Cartagena is such a beautiful city! Between its beaches, the weather, the history, and the food – it is a perfect destination to relax and reconnect with culture and nature. My family and I spent four amazing days seeing everything Cartagena has to offer. If you’re visiting Cartagena for the first time, this is the 4-day Cartagena itinerary you’ll want to steal. This Cartagena itinerary includes hotel recommendations, tours to book, tips, and more.
Where to stay in Cartagena
Cartagena is a beautiful small city. There are plenty of hotels and Airbnb options in Cartagena. It all depends on your budget and the vibe you’re looking for. So, here are a few options.
Centro Historico
Vibe: Colonial charm, cultural richness, and historic appeal.
Hotels: Casa Diluca Hotel Boutique, Hotel Voila, Casa del Arzobispado.
The heart of Cartagena, Centro Histórico is a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and vibrant plazas. You’ll be close to all the tourist sites and immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture. There are plenty of options, either boutique hotels or luxury accommodations.
Getsemani
Vibe: Local, Bohemian, artistic.
Hotels: Arsenal Hotel (this is where we stayed), Casa Morales Cartagena by Soho, Lunala Hotel Boutique, Hotel Cytia Cartagena.
Getsemaní is a trendy area known for its street art and vibrant nightlife. If you’re looking for a more local experience, then Getsemani is for you. Here you’ll find plenty of cafes, bars, and boutique hotels. It’s also close to the Centro Historico, so you can easily explore both areas.
Bocagrande and Manga
Vibe: Modern, residential, and beachfront.
Hotels in Bocagrande: Almirante Cartagena Hotel, Hotel Barlovento Cartagena, Hotel Capilla del Mar.
Hotels in Manga: Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Manga, Hotel El Marques de Manga, Typical Cartagena Boutique House
Although not so popular, other areas you can stay at are Bocagrande and Manga. If you prefer a more resort-like experience, Bocagrande is ideal for you. There are many high-rise upscale hotels with beautiful beaches along Cartagena’s coastline. Manga is a quieter, more residential neighborhood that offers a more laid-back experience. It’s perfect for travelers who want to be close to the action but prefer a more tranquil environment.
Where we stayed
The hotel we decided to stay at is the Arsenal Hotel. It is located blocks away from the Centro Historico. It also has a beautiful balcony and a pool facing a gorgeous sea view. There’s nothing better than swimming in a pool with a view. That being said this is a five-star hotel and a night is around $250 depending on the season. However, breakfast is included and I could not recommend this hotel more!
How much you can expect to spend in Cartagena
While I cannot give you an exact number, I can provide some context and an idea of how much you can budget for. Like many countries in South America, Colombia’s currency is lower than the American Dollar. The current exchange rate is around 4,000 Colombian Pesos (COP) to 1 US Dollar (USD), which means your money can go a long way in Cartagena. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you might expect to spend:
- Accommodation: Depending on your preferences, you can find a range of options. Hostels in Getsemaní or Centro Histórico might cost around $10 to $30 per night, while mid-range hotels or boutique stays can range from $50 to $150 per night. Luxury hotels, especially in Bocagrande or Centro Histórico, can cost upwards of $200 per night.
- Food: Again it depends on the type of restaurant. Overall, dining in Cartagena can be affordable. Street food and local eateries might cost you between $2 to $10 per meal. If you prefer dining at nicer restaurants, expect to spend around $15 to $30 per meal.
- Transportation: Taxis within the city are relatively cheap, around $2 to $5 for short trips. You can also use ride-hailing apps like Uber or DiDi. Public buses are an option as well, with fares costing less than $1. If you plan to explore more of the city and surrounding areas, you might want to budget for tours, which can range from $20 to $100 depending on the activity.
- Activities: Entrance fees to attractions like museums, castles, and historic sites are generally affordable, ranging from $5 to $15. If you’re looking to take a day trip to the nearby Islands, boat tours typically cost around $30 to $80.
The beauty of Cartagena is that there are plenty of options to choose from and you can spend as much as you want. There are plenty of affordable restaurants, hotels, and activities.
Best tours to book in Cartagena
Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour – Explore the historic center and Getsemaní on a walking tour. Learn about the history of enslavement, pirates, battles, conquest, independence, and more.
Totumo Mud Volcano Experience – Climb inside one of the world’s smallest volcanos and enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm mud. Experience the healing properties of the mineral-infused mud while having fun at the Totumo Volcano.
Paratriking Flight from the Beach – Feel your adrenaline rush as you fly above the beaches of Cartagena on a paratrike flight. Enjoy a fantastic experience with a professional pilot as you take in the beauty of the Caribbean coast.
Sunset Cruise with Open Bar – Enjoy a 90-minute trip on a yacht to see the sunset on the bay. Grab a drink from the open bar while enjoying good music, good company, and a lovely crew.
Gourmet Cooking Class with a View – Roll up your sleeves, put on an apron, and discover the chef inside of you. Learn how to prepare regional dishes from a local chef.
Cartagena Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cartagena
On the first day, it is always a good idea to take it easy. We love getting settled in the hotel, grabbing food, and walking around the city. We headed to our hotel in Getsemani, the Arsenal Hotel.
First up on this Cartagena Itinerary is the Plaza Santo Domingo, which is in the Centro Historico. There you will find restaurants, bars, shops, supermarkets. Pretty much everything. The streets are so beautiful so you’ll definitely want to snap some photos along the way.
After grabbing some coffee and snacks, head towards the City Walls. The walls were originally designed to protect the city from continual pirate attacks, but now they just add to Cartagena’s charm. It is the perfect place to watch the sunset. There are also plenty of restaurants along the way.
For dinner, we highly recommend Carmen Restaurant. We are Peruvians, so we are serious when it comes to food. We definitely enjoyed dining at Carmen – the food was delicious and the atmosphere was perfect! Make sure to make a reservation beforehand.
Day 2: Exploring Cartagena
It gets very hot in Cartagena during the day, similar to Miami weather. So you want to start your days early before the heat is too much.
Grab breakfast at Epoca in Centro Historico. It is such a cute restaurant with a nice view of the city.
Head to the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas. It is a must-visit historical landmark in Cartagena. Built by the Spanish during the colonial era. You can buy the tickets there and expect to spend at least 2 hours there. You’ll want to take plenty of photos at the top with the panoramic views of Cartagena and its coastline.
Next up is the Museum of Cartagena de Indias. Here you’ll learn a lot about the rich history and culture of Cartagena. The museum is housed in a restored colonial building, where you’ll find exhibits on the city’s role during the Spanish colonial period. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Colombia. You can buy the tickets when you get there.
Before heading to Inkanto for dinner, a block away from the museum is the “Monumento a Gertrudis”. Also known as the “Fat Gertrudis” is a famous bronze sculpture by the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. I grew up in Peru and knew of Botero, so it was amazing to see one of his sculptures in real life. Legend has it that touching the statue will bring good luck.
We had to get Peruvian food, so we headed to Inkanto for dinner, which we highly recommend. If you’ve never had Peruvian food before, you can never go wrong with lomo saltado or ceviche. And make sure to try Peru’s famous cocktail – Pisco Sour. You’ll love the food so much you’ll want to travel to Peru next.
To end the night, grab a drink at Alquimico – one of the best bars in Cartagena. It has two stories and then a rooftop. The drinks, music, and vibes were amazing! I’d love to go back.
Day 3: Discover Getsemani
Located right outside the walled city, Getsemani is a modern neighborhood full of hostels, bars, and parties.
The first thing you’ll do is visit the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad. Located in Plaza de la Trinidad, it is an important landmark in Getsemaní. Step inside to admire its simple yet beautiful architecture.
Next, take a guided tour to learn about the stories behind the murals, or explore on your own, wandering through the streets like Calle de la Sierpe and Calle San Juan, where you’ll find some of the best artwork.
I encourage you to walk around and find a local restaurant to dine at. Getsemani is filled with small restaurants that will exceed your expectations.
End the day by heading to Plaza de la Trinidad. This is where locals and tourists gather to enjoy street performances, live music, and delicious street food. Grab a seat, order a cold beer, and enjoy.
Day 4: Spend the day at the beach
The last thing in this Cartagena itinerary is a day at the beach!
When walking around the streets of Cartagena, you will come across people selling tours. We decided to buy one of those tours to the island Orika-Isla Grande. It was approximately 30 minutes away from Cartagena by boat.
The tour we booked included food, transportation, kayaking, and more activities. It sounds amazing, but we were honestly a bit disappointed. The kayaking area is only a few meters and they only had 2 kayaks so you had to wait a long time. The same thing goes for paddle boarding. You also had to make a big line to grab some food and it wasn’t good. The bathrooms were a bit dirty. But overall, it was extremely affordable and we got to relax at the beach.
That being said, shop around and speak with a lot of different tour sellers before committing and booking a tour. Or book a tour like this one online and ahead of time. Ultimately, sometimes paying more for a better experience is worth it.
Once you return to Cartagena, walk to Mar y Zielo for dinner. Here you’ll enjoy authentic Colombian cuisine and I’m sure you’ll love the atmosphere. I was surprised by the attention to detail – each plate was carefully put together and I’d love to dine here again!
Activities to add to your Cartagena itinerary
Beauty treatments
Something you might want to add to your Cartagena are beauty treatments. The prices for hair styling and manicures are significantly lower in Colombia. I am based in New York City and a haircut can be around $100. So, we took some time to find a hair salon and got haircuts and different beauty treatments – some for as low as $15! We did this at “Diego Moya” salon.
Shop for emeralds
Shopping for emeralds is a must when visiting Cartagena, as Colombia is known for producing some of the finest emeralds in the world. My sister spent the whole last day shopping for an emerald ring. When shopping for emeralds, it’s important to visit reputable stores to ensure the quality and authenticity of the stones. Look for certifications. A few well-known spots to shop include “Lucy Jewelry” and “Emerald Center,” both located in the Centro Historico.
And that is the perfect 4-day Cartagena Itinerary. With its vibrant culture, historic charm, stunning beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine, Cartagena is a beautiful destination. This Cartagena itinerary will help you experience the best of what this beautiful city has to offer. ¡Buen viaje!
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