbean — is a glorious Easter tradition worth making time for.

Passport & Visa

Citizens of the European Union, most countries in the Americas, Australia & Oceania, as well as several Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. In cases when an entry visa is required, the application can often be done online. Nationals of Cuba and and those holding passports issued by Palestine will need to apply for a visa, even if they will be entering Colombia for transit purposes only.

• Web:

  www.cancilleria.gov.co/en/procedures_services/visa/requirements

Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG)

The largest air hub on Colombia's Caribbean coast serves multiple destinations within the country, as well as several major international ones such as New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Panama City. The trip to central Cartagena usually takes no longer than 20 minutes. Taxis are always available; these operate on fixed fares rather than meters — get a voucher from the official taxi stand at the airport with an exact price quote to your destination to avoid being overcharged. Public transport is available as well. One option would be catching a colectivo off the side of the road by the airport; another — taking a Metrocar shuttle. These run at 10-minute intervals and stop at the La India Catalina monument, just outside the old town.

• Web:

  www.aeropuertocartagena.com.co/en

• Phone:

  +57 56931351

Public Transport

Cartagena’s bus network covers most areas, including the city centre, Bocagrande, La Boquilla and Barú peninsula beaches. The Transcaribe system (launched in 2016) operates like Bogotá’s Transmilenio, using dedicated lanes to bypass traffic. You’ll need a rechargeable card to ride. Route maps are available online, though they can be challenging to interpret. Smaller ‘alimentadores’ buses connect to Transcaribe’s main routes, stopping at designated SITM stations. For more flexible options, private ‘busetas’ display key stops on their windshields and accept on-street pickups at affordable fares. Within the old town, most locations are easy to reach on foot.

Taxi

In Cartagena, unlike other major Colombian cities, you can safely hail a cab on the street. Official yellow taxis are marked ‘servicio público’. While fares are reasonable, always confirm the price before boarding, since meters aren’t a thing here. For guaranteed rates, call a taxi through an operator rather than flagging one down on the street. Ridesharing apps like Uber, Cabify, InDriver and DiDi are also in use and may even be the preferred option for travelling locally, as fares will be determined automatically prior to boarding and charged directly to your credit card.

Cartagena de Indias Cruise Port

Cartagena is a common day-stop for cruises whose routes lie through the Caribbean. The cruise port of Cartagena, Colombia, is located roughly 4 kilometres from the Old Town, where the majority of Cartagena's attractions are located. To reach the city centre, you will either need to take a short walk from the pier to the Cruise Ship Terminal, or take a free shuttle bus. From the terminal building, the options are to either join a shore excursion or arrange your own transfer. Taxi drivers will be waiting at the port and outside the port exit; those who choose to walk a little further can expect to pay two times less than those who choose to get a cab directly from the port (which will still likely be twice as expensive as getting a cab back from the Old Town to the port). It's worth checking whether any cars are available via apps like Uber. The Cartagena de Indias Cruise Port is pleasant enough, and has been named best in the Caribbean on several occasions. The port is equipped with souvenir stores for last-minute shopping and a Juan Valdez Cafe Cafe outlet. It is best, however, to make any purchases elsewhere, as things at the port tend to be overpriced. Although Colombia's official currency is the peso, US dollars are widely accepted throughout Cartagena. It is advisable to have some cash on hand for smaller purchases; there is a functioning ATM at the port. The cruise port's absolute highlight is a miniature outdoor zoo, which contains a selection of animals ranging from macaw to flamingos.

• Web:

  www.puertocartagena.com/en/cruise-ship-terminal