{"id":1306196,"date":"2026-10-11T20:44:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T20:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306196"},"modified":"2026-10-12T14:00:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:00:19","slug":"cartagena","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/south-america\/colombia\/cartagena\/","title":{"rendered":"Cartagena"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306047,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_countr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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"A walled Caribbean city of colonial balconies, bougainvillea and heat, with island beaches offshore and the best street life on the coast. Beautiful, busy and priced for it.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1307718","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Pick a neighbourhood | #areas\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"3\u20134 | Days to do it properly","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"The jewel of the Caribbean coast","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Cartagena de Indias was one of the most important ports of the Spanish empire, and the walls built to protect it from pirates still surround the old town. Inside, the streets are lined with colonial houses painted in bright colours, wooden balconies covered in flowers, churches and shady plazas. The old town and its fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.\r\n\r\nJust outside the walls, Getseman\u00ed was once a working-class barrio and is now the backpacker heart of the city, with street art, hostels, cheap food and the busiest square at night, the Plaza de la Trinidad. Bocagrande, the peninsula of high-rise hotels to the south, has the city beaches, but most people take a boat to the islands for better sand and clearer water.\r\n\r\nGive Cartagena three or four days: two for the old town, the castle and Getseman\u00ed, one for the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca, and one for the mud volcano or the town of San Basilio de Palenque. It is hot and humid all year, so explore early and late, and rest in the middle of the day.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish\r\nCurrency | Colombian peso (COP)\r\nFrom the airport | About 15 minutes\r\nGetting around | On foot, taxis and ride apps\r\nEmergency | 123\r\nTap water | Drink bottled or filtered water\r\nTipping | 10% is often added as voluntary propina\r\nHeat | Around 31\u201332\u00b0C all year\r\nHow long to stay | Three to four days\r\nBest months | December to April","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"Getseman\u00ed has the hostels and the best atmosphere. The walled Centro and San Diego are beautiful but pricier, and Bocagrande is for the beach and high-rise hotels.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"1","hw_hub_city_areas":"Getseman\u00ed | Backpackers, nightlife, budget | The barrio just outside the walls, with street art, most of the hostels, cheap food and the Plaza de la Trinidad at night. | 10.4215 | -75.5460 | Getseman\u00ed | \nCentro | Sights, atmosphere | The walled old town, with colonial streets, plazas and balconies. Beautiful, busy and expensive. | 10.4236 | -75.5500 | Centro | \nSan Diego | Quieter, characterful | The northern part of the walled city, a little calmer, with small plazas and boutique stays. | 10.4280 | -75.5470 | San Diego | \nBocagrande | Beach, high-rises | A peninsula of hotels and apartments with the city beaches. Convenient for the sea, short on character. | 10.3990 | -75.5560 | Bocagrande | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Old town mornings, island days and long, hot evenings.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Walk the walled city early in the morning, before the heat. The Plaza de Santo Domingo has Botero's reclining woman, the Torre del Reloj is the main gateway, and the Palacio de la Inquisici\u00f3n tells the darker side of colonial history. Walk along the top of the walls at sunset, when the whole city comes out.\r\n\r\nThe Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, on a hill just outside the old town, is the biggest Spanish fortress in the Americas, with tunnels you can explore. In Getseman\u00ed, the street art and the evening crowds in the Plaza de la Trinidad are the highlights, and the Cerro de la Popa monastery gives views across the whole city.\r\n\r\nFor beaches, take a boat to the Rosario Islands, a national park of coral islands about an hour away, or go to Playa Blanca on Bar\u00fa, which is beautiful but crowded with vendors. The Totumo mud volcano, about an hour away, lets you float in warm mud and wash off in a lagoon.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"The walls at sunset | The whole city comes out\r\nCastillo de San Felipe | The biggest Spanish fortress in the Americas\r\nGetseman\u00ed | Street art and the Plaza de la Trinidad\r\nRosario Islands | Coral islands, an hour by boat","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Walking the old town and the walls costs nothing, and the plazas, churches from outside and colourful streets are the main attraction. Free walking tours leave from the old town most days; tip the guide.\r\n\r\nGetseman\u00ed's street art and the evening atmosphere in the Plaza de la Trinidad are free, with street performers and food stalls.\r\n\r\nThe city beaches in Bocagrande are free, though not the best on the coast, and watching the sunset from the walls is the best free thing to do in Cartagena.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Walled city | Plazas, balconies and churches\r\nWalking tours | Most days. Tip the guide\r\nGetseman\u00ed street art | Murals all over the barrio\r\nSunset from the walls | The best free show in town","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Caribbean food is built on fish, coconut and plantain. Try fried fish with coconut rice and patacones, ceviche from street carts, and arepas de huevo, fried corn arepas with an egg inside, at breakfast. The palenqueras, women in colourful dresses from San Basilio de Palenque, sell sweets made with coconut and tropical fruit.\r\n\r\nThe old town has some of the most expensive restaurants in Colombia. For cheaper food, eat in Getseman\u00ed, where street stalls in the Plaza de la Trinidad and local restaurants serve men\u00fas del d\u00eda at a fraction of the price.\r\n\r\nFresh juices, limonada de coco and cold beer are the way to beat the heat.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Fried fish | With coconut rice and patacones\r\nArepa de huevo | Fried with an egg inside\r\nGetseman\u00ed | The cheapest places to eat\r\nLimonada de coco | Coconut lemonade for the heat","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Cartagena","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"Getseman\u00ed is the centre of backpacker nightlife, with salsa bars, hostel bars and crowds in the Plaza de la Trinidad. Caf\u00e9 Havana is the most famous salsa bar in the city, with live bands and a packed dance floor.\r\n\r\nIn the old town, rooftop bars have views over the domes and the sea, and the walls are a popular place for a drink at sunset. Chivas, party buses with live music, tour the city at night.\r\n\r\nNights go late and the city is busy until early morning. Be careful with offers of drugs and with strangers, and use ride apps or official taxis.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Getseman\u00ed | Salsa and hostel bars\r\nCaf\u00e9 Havana | Live salsa. The most famous bar in town\r\nRooftops | Views over the old town\r\nChivas | Party buses with live music","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Cartagena","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"The old town, Getseman\u00ed and San Diego are all walkable. Taxis are cheap but often do not use meters, so agree the price before getting in, or use ride apps. The TransCaribe bus system covers the main roads.\r\n\r\nRafael N\u00fa\u00f1ez airport is just a few kilometres from the old town, around 15 minutes by taxi. There are direct flights from Bogot\u00e1, Medell\u00edn and some international cities.\r\n\r\nBoats to the Rosario Islands leave from the Muelle de la Bodeguita in the morning. Buses go to Santa Marta in around four or five hours, and shuttle vans are quicker.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"On foot | The old town and Getseman\u00ed\r\nTaxis | Agree the price first, or use apps\r\nAirport | About 15 minutes from the old town\r\nBoats | Rosario Islands from the Muelle de la Bodeguita","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Cartagena","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Cartagena costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Cartagena is the most expensive city in Colombia, roughly double the rest of the country. Dorm beds start around \u20ac12, with the well-rated ones in Getseman\u00ed more like \u20ac15 to \u20ac25.\r\n\r\nEat in Getseman\u00ed and at street stalls to save, and avoid the old town restaurants if you are on a budget. Island trips are the main extra, and prices vary a lot, so compare.\r\n\r\nBeach vendors and street sellers will charge tourist prices. Always agree the price before you accept anything, including massages, drinks or a plate of fish on the beach.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | Around \u20ac12\u201325\r\nIsland trips | The main extra. Compare prices\r\nGetseman\u00ed | The cheapest place to eat\r\nAgree prices first | Especially on the beach","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Cartagena","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"The tourist areas of Cartagena are generally safe, with a heavy police presence, but petty theft happens. Keep your phone hidden and your bag close, especially at night and on the beaches.\r\n\r\nThe biggest annoyance is the hustling. Vendors, touts and beach sellers are persistent, and some use tricks like putting a bracelet on your wrist or giving a massage and then demanding payment. Say no firmly and agree any price in advance.\r\n\r\nYou will be offered drugs, especially in Getseman\u00ed. Say no: set-ups by sellers working with fake or corrupt police are reported, and drug and sex tourism are illegal and harmful. Never leave your drink unattended. In an emergency, call 123.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 123\r\nHustlers | Say no firmly. Agree prices first\r\nDrugs | Refuse. Set-ups happen\r\nHeat | Drink water and rest at midday","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Cartagena","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth leaving the city for","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Islands, mud and the first free town in the Americas.","hw_hub_city_trips":"","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Cartagena","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"Cartagena is hot all year. December to April is the dry season, with a sea breeze. September to November is the rainiest. Late December and January are the busiest and most expensive.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. It feels hotter with the humidity.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 31 | 5 | Dry and breezy. Very busy\r\nFebruary | 31 | 4 | Dry. Good for the islands\r\nMarch | 31 | 4 | Dry. Semana Santa crowds\r\nApril | 32 | 3 | Hot. Rains begin late\r\nMay | 32 | 2 | Hot and humid\r\nJune | 32 | 3 | Mid-year holidays\r\nJuly | 32 | 3 | A drier spell\r\nAugust | 32 | 3 | Hot and humid\r\nSeptember | 32 | 2 | Rainy\r\nOctober | 31 | 2 | The wettest month\r\nNovember | 31 | 3 | Independence festivities\r\nDecember | 31 | 5 | Dry season and peak. Book ahead","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Literature, film and the November independence celebrations.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"api","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/south-america\/colombia\/cartagena\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Hay Festival Cartagena | Late January | Old town | A literature and ideas festival with writers from around the world. |  | \nFiestas de la Independencia | Around 11 November | Across the city | Parades, music and street parties for the city's independence day. |  | \nCartagena Film Festival (FICCI) | Dates vary by year | Old town | One of the oldest film festivals in Latin America. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Cartagena prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Island trips and old-town restaurants cost extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 14 | 12 | 3 | 8\r\nMiddle of the road | 25 | 25 | 8 | 25\r\nComfortable | 55 | 45 | 15 | 50","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Cartagena, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Cartagena","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/colombia\/cartagena\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Cartagena questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"How many days do you need in Cartagena? | Three or four: two for the old town and Getseman\u00ed, and one or two for the islands and the mud volcano.\r\nWhere should I stay in Cartagena? | Getseman\u00ed for hostels, food and nightlife, the walled Centro or San Diego for atmosphere at a higher price, and Bocagrande for the beach.\r\nIs Cartagena expensive? | Yes, by Colombian standards it is roughly double everywhere else. Eat in Getseman\u00ed and compare island trip prices to save.\r\nIs Cartagena safe? | The tourist areas are generally safe. The main problems are persistent hustlers and petty theft. Agree prices first and refuse drug offers.\r\nAre the beaches in Cartagena good? | The city beaches are average. For good beaches, go to the Rosario Islands or Playa Blanca on Bar\u00fa.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | December to April is dry and breezy. Late December and January are the busiest and most expensive.\r\nCartagena or Santa Marta? | Cartagena for colonial beauty and nightlife. Santa Marta as a cheaper base for Tayrona, Minca and the Lost City. Most people do both.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Cartagena: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Cartagena | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/south-america\/colombia\/cartagena\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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