Flash Trip: 3 Days in Cartagena
- Trevor Lawrence
- Jan 27
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Is Cartagena a great destination for a quick getaway? Absolutely. Cartagena, Colombia’s Caribbean jewel, pulses with life and energy.
Coming from the cool mountain air of Bogotá, we felt the shift immediately – humidity hung in the air, the streets burst with vibrant music and color, and the city’s colonial charm was undeniable. It's the perfect choice for a Flash Trip: 3 Days Cartagena-style. It’s one of Colombia’s most touristed spots, so we braced ourselves for crowds and higher prices but found the experience more than worth it.
Here’s how we spent three fantastic days in Cartagena, and how you can too – kids and all!
If you want to spend more time on the Caribbean, check out our tips and itinerary for a trip along the coast.
FLASH TRIP CARTAGENA INDEX:
When to Go to Cartagena
Cartagena's drier and cooler season is December-April, when you'll find temperatures generally in the high 80°s (around 31° Celsius). This period is Cartagena's summer, and when you'll find the most tourists (especially around the holidays and March/April). Keep in mind that the city is humid all year round.
At WS&T we believe in braving the worse weather for fewer crowds, especially because off-seasons or shoulders-seasons tend to be cheaper. May-December tends to have higher rainfall, which peaks in October. We happened to visit in October and besides a few showers, we were lucky that it wasn't very rainy at all.
Sometimes you have to go for the peak season because that's when the kids' vacation times are, but we don't think there's a "bad" time to visit Cartagena!
Weather in Cartagena
Cartagena is hot and humid – no getting around it. After packing raincoats and sweaters for Bogotá, we dug out shorts and AJ’s portable fan as soon as we arrived. Even during the rainy season, the daily thunderstorms were brief and perfectly timed for family siestas.
Packing Essentials:
Lightweight, breathable clothing
Sunscreen (for kids 6 months and up)
A portable fan (lifesaving for little ones!)
Plenty of water
Is it Safe to Visit Cartagena?
In covering roughly 1,700 km (1,000 mi) in a rental vehicle, the times felt unsafe were both during our roadtrip on the Caribbean Coast, where we experienced an uncomfortable police shakedown (that was more of a nuisance than an actual danger) and the driving itself. But I will get into that in our post on driving in Colombia.
Everywhere else that we went - including the city of Cartagena, Bogotá, Medellín, and the Zona Cafetera, people were warm and friendly. E felt the same on a previous trip to Popayán. Police and military presence were notable, and cities we visited felt safe. Read more of our thoughts on safety in Colombia here.
We also recommend you read our cheeky post on general travel safety!
So, is it safe to visit Cartagena? We say yes!
Arriving in Cartagena
Getting to Cartagena was a breeze with Colombia’s excellent domestic flight network, one of the longest-flying in Latin America. We flew into Aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Núñez, just 10-15 minutes from the historical city center.
WS&T Money Tip: There is a range of ATMs in the arrivals hall, so it should be easy to withdraw a chunk of Colombian Pesos to start your journey. There is also a currency exchange counter if you’ve brought cash with you. Try to use your travel credit card as much as possible! Get those points and fee reimbursements! Learn more about the card we trust in our article covering all the pros and cons to travel cards.
Getting to Your Hotel:
Taxi: We used the official yellow airport taxis. They quoted us COP 16,000 (~$3.70).
WS&T Money Tip: Always confirm the taxi price upfront and ask about using credit cards if necessary.
Uber/Didi: These ride-hailing apps worked well for us.
WS&T Bratpacker Tip: Make sure your Uber has the rear seatbelts accessible before loading up all your luggage. People tend to be lax about using rear seatbelts in Colombia, so sometimes the driver needs to dig them out of the seat for you.
Public Transportation: Cartagena has the TransCaribe bus lines which are by far the cheapest way to get around, but for the short trip into the city, we recommend skipping the hassle of the bus and going with taxi, ride share, or car rental.
Car Rental: We decided to rent our car at the airport, so we turned left outside of baggage claim and found the National Car Rental suite. Only one person could fit in the tiny office, so T stayed outside playing with AJ while E did the voluminous paperwork. Once again, the process was lengthy, but the customer service was impeccable. Then we walked over to the car rental lot and found our car, which was super easy. We drove through the Cartagena traffic to our hotel, where T dropped E off to check in and ask about parking.
Where to Stay in Cartagena
Cartagena is wonderfully walkable, so we stayed in the Centro Histórico (the walled city) to make exploring easy.
WS&T Travel Tip: Hotel parking is ballet and origami in equal measure. You may need to drop your travel partner at the hotel and circle the block while they inquire about parking. By circle the block, we mean follow the massive one-way flow of traffic around Cartagena’s historical center until you can weave your way back to the hotel.
Oftentimes, you’re going to be renting a spot on the street close to your hotel. It was pretty informal, but there was someone observing the cars 24/7. Cost varies. We paid approx. 20,000 pesos every 24 hours.
Our Hotel Picks:
Soy Local Centro Histórico: Simple, budget-friendly, and centrally located, with kitchenettes for baby life. Great price!
Voilà Centro Histórico: Schwankier modern amenities, breakfast, pool, and coworking spaces. Awesome location.
Casa del Arzobispado: A splurge-worthy former 17th-century palace with a gorgeous pool and included breakfast.
AirBnB: Consider an Airbnb apartment in the center of town, which will make baby life a little easier!
Where to Eat in Cartagena
Check out our cheat sheet on Colombian cuisine for a food-obsessed overview of the country's flavors, staples, and signature dishes.
Centro Histórico:
Pascal: A lifesaver for families with great breakfast options.
Candé: Upscale Colombian seafood dishes.
La Cevicheria: Fresh ceviche in a vibrant setting.
Getsemaní:
La Cocina de Pepina: A local institution for Caribbean seafood.
Lunático: Mediterranean-Colombian fusion that’s perfect for takeout.
Healthy Options:
After all the rich food, sometimes it’s time for a little restorative therapy.
Epoca Café Bar: Trendy with a great coffee selection.
El Bololó: Caribbean protein bowls and tropical smoothies.
What We Did in Cartagena
Day 1: Exploring the Walled City
There are just enough activities to fill three days in Cartagena without feeling overwhelmed. When in doubt, wander through the lively streets and just soak it all in!
After settling in, we hit the cobblestone streets of the Centro Histórico. The energy here is infectious so just hanging out to people watch is fantastic – vendors selling fresh mango and papaya, stunning colonial architecture, and music echoing through the alleys. The fruit is heavenly.
Our First Stops:
Parque del Centenario: AJ was mesmerized by the sloths, monkeys, and giant iguanas lounging in the trees.
Puerto del Reloj (Clocktower): This iconic gateway led us into the vibrant walled city, where we sampled sweets from the Portal de los Dulces.
Plaza de la Aduana: Cartagena’s largest square, perfect for people-watching.
From here, check out any of the city’s museums today or tomorrow. They aren’t necessarily the most epic museum’s you’ll visit, but all are filled with interesting artifacts and information and housed in gorgeous old buildings.
You’ll find across Cartagena that most public squares or historical figures have major ties to the slave trade, which boomed for over 300 years in Colombia until its abolition in 1851. Cartagena’s Black and mestizo population survived in the face of generations of horror and now makes up a major (maybe the major) cultural force of Colombia’s Caribbean region.
Museums We Loved:
Santuario San Pedro de Claver: A sobering yet beautiful tribute to Colombia’s patron saint.
Museo de Arte Moderno: Small but packed with impressive Colombian modern art.
Museo Naval del Caribe: Even if ships aren’t your thing, the naval history here is fascinating.
If you missed the much larger Museo de Oro in Bogotá (or just really love gold!) check out the Museo de Oro Zenu. Gabriel Garcia Marquez fans can visit his mausoleum inside the convent cloister called the Claustro de la Merced.
We ended the day wandering through Getsemaní, a lively, mural-filled neighborhood.
Dinner was takeout from Lunático so AJ could keep her drama-lite bedtime routine.
Day 2: Day Trips or City Exploration
We debated heading out of town or diving deeper into Cartagena. Here’s what we learned:
Islas del Rosario: A group of coral islands perfect for snorkeling. We heard good things about Islabela day trips (around $85-95 USD).
Playa Blanca: Gorgeous but crowded. If you go, arrive early or on a weekday for a quieter experience.
Aviario Nacional de Colombia: This bird sanctuary is near Playa Blanca and a hit with kids.
Option 2: More Cartagena
We started with breakfast at the lovely (and air-conditioned) Pascal, then took a taxi (30-45 minutes) to the Convento de la Popa for a bird’s eye view of the city and a visit to a chapel built in 1606. The 360° views from this hilltop chapel are breathtaking.
WS&T Travel Tip: Ask your taxi driver to wait while you check it out, and make sure to negotiate the price in advance – aim for around $50,000 pesos round trip including the wait.
Back in the city, check out any museums you missed yesterday! As the afternoon winds down, wait for temperatures to cool off a bit then set out to explore the city’s massive walled fortifications. You can walk along the walls – and in some places, take a ramp to walk on top of them – for seven miles!
Most visitors begin back at the Puerto del Reloj and proceed clockwise around the city (or as much as you’d like to explore).
The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is an engineering marvel with great views - take a short (but toasty) walk via Avenida Pedro de Heredia or an even shorter taxi ride.
In the evening, enjoy more of Cartagena’s great spots to eat – or if you’re en familia, grab takeout and settle in for a cozy night! You could always revisit Encanto (10th time?).
Day 3: A Relaxed Farewell
Before you leave the city, make sure you eat something you haven’t tried yet! This is your moment for a final pan de bono, tropical fruit with sprinkled chili, or a traditional fried snack at Fritos de Doro.
Then, it’s time to grab a taxi or a DiDi back to the airport… or continue on down the coast or on to explore the rest of Colombia!
Great Day Trips from Cartagena
Looking to escape the city for a day? Here are some fantastic day trips to consider. For a full rundown of our Caribbean Coast recommendations, check out our detailed guide.
Traveling with babies? Keep in mind that many of these destinations are water-based or require a boat ride, which may not be ideal for little ones. We’re already planning to come back when the kids are older!
Islas del Rosario
Just 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) southwest of Cartagena, the Islas del Rosario are a stunning archipelago of 27 coral islands. While most are too small to explore, several islands are accessible by boat and offer excellent snorkeling and less crowded beaches.
Isla Grande
The largest of the islands, Isla Grande, features affordable resorts like Cocoliso and Isla del Sol (a pricier option) for beach access and snorkeling.If you’re in the mood to splurge, consider staying overnight at the secluded and luxurious Coralina Island Resort on Isleta.
How to Get to the Islas del Rosario
Boat Tours: Boats depart from Muelle de la Bodeguita Puerto 1, located just south of Parque de la Marina.
Choose between slower, cheaper boats or faster, pricier options.
Many operators offer package tours that include Playa Blanca, snorkeling stops, or even a visit to an aquarium.
Boats typically leave between 8–10 AM and return around 3:30 PM, so it’s a good idea to book early.
We’ve heard great reviews about day trips to Islabela, which cost around $85–95 USD per person. Check platforms like Viator for options and pricing.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a breathtaking 3-kilometer stretch of white sand and crystal-clear water—perfect for a quick beach escape. Located just 45 minutes from Cartagena, it’s a convenient getaway, but there are a few things to note:
Crowds: Playa Blanca is very popular, especially on weekends and during high season. Arrive early or go on a weekday for a more relaxing experience.
Costs: You’ll need to pay for a beach chair, and expect to interact with numerous vendors throughout the day.
Jet Skis: The surfline can get crowded with jet skis, which can be noisy and create a less tranquil atmosphere.
If you’re willing to navigate the hustle, Playa Blanca offers pristine sand and gorgeous water that’s well worth the trip.
How to Get to Playa Blanca
Boat: Depart from Muelle de la Bodeguita Puerto 1—you may be offered package tours that combine Playa Blanca with the Rosario Islands.
Taxi or Rideshare: A straightforward and comfortable option if you prefer to avoid the boats.
Aviario Nacional de Colombia
If you’re heading to Playa Blanca with kids (or if you’re a bird lover!), add a stop at the
Aviario Nacional de Colombia. Located just five minutes from the beach, this aviary is like an upgraded bird zoo, home to a wide variety of species.
WS&T Travel Tip: Water and sunscreen. Water and sunscreen. Water and sunscreen.
Ready for More?
After exploring the best of Cartagena, why stop there? The Caribbean Coast has so much more to offer. Check out our full guide to the coast and get ready for endless adventure!
Staying Cool on the Coast? Click below to check out some curated picks for making life easier when traveling with (and without) small children.
Visit GEAR UP For More Outstanding Travel Essentials
Copyright © WS&T. All rights reserved.
Comments