Travel Cartagena
The Walled City
Destination Overview
Cartagena is a coastal city where there are sun-washed walls, the streets smell like frying arepas and fresh fruit and graffiti color the sidewalks. Set on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Cartagena’s landscape combines colonial architecture and cerulean waters, and it’s shaped by centuries of Indigenous, African, and Spanish influence. Once a key port during the Spanish empire and the transatlantic slave trade, the city has a complex history with a vibrant present that is easily visible and felt through its street food culture and the iconic palenqueras, whose brightly colored dresses and fruit bowls are living tradition and a symbol of Afro-Colombian resilience. Cartagena is bold, beautiful, and maybe most important, alive.
Before You Go
Best Time to Visit
Cartagena is warm year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April. Though I personally visited in the summer because it’s cheaper, you’ll experience sunnier days, clearer skies, and better weather in the dry season, which is more ideal for walking around the city, taking day trips, and enjoying the coast.
Currency
The local currency is the Colombian peso. I recommend keeping some cash on hand for taxis, tips, markets, etc. Cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash still comes in handy. Try to locate the closest ATM, at local grocery stores for example, as soon as you arrive.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Colombia. In Cartagena’s more tourist-heavy areas, you’ll find some English is spoken, but knowing basic Spanish or being with a tour guide will make your experience much smoother.
What to Wear
Cartagena is beautiful, colorful, and full of energy, but it is also very hot and humid. I’m not someone who sweats a lot, but in Cartagena—I was sweating a lot. That is worth considering when you pack.
If you’re the type of traveler that walks everywhere, I also recommend comfortable shoes. I wore sandals most of the time, and in hindsight, I don’t recommend that.
Watch the Vlog
Cartagena is certainly one of the most colorful places I’ve been. In this vlog, I take you through the colorful streets of the Walled City, share some of the food I tried, and attempt to capture the energy that makes Cartagena feel so special.
Get a closer look at the architecture and some of the little details that don’t always make it into a blog post or a social media caption. If you’re planning your own trip and want a glimpse of Cartagena’s Caribbean spirit, press play and come explore the city with me.
Where to Stay
During my time in Cartagena, I stayed at Casona del Colegio, a beautiful 4-star eco-friendly hotel in the heart of the Walled City. Its central location makes it easy to walk to many of Cartagena’s restaurants, shops, and historic sites, which was especially important to me as a solo traveler. I felt comfortable and safe throughout my stay, and the hotel provided the perfect home base for exploring the city.
One of the things that stood out most was the staff. Everyone was welcoming, helpful, and genuinely kind. The rooms were comfortable and thoughtfully designed, so even with the busy and sometimes noisiness of the streets outside, I could return to a quiet retreat each day after long walks through Cartagena’s streets.
I also appreciated the convenience of an onsite restaurant. I enjoyed plenty of fresh fruit for breakfast and refreshing jugos in the afternoon.
Another unexpected perk was the hotel’s proximity to a neighborhood market with an ATM to withdraw cash, which you will likely need. For travelers looking for a centrally located hotel that combines comfort, sustainability, and convenience, Casona del Colegio is a wonderful option.
More from Cartagena
Stay Connected: eSim
An eSIM is a smart choice for Colombia, especially if you’re navigating cities like Cartagena, Bogotá, or Medellín, coordinating airport transfers, using maps, or staying in touch through WhatsApp. Install it before your trip so you can connect once you land and avoid depending only on hotel or restaurant Wi-Fi.
Postcards from Colombia
Colombia is a country of color, rhythm, and contrast, and these postcards reflect that spirit. These postcards captures the textures and scenes that make Colombia unforgettable.
Captured from “The Wall” in Cartagena, this photo has a beautiful view of the brilliant yellow Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa and the majestic dome of the Catedral de Santa Catalina. I didn’t know the name of the building at the time, I just knew it felt like magic. The golden light, the colorful streets, the quiet energy of people wandering and pausing to enjoy the view. It’s certainly one of our favorite memories from Cartagena.
• High-quality matte paper
• Cardboard paper
• Paper weight: 7.67–10.32 oz/yd² (260–350 g/m²)
• Size: 4″ × 6″ (101 × 152 mm)
• Paper thickness: 0.013″ (0.34 mm)
• Coated outer surface
• Blank product materials sourced from Sweden, US, Brazil, or China
• Thick high-quality matte paper
• Cardboard paper
• Paper weight: 7.67–10.32 oz/yd² (260–350 g/m²)
• Size: 4″ × 6″ (101 × 152 mm)
• Paper thickness: 0.013″ (0.34 mm)
• Coated outer surface
• Blank product materials sourced from Sweden, US, Brazil, or China
Cartagena, Columbia is a beautiful city that you can easily get swept away in because there is so much to see. Because it has become such a tourist location there are many ways you can go about seeing everything- walking tours, horse and carriage tours, boat trips, or some combination of all of those.