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Representative view of Cartagena, Colombia
City
🇨🇴 Colombia · South America

Cartagena

Walled Caribbean colonial city, hot year-round, with islands offshore.

Budget level
Mid-range
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug
Ideal stay
2–4 days
Best for
Beach, Culture, Romance

Overview

A fortified colonial port on the Caribbean coast, hot and humid all year, and the base for boat trips to the Rosario Islands.

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Why go to Cartagena

  • Walled old town and ramparts at sunset
  • Island day trips
  • Caribbean food and music
  • Easy links to Santa Marta and Tayrona

Budget

Cartagena is mid-range by Colombia standards. Across Colombia, mid-range travellers typically spend about $50–$80 per person per day.

Country-level planning estimate, excluding flights. See the full Colombia budget breakdown.

Practical information

  • The most expensive city in the country in high season
  • Midday heat is intense — plan around it

When to go to Cartagena

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Plan 2–4 days here. Highlighted months are the best fit for most travellers.

Getting around

  • Domestic flights are frequent and inexpensive, and save very long road days between regions
  • Long-distance buses connect most cities, but mountain routes are slow

Suggested itineraries

  • Colombia highlights

    14 days

    Andes to Caribbean by cheap domestic flights.

    Route: Bogotá → Coffee Region → Medellín → Cartagena

  • Caribbean coast

    8 days

    Walled city, beach base and a national park.

    Route: Cartagena → Santa Marta & Tayrona

Colombia guides