Things to do in Cartagena? Upon arrival, it will be quite evident that you don’t need a list of things to do in Cartagena.
Narrow cobblestone streets, multi-coloured colonial architecture, lively music in the plazas, horse-drawn buggies and a fortified stone wall shouting out the city’s historical importance as a port beg to be explored, enjoyed and understood.
Along with these gems are masses of tourists matched only in number by vendors relentlessly offering to sell you goods of all kinds under a scorching sun. Taxi drivers are exceptionally good at ripping you off and most vendors appear uninterested in striking up even the shortest of conversations.
That being said, Cartagena with its heat and humidity manages to enthrall.
Don’t race all over. Don’t worry about any list of things to do in Cartagena. Saunter with the locals. Wander through the plazas and return more than once to the same streets because the light will be different.
and what’s happening is bound to have changed.
Things To Do In Cartagena: The Take It Slow Guide
1. Wander the Historical Centre In Cartagena
Old Town Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is well-loved by its visitors. It’s no wonder.
Colourful facades graced with blooms of all colours are enough to stop you in your tracks. Wander aimlessly and you will be enchanted by plazas, churches and preserved colonial buildings. Horses and buggies clip-clop by amidst the notorious yellow taxis that are constantly beeping their horns. Cartagena doesn’t stop.
Palenqueras wait for their picture to be taken. Do not even try to take a snap on the sly. Talk to the ladies and make a deal. The going rate is about COP$5000 ($2.15 Cdn).
I asked these lovely ladies why they were called Palenqueras. Proudly they explained that they come from the first free town of the Americas called Palenque, run by runaway African slaves. Palenque, southeast of Cartagena, they told me is where the real roots of Cartagena are found.
Just stroll…
and observe
Cartagena will capture you.
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2. Things To Do In Cartagena: Connect to The Sea
Cartegena is Colombia’s gem sitting by the Caribbean Sea. The antique fortified stone wall built to protect the historical port still stands today. Cartagena was critically important to the Spanish Caribbean trade hundreds of years ago. Gold, silver, cacao and tobacco were shipped to Spain from here. Even today, Cartagena is the second largest port in Latin America.
Plan to stroll along the wall at sunset. It provides great views of the sea and over the rooftops of the old town. Grab a crevice in the wall and position yourself to admire the setting sun.
Purchase a beer from a vendor selling cold ones out of the cooler slung over his shoulder or pull up a seat at Café del Mar and marvel at the view as the sun dips below the horizon.
There is a small fleet of fishermen that leave their boats just outside the city walls. Wander by and see what these men might proudly share with you.
If you need a beach fix, there are plenty of day trips that will take you to Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands. (See Travel Tips)
3. Visit Parque del Centenario
This park, just outside the walled city, was built in 1911. It is a welcome relief to find a bit of shade in the park all the while searching for its most interesting residents.
Walk through the park, listen to the parakeets, and be sure to look for the sloths and iguanas. There are a couple of monkeys hiding up in those trees too!
Walk through Parque Centenario to get to Getsamaní.
4. Things To Do In Cartagena: Wander Getsamaní
Strolling the narrow streets of trendy Getsamaní, I couldn’t help but feel I had discovered authentic Cartagena. Nothing could be further from the truth with regards to the discovery, as Getsamaní is definitely on travellers’ radar. It is though, much less busy than Old Town and full of locals who actually live there. Plaza de la Trinidad, in front of the church, is lively day and night.
The clatter of dice rolling across a gameboard draws your eye down a small side street. Gathered is a cluster of men focussed on their game. Every night they’re there. Real Cartagena.
Plazaleta del Pozo, where furniture is refinished during the day, transforms into a busy restaurant scene in the evening where local music fills the airwaves.
There is no agenda here. Just explore.
Each narrow street tells a story.
What will be yours?
5. Enjoy a Colombian Coffee In Cartagena
I thoroughly enjoyed my Colombian coffee in Salento and Cartagena did not disappoint. There are plenty of local independent coffee shops to support.
Folklore Colombian Café
This coffee shop serves up delicious coffee, sells coffee beans and is a great place to hang out if you are needing some good wifi. It is quite hard to find strong wifi on the Caribbean Coast but Folklore delivers and their staff is absolutely lovely. Sit inside in the airconditioned space or enjoy the outdoor garden.
Location: On Calle 32, just off of Plaza de la Aduana
Abaco Libros y Café (Abacus Books and Coffee)
The coffee here is also outstanding (and there are beer and wine on offer too). The wifi is good although the tables are rather close together if you plan to work. The bonus here is the books on display and staring at that ladder wondering if you should just climb to the top! Sip a little and peruse the books or at least the ones that are not wrapped in plastic. Delight in the great selection of books by Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian treasure. Abaco also has a few seats outside.
Location: Corner of Calle de la Iglesia and Calle de la Mantilla
Café del Mural In Cartagena
Café del Mural takes its coffee seriously. There is a lovely place to sit outside but wander in and you can see the roasting machines and a variety of paraphernalia used to create their perfect cup of coffee.
Classes are available to learn about coffee roasting.
This café does not open until 3 pm. Sigh…if you are like me and love that morning cup to get you off to the right start. But Café del Mural is well worth the wait.
Location: Calle de San Juan in Getsamaní
Stepping Stones In Cartagena
Find Calle de San Andrés in Getsamani. It’s the street with the flags hanging. Part way down is the café Stepping Stones. Please support this café. They employ Afro-Colombian and indigenous Colombians to help break the cycle of poverty and lack of education. Reading the menu alone is worth the visit. Coffee is served along with a decent menu. The avocado on an arepa was outstanding.
6. Things To Do In Cartagena: Savour the Street Food
Cartagena is bursting with options. Locals line up for arepas and other fried food. Vendors create food right on the street corners and others sell fresh cut mango, watermelon and some fruits you have never even heard of!
My favourite was Colombitalia Arepas on Calle de San Andrés in Getsamaní.
You’ll find it by the lineup. Check out the menu. Order. Go a few doors down. Buy a beer. Pull up a piece of sidewalk. Wait for your arepa. Pay when you receive it.
I tried both the vegetarian arepa and the chicken one. Both were DELICIOUS!
Cost: COP$8000 ($3.40 Cdn)
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7. Climb to Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas stands guard over Cartagena. It was initially built atop San Lázaro Hill in the 1600’s to protect the bustling Spanish port of Cartagena. Additions were made to the fortress over the years until it covered the entire hill with its strong walls, strategic views and connecting tunnels.
In 1741 when thousands of British troops fought to take over Cartagena, the last stand was the castle. General Jenkins was sure of his victory and sent word back to Britain that he had won the battle. Little did he know what lay ahead. In trying to secure the Castillo, the Brits lost terribly.
If they had won, would South America be English speaking today?
Castillo de San Felipe became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. People now stroll the ramparts, explore the tunnels and take in the wonderful views over Cartagena.
Entrance: COP$25 000 ($10.60Cdn)
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm. Go early to beat the heat.
Getting There: Walk over the bridge from Getsemaní.
Tip: Don’t miss the animation set up in the “Hospital.” It is an entertaining explanation of the Castillo’s history.
8. Visit Aviario Nacional Colombia (National Aviary of Colombia)
Colombia has incredible biodiversity including 1900 species of birds. I fell for birds back in Central America and my experience in Thailand was quite the story too. So, I’ll never turn down the chance to see a cool bird or two.
I also tracked down some birds with Jungle Joe in Minca, who informed me that Colombia’s National Bird is the condor. Not too long ago they were extinct in Colombia as locals had killed them all. After reintroducing pairs from Peru, the condor is on the comeback in Colombia.
The newly opened Aviario Nacional near Cartagena is the place to go if you are a certified “bird nerd” or have an interest in seeing colourful wildlife up close. Aviario Nacional is a conservation organization and has 165 species of birds such as scarlet ibis, roseate spoonbills, macaws and grey-crowned cranes. Those cranes will actually peck you if you get too close. Oops. It kind of hurt!
Entrance: COP$60000 ($25.20 Cdn)
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 5 pm. Go early to try to beat the heat.
Getting There: Currently, there is no public transportation to get to the Aviario Nacional Colombia. You will have to find other nature lovers to share a cab. Make a deal with the driver to wait a certain amount of time (2 hours).
More Travel Info
Looking for an itinerary in South America? Here is my detailed 3-month itinerary through Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia.
Heading to Cartagena? Book your room now.
Looking for a great deal? I stayed here.
And something a tad fancier? Check out this hotel where I also stayed.
Is there a guidebook I recommend? Yes! Right here.
What else have I written about Colombia? Check out this post and this one too.
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Gorgeous pictures 🙂 thanks for taking us readers on a lovely journey through Cartegena
Thanks Robin! Does it remind you of your visit there at all? 🙂
I enjoyed reading about your travel adventures. Your photos are superb. Makes me want to go to Colombia. Wanda
Oh! I am so glad you enjoyed my photos! Colombia is pretty awesome. Every traveller I met just loved it!
I think you have caught the essence of Cartegena. It appears to be a colourful and vibrant community with much to do, although like you, one of the joys of visiting such a place for me is just people watching and soaking up the atmosphere. Strange to think that South America might have been English speaking had the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fallen to the British!
Thank you, Jane! You could literally just people watch all day in Cartagena. It’s WAY better than anything on TV!!
I am loving the colours and the great sense of community when reading this and seeing the photos. Never been to Colombia but I really hope seeing places like this are as stunning as seeing it in photos.
Colombia is even more beautiful than the photos. Part of the beauty also lies in the bustling, chaotic atmosphere with so many vendors and honking taxis everywhere!
Awesome pictures! Colombia is a work of art at every turn!
Thank you. It is full of beauty!
What a colorful and beautiful town. I love all of the pictures you took of Cartagena. It’s great that they brought two condors from Peru to grow the population back in Colombia. Do you know why the locals would kill them?
I am so happy there are focussing on conservation because Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. The locals most likely killed the birds to eat them. They are a large bird so would have a lot of meat. I remembered being shocked when I learned that in Malaysia locals ate the gorgeous hornbills. But I guess if your family is starving a meaty bird will fill some tummies.
Sold.
Your photos are jaw droppingly STUNNING! ?
Thank you, Paula! It is quite the vibrant city.
Wish I had spent more time in Cartagena! I loved the city center, the beach and especially wandering in Gestemani but had no idea that there was an aviary conservation! Thanks for a great post – saving for later.
So glad you enjoyed both Cartagena and the post! There are so many things to do in Cartagena and the longer you stay, the more you discover!
Wow what a lovely and colorful tour of Cartegena.
I love colorful houses and therefore your pictures of colorful houses, carts and streets tempts me to book a tour here.
Go for it! Cartagena pleases on many levels and I think there is something for everyone there!
I love how colorful everything is! Old town of Cartagena reminded me of some streets in Athens, which is so weird given the huge distance between them.
Oooo I didn’t know that Athens was full of colourful architecture. Well, maybe the Spaniards were over visiting the Greeks at some point way back in history!!!! 🙂
I had not heard about Cartegena before but it reminds me so much of a place called Goa in India.Especially with those narrow cobblestone streets, multi-coloured colonial architecture, lively music in the plazas. I’m curious to know what Arepas looks like but sure sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to go to Goa! It would be interesting to study colonial architecture. In Cartagena, it is influenced by the Spaniards and in Goa by the British. But obviously, there is some kind of overlap.
Arepas can look different. Sometimes like a pita (but made with corn) and sometimes they are fatter and deep fried. Both delicious!
Catagena is on our bucket list … simply love the colors, textures, flavors and, of course, the street art scene we keep seeing and reading about.
Cartagena does not disappoint. You need to see past the crowds and sink into the delights of this colonial city. It is so worth it.
Your pics are gorgeous, and really capture the flavor of the city! I wish we had been able to spend more time in Cartagena – we were only there for one day on a cruise. You’re right about the Palenqueras; don’t try to sneak a picture! We didn’t, but ours told us $2 per picture and then charged us $5 per after we took them! Oh, well. I hope we can go back and spend more time there soon 🙂
It’s really worth spending time in Cartagena. The Palenqueras 😉 It’s great you got a little taste of it and know you want to return!
I had a hard time in Cartagena as a solo female because of the constant catcalling and people trying to sell stuff. It was a lot of fun still to stroll around the old town though. I stayed right next to Plazaleta del Pozo and got really excited when I saw the street art of the man on the rocking chair haha
Catcalling is such a thing in Latin America. I am sorry you had to put up with it. I didn’t have a problem with it in Cartagena. Next time I want to stay right by Plazaleta del Pozo! Lucky you!
I lived in Cartagena for most of 2018, and did not live in the tourist area, since my Spanish is immaculate… so I lived out in one of the Barrios named El Bosque near the TCC and the Coca-Cola plant.
I found a great, private apartment with air conditioning and everything included for the equivalent of $160 a month. I’m talking Wi-Fi, television, private bath, refrigerator, stove. I could eat a really good meal at the local restaurant for the equivalent of $3.80.
You have to get out of the Boca Grande area to do that, which is of course the long stretch of beach.
Cartagena has a lot going for it, but it is really hot – I mean like, scorching hot.
The people are kind and gracious, with a lot of humility because of the poverty… especially when compared to how we Gringos live.
It’s a colorful town with a good night life. There is some danger there, so watch your step and stay in a tourist areas, unless you’re out with local friends who know the lay of the land.
It’s fun to get lost in the old City and it seems like you can always take a different route and see something different; very picturesque. Well it’s not that big of a city in the old walled area, but it’s big enough that you can explore.
It’s colorful… the graffiti is sometimes very professional, and you can make friends for life there.
Thank you, Richard. Always great to hear from someone that has actually lived in a place. I can imagine that Cartagena would be a fabulous place to live for a year! Love your insight.