Janette Speyer. The bad news about safety in Colombia. Around 4.5 million people visit Cartagena annually. You can find further, full details on how to reach Santa Marta from Cartagena in this guide. Meh, no. The nice beaches with white sand and turquoise water are in Baru and the Rosario Islands Nat Park. Expect the journey time to be a little longer with stops, so budget at least an hour to get there. You may like: Where to exchange money in Cartagena. Alternative options are Laguito and Castillogrande, but they still aint great. Of the many things to do in Cartagena, you may read about taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Old City. However, it can also push locals out of certain neighbourhoods, hollow out a place, and change its character; this of course removes much of what made a place special to travellers in the first place. Its Colombian territory and there are direct flights from Cartagena. Get Out of Cartagenas Old City and Explore Getsemani, 11. Absolutely not. Thats where you will find the Puerta del Reloj (Cartagenas clocktower); San Pedro Claver church; Santo Domingo church; Parque Bolivar, the Palace of the Inquisition; the Cathedral and the Museo del Oro Zenu (the Gold Museum). Having said that, there is a fairly good and cheap public transportation system which includes the Transmilenio Bus for which you will need a Transcaribe Card which you can get at one of the many stations and works on a top up basis; and the buseta, smaller, older, more colorful and significantly less comfortable buses. Head out on an early morning jaunt to explore its streets before the crowds descend or alternatively consider a walking tour to cover the Walled Citys most impressive and important sights - this one is highly-rated. However, that is not the case today. Castillogrande beaches are where you want to go. Bocagrande and El Laguito: These are the modern touristic areas of Cartagena; both neighborhoods offer well established hotel chains as Hilton, Dann and Holiday Inn, as well as apartment rentals -which is often the first option for Colombian tourists when traveling with family or a group of friends. Hopefully, this re-balance of local vs tourist will prevent Cartagena from falling victim to over tourism. Although very popular as day trips, going for one night or longer is the best way to experience the beaches with fewer people. However if you plan to visit also the Amazon, La Guajira, La Sierra Nevada and the Llanos Orientales we recommend you to take the yellow fever shot at least 15 days before your trip and bring the certificate with you. Cartagena is a great place to explore, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombia, yet many things about it may leave you puzzled and chances are you wish youd knew about them before going that was certainly the case for me! Getsemani is much more local and laid-back than Centro Cartagena. Using ATM's is a much better option than trying to exchange money.". Were happy to answer. Street Art in Cartagena Colombia by Jorge Gardner via Unsplash Hopping from one city to another is a great way to get to know Colombia. The national language of Colombia is Spanish and it should be known that English really isnt widely spoken. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Plus, it's a 2 1/2 hour direct flight from Florida! This is known in Colombia as "offering up papaya". Facts. The city and its main attractions are all very walkable, and thats how wed recommend primarily exploring Cartagena. It is not a good idea to carry all of your money or credit cards with you at once. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. For curious travellers and long-term backpackers, we think four nights in Cartagena is a good amount of time - although this may extend if you take various day trips to the islands. Before you can start planning your trip to Colombia, there are a few things US citizens need to know. This video features some do's and dont's you need to know before you go to Cartagena Colombia. Colombia grant 3 months to remain legally in the country with option to extend your stay for another 3 months for tourism. Television shows like 'Narcos' might be your kind of entertainment, but they reinforce the dark past instead of the good about Colombia. The main one, Bocagrande, is an almost complete disappointment. 14. We highly recommend trying to enjoy the city before most of it wakes at least once on your visit. Nevertheless, whichever group you belong to, most of your time will be spent staying in and exploring around old Cartagena which is split into two neighbourhoods only a five to ten-minute walk apart: Getseman | Used to be the grungy, gritty, but very very pretty, backpacker district. Cartagenas bus terminal is however a 45-minute ride from the old town, here on Google Maps. THIS IS SO KEY! If you are offered any, you have the simple, reasonable and responsible option of saying no and walk away, or should you decide to say yes and take those drugs accept any possible consequences if things go wrong. Here's a quick overview of the visa requirements, health and safety precautions, currency exchange, and other important information for US citizens traveling to Colombia. spendlifetraveling.com - Sanne Wesselman . Home to beautiful street murals, umbrella-covered streets, and Salsa bars, Getsemani is a perfect break from what can be the chaos of Cartagena. However, it's an extremely safe destination for all tourists. Plan to have Google Translate downloaded and at the ready, in case you run into any language barriers. Juan Ballena is a trusted online travel agency for people around the world who wish to discover the amazing city of Cartagena. However, if you are coming from the States or Europe, Cartagena may be right in line or even cheaper than what you were anticipating. A rather common tour offered by tourism agencies is the Rosario Island and Playa Blanca in a Day; This tour is more like a panoramic route made on the same boat around some of the islands, and in which they only make a stop of about an hour at the aquarium and then take you to playa blanca where you have just the time to take your lunch and enjoy a bit of the beach and the sun; you really spend more time in the boat and can not get enough of it in the island or Playa Blanca. As soon as you know the dates as to when youre visiting Cartagena, BOOK your accommodations! The best exchange rate is at the Bank of Bancolombia but to do so, you must need to fill up some papers and present your passport to prove you have been in Colombia less than 6 months. Shop; Pruducts. If you want to be extra safe, you can opt for a bottle with a water filter such as this one. 10 THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA COLOMBIA 2021 In this video, we share with you 10 things to do when visiting the amazing city of Cartagena Colombia. For most people visiting the north of Colombia, Cartagena will act as a gateway to the incredible sights dotted along the countrys Caribbean coast: places like Tayrona National Park, the laid-back hippy village of Palomino, or into the jungle to take on the Lost City Trek. Oh, and don't forget to carry your camera ;). The best part is you can easily experience both Getsemani and Cartagenas Old City in one day or spend several exploring both neighborhoods in detail. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. Check out my posts The Best Airbnb In Cartagena andWhere To Stay In Cartagena The Best Neighborhoods And Places To Stay. Keep in mind that its a 5 to 6 hours drive from Cartagena to Santa Marta, which would leave you very little time to explore the national park. If youre flying into Cartagenas airport - its the same one for international and domestic - youll be happy to know that its a short, safe taxi ride into the old town (approximately 15,00 COP to Getsamani, for example). Especially if you're visiting Cartagena for the first time, here's some things to keep in mind: Don't drink the tap water. On the COVID-19 end, at the time of this post, international travelers entering Colombia no longer need to present a negative PCR test. lbj school of public affairs info@svsxpress.com; 21st century mathematics pdf +1 (281) 840-7564; Sun - Mon: 08:00 - 22:00 And, inform them that you will be traveling to Colombia, so they don't put a security hold on your card. Peak season in Cartagena goes from December to March, with the weeks around Christmas and those at the end of January and beginning of February, when Hay Festival Cartagena de Indias (a literary and cultural festival) takes place, being by far the busiest. Keep Reading | The Best Day Trips from Cartagena, How to Get to Playa Blanca (and Isla Baru) From Cartagena and Our Guide to San Andres. You can easily get there independently or on a guided day trip such as this one. Avoid Cartagena's Beaches, and Go To The Islands instead 7. For most people visiting the north of Colombia, Cartagena will act as a gateway to the incredible sights dotted along the country's Caribbean coast: places like Tayrona National Park, the laid-back hippy village of Palomino, or into the jungle to take on the Lost City Trek. Due to Cartagena being a massive port city, not only for cruises but for freight liners too, and the number of tourists this place sees, unfortunately, the water has been affected due to pollution. If you would like to visit Cartagena, but have no time for planning or would rather leave this job to the experts, you should consider joining a guided tour of Colombia. I dont recommend sailing trips unless you are accustomed to sailing already and know that you wont get sea sick! A trip to Cartagena, Colombia would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Rosario Islands. Don't stroll round alone at night time. However you get your water, remember that staying hydrated as you explore Cartagena is key. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. Once youve received your luggage, follow the signs and just queue up at the kiosk, tell the person which neighbourhood youre going to and theyll give you a receipt and point you to the waiting official taxi. For those travelling by themselves, or still a little nervous about the country, this means that you can travel safely and confidently to a number of top destinations without fear or a great deal of Spanish. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. In all honesty, Cartagena reminded us of Old San Juan. Most of tourists come from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. However, to say that nothing bad will happen to you there is a little unrealistic. Newer Post. However, as tourism to the city skyrocketed, the unofficial demarcation between the two neighbourhoods has blurred and we were surprised at how many new hotels and businesses (and further redevelopment) had set up in Getseman. My Adventures Across The World is by no means liable for any purchase of tours, tickets and any other online reservation that are made without having fully read the terms and conditions of any third party provider. Not sure where to start looking? However, if you do plan to attend note that these dates correspond to high season in Cartagena, and high prices will be pushed even higher; its essential that you book in advance. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Instead, you will have to travel from Cartagena to the city of Santa Marta. Use a money belt to keep your valuables safe. If you are unsure if you have the right outlet adapter, you can check out this adapter pack for your trip to Colombia and future travels. Lets go exploring! If it helps, it is officially recognised as safe too. Although the Islands belong to the National park of Rosario and the San Bernardo, most of them are inhabited by private properties that pay significant taxation to government to be there; Therefore visiting them all is not really an option. Cartagena is hot and oh-so humid, so do your best to start your day off early to get some sightseeing in. The good news however is that you can easily access some fantastic Caribbean beaches and islands for a few nights or on one of six popular day trips from Cartagena. Most visitors to Cartagena will fall into four camps: those backpacking for a month or longer in Colombia, those who are visiting for a two-week vacation in the country, those who are taking advantage of cheap new flight connections with the US to spend their time solely in and around Cartagena for a few days, and the cruise ship hordes being dumped on to the streets for a day. Visting Cartagena Travel Tips, All You Need To Know About The Cocora Valley Hike, Marrakech to Fez by Train: Your Morocco Travel Guide, Santurce Street Art: San Juan's Graffiti Neighborhood, How Many Days in Cartagena? Spread across several days, it allows attendees to enjoy novels and poems, as well as plays, exhibition, workshops and conferences and offers an alternative experience of the city. Other festivals to be aware of (and consider joining): The Cartagena Film Festival. When visiting Cartagena, two great areas are staying either withinCartagenas walled city (Centro)or just outside it, in theGetsemani neighborhood. A day trip to the islands is a popular activity and can be visited on a tour. Reception staff at hostels and hotels and many tourist restaurants and attractions will of course speak English, but anywhere that isnt tourist facing will be exclusively in Spanish. Islands Bar or Rosario offer the white sand, palm trees and perfect sparkling waters you thought only existed in travel magazines. Keep Reading // 12 Tips for Staying Safe in Latin America. 15. It also means that, even if youre on a tight budget, you should make a point of staying in a dorm or private room which has air-con. Get misplaced in Old Town, pattern streetside empanadas in Getsemani, and dance cumbia til daybreak earlier than heading off on a ship tour to discover the bay and close by islandsthese are simply among the adventures to be had in Cartagena, Colombia.. A beautiful and historic coastal metropolis alongside Colombia's Caribbean coast, in . The good news is that it is really close to the city, and you can easily get there by taxi (they have fixed prices based on where you are going), colectivo (shared shuttle) or private transfer. Cartagena is pretty hot and humid! Pin this travel guide & save it for later. So dont fret, you cant go wrong with whichever area you decide to stay in. After 4 days in Cartagena, we took a 15-hour bus to Medellin. Travel Tip // If youre already a fan of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, then you can take this literary tour around the city focused on his works and his words. Taxis in the city dont work on a meter system, but rely on set of zone rates so in theory you should know how much you will be charged before getting on. Get Out of Cartagena's Old City and Explore Getsemani 9. If you're on a tight budget, then a visit to the Gold Museum of Cartagena, in the old town, is a great way to kill some time and save some money because it's completely free to enter. For more travel tips, guides, and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke aroundour site, follow us on Instagram@wanderingstus,Pinterest,andFacebook. But again if you don't know the city we recommend passing the bus to avoid shady parts of the city; Things to know before you go. As our bellies can attest to, the tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink, safe to brush your teeth with, safe to wash fruit and veg with, and safe to have ice in your cocktail. If Cartagena is your first stop in Colombia, whether youve flown in to start your trip or travelled across from Panama, then some of the costs may take you by surprise. 9. Cartagena is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the entire country. solotripsandtips.com - Susan Moore. Una foto publicada por Juan Ballena (@juanballenatravel) el 25 de May de 2016 a la(s) 8:55 PDT, Currency exchange places in Cartagena usually take dollars, euros and some of them, Brazilian Reais. Kidnapping in Colombia. Don't leave your bags unattended in touristy areas or flash your valuables while wandering the streets. Our advice is to put the journey into Uber, and use its price as a guideline for your conversation with the taxi driver. If you are looking for fine, white sand and clear turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkeling, you can still find some just a bit out of the city. You need to take buses, flights, and even boat rides at times. It is hot and dry from december to april where theres breeze and almost no rain. There is really loads to see and do in Cartagena in fact, much more than youd imagine. If youd like to improve learn Spanish, start with this guide that details how we did it, and has lots of useful resources. So I'm here to get some honest advice . Share The Article Last Updated 2 hours in the past. Some tips . As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. 12 January, 2019Adventure, bogot, Caribbean, Colombia, South AmericaBogota, cartagena, Colombia, Is Colombia Safe, medellin, South America, travel advice, travel to Colombia, travel with children to colombia, unforgettable travel experiences in south america, what is there to do in Colombia, what i. Lush jungle, snow-capped volcanoes, rocky deserts, endless plains, gorgeous beaches, coffee and cocoa plantations and alpine lakes. Don't walk around alone at night. Its always best and safer to travel with a card which either doesnt charge for foreign ATM withdrawals or only charges a small fee, rather than arriving in a new country with all your cash for the trip! All you Americans visiting Cartagena, leave your outlet adapters at home! It's Lebanese food and is SO FREAKING GOOD! The Caribbean islands off the coast of Cartagena are known for their relaxing beaches and warm, clear water. Bocagrande beach in Cartagena is popular with kitesurfers. Yes Cartagena is right by the Caribbean sea, and yes there are various city beaches, but they are not really going to be what youre looking for. Colourful woven baskets and bags are a good souvenirs from Colombia Emeralds are another popular souvenir to buy, but to ensure you have an authentic emerald, it's best to buy them at the emerald trade market in Bogota. Most residents in Medellin still recall growing up in an environment characterized by drug wars, but those days are long gone. You do not need to present a vaccination certificate when you travel to Cartagena. This should be good preliminary preparation. The tap water in Cartagena is safe to drink. The bus station is the place place to head for the majority of onward transport connections to the rest of Colombia, but for those travelling to Santa Marta you may instead choose to take the quicker Berlinas shuttle from their station in the Marbella neighbourhood.
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