Last Updated on April 13, 2026 by Sarah Wilson
2.5 Days in Cartagena: A Hot, Colourful End to My Colombia Trip
Cartagena was the final stop on my two-and-a-half-week trip around Colombia. I arrived just after 2 pm, and the heat and humidity hit me immediately. It felt nothing like Bogotá.
I stayed at Casa del Curato in the Walled City and arranged an airport transfer in advance. It was simple, stress-free, and just a tiny bit more expensive than a regular taxi. Earlier in my trip, a taxi driver overcharged me at the Bogotá bus station, so I wanted to avoid that happening again.
Arrival and First Impressions
After checking in, I wandered slowly around the Walled City. It’s colourful and lively, filled with shops, hotels, and restaurants, but now mostly caters to visitors and tourists rather than locals.
Later, I headed up to the old city walls for a sunset drink. Many people say it’s a must-do, but the sunset that night was nothing out of the ordinary.
Also, no one really mentions the busy highway that runs right behind the wall.
I finished the evening with a delicious fish dinner at Palo Santo, just a short walk from my hotel.
Day 1 – History, Heat and Street Food
I joined this free walking tour at 10:00, which wrapped up around 12:30. It was a great introduction to Cartagena’s history, but by the end, the heat was intense. I can’t handle it like I used to.
Since I had a street food tour at 4 pm, I skipped a big lunch. I browsed some shops, kept to the shade, and then headed back to the hotel for a much-needed nap with the air conditioning running.
The food tour ran from 4:00 to 6:30 pm and ended up being one of my trip highlights. It’s a fun way to try local snacks you might not pick on your own, and I highly recommend booking a street food tour if you want to experience Cartagena’s flavours and culture.
That evening, I walked through Plaza Bolívar, where there was always dancing or music happening.
The famous fruit ladies in colourful dresses were there too. You’ll spot them all over the Old Town. If you take their photo, they do expect a tip.
And then there are the young rappers. They’ll ask your name and where you’re from, then launch straight into a personalised rap. Some are genuinely very good, but after a couple of days, I found myself instinctively ducking out of sight when I spotted them heading my way.
Day 2 – Castillo San Felipe, Getsemaní and a Final Dinner
I started my morning early at Castillo San Felipe, the big fortress overlooking the city. There’s no shade, so going first thing in the morning was a good idea. It’s an impressive place and worth a visit. The site is open every day from 7am to 6pm.
After visiting the fortress, I walked to Getsemaní. It used to be quite a rough area apparently, but now it’s been gentrified. The neighbourhood is full of murals, cafés, and boutique hotels. I strolled the streets, checked out the street art, stopped at Manna Café for a cold drink, and did some shopping.
On my last evening, I had dinner at La Cevichería, the ceviche place Anthony Bourdain made famous. The food was delicious, and it was the perfect way to wrap up my Colombia trip.
Island Tours (If You’re Interested)
Cartagena is famous for day trips to nearby islands like Barú and the Rosario Islands. These are especially popular if you’re a beach lover.
I must confess, I didn’t go on any island tours. The sea was pretty rough during my visit, and I’m not really a beach person these days. However, if you enjoy beaches and boat rides, I recommend looking into these highly rated island day trips, which are recommended by many visitors.
Eating Out and Costs
Eating out in Cartagena costs more than in Medellín or Salento, but it’s still affordable compared to many countries. If you’re watching your spending, budget more for meals in Cartagena—a meal that costs about 15 USD in Medellín will cost closer to 20 USD in Cartagena. While this difference isn’t outrageous, it’s something travellers should plan for, as Cartagena is noticeably more expensive than the rest of Colombia.
Is Cartagena Safe?
I felt safe walking around alone during the day and early evening. The tourist areas are busy and well-lit. I didn’t stay out very late, so I can’t speak to that, but I didn’t hear about any issues while I was there.
Getting to and from the Airport
Uber works well for airport trips, but allow extra time because traffic can be slow. Book your ride in advance if possible to ensure a smooth transfer.
The usual advice is to allow two hours for domestic flight check-in and three hours for international. I flew Plus Ultra to Madrid and was unable to check in online, even with just hand luggage. I got there 3.5 hours early and still waited an hour in a queue just to check in.
For comparison, my check-ins with Latam and Avianca at other airports during the trip were much more straightforward.
Final Thoughts
Cartagena may be Colombia’s most touristy city, but it’s vibrant, walkable, and always buzzing with life. Between its colourful streets, lively squares, and rich mix of tours and activities, it’s the kind of place that ensures your Colombia trip ends on a memorable, high note.
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