ALMOST ALWAYS ON THE TOP OF MOST TRAVELERS LISTS, CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA HAS A LOT TO OFFER.
HERE ARE THE TOP 9 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA FROM TRAVELERS WHO
LIVED THERE FOR A MONTH.
Located along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, the historic town of Cartagena is likely high on many traveler's lists. With its colorful boulevards, elegant architecture and overall European feel, this metropolis is a lively spot that pulls tourists in with its music, food and culture.
We spent a month in the city, exploring its various neighborhoods and beaches, and getting a feel for what Cartagena was actually like. Below are some of the best adventures to be had in and around the city, including some that are definitely more off-the-beaten-path (perfect for you adventurous travelers).
THE TOP 9 THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
1. The Walled City (Old City)
If you have looked up any photos of Cartagena then you probably already have some idea of what the walled city, or old city, looks like. Colorful, ornate buildings dating back to the time when the region was known as New Granada and the ruling party were the king and queens of Spain. The historic center is pretty well preserved, so much so that in 1984 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But be aware that because it is by far the most popular area for travelers to explore, hawkers will constantly be trying to sell you stuff and the food and drinks are more expensive.
WHERE
The historic area is located along the coast and is completely surrounded by an old stone wall (hence the name) that was used to protect and fortify the city against invasions.
NEED TO KNOW
This is the epicenter of Cartagena, so expect it to be the most touristy, the busiest and the most lively (usually). Almost all of the photos you see of Cartagena are of the old city (Walled City), including all of the colorful historic buildings, the tall ornate churches and the street performers. At night the place can get pretty crazy, so if you are interested in getting good photos or just wandering around the buildings without being hawked at the whole time, we definitely recommend going earlier in the morning (like around 5:30-6 AM),
TIME NEEDED TO EXPLORE
We recommend giving yourself a full day to explore it, with a nice break in the middle (the heat of the day) to relax and recharge at a coffee shop or restaurant in town. Some of our favorite cafes are Café Quindio, Folklore and Bozha.
COST
Free! But be prepared to spend money on things like food and drinks. And maybe a trinket or two.
📣 If you don't feel like exploring the city on your own - or you just want more insight on the history and architecture - then consider booking a Cartagena Historic Tour with Get Your Guide.
EXPLORE MORE | HOW TO USE THE PUBLIC BUS IN CARTAGENA
\\ Cerro de La Popa & Convent of Santa Cruz de La Popa
Okay story time. When we visited La Popa, we planned to do the 1.8-kilometer walk from the bus station to the convent/hilltop. But as soon as we turned onto the road that takes you to the top, many taxis and mototaxis started saying we needed to get a ride. Now we are fit and pretty stubborn - so of course we were like "no we want to walk" (plus it looked like a pretty walk). But they insisted that it was not safe and that we would be in serious danger if we walked through the neighborhood and the little park.
It took us about ten minutes of talking to two mototaxi drivers, and then us deliberating on our own to decide what to do. The main issue for us was that we didn’t want to pay 50,000 pesos ($14) to get a ride to the top because a) we are pretty thrifty and don’t like spending money on things we feel like we don’t need b) we were actually looking forward to the walk up the hill and c) we felt like we were being taken advantage of because we were tourists and didn’t know whether it was safe or not.
In the end, a police officer came over and said that it was indeed not safe to walk up to the top and that some people up there do have guns and might mug you or worse, kill you. So we got a ride up to the top and then back down. But, and this is where the story gets kind of funny, because we hadn’t been planning on spending 50,000 pesos to get a ride, when we got to the top, we realized we didn’t have enough money to actually get into the Convent... So instead, we just looked out at the view of the Cartagena skyline instead (which was still nice).
What can you take away from our somewhat bad experience? Well, firstly, we definitely suggest bringing more money (see below for entrance fees) than just 50,000 pesos. Secondly, after getting back home and doing our own research, we found that other people had said that the walk up was not safe as well. But a part of us still wonders if all travelers are saying that because they had a similar experience to us - taxis and mototaxis bombarding you with information on the lack of safety. But yet how would travelers know unless one actually forgoed the taxis and walked up? And is it worth risking your safety just to save less than $15? Oh man the deep, curious thoughts of a traveler…
In the end, even after all the trouble of getting to the top, the views from La Popa were pretty great. It is the highest point in the city (besides the super tall hotels and apartment buildings) so if you want a great 360-degree view of Cartagena, we definitely recommend checking it out.
WHERE
Located about 2 kilometers from the Walled City down one of the major roads (Avenida Pedro de Heredia). You can walk or take the bus from the Centro Station (find it here) to La Popa Station (about two stops away).
TIME NEEDED
One hour is really all you need at the top, unless you want to be up there for all of sunset in which case you might need a bit more time.
COST
12,000 COP or about $3.15 USD (€2.75 Euros) per person
