LA GUIA’S TIPS WHILE VISITING CARTAGENA

Cartagena has a lot to offer, and when visiting a new place, it's always helpful to have a handy list of Do's and Don'ts from a local, especially if you don't have much time to plan or enough resources to get started. Here are some of our Dos and Don'ts when visiting Cartagena.

WHAT TO DO:

Sightseeing & Exploration:

One of the most popular things to do while in Cartagena, is to visit the Islands. Some of the most popular islands are: The Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca in Isla Baru, Bendita Beach, Carolina island, Cholon (Party island), Isla Mucura (an overnight stay is highly recommended) and Isla Naranja among others.

  • You can also visit beach clubs on the islands such as Bora Bora, Luxury Beach, Blue Apple, Namaste, and Eteka Beach Club. If you're interested, let us know, and we can set it up for you.

  • Enjoy a sunset at Cafe del Mar, Hotel Movich, the beach, or simply on the wall. The sunsets are beautiful no matter where you go.

  • Take a free walking tour of the old town. You will learn a lot about its history and see some amazing streets and architecture. We can also help you with a private tour of the old town and Getsemani.

  • Wander off in the beautiful streets of the old town (after you had done a free tour) around 5-6 pm. Cartagena boasts some of the most colorful houses and balconies. Instead of renting a bike, we recommend walking to fully immerse yourself in the charm. Don't forget to take plenty of jealousy-inducing pictures. One place you cannot miss is the eclectic and bohemian neighborhood of Getsemani, where you can enjoy its vibrant street art.

  • Visit some of the Museums in the city, such as the Museum of Modern Art, Naval Museum of Cartagena, Historic Museum, Gold Museum, among others.

  • Explore some of our main sites, including the San Felipe Castle, take an evening stroll on the walls and batteries, visit the Clock Tower Monument, and explore beautiful churches like San Pedro Claver and Alexandria Cathedral.

  • Enjoy local beaches such as Castillo Grande or Bocagrande, which are just 15 minutes from the old town (although the best ones are on the Islands). When you visit, make sure to ask for the approved government rates, usually laminated, to verify the prices. Unfortunately, some might try to take advantage if you don't ask for it.

Community, Ecotourism, and Cultural Immersion:

Dos

Entertaining, Shopping, and Nightlife:

Dos:

  • Enjoy the nightlife by visiting bars or clubs. Quiebra Canto, Caponera, and Donde Fidel are good options for salsa dancing and a great atmosphere for a beer. Alquimico is a good option for a fancy cocktail (pupi). Join our Salsa Crawl or VIP bar Crawl.

  • Indulge in some shopping. Las Bovedas Market is great for souvenirs, and there are several street vendors in the old town with many options (be aware of our last two points). For high-end shopping, visit La Serrezuela, and for more economic options, check out Casa Abba near Plaza de Santo Domingo.

  • Be firm with street vendors. Some can be very persistent, so politely give them a strong "No Gracias" to avoid them following you around.

  • Always negotiate; bargaining is a common practice.

Don’ts

  • Don't take the large boat to the islands; it's a waste of time and money, not to mention the seasickness you might experience. Take one of the tours coordinated by us..

  • Never get into a taxi without negotiating the price first; always ask, "Señor, cuánto cuesta a XYZ?" (Sir, how much is it to XYZ location?). Another options are apps like In-driver and Uber.

  • Don't try to give taxi drivers an actual address, they don't really follow it. You must tell them the name of the place and if they don't know where it is, you will need to use google maps and show them the way.

    • Don't try to give taxi drivers an actual address; they don't follow it. Instead, tell them the name of the place, and if they don't know where it is, use Google Maps to show them the way.

  • Don't let the massage ladies at the beach give you a little "demonstration" if you're not really considering getting a massage. If they give you a demonstration, they expect payment. Also, avoid receiving anything at the beach that is just "to try for free" for the same reason.

  • Don't "give papaya," which means don't put yourself in a vulnerable situation. Keep your valuables out of sight, avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry, and refrain from walking in lonely streets late at night. Cartagena's old city is generally safe, but it's always best to be street smart to ensure your safety.

  • Please Don't use stereotypes or make drug-related jokes, Colombians do not appreciate it or find it funny.

WHAT TO EAT: Food and Restaurants:

Dos

  • Have an Arepa de Huevo (Fried dough with egg and meat inside) in San Diego in the old city or at Donde Magolas. It costs about $2,500 COP.

  • Cartagena has excellent restaurants, and some recommendations include Carmen, Celele, Buena Vida, Di Silvio, La Cocina de Pepina, Celele, and La Taperia among others.

  • If you feel like having brunch, there are great options in Cartagena, such as Ely Café, Towhouse, Epoca Café, Café Lunatico, and Café de la mañana, to name a few.

  • Try a “Corriente” or Menu of the day for an economical and quick lunch or dinner. They are available all over the old town and range from $12,000 to $20,000 COP. Some recommendations are El Espíritu Santo, Este es el Punto, and El Coroncoro in Getsemaní.

  • Have a Coctel de Camaron (Shrimp Cocktail). I recommend going to Kiosco El Bony in Bocagrande, one of the oldest and most traditional places selling shrimp cocktails in the city.

  • Try some Mango Biche (Green mango with salt, pepper, and lime) from a street vendor. Colombian green mangoes are delicious, and they cost about $3,000 COP.

  • Try a Pan de Bono, a baked dough made of cheese. You can find some amazing ones in La Casa del Bandebono downtown.

  • Tip if possible; 10% is greatly appreciated.

Don'ts

  • Don't eat raw or uncooked food from the beach.

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