10 Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena de Indias (more commonly known as Cartagena) is Colombia’s most famous international destination with good reason. The historic city is colourful and charming, there is year-round warm weather, a vibrant culture, and lots of things to see and do. Check out our guide to 10 of the very best things to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

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This is a guest post by Adam from Cartagena Explorer, former Cartagena resident and lover of all things Colombian.  Edits and additions by Claire, who spent a month backpacking Colombia.

Know Before You Go to Cartagena

Before travelling to Cartagena, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.

🛌 MY FAVOURITE CHEAP HOTELS IN CARTAGENA:

$$ Arsenal Hotel rooftop swimming pool in Getsemaní 

$$ Casa India Catalina a great value hotel in the walled city

$ Life is Good Cartagena Hostel excellent hostel in Getsemaní with rooftop terrace 

⭐ TOP 3 CARTAGENA ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:

1. Rosario Islands Catamaran with Lunch and Snorkel

2. Cartagena: Sunset Cruise with Open Bar

3. Totumo Mud Volcano Experience

Top Cartegena Tours & Activities

While there are plenty of fabulous things to do in Cartagena by yourself, you might be interested in these top-rated guided tours and activities in Cartagena:

 

 

Colonial Architecture in Cartagenas Walled City
Colonial Architecture in Cartagena – What to Do in Cartagena Colombia | Credit: Cartagena Explorer

The Best Things to Do in Cartagena Colombia

Explore the Historic Walled City

No visit to Cartagena is complete without spending some time simply strolling along the picturesque streets of the historic walled city, also known as the Centro Histórico. Among busy shop-lined streets, there are also quiet avenues with flower-covered balconies overhead.

You’ll find many of the city’s best cafes, restaurants, bars, and shopping here. A particular highlight is the Abaco Bookstore and Cafe where you can browse lots of books or just enjoy a coffee or a drink.

You also should take some time to walk along the wall itself. Cartagena’s colonial-era wall is one of only a few in the world that remains mostly intact and you can walk around the Walled City along the majority of it. It’s a great way to get pretty views of the old city on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other.

Stroll around the city exploring the streets by yourself, or consider taking a guided walking tour of Cartagena to learn more about the history of this fabulous city, or join a bike tour to see even more of the city.

Colourful Buildings and Artwork for Sale in Cartagena's Walled City
Colourful Buildings and Artwork for Sale in Cartagena’s Walled City

Learn More About the City’s History at the Museums

If you want to learn a bit more about the history behind those walls and colonial architecture, there are several nice museums to visit in Cartagena, all located inside the walled city.

First, is the Museo Naval del Caribe, or Naval Museum. It has some great exhibits on the colonial era, including depictions of the various pirate attacks on Cartagena like Francis Drake’s sacking of the city. It also has some interesting exhibits on Cartagena’s importance to Colombian independence and the modern Colombian Navy.

For more on the city’s history, head to the Palacio de la Inquisición which was once the seat of the Spanish Inquisition. Cartagena’s official history museum, upstairs you’ll find exhibits on the city’s history from the precolonial era to the modern-day. Downstairs, you can learn more about the Spanish Inquisition including gruesome examples of torture devices.

Across the park in front of the Palacio de la Inquisición, is Cartagena’s Gold Museum. While it pales in comparison to its much larger counterpart in Bogotá, there are some nice examples of pre-Colombian gold work here, and admission is always free.

Finally, while not a museum per se, the San Pedro Claver Church (el Santuario de San Pedro Claver) is definitely worth a visit. Considered the saint of human rights, Peter Claver’s remains are under the altar and there are exhibits on his life as well as historic religious and cultural art on display here.

Castillo san Felipe - One of the Best Things to do in Cartagena de Indias
Castillo san Felipe – One of the Best Things to do in Cartagena de Indias | Credit: Cartagena Explorer

Visit the Castillo San Felipe Fortress

Another absolute must-do thing to see in Cartagena Colombia is the Castillo San Felipe Fortress. Located just outside the walled city, this was the largest fort built by the Spanish on mainland South America. It has unique architecture since it was built encasing a hill, so it doesn’t follow the normal square or rectangular shape of most forts.

You can get some great views of the city and bay from the walls, and walking through the tunnels that connect different battlements is good fun.

Enjoy the Street Art in Getsemani - What to See in Cartagena Colombia
Enjoy the Street Art in Getsemani – What to See in Cartagena Colombia | Credit: Cartagena Explorer

Stroll Colourful Getsemaní

Across the long promenade in front of Cartagena’s iconic clocktower, you’ll find the neighborhood of Getsemaní. It was the home to the city’s colonial era artisans, many of which were freed slaves. It is often considered to be the birthplace of Cartagena’s vibrant culture.

Today, you’ll find a mixture of trendy cafés and restaurants, backpacker hostels, and upscale boutiques along with dive bars, local shops, and lots of long-time residents. You’ll also find the best street art in Cartagena and streets shaded with colorful umbrellas and flags. Street art tours of Getsemaní will show you the best places for some cool photo ops.

Return in the evening to enjoy some of the best Cartagena nightlife along the Calle Media Luna and the Calle El Arsenal. The Plaza de la Trinidad is also a great spot to enjoy a street beer and people-watch.

Explore Beautiful Caribbean Beaches in the Rosario Islands close to Cartagena
Explore Beautiful Caribbean Beaches in the Rosario Islands close to Cartagena | Credit: Cartagena Explorer

Catch Some Sun in the Rosario Islands

No visit to Cartagena is complete without at least a day visiting the gorgeous Rosario Islands. Located a little over an hour off the coast by boat, here you’ll find picturesque crystal clear water surrounding small coral islands.

If you have the time, consider spending a night or two at one of the Rosario Islands hotels. However, at the least make sure you enjoy a day trip out here. If you happen to be traveling in a group or can get one together, chartering a private boat for the day is surprisingly affordable split 8 plus ways and is the absolute best way to enjoy the islands.

For those on a tighter budget, the well-regarded Playa Blanca is also a good option. However, it often gets way overcrowded so is best avoided on weekends, and if you do go there, head to the far end of the beach where the crowds are thinner. The beaches in town proper and on the closer island of Tierra Bomba are also decent but pale in comparison to the ones in the islands.

Enjoy a Caribbean Sunset at Cafe del Mar in Cartagena
Enjoy a Caribbean Sunset at Cafe del Mar in Cartagena | Credit: Cartagena Explorer

Enjoy a Beautiful Sunset

If you do happen to spend the night out in the islands, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous Caribbean sunset. However, even if you don’t, there are some great spots to enjoy the sunset in Cartagena too.

The best view in the city is from the rooftop bar at Hotel Movich. Here you can see the beautiful dome of the San Pedro Claver Church with the bay and the modern skyscrapers of Bocagrande behind it.

Another great spot is from the famous Café del Mar, located atop the wall itself and with a direct view of the sunset over the Caribbean. Finally, a sunset cruise on the bay is also a great way to see the sunset as well as a unique perspective of the city lit up in the evening.

Take a Dip in a Mud Volcano

For the most unusual thing to do in Cartagena, head to the Volcán del Totumo. Located about an hour outside of Cartagena, this is a real mud volcano. Locals say the mud is terrific for your skin.

Regardless, it’s a unique experience. The natural, squishy consistency of the mud keeps you from sinking more than shoulder deep. If you’re looking for something a bit different to do in Cartagena, this should be near the top of the list.

Various companies run tours to the Mud Volcano, check prices here.

Take a Dip in The Mud at Totumo Volcano - Things to do in Cartagena Colombia
Take a Dip in The Mud at Totumo Volcano – Things to do in Cartagena Colombia

See the Pink Sea of Galerazamba

Near the mud volcano are the sea salt mines at the tiny town of Galerazamba. Here, you can see one of the neatest natural effects around, a pink sea. The combination of the very salty water and microorganisms that live there create the effect. It’s really special.

It is worth verifying that the pink sea is pink before planning at trip here. Recent rains or a recent harvest of the salt can upset the effect.

Tour the Bazurto Market

Another fabulous and unique thing to do in Cartagena is to do a tour of the city market. Here you’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade goods to freshly caught seafood. It’s a bustling place where many locals do their shopping and can be a bit of an assault on the senses.

It is best to do this with a tour as it’s a bit tough to navigate and can be a bit dodgy. There are regular and well organized tours of the market that let you sample fresh fruit and enjoy as fresh of a seafood lunch as you’ll find anywhere. It’s a unique way to see a bit of the other side of Cartagena.

A Palenquera Sweet Seller in Cartagena
A Palenquera Sweet Seller in Cartagena

Sample all the Great Food in Cartagena

Speaking of food, whether you go to Bazurto Market or not, be sure to sample all the great Colombian food in Cartagena. On the coast, it’s no surprise the seafood shines here.

A must try is the traditional fried fish plate, where you’ll get a whole fish fried to a perfect golden crunch along with coconut rice and patacones, or fried plantain patties. Ceviches, seafood rices, and fresh shrimp and lobster are also all spectacular and easy to find.

If you’re looking for something non fishy, consider trying posta negra, sometimes called posta cartagenera, a slow cooked piece of beef in a sweet and savory sauce made from panela, or unrefined sugarcane.

For street food, be sure to try the arepa del huevo, stuffed with a fried egg and ground beef. It’s a favorite for breakfast on the go as well as a late night snack.  You will also see lots of Palenqueras (women from the village of San Basilio de Palenque) in colourful dresses selling fruit and sweets – be sure to buy something and ask if you want to take a photo of them.

Some of the best restaurants in Cartagena include Club de Pesca or Buena Vida Marisquería for something gourmet. For comfortable prices and great, fresh local fare, head to La Mulata or El Espiritú Santo.

If you prefer to have a guided tour to show you the best street food in Cartagena, check out this top-rated food tour.

Where to Stay in Cartagena de Indias

There is no shortage of options for accommodation in Cartagena Colombia. The best areas to stay are in the walled city or neighboring Getsemaní, both of which allow easy walking access to most of the main attractions in Cartagena, as well as restaurants, and nightlife. Here are some tips for different budget levels:

Hotels in Cartagena

  • High-End Budget: Casona del Colegio is an excellent boutique hotel with lovely rooms that effortlessly blend modern design with a characterful building.  There is a lovely rooftop infinity pool and garden terrace, and the included breakfast is an added bonus.
  • Midrange Budget: Arsenal Hotel is a nice choice in Getsemaní, a few minutes’ walk from the Walled City.  Breakfast is included in the room rate.
  • Best Budget Hotel: Casa India Catalina is a great value in the walled city, with breakfast included in the rate and a small swimming pool to cool down in.

BROWSE ALL HOTELS IN CARTAGENA

Cartagena Hostels

  • Media Luna Hostel was one of the very first hostels in Cartagena and remains one of the very best places to stay in Cartagena on a budget.
  • Casa Mama Waldy is a boutique hostel in Getsemaní which has clean rooms with private bathrooms, and great value private rooms as well as dorms to choose from.  The rooftop terrace also has a jacuzzi!
  • Life is Good Cartagena Hostel is a new upscale hostel in Getsemaní which is on the higher end of a hostel budget, but gets great reviews for the friendly staff, location and rooftop views. 

BROWSE HOSTELS IN CARTAGENA

About the Author

Adam McConnaughhay lived in Cartagena for over a decade from 2011 to 2022 and writes about it and other destinations in Colombia at CartagenaExplorer.com. You can find him on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest.

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